I awoke to the familiar gut-wrenching roar. It was that of the Minotaur. I stared up at the golden, intricately decorated ceiling of my chamber, not wanting to move from my bed of silk. The roar sounded again and a shiver passed through my body. My Father was not such a stupid man to build the Cretan Labyrinth too close to our palace, but it was close enough to be seen from his chamber window and the roars could be heard from miles away. There was talk that people on the other side of the island could hear him and smell his anger in the wind. Such nonsense humoured me, so I allowed my younger brothers to excitedly tell me about the latest news and gossip they had heard from traders. I rolled onto my side with a heavy sigh and closed my eyes trying to imagine why my Father had decided to keep the Minotaur, he said it was to prove his power and to show how unmerciful he was, and I did not doubt that. Some people say the Minotaur was a gift from the Gods, but there was a hidden truth in that tale, one I could not fathom.
A knock at the door startled me, “Ariadne?”
 “Yes?” I called.
“Sister, it is I, Catreus.”
I smiled at his sweet young voice, “Come in brother.” I sat up delicately realising almost instantly there was a pounding in my head and I winced. I didn’t notice he had been crying until I studied his face, “What is wrong Catreus?” I shifted forward, “Come, sit, tell me.”
He sniffed once but moved to obey me, he had not yet seen 13 summers but already he was as tall as I was at 16 with almost shoulder length brown hair. He truly was going to be tall and handsome. He crawled onto my bed and sat directly opposite me, I laid a hand on his knee, “What has happened?” He looked so vulnerable when he was upset.
He sniffed again and wiped at his nose, “Father is angry with me.” I sighed; it didn’t take much to anger our Father. I waited for him to continue, “I was playing down in the wine cellar, and he caught me.” His breath caught, “He reminded me of what had happened with Glaucus, and that if I was so stupid to be playing there knowing of previous events then I might as well have fallen into a barrel of honey and never come out.” That last part came out in a rushed sob where he hurled himself into my arms. I soothed him until the sobs stopped. When my other younger brother was playing in the wine cellar not more than two summers ago, he fell into a barrel of honey. It took every ounce of my father’s power and money to gain magical help and restore Glaucus’ life.
“Catreus. You know very well Father loves you, he has a short temper and something must be bothering him for him to speak so harshly.” My younger brother nodded once, “Because I love you so, I shall find father and talk to him, explain to him how very hurt you are.” I thought for a moment and pushed him back to look at his face, “Did you cry in front of him?”
He shook his head, “I held strong like you tell me to, and then I came straight here.”
I smiled in relief and at how proud he looked under his tears, “Good, you know Father hates weakness, now go, dry your tears and find your other brothers, have some fun. Unless, Androgeus is out courting some fair maiden.” I nudged him with a playful smile. He grinned at me and wrapped his arms around my neck before bounding away.
“I love you sister.” He called back.
“I love you too. Please could you find Helena and send for her?”
“Of course.” And then he was gone. I settled back against my pillows until Helena arrived.

Once dressed in my pale yellow silk robes, appropriate jewellery applied and my eyes lined in kohl, Helena began to work on my hair. I sighed, loving the feeling of a comb pulling through my hair before the thick black masses were wound up in to a beautiful yet delicate bun with stray curls encircling my face. I stood, “Thank you Helena, you have done a wonderful job as always.”
“You are welcome Miss.” She curtsied before skipping from the room, her bright red hair falling straight down her back. I began moving with a purpose towards my Father’s war-room, knowing that’s where he preferred to spend his time, whether there was a war or not. I walked down the staircase and headed to the entrance that was just under it.  I arrived outside the beautiful oak doors and studied them for a moment before entering. They were big beyond compare, patterns were intricately swirled all over it lined in gold, the door handles were also in gold. I knocked, “Father, it is I, Ariadne.”
“Enter!” was the response.
I pushed the door to the left open and slipped inside, I bowed respectfully, “Good morning Father, are you well?” He studied me for a moment before he nodded.
