by Isabel Wroth
"You consort with smugglers?" Akeyko chortled as if Jalia had just admitted to participating in something risque and sexual.
Jalia lifted her shoulder and leaned back in her chair, noticing the vacant seat directly beside her. Ryanthi's seat.
"All the time."
She wondered if Ryanthi had anyone at home who would mourn her. Parents? A lover? Siblings? Jalia knew nothing of Ryanthi, if she was a good person, a good ruler of her people, but Jalia found it impossible to sit beside the empty chair and not see the Pergonae Prima's sightless eyes staring up at her, or the growing pool of blood beneath her.
"That's a lovely chain you're wearing." Entayta murmured, her quiet voice jolting Jalia out of her memories to find all eyes on her. Or rather, the jewels she wore.
"Thanks. It seems the princes of the planet are placing bets on which of us will make it through the labyrinths first."
Cockinti mulishly threw herself back into her seat, crossing her arms over her tiny breasts.
She no doubt had something ridiculous to say, but just then Dhega entered, and her childish pout evaporated to sickly sweet, simpering expression, so fake it nearly put Jalia off her food.
"Congratulations to you all for completing the second labyrinth," Dhega said as he sat, looking at Jalia with a mix of uncertainty and then distaste when he looked at her hair.
She offered him a winning smile and was grunted at, and though he wasn't a fan of her newest look, he continued to glance her way as a feast of food was brought in and set out before them.
"Where is the meat?" Axtasusa bellowed, the fist she slammed on the table startling the young kitchen attendant so severely, he leaped a foot in the air and dropped his tray with a clang.
When the boy turned a white-faced, terrified look at his king, Dhega shook his head and gave a dismissive wave of his hand. The kid grabbed his tray and ran for cover as fast as he could.
"Minoan's do not consume the flesh of other living creatures. You will find no meat here, Axtasusa."
The Duggan warrior's jaw unhinged, swinging wide with shock at Dhega's answer. She spluttered, clearly at a loss for words, but made no sounds other than inarticulate squeaks.
"I am interested in Minoan agriculture, your majesty. These dried fruits are luscious. Where do they come from?" Entayta asked, lifting a wizened black sphere to show him.
Jalia was partial to them as well. The flesh was thin and shiny, the thicker layer of fruit beneath soft and moist, sweet to the point of almost making her tongue curl.
It was soft enough to be spread across the crusty bread, and with a thick layer of the creamy white cheese on top? Heaven.
Dhega watched Jalia build her little creation with a bland expression, "Those particular fruits are called, iphlori. They grow wild in the desert regions, near water sources and harvested as a staple food source for the herds who live there. Each region grows their own collection of staple crops, veg, fruits, grains, spices, nuts."
"More wine!" Axtasusa shouted, again giving the table a bang, making the dishes jump and rattle. The same poor boy from before came running with a large pitcher, shocked to be ordered by the large female to leave the jug.
They all watched the Duggan female fit the container to her lips and chug the contents in a handful of loud swallows. Her belch was impressive, but no one else seemed to think so.
"You brew anything stronger than this sweetwater?" she asked rudely. Dhega stared at her incomprehensibly for a moment, until Axtasusa rolled her beady eyes.
"Ale? Beer? Mead?"
"Hallin, Prince of the Winterpools, brews something he calls Harth. He would be...delighted to bring a barrel for you tomorrow." Dhega offered haltingly. Susa thumped the empty jug down and decreed she would have it.
"I find this wine to be quite refreshing." Akeyko chirped, taking a dainty sip from her nearly empty glass.
Jalia lifted her brows when Akeyko weaved a little in her seat, realizing the Chentian princess was drunk.
Dhega grunted, rubbing his hand across his jaw a few times before speaking.
"It is from the Islingrane Pastures to the west. Tomorrow's challenge will be held there, in the Labyrinth of Thorns."
Jalia finished sampling the fruits and salads in front of her, not bothered at all by the lack of synthetic meat or chalky protein blocks.
