Deianera’s Palace

Titania, The Realm

The Goddess Deianera had just returned from Zeus’ domain where she had attended the ceremony that assigned her title and awarded her, her powers. As she climbed the staircase to her own palatial palace she thought about her recent reprieve from the Underworld and her new stature as Goddess.

Having faced the fact that she had committed suicide was difficult, at first she simply denied it. And even when she finally accepted it, she was depressed and full of sorrow. She had loved her husband, but ended up torturing him and instead of trying to win him back she removed any chance of that happening by taking her own life.

Her time spent in the underworld was lonely, although Hades kept her busy, so at times it was not too unbearable. Deianera was in charge of the housekeeping duties in her section of the Underworld, for it was a messy place at times because the deities simply did not care much. They were too involved with their own grief, problems or concerns. So she basically cleaned up most of the time.

Shortly after her arrival she had been briefed fully about The Higher Realm and who resided there. She had been surprised to find out her mother was a Goddess living there as well, after having spent a short amount of time in the Underworld for her own crime.

The Underworld basically contained two caves, Erebus and Tartarus. Erebus was a large cave about the size of several large palaces. It had various rooms and hallways, a great room, recreation room, and other rooms such as the large dining room.

Her own quarters were not too drab. Hades had allowed her to put up moving images of her mother and her Husband as well. The moving pictures were magically enhanced by her mother who had sent the pictures to her, which first had to be approved by Hades. Since Deianera kept his own quarters spotless and treated him with the utmost respect Hades had allowed her the gifts. But after a while, watching her husband was too painful and she took his down.

She had a comfortable couch in the room and several chairs, a full library of books to read and there were moving blocks on the wall in addition, which showed various activities in The Higher Realm, and also various activities on modern day Earth, so at least Deianera did not feel totally cut off from the other deities and was able to see what was happening in earth’s mortal lives as well.

However until the day came that she totally broke down accepting her own crime, she never really paid much attention to anything. She just did her job with a heavy heart and then later retired to her room where she sat depressed and lonely.

Finally one particular depressing day Hades called her to his chambers. It was for her 3000 year review.

She entered his quarters and saw him sitting behind his large desk. Hades was an attractive man but at the same time was fierce looking. He had copper brownish red hair and it stood away from his head like that of a Lion’s mane, and fell down past his shoulders. His eyes were a brilliant green and he had a beautiful smile even though most of the time he was scowling.

Although some were mistaken, Hades was not a really evil man. But he had created much mischief when he had been mortal, and was considered to be rather cold and without mercy for the most part. His crime had been that he brought a mortal back to life after having just received his powers and for that he had been put in Tartarus where he spent a short amount of time. Later his brother Zeus in a more generous mood one day made his sentence lighter, allowing Hades to become ruler of the Underworld.

And so Hades had asked her that day, the same question he had asked her for each review of the last 2,000 years.“How do you feel now about the taking of your own life Deianera?”

She had answered, with a leaden tone to her voice,“I have accepted that I have committed suicide. I know now, it was wrong,” she said her voice trembling.

Hades watched her closely. This was the first time she had admitted that to him. “And how do you feel about being transferred to the higher realm?” he asked.

“I do not wish to go there,” she said sighing. “For I am not worthy, to be in the company of the greater Gods, sire,” she replied, her head down as tears started to fall.

Hades sighed and said, “Alright Deianera, you may return to your chambers.”

As he watched her leave the room, he thought, that even though she had taken a big step forward, she still was not ready to be promoted to The Realm. He wondered if she ever would be.

******

Eight hundred years later, Deianera was in her chambers one night. She was sitting on her couch playing with her cat, Hercules, named after her husband, the last man she had loved. The cat was another present from her mother a thousand years ago, and was the one bright spot for her in this wretched place.

As she stroked Hercules’ stomach, her eyes went up and focused on the block of images on the wall. Normally she paid no attention to the mortal blocks as she found them quite boring for the most part. But something seemed to compel her to watch this time.

She saw a scene of many people all seated in some kind of arena. There was a raised platform area and upon it a large area near the rear of the platform held a structure that was metal and wood with round discs. On one of the largest discs were two words. Which letters were in a different language. As Deianera’s language was Greek, she didn’t know what they meant. The words were Bon Vincent.

Deianera walked to a table and picked up a small hand held device, similar to current earth’s t.v. remote control. Locating the language button she then honed in on the translation option.

The translator printed out on the block in Greek:

Bon Vincent: American Musical Group currently popular world wide from the year 1985 A.D. to present. Members: Bon Vincent, Ryan Sanders, Dane Bliss and Tek Martinez. She sat down again and pressed the button so she could now hear the sound in Greek.

