Nev stared at the lines of gold that began to shimmer a road across the wintery lawn—lights guiding travelers to safety, or perhaps danger in this case. He shivered with anticipation, eager to find out. It might also have been the freaking cold. Not that he regretted his choice of clothes or anything.

"That's...What did you do?" he asked, sounding more awestruck than he would have liked. At least he hadn't blurted out that it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen, but it had been a close call. Anyway, Raven must have done something to set off the pattern ahead because the lines hadn't been there three seconds ago, and farther away, he could see them expanding into the darkness.

"I used a key," Raven said, as if that explained absolutely everything.

"You have a key to a labyrinth in Stockholm? I thought you were new to the city?" Nev wondered if this was where he would begin his interrogation. Celuvian would want results, and even small bits might work to keep all of this running until Nev had figured out what was going on.

A touch of cold wind caught Raven's hair, letting it flow like silk as it passed. Nev was rather stuck by that as well.

"I never said it was my first time living here," the hellion said, his tone almost sad.

"When was that?" Nev asked for himself, he realized. He wanted to know how old Raven was, where he'd lived his life, what he'd done to tackle the listlessness so many paranormals found themselves in after centuries alive. He wanted it all for himself because he was greedy that way. And pathetic.

A crow cawed as Raven replied, "Beginning of the 19th century. It looked a little different then." Amused again, as though it was nothing for him to have been alive more than two hundred years ago.

Nev shut down a whine at their age difference. The impossibilities kept mounting, and Nev had to get a grip. No matter how handsome Raven was, no matter how mesmerizing, any interest between them was doomed to fail, or to not be there at all. It stung to think that Raven was flirting with him as a Council Agent undercover, but there really could not be another reason.

It sucked to be realistic though, especially when they were standing in a circle of gold, with a magical path ahead of them.

"So this labyrinth was here back then?" Nev asked to get rid of the silence.

"Oh, the labyrinth has been here for much longer than that. I'm not sure they know how long, to be honest."

"And it's safe? No monster at the center?" It was too easy to imagine a Minotaur in there, ready to butt heads. Nev had no interest in being speared, but then he'd developed some rather nice defensive powers over the last three years. Maybe he wouldn't die tonight after all.

"No monster last time I was here, but something infinitely nicer."

"Now you're just saying that to make me feel safe. I bet this is one of those Halloween pranks, and you're leading me into the worst kind of horrors imaginable."

Raven laughed. "I see you're not easily persuaded to trust me. I will have to prove it to you instead. Shall I lead the way?" He gestured along the lines.

"Fine."

As soon as he'd said the words and Raven had taken the first step, the lines swirled higher and higher, thickening, stretching, bending, until they'd left thick stone walls in their stead.

He could still see the stars above, which he guessed might help those still versed in star navigation. Unfortunately, he'd never paid attention during those classes...wait, he'd never had those classes because it was an outrageously outdated method in the 21st century!

He glared at Raven, but the hellion took it in stride. "You're not scared, are you?" he teased.

"Of course not."

"Come on, we should get to the first obstacle before it grows too strong."

Nev hadn't expected this. Hadn't signed up for this. He'd never heard of anyone going into a labyrinth with obstacles for fun. Raven had to be spitting mad, but it was too late to back out, or at least Nev realized that when he turned around and saw a solid wall and no exit sign. There should have been a green emergency exit sign for sure—as was mandatory in all public buildings. But perhaps they hadn't thought of that when they created this death trap. Maybe they'd built it to have people go crazy and die.

Raven took his hand again, and for one fickle moment he felt safe. That was until Raven said, "I can't wait to see your face when we meet her."

"Her?"

"Not telling."

"Why not?"

"Because that would ruin the fun." Raven tugged him along the narrow strip of cobbled stones between the walls. No snow. No lawn. At least Nev's boots would survive.

"I'm not laughing."

Raven looked over his shoulder at Nev, still rushing them along with bustling steps and choosing turns at what seemed to be totally random. "That's because you're expecting the worst, which makes this absolutely hilarious."

Nev wanted to hit him. Hard. Preferably with a stone. "This is the worst date ever!"