The food was fresh, amazingly seasoned, and thus far she hadn't tried a single thing she didn't like.
"I can say with honesty, I have never had food or drink so delicious as this, but I'm interested in the story behind the labyrinths.
“When were they created? Before it became the test of royals, did they have another purpose?" she asked, once again the sole focus of Dhega's attention.
He was silent long enough to make her wonder if she shouldn't have asked, his gaze unwavering on her face until Akeyko hiccuped and broke the spell.
"Fifteen generations ago, this planet was home to a species known as, Rir," he began, his voice taking on a deeper cadence. "The Rir were a soft people, slight of stature, technologically advanced, driven by greed.
“They created the nebula that now surrounds our solar system and protects Minos through methods unknown to us. Hidden from the rest of the galaxy, they engineered my people with the intent to sell us as slave labor and entertainment fodder on their homeworld.
"The first labyrinths were created to test the strength of our bloodlines, to separate and cull the weakest members of the herd quickly.
“Once only the intelligent remained, more elaborate mazes were built, the intent to isolate the strongest. Those who solved the labyrinths under a specified time were immediately destroyed.
"The ones who passed these tests were slated to be sold as the galaxies most violent, bloodthirsty prizefighters.
“But the Rir made a fatal flaw in allowing the strong and intelligent bloodlines to thrive. Our ancestors rose up, cut a bloody swath through our creators, destroyed their cities, and claimed Minos for their own."
"Didn't the other Rir come raid the planet later?" Cockinti asked, shoving every food item within reach into her mouth with greedy abandon.
Dhega lifted a bulky shoulder, swirling the darker red wine in his glass around and around, staring into it as though seeing images of the past on the surface of the liquid.
"There are stories told by the fire, of the Burning Days, when pieces of starships rained from the skies, and charred remains of bloated bodies washed ashore for weeks after. They tried but did not know the routes to pass through the nebula unharmed.
"As our herds grew in numbers, leadership was required. Young males who desired to lead their herds underwent the rites of passage by completing the Maze of Stars, the Stepwell Labyrinth, and the Labyrinth of Thorns.
“When they reached the age of majority, they again had to pass through another three labyrinths, the Vanishing Labyrinth, the Labyrinth of Mirrors, and the Labyrinth of Cups.
“Should they finish those six and dare to dream of absolute rule, they faced final three. The Labyrinth of Tears, the Maze of Two Souls, and the Labyrinth of Darkness."
"What if there was more than one victor?" Entayta murmured from Jalia's left.
Dhega's smile took on a harsh edge. "Then they entered the Red Labyrinth. The sole survivor then had claim to the crown."
Fascinated, Jalia set her chin in hand, her elbow resting on the table as she leaned forward with interest.
"So, your title of king is not hereditary?"
He gave a dip of his head in acknowledgment. "It is not. Anyone who completes the Nine Labyrinths may challenge me.
“We would then enter the Red Labyrinth together, and whoever emerges alive would then be king."
"How many times have you run the Red Labyrinth?" Axtasusa garbled as she chewed on an enormous loaf of bread.
Dhega pointed to the red lines scored around the base of his left horn.
"Three."
Jalia noticed the hungry light of bloodlust in Axtasusa's gaze, the Duggan ob
viously impressed by Dhega's ferocity.
Jalia thought about today's challenge, of Ryanthi's shockingly swift death, and the complete lack of information they had been given regarding what they would face.
Giving away the maze's secrets would defeat the purpose of this contest, but still, a little warning as to what the risks might be would be appreciated. So, she asked. The worst Dhega could do was decline to answer.
"Today our every step was potentially treacherous, your majesty. Without giving us it's secrets, can you tell us what dangers await us in the Labyrinth of Thorns?"
Dhega made a thoughtful sound, his gaze moving from her belt of gems, her hair, her eyes, all while he rubbed two fingers back and forth across the swell of his lips.
Jalia swallowed thickly, her body reacting, igniting as she imagined the caress of his lips on each place he touched her with his stare.