A dark haired man walked out onto the stage as those in the audience screamed and applauded. He was a fairly nice looking she thought. He walked over to some kind of instrument which was leaning up against the side wall, and picked it up. It had a strap which he placed over his body behind his neck. The man then strummed the strings of the instrument which emitted a rather strange musical sound, something which Deianera had never heard and at first it was startling. However it was not unpleasant, she thought. In fact it was rather stimulating.

She watched and listened as he strummed a bit more. Then she saw another short dark haired man come out onto the platform who went over and climbed behind the large structure near the back, to more applause from the audience. This man appeared to be older and she watched as he picked up two sticks and struck them on the large cylindrical object which sounded like thunder to her.

Next came a curly, fair haired man who walked over to a device raised from the floor which had legs holding it in place. This man was nice looking she thought as she watched him work his fingers over the instrument. Deianera at this point pressed the zoom button and saw that every time he hit the white and black keys very pleasant tinkling notes were emitted.

Then she zoomed back as she heard the audience go wild. They were screaming so loud and she wondered if someone had suddenly gotten murdered.

As the video zoomed out, she saw that another man had walked out onto the stage. He was medium tall and dressed in the same kind of garments as the others but with some differences. His upper garment hugged his torso tightly, had no sleeves and she could see his muscular arms and torso. The material was cut to end a little above his trousers and as he raised his arms to wave at the crowd, the material was pulled up further. She saw a rippled muscular abdomen and felt a little warm at that. He certainly had a great physique, she thought.

She zoomed in again and focused on his face. He had golden blond shaggy hair which ended slightly above his shoulders. But his face is what held her gaze. By Zeus’ beard, he was handsome she thought. With blemish free tanned skin, eyes a beautiful vivid blue, lips sensual, and when he smiled his teeth were white and even. His smile made her heart ache.

Totally mesmerized Deianera could not tear her gaze from him. His voice as he said hello to the audience was soft, husky and sensual as well, and she felt goosebumps tickle her spine. He then started singing a song. After listening for a bit, she realized it was a love song. And it seemed as though he were singing it directly to her.

She made herself more comfortable on the couch and for the first time in almost 4,000 years her depression totally lifted as she listened, her heart and soul relating to the song, for he sang with passion and such feeling that she felt chills once again up and down her spine.

By the time the song ended to thunderous applause and screams from the audience, she had felt moved in such a way that she had never experienced before. As tears overflowed her eyes she knew that she had to know more about who this mortal was.. But how? How could she find out about him locked up in this place she wondered.

She sat and pondered and then the answer came to her. She couldn’t, she realized. She could only watch him on a moving picture block but could not find out any details as long as she remained here. She knew what she had to do then. She had to go to Hades and tell him that she’d had a change of heart. That she was now ready to be transferred to the Realm.

The only problem was, she thought, was that her review did not come up again for at least 200 years, so that might not be possible until then...

Which it wasn’t she found out soon after that. She had met Hades the next day and not wanting to tell him her change of heart simply asked if a prisoner had changed their mind and decided they wanted to go to the Realm would they have to wait until their next review. He had looked at her a bit strangely for a moment and said he was afraid the answer was yes. His eyes questioned her further, but disappointed, she just thanked him and went back to her chambers.

So for the remainder of her time there she kept herself busy yet was totally immersed with watching the moving blocks of life on earth.

She had found out not too long after she saw first saw the musical group that there was a button on the device where you could watch other scenes with each of the members, which she did, but only of the blond haired singer. The one who had moved her so greatly was the one the data had revealed as Bon Vincent.

Then came the day she watched him outside in a city, alongside a beautiful woman. She felt pangs of jealousy as she watched her heart throb bend and kiss the woman passionately, as people standing around who were holding cylindrical metal devices pointed at the couple, cheered them on.

She had pressed a button on the remote which would tell her who this woman was. The data came across the screen which said: Alexandria Isabella Grey, Model and Writer and current lover of Bon Vincent. Resides in Cape Neddick Maine, United States of America. There was another button on the device underneath the info button which said details. She pressed that and words flashed across the screen which said:

Currently the host, chosen for The Adonis Mission.

The Adonis Mission? What was this Adonis Mission, she wondered. Adonis was a God in the High Realm, and in fact now that she thought of it, Bon Vincent reminded her of Adonis. She’d pressed the details button again and suddenly, the screen with the couple went blank and the other block lit up. It showed various deities sitting at a long oval shaped table.

