Tuesday Tales - Picture Prompt

Hey everyone! This week is a picture prompt and our excerpts are 300 words. ​ We are back with Juliet and Ares in my paranormal/Greek god romance. 
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​**Warning - there may be adult language and adult situations.**

The sound of his boot steps on the granite floor echoed throughout the empty house. Ares frowned. Where was the hired help? Was he too late? Or did Mom turn them into some sort of vermin?
He huffed. He wasn’t lying when he said his mother was a bitch. She manipulated mortals and gods alike. Even him. More than once he was forced to play the good son in her little facade as a senator’s wife. He hated every second at her side dressed in the finest playing her puppet. After he was free of her grasp he binged on alcohol and whores. Or he started a massive war. It depended on his mood.
He stepped inside the study and growled. Hera stood staring out the window into her garden. Out on the lawn, three peacocks strutted in brilliant colors amongst the flower beds. A glass of wine sat next to an aged bottle. The corkscrew that was still drilled into the cork left the pungent scent of alcohol in the room.
She turned slowly and smiled. Her smirk sent chills through his veins. “So what do I owe the honor of the great god of war visiting me?”
“Hey, Mom,” Ares replied. “Day drinking, huh?”
“Ares, I’ve been drinking wine since I came into existence.” She nodded to to white box in his hand. “And is that a gift you’ve brought for me? What do you want from me?”
“Can’t a boy bring his mother a gift without wanting something?”
Hera laughed. Her voice was beautiful but terrifying. He was sure he saw a bird or two drop dead outside. “Please, son. Let’s not pretend we’re the perfect family. I am the queen of the universe. You are the family reject. So I ask again. What do you want?”