The Ruins (An Avernus Island Tale)

by Jennifer Kohout

  Asterion.

  The cutout was maybe three feet wide and just as deep. The bust had been cared from the wall, a warning to all what waited for them at the center of the labyrinth.

  Julia sucked in a breath, her eyes darting left and right before coming back to rest on Asterion’s snarling face.

  A labyrinth was different from a maze. Where a maze offered you choices, chances to turn right or left and could lead you down blind alleys, a labyrinth, by contrast, offered you one path. One way in, one way out.

  Turning to glance back at the way she had come, Julia wondered if she had been close to the center. What that what lay hidden beneath the city center? It made sense that whoever had built this place would hide the heart of the labyrinth under the heart of the city.

  A check of her watch showed she’d been lost far longer than she thought. It was already after three o’clock, and she still had to find her way out and reach the beach. Hopefully, Brad would come looking for her when she didn’t show up at their appointed time.

  It nearly killed her to do it, but Julia turned her back and kept going. Now that she knew this place was here, she could come back later and explore it more carefully.

  Up ahead, the path curved gently to the right, eventually turning out of sight. Julia followed the path and found another cutout, another bust of Asterion. There were more, each one showing the minotaur as a snarling beast. One even depicted the sacrifice of several maidens, each one lining up to be ravaged by the beast.

  Julia found it harder to keep going. She remembered Mel’s story about Cretan’s Heart and the minotaur that guarded it. If she turned around and retraced her steps, would she find the minotaur waiting for her?

  Deep in thought, regret dogging her every shuffling step, Julia failed to notice the path as it straightened out. She tripped on the first step, her head coming up as she stumbled to a halt.

  “Oh. My. God.”

  Julia stood and stared stupidly, her mind racing. She’d had one too many shocks today, she decided. This had to be a hallucination. “This shouldn’t be here.”

  But the steps were real, the stone solid beneath her feet as she climbed to the top and entered the center of the labyrinth.

  The central courtyard was bordered by porticos and surrounded by state rooms. Decorated with mural paintings and mosaics, it was surrounded by marble columns. Open to the air, the design was classic Greek. Air, smelling of salt from the sea, tickled her nose and sent her wayward curls floating lightly in the air.

  Crossing a floor tiled in a rich mosaic, Julia found herself in a room furnished with wood cabinets, couches for reclining, and even an Egyptian style throne made of exotic wood. Further on, she could see what looked like a library and a bedroom. Everything was surprisingly lush and appeared stuck in time.

  “Who are you?”

  Julia whirled, her knee objected to the sudden movement, and she reached out a hand to catch herself before she fell.

  Like the warriors of old, he stood tall and proud. Naked to the waist, his chest was a deep bronze. Dark hair framed a face stark in its beauty and brushed shoulders wide enough to bear the harshest of burdens. Narrow hips gave way to long legs and thick thighs. His feet were also bare and surprisingly elegant compared to the battle-hardened rest of him.

  He’s wearing a skirt; Julia thought and had the insane desire to laugh. No, not a skirt. A tunic.

  Oh God, she was going crazy. Lost in the ruins, hurt and tired, her mind was conjuring up images from the past. How else did you explain an ancient Greek god staring at her from across a well apportioned room?

  “How did you get in here?” Asterion stared at the female who must surely be a dream. She had yet to speak, further evidence that his was a diseased mind playing tricks on him.

  Though, couldn’t his mind have cleaned her up a bit?

  The woman stood braced on one leg; her hair was tangled and mussed, and her face was streaked with dirt. It was a pretty face, Asterion noted. Soft and round, she lacked the olive skin and straight nose of the Greeks.

  She wasn’t Roman, either. Not with that chin.

  Her manner of dress was curious though Asterion could certainly appreciate the form-fitting shirt and the skirt that ended several inches above the knee.

  Asterion frowned. Her legs were long and lean, and her hips filled out the lower half of her outfit nicely, giving the skirt she wore a gentle flare. But one knee was an angry red and swollen, an ugly bruise marring the otherwise perfect skin. “You are injured.”