She saw that the God of Time, Kronos was standing at a podium. Behind him were three blocks much like the one she was looking at now, which showed images of three mortals. She pressed the button as it zoomed in and her eyes glanced at the first mortal, then moved to the second but when she got to the third she gasped for she was looking at Bon. Beneath his block was the name: Bon Vincent Johnson. Why did he have a slightly extended name of ‘Johnson’ she wondered?

Kronos was talking and pointing at the blocks behind him, but the sound was low and she pressed the button to increase the volume and then, eyes glued to the screen she listened as Kronos continued speaking...

******

The limo dropped the girls off at Alexis’ house and Bon invited them back to have dinner with them at 7. They said they’d love to and each of the twins kissed their guys as the limo drove away.

Alexis entered her house to find all three of her cats sitting in the foyer as if they knew she was finally home. “Aw you guys, did you miss me?” Alexis said as she bent down and caressed Moody’s head. Tonks came over then and rubbed her furry body up against Alexis’ caressing hand as Hedwig her Angora licked her face with her tongue.

“It’s good to be home for a change,” she commented to Olivia as she stood and picked up one of Olivia’s two suitcases.

“Yeah it looks like your felines sure missed you, Lex,” Olivia said as they headed upstairs.

Both girls went to their rooms then to freshen up before going back over to Bon’s house.

Alexis ran her shower and then stepped in and started to bathe from head to toe.

Olivia was unpacking all of her things and then she too went in the bathroom to take a quick shower.

An hour later and they were still getting ready. Both women decided to dress up a little even though Bon didn’t mention that he and Rye would be. Although they both opted for shorter cocktail type of dresses rather than anything more formal.

Alexis was wearing a pretty flirty blue printed silk dress which ended three to four inches above her knees. She dabbed on some perfume, and then started fussing with her hair, just as her cell went off.

“Hello?” she said not looking at her caller ID and still fussing with her hair.

“Hey beautiful!” Bon said. Alexis said, “Hey lover, what’s up? I’m just finishing my hair right now.”

“Well I called because I was wondering what’s taking you ladies so long? We’re lonely over here plus we’re fucking starving!” he said laughing shortly.

“What time is it?” Alexis asked glancing at her watch. Shit it was a quarter past 7 already. “Sorry babe, but I had to take a shower, choose my dress and shoes, fix my hair and makeup and all that takes time.”

“You’re wearing a dress? How come you’re dressing up?” Bon asked.

“What’s wrong with dressing up a little?” she shot back.

“Aww Baby c’mon Rye and I are sittin’ here in jeans. Why would you go to all that trouble?” he asked as Alexis felt her hackles slowly rise.

“Trouble?” she asked, trying to keep her voice calm and even. “I thought you might appreciate seeing me in a dress for a change Bon instead of my usual shorts and jeans. But if you really hate the idea of me in a dress I guess I can rip it off and throw on an old pair of workout pants and maybe a stained T shirt to go with it!” Her voice was sarcastic at the last and Bon said, “Now you’re being ridiculous!”

“I don’t think I am!” she said totally out of patience with him. “In fact it might be nice for a change to see you dress up a bit, as I’m kind of sick of looking at you in the same stuff all the time. Tee shirt and jeans that’s basically what you wear!”

“I thought you liked me best in a tee shirt and jeans, that’s what you always tell me!” Bon’s tone was sounding rather irritated too.

There was a silence and she said, “Not all the time. But you know what, just forget it. We’ll be over in a few minutes,” she said and slammed the phone down.

She looked at her angry face in the mirror seeing her cheeks flushed with color, just as there was a knock on her door.

“What?” Alexis called, crankily.

“It’s me hon,” Olivia said, “Can I come in?”

Alexis opened the door and let her sister inside. “Wow you look great sis,” Olivia said and then caught the look on Alexis’ face. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing really,” Alexis replied. “I just had a bit of an argument with Bon, that’s all. Sometimes I swear men can be so fucking dumb,” she said and then said, “But we need to go and by the way you look hot in that dress.”

“Thanks,” Olivia said. “But do you think these earrings will go with it?” She held out her hand and it was the same black pearl earrings she had on earlier.

“I don’t know, but why don’t you put them on so I can see the whole package?” Alexis asked her.

“Okay, but I need the light of the bathroom. I’ll be right back,” Olivia said and walked into the master bath.

She put the earrings on and then looked at herself in the full length mirror.

She hoped Rye would like her dress. Patting a stray curl back in place she walked back in the bedroom as Alexis turned from the dresser.

“You know that color really looks great on you,” Olivia said.

“Thanks,” Alexis replied. “And your earrings do go quite well with your dress hon, as there is some black in it. You look beautiful,” she said. “Now let’s get our butts in gear okay?”

