Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
The hedge walls close in on us as soon as we step through. I can hear low voices in the distance, but the maze distorts them, giving them an alien quality. I shiver. “Hermes would have a damned hedge maze in her backyard.”
“She’s fond of the dramatic, yes.” We take a turn and then another, coming up against a dead end.
I should be asking about what he knows of Minos, but that isn’t the first question that springs from my lips. “Everyone has a plus-one except Hermes and Hephaestus.”
“Oh, he does. He’s sharing Atalanta with Artemis. Kinky.”
I give him the look that comment deserves. “Now you’re just being preposterous. Everyone knows Atalanta is too smart to get caught up in some family drama with those two.”
“Not everyone, love. Just you.” He squeezes my arm. “You have a knack for seeing what’s really there instead of what the peacocks want you to see.”
“Dionysus, you’re one of the peacocks.”
He chuckles. “And a splendid one at that.”
If I don’t rein this in, the conversation will spiral. I take a deep breath. “And Hermes’s plus-one?”
“Surely you’re not jealous when you have Apollo chasing you around with hearts in his eyes?”
I snort. “Don’t be dramatic.”
“Now you’re just trying to hurt my feelings.” We move deeper into the maze, hitting another few dead ends. Gods, this is going to take forever. Dionysus hums a little. “Hermes had someone coming to the party. I think?” He shakes his head. “No, I’m certain of it. They were supposed to be here for dinner. I wonder what happened with that? She was all secret smiles about the surprise.”
A shiver cascades down my spine. It could be nothing. Hermes isn’t exactly fickle, but she pivots easily and often. “Are you sure she didn’t change her mind?”
“As sure as I am of anything.” He peers at the high hedge walls. “Maybe they were murdered and we’re going to find them at the center of the maze. This is beginning to feel like one of those kinds of parties.”
I don’t like how his words mirror my earlier thoughts. “Surely Minos wouldn’t start a murder spree. What could he possibly gain out of it?”
“That’s for smart people like you to figure out. I’m just here for the free booze.” Dionysus gives a mournful sigh. “On that note, I wish Minos had parlor games among the plans tonight. There’s top-shelf liquor in the parlor.”
As if Dionysus doesn’t have the best alcohol and drugs Olympus has to offer in his warehouses. Like all the Thirteen, he’s disgustingly rich. Calling him out on his lie won’t earn me any favors, though. “Maybe tomorrow.”
We walk around a few more turns before he answers. “I doubt I’ll be so lucky. I imagine most of the events are like this. He’ll likely force us to double up for them, too.”
To what aim? Most of the people invited already know each other. There won’t be any new alliances coming between Hephaestus and Artemis and the others. Minos isn’t using tonight to network, not when his household isn’t participating…
I stop short and Dionysus nearly drags me before he stops, too. I look up at him. “Is he trying to marry off his children?” It would make sense. All of the Thirteen present are unmarried. If he couldn’t secure one of his sons as Ares, a marriage to a member of the Thirteen wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize.
It’s what most of the legacy families already do, after all.
“Maybe.” He shrugs. “Good luck with that. I’m not in the market for a spouse.”
“Not now or not ever?” It’s not my business. I know Dionysus is asexual, but I can’t remember him ever dating anyone, either. Maybe he’s also aromantic. Which, again, none of my business. Still, he brought it up so I can’t help saying, “You brought Pan to the party.”
“He’s a friend and potential business partner. Nothing more.” He shrugs. “I’m not overly interested at this juncture. I don’t see that changing.”
“Well, I guess Minos should let that ship sail, then.”
“Yep.” We start walking again. I can’t tell if we’re headed toward the center of the maze or just getting hopelessly lost. I’m so busy trying to figure it out, I almost miss Dionysus’s next words. “But let’s not talk about my romantic life when yours is right there and oh so juicy.” He tugs me into a dead end and puts his hands on my shoulders. “Spill, dear Cassandra. Tell me every little sordid detail.”
This is it. The first real test of this experience. Dionysus knows me well enough to know my reasons for never wanting to publicly date a member of the Thirteen. I can’t say I’ve changed my mind without a good reason. No one will believe that, let alone him.
I take a deep breath and prepare to lie.