  Would his mind bring him a wounded woman? A female for him to care for perhaps? It was possible. Asterion lived to serve, first his mother and then his king. Only both had betrayed him and left him, frozen in time. Forever alone.

  Until now.

  “Come,” Asterion said, jogging down the steps and crossing the space to her side. “You are my guest and as such shall have all that you need.”

  Julia blinked at the strangely formal words and the accent she couldn’t quite place. She watched, time slowing, as he reached out a hand and gently took her arm. The feel of his fingers, warm and rough, was the thing that finally made it through. “You’re real.”

  It was the last thought Julia had before darkness swam up to claim her.

  ASTERION

  Julia didn’t know how long she was unconscious, but when she woke up, the light was softer, and she was alone.

  The bed was firm beneath her back. Her boots had been removed, and a cold cloth lay drying over her knee. Wincing slightly, her body sore from her fall, she rose up on her elbows and took a quick look around.

  Not a dream, Julia thought. Or I’m still hallucinating.

  The bed, a huge four-poster, dominated the room. Another mosaic decorated the floor, this one a tribute to Eros if she wasn’t mistaken. Sliding off the bed, she was relieved when her knee gave the barest of protest before accepting her weight.

  She padded past her pack and went in search of her host. Her mind still reeled, thoughts forming and spinning away before she could settle on any one explanation.

  She had so many questions!

  Not least among them was what was this place and who was her host?

  The tile of the courtyard was cool beneath her feet. She heard the light tinkling of running water and suspected there was a fountain nearby.

  Entering another room, Julia found herself in a living room. This one was smaller, the tables, chairs, and couches arranged for intimate conversation.

  A room out of time, she thought. That’s what this place was. But as long as she was here…Julia took a tour around the room, her eye expertly identifying authentic pieces of art the museum would pay a small fortune to own. But here, they were just furniture, useful items of comfort.

  A bust on the other side of the room drew her attention. Expecting another depiction of the minotaur, Julia was surprised to find the bust was of a man.

  “King Minos,” came a voice from behind her.

  More prepared for it this time, Julia turned and found herself staring into the handsome face of her host. His eyes appeared to be taking her in, his expression mirroring her own thoughts of wonder touched with suspicion.

  “Hello,” Julia managed.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked before she could say more.

  Julia blinked at the plate he held out. Her stomach chose that moment to answer for her, the growl echoing in the small space.

  Asterion smiled at the woman’s obvious sign of hunger. “Come, sit and eat.” Food was always the first order of business.

  Julia took the chair the man indicated, smiling her thanks when he set the plate down in front of her.

  “There’s wine, too,” Asterion said as he poured her a glass of cool water. “But you should drink this first.”

  Her throat parched, and not just from the heat, Julia drained her glass and held it out for a refill. “Thank you,” she said and sipped the cool water in between taking bites.

  Asterion let the woman eat in
silence, waiting until she sat back, her plate empty except for the olive pits. “Who are you?”

  Julia cringed, not at all surprised by the first question. “My name is Julia Davenport.”

  Asterion frowned. “What kind of name is Davenport?”

  “I…I don’t know,” Julia admitted. “I think its English.”

  Asterion brushed the matter aside. “How did you get here?”

  Julia flushed, embarrassed to admit she’d fallen and gotten lost. “I was exploring the ruins when the floor collapsed. I was trying to find my way out.”

  Asterion poured each of them a glass of wine to give himself a moment to think. What she said was supposed to be impossible. No one was supposed to be able to find the labyrinth, let alone make it to the center.

  Not since Theseus–that bastard–had anyone been permitted in.

  His mother made sure of that.

  “Why were you were you exploring the ruins?”

  “I work for a museum,” Julia said. “I was asked to evaluate the ruins, determine if there is anything here worth digging up.”

  Asterion saw her eyes pass over his home, at the pieces that were considered rich even in his day.