“Yes my beauty, I am well, what business do you have to discuss?”
“Not business, more… family matters.” I chewed my lip for a moment, “Catreus came to me earlier thinking you no longer love him, or at the very most, do not care if he dies.” I took in a breath and studied his reaction.
He sighed and leaned back in his chair, “What business is it of yours?”
“Well Father he is my favourite brother, as you are well aware, and I think you were very unfair with your words and actions this morn. I do not mean to disrespect you my Lord, just make you aware of how easy you can hurt somebody you love.”
He stared into my eyes and a tentative smile spread across his face, “Ah, My Ariadne, always the voice of reason, what would this family do without your guidance?” He took a sip from his goblet. “I know you mean no disrespect, I just lost my temper too harshly this morn.” He thought for a moment, “You are my eldest and most treasured Ariadne, I am pleased you have turned out in such a way where you would sacrifice yourself to help others. You remind me of your mother in her younger days, which is both a good thing and a bad thing.” He set his goblet back down on the table, a strange look on his face. “Now, leave me. King Aegeus is being difficult about the choosing of another woman for sacrifice. I may have to find an acceptable punishment for this.” His brow furrowed at the scrolls on his desk.
“Yes Father.” I turned to walk through the door but stopped and turned, “Maybe, Father, you should –”
“Do not overstep your bounds.” His deep voice grumbled. I gave another bow and left the room.

Walking out from the war room I almost bumped into my Mother, she looked troubled, “Good morning Mother, I apologise for my clumsiness.”
She smiled at me and laid a hand on my cheek, “Not to worry my sweet, I was just heading to the kitchens to break my fast, would you care to join me?” she held out her arm. I look a lot like my mother, we both have black hair, golden skin and delicate features, but my eyes are green, hers brown.
I smiled brightly, “Of course Mother.” I took her arm, “I am rather hungry.” I chuckled as my stomach began to complain.
“As am I.”  My Mother grinned and we began walking through the palace, “Did you sleep well?”
I nodded, “Very well, I was awoken as usual.” My mother nodded, I carried on, “But just in time as it happens, Catreus came to my quarters rather upset.” Mother raised her eyebrows.
“Father.” We said together and smiled.
“What a big oaf, he doesn’t control his anger well. How is Catreus?”
I nodded, “I sorted it. I reassured Catreus and then spoke to father.”
“You are a loving sister to your little brother, I know he loves you very much.” She sighed as we entered the kitchen and gestured to the staff. They scurried around gathering bread and honey and such, we made our way to the small table.
The cook stared for a moment, “Do you not wish to eat in the dining hall Mistress?” He asked my mother.
“No thank you Cicero, We have no need for such formalities today.” He nodded and bowed.
“As you wish.” He clapped his hands together once and the other servants brought the food to us before bowing and wandering off.
My Mother smiled and began taking pieces of bread and honey, her favourite. I began taking bread and strawberry preserve, my favourite. We spoke idly about anything that interested us, about what my siblings had been up to, about how we would spend the day. Until I finally struggled with myself and found the courage to ask what I had needed to ask for some time, “Mother… What do you know of the Minotaur?” she reacted as if I had physically hurt her.
“Why do you ask?” She sipped her wine, staring down at the table.
I frowned at her, “Well I have been wondering for quite some time now, I thought maybe you would answer me, as I am old enough to know.” I shrugged my shoulders delicately, “And his roars awaken me every morn. They have done so for the past 19 summers.”
Finally my mother looked at me, “He was a gift from the Gods, for your father to prove his power, and to prove his… support from the Gods.” She looked away again, “That is all.”
“But Mother everybody says this, I am sure there is an underlying truth here!”
“I said that is all Ariadne.”
“But Mother you know –”
“I said that is all!” She stood abruptly knocking over her stool, hands fisted, breathing heavily and avoiding my gaze. “You continued to ask when you shouldn’t have. You have overstepped your boundary Daughter.” And still without meeting my gaze, she turned and stalked from the room.
