Page 67 of The Court of the Dead (The Nico di Angelo Adventures #2)

T hey sat together on the porch for nearly a quarter of an hour, watching Chiron, Semele, and Dionysus play pinochle and chat like old friends, before Nico finally found his voice.

“Your mother ?”

Mr. D smiled. “Oh, Nico…you sweet, ignorant child. Of course Semele is my mother! Have you not heard the stories?”

“But…” Will pressed his fingers against his temples, as if to keep his brain from exploding. “ That Semele in the myths…Sorry. But didn’t she die ?”

Mr. D’s expression darkened. “Indeed, Will Solace. Tricked by Hera into demanding that Zeus, my father, show himself in his true form. She…she was consumed by flames, while I was still in her womb!” He put his fist to his mouth and burst into tears.

“There, there, my son.” Semele squeezed his shoulder. She glanced at Nico and Will. “He has always been an emotional one. He gets that from me.”

Mr. D brushed away his tears. “You’d better forget you ever saw me like this,” he warned the demigods. “None of it ever happened!”

“Of course,” Nico said. Then he winked at Will.

“I saw that!” Mr. D cried. “Don’t make me smite you, di Angelo!”

“Now, now, dear,” said Semele. “All is well. Nico and Will restored me to you! They deserve our gratitude.”

“Hmph,” said the god. “For your sake, I won’t smite them, then.” He took a shaky breath. “But only for your sake.”

Nico was fairly sure Mr. D was just being melodramatic, but he did his best to keep a straight face. He turned to Semele.

“So after you burned up…” he said, “you got better?”

Semele spread her hands like, Ta-da!

“Thankfully, Zeus saved Dionysus from my womb,” she said, “and eventually made him a god. As for me, Zeus made me a goddess—Semele Thyone, the patron of wild, frenzied parties. It wasn’t really my…scene, I guess you would say, but at least it allowed me to be part of my son’s life.”

“And I adored it!” Mr. D cried. “But then, centuries ago, you simply disappeared. I was heartbroken .”

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? Probably Be 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 feel happy , 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 was your mother 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 signal Juicy 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.”

“He sucked , Chiron,” Nico said vehemently. “It’s still hard for me to wrap my mind around his justification for what he did.”

“Well, look at Dionysus,” said Chiron. “He’s here at camp because the gods couldn’t imagine a solution without some form of punishment.

What you two did for Camp Jupiter, for the mythics, for your friend Savannah…

You imagined a new path. A more hopeful one.

I think both of you are very good at that. ”

Nico felt the heat rising in his face. He still wasn’t so great at accepting compliments. “It reminded me of Nyx and Bob. She hated that he changed.”

“And she hated that you changed,” added Will. “Your Cocoa Puffs…they were supposed to torment you, remember?”

Chiron chuckled. “She thought that your worst memories and thoughts would incapacitate you, but from what I hear, even your cacodemons are adapting.”

“Yeah,” said Nico. “Still figuring that out, but I’m realizing that even if they represent my darkest moments, they can teach me something important.”

“Listen to you, Nico,” said Chiron, smiling. “I remember when you first came here. You have changed so much. I am proud of you.”

“Don’t you get all sappy on me now,” said Nico. “Mr. D was bad enough. I don’t know that I could handle it from both of you.”

“Accept the love!” said Will. “Because it’s not stopping anytime soon.”

When they arrived at the cabins, Nico slowed. He saw a familiar group sitting and chatting by the firepit.

Oludare spotted Nico first and waved at him excitedly. “Hey, look who it is! You’re back!”

Olu, Ananya, and Noah rushed toward them. Nico was stunned by how much more comfortable and at home they looked, even bundled up in their winter jackets. Had it only been a few days ago that they’d sat together in the dining hall?

“You have to tell us everything ,” said Ananya.

“And we have so much to tell you !” Noah said. He stepped closer and then lowered his voice. “Did you know that Mr. D is actually a wine god , but he’s not allowed to drink wine?”

Will stifled a laugh. “Oh, really? Wow.”

Chiron cleared his throat. “All right, campers. It’s past curfew. And these counselors have just returned to camp, so please allow them to get some food and rest.”

