Page 142 of This Divine Revelry

‘What?’ Dionysus asks, a scowl forming between his brows.

‘Enough for another body?’

His eyes widen. ‘No, whatever you’re proposing – no.’

‘I’m not sacrificing myself,’ I say. ‘But I’m not sacrificing the thing I hold most dear either. That’s what they do. I have no interest in only freeing myself from the labyrinth.’

‘Ariadne,’ he growls. ‘You cannot save everyone. Just once, save yourself.’

‘I am saving myself,’ I say. ‘And then, when I’m immortal, I can use that immortality just as you do to help others. Don’t misunderstand me – I am absolutely getting out of here. I am first out that door – but I’m leaving it open behind me. And I’m reaching down to haul others out. Power might not trickle down but perhaps kindness might. Or freedom. Or choice. If I am to become immortal, Dionysus, I’ll do it on my terms – not Hades’, not Zeus’s and not yours either.’ I squeeze his hands tight. ‘And I need to start as I mean to go on – I might not be able to save everyone, but I can start with one and hope that trickles outwards.’

Dionysus is half despairing and half riveted – like he might resent everything I am saying yet also love me for it.

‘I agreed to the impossible to free one soul, you –’

‘Well, I didn’t. The entitlement of a god, right? This is mine. I didn’t make any deals – you did. And if Zeus has decreed you must retrieve a soul from the Underworld for a place on the council, then I’ll take up that quest too. You want me immortal, Dionysus, you want me to snatch eternity from the gods themselves, then this is what it looks like. I will not become them. I will be better.’

He swallows. ‘Your eyes are glowing again.’

That passion, that desire. This is it. I watch as he realizes it, as that silence settles.

‘I need you to want this for yourself,’ he says, anguished. ‘Or it won’t take. It won’t work.’

‘I do want it. I meant every word I said. But I also know who I am, Dionysus. And this deal you’ve made is not enough for me. I’m demanding immortality – and I’m demanding so much more.’

He steps forward and leans his forehead against mine. ‘Alright. We can try. I should have known you wouldn’t make your own resurrection easy, you obstinate, deplorable woman and love of my wretched existence.’ He draws an amethyst from a pouch at his hip. A sixth. ‘I made it before I … Well. Perhaps together, on the other side, we’ll find the seventh. We’ll complete it.’

I curl it tight in my hand – which feels more corporeal. Like just this resolution has made me real.

‘I love you,’ I say again.

‘I love you too. Now pick your damn soul and let’s get out of here before Hades realizes what we’re doing.’

‘Her,’ I say – just as she reaches us. A woman whose decayed soul was kind, who wanted to help others – who danced at the end of the world and clung on to hope even when they tried to wrench it from her.

‘Ariadne,’ she says, blinking softly like Theseus did as the Lethe washed his memories away. Like my name is already a fleeting thing.

‘We found a way out,’ I say. ‘Back to life. It will be dangerous, but if you want to come with us then –’

‘What?’ she asks – a jump in her voice. Incredulous. Excited. Hopeful. ‘Yes! Of course I want to come with you!’

‘Excellent,’ Dionysus grumbles, holding his hand out to her. ‘I’m Dionysus –’

‘Dionysus!’ she exclaims, clapping her hands over her mouth and darting her gaze between us. ‘Ariadne! That’s what I came over to tell you! Oh, I knew I knew that name! Someone down there mentioned you both. A new soul, I think. Perseus?’

Dionysus swears. ‘I forgot dolphins could die too. That was quick.’

‘I hope it was a shark,’ I add.

‘I’m hoping for a sea monster. Keto deserves vengeance.’

Dionysus grabs my hand. ‘Let’s go before he gets any ideas.’

I hold my other hand out and the woman takes it.

This way, the voice in my head whispers – finally.

I take us in the right direction – too far, perhaps, for the unhealed souls at the river’s edge to reach. But the promise of an escape seems to have renewed the spirit beside me and with Dionysus’s hand in mine I feel so alive I might set my own stone heart beating again.