“Cicero.” I called, “We are done.” He swiftly moved in and took one look at my face and stopped.
“Was all well M’lady?” He fidgeted nervously.
“Yes, it was lovely, my Mother thought so too. Thank you.” I stood and walked from the room, tears stinging my eyes.

 I decided a walk in the gardens would clear my head; it was almost midday, the sun at its highest even this late in the year. I left the palace at a slow pace marvelling at the beauty of the gardens, and then a roar sounded, I shivered and my pace picked up. I wasn’t thinking about where it was I was headed until my feet stopped moving. The Cretan Labyrinth. I had wandered through the gardens and the citadel market; without a notice. I stared at the great wall that marked the place of the Labyrinth. Many people thought it was all above ground, but living with my Father, I knew it was mostly below ground. A huge wrought iron gate blocked the way in and out. The upper part of it was constructed by large hedges; this is where my Father would shove some poor soul to be hunted out by the monster that dwelled within. It made me sick to think my father could easily sacrifice someone to feed the beast. It is said that the Minotaur only captures the people above ground and takes them underground, into the tunnels where he dwells, to eat them. Slowly. My body shivered and I stared into the maze-like structure. An outer circle was clear of obstructions, although covered in stains of blood. Then the hedge began, many entrances were available to the centre of the maze, and there were dead-ends in some of these to confuse the innocent sacrifices. I did not know what lay in the centre, but when I asked my Father simply said, “More of the hedges until the centre then there is a hole in the ground, to enter the underground tunnels.” And he shrugged his shoulders. I took his words as honest. And even though I never wanted to admit the truth to myself, something about this place had always captured my attention, fascinated and excited me. I had always been drawn to it like a moth to a flame.
A shadow to the side of my vision and the sound of heavy breathing jolted me back to the present. My eyes darted around but the shadow was gone, I pulled myself from the gate and backed away still staring into the maze. Making sure I was quite far away I turned and walked quickly back to the citadel. I made time wandering around the market to settle my speeding heart.

The Minotaur felt something he had not felt in a long time, maybe for the first time in his life. But he didn’t know what the feeling was. It was just a feeling. He stared at the beautiful female that was clinging to the gate, she had black-as-night-hair and sun-kissed skin, she had a slight, but curvy figure, and he could see the green in her eyes from where he stood. He watched her for a few moments and she seemed to be in a daze, staring into what he now called his home. When she finally stirred, as if she’d seen him, he whirled back into the centre, making his way back underneath the earth. He shook his head, he was the infamous Minotaur; he shouldn’t be feeling anything, nothing but the feel of flesh ripping underneath his claws. He took in a deep breath and let it out. He stared at the claws on the ends of his mangled, too thick fingers, his body hair was unusually thick but you could still see the muscles underneath it. It truly got thick and coarse from his belly button downwards where his legs were thick with muscle and his feet were hooves. He was not something a beautiful woman would care for. The screams of his victims would forever echo in his mind. The memories would forever be etched onto his brain. He could not control the beast.
 He growled and closed his eyes letting the beast take over.

When I entered the palace I held an array of different flowers in my arms and I sought out my Mother, she was in her study sat on her own appearing to be deep in thought. I knocked gently, “Mother?” Her eyes found me and she smiled a small smile motioning for me to enter, I went straight to her and handed her the flowers, “I am so sorry about this morning, I over stepped my boundaries and I regret making you agitated.” I bowed my head, “I understand if you do not wish to talk to me.”
She stood and laid a hand on my cheek, “Do not worry daughter you were just being curious. I was once like you are now.” I smiled at her as she smelled her flowers, “These are lovely, thank you.” She laid them on her desk, “I’ll call Priada to put them in some water later.”  I wondered why her voice sounded sad and what she had been thinking about before I entered, but I stayed silent and still smiled at her. “What does your Father have planned for today? It is only midday, something must be planned by now.”
“He spoke of King Aegeus being difficult and needing to find a suitable punishment. He might be too busy for planning.”