“We’ll come find you tomorrow,” Nico promised the trio, “and tell you all about our trip.”

They rushed off excitedly, and Nico smiled. He was looking forward to teaching these kids about the world.

The dining hall was empty this late at night, but one of the dryads had apparently gotten word they were back. They’d set two places at the head table, with plates of Nico’s and Will’s favorite desserts. They’d just eaten at Camp Jupiter, but Nico never turned down chocolate chip cookies.

“I guess we settle back into our routines now,” he said as they dug in. “Feels kinda weird.”

“Yeah,” said Will. “Like…a couple of days ago, we were sneaking into a real courthouse to find a fake courthouse. And that was the least strange part.”

“That’s the hero’s life,” said Chiron. “I’ve been here at Camp Half-Blood for what seems like forever, but I’ve also been all over the world, you know. I’ve seen things that you couldn’t dream of.”

“Do you ever miss traveling?” Nico asked.

Chiron paused to think. “To be honest, I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it in quite some time.”

“Maybe you need a vacation,” suggested Will. “If Hecate can take one, why can’t you?”

The old centaur laughed. “Perhaps. But it’s my duty to look after the new demigods who arrive year after year, and I enjoy it.” He raised his eyebrows. “Unless you are volunteering to become the new activities directors.”

Nico and Will traded a look but remained silent.

“Then eat up, boys. I should get back to the Big House before Dionysus finishes all the hors d’oeuvres.”

Once they were alone, Will leaned his shoulder against Nico’s. “It’s good to be back.”

“I was thinking the same thing. Well, that, and also how much I missed the food here.”

“Way better than Camp Jupiter.”

“In almost every way.”

As the Puffs circled their feet, begging for treats, Nico set aside a few of the tastiest-looking cookies for something else.

“I haven’t always been the best with burnt offerings,” he admitted. “But after what we just went through, I kinda don’t want to forget about the gods. Even Apate and Dolus.”

“Even Laverna and the di inferi?” Will asked.

“Let’s not go overboard.”

Will laughed.

As Nico ate, he was aware of Will staring at him. His eyes were like those of a Mist-created puppy dog.

“What?” Nico asked.

“I know you didn’t want any more sappiness, but—”

Nico groaned. “Not you, too!”

“You’re my boyfriend! You already signed up for this!”

“I did.” He set down his cookie and reached for Will’s hand. “All right, you have thirty seconds.”

“It won’t take thirty seconds,” Will promised. “I just want to say that I’m proud of you too. I don’t think you realize how much you’ve changed in the last year. If Past Nico had gone through what we just did, he would have responded differently. Very differently.”

“You think so?” Nico said. “I don’t know that I’ve changed that much.”

“Nico, look at your life!” Will’s smile lit up his face.

“When we first became boyfriends, you were so uncertain about the future. You doubted yourself more than you believed in yourself. Now you’ve got younger demigods looking up to you, and you just helped your sister avoid a catastrophe across the country. ”

“You helped too,” he said.

“But we’re talking about you . No distracting me from the sappiness!”

“It’s been over thirty seconds!”

Will laughed. “I just wanted to say that I don’t think I’ve ever felt happier, Nico. And I know it’s because of you.”

Nico wrinkled his nose. “All right, I accept it,” he said, and then he leaned forward and met his boyfriend’s lips with his own. “I’m happy, too. Happier than I’ve ever been.”

Loneliness howled at Nico from under the table. He thought it was because the creature was still hungry, but the cacodemon hopped up onto the seat next to him and climbed into his lap.

Nico saw images from his past: Watching the campers from afar. Trapped in the jar. Wandering the forest at night.

But Loneliness also showed him what had happened when he pushed through the loneliest moments: Jason convincing Nico to stay in camp. Visiting Hazel for the first time. Cuddling with Will in Damasen’s hut.

For every sad memory, there was a hopeful one that counterbalanced it. Nico hadn’t realized it before, especially since the negative memories were so powerful. But Nico had finally found his home, his family, and his love.

He was happy being in this very place at this very moment in time. So Nico settled into the present, and he allowed it to embrace him.

Like a new friend.