Marcie struggled to sit up straighter as Hera approached her, but the goddess gave her a smile and held out a hand to indicate that she should relax. “So. You are Marcie,” she said as she approached. Nodding slowly, Marcie couldn’t take her eyes off her. Hera wasn’t the tallest but her bearing made her seem tall and imposing, like she was wearing a crown at all times. This was the Queen of Olympus, Goddess of women, mother of war and life. Marcie felt a tremble of awe and her blood rushed in her ears.
Hera was looking at her, and she had to blink and shake her head slightly to come back to earth. “I- I’m sorry?”
“I said, is Marcie a nickname?” Hera didn’t look annoyed at having to repeat herself, but her expression was intense and watchful.
“Oh, yes. For Marcella,” Marcie replied, and Hera’ mouth twisted into an amused smirk.
“Your mother has a sense of humour, I see. Child of Mars, are you? Hmm.”
“He is no father of mine,” Marcie said fiercely, and then held her breath suddenly afraid that Hera would take offense. But the woman only laughed and knelt down next to the sofa.
“So I see you’ve met him then. You are better off keeping your distance, in my opinion. Too many of his offspring have met premature and sticky ends, or they have ended another and were locked away from seeing sunlight again for a very long time. Now. Let's see what's happening here, shall we? Will you lie back and get comfortable? I am going to lay my hands on your belly. That’s the girl.”
Marcie lay back obediently, her gaze flicking to Hecate for a moment, just out of needing reassurance as she unwrapped herself and lifted her top. Hera’s hands were cool and firm on her as they pressed down, gently exploring, although Marcie didn’t know what they were searching for. Eventually she clucked her tongue softly and pulled her top down again.
“Things are coming along. It will take another day or so for things to fully pass, but it will happen cleanly.” Marcie had to suppress a groan, her face creasing with discomfort. Another whole day of this? Or more? She wanted it over and done with, she hated this weakness and misery. “Or,” Hera added, catching her look, “I can hurry things along for you. I warn you, however, that it won’t be without cost. The pain will increase until all the tissue has been passed. It would be perhaps more tolerable to let it go naturally.
Marcie clenched her jaw, looking back at Hecate and then at Hera. This was it. She was done. “Do it. Please. I just want it to be over with.”
Hera looked to Hecate. “Would you have a recipe for some kind of pain-numbing brew that would help?” she asked as she unbuttoned her cuffs and began rolling up her sleeves.