I rolled my eyes, not surprised by how the story has been told. “There are some truths to it, and then much was left out." I sighed. She moved closer to the edge of the bed. “Can you tell me? The true story?" she asked. I furrowed my brow, not sure why I would. “I’m not going anywhere. There’s no escaping this place, and well, if you aren’t going to kill me… I hope you still aren’t going to do that." she spoke up.
“Fine." I sighed, giving in. Melite smiled and seemed to perk up that I was giving in. “Well, go on. Tell me. Start from the beginning." she encouraged. “I’m not sure why you care, but fine." I sighed. “The part about the bull and my mother is somewhat true. Minos wanted Poseidon’s favor in his war against his brothers for the throne. Poseidon sent a snow-white bull with the instruction that the bull was supposed to be sacrificed in honor of him when Minos won. Minos, however, didn’t kill the bull but killed a different bull." I started.
“Minos is an imbecile for thinking he could trick a God and not pay the price. As punishment, Poseidon placed a curse on my mother. Though not to turn into a cow. He cursed her to fall in love, or I suppose lust would be more apt with the bull. So driven by this cursed lust, my mother had Daedalus build her a hollowed wooden cow that she could climb inside. Inside the false cow, she bred with the bull. And from that union, I was born. Which I think was just another part of Poseidon’s curse. After all, what better punishment to a pompous king than to be cuckold by the same bull he was supposed to sacrifice." I shrugged.
"Oh. Well, I can see why the story was modified. I had even heard a version that the bull was actually Poseidon, and he turned your mother into a cow to secretly have an affair." she commented. To that, I rolled my eyes. Why do people make up wild stories about the Olympian Gods? They're just people, well, people with powers humans don't possess. "Yeah, no. My father is, or rather was, just a white bull." I shook my head.
"Was?" she frowned. "Well, after I was born and Minos saw me, my mother confessed to her infidelity with the bull. So as double punishment, I was taken to live in a dungeon, and the bull was castrated then slaughtered." I explained. "Oh, that's so sad. I mean, it wasn't the bull's fault. He's just an animal. And Poseidon cursed your mother for the king's actions, yet King Minos took you from her at birth." she shook her head.
It was amusing that someone else saw Minos as the asshole of this. "I suppose, but he's the king, so there's little anyone could do. I spent the first eight years of my life in that dungeon. A blind servant was my caregiver. And my mother would sneak to visit me. It is from her visits that I was educated. But well, an incident occurred. I was angry with… well, everything, and I bit my caregiver." I sighed. "You were eight and raised in a dungeon. Of course, you were angry. My little brother bit our nanny's arm just for telling him no to sweets." she defended me. "Was it something in particular that set you off?" she asked.
"Rather big difference between me at eight and your brother. I was already five feet tall and bit through her arm. Minos had ordered my food rations cut in half in quantity and frequency. So I hadn't been given food in a week. And was told it would be yet another day before the king would allow me to be fed. I bit her forearm, and I was hungry, and she tasted good. I ate the severed arm till guards knocked me out." I shrugged.
Her eyes widened. "Oh...yes, that is certainly different," she said, uneasy. "My caregiver wasn't the last person whose flesh I've tasted. I ate a guard when I came to. Then he sent me here, and Minos started only to feed me criminals sentenced to their deaths. And well, now he's got this stupid festival he starved me for so he can sentence fourteen of you to die in the labyrinth as revenge for my brother's murder." I sighed. "So there's no way out of here?" she asked.
“Not exactly… I mean, for me, there isn’t. I’m here till I die." I shrugged. “What does that mean?" she asked, furrowing her brow. “You came in through the only entrance built into this place. It is too short and narrow for me to get through, not to mention that they put a boulder across it. I am strong enough to move the boulder now." I explained. “Then you could move the boulder so that I could escape?" she asked, hope in her voice. “No." I shook my head. Her eyes hardened at my answer.
“So then what, I’m supposed to just sit here till I starve to death? Because that sounds worse than you just eating me." she folded her arms in a huff. “I have food." I gestured to where I stored the smoked meat. “You have the flesh of three boys I knew." she glared at me. “I would rather starve than become a cannibal like…" she started to shout but then pressed her mouth shut tight. “Like me? Is it really cannibalism when I am not a human? In that same avenue of thought, would it make me a cannibal to eat steak like humans?" I questioned.
