Semele patted his hand. “I know, my dear. It was not intentional, but I am so sorry. When gods are forgotten…they begin to fade. I fear I faded before I could ever say good-bye.”
“An eidolon.” Mr. D shook his head in disbelief. “I still blame Hera for this, you know. She must be responsible. Next time I see her…”
Chiron cleared his throat. “But, Mr. D, all is well now! We should focus on the present, as you always say. Semele has returned!”
“That’s right,” agreed the goddess. “And I learned a great deal during my struggles. I would not erase all that I’ve gained, all the friends I’ve made. Especially these two.” She smiled warmly at the demigods. “They were instrumental in my return. And not just because of this last adventure. Their defeat of Gaea allowed me to begin to choose something different.”
“Yes, yes, I suppose so,” Dionysus said, his voice shaking. “At least you came back to me.” He broke into sobs once more, which sounded like a seal barking.
“There, there,” said Semele, her own eyes red. “Have an hors d’oeuvre.” She offered him a cocktail weenie from the platter on the table.
“I—I suppose I owe Hecate a thank-you,” Mr. D sniffled. “She actually showed up to help. That’s quite a development.”
“It seems even the gods have changed from the days when I knew them,” Semele said.
“Well,” said Chiron, tilting his head toward Nico and Will. “I think the boys and I should leave you two here to have some time alone.” He wheeled himself to the far end of the porch and started unfolding his magical chair, climbing out into his full centaur form.
Mr. D raised a finger of warning at Nico. “Remember, don’t breathe a word to anyone about this. I will drown you in the Long Island Sound if you do.”
“Dionysus,please,” said Semele. “Manners!”
“Fine,” he said. “I’ll only feed them to Peleus.”
“We won’t say anything!” said Nico. “I promise.”
Chiron escorted them down the path to the cabins. A single Puff hopped out of the woods and rolled along at Nico’s heels. It was Sadness, as if it had felt the emotional turmoil in Nico’s chest. He was thinking about his own mother, and Bianca, and their brief time in the Underworld. He was happy for Dionysus, but he yearned for his own lost family.
He knew this was a perfectly normal feeling, with or without the Puffs. He would always remember his mother with a mixture of fondness and sadness. The holes left behind by everyone he’d lost over the years hadn’t gotten any smaller. But he’d finally learned how to live with that. What would Dionysus say, once he stopped crying and talking about Cheez Whiz? ProbablyBe present in the moment.
Nico tried. It helped to lace his fingers with Will’s.
Once they were far out of earshot, Chiron broke the silence. “In all the years I’ve known Dionysus, I’ve never seen him like that.”
“He might be a god,” said Will, “but I don’t think he’s all that different from the rest of us.”
“You know, Chiron,” said Nico, “Will had a family reunion of his own on this trip.”
The sadness in Nico’s heart faded as he listened to Will excitedly explain how Naomi had come to be an unexpected part of their rescue mission.
I feelhappy, Nico realized,not envious.
Despite all the troubles and close calls, he was glad that he’d gotten to go on this whole strange journey with Will, and happy that Will’s mother was a part of his life.Both of our lives.
“Your mother sounds absolutely lovely, Will,” said Chiron. “I’m thrilled your relationship with her is so strong.”
“What wasyourmother like?” Will asked. “I don’t think you’ve ever talked about her.”
Chiron sighed. “Philyra. I’m afraid it’s not a very happy story.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”
Chiron’s eyes crinkled. “Quite all right, my boy. You didn’t mean ill by it. Perhaps we’ll speak of it someday, but not now.”
Will squeezed Nico’s hand and cast him a sidelong glance, as if to signalJuicy gossip!
“You boys had quite the trip,” said Chiron. “And it is certainly interesting to see how your past heroism has affected so many. Pirithous, of all people! I remember him when he was mortal. Insufferable.”
“Hesucked, Chiron,” Nico said vehemently. “It’s still hard for me to wrap my mind around his justification for what he did.”
