Page 134 of A Touch of Chaos

She was about to hurry down the hall to the queen’s suite for the fleece when Hades spoke.

“Hecate, the fleece!”

The goddess appeared. When she saw Dionysus, her eyes widened, and she moved to place the golden wool over him. There was no silence as they waited for the god to heal between Ariadne’s sniffling and the baby’s frustrated cries, which only seemed to grow louder the longer Phaedra tried to comfort him.

Persephone drew nearer to Hades as they watched Dionysus. She wondered if there were limitations to the fleece. Was there a point when even it could not heal?

Dionysus’s breaths deepened, and then his eyes fluttered and opened. For a brief moment, he seemed confused, but that was quickly eased when his gaze found Ariadne’s. He whispered her name and pressed his palm to her cheek. The detective smiled, though her mouth still quivered, and she covered his hand with her own.

“I’m so sorry,” Phaedra said, still unable to calm her newborn, whose cries seemed to move an octave higher.

“Do not apologize,” Persephone said. “He cannot help it, and you are doing your best, especially given these…harrowing circumstances.”

She could not be sure exactly what they had witnessed, but seeing Dionysus in this state was enough, especially since Phaedra had just given birth.

“Come,” said Hecate, nearing. “I will show you to the library so that you may ease your little one.”

“I will come with you,” Ariadne said, rising to her feet, letting Dionysus’s hand slip from hers.

“I think it is best you stay,” said Hecate. She looked past her to Hades and Persephone. “Lord Hades and Lady Persephone have questions, and I think it is likely you are the only one who can answer them.”

Persephone noted Ariadne’s curled fists, though she did not think it was frustration. The detective likely felt anxiety without eyes on her sister. Persephone knew that feeling because it lived in her heart every day. It was the fear that one day, she would wake up in a new world, one where Hades no longer lived, just like the day she arose without Lexa.

“Anyone want to explain what happened?” Hades asked.

Dionysus sat up, his hand going to his head.

“Are you all right?” Persephone asked, frowning.

“Yes, just dizzy,” he said. “I…I have never felt anything like that.”

“You mean pain?” Hades asked.

“Exactly,” Dionysus said, rising to his feet. “I am usually able to heal, but whatever I was struck with…”

His voice trailed off, but they did not need any more of an explanation.

“Who attacked you?”

“I am certain it was one of Theseus’s men,” said Dionysus. He was looking at the floor as he recalled what happened before he arrived in the Underworld. “I did not see him until it was too late. He had your helm, Hades.”

Dionysus met Hades’s gaze as he spoke the last words, and Persephone felt Hades’s anger rising, a wave of energy that heated her own skin.

“His name is Perseus,” said Ariadne. “He is a skilled warrior and an excellent tracker.”

“Perseus,” Hades repeated. “A son of Zeus?”

Ariadne nodded. “Of all the demigods, I would say he is the closest to Theseus.”

There was silence, and then Dionysus spoke. “I thought you might rejoice, Hades. You were right. Theseus did come.”

“I take no pleasure in your pain, Dionysus,” Hades said. “And if that is what you think, then you misunderstood my words.”

The silence that followed was strained, though something in Dionysus’s demeanor shifted. For a moment, Persephone thought he might apologize for his comment, but Hades was quick to dismiss them.

“We were just about to summon our allies to hear council on how we should proceed with Theseus,” he said. “At least now I do not have to go looking for you. Go. Bathe and be ready in an hour.” Hades looked down at Persephone. “Brief Aphrodite, Harmonia, and Sybil. I will return with Ilias, Hephaestus, and Apollo.”

“What about Her—”

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