She gulped, looking down. “I didn’t… I’m sorry. But I just… I can’t eat their flesh." she shook her head. “That’s your choice." I shrugged. “I’m not planning to eat you, though. Unless you ask nicely, I suppose." I taunted. Her eyes widened as she gasped at my innuendo. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. But I still remember the brief smell of her arousal when I slapped her ass earlier. And I can smell it again now. “Or is that what you’d rather be doing while trapped in here with me?" I questioned.
“How… how dare you." she sputtered, backing away a little on the bed. “How dare I what? Insinuate that you are aroused at the thought of what it could be like for me to have my way with you? Granted, I know for a fact you are aroused, scared but aroused. I can smell it." I questioned, stepping closer. She gulped a little, looking me over as I got closer. “I… I can’t. I shouldn’t…" she shook her head slightly. “Why might that be? Because I’m a ‘monster’? Or some vow of chastity?" I asked, removing my shoulder armor.
“Well, I… I am a virgin, and I was saving myself…" she blushed, but her eyes were still watching my every movement. “Well, I already assumed you are a virgin. You were selected because of that, your age, and noble birth." I nodded, removing my vambraces from my forearms. “As for saving yourself… for who? A betrothed back in Athens?" I asked, sitting on the bed removing my greaves. “For what? You were sent here to die. There is no guarantee, even with my help, that you would survive to go home. Or that if you go home, your family won’t ship you right back here to fulfill the promise Athens made to Minos." I pointed out as the space between us got smaller.
“I…" she frowned. I think she realized I was right. “Well?" I asked, waiting for her to say more. I wouldn’t force her even if I could easily. “I had no betrothed. And you’re right. If I ever found a way home, my father would be furious and disown me. As you said, they sent me here to die." she sighed, rubbing her lips together in thought. Her eyes looked up at me. Hesitation was in them, but so was intrigue and a touch of lust. “You are not what I expected at all… Asterion." she said, cautiously reaching out and touching my chest.
It was the first time she’s said my name since I told it to her. I like it; I like that someone, not my mother, is using my name. Someone was touching me. I wasn’t going to tell her that I haven’t done this before either. I figure enough animal instinct will get me through this. I just have to keep in mind not actually to bite her. If she tastes as sweet as she smells, I might break my promise not to eat her. Leaning closer, I kissed her, a hand going into her tousled blonde hair.
She gasped into my mouth, her fingers digging into my fur, and damn, does it feel good. Carefully I leaned her back to the bed, not wanting to crush her with my weight. Pulling back, I licked the length of her neck, rewarded with her shivering and goosebumps forming along her skin. “Asterion…" she sighed softly, almost moaning. “You were well named, Melite. You taste like honey." I whispered in her ear.My hand traveled down from her head to her shoulder, unpinning her chiton tossing the pin aside. Melite arched up as my hand went lower, pulling the fabric away to kiss and lick at her exposed skin. It’s a good thing I’m still full from eating Idas’ liver earlier, because oh wow, does her skin taste good. She gasped as I shifted lower, ripping her strophion to reveal her perky breasts. Her nipples already hardened before my tongue even started flicking them.