"Poison. One kiss from the thorns of Blushing Sorrow flower, one sniff of the sweet perfume from the Pheppe, or a touch of the Ileacamp, and your corpse will become fertilizer for the hedges."
Jalia's lashes fluttered in response, words failing her as visions of herself lying dead among a heap of flowers filled her head.
"I see. And you said thus far, none of the other competitors have passed beyond this third maze?"
Dhega gave a regal nod and inhaled deeply, "Correct."
Axtasusa gave what remained of her loaf a wave, "You have many women here, why invite outsiders to compete for the opportunity to become queen?"
As was becoming habit, the Duggan asked the question without any tact at all. Dhega's smirk took on a cruel edge,
"There are many women here, but none are willing to brave the dangers of the Nine and find me waiting for them at the end."
He made it seem as though the women of Minos weren't sure which was more terrifying. The labyrinths, or marriage to the king.
If an entire planet full of women were refusing to even attempt to become queen, there obviously was something horribly wrong with Dhega.
He pushed away from the table and stood up, giving them one last look before taking his leave,
"You will have a day of rest tomorrow at Islingrane Palace. I suggest you all make use of it."
CHAPTER FOUR
Her hair was a fiery mass of crimson, orange, and yellow this morning, streaming behind her like a banner as she turned her face to the wind and smiled.
Dhega had lain awake all night, wondering what color would suit her fancy next, pleased beyond measure to see her hair had grown again to brush the backs of her thighs.
From the moment Marchessa Jalia had found the heart of the Stepwell Labyrinth and looked up to seek him out, the truth had become glaringly obvious.
Dhega was fascinated with the clever little human. She had not rushed forward yesterday, desperate to beat the other females to the center of the maze.
Jalia had crouched and patiently assessed the challenge ahead, watching the others take their paths, watching them fall, feigning fear and uncertainty to ensure the door she planned to take went unnoticed.
Twelve potential queens had come and gone, three solstice moons passed, and Dhega had begun to wonder if his hunt for a bride from beyond the safety of their nebula would come.
His impatience and annoyance mounted, having made him fouler tempered than usual, and when Nivir had brought the current candidates back, Dhega hadn't held much hope for their success.
At first blush, Dhega had considered wringing Nivir's neck before he sat to pen a list of qualities beyond ruthlessness, strength, valuable allies, and royal blood.
It seemed, the royals of any world were as unimpressive as the royal females of Minos. But something about Jalia had caused him to take pause. To hope.
Why?
Each time she spoke, he found himself eagerly waiting to hear what she had to say. She offered no false platitudes or simpered to gain his favor.
She was bold, vibrant, kind, yet she wasn't vulnerable or as weak as he had first assumed. Tender-hearted, perhaps, but there were worse things to be.
"Are we there yet? This sunshine is abominable."
Worse things as being forced to wed a creature as demanding and unpleasant as Cockinti. The purple-haired princess wore a ludicrously large hat to shade her face, a fan in hand that she used to flap at passing insects, or to 'accidentally' whack Akeyko.
He was surprised the Chentian princess hadn't yet snatched the fan out of Cockinti's hand and slapped her across the face with it.
"I swear to the stars, Cockring, you ask if we're there yet one more time, I'm going to shove that fan up your crap cannon." Jalia snapped hotly.
Cockinti's dramatic gasp became more of a choked gargle due to her accidental inhalation of louse fly.
She coughed and gagged, waving both hands in front of her face, her horrified expression when she finally swallowed the louse...Dhega had to turn away or risk everyone seeing the grin on his face.
"Ah, sweet, sweet karma." he heard Jalia sigh. "Lucky that wasn't you, Akeyko. You'd be dead for sure from all the airborne diseases that bug probably carried. Don't worry, Cockpit's iron stomach will turn it into toxic waste in no time."
Akeyko made a face so evil, even Dhega took pause. He suddenly worried for Jalia's safety, and regret having told the females of the poisonous flowers waiting for them within the Labyrinth of Thorns.
