“So, you’ve always wanted to be a leader?”

  Did she say that? It sounded almost blasphemous when Darron said it. “I never wanted to be the sole leader of the group, I just wanted my opinions and needs heard. In that way, I think I speak for most of the women in my village. Who enjoys becoming a widow or watching their children starve? No one!”

  “If you were in charge, what would you do first?”

  Good question. Did she have a worthy answer? She couldn’t imagine Alecto listening to her opinions, or even caring if she had one. With Alecto, war was the only subject worthy of discussion, from which she was excluded. “I would build large grain silos of tightly fitted stone, line them with clay, and set fire on them until the clay hardened, sealing the inside like a water urn. That way, the rain and pests would be unable to get in. I’ve never done it, but why wouldn’t it work?”

  He appeared pleased with her answer. “Your first act of leadership would be to build better storage and protect grain?”

  “I would be protecting people, mostly women and children, from starvation. It is a just cause.”

  “I agree.” He took hold of her and lifted her into the spring, turning in a lazy circle. “Your ideas are good ones.”

  The spring’s warm water was relaxing, but his face had grown so serious that she became concerned. “What is it?”

  “Perhaps I could help you. I want to stay on Earth and be part of your story.”

  “Then stay.” She would love it, but Darron looked so different. Could the people of her village—or any village—ever accept him? She wrapped her legs around his waist. The sole of her foot brushed against the solid curve of his buttocks, but... she didn’t feel a tail. She bolted upright, straining to glance over his shoulder. “Where is it? The tail’s gone! How?”

  Darron grinned. “You’re not going to miss it, are you?”

  She kissed his lips. “Not at all.”

  “The more you share with me, the more human I become. Taking a body brings great responsibilities, and I am willing to take on those responsibilities.” A somber note crept into his voice. “Larisa, I have one more important thing to show you.” He moved toward the edge of the spring. “Will you walk to the heart of the labyrinth with me?” He climbed out of the water and offered his hand. “I need your help making a decision.”

  She took his hand and allowed him to pull her up. Was she qualified to advise someone from a race as wise and accomplished as his? “What sort of decision?” Water sheeted from her body as she reached for her rumpled tunic and tugged it over her head.

  “The heart of the labyrinth is a direct portal to Asteria. If I am to stay on Earth in physical form, I must have the Asterion council’s permission to do something that’s never been done.” He picked up the torch and beckoned her forward. “Come.”

  Chapter 4

  They walked down a sloping passageway that wound in a gentle spiral and eventually opened into a spacious, domed cavern. The grand ceiling soared into shadow, dark as a moonless night sky. Torchlight revealed curved walls embellished with meticulously carved glyphs. The floor of the cavern was covered in an intricate mosaic of twisted knots, which featured a beautiful star at its center.

  Darron pointed to the star. “That’s the star of Asteria. It marks the gateway home, but this portal has become unstable. The Asterions will not use it again.” He closed his eyes, bowed his head, and appeared to fall into deep thought. “I will summon them now and make contact.”

  A blindingly bright flame appeared in the center of the star and stretched upward toward the highest point of the cavern.

  The deep, authoritative voice of the elder spoke. “Darron, are you ready to return? The council senses that Thera will soon erupt and the island will be destroyed. The inevitable is near.”

  Darron drew a tense breath and paused. “I do not take this choice lightly, but I wish to stay on Earth.”

  “That will not be possible,” the elder insisted. “This portal will close.”

  “I ask permission to open a new portal in a new land.”

  “What new land?” The towering flame flashed an acidic shade of green and flickered erratically.

  “I’m not sure.” Darron’s chin dipped. “I have not yet left the labyrinth to explore Earth.”

  “You don’t even know where you’re going?” The elder’s flame crackled red as if in disapproval. “The portals we currently maintain are controversial enough. We don’t need another. What inspired such a rash notion?”

  Darron glanced at Larisa. “A young woman was brought to the labyrinth. I believe her people could benefit from contact with the Asterions.”

  The elder flame flashed. “But you’re not certain?”

  “No.” Darron hung his head.

  “Darron.” The elder’s voice was deep, his tone scolding. “You will not be allowed to wander aimlessly, disrupting the order of things. You can stay on Earth only if you have a clear purpose.”

  “I wish to be a teacher,” Darron insisted.

  “To retain a body, an Asterion must also take a human partner.” The elder’s height shortened and the light became a soothing shade of pale blue. “Do you have an Earth partner willing to work with you?”

  Darron reached for Larisa’s hand. “Elder, may I have a moment of privacy to settle a personal matter?”

  “Privacy?” The elder’s voice lowered. “Asterions do not require or embrace the concept of privacy. You are already speaking the sort of convoluted nonsense I hear from Hathor. I believe Earth is a dangerous influence on Asterions.”

  “Please, Elder. I must speak with Larisa privately.”

  “I shall convene with the council.” The elder’s flame went dark and a long moment of silence followed.

  With worry creasing his brow, Darron’s gaze searched hers. “Would you consider risking a romantic connection with me? Romantic love is something I truly desire. I believe I can never understand the human experience without enduring it at least once.”

