chapter twenty-three

Thea's stomach rumbled with the cavern walls as she wandered deeper into the maze. She kept the rose close to her heart, twirling the stem and getting lost in the vibrant petals and the sweet scent that wafted from them. It was definitely magical, but was it really a key?

"Do you open portals?" Thea asked the rose. "Or magically create staircases that sprout out of stone?"

The rose didn't respond, and she felt a little silly for hoping that it would. It was magical, but she couldn't tell if it was truly sentient or not. It seemed very similar to the magic that made up the labyrinth. It was intelligent, in a way, and could easily predict your next move or even respond to you.

"Perhaps you're not a key at all," Thea said to the flower. "Maybe Ceyden crafted you with some sort of party trick to make me pine for him when I was gone. I'm sure he loves the idea of me desperately trying to escape the labyrinth so I can run safely into his arms." She rolled her eyes .

The walls rumbled again a second later, but only down the tunnel to her left. She spun around to look at the commotion and, to her surprise, noticed that the tunnel was slightly brighter than before. A strong scent of roses flowed through the tunnel, drawing her closer with the sweet scent like a mystical call trying to pull her in.

Was this the labyrinth's way of guiding me to dinner?

"Well, I suppose you were valuable enough to earn me supper." Thea smirked at the rose. "So I guess I can at least thank Ceyden for that."

She held the flower close, then followed the tunnel as it guided her deeper into the maze. Anytime she came across a fork in the path, the tunnel would make it obvious where she needed to go, either by illuminating the walls and ceiling or luring her in with the sweet smell of flowers. She weaved through the tunnels, stepping over fallen stones and old skeletons that always made her skin crawl. Many of them were missing their heads, which left little to the imagination when wondering how they died.

She brushed a finger across her smooth neck, wondering if she would receive the same treatment after the beast learned all he wanted about the rose. If that was his plan, there was no sense in fearing it. She knew what the consequences of entering the labyrinth would be, and even if she could escape, all she had waiting for her was a betrothal from Ceyden.

And her family...

She met a dead end, finding nothing but a plain wall of rock that was illuminating like she was meant to continue onward.

"Uh." She looked up at the ceiling. "I don't know what the beast is capable of, but I can't crush through walls. Is there any other direction I can go?"

She waited for the maze to respond, but the wall continued to glow like it was the only answer. She turned around, checking behind her to see if there was another path that would direct her behind the wall. The second she spun around, a loud quaking echoed behind her. She jumped, and looked back at the glowing wall, only to find that it had completely vanished, leaving a brand-new opening in the maze.

"Oh." She blinked. "That will work."

Thea stepped through the opening and was instantly greeted with the rich smell of a hearty soup. Her stomach growled in anticipation, and she salivated as she took in the striking oasis that was hidden in what appeared to be the maze's heart.

It was still a cave, but it had a makeshift table made of carved stone with boulders as chairs, and a tattered scrap of cloth serving as the tablecloth. There was a cozy fire in the corner, that filled the room with a smokey haze, and a bubbling spring that misted the air around it. In the other corner was what appeared to be a tattered bed, big enough for a beast to fit comfortably on, and loads of other trinkets and items that appeared to have been confiscated off of old prisoners.

"Enjoying the view?" The beast's raw voice echoed behind her, sending a ripple up her spine that silenced her gnawing stomach. She turned to face him, discovering that he was only a few inches behind her. His intense eyes met hers, glowering down at her in a way that would have been intimidating if she wasn't so fascinated by them.

"It's definitely more fascinating than stone walls and skeletons," Thea said, unable to break eye contact even if she wanted to.

"Well, that's a view you'll need to get used to." The beast frowned, flashing his pearly white fangs. "This room only opens up when I allow it, so don't think you'll be able to find it again." He pushed past Thea, making his way toward the bubbling pot that was seated over the fire.

"When you allow it?" Thea cocked her head. "Or when the labyrinth allows it. It seems to have a mind of its own."

"The labyrinth is mine to command," the beast huffed, glaring at Thea as he placed the sloshing pot on top of the stone table.

The ceiling rumbled in reply.

"Right..." Thea crossed her arms. "Sure, you seem very in control."

"Do you want supper, or not?" the beast growled, then cursed something under his breath as he glared up at the cavern walls.

Thea's stomach groaned. "Yes, but only if you promise to be nice."

"Nice?"

"Yes, this could very well be my final meal," Thea argued. "I don't want to spend it with a grouchy host."

"You'll get whatever host I decide to be."

"Then you'll get whatever information I decide to share." Thea wagged the rose tauntingly. She'd dealt with enough of Ceyden's impudence to have been fed up with brooding men. He could either dine with her cordially, or not at all.

"I'm happy to let you starve," the beast said darkly.

"It wouldn't be the first time I chose to preserve my dignity over life." Thea shrugged. "I came to the labyrinth by choice, remember? I'm likely going to starve either way, so I have no issue requesting the respect I deserve for my last meal."

"Criminals don't deserve respect."

"I'm not a criminal."

"You're here."

"So are you."

"Yes, but I'm a beast!" he snarled.

"Even beasts deserve respect," Thea said plainly, and to her surprise, the beast went quiet. His eyes widened, but the tension in his features didn't lessen. "All I ask is one final meal I can look back fondly on. I'll tell you everything I know about the rose if you can give me that."

I get the sense that he wouldn't mind a civil dinner either... has he ever even had a guest before?

The beast clenched his jaw, his brain whirling behind his lost gaze, until he finally let out a long breath and gestured toward the open seat. "Please..." he grumbled, "will you join me for dinner?"