“Then let us, daughter, plan a feast to take the Kings mind away from unimportant matters.”
I nodded and smiled at her, “What of my brothers and sister?”
“You find them and tell them to be in the great hall before sunset and we shall have a feast. I’ll have Priada put my flowers into water.”
This was what my Mother loved to do, plan great feasts and celebrations. I kissed Mother on the cheek and curtsied before leaving to find my siblings.

I found Catreus and Glaucus playing in the fields, “Catreus, Glaucus!” I called; they stopped to see who it was before bounding towards me.
“Yes sister?” A beaming Catreus asked. They both performed an informal bow with grins of happiness.
“I am informing you all of a feast tonight, and to arrive in the great hall just before sunset,” they both nodded, “Could you seek your brothers and sister and tell them please?”
“Of course Sister,” Glaucus smiled, his hair was much the same colour as his younger brother Catreus’ hair, although a little darker, it blew lightly in the breeze, “what is the feast celebrating?”
“You know mother, she loves to plan.” They nodded in understanding, “good boys, now don’t take too long in finding Androgeus, Deucalion and Phaedra  they need to know soon. I think you should dress up a little.” I motioned at their dirty thigh length tunics, “At least put clean robes on.” I grinned and they laughed.
“We’ll find them, don’t worry!” Catreus grinned and shoved Glaucus before running away. Glaucus laughed and chased after him. I smiled after them as they bounded away, laughing and shoving each other. I smiled and watched their retreating figures before turning back towards the palace to assist with the planning for the evening.

When everyone had arrived Cicero presented the food. Everything from wild boar to salmon, fresh greens to delicious fresh fruit were there and the whole family did not hesitate to begin eating. I looked at my other siblings; they all resembled my father much more than mother, I the only one with black hair. They all shared his bone structure and colouration, their hair ranging from golden brown to dark brown. The king still seemed distracted so I took a stand and waited for my family to quiet. “Good evening. I know we rarely have a feast such as this but Mother and I thought it might be a good distraction from things that have been troubling us.” I looked pointedly at my father. “I hope for one night we might act like a normal family, without troubles, without status, and last but not least; without the minotaur.” Everyone shifted nervously in their seats as father glared at me. “I hope we can enjoy the night like a real family. Not like strangers at the dining table. To family!” I raised my goblet in a toast and only Catreus followed me which I am sure he regretted instantly. I sipped my wine delicately and retook my place and began bringing things onto my plate. The whole family stayed quiet for a few moments until from the corner of my eye I noticed my father slowly raise his goblet and break the silence,
“To family.” He said.
“To family!” Everyone else repeated and then continued to eat. I looked at my father and smiled graciously, he bowed his head in return.
The rest of the night seemed a great success. Even father smiled – that definitely meant success. We laughed and talked and danced all night long with no care in the world. Once my younger siblings had gone to their chambers and my mother had retreated, it was just me and father. He was very drunk.
“I am sorry Ariadne.” He said drunkenly. “I am not a very good Father most of the time, you manage to keep the family together. I do not spend enough time being father rather than king… Maybe one day when the Minotaur is finally gone we might be happy again.”
I shook my head, “Don’t be silly father you have done well in your situation. Now let’s get you to your chambers shall we?”
We stumbled through the corridors until we reached his bed chamber. I gently dropped him onto the down-filled bed and went slowly over to his window, the Cretan Labyrinth looked darkly magical in the moonlight and my heart strangely began beating faster. 
“Daughter? What are you looking at?”
I quickly turned away, “nothing Father. Sleep well.” I gave him a light kiss on the head and retreated quickly.

