Chapter Eighteen: Cassie

“Evening.” Cassie could not help herself. She was grinning like a fool. A lovesick fool.

But then that was exactly what she was. After Byron’s revelation last night that they were mates, she’d felt...complete.

There was no other way to describe it. It was as if a part of her had always been missing and now she was whole.

“Good evening,” Byron approached where she was standing by the corner of the tavern with a smile on his face and his hand tucked behind his back. “I have something for you.”

“You do?” she asked, sounding surprised, even though his posture had already given it away.

“I picked you some flowers.” Byron pulled his arm from behind his back and held out a bunch of bright yellow...dandelions.

“They are beautifully yellow,” Cassie said. “Like the summer sun.”

“I did think of getting you a dozen red roses,” Byron said.

“You did?” Cassie’s heart clenched in her chest.

“But red roses are such a cliché. So I thought I’d get you these.” Byron’s expression was earnest, his eyes glinting with affection. Or maybe even love. “They remind me of you.”

“Yeah?” Cassie looked at the bouquet of dandelions, her brows furrowed with confusion.

“Yes,” Byron nodded. “You see, roses are beautiful and delicate. They are admired and coveted by many. However, they also need to be carefully tended to and even then, they only bloom for a short time before they wilt away. But dandelions remind me of you.” He gently caressed one of the bright yellow petals. “They are wild and free, resilient and strong. They may not be considered as traditionally beautiful as roses…” His eyes widened. “Not that I don’t consider you traditionally beautiful.”

“You don’t have to explain.” Cassie felt a lump forming in her throat. No one had ever said something so poignant and beautiful about her before. But that was Byron—unique, off-kilter, and utterly endearing.

Gently taking the bouquet of dandelions from him, she held them close, inhaling their sweet, earthy scent. “Thank you, Byron,” she whispered. “These are perfect.”

The corners of his mouth twitched in a sheepish smile as he faced her. For a moment, they stood together in comfortable silence, then he said, “Shall we go inside?”

“Yes. We don’t want to be late.” Cassie held out her hand to him and they headed toward the tavern door. “It’s quiet out here today.”

“Maybe because the trial is starting earlier than the other ones, everyone’s still at work.”

The door opened for them, greeting them with a calming wave of lavender and sandalwood-scented vapor that gently infused the air. The dim lights illuminated the mostly empty bar area, occupied by only a few small groups of people.

“Wow, there are only, what, seven couples left in the competition,” Byron said as he eyed the small gathering of people inside the tavern.

“Quite a few didn’t make it out of the rooms in time yesterday,” Stan said as he came over to greet them. It really felt like he did work as a host in here. “Apparently, two couples haven’t even escaped their room yet.”

“Oh my, are they okay?” Cassie put a hand to her mouth.

“Morwenna’s had the imps slide food under the door, so I’m sure they’re fine,” Stan said with a smile.

“That’s very generous of her,” Byron said.

“I wouldn’t go that far. They’re racking up a healthy tab, and Morwenna’s adding quite a hefty service charge.”

“How is Morwenna taking all this?” Cassie asked as she noted there was no sign of Amelia and Jerome. Perhaps they were one of the couples still stuck in their escape rooms.

“Well…” Stan rocked back and forth on his heels. “I don’t know what to make of it.”

“Oh, dear.” With the dandelions in one hand and Byron’s hand in the other, they stepped past Stan and approached the bar.

The figure of Morwenna sat on the bar top with her legs folded elegantly beneath her, wreathed in smoke and vapor, and draped in a dark robe. All around her burned incense and tea candles, and in one hand she held a pair of small chimes, which she brought together.

Ting!

She didn’t open her eyes as they approached, and her fingers formed into a ‘jnana mudra’ of meditation. “Welcome, humble pilgrims, to the third trial.” A small frown appeared on her serene expression. “Though what a strange thing to say, as life comprises countless trials we must overcome.” She then took a slow breath. “So, as we await the next trial, let us all take a deep breath. In through the nose, if you have one, and then out through the mouth, letting the spirit rid itself of any and all weight.”

Cassie and Byron glanced at one another. “What is…”

Morwenna held up a finger. “Deep breath. Cleanse the spirit.”

