I closed my eyes and reached out for Aion's magic. I would have said that it was fortunate that I'd worn my emerald to the meeting, but I had a feeling that it was my subconscious at work. And that made me even more certain that I was doing the right thing. I found the time magic easily, and it came to me as trusting as it had been before. Magic didn't hold a grudge. It rushed into me, and I directed it into the thick band of gold around my emerald pendant. As the energy drained from Aion, I heard him sigh, and then came the soft sound of his body falling back; lifeless.
I opened my eyes and looked at Chronos. “Are you ready?”
Chronos nodded as he opened his arms. I called the time magic out of the gold and sent it through me once more; into Chronos. I felt its happiness as it surged into its new home, and I hoped that Chronos would treat it better than Aion had. From what I'd seen of the god so far, I had faith that he would.
When the time magic was completely in its new host, I let go of it and opened my eyes. Chronos was staring at me with a glowing blue stare and a brilliant smile. His wings unfurled as he leaned forward and embraced me.
“I knew you'd do the honorable thing, Vervain,” he whispered in my ear.
“And what if I had just killed Aion?” I asked as he released me.
“I would have been disappointed,” he said, “in both my judgment and yours.”
“Fair enough,” I said with a soft smile. “Thanks for having faith in me, Chronos, but next time, feel free to step in before Time is altered.”
Chronos chuckled. “As you like.”
“It's done,” Athena declared. “A copy of these proceedings shall be sent to the other Pantheons and to the Faerie Realm. May all bear witness to the justice we have delivered today, and know that the Olympian Council will not tolerate crimes of this nature.”
The Greek Gods cheered, and I went into the arms of my lovers; knowing that we were safe at last. For now.
Chapter Fifty
The God Squad returned to Pride Palace with us for a celebration/commiseration lunch. I had to explain everything to the Intare, and then I was going to head to Faerie to let Arach know that we were safe. I wasn't in a rush to leave since I'd be returning to the last time I'd left Faerie anyway; it wasn't as if I were keeping Arach waiting. In fact, he probably already knew. But I couldn't think about it like that; this whole situation had blown my mind, and I couldn't add another time bomb to the mix.
“Vervain, can I speak with you?”
I was in the kitchen; grabbing more drinks. I turned around and saw Blue standing by the closed door.
“Sure,” I said.
“Somewhere more private?” He glanced at the door nervously.
I followed Blue's gaze; both of our spouses were on the other side of that door, and I was pretty sure that they were the ones he didn't want hearing whatever it was that he had to say. I began to wonder what it could be, and as soon as I did, an image of Blue and me in an intimate—very intimate—situation flared up in my mind. I inhaled sharply and jerked back against the counter.
Blue rushed forward and took my arm supportively. “Are you all right?”
His touch brought even more visions—no; they were memories—of him and me together. I felt my cheeks heat as scenes rolled through my mind—very erotic scenes. But then it all culminated in a battle where Blue took an ax to the chest; and ax that had been thrown at me. It felt like Odin all over again, and an overwhelming heartache consumed me. I could feel Blue in my arms; see him bleeding out as he whispered his last words to me... words of love.
“Oh, fuck,” I exclaimed as I looked up at him—present him.
“You've seen it too?” Blue asked with widened eyes. “Our... relationship and my death?”
I just nodded.
“Vervain, I...” Blue shook his head. “I love you; you know that I loved you when I was lost to my pain, and I continued to love you after you healed me.”
“Blue,” I whispered as my stomach clenched.
I couldn't do this with Blue. Honestly, I didn't even want to; I'd never felt that way about Blue. I loved him as a friend, but as a lover? No; it just wouldn't work.
“But I can't be with you,” Blue continued. “I love Eztli too much; she's everything to me. You and I shared something profound in that other time, and I will treasure those memories forever. I will always love you, Vervain, and if there were no other men for you and no Eztli for me, we would be amazing together. But with things as they are, I just—”
“Blue,” I said with a relieved smile, “it's okay. You don't have to explain it to me. I love you too, but it's a different kind of love. You're meant to be with Eztli, and I'm so happy that you found her. You two are perfect together; I'm sure that things are far more amazing between you than they ever would have been between us.”
Blue smiled brilliantly and then hugged me.
“Thank you, Vervain.”
“No; thank you,” I teased him as he eased out of our hug. “From what I've seen so far, those were some unforgettably erotic experiences.”
Blue smiled sensually and kissed my cheek. Before he pulled away, he whispered in my ear, “I'll never look at a gold dress the same way again.”
Then Blue sauntered back out to the dining hall, and I let out a shaky breath.
Well, you
