Page 4 of A Minotaur Tale

Asterion

Cora's hands shook, the letter rattling in her grip. Asterion hadnotabandoned her? In fact, he'd spent weeks, perhaps months, building to whatever he was to do that very night? She could scarcely believe her eyes, but her curiosity could stand it no longer and she ripped at the red paper. Was this the first gift, come early? Or would there be an additional gift? If so, what could this small package hold?

A small box waited inside, and she lifted the lid to reveal... cookies. They were small, a pale brown that darkened at the edges and shaped like seashells. Nestled between them was another sprig of mistletoe, that same festive ribbon tied in a neat bow. Attached was another note.

You wouldn't let me give you my gift of cookies, though it symbolized my intention of courting you seriously. These are called Madeleines. I know not why, but they are delectable little treats (one of my favorite things in the world) shaped like shells (one of your favorite things). I wanted to hang this bundle of mistletoe over your door but feared to do so without you knowing it's significance. In Cretia, where I am from, we hang such things from doorframes, and everyone must kiss if they meet at that threshold. Hanging one in your doorframe, you see, would be presumptuous. Expect the first gift when the bell tolls one.

-A

The delicate cookies were artfully arranged, and Cora almost left them as they were. But, she supposed, if Asterion had gone to the trouble of making them, he'd surely intended for her to eat them. Extracting one dainty shell, she lifted it to her mouth, biting into the crispy exterior. Inside, it was smooth and light, buttery with a hint of almond and ever so gently sweetened. Though she had never had one before, the taste and texture instantly transported her to her childhood, of lazing away the hours on a mountainside meadow, picking out shapes in the clouds, or watching for dragons as they flew in and out of their caldera. The sweet tang ofnostalgia echoed through her with each bite so strongly she could almost smell the warm grass.

With gentle fingers, she extracted the mistletoe, twirling it in her fingers as she thought. If Asterion had done that much work… she could at least appreciate his efforts. Her feelings on the matter, and him especially, were all a jumble as she scurried to her bedroom. It was getting late, and if she had three surprises coming, she'd probably appreciate being alittlerested.

After changing into her nightgown, she snuggled into her bed, the light of her candle flickering against the wall. She knew, should she want, she could simply turn on her gas lamps, but there was something so magical about candlelight that she enjoyed, and it seemed like a night for magic. Her nerves were jangling about, though she tried to remind herself that it might be nothing but a prank. A cruel one at that.

Still, she could hardly contain her excitement as she took a draught to help her sleep and pulled the curtains of her bed closed.

"Bong!" The clanging ofthe grandfather clock woke Cora from sleep. In truth, she'd roused each time it sounded, though some magic of the night had allowed her to drift off easily, regardless. As the clock sounded one, though, she burst from her bed, eyes flying open as she rushed down the hall to her front door.1

The sound of singing, dulled by her door, nudged just at the edge of her hearing. It seemed... quiet and when she opened the door, she saw why. A group of carolers, dressed up in holiday finery surrounded Asterion. He looked quite fine himself, with the drapey clothing of his people festooned with holly at the brooch, and a circlet of mistletoe on his head. Each of the carolers held candles and whispered as much as sang her favorite carol.

In front of him, Asterion held a large sign, or rather, a series of them, as she quickly realized.

"Cora,"said the first. He dropped it, and the second revealed still more words. "Your first gift represents the past. I hope, over time we will learn each other’s..."

He revealed the third sign. "But until we do..."

"I hope you'll settle fora few fossils."

Cora pressed her hand against her mouth. She’d expectedgifts, but already this was the most elaborate thing anyone had ever done for her. Tears spilled over onto her cheeks, but she couldn’t stop smiling.

"You've been such a help to me..."

"And I've been enamored with you since the day I met you..."

"When you told me about your love of shells..."

"I knew you were the one."

"I know I'm not as smart..."

"Or as kind..."

"Or as patient..."

"Or as beautiful as you..."

"But I hope you'll consider giving me a chance."

"Just like you've taught me that shells have worn away..."

"And been replaced with other mineral deposits..."

"(See, I listen!)"

Cora giggled through her hand, overwhelmed. Apparently hedidlisten.

"I'd love to learn more aboutyourpast."