“I think we’d prefer…”

“Rid the mind of all doubt, and the lungs of air,” Morwenna said, somehow maintaining her airy tone but putting an edge to it.

Cassie and Byron looked at each other once more before they both breathed in deeply and exhaled slowly, mirroring Morwenna as she guided the pace of their breath with one hand.

Ting!

“You know, I do actually feel a little better,” Byron said.

“So, what is the next trial?”

“No one knows,” a rumbling voice said from behind them, and they turned to see Kengar and Nyara.

“That is not true,” Morwenna said, her voice light and breathy. “The tavern knows. And we must trust in the tavern. The tavern knows much that do we not. It guides to lands unknown, and drinks, and sometimes even profit for the tavern owner when customers can actually come inside to buy drinks.”

“What is going on?” Cassie asked as Flint appeared from the back room carrying a tray of clean glasses.

Flint shrugged as he placed the tray on the bar next to Morwenna. “No idea. I found her like this this morning.” He began hanging the glasses up above the bar.

“She’s been like this all day?” Nyara asked.

“Well, she did make some of her Brewers Loaf,” Flint said. “But even then, she was in a Zen-like state.”

“I’ve simply found my peace with the unpredictable and ever-changing nature of the universe, and my place within it.”

The group all stared at Morwenna, apart from Flint, who was now stacking empty glasses left by the contestants.

“Do you think this is a clue?” Byron asked. “To the next trial.”

“Possibly,” Cassie said. “I would not mind a meditation trial. I could do with something more on the therapeutic side for this trial.”

“Sorry we’re late!” The tavern door opened and in walked Amelia, looking pristine in a long maxi dress and shawl. She looked as if she were going out to dinner at a fancy restaurant instead of a trial in the tavern. “Jerome took me to dinner, and we were so wrapped up in each other...” She held out her hand and Jerome took it as the tavern door closed behind them. “That we nearly forgot the message that the trial was starting an hour earlier.”

Cassie ground her teeth together. Why did she always feel like she had to announce everything to everyone within earshot?

Amelia looked up at Jerome with open adoration. Although Cassie could not tell if it was real or fake adoration. But it was vomit-inducing.

They glided into the room, and Amelia’s eyes widened as her eyes landed on Cassie.

“Are those dandelions!” Amelia gave a little laugh and her hand fluttered to her mouth. “How adorable.”

“Byron gave them to me,” Cassie said defensively.

“And there was me worrying that your relationship with Byron was fake,” Amelia said pointedly. “But how can it be when he gave you dandelions?”

“I like them,” Cassie replied, clutching them so tightly she would probably make them wilt.

“But Jerome tells me you love red roses,” Amelia replied with a frown. “Isn’t that what you were expecting when...”

“It’s time,” Morwenna’s soft voice echoed throughout the room. The pale coils of smoke flowed off her as she floated down from the bar and headed to the stairs, followed by the dwindling crowd of couples. When she reached the bottom stair, she kneeled and pulled at it. The first few steps lifted up like a heavy hatch door, revealing a second set of stairs that led down instead of up.

“How many secret doors are there in this place?” Stan asked as Morwenna began to head down, her arms crossed in front of her body, her hands tucked into the sleeves of her robe.

“I don’t know, but remember what happened last time we all went down a trapdoor into a hidden passageway.” Kengar placed a heavy hand on Stan’s shoulder.

“We all got blessings from the queen of a faraway land. If this is anything like that, this won’t be so bad,” Stan said excitedly.

“I guess you’re right, but that’s not what I meant.”

“Harry’s going to be disappointed he missed it this time,” Nyara giggled as they followed behind Morwenna.

“You know, dear.” Nancy appeared at Cassie’s side. “The dandelion might appear humble at first glance. But the entire plant is edible—roots, leaves, and flowers. The leaves are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, and are higher in iron than spinach,” she explained, gesturing to the dandelion like a teacher wielding a pointer. “You can add them to salads or brew the roots for tea. It’s quite detoxifying for the liver and can help with digestion.” She paused and fixed her gaze on Amelia. “But the most incredible thing about dandelions is that the sap from the stem can be used to soothe skin irritations and heal blisters.”

