Page 210 of A Touch of Chaos

“How noble of you,” said Theseus as he made his way inside.

Hades’s eyes lingered on Hera a moment longer before he followed the demigod into the house. He had half expected to hear Ariadne screaming from somewhere in the home, but the only noise was the sound of a child crying, which did not seem to bother Theseus as he led him to an office.

It was a dark room, open to the outside. The only light came from the fireplace and two large braziersblazing on the porch where there was a table and two chairs. It almost seemed as though Theseus had been prepared for him, but then Hades noticed the area looked out over the battlefield beyond the wall.

“Expecting someone?” Hades asked.

Theseus grinned. “Just preparing to enjoy the view. Have I ever told you I am not a card person?” Theseus asked as he crossed to the fireplace, though he knew the answer. They had never had any conversations beyond challenging each other.

“What do you prefer?” Hades asked, eyeing Theseus.

“Dominos,” said Theseus, picking up a black box. He turned, lifting it. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“I did say it was your choice,” Hades replied.

“You did,” said Theseus, and Hades was unnerved by the amusement glittering in his eyes. The demigod gestured to the porch. “Please.”

Hades exited the room and took the seat on the right. He felt as though he had walked out on a stage. He knew Theseus’s men watched from the wall and the courtyard below.

Theseus followed. “Do you know how to play?”

“I am familiar,” said Hades.

“Good,” Theseus said. “Then you know the game moves fast and is won when there are no tiles left. What do you say to four rounds? Best out of four?”

“As you wish,” said Hades.

Theseus turned the box over, spilling the ivory pieces onto the table. As Theseus turned over the tiles, a servant appeared with a silver tray. She set two glasses down.

“Drink?” Theseus asked.

“I have my own,” said Hades. “If you don’t mind.”

“Be my guest,” said Theseus.

Hades took out a black flask from his jacket pocket and poured a small amount of whiskey into the glass. He was not eager to drink, but he thought that perhaps the smell would offer comfort.

While he filled his glass, Theseus mixed the tiles on the table. When he was finished, they each chose seven. Hades looked at his hand, recalling that the player with the highest double laid down the first tile, which appeared to be Theseus, who laid down a double six.

“I heard congratulations are in order for more than just your recent victories,” said Hades as he laid down a six-two.

“You are referring to the birth of my son,” said Theseus, who laid down his next tile. The game did move quickly. “Yes, I suppose that is an accomplishment. Progeny are so important. Critical to carrying on a legacy. Oh, apologies. Am I right that you cannot have children?”

As Theseus spoke, he laid down his final tile, winning the first round.

Hades was still. His eyes rose to Theseus’s face, seeing his lips curled in amusement. He clearly thought his comment was funny. Hades considered asking how the demigod knew something so personal, but he remembered that Poseidon had been present when Zeus’s oracle had spouted her prophecy about his marriage to Persephone. He had been forced to reveal that the Fates had taken his ability to have children.

They transitioned into a new game, mixing tiles once more and choosing their pieces as they spoke.

“It is unfortunate that those who do not appreciatechildren are able to have them while those who desire them cannot,” said Hades.

The jab did not affect Theseus. “But you did not always desire them. You traded your ability to have them to give divinity to a mortal woman. Why was that?”

Theseus was not wrong. Hades had given a mortal woman divinity. In fact, it had been Dionysus’s mother, Semele, who had died after she demanded to see Zeus in his true glory—a form that no mortal could look upon without perishing. Though she had only done so because Hera had tricked her.

After her death, Zeus took Dionysus, still only a fetus, and sewed him into his thigh so he could be born again. It was how the God of the Vine had come to be called the twice-born.

Later, Dionysus came to Hades, and when he could not rescue his mother from the Underworld on his own, he had begged for her release.

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