I stood still for a few moments, fighting within myself, chewing my lip and tapping my leg. Finally I rushed to my chambers and donned a midnight blue cloak, I made it to the palace doors unnoticed – thankfully – and once outside I covered my face with the hood and began my journey to the Cretan Labyrinth. My rational mind was screaming at me to stop, turn around, anything other than head towards the Labyrinth. But my irrational heart kept me going. I passed very few citizens on my journey and it was not long before I was back at the entrance gates to the labyrinth scanning the maze for movement. I stood silently for a few minutes, just waiting for something to happen, waiting for the Minotaur to come forward. My knuckles were pale and strained as I gripped the iron bars, but I was not scared, not at all. The wind brought a heavy gust of wind from my back into the maze, throwing strands of hair into my face and I quickly pushed them away. I waited for as long as I could without my hands aching from the tight grip, but still nothing was happening, it was a wasted journey that had done nothing for my speeding heart.

As I turned my back to the gate I heard a heavy breath released and thudding on the ground. “You come here again?” a deep grumbling voice asked. A shiver passed through my body and I closed my eyes as his voice washed over me. Slowly I turned around to see him but... he was hidden within the shadows. I felt a wave of disappointment.
I took a steadying breath, “Yes. It fascinates me.” I peered into the shadows, “You know I’ve been here before?” I questioned, not showing my fear.
I heard him move, “I saw you earlier this morn. You seemed … entranced.”
I nodded, “I was, I am.” I silenced for a moment, I had so many questions, “How is it you can talk?”
“I am half human.” That truth startled me, half human? But wasn’t he a gift from the gods? “I was taught to speak at a young age before I was moved here.” He sounded wistful.
I moved back to the gate, my hands gripping the bars once more, “Let me see you.”
He growled quietly, “No.”
My heart was beating ever faster if it was possible. “Please. I have to know what you look like.”
“I still say no. You would never come back.” He sounded… sad.
“But I have heard the stories. A bull with a man’s frame, a monster who is given human sacrifices as food, the monster who tears flesh from bone, hunts down his prey within his maze, a monster who is not supposed to be able to talk. I know what you are, yet here I am. Speaking with you without fear.”
I heard him grunt in response. Silence rang out for more than a minute. Then, finally, I heard him move. His foot came into the light first and as I expected, it was a hoof. Followed by the other hoof, both were shiny and black as night and the legs they were attached to had thick, coarse black hair and had the muscle mass of a bull, and he wore a leather loin cloth to cover his manhood. Then the rest of him entered the moonlight and I gasped. His body and face was chiselled like a sculpture and covered with scars. His body and arms were rippled with thick muscle and covered in dark hair like any man would be, though if it was slightly thicker. His face was in perfect symmetry, square jaw, high cheekbones, straight nose and beautiful brown eyes. He had sun-browned skin, his hair was black and long, the thick masses were tied back with a leather tie. The main abnormalities were the huge bull horns that protruded from either side of his head, massive scarring on his body and his face, and his hands were bigger than average, his nails were claws and they looked deadly. I pulled back my hood to gaze at him more closely. I was speechless. We stared at each other for a few moments, he was guarded, I was amazed.
“What is your name?” I asked gently.
“Mino-”
“Your real name,” I interrupted.
“Asterion.”
“My name is Ariadne; it is nice to meet you.” I held my hand out through the bars. He stared at it uncomprehendingly, “You take it in your own hand and bow over it or press your lips to it.”
“Why?” He frowned.
I smiled, “Because I am a Lady and it is polite for you to do so.”
He hesitated before slowly reached out to grasp my hand. It felt as if I got struck by lightning, his touch burned me up from within my body. Even though his grasp was too tight I did not tell him so I did not lose his touch, he slowly bent over and pressed his lips gently against the top of my hand. It seemed I got hotter. Then he let go and everything died away. “You are magnificent Asterion. You look nothing like how the stories say you do.”
“You… are telling the truth?” He looked confused and I nodded. He looked down at himself, still confused.
“Believe me.”
“No… you believe me. When the beast takes over, I look how the stories say I do. No one has really ever seen me like this.”
“But the beast is not here now.”
“It seems you calm it.” He sighed in relief.
“I would like to see it. Please.”
He shook his head angrily, “No. He might try to harm you.”