“Kengar picked me wildflowers when we started seeing each other,” Nyara said as she looked up at the massive orc with an adoring smile as he stepped ahead. “Roots and all.”

Cassie giggled. “Thank you, ladies.”

“You are welcome,” Nancy said as she glanced at Stan. “One thing I have learned in this life is that the quirky ones are often the best, most loyal men you can find.”

“Good luck.” Nyara hurried to Kengar, who was waiting for her halfway down the stairs, taking up so much space that no one could pass. As she slipped her hand into his massive one, he touched her cheek as if she were the most precious of blooms.

“Love comes in all shapes and sizes.” Nancy dug her hand into her pocket and pulled out a paper bag. “Butterscotch?”

“Thank you,” Cassie accepted the hard candy, unwrapped it, and popped it in her mouth. “See you on the other side.”

“Good luck,” Nancy said and looked around for Stan, who was talking to Flint at the top of the stairs. “Am I doing the trial alone?” Nancy’s voice boomed out across the bar.

“Coming.” Stan waved and hurried to join his partner.

“I’m sorry about the dandelions,” Byron said quietly as she joined him.

“I’m not,” Cassie said and stood on tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

“I did not know about the red roses,” he continued.

“I don’t want to talk about it, Byron,” she said firmly.

He looked deep into her eyes and then said, “Then we won’t.”

“And that is why I love you,” she said and then froze as she realized the words had slipped out of her mouth unbidden.

“And I love you, Cassie,” Byron said and took her hand as they walked down the stairs and into a circular room below.

“Gather round, fellow bar-goers,” Morwenna said, beckoning them forward as she stood in the center of a stone floor. Beneath her feet was a large compass carved into the stone. Around the outside of the room were eight doors. “Today, you have only one simple task.” She paused and tried again. “Today you are appointed one simple task…no, doesn’t sound—okay, today, you have been given one simple duty. You must find your way back to the tavern.”

“From where?” Jerome asked.

“Life is a journey,” Morwenna went on, not answering Jerome’s question. “We should all learn to go with the flow and not fight our way upstream.”

“Is that a clue?” Stan asked from the bottom of the staircase.

“You should each choose a doorway.” Morwenna swept her arm around in a circle. “And keep in mind that waiver you signed two mere days ago as you do so.”

“Come, Jerome, let’s pick this one.” Amelia led Jerome by the hand to the door farthest away from the stairwell they entered by.

“Here we go again,” Stan complained as he and Nancy were last into the room and stood at the door next to them, nearest the entrance.

“What a strange room to have under the stairs,” Nancy looked over her shoulder at the room behind her. “I would love to meet the architect who designed this place.”

“I don’t think they exist,” Stan chuckled. “Oh look at that, ‘S’ for Stan.”

“I don’t think my brain can take any more puzzles,” Kengar said as he and Nyara chose the door to Stan and Nancy’s right.

“We’ll all be better prepared this time,” Byron said as he and Cassie stood on the other side of Kengar and Nyara.

“The time approaches,” Morwenna said in her calming voice as the doors opened all at once. “Remember, life is a journey. But it does have a destination. At least today.”

Cassie peered through their door, though whatever lay beyond was shrouded in a thick fog.

As they walked through the door, Byron glanced at Cassie and his smile beamed at her. But then he turned his head as Morwenna muttered something inaudible and his expression faltered.

Cassie glanced over her shoulder as Morwenna shoved her hand in her pocket and pulled out a scroll. She looked up and said something, but it was lost as the door closed behind them.

“What did she say?” Cassie asked as the fog evaporated, leaving them standing in a forest of tall, ancient trees. Only a little dappled sunlight filtered through the thick canopy, and the soft glow of the evening permeated the moss-covered trunks and boulders.

“She said she thought she’d forgotten to tell us something,” Byron said.

“Do you know what?” Cassie asked.

Panic filled Byron’s face as he looked down at her. “No magic of any sort allowed.”

“Okay.” Cassie nodded. “That’s okay. I don’t think my magic would help that much, anyway.”

“No, it’s not,” Byron said. “I can’t shift.”