Until Hypnos spoke up. “Wasn’t this the woman who brought down Elysium?”
A few others murmured in agreement.
Sol opened his mouth to speak, but Trivia touched his knee to stop him. With a trembling breath, she said, “Yes. That was me. I was under Pandora’s influence, but my choices were my own. I know I cannot undo what I did, but I am deeply sorrowful for the pain I have caused.”
“I believe Trivia more than paid her dues by willingly giving herself up to Pandora’s box in order to save Elysium,” said Midas, his voice full of pride and a touch of irritation.
Gasps echoed around them. Diana straightened in her seat. “You destroyed Elysium… and then sacrificed yourself to save it?”
Trivia swallowed hard. “Um, yes. Well… I mean, I gave myself up to save Gaia and Sol so they could continue to rebuild the wards of Elysium.”
“And then she united with my other two daughters to unleash the power of the Triple Goddess,” Gaia said. The affection in her voice made Trivia’s heart lift. “She defeated theTitans.”
“I had help,” Trivia argued. “It wasn’tjustme. My sisters?—”
“She also willingly accepted the punishment for her crimes,” Marina said. “My sisters and I sentenced her to rebuild Elysium alongside Gaia and Sol. Trivia agreed to this. She has paid for her grievances. Sacrificing herself to Pandora’s box was not a requirement. I would say she hasmorethan redeemed herself for her past actions.”
Trivia’s heart was twisting and tightening inside her. She wasn’t sure if it was excitement or dread that filled her. Her pulse was racing. Good gods, this couldn’t be happening. Were these people…praisingher? She was torn between shame and gratitude. She didn’t deserve it, and yet… she was touched that people were acknowledging the lengths she had gone to to atone for her sins.
“I will gladly accept the nomination to become Elysium’s king,” Sol said. “So long as Trivia can reign by my side as queen.”
Trivia’s head whipped toward him, her eyes widening. And hewinkedat her. As if this were all some joke.
“Trivia, do you accept this?” Midas asked.
Trivia’s mouth opened and closed. Gods above, what could she say to this? Did she evenwantto be queen?
Sol watched her, his eyes softening with an unspoken question.
You can say no,his expression seemed to say.You have the choice.
But in that moment, Trivia realized she would doanythingto be with him. They had been given a second chance. And a third and a fourth…
They could finally be together.
And right then and there, she realized she would do it—she would become queen—so long as she could be by his side.
How long had she been plotting her revenge, angry at how the gods had treated her? How long had she spouted on about the despicable actions of those like Apollo?
This was her chance to change it all. To bring justice and freedom to the lesser gods and goddesses like herself. To change the realm for the better.
Strength and resolve swelled in her chest, and she found herself nodding. “Y-Yes. I accept.”
“Fabulous.” Midas clapped his hands together with a grin. “Are there any other nominations?”
“Iwouldnominate myself,” came Cyrus’s drawl, “if I weren’t already King of the Underworld.”
Several deities grumbled in annoyance.
“I nominate Gaia,” said Morpheus in his deep voice. “She was once our queen alongside Apollo before she was wrongfully banished.”
But Gaia was shaking her head. “I must refuse the nomination. I am not meant to be queen. I am meant to lead my coven of witches. As soon as our council is adjourned, I will be returning to my home in Krenia.”
Trivia’s chest tightened with dread. Gaia was…leaving?
But as Gaia met her gaze then, a mixture of sadness and joy filled those blue eyes. She was eager to return home. From what Trivia knew, there was a lover who awaited her.
And Gaia had suffered enough. She deserved to live happily with the one she lovedmost.