The hellion paused then, placed his hand on Nev's cheek, one arm around his waist. "It's not. I promise," he said before he placed a light kiss on Nev's temple. Then they were off again, their pace only increasing as they went. The lingering touch of cool lips muddled any objections he might have voiced. Because how could it not.

On they went, and Nev found himself drawn into the chase. There was something joyous about the way Raven moved, and Nev didn't stand a chance. In fact, he found himself almost on the verge of smiling when a ringing sound echoed endlessly along the walls.

"What is that?" he asked. They finally slowed to a light tread once the echoes fizzled out.

"We have been formally announced."

"I've never been formally anything. What is this place? Are we supposed to meet someone?" It was too easy to become afraid.

"Oh, we're definitely not alone in here," Raven said, eyes glinting with mischief.

"You're enjoying this far too much."

"Trust me, I am." Raven gave his hand another squeeze.

Nev kept silent after that, he was turning Celuvian's words in his head, over and over. It was not pleasant. He didn't want to be in danger. In fact, if he never saw danger again, he'd be a happy vamp.

But somehow, he kept going. Somehow, he couldn't stop. Not until they reached a dead end.

"We're lost," Nev said, hearing a slight tremor to his voice. He was not amused by this part at all. The walls began to crowd him like he suffered from claustrophobia. Which he didn't, of course, because that was lame.

"We're not lost. We've reached the first obstacle." Raven picked up a non-descript piece of wood from the corner. "It's a puzzle box. Want to give it a try?"

Nev's shaky grin turned victorious. Finally a way to show Raven he wasn't a total failure. He'd been reigning champion of puzzle boxes throughout his teens. With utmost care, he traced his fingertips around the perfectly smooth surface, searching for the tiniest of indents. It took a moment to find it, then another to make it click. The box opened and provided the real puzzle. Bits and pieces were destined for dedicated slots, forming a two dimensional labyrinth.

"Is it a map?" he asked.

"I do believe so. Can you point out where we are?"

"Now you're sounding like a teacher giving me a test."

"Wouldn't dream of it!"

"Hah, sure you would. Anyway, let's see." Nev hadn't the foggiest of where they were, but he figured the box might actually show this location. And yes, there it was. "We're here. Not far from the center actually."

"Yes. We took a few shortcuts along the way and missed a few traps. This is the highway so to speak, allowing for fast travel."

"Are we in a hurry?"

"Not especially, but I did promise no danger, didn't I?"

Nev gulped. "Yeah."

"We can visit the manticores next time, they're always happy for company."

"You're taking the piss." Nev didn't want to imagine manticores, not that he'd ever seen one, but he doubted they were cuddly with their scorpion tails.

"They're actually quite pleasant once you learn how to scratch them just right."

"I don't believe a word you say."

Raven laughed. "So you keep telling me. And yet you're the one with secrets."

"Am not!"

"No? We still haven't solved why you were standing outside my door for a solid week and a half."

This was going sideways again. "I was there to watch the door, honest truth." Now that he had another task, he figured he could reveal the previous one. Especially since Celuvian had said the mission hadn't been about Raven at all. Only, now it was.

"Oh well, we have another mystery to solve here." Raven nodded toward the puzzle box.

Nev harrumphed and moved the last piece into place. It clicked and whirred like an insect only to transform into a globe of light with delicate wings. He let it go and watched it lodge itself to the wall like a light bulb. A door that hadn't been there a second ago opened to reveal another passage.

"I'm impressed," Raven said, taking Nev's hand again to guide him forward. "I'm inclined to think you somehow cheated. It took me hours to solve the puzzle first time I was here."

"Really?" He couldn't help feeling a bit smug.

"What can I say...I admit defeat. You're clearly the puzzle master."

"Make that Master only, and we're cool."

Raven chuckled and squeezed his hand. "Don't think so."

Nev refused to feel charmed, so he focused on the looming walls and the slippery cobbled stones beneath. It smelled differently here than at the entrance, not as cold and damp; instead, there were notes of wildflowers and sun-warmed grass. It made absolutely no sense.