The girls left the room then and hurried out the front door and over to Alexis’ car. Less than a minute later Alexis pulled into Bon’s driveway and parked. They got out of the car and smoothed their dresses and then walked up to the front door just as the door opened.

“It’s about time you two got here!” Rye said, and then pulled Olivia close to him and said, “Oh baby do you look fine or what?”

Alexis was staring at Rye noticing that he definitely did not have jeans on. He had a red silk shirt on with black levis and a black sports jacket.

Suddenly she caught a movement out of her peripheral vision and turned and saw Bon in the doorway. He too was dressier and was wearing black levis that fit him like a glove, a black shirt and a suede brown sports jacket. He looked great.

Her eyes met his and he walked over to her and said, “You look beautiful.”

But Alexis was still a little irate with him and simply said without smiling, “Thanks.”

She started to brush by him but he stopped her and pulled her close quickly as his mouth came down on hers. She struggled and tried to pull away but he held her firmly as his tongue forced its way into her mouth. But she would not kiss him back, instead she wrenched her mouth away from him and said, “I thought you were hungry?”

“I’m always hungry for you baby,” he said as he tried to kiss her again, but she dropped and ducked under his arm and stalked into the house.

Rye who had just finished kissing Olivia, glanced at him with a question in his eyes as the three of them then went inside.

******

Deianera was looking around at her beautiful home which Zeus had created for her. It was quite lovely and had many rooms. There were beautiful gardens outside, a large pond with swans and other water fowl and a lovely forest separated her property from her mother’s own palace.

As she stepped outdoors, she walked through the gardens as her remembrances of her stay in the Underworld continued.

After she had watched the video of the meeting and found out all the particulars of the Adonis Mission her heart had been a bit heavy. She had went to the Hall of Current Affairs, in Erebus and looked up information on the mission. According to the rules, once a mortal was chosen and had mated with the target host they were considered bound to one another until one of them were to die or end their relationship. Plus the whole purpose of T.A.M. was to produce a child, one who would become an immortal.

But after thinking about it over and over, it mattered little to her. She knew she wanted the mortal and she had to have him. At whatever cost.

Finally the day came for her next review. She was called to Hades’ chamber and she sat down as he asked her the same question. “How do you feel now about the taking of your own life Deianera?”

She said, “I realize now my Lord, that it was very wrong of me to do that. I was suffering greatly but I was also selfish and did not consider the consequences of what I was doing. I regret it deeply,” she said, and Hades noticed that gone was the depressed look and her voice was firm and strong.

“And how do you feel about being transferred to the higher Realm?” Hades asked once again.

“I believe I am ready sire, I am not afraid anymore for I have learned a great lesson and I do long to be among the other deities in the high Realm.”

Hades said, “Zeus will be pleased, Deianera, when I report to him on the progress you have made. I see a vast change in the young 23 year old woman sitting in front of me from the one who first arrived here almost 4,000 years ago,” he finished. She smiled at him then.

Hades was quiet for a moment and then said, “It is my guess that you shall be among those in the High Realm and soon. I will send a report to my brother and you will be informed as to his decision.” He smiled at her then, one of the few rare smiles he bestowed upon those in his domain whom he was pleased with.

Two days later, Hades requested her presence in his chambers. When she entered he walked over to her and smiling handed her a scroll. She opened it and read:

This is to inform you, that I, Zeus, the Most High and Mightiest God in all of The Realm do hereby order the release of:

Deianera, wife of Heracles, daughter of Hekate, Goddess of Witchcraft and Magic and, Dionysus, God of Wine and Fertility.

She has been abdicated from her crime of suicide, having been assessed by Hades, my brother and ruler of the Underworld, upon which she has been judged to be competent and of sound mind. Furthermore Hades has stated that a reconciliation between herself and the deed she had committed has now taken place.

A full Title as well as the powers that go along with it, will be awarded to her in a special ceremony, upon her return to The Higher Realm which will take place on this day.

An escort will be provided by her mother, Hekate.

Signed...

There was an image of a thunder cloud with a lightening bolt slicing it in half as Zeus’ signature.

And so the very next morning, her mother appeared in her chambers. Hekate was a handsome forty year old woman with long black hair and one silver streak that ran alongside her face going from scalp to the ends of her hair which nearly touched her backside. She had an olive skinned complexion and an hourglass figure and was quite tall, almost reaching six feet.

Deianera upon seeing her mother laughed joyously and hurried to her and they hugged for neither one had seen the other in a very long time.

“My daughter,” Hekate said as she hugged her. “I cannot tell you how happy I am that you have been released. Now you can return with me to the Realm and enjoy everything it means to be an immortal.”

