“Beth,” Jayden breathes as he rushes forward. “We did it. It’s finally over.”
“It’s over,” I whisper, clutching Jayden’s hand. “You need a healer.”
“I’m fine.” Jayden wraps his arms around me. “You shouldn’t have done that, but it all worked out in the end.”
Shame and relief batter my insides as I clutch Jayden. I’m not the hero here. I was weak. How could I make that choice, though? Maybe Father is right and that wasn’t a fair choice to force on me.
“Don’t beat yourself up, baby sister.” Apollo appears next to me. “This version of events only came to me days ago. So I put it in motion to save you from making a choice that would break you. I’m truly sorry we asked so much of you. It wasn’t fair, but now you can rest.”
“Rest. I don’t think she knows the definition of the word.” Jayden chuckles.
“You, Jayden.” Apollo places a hand on his shoulder and all the tension melts from him. “That’s better. How are you feeling now?”
“Much better. Thank you, Apollo.” Jayden bows his head.
“I think we should be thanking you, son,” my father cuts in. “You were willing to sacrifice yourself for us all. Even if my daughter wasn’t willing to sacrifice you. I don’t blame her, though. A love like yours is unlike we’ve seen among demigods.”
“Thank you, Lord Zeus.” Jayden bows his head.
“None of that formality here, son. Your group of heroes saved us all.”
“Yes, sir.” Jayden nods.
“Now, I must deal with my wife.” Father pats my shoulder.
I turn to look at Hera. She’s thrashing on the throne, and her mouth is moving but no sound reaches my ears. Someone silenced her. Good.
“I warned you once before when you thought to overthrow me that you would not get another chance again,” Father bellows. “I sentence you, wife, to a thousand years in that chair in the prison built for Typhon.”
“No,” Hera pleads. “You can’t do this to me. I’m your wife. Your queen.”
“Did you think about any of that before trying to overthrow me again?” Zeus roars.
Ares and Hades pop into the room, each with a goddess in chains. Aphrodite attempts to lunge for me, but Hades yanks her back.
“This is all your fault, you stupid bitch,” Aphrodite screams.
“You’re lucky Hades has you under control because my chains wouldn’t be so forgiving to the woman who had my mother murdered.” My magic flares hot in my palm.
“What?” Jayden’s gaze snaps to mine. “How do you know that?”
“She admitted it to me when we were fighting at Mt. Etna. She’s the one who found us and sent that monster after us.”
“Dad, don’t go easy on her,” Jayden says, crossing his arms over his chest.
“That monster was supposed to kill you too, but it failed,” Aphrodite whispers. “If you had died, this wouldn’t be happening.”
“You guys are continuously underestimating me. It’s ridiculous that you thought you could win this war.” I shake my head.
“Aphrodite needs a similar punishment to Hera, Father. She’s been working with Hera on this for more than three years. She murdered my mother and attempted to kill me more than once.” I turn to Zeus.
“Aphrodite and Athena are to be sentenced to five centuries in Tartarus,” Zeus bellows. “The jailor in that realm will assign your punishments during those centuries.”
“Gladly.” Hades grins. “Beth is the love of my son’s life, and I will avenge her mother. Maybe I’ll let her spirit have a crack at you, Aphrodite.”
“The snow nymph is out there somewhere too.” I point to the door. “She tried to stop us from finding the forge.”
“Where are Thad and Adrian?” Raven asks.