They walked a winding route until Raven slowed and whispered, "No sudden movements now."

That, of course, meant that Nev froze entirely, refusing to move another inch. Raven had to push him the last bit around the bend.

But there she was. Bright and beautiful in the darkness. Dappled in moonlight beneath the thick foliage of ancient trees. Nev couldn't breathe for the sheer bliss of having seen her at all.

"I..." He couldn't finish that sentence.

"I know," Raven said.

It took another few minutes of staring until he could speak again. "I don't get it."

"You mean that she's an obstacle?"

"Yeah. Exactly that."

"You haven't moved since we got here."

That was true. But then, Nev hadn't known that unicorns existed. "So we're just supposed to walk by? Get closer?" He could absolutely sign up for getting closer, even though it would feel like a violation of the grossest kind.

"Yes."

Nev felt like saying thank you again, but it would have been too intimate, too real.

The unicorn continued to graze, a well of calm and warmth in the night. Then a horrendous thought struck him. "Is she a captive here?"

"No. She carries out an ancient duty and answers the call. It's her choice to come."

"What duty?"

"To guard the center from those of ill intent."

"So, if I have ill intent, she'll attack?"

"No, she wouldn't need to. If you'd have ill intent, you'd be begging at her hoofs to forgive you."

"Really?" It should have been difficult to picture, but it wasn't.

"Who knows? Someone told me once, and now I'm telling you."

"Who told you?" Nev hadn't meant to sound jealous, but he did. It seemed he couldn't hide his emotions this close to her.

"The fae who invited me into the labyrinth and gave me a key." There was warmth in Raven's voice, and Nev couldn't stand it.

"Who?" He really should have kept his mouth shut, but he couldn't. He had to know.

"Hope. She's living in Singapore now if I'm not mistaken. I haven't seen her in a century."

"Did you love her?"

Raven smiled, not unkindly. "Yes, once I did."

"That hurts. It shouldn't hurt."

"Oh, Nev. Maybe we should continue walking. I'm not sure we're ready for unicorn honesty just yet."

Tears burned behind his eyes, emotions welling up from nowhere. His skin felt raw, as though any one little thing might break the last piece of restraint he had before he broke into the ugliest cry ever. Raven had loved someone else. But of course he had. Shit and bugger. Nev couldn't control a thing, and it all felt warped. Unicorns were not to play with.

Raven prodded him toward an archway, gently but with steady hands. It was only once he'd left the sanctuary that he realized he wouldn't have made it without Raven beside him.

"You..." he began.

Raven brought him into his arms, a haven of safety.

"You promised no danger," he said, pleading more than anything.

"No mortal danger. You won't die, and I won't let anything harm you in here. I promise."

Just as Nev was about to consider the danger to his sanity again, Raven tipped his chin and silenced his thoughts with a kiss. A sweet kiss. A kiss suited for maidens and blushing brides. Nev was none of those things, or well, he was a virgin, but it didn't count, so he pulled on Raven's jacket and brought them closer until there was nothing sweet about it.

When they broke away, Nev startled from the freezing wind. The walls were gone, and they were standing in the middle of the lawn, no footsteps in the snow around them.

"How?"

"I'm not allowed to show you the center unfortunately, but I thought you'd like Saama, the unicorn."

"You...never. Hah! You bastard. Admit it, you only took me to that unicorn so I'd blurt all my secrets. Totally unfair." He should have been outraged, but he was too elated from the meeting with the unicorn and their subsequent kiss to care.

"Now, I didn't expect you to start asking questions about my ex. That was totally on you. But, to make this fair, I would have said much the same if you'd mentioned a past lover in there."

Nev blinked. "You would?"

"Yes. I'm finding you increasingly intriguing, and cute." Raven kissed his nose.

"I am not cute."

"Keep telling yourself that. Won't make much of a difference, I'm afraid."

"You...you frustrating piece of—" Nev didn't get to finish before Raven kissed him again. He knew he should have backed away, should have turned this sweetness into something bitter, but he couldn't think properly. Not with Raven's taste on his tongue.