Page 48 of A Touch of Chaos

He hadn’t exactly figured out why, but Theseus was obsessed with Ariadne, to the point that even Poseidon knew who she was and had threatened war over her.

“We’re all playing into his hands,” she snapped.

He narrowed his eyes. “When Hades asked you for help, you refused. Why change your mind now?”

“Hades wanted information without a plan to rescue my sister,” she said. “Theseus will want to watch our progress through the labyrinth. While he is occupied, you can rescue my sister.”

“Ari—”

“It’s the only chance I have to get her back!” She cut him off, her voice full of venom.

They glared at each other. Then Hecate spoke.

“You say you will lead Persephone through the labyrinth. What exactly do you know about it?”

“I know that the most dangerous part isn’t getting lost,” Ariadne said. “It’s that you might choose to stay.”

“Why would anyone choose to stay?” asked Apollo.

“Because,” Ariadne said, “it will offer you what you want most.”

Dionysus did not know exactly what that meant, but he instantly felt dread.

If Ariadne went through the maze, she would face the same obstacles, and they both knew what the labyrinth would offer her. Could she leave her sister behind?

He now knew he had no choice but to rescue Phaedra. Ariadne had to go into the labyrinth believing in him, believing that by the time she left, Phaedra would be safe.

“I will free your sister,” said Dionysus, and Ariadne met her gaze. “If you promise not to stay in that maze.”

Ariadne hesitated. He wasn’t sure if it was because she was surprised by his request or if she was frustrated by what his words implied. Finally, she spoke.

“I promise.”

Her voice was too quiet, too hesitant. It made him think that she did not even trust herself to face the maze, but he supposed they would all find out.

CHAPTER XI

THESEUS

Theseus stepped off the elevator on the sixtieth floor of the Acropolis. A woman at the front desk stood and greeted him with a smile.

“Good morning,” she said cheerfully. “How may I help you?”

Theseus glanced at her long enough to see her smile fade before he passed her desk and continued onto the floor ofNew Athens Newsin search of Helen.

Behind him, the woman called out. “Sir!”

He ignored her.

He was already impatient, already annoyed. It set him on edge, and that woman did not want to know what happened when he was pushed, especially now that he had eaten the apple and ensured his own invincibility. Though depending on what Helen had to say about her plans to counter Persephone’s statement, she might just find out what his true power looked like.

He scanned the maze of desks on either side of thewalkway until he caught sight of her. She was turned away from him, but he recognized her hair. He liked to bury his hand in those long locks while he fucked her from behind.

That was the only way he took her, the only way he wanted her—or any woman for that matter. He did not even wish to face his wife, whom he struggled to look in the eyes. Often, he would just bury his face in the crook of her damp neck under the guise of passion to avoid it.

Lovemaking was a taxing performance, a labor he did not find pleasing but necessary. Thank fuck Phaedra had finally moved past the stage in her pregnancy where she wanted sex every night. Now she seemed content with a few pretty words and a kiss, things he found far easier to mime than affection.

Helen didn’t notice his approach. She stood with her arms crossed over her chest, her hip cocked to one side, her head tilted up toward the television where coverage streamed from Persephone’s press conference.

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