I took a step away from the bars, “He will not reach. Please Asterion… just one time. That is all I ask. I will visit you again tomorrow night.” I bit my lip. I saw a struggle within himself, but finally he nodded.
“You must promise to leave as soon as I have changed.” He closed his eyes, “Good-bye Ariadne.”
I heard something crack and Asterion hunched over in pain, I went to take a step forward but he raised a hand to stop me. His fingers cracked and popped, they became even more claw-like and bent. He rose to his feet and I saw his eyes were glowing red; there was no trace of Asterion left behind. His face seemed to begin moving and I watched in horror as his features moved into a face that resembled a bull and his horns grew longer and curved, they seemed bigger than I could have imagined, hot breaths were heaved from his nose. His back was slightly hunched over and his body doubled in size. He snarled at me and I noticed the razor blade teeth that were in his mouth. He was hideous and terrifying to look at. But I did not move my gaze. It seemed he had stopped changing now and I should have left, but something stopped me from going. Finally the beast roared and charged at the gate. A fierce clang rang out over the town. I yelped and moved away quickly. I ran back, stumbling to the palace and did not stop until I reached my chambers.

That night sleep eluded me. Thoughts and images ran through my head continuously and refused to stop. A roar sounded, a very familiar one, alerting me to the time and shivers ran through my body again. My eyes slipped closed and the images began again; beautiful big brown eyes, thick black hair, intriguing scars, thick legs, oddly beautiful horns... A heavy sigh poured from me, how did I ever manage to become such a mess?  Helena interrupted my thoughts with light tapping on my door before she entered to throw back my curtains. “Good morning Miss.”
I smiled and climbed out of bed, “Good morning Helena, is my bath ready?”
She nodded, “Of course, filled with your favourite scents.” She curtsied and opened the door to my adjoining bathroom. The lavender scented steam wafted through and I followed its path as I ran my fingers through my hair and climbed in until the water was up to my neck. I laid my head back for Helena to skilfully brush and wash. Her fingers massaged my scalp and I momentarily forgot the night before. A thought popped into my head, “Helena?” I asked gently.
Her fingers ceased for a moment, “Yes?”
“Have you ever been the subject of forbidden-” dare I say it? Helena was my maid, she worked only for me, and would most likely chop off her own hand before telling my secrets. I took a deep breath, “love?”
Her hands stopped abruptly, “You must rinse your hair now.” She said quietly.
I frowned but did as she said and dunked my head under the water and rinsed my hair. I rose and Helena already had my new robes laid out and began to dry me.
“You failed to answer my question, Helena.”
She sighed and busied herself with my robes, “I am sorry.” Was all she said.
I stopped her hands with my own, “we have been together since I was only seven years old – and you six. I consider you a friend even if you do not think so. Please, answer my question.”
“Yes.” She bit her lip, “I am in love. And it is forbidden. Why do you wish to know?”
I motioned for her to sit, “Forgive me for prying, I am in a similar situation. Who is it that you love?”
“It does not matter.” She shook her head and began brushing my hair. “He is forbidden to even look at me and I know he does not notice me. Why would he notice a hand maid?” She sighed heavily, “And you? Who do you love?”
“I do not know if it is love or just infatuation. But it would be the worst kind of love. Full of pain. It should never happen.” I sighed heavily.
“Any love is a good love.” Helena said forcefully. “You will learn things about yourself that you never knew before. Who is he?”
I hesitated before I spoke, “Asterion.” I knew nobody knew his name. I could be sure of that.
“A strong name.” she said gently and came round to face me, “No matter what, don’t turn yourself away. Let yourself feel.”
“Only if you tell me of whom it is that you love.” I grinned.
“This is purely between us?” she whispered and I nodded, “Androgeus.”
My heart stopped for a moment, she loved my brother? The headstrong, ladies’ man of an idiot? I almost laughed, “My brother? Why?”