“Where did you go?" she questioned as she spotted me. “And where did you get those baskets?" she continued to question, brow furrowing. I sighed and set the baskets down. “Are you hungry?" I asked, digging into one of the baskets. “Where did you go? Where did you get those baskets?" she repeated. I sighed, setting out some cheese, bread, and meat. “I went to light some of the fires to ensure you are warm." I explained.Glancing over my shoulder, I watched as she wrapped the fur blanket around herself and started coming closer. “As for the food. It is from my mother." I explained. She froze at the mention of my mother. I smiled a little as the blanket slipped to the floor, revealing her naked body. There was some redness on her thighs from earlier. “You may want to cover up. It’s distracting. Might not be inclined to let you eat and instead take you on t
I woke to the sounds of people gathering outside. Groaning, I was reminded the 'festival' wasn't over. Melite murmured in her sleep, snuggling closer to me. I smiled, remembering how after we had sex against the wall, I carried her back here, and she fell asleep cuddled next to me. With a sigh, I carefully slipped out of bed, getting dressed."Mmm… Asterion." she murmured but didn’t open her eyes. I decide to leave her to sleep and make her something to eat, knowing the drawing will happen soon and probably wake her. And it doesn’t take long for Minos’ voice to echo through the labyrinth, “Welcome to the fifth day of the festival!” Of course, this wakes Melite.“What’s going on?" she grumbles, sitting up rubbing her eyes. I look over at her as I set a plate of eggs and fruit down. There are some light marks
With the fire started under the tub, I left her to her business. I doubt she wanted me to stand there while she used the toilet. By the time I was back to my room, Europa was awake and looking terrified, huddled in the corner of the room at the head of my bed. She screamed when she saw me and this time I covered my ears she was so loud.“Knock it the fuck off!” I bellowed. My bellowing startled her. Her eyes widened, and she blinked slowly at me as her mouth fell open in shock. “Yes, the monster speaks and has sensitive hearing. It also has a name. It’s Asterion, by the way.” I said, stalking forward to sit at the table. She flinched as if I was stalking towards her. I’m not sure if she was more surprised when I spoke or that I had no intentions of touching her.“You… you aren’t going to…
I wanted to hit something. I can’t beat Europa, no matter how much I want to. As much as I hate to admit it, Melite has me wrapped around her delicate fingers. Why is it no one warned me this could happen from having sex? Or is this just me? I doubt Minos got emotionally attached to my mother the first time they had sex or with any of the whores he’s fucked. Ironic he got pissed that my mother, under a curse from a God, slept with a bull while she’s not allowed to say anything about his many affairs and bastard children.I wish I could talk to my mother. I’m sure she could help me understand this and that she’d also put Europa in her place, but I don’t know when I’ll see my mother again. So I must leave it to Melite to deal with Europa. I can only hope any of the others aren’t like this. However, I do worry about what will happen when one of the boys is
We walked in silence as I led the way to the bath. “Here it is. I’ll be around the corner while you do your business.” I said, gesturing to the bath area. “I… thank you.” Europa said before quickly dashing past me to the bathroom. “Is there not anything for privacy?” she questioned. “No. Remember, this was built for me. No one else is supposed to be alive here. And thus, I’ll be around the corner.” I waved a hand, turning my back to wait around the corner.It didn’t take her very long to do what she needed then come looking for me. “Asterion?” she called out. She sounded nervous, like she thought I’d just left her there. “I’m right here.” I greeted, stepping out into sight. “Oh, good. I wasn’t sure how far you’d gone. Of if you’d just left me to return to
Europa had genuinely looked shocked that I would promise to protect her. Maybe before my mother can help her escape, Europa will truly understand that I’m not a monster. I won’t hold my breath, but it’s something to work towards. The rest of the day went by slowly and without incident. The girls busied themselves reading what I brought back from my makeshift library. I stayed occupied the same ways I always have, sharpening my ax and wandering the maze.By the time I had returned, both girls were on my bed, sound asleep. “There goes my plans of having Melite to myself.” I sighed, looking over their sleeping forms. They were both under my blanket, sleeping on their sides, facing away from each other. I carpet closer, trying to be quiet or as quiet as a hooved animal of my size can be quiet. I crouched down, gently moving some loose strands of Melite’s golden hair from her
I woke in the morning to the echoing sounds of people starting to gather outside. I groaned, sitting up rubbing my face with both hands. “Starting already?” I groaned, getting to my feet. Looking at my bed, I saw the girls were both sleeping soundly. Unconsciously I licked my lips, remembering the fevered kiss I shared with Europa late last night.I don’t know if it will happen again. I don’t know how Melite will feel when she’s told. Which I will tell her. Not telling Melite about it would be a betrayal, even if we aren’t in a defined committed relationship. Melite deserves the truth. I stretched and cracked my neck. Sleeping on the floor was not good for my neck and back. But oh well. I certainly wouldn’t make the girls sleep on the floor.I lumbered over to the fire and brought it back to life from its dying em