“You're a traitorous cur,” she said venomously. “You deserved it.”
“You evil bitch,” Erebus whispered as he shook his head in amazement. “Thank you for making this easier on me.”
Nyx clenched her teeth and lifted her chin.
“Do you have anything to say in your own defense, Nyx?” Athena asked her.
“I did as any goddess would do when attacked; I used the magic available to me to bring myself justice,” Nyx declared.
No one protested this, but no one accepted it as an excuse either.
“Aion, what say you?” Athena asked.
Aion shook his head and muttered, “I can still feel her taking my magic. I can still feel mortality coming for me.”
“Chronos, you have our deepest gratitude,” Athena said. “You have saved us all, and when I announce our verdict to the rest of the God Worldandsend word to the Fey, I shall include a report of your heroism.”
“It's my responsibility to look after Time,” Chronos said. “I am not a hero, nor do I wish to be regarded as one. You will leave me out of it, Olympian, and that shall be gratitude enough.”
“An honorable attitude that humbles us all,” Athena bowed her head to Chronos again. “So be it. The Council will discuss this and—”
“Is that really necessary?” Hermes asked. “I think we are all of one mind here.”
Hermes looked around the table, and the other gods nodded; including me.
“Very well,” Athena said. “In the matter of Nyx and her crimes against the realms, the Olympians, and the Greek Pantheon, the Olympian Council finds her guilty. I vote for execution. Who agrees?”
Everyone raised their hands except for me.
“Vervain?” Athena asked in shock. “She hurt you and Hades the most.”
“I know; just give me a second to think it over,” I said. “This is going rather quickly for an order of execution.”
I looked over at my men, and they stared steadily at me. Nyx had tried to take them from me; them and our children. She and Aion had tried to destroy everything that I held dear. But a straight-up execution just wasn't my style. A hunt through the woods; now, that felt right. But beheading someone as they knelt before you? That just didn't feel sporting. I grimaced at my own twisted thoughts.
Then Kirill caught my gaze and gave me a look that conveyed the faith he had in me. I couldn't betray that faith, or the love I shared with my men. This was not the time for mercy. I had tried to be merciful with Demeter once, and she had killed Odin and nearly killed Trevor. No; I had to protect my family and my friends. I was an Olympian—standing judge in an Olympian trial—and I had to do things their way. Honestly, a quick beheading was far more merciful than being torn apart by the Wild Hunt. The thought left me a little unsatisfied and prompted my next words.
“I vote yes, but I would like to conduct the execution,” I finally said.
The crowd cheered approvingly as Nyx went pale.
“Does anyone dispute this request?” Athena asked when the Gods settled.
“I do,” Hades growled as he stood.
I looked over at him in surprise.
“I'm sorry, Vervain, but I believe that I have the greater grievance with Nyx,” Hades said. “I claim the right to kill her; you can have Aion.”
“Hold on now,” Athena huffed. “I haven't even called for a vote on Aion yet.”
“Who thinks that we should execute Aion?” Hermes asked.
All of us raised our hands. Athena did so last, but I think that was more out of irritation at having her leadership undermined than anything else.
“There. Now, can we agree to let Hades execute Nyx, and Vervain execute Aion?” Hermes asked.
The Olympians nodded.
