Page 211 of A Touch of Chaos

“I wanted to extract a favor,” said Hades. He had seen potential in utilizing Dionysus’s ability to inspire madness whenever he pleased.

Theseus chuckled and slid his final tile into place, winning this second round. “We are not so different, Hades.”

“We are worlds apart, Theseus,” said Hades as they moved seamlessly into the third round of the game.

“Perhaps we are now,” the demigod said. “I like to think that I am what you could have been if you had not grown soft.”

Hades slid a tile in place, the sound grinding against the wooden table.

“Are you saying my love for Persephone makes me weak?”

“Is she not the reason you found yourself locked in the labyrinth?”

“If Persephone is a weakness, what does that make Ariadne to you?”

It was the first time Hades noticed Theseus hesitate.

“Nothing at all,” said Theseus.

“Nothing at all,” Hades repeated. “Yet you flooded all of New Athens just to flush her out of Dionysus’s tunnels.”

“If you think I flooded New Athens for a woman, you are a fool.”

“Did you not marry her sister to maintain control over her?”

“I married her sister because shecould becontrolled. Ariadne is untamable.”

“Yet you keep trying,” said Hades.

Theseus slammed a tile down on the table, jarring the dominos. Hades met his gaze and slid a final tile into place. He’d won this round, and Theseus seethed. It was the first time Hades noticed madness gleaming in Theseus’s eyes.

“I don’t have totryto tame Ariadne anymore,” the demigod snarled.

Hades’s stomach twisted as he considered what that could mean for Ariadne. They moved on to the final round of the game. Though Hades was not trying to win, he worried over losing. Theseus was often quick to dispense justice. Would he do the same here?

“What does Phaedra think of your obsession with her sister?”

“It does not matter. Even if she were still alive, I would not allow her the option of having an opinion.”

The news that Phaedra was dead caught Hades by surprise.

“How is it that you do not know she is dead when you are the God of the Underworld?”

“I have been a little distracted with your invasion of my city,” said Hades.

“Your city?” Theseus asked, chuckling humorlessly. “Since when has New Athens been your city?”

“It has always been mine, Theseus. Why do you think it is me you are fighting in this war?”

A horn sounded, and Hades looked to see steel gleaming on the horizon like stars.

“Oh look,” said Theseus. “Your army has arrived.”

There were shouts as orders were given. The gates opened, and soldiers marched out, but there was an unhurried air to their movements. It was almost as if none of this was serious, like they thought it would all be over before it really began.

As Hades looked out, he searched for Persephone. It was hard not to watch the approach of his queen, clad in shadow and battle ready, and though he knew she could do this and his friends would protect her, he still felt as though he should be there.

“Hephaestus is quite the craftsman,” Theseus commented. “Impressive that he has managed to arm the gods and your mortal army with a copy of my creation.”

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