“Thank you.”
“You're about to become an Olympian,” she said with a grin. “Membership has its benefits.”
“I have to admit that was pointed out to me.”
Athena laughed. “As I said, Vervain; this is going to be a strong alliance—for both sides. You will have the might of the Greeks behind you, and we will have the Godhunter. I predict that this will benefit us both greatly.”
“Then let's get this thing settled,” I said with a grin.
Chapter Forty-One
“Are you sure that you didn't give me the slutty toga?” I asked as I looked at myself in the mirror. “I look like Hollywood's version of a Greeks goddess.”
Athena laughed. “You are a bit more full-figured than I am, but I don't think it looks slutty on you. In fact, you make me wish for more curves.”
“Uh-huh.” I grimaced at her perfect, slim body, encased in gracefully draping silk, and then looked at the wobbly bits bulging out of my sheets.
“Come along, Godhunter; stop obsessing about the toga.” Athena pulled me out into the living room, where everyone was waiting.
The conversation stopped when we walked in, and I almost walked back out. But then I saw their faces. Everyone stared at me in what appeared to be impressed surprise. My men, in particular, wore adorably goofy expressions.
Hekate hooted. “Damn, girl! You rock that thing! You should get one in every color.”
“I feel a little exposed,” I said as I tried to pull the fabric together over my chest.
“Don't do zat,” Kirill said as he hurried over to me. He smoothed the fabric back into place and smiled. “Perfect.”
“Stop hoggin' the view, lion,” Re said as he came over. He looked me up and down; his golden eyes flashing. “Sweet sunlight; you're a vision.”
“Really?” I looked around the room.
“You look freaking fantastic!” Sephy said. “I can't wait for our first Olympian meeting; the other Greeks are going to pee themselves.”
“Let's just try to get through this ceremony without urine involved,” Horus said dryly (yes, I realize the irony).
“Ignore him,” Hekate said to me. “You've got the first step down; you look like an Olympian.”
“Thank you,” I said. “And thank you all for being here for me.”
“It's our pleasure, Vervain,” Hades said warmly.
“All right, everyone,” Athena said. “This is a simple ceremony which I've translated from the original Greek into English. It won't have the same poetry to it, but it will have the same result. Vervain, please take my hands.”
I stepped up to Athena and clasped her hands. She smiled reassuringly at me before closing her eyes. I felt the tingle of magic transfer from her fingers to mine.
“Do you, Vervain, Goddess of Love, swear to hold your place among the Twelve honorably; giving good counsel and fair judgment when called upon?”
“I do,” I said; feeling as if I were getting married again.
“And do you swear to support the judgments of the Twelve Olympians, even should that decree oppose your own?”
“What?” I scowled at her.
Athena sighed. “If you're outvoted, will you still support the majority rule?”
“Oh; I don't know... it depends.”
“Vervain.” Sephy widened her eyes at me. “It's the rules.”
“But what if everyone else votes to do something really horrible?” I asked.
“Persephone and I are Olympians,” Hades said patiently. “So are Artemis, and of course, Athena. Do you truly think that any of us would make a judgment so horrible that you couldn't support it?”
“Fair enough.” I sighed. “Okay, I swear to uphold the judgments of the Olympians.”
“Good.” Athena chuckled. “Finally, do you swear to be true to the Greek Pantheon?”
“Yeah; I'm gonna need you to be more specific on that one too,” I said.
“Do you swear to support the Greek gods?” Athena asked. “I think that's pretty clear.”
“No,” I said. “I can't swear to that.”
“What?” Athena gaped at me.
“I can't just make a blanket oath to support thousands of gods whom I don't know,” I explained.
“This is how alliances work, Godhunter,” Athena growled. “We agree to support you, and you agree to support us.”
“No,” I said again. “There are too many Greeks, Athena. I will not agree to such a general alliance. I will support and defend you against enemies who have wronged you, but I cannot agree to just blindly give my assistance.”
Athena sighed deeply and considered me. “All right; we will make an exception for you. You have other alliances you must protect, and it's reasonable for you to want to honor them. But if I grant you leeway, you must give us such in return.”
“Agreed,” I said. “You get my back if it doesn't go against your morals or alliances, and I'll do the same for you.”
“Agreed,” Athena said. “So, I ask instead; do you swear to defend us against our enemies if your virtue or allegiance does not prevent it?”
“I do.”
“Then, it is my honor to grant you the support of the Greek Pantheon in equal measure,” Athena said, “and to welcome you into your new status as an Olympian.”
With Athena's final words, a rush of energy surged up my hands and settled into my body. It was a bond, not a new magic, so it didn't take up residence as my other magics did, but I could feel the tie settling in permanently. And it felt good.
I smiled while my friends and family cheered. In true historic fashion, I had killed my way into a seat of power, and now I was being praised for it. Just as Mac had said; blood is the most important bond. Aphrodite, Demeter, and Ares would