  “Enduring might be the wrong word.” The look on his face was so earnest as he said it, she wanted to laugh. To think she’d expected to die in this labyrinth. Instead she was being offered a new life. “I have no idea how we are going to make this work, but I would try.”

  “I’ll listen to and learn from you, and try my best to make you happy every day.”

  Larisa squeezed Darron’s hand. She’d already grown so fond of him. “That’s more than I had before. I’ll take it.”

  A huge grin burst across his face. “Elder! A decision has been reached.”

  The elder returned and his warm golden glow swayed like a candle flame in a draft. “Darron, you will be allotted more time. The council has suggested to me that you be permitted to take care of this matter in your own way. Limited permission to remain on Earth for one lifetime is granted.”

  “Thank you, Elder.” Darron looked at Larisa, brought her hand to his lips, and kissed it. “Thank you, Larisa.”

  “Because you are the last Asterion to go to Earth, the council has approved liberties previously not granted. You shall be allowed to live as a man without council supervision. Your victories and mistakes shall solely be your own. Do not waste this rare opportunity or provide cause for me to be summoned again. This realm holds no appeal for me. As we part, I ask that you not abandon Asteria completely. Come home someday. What you learn about Earth will be of great interest to us.” The elder’s light became a stretched, transparent wisp before vanishing.

  Darron knelt on one knee in the center of the labyrinth and looked into Larisa’s eyes. “Larisa, I have something important to ask. Say no if you must.”

  Was this really happening? Her skin pebbled. “Ask.”

  He looked so nervous as he bit his lip. “Beyond romantic love, would you willingly accept me as your husband and welcome a child from me? Please know, Asterions mate for all lifetimes. I wish to be a parent to young humans. For my part, what I ask of you is nothing trivial. If you are not ready or willing to make such a large commitment, I will understand and respect whatever decision you make.” He paused and bowed his head. “If such a mating is not desirable to you, please tell me now. I’ll make sure you safely leave the island before I return to my realm. Whatever you choose, know that I have only gratitude for the beautiful experiences you’ve already shared with me.”

  Larisa inhaled a tense breath. “For all lifetimes? What does that mean?”

  “It means with the council’s permission we could share many lives together on Earth, or possibly you might visit Asteria someday, but that time would be a long way off. Today, all I can offer is one lifetime, but as an Asterion, I’m hoping to spend many with you.”

  “That’s too much to ask. I can’t make a promise like that. No human can.” She slowly lowered to her knees beside him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Darron, you’re the only man who’s ever shown any respect for my feelings or offered me a choice. Would you be patient with me? Perhaps we could just live one day at a time and find out what we like about each other.” His strong but gentle nature greatly appealed to her, and she guessed he wouldn’t be much of a hardship to live with. “The Asterions will have to wait a little longer for your homecoming. I’m keeping you with me on Earth.” She gently stroked the side of his face, encouraging him to look up. “I think you’re the right man for me.”

  “Then I shall be a man.” He lifted his face, joy brimming in his eyes—and the horns on his head fell to the floor with a hollow clatter. Dark, wavy hair immediately took their place, leaving no visible sign they’d ever existed. He gave his head a gentle shake.

  Larisa touched his head and smoothed his hair, feeling no trace that the horns had ever been part of him.

  Darron picked up one of the newly shed horns. “We’ll need this later.” He took hold of Larisa’s hand and stood, helping her to her feet as well. As he straightened to his full height, the shadows of the labyrinth receded. A burst of bright light blinded her and lifted them upward, as if they were soaring into the heart of the sun.

  In a heartbeat, the labyrinth faded away and they found themselves standing on the mountain road that led to Larisa’s home village of Kreios. Larisa turned in a circle with her mouth gaping wide in shock. The brightness of the noon sky after the dim light of the labyrinth scorched her eyes and left her squinting. “How did we get here?”

  Darron blinked and rubbed his eyes. “I thought us here. It’s an Asterion trick.”

  “Are you sure you’re not a god?” She glanced down, expecting to see her tattered linen tunic, but an elegant white gown of flowing silk had taken its place, its sweeping sleeves embroidered with delicate gold thread. Larisa twirled in awe, making the long sleeves float around her like snowy wings. “It’s beautiful!”

  Darron wore snug leather leggings and leather armor fit for a king. He was stunning in a gleaming bronze breastplate with the ornately hammered imprint of a bull emblazoned across the chest. To her eyes, he was everything noble.

  He smiled and tucked the horn into his belt. “My bride looks lovely. Do you like the dress? Can we get married in your village?”

  She froze. “Darron, I can’t go back to my village. I won’t be welcome there. Catullus will have me shunned.”

  A smug smile curled his lips. “No, he won’t.”

  The thought of her final humiliation as she was bound by a long tether to a donkey’s saddle and forced to run to keep up haunted her. “You don’t understand—”

  “I do.” His eyes lit with their first real touch of ire as he marched uphill. “I know exactly what needs to be done.”

  Larisa hurried to catch up. As they approached her home, the villagers turned out en masse to stare at her and Darron.