No doubt, the first chance she got, Akeyko would try to push Jalia face first into the hedge. If that happened, the Marchesa would be dead before she hit the ground.
*****
Jalia didn't even notice who it was that helped her out of the transport, too engrossed in looking at the beauty of the manor in front of her.
Islingrane palace was nestled in the heart of a decadently lush orchard, the white stone floating on a sea of rustling green leaves.
The smell was intoxicating, and if this was the scent of death, Jalia could understand how someone could succumb to its sweet embrace.
It was hotter among the hills and trees, but the breeze still blew with enough force to dry the sweat gathering on her brow faster than it could fall.
The crushed white stone lay in precise, groomed paths that cut through the unbelievably green grass, all leading to the towering four-story palatial building.
Each window was open to the air, gauzy white drapes billowed back and forth, revealing glimpses of glittering chandeliers.
Everywhere she looked a fountain sent sprays of sparkling water up into the air, cooling the temperature markedly. This place was an Eden.
"Welcome to Islingrane, my king!"
The jovial greeting made by a deep baritone caused Jalia to turn, just in time to see the prince of this palace open his arms in welcome at the top of the immaculate white steps.
His curly mane of hair was black as the night sky, his bone-white horns tipped black and ringed with gold, curving back and up to point behind him.
The skin of his brow and around his eyes was a beautiful burnished brown, accentuating the shine of his soft golden eyes.
Like the king, he wore a snowy, white sleeveless robe open over loose trousers, putting his slender torso on display.
The prince was tall, leaner than the other princes she had met so far, but Jalia could see the strength in his body from here.
His expression was warm and eager but knowing he had killed to attain his position as prince of his house, Jalia would never look at the ruling members of Minos quite the same way again.
"Turju, well met," Dhega replied, clasping the other male's forearm, looking around with a nod of approval. "It appears your harvest season will be bountiful this year."
"Not so bountiful as yours!" Turju returned with a laugh, his eyes twinkling mischievously as he looked at Jalia and the other women in turn. "My ladies, I welcome you most eagerly to my home. I am Turju, and anything your hearts desire will be my pleasure to provide."
Turju's lusty wink was obvious but strangely charming.
"I desire
to be away from all this ghastly nature, immediately!" Cockinti petulantly demanded, Akeyko nodding in total agreement.
Turju's grin never faltered as he ushered them all inside, attendants rushing forward to meet them.
"You do not find my lands pleasing, princess? What a pity. I pray my humble palace will offer you at least a measure of comfort."
A measure of comfort? Jalia snorted, her head on a swivel as she took in the smooth marble paving the floors and climbing up the walls to the vaulted, mirrored ceilings.
Grand stairways, opulent golden chandeliers, delicate looking furniture, all framed the entrance of the palace. Beyond, Jalia could see an atrium filled with climbing vines and flowers.
In comparison to the crisp whiteness of the palace, the flowers were almost a violent shock to the senses.
"Humble palace?" she muttered incredulously, afraid to touch anything and risk getting it dirty.
Turju abandoned Cockinti and Akeyko to the hovering attendants, turning his grin on Jalia with an inviting waggle of his brows. "Do you find my home pleasing, Marchesa?"
He flamboyantly offered her his hand, tugging her forward to tuck her palm into his elbow while he led her farther into the palace.
She didn't remember seeing him yesterday, or at Dhega's palace, so a description of her must be going around that he was able to recognize her.
"It's stunning. I've never seen anything like it in my life. I could walk around staring all day long." Jalia admitted truthfully.
Turju chuckled proudly, waving his free hand out in front of him.
"Today is a day of rest before your challenge tomorrow. While you are here, I insist you wander wherever you please. The orchards surrounding the palace are full of ripe fruit safe to eat.
“I urge you to sample the sun warmed tiforoola berries and the purple liyot, I promise you will never know such a delicious taste.
“Your quarters have been prepared to the specifications of the attendants you sent ahead; I have the finest staff on hand to indulge your every whim. You need not lift a finger to do anything other than command us as you will."