Hythlodaeus laces their fingers together, yet another little reminder of their bond - he has the feeling Hades can use that. Unbeknownst to his friend, he has been aware of the extent of his pain this whole time, but at least Hythlodaeus knew enough not to bring it up, not with how secretive Hades tries to be about it. And while it's out in the open now, perhaps it's a conversation for later, once Hades has had a chance to get over the confrontation with Venat.

"Mayhap you are more similar than either of you thinks. Does she feel no guilt or does she simply not allow herself to dwell on those feelings? She has always been very... driven by her goals."

And it is perhaps an inherent trait of all who take the seat of Azem: a manner of self-sacrifice for the sake of others, a tendency to disregard danger or damage to oneself. He sees glimpses of such attitude in Irhya, too, and perhaps unsurprisingly.