  An old woman named Jessa bravely walked up to Larisa and touched the hem of her sleeve. “You were sacrificed to the Minotaur. Are you a ghost now?” Her gaze swept Darron in awe and she bowed. “Who is this nobleman—King Minos?”

  “N-no,” she stammered, “t-this is King Darron.” Larisa’s gaze scanned the crowd for Catullus. “As you can see, I’m very much alive, and I’ll just say it—I want my land back, and there will be no arguments.”

  The gathering mob passed looks of confusion between them.

  Jessa appeared alarmed. “How is it possible you are here? We watched you dragged away weeks ago. Catullus assured us you’d been fed to the sacred bull.”

  Weeks ago? How long had she been trapped in the labyrinth? The whole ordeal had felt like a day. “Catullus was mistaken, about many things.”

  An old man missing his front teeth stepped forward. “Your land has been claimed. Catullus is our chief now.”

  Jessa laughed until she snorted. “He’s not a very good chief. Useless, I’d say. Catullus spent the day drunk in the vineyard and never lifted a finger to work.”

  “Where is Catullus now?” Larisa scanned the shadows between the millhouse and a shed. “Is he still robbing my vines? Could someone bring the chief forward? I have a surprise for him.”

  A child ran off to search the orchard, shouting frequent updates. “I don’t see him lying beneath the vines... or next to the olive mill... or behind the barn!”

  She finally spotted Catullus lurking beside an oak. His face was pale and he looked terrified to see what he believed to be a dead woman walking the village path.

  “Turn away from the venomous girl!” Catullus blubbered into the sleeve of his tunic. “Don’t touch her or look into her eyes, lest you be poisoned by her wrath. She was claimed by a creature of the underworld and she should have stayed there! Surely this wicked girl is cursed!”

  “I am the frightful creature.” Darron’s armor shimmered magnificently in the sunlight as he addressed the crowd. “I’m Larisa’s new husband... and I wish to be your new chief.”

  “I’m the chief!” Catullus bellowed. “You’re not one of us!”

  Unable to disguise her pride, Larisa beamed. “Darron is an honored leader in his realm, and he has much to share with us that will make our lives far better. He’s the master of the Palace of Asterion, and it is dazzling.” She pointed at Catullus. “Catullus himself saw it. Darron’s people know so much. Give him a chance and you will be amazed at what he can teach us.”

  “Like what?” Catullus sneered. “What could this stranger possibly do for the village that I couldn’t do?”

  Darron pulled the horn from his belt. “I’ll give Larisa a new home. I’ll also build the village a grand palace, where peoples from all tribes can gather and learn. In peace, you will be able to study mathematics, philosophy, and architecture. You may not understand it all in the beginning, but you will. You’ll quickly see the benefit of uniting with your neighbors and advancing together instead of constantly warring against each other. It will change your lives greatly.” He looked toward Larisa. “Where is your land?”

  She pointed toward a nearby rolling hillside of orchards and fields.

  Darron strode toward the hillside with the entire village walking a few paces behind. The villagers appeared fascinated by the imposing stranger, and eager to see what he would do next.

  When they reached the center of Larisa’s land, Darron waved his hand in warning. “Everyone stay back.” As soon as the crowd walked a safe distance away, he thrust the horn into the ground. “The new portal shall be here!”

  The moment the horn struck the earth, the ground rumbled violently. Many gasped in terror and ran toward the village. Suddenly, stones reared from the trembling ground, and from the earth itself a beautifully constructed alabaster palace appeared, complete with grand halls and tall columns. Platters of food and jars of wine magically filled the front arcade.

  Larisa stared, transfixed.

  “Do you like it?” Darron asked gently. “It is a wedding gift.” He looked down the road at the frightened villagers. “Larisa, call them back. Tell them they’re welcome to all we have.” He turned toward Catullus and took a menacing step closer. “Do you think you could offer the same?”

  Catullus blanched and backed away.

  “Run!” Darron demanded in a booming voice. “Run as fast as you can and never come back to this village, or I’ll throw you to the Minotaur! You’ll be trampled, slashed, and your blood drunk dry. Your pitiful cries will echo within the labyrinth forever, and your hideous death won’t come soon enough!”

  Screaming like a crazed fool, Catullus ran away with his linen robe flapping around his ankles. He clambered over the orchard wall and dashed toward a winding path that led into a shadowy canyon. If he continued in his current direction, he’d eventually cross into enemy land, where he would be met with an unfriendly greeting and many sharp blades.

  Darron grinned at Larisa. “Is there anyone else you would like me to deal with?”

  “No.” Larisa smiled and walked up to Darron, hooking her arm through his. “But if you wish to be a trusted teacher to my tribe, it might be wise to distance yourself from the Minotaur. My people fear it. Perhaps this is a good time to change the Asterion approach?”

  “I’m sure you’re right. See, I’m already learning from you.” Wrapping his arms around her, he drew her close to his heart. “Let’s go to the village and bring everyone back so we can have a feast.”

  “I have a better idea.” Larisa rose on tiptoe and kissed his lips. “Why don’t you show me our new home first?” A tingle of excitement warmed her skin. “Would any of those elegant rooms have a mattress?”

  “Every room can have a mattress,” he said innocently. “Just ask.”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7