She bit her lip, not noticing my humour, “He is so handsome, and caring underneath that façade. He helped me once, I had fallen over and cut myself, he helped me up and took me to our healer.” Her eyes were glassy and she sighed heavily. She shook her head, “Sorry Ariadne, I did not mean to get carried away. Thoughts of him make my heart beat unusually fast.”
I nodded, “I understand. And I promise, I will not tell anyone.” I felt terrible for the girl. Androgeus would never pay attention to her in the slightest romantic way, he was far too proud. At least I knew Asterion felt something for me also. It didn’t take long for Helena to finish, she curtsied and left my chambers quickly, obviously embarrassed at our conversation. I left my room, with no intention of going anywhere yet I ended up outside in the courtyard, soaking up the sun.
“Ah, there she is!” I heard a booming voice from behind, my father.
I turned, “Good morning Father, how are you?”
“Very well thank you my daughter, I finally managed to get King Aegeus to pick a peasant. Thank the Gods! The Minotaur is probably ravenous for some human flesh!” He laughed and I turned away in disgust. It never sat well with me how he could sacrifice innocents like that. I didn’t hate Asterion for it. He and the Minotaur were completely separate personalities, the beast just resided within Asterion, that was all. “What is it Daughter?”
“Nothing, I just caught a foul smell in the air.” Lying was much better to keep my father’s mood a good one. He believed me.
“Well, do you not wish to know how I got King Aegeus to agree?” He looked triumphant, so I answered,
“Would Androgeus not be better suited for this conversation?” I did not look at him.
“Well I am telling you, not him! As my daughter it would be nice if you would indulge me of listening.” His face began to get red.
“Yes, sorry Father I forgot my place. How did you do it?” I smiled.
“I threatened taking action against his family, he has a new young boy he is infatuated with! He adores his son, it only took one small threat of his safety.” He smiled proudly.
“Oh… well done Father” I tried to sound pleased but these matters disgusted me. I stood, “excuse me, Father.” I gave a small bow but he touched my arm before I could leave,
“Is there something wrong Ariadne?” He frowned. His moods changed so often and so harshly it was hard to keep up.
“No Father, I am just very tired. Please, excuse me.” I repeated, he watched me as I left, I noticed in my peripherals, but I did not glance back. It was true – I was very tired but he did not need to know why. I nearly went straight to the labyrinth, I was almost out of the palace gates before I changed my course and headed to my chambers. I could not go during the day, there were too many witnesses.

Androgeus was just entering the kitchen when I arrived inside, “Hello Androgeus.” I grinned at him and he returned my smile whilst pulling me into a hug.
“Good morning Ariadne, how are you? That feast last night way the most fun I have had in a long time.”
I smiled kindly at him, “Thank you. I am well, quite tired however.”
He nodded and held open the door to the kitchen, “Are you hungry?”
I thought for a moment and then shook my head, I was still full of adrenaline from last night’s encounter with the beast. “I will sit with you though.” I watched as he told Cicero what he wanted and as he winked at the scullery and kitchen maids. I shook my head at him as he sat down. He truly was handsome, his hair a deep brown and cut short. His skin was a deep golden colour from the hours he spent in the sun and his body was rippled with undeveloped muscle. I looked into his deep green eyes, “So, Brother, have you found yourself a wife yet?”
He laughed loudly, “I am far too young for a wife! I intend to have fun for a few more years yet.”
I smiled brightly at him, “So no one in particular has caught your eye?” He shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. This boy had no hope. “You are seventeen, Androgeus you should be thinking about this soon.”
“Oh do not start turning into mother. I will do as I please. I will not have my life mapped out for me.” he nodded at Cicero as his food was delivered to him and took a big bite. “I will marry who I want, when I please.”
I smiled in amusement, “Yes sir.” I giggled and he narrowed his eyes.
“Why are you not married yet?” He raised both his eyebrows in triumph as I faltered and stuttered.
“Well, I…” I thought hard for a moment, “Obviously no one wants to marry me.”
He gave me a flat look, “Look at yourself Ariadne. Any man foolish enough to not want to marry you should be hung.”