  “If you don’t mind,” Julia said, interrupting his thoughts. “I’m a big fan of quid pro quo—”

  “You speak Latin?” Asterion asked, surprised.

  “No,” Julia frowned. “But I told you who I am…”

  Asterion realized she was waiting for him to introduce himself. “I am Asterion, son of Pasiphae,” he added because he had no other name.

  “Now I know I’m dreaming.” Julia rubbed at her temples. “I must have fallen and hit my head. I’m probably lying unconscious somewhere, hopefully out of the sun–I don’t tan; I burn–dying, and you—” Julia pointedly looked Asterion up and down. “You’re a figment of my imagination.”

  A very tall, very sexy figment of her imagination.

  Asterion listened to the woman babble. He found he liked the sound of her voice. It was surprisingly deep and husky and her accent stroked his senses. He had been too long without company, with only the sound of his own voice.

  “Asterion was said to be a minotaur,” Julia whispered and rubbed at her temples. “Half man, half beast, he was locked at the center of Cretan’s Labyrinth.”

  “Yes.”

  “But you,” Julia pointed rudely. “You’re not…and this isn’t…Cretan’s Labyrinth is supposed to be near Knossos,” she finished lamely.

  Asterion was impressed with her knowledge. “We are not far from where my mother’s husband made his home.”

  Julia heard the bitterness behind the words, and the whole of Asterion’s story came rushing back. The result of adultery, he was banned to the center of the labyrinth.

  Asterion held still as she reached out with shaking fingers and laid the barest of touch on his forearm.

  Julia’s eyes went wide. Asterion’s arm was firm, solid and warm beneath her fingers. She could feel the tiny hairs and saw that he had a freckle on the back of his wrist. “How?”

  “It was a Goddess that helped create me,” Asterion said and watched belief fill her eyes. “And it is the gods that keep me here.”

  Forever trapped in this place.

  Find Cretan’s Heart, Asterion, and then you shall be free.

  Those were the last words his mother had spoken to him before she kissed him good-bye and walked out of the labyrinth. He’d search the labyrinth, going as far as the gods would allow, but there was nothing.

  Lost in thought, Asterion was surprised when Julia’s fingers moved from his forearm to cover his fist. Left lying clenched on the table, it was the first touch he’d experienced in centuries.

  “I’m sorry,” Julia said.

  The heat from her fingers seeped into his bones and settled there. Tempted as he was to turn his hand over and clasp her fingers, he knew there was no way he could keep her here. Sliding his hand out from under hers, he drank deep of his wine.

  Julia watched the strong muscles in his throat work, saw the pulse in his neck beat, and could no longer deny what was sitting right in front of her. The myth, the legend, was alive and apparently living in very good style.

  He was also alone, abandoned by the one woman who should have loved him above all others, and cursed by the gods.

  “Asterion.” Julia called his name again, waiting until he looked at her. “You said you’re trapped here, but do you know the way out of the labyrinth?”

  Asterion nodded. In the first few days, weeks, and then years of his captivity, he had followed the same path his mother had taken, knowing it led to the entrance, to freedom. But along the way he always encountered the same thing-an invisible line that he could not cross.

  He tried to leave many times, and failed. The desperation had very nearly driven him insane as he threw rocks, water, branches–anything else he could find–further down the path. He’d captured birds only to set them free, watching as they, too, passed beyond the point where he could go.

  “Will you show me?” Julia asked. Heart beating, she realized she could be out of here and back at the Big House before nightfall.

  “Yes, of course,” Asterion said. Pushing up from the table, he tossed back the last of his wine. He didn’t know what would happen to her once she left this place. Cretan’s Labyrinth was supposed to be hidden for mortal eyes, Asterion trapped for all time. If she was lucky, Julia Davenport would walk out of the labyrinth and forget this ever happened. “If you are ready?”

  Julia nodded and followed Asterion. He reached her pack first, picking it up and holding it for her while she tied up the laces on her boots. Her knee was still sore and the bruise ugly, but she could walk.

