Pandora Gets Greedy by Carolyn Hennesy Read Free Book Online Page A

“Now, regarding today; normally, as you know, I would agree with you wholeheartedly. But if it’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s Rome. The populace has been seeing our pairings, albeit sporadically, for days now. I don’t think anyone will be too alarmed at seeing all of us at once.”
    â€œZeus and Jupiter are determined that we all attend this celebration today and I am convinced that more than a few of your citizens will faint from a … a … deity overload. Did you say five peppercorns?”
    â€œFive, that’s right,” said Minerva.
    â€œPass them to me will you, dear?”
    â€œLook at it this way,” Minerva said, handing Athena the small jar of black, green, and red corns. “If we all bunch together, most people will think we’re some sort of theater troupe, painted up to look like gods. But if we spread out a little, I think most won’t notice.”
    â€œI hope you’re right,” sighed Athena, putting the lidon the pot to catch the steam. “I wonder what Pandora will think when she sees us. We’ve all been so careful to stay out of her sight. Zeus really wants us all to be strictly a safety net; he wants her to do this all on her own. But from what Hermes has said, she’s lost her way.”
    â€œWell, seeing all of us today—with no Hera in sight—just might be the boost she needs, Gray Eyes,” Hermes said, popping his head into the enormous food-preparation room. “Sorry, make that Gray Eyes times two. Hello, Minerva.”
    â€œHermes.”
    â€œAnd you never know,” he continued. “Pandora is one of the most unusual maidens I have ever met. Spirit, guts, courage … I have to believe this is a temporary slump. You two almost ready to go?”
    â€œWe’ve just come from scouting and the procession is in full swing!” Mercury joined in, his head just above Hermes’.
    â€œWe only need to season this,” Minerva said.
    â€œWhat are we having?” Dionysus asked, tottering in from the hall.
    â€œBaked dormice,” Athena answered, without turning from the cooking pot.
    â€œLove it!” sang Bacchus, skipping past Dionysus, a wine bottle in his hand.
    â€œYou’ll love it later, Uncle,” said Minerva. “It’s for theevening meal. Excuse me, but is that Venus’s magic girdle in your hand?”
    â€œUncle Dio,” Athena said, turning her head to look at Dionysus. “Why is Aphrodite’s undergown on the top of your head?”
    â€œWellllllll,” Dionysus answered, pulling off the gown and waving it like a scarf. “It happened like this …”
    â€œWe wanted to have a little impromptu music session with Phoebus and Apollo,” Bacchus cut in. “But Ceres and Demeter had turned their ankles on the stairs and the golden boys were debating about the best way to heal the ladies. So then we thought we’d trim our hooves, y’know, make a good showing since we’re all going out soon …”
    â€œBut Ares and Mars were fighting over who got to use the lavatorium next,” Dionysus took over. “So we, Brother and I, just
happened
to wander up to the roof of the insula and who should we
happen
to spy but Aphrodite and Venus. They had just come back from checking in on that little maiden. One of Pandora’s friends …”
    â€œThe smart one,” Bacchus interrupted.
    â€œâ€¦ right, the smart one. And they were sorta lying around … sorta …”
    â€œSunbathing!” Bacchus giggled.
    â€œAnd we just wanted to make certain that they get a nice tan,” Dionysus went on.
    â€œA nice allover tan!” Bacchus said, doubling up with laughter and nearly falling on the floor. “And if they don’t have anything to cover up with …”
    â€œYou
stole
their clothes?” Minerva asked.
    â€œOkay,” said Hermes, turning for the stairs. “Well, Mercury