Page 4 of Dark Restraint

Goodbye,

Ariadne

I sit on the edge of the bed and I let the knowledge roll through me. She’s gone to them, to the Olympians. She wouldn’t trust Icarus with this; and as much as her brother loves her, he’s no match for me and her father. Even now, she’s trying to protect him. My girl’s got too good a heart. Can’t stand the thought of innocents dying. She’ll try to work with the Olympians to save people. I could have told her it’s a lost fucking cause. It doesn’t matter what information she hands over; it’s too late to stop what’s coming.

The Olympians have no reason to honor their promises to her. No matter what their origins, powerful people think the rules don’t apply to them. How long has Minos been dragging out his promise to me? He says it’s because I haven’t fulfilled my part of our bargain, but the truth is that he’s never going to allow me near his daughter. The Olympians sure as shit aren’t going to stand aside and let me come for her.

I crumple the note in my fist. I don’t give a shit about her being pregnant or about her getting an abortion. That’s her choice. It’s always been her choice. But she’s running from me, from us, and that I won’t forgive.

Ariadne knows me. She should fucking know better than to ask for mercy. I meant what I said in the maze all those weeks ago. She’s mine. I’m never going to let her go.

Even if I have to hunt her down to prove it to her.

3

Ariadne

Now

From the moment I agreed to my bargain with Hades—giving him all the information I have in exchange for sanctuary and an abortion—I knew I was damned. I didn’t expect the Olympians to keep their word. What motivation did they have to protect the enemy? My only value is in being a captive, but my father will happily watch me burn once he finds out I walked into enemy arms willingly.

There is no forgiveness when it comes to Minos.

However, I didn’t expect the care taken by Eurydice and the others in the wake of my abortion. They have no reason to show me kindness, and even as I attempted to keep my guard up, it faltered. I’m so tired. I feel like I’ve been running and resisting for years, even though it’s only been a few weeks. When I made my deal with Eurydice, I didn’t expect to survive it.

I still might not.

That thought should fill me with determination to fight, but I hold no power here. I don’t think I ever have.

My current circumstances only drive that point home. I’m sitting in a room with two of the Thirteen facing off over my future. Neither of them asked my opinion, because they don’t care. I’m a pawn to be moved at their whim. A political prisoner who handed myself over willingly.

Aphrodite is a petite person with medium-brown skin and short black hair, with the kind of features that would be perfectly at home on a magazine cover. They pace back and forth, every movement rife with fury.

The source of their anger sits next to me, the very picture of studied apathy. Hera is a stunning white woman with long brown hair and the kind of energy that I would actively avoid if I had a choice. She’s dangerous in a way that reminds me of Asterion.

But I can’t think about him now. I’ve done what I had to do, and in the process, I cut off any chance of us having a future together. Now we’re on opposite sides of the coming war, and I have no one to blame but myself. I miss him like I’d miss a limb. I didn’t expect that. Our chance of being together was always nonexistent, but that doesn’t seem to matter to my heart. It’s a foolish organ, wishing on stars.

Gods help me, but I’d do it all again without a second thought.

“This isn’t the plan, Hera.” Aphrodite spins to face us, their dark eyes furious. “I have a list of acceptable suitors, just like Hades asked of me. Every single one of them would put her safely in the countryside. That was the agreement.”

“Consider the agreement changed.” Hera examines her long nails, black with golden tips and sharp enough to impale someone. “I expect you, of all people, to understand exactly how vital a weapon marriage is when it comes to political adversaries. Ariadne is the daughter of our enemy. What better way to showcase the fact that she’s on our side now than to marry her to someone beloved by the people?”

Perhaps I should care more about who they intended to marry me off to, but I can’t work up the energy. Too much is happening in too short a time, and I haven’t had the opportunity to process any of it. From the moment I saw that positive pregnancy test, there was no going back. It’s bad enough that Asterion and I betrayed my father in that maze. But to bring a baby—Asterion’s baby—into the world to be just another pawn my father uses to ensure we do what he wants? Less than a pawn. A prisoner. Unthinkable.

Marrying someone that the Olympians choose will likely mean children, but I can’t think about that right now. I can’t think about anything. It’s all I can do to put one foot in front of the other and not scream my despair to the skies.

Aphrodite looks like they want to throw something at Hera’s head. “It doesn’t matter what your ambitions are—and don’t think I mistake this for anything other than a power grab. He’ll never agree to it.”

“He already has.” Hera drops her unimpressed act and narrows her eyes at Aphrodite. “Let’s stop wasting time and do away with all your petty protests. The only reason you’re upset is because I arranged this, not you.”

“No, I am—”

“Which is why you’re going to be the one to announce it. You’re Aphrodite, after all. Marriages are your bread and butter. It only makes sense that you would be the one to arrange this coup. Marrying off Dionysus, who has managed to dodge past every single Aphrodite’s attempts for the last decade, impossible to ignore. Even with the constant assassination attempts, it will get people talking.”

Aphrodite props their hands on their hips. “Why would you let me take credit?”

“I have my reasons.” Hera pushes slowly to her feet. I tense without meaning to, responding to the threat I can’t unsee. She shoots me an amused look before returning her attention to Aphrodite. “It’s as simple as this: I give you this win and you owe me. A favor of my choosing at a time that I determine.”

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