I sighed and looked away, “Eat your food.”
He chuckled and dug in. Why had I not married yet? Perhaps if I had married when I was told to I would not be in this mess with Asterion. I would not feel this way – confused and trapped. Although if I had married, he would not have felt a kind of acceptance I have given to him.
“What is troubling you sister?” He could be observant when he wanted.
“Nothing.” I sipped at some water, “You have met my handmaiden have you not?” He nodded with an intrigued look, “She is beautiful do you not think?”
He thought for a moment, “Yes she is. Red hair has always fascinated me, it is like a flame.” He blinked and looked back at me, “Why?”
“No reason in particular… she is your age. She is not married either.” I looked to the side and tried to look innocent.
Androgeus leant back in his chair, “Ariadne, no. I cannot marry a handmaiden. Let alone your handmaiden. Stop being foolish.” He shook his head but there was an odd look in his eyes. 
I smiled and my thoughts drifted.

Asterion lay on the harsh rocky ground, his arms behind his head and stared up at the equally horrid ceiling of his tunnel – the part he considered his bed chamber. Was Ariadne going to return? After last night he couldn’t be sure, the beast had lunged for her without remorse. Asterion had begged within his mind for it not to do it but it would not listen. He was only glad his mother had taught him to speak properly before he was taken away. When he was a child he grew at an immense rate, his mind grew just as swiftly allowing his speech to form and words to be processed. After his entrapment it had been years, seventeen to be exact. His life had been an endless mental torture of silence, then screams, then silence again. He closed his eyes briefly and sighed and tried to remember happier times. The only memories that came to mind were ones of his mother; although her face was just a blur, and his most recent happy memory was Ariadne. Pictures of her flashed through his mind throughout the night and he could not shake the feeling inside him. He cared. He had not cared for years, Ariadne had woken him up. She was saving him.
His stomach grumbled like thunder, his food intake was mainly bodies, but one body could last for weeks even a couple of months, even the bones satisfied his hunger. Other days if he needed something to eat, he had planted seeds that had entered his labyrinth with the farmers daughters he was given. These were a saviour; they made him feel human again, normal. Until the next human was unwillingly shoved into his maze. They always ran and he didn’t know why, inevitably they would die. The maze was his home and he knew every twist and turn. Every dead end was etched into his brain and he remembered the panicked gasp of the victim as they hit a dead end. Then their whimpers began. He stood up abruptly and growled. He stalked from his room and went towards the opening to the outside maze. Just a simple hole in the floor, all he had to do was jump and he was out. Something happened – a sound, the gate. He jumped and ran through the thick bushes and found his peephole to the gate. A group had gathered, a weeping mother, a screaming father, the King, many guards and a young whimpering female stood at the entrance to the maze. An involuntary shiver ran through Asterion’s  body and his head twitched. WANT! The beast screamed within him and his body started shifting. It was times like these he could not control him. Asterion gasped and dropped to the ground his back cracking and popping, moving, sliding, agonisingly growing. His fingers popped out of place and his face started growing. He felt the horns on the side of his head painfully stretching the skin growing and curling. Then in one swift push he was no longer in control of his body. He was in the back, trapped as a viewer. Only being able to see, feel and scream at the beast. Trapped in a body that was not his own. He watched as the girl was shoved through the gate which was then slammed closed behind her. Her mother let go of a blood curdling scream and dropped to her knees. Asterion felt remorse coursing through his veins. I’m sorry! He wanted to shout, it is not me! But they would never know. They would forever hate him. The young blonde girl turned to look at her mother,
“It’s okay Mama. I love you forever.” Her mother sobbed, “And you Papa, I love you more than words say.” Finally her father stopped his angry screaming and broke down in tears, holding his wife tightly. Their response was muffled by their tears. The girl turned back towards the maze and sucked in a huge breath and started walking towards the maze – she was brave. Asterion’s heart wept.
The beast lowered his head and crouched as the girl started her walk into the blood filled maze. His feet moving slowly, the beast was on the hunt.