Chapter Three

The throne room was filled with the annoying chattering of the goblins as they talked amongst themselves. I sat on my throne, staring absentmindedly up at the ceiling as my boredom grew. I had long ago grown tired to the same day-to-day routine that ran my life. The only variance in my life was the occasion wished away child; that too, I found to my displeasure, was quickly becoming too routine. Only one child had ever changed the cycle- she had managed to beat my labyrinth and win back her baby brother.

It was for this that I had respect for the girl, and it was because of this respect that she was currently sitting in an oubliette under the castle and not running around as a goblin. I had been shocked when Sarah had been wished into my possession. I had been excited, at first. I had thought that Sarah would have married a man who possessed equal or better skills than she. And surely this man would be able to conquer my labyrinth, as his wife had?

Sadly, this was not the case. I quickly grew bored watching the man get hopelessly lost, and I soon lost interest in this matter altogether. I still hadn't figured out what to do with her yet- the idea of turning her into one of the ugly creatures that were constantly getting on my nerves was a ridiculous idea- when the unexpected happened. And that surprise took the form of a young woman who had called upon me.

The thing that first got my attention had been her wish. In all my years, which was much more than any mere mortal could begin to imagine, I had never had someone call directly upon me. Even Sarah had wished for the goblins to do her bidding. But this girl, she had called upon me by my title. And furthermore, she hadn't wished anyone away. She hadn't even wished herself away. No, she had wished for me to come to her.

"My liege," came a small, yet deep, voice from a few feet away. The sudden call for my attention brought me from my thoughts, focusing my attention on the short goblin that was currently kneeling before my throne. "Pardon the interruption, sir, but do you wish for the lights to be lit?"

My eyes wandered over to the large opening that served as a window. The sun was setting at a fairly quick pace; at this rate, the sun would be down for the majority of the girl's trip through the labyrinth. The only light in the labyrinth at night came from various torches and other forms of artificial light. Should these lights not be lit, the labyrinth would be immersed in complete darkness. Perfect.

"No," I finally said, a wicked smile forming. I summoned a crystal and rolled it around in my palm for a moment before I looked back at the goblin. "Not tonight. Let's see if our little guest can play in the dark, shall we?"

"As, as you wish, sir," the goblin said hesitantly before he quickly scurried from my sight. I didn't blame him for his confusion; I had never before forced a quest to run without some sort of lighting before. Though I never intended for them to win, I usually allowed my runners a fair chance to survive. No one had ever died, yet. That's not to say some haven't come close. And at that point, their own life meant more to them than their child's or their sibling's.

I was curious to see how the girl would handle this newest twist. And, as I was on the topic, I was curious to see her current progress. At this point, her mother had already managed to enter the labyrinth. Her father, of course, was an entirely different story. I honestly hoped that the girl possessed some of her mother's skills; this would be a very boring experience otherwise.

I summoned a crystal and peered into it, watching as the girl came into view. I was surprised at what I saw- the girl had not only ignored the gardener (not the same one Sarah had met; I made sure that this one would not make the mistake of betraying me) but she was now climbing the walls of the labyrinth. This in itself wasn't the most shocking thing. After all, several others before her had thought of the same method, just not as quickly. No, what really caught me off guard was the look in her eyes.

I expected fear. Perhaps amazement. Considering her attitude from earlier, I assumed there would be confidence in those hazel eyes of hers. But pure excitement and enjoyment? That, I had not been expecting. She pulled herself on top of the wall, resting a moment to brush her dark hair out of her face. She glanced down the side of the wall to the floor of the labyrinth. She seemed to debate something for a moment before she stood.

I watched as she began walking slowly down the wall, still on the outer edge. She stopped, scanning the area around her. Then she did something that told me this was going to truly be an interesting time for me. She jumped. Not to the floor, but to the wall across from her. However, she overshot her landing by only an inch, but it was enough. She lost her balance and tumbled down to the ground below. And with that, she had entered the labyrinth.

"Your Highness." I wanted to curse the owner of that voice for dragging me away from the girl.

"What is it?" I snapped as I made the crystal disappear.

"Umm, The Lady is requesting…" he stammered, but stopped as he saw the annoyed look I was glaring at him.

"I do not care what 'The Lady' is requesting," I said spitefully. I hated the respect and admiration the goblins showed to Sarah. Though she had defeated my labyrinth and earned some of my respect, it was outrageous for the goblins to practically worship the girl. Perhaps it was time I reminded them just who their king was.

I rose from my throne and made my way down the oubliette. As I approached the final door, I could hear Sarah demanding to be let out. Her pleas then turned to insults, namely against me. Laughing, I opened the door. I watched with amusement as Sarah fell quiet and her husband took a defensive position in front of her. Fool, if I truly wished to harm her, he would be powerless to stop me.

"How are you enjoying your new home?" I asked, closing the door with a wave of my hand. I leaned against the wall, waiting for their response.

"You are one sick freak," the man, Stephen I believe it was, remarked angrily. "Keeping people locked up in holes underground."

I smirked slightly, trying to contain my pleasure. "You should be grateful; mortals who fail my labyrinth are usually turned to goblins. Or, for the more annoying humans, I find that death is a better punishment." I grinned wickedly as I watched Sarah's face grow a shade paler. "However, given the circumstances, I am afraid I have to wait an additional thirteen hours before I can decide which would better suit you."

"What might those circumstances be?" Sarah asked angrily as she stepped from behind her husband. He put his arm on her shoulder; whether to hold her back or to feel like he was still able to protect her, I didn't care.

"Well, where's the fun in telling you? You're a clever girl, Sarah. I'm sure you can figure it out."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Stephen demanded.

"May I remind you whose subject you are? Continue to talk to me like that, and you will find yourself at the bottom the Bog of Eternal Stench." I watched his face grimace in horror; he knew the terror of the Bog almost too well, having very nearly fallen in himself.

"Please tell us?" Sarah asked quietly.

"Well, if you really must know, I have a new runner in my labyrinth." My smirk grew wider as I watched the confusion on their faces grow.

"Who?" Stephen finally asked.

"Your daughter."

"What?" Sarah half-screamed, half-shrieked. She made as if to lunge at me, but her husband pulled her back.

"How the hell do you know our daughter? And why the hell is she here?" Stephen demanded, rage thickening his words. I laughed again, no longer bothering to hide my amusement.

"Your daughter asked to come here. She is currently fighting for your freedom, as well as her own. She was foolish enough to make the same offer her father had. Although, she made hers for the chance to try for your freedom; it was not as a result of over-confidence."

"You bastard!" Stephen yelled as I turned to open the door.

"Celeste," Sarah cried softly as I pulled the door shut. "My poor girl…"

I walked back to my throne room, more excited than I had been in years. The sun would set soon, and I would get to see the way the girl, Celeste I recalled her mother calling her, handled the dark. Such a pity really, that she wouldn't have any light at all. Even the fiercest of my creatures didn't dare venture out in complete darkness.