  “This way,” he said and led her toward a different path than the one she had walked in on. “You must have fallen through one of the false paths.”

  “I thought a labyrinth didn’t have false paths,” Julia said, accepting her pack.

  “This one does.” Asterion watched her settle the pack on her shoulders. Giving in to temptation, he brushed a speck of dirt from her cheek, using it as the excuse he needed to touch her.

  Julia was surprised by the gentle touch, giving him a small smile to let him know it was OK. She hated to think about how long it must have been since he’d felt the touch of another. Guilt at leaving him rose up. “Are you sure you can’t come with me?”

  “I am sure,” Asterion said. “Go, Julia Davenport, and know that I will be fine.” He had survived for thousands of years, what was a few more? Of course, now that he had seen and talked to another person, those years suddenly stretched out ahead of him, much longer and harder to bear.

  Julia turned and took the first step on the path home.

  “Stay.” The word was out and on the wind, hovering in the air between them before he could call it back.

  Julia jerked to a halt but didn’t immediately turn around.

  “Spend the night with me,” Asterion said softly. He stared at the back of her head and silently begged her to turn around, to look at him. To be seen by someone, to know that he existed in someone else’s eyes. “One night, and anything I have is yours.”

  He’d seen the way she looked at his home, understood that there was value in his belongings. There were riches here, pieces meant to offer him comfort that would have grown in worth over the years.

  Julia turned around slowly. He was offering to buy a night with her, with her body, but seeing his need, she didn’t have it in her to be angry.

  “I—” Julia hesitated, fear and anticipation doing a dance in her belly. Asterion watched her with hungry eyes and she was reminded of the form he was said to take. Half man, half bull. She’d seen nothing but the human in him, a human cursed by the gods.

  Caution warned that he wasn’t a man she should be getting involved with. But what was one night of sex? Of sleeping with a stranger she was guaranteed never to see again?

  “I—” Julia’s voice broke. She stopped, lic
ked her suddenly dry lips, and tried again. “I’ll stay.”

  KARDIA MOU

  Asterion moved with impressive speed. Cradling Julia’s face in his hands, he captured her mouth in a kiss that was hot, hungry, and blatantly sexual.

  Her heart jumped into her throat, the wildness of his kiss sweeping her up in a rush of lips and tongue. He was gorgeous and real, the taste of him a solid thing that told her this wasn’t a dream. He licked at the seal of her mouth, stroked her along side her tongue when she opened up for him, and nipped playfully at her lower lip.

  Tentative at first, Julia touched her tongue to his and Asterion growled his approval. Sucking her into his mouth, he let her know how much he enjoyed the taste, the feel of her, and her next touch was less hesitant, her strokes growing bolder.

  Still, it wasn’t enough. Centuries of nothing but his own hand for company had Asterion burying his hands in her hair, forcing her head back and plunging deep into her mouth.

  Julia groaned, felt the world tip and reached for Asterion.

  Her hands on his hips fired Asterion’s blood. He wanted her naked, needed to feel her pressed against him, know that she was real. Lifting his head, he started to strip her of her pack only to stop.

  They were standing at the entrance to the labyrinth, the area bare. He would not take her on the sand, rutting like the beast he was accused of being.

  “Asterion?”

  Asterion glanced down. Julia was staring up at him, her mouth already wet and swollen from his kisses and a question in her eyes. “Not here.”

  Taking her hand, Asterion led Julia back inside. He thought of the multitude of rooms at his disposal and vowed he would have her in every one of them before the night was through.

  In his bedroom, Asterion stripped Julia of her pack, but he didn’t stop there. Reaching for her, he pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it aside. Her skirt quickly followed until she was left in nothing but her undergarments.

  He wanted to savor the sight of her but the need to touch and taste drove him to reclaim her mouth, cup her breasts. He felt them swell, her nipples hard points of desire against his palms that he promised himself he would taste.