For the first ti in months, I awoke comfortably tucked in a bed. The simple, cotton sheets were soft and white, caressing my skin whenever I shifted. Yawning, I reached up to rub my eyes, but froze as the tallic clink of a chain drove all drowsiness from my mind. Feeling around my neck, I found an ornate leather collar, connected to a slender chain fastened to the bed. I lifted the chain and stared at it for a second. Didn't the hero free ? Feeling more than a little confused, I let the chain slip through my fingers and looked around the room.
From all appearances, my accommodations were so sort of guest chamber. The walls and ceiling were stark white, with a repeated sun pattern painted around the edges. A table and chair, made of darkly stained wood, provided the only other furniture. On one wall, a large window allowed a little sunlight to trickle through the drawn curtains. Everything felt clean and pure. Too clean.
I jumped as the door cracked open and an elderly woman poked her head in. She frowned softly as she t my wide-eyed gaze and swung the door shut. I heard a few tallic clicks before the door opened again, this ti swinging into the room wide enough to allow a woman to enter. She was dressed in white robes similar to the Father from before, save hers were much plainer in cloth and cut. A wooden pendant carved with the image of a sun hung about her neck, weighing down her shoulders. Her skin was aged and wrinkled and her short gray hair was bound tightly in a bun. When she spoke, her voice was gentle, though not particularly kind.
"Awake, are we?" She asked, coming to my bedside.
I nodded, staring at her with wide eyes. "W-where am I?"
She snorted and smoothed a strand of gray hair behind her ear. