Page 53 of The Lord of the Labyrinth

I’m making progress, even if it’s slow.

Once she had started climbing, she realized that the rocks that served as the base for the palace formed tiers like on a wedding cake. As long as she could navigate up a level, then she could take a bit of time to catch her breath and rub at her muscles before she had to move on to the next level. She glanced down, which was a mistake given how high she was. She saw Patch and Magda waiting near the mouth of the cave, two tiny figures standing out against the cave’s dark opening.

She shut her eyes as a wave of nausea nearly buckled her knees. What was she thinking? Shehatedheights. When she had climbed down from Roan’s bedchamber balcony that first day here, she’d been focused on the rope and avoided looking down. This was different. She had no rope this time. If she missed her footing, she’d be crushed on the rocks below.

“Breathe... just breathe. You’ve got this.” Kate shut her eyes and took a moment to collect herself before facing the rocks again.

Tipping her head back, she stared at the remaining two levels she had to get to the base of the palace. The sun hung low in the sky by the time she finally reached the place she wanted to get to. The rocks pitted by the sea spray changed to a smoother material somewhere between marble and mother-of-pearl. She stroked a finger over the surface while catching her breath. It was beautiful.

“This must be what causes it to shimmer in the sunlight and glow under the moonlight.” She couldn’t help but wonder what it was made of. Patch would probably tell her if he was in a good mood when she got back.

Crawling carefully along the wall, she tried to work her way inward from the sea. Kate saw the dying sunlight kiss the tops of the labyrinth walls to the southwest as she came upon a door. It was a shorter door, barely big enough for her to go through without hunching over. She turned the ornately carved latch, and a wave of delicious smells hit her nose as the door opened. She took a step into the room and found herself in a vast kitchen. Hundreds of lit candles were above her head, illuminating the ovens and counters, but they weren’t held by chandeliers. They simplyfloatedin place by magic.

The brownie chefs were suddenly disappearing and reappearing before her as they raced about preparing trays of food. Once they seemed to have a full tray, they would simply vanish with apop!Others stood on step stools to reach large copper pots to stir ingredients. Fresh-cut herbs like rosemary and lavender hung in bouquets above several of the stovetops.

Kate’s stomach growled. When was the last time she’d eaten? It had been a few days ago when she’d been at the palace. She’d had that little bit of bread. Had it really sustained herthislong? She would try to sneak some food out to the cave to her friends after she found Caden.

She took a step deeper into the kitchens, and one of the brownies materialized right in front of her, almost colliding with her. Kate gasped and the brownie shrieked. All of the work in the kitchen ceased, and she found herself being stared at by every brownie in the room.

“Mistress Kate!” a voice squeaked as Babbitt rushed toward her.

“Hey, Babbitt!” She was so relieved to see a familiar face. A second later, she realized the brownie might tell Roan she was here.

“What are you doing here?” Babbitt asked. “The pixies said you were in the labyrinth.”

Pixies. Right.She would have to remember that those little creatures saw everything, which meant sooner or later Roan would know she was here.

“Er, yeah, but I just returned to visit my brother before I go back.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. She had to let the brownie assume that Roan knew she was here. “Actually, could I have some food? Maybe some bread and something to drink? I haven’t eaten since... well, since you last saw me. Which, honestly, I’m not sure how that’s possible.”

The brownie chuckled. “Our food has healing powers, and it will fill you up for days at a time. Doesn’t your food do that?”

“Um, sort of, but I normally have to eat three times a day.”

The brownie’s eyes widened. “Three times a day? It’s a wonder you have time for anything else besides eating!” Babbitt exclaimed.

She began to pile slices of bread on a plate for Kate, who sat down on an empty stool and gratefully accepted it. Then Babbitt prepared a bowl of some steamy soup and a goblet of pale-blue liquid.

“Word is you survived the morgens.” Babbitt chattered as she watched Kate eat. “Pesky creatures, aren’t they?”

“Yeah, that was pretty scary. I almost drowned.” She shivered and pushed down the terrifying memory of that cold water filling her lungs as she sank deep into the darkness in the arms of one of those awful creatures.

“And I heard you saved a kobold from them.Thatwas brave.” Babbitt beamed. “The palace kobolds who watch over Lord Arun’s treasury hold you in high esteem.”

“They do?” Kate blinked and swallowed more of the soup. It was some kind of flavorful potato leek soup that she really liked.

“Then you rescued a troll from being killed by the wild trolls in the labyrinth. We have troll guards who maintain the palace gardens, and they speak your name in reverence because of the kindness you showed to one of their kind.”

“Really?” Kate couldn’t figure out why the trolls would be talking about her.

Babbitt leaned in close. “The trolls in the labyrinth aren’t like the trolls at the palace. Most of them are brutal beasts, backward and cruel. Not like the trolls here in the palace. You’re a hero to them.”

Kate almost choked on the last of her bread. “A what?”

“A hero, miss. You put the lives of others before your own. The Shining Ones... they don’t do that. Well, Lord Arun, Lady Eudora, and Lord Rath do, but not many of the others would. They are the ruling class of Fae, and we are considered beneath them.”

“Babbitt, I was only doing what anyone would do.”

Babbitt’s eyes shimmered. “You must come from a wonderful land if that’s the case.” The brownie cleared her throat. “Now eat up.”

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