Deianera said, “I am so happy mother that I’m finally leaving this place. Tell me is my father still in the Realm too?”

“Yes my darling,” Hekate answered, “But you know that your father and I ended our relationship long ago.”

Deianera’s face looked sad at that but then saw that Hekate’s face looked radiant as she said, “But I have some really happy news of my own to tell you!”

Deianera said, “What is it my mother?”

“Let us take the journey to the upper Realm first daughter,” her mother answered. “Then once the ceremony and briefings are over and you are shown around your new palace we can chat then and I will tell you my news.” The two women hugged again.

“Are you ready my dearest?” Hekate asked her.

“I am ready,” the younger Goddess replied.

Both women left Deianera’s chambers then and walked down a long hallway. At the end was a single doorway. They entered the door and found themselves in a room which was basically four walls. There was no furniture in the room. The only thing that was visible was a short staircase which led up to a cylindrical doorway of some sort.

“What is that?” Deianera asked.

“It is the portal, my dear that will take us to the Higher Realm. It is a tool Kronos created and implemented from the very beginning of time and is specifically used for various types of transportation. Normally time traveling or to visit earth’s current time.”

She took her daughter’s hand as they mounted the steps and then Hekate said, “Go on dear one, enter the portal and I will follow.”

Deianera looked at the opening which had swirls of multi colored lights pulsating and shimmering and gathering her courage and without hesitation, she had stepped through the portal, on her way at last to the Higher Realm.

******

Once there, she had been briefed in Zeus’ chambers and there had been the ceremony, performed by Zeus himself, where she was awarded her Goddess title and given her powers. She knew all about magic as she had learned a great deal from her mother when they had both been living. As for her other title ‘Erotic Desire,’ she was her Father’s daughter in that respect and her own nature was very sensual, so both titles suited her well.

Now as she waited in her gardens for her mother to join her, she formulated in her mind just how she would tell her her about her plans regarding the mortal. Would her mother be shocked she wondered? Or would she be supportive and help her with her mission? Furthermore she was quite curious as to what her mother’s own good news was. And so Deianera’s mind continued to ramble on while she awaited the Goddess’s arrival.

******

Alexis stood inside the entryway of Bon’s mansion as the others entered. Just then Fran walked into the foyer and said, “Herr Bon Vincent, da dinner she es served!”

Bon thanked her as they all headed for the dining room. Olivia and Rye went first but as Alexis moved to follow Bon suddenly grabbed her arm and whirling her backed her against the wall. She stared at him sullenly.

“Are you gonna be pissed off at me the whole evening?” he asked his face looking a bit gloomy.

She didn’t say anything and he said, “Look baby, I apologize for being a stupid turd on the phone with you before. But you know I love anything you wear, for baby you wear it so well!” he said his eyes twinkling, his hand lightly caressing her jaw.

She said, “You are such a liar! What about the blouse I had on a few days ago?”

When he looked confused she said, “You know the purple one that you said reminded you of something you’d find in your Grandmother’s closet?”

“Oh,” he said, “that one.” He chuckled. “Okay I like most everything on you and I especially love the dress you’re wearing right now,” he breathed, his fingertips caressing the top of the bodice.

A small smile played around her lips. It was so very difficult to be upset with him for very long she thought.

“Really?” she asked as her arms went around his neck.

“Really,” he said, “and tonight I’m gonna show you just how much, when I get you alone.” His voice had dropped to a soft, husky tone and she felt darts of fire invade her body.

She raised her mouth to his, her lips parting as he covered her mouth with his own. They kissed passionately then and this time, she held nothing back as her tongue plunged boldly into his mouth. As lust threatened to overtake them both the kiss ended as Bon said, “If my stomach wasn’t growling right now I swear I’d pick you and that fine ass of yours up and carry you both upstairs!”

Alexis smiled then and as she pushed him backwards lightly with her hands on his chest, she said, “Yeah, right, you’re all talk no action!”

She turned away to head for the dining room, but he stopped her and picked her up saying, “Oh yeah? I’ll show you who’s all talk and no action,” and turned back towards the staircase. She squealed and said, laughing, “No baby I was just kidding! Put me down!”

Bon laughed then and set her down. He said, “Would you mind if I took off my jacket to eat dinner madame?”

Alexis smiled and said, “Go ahead, cuz I’d like to see how you look without it anyway!”

He took it off and draped it over a chair and Alexis stared at his tight black tee shirt loving the way he looked. There was that smirk on his face as he caught her giving his torso the once over.

You look great lover!” she said and he pulled her close and kissed her once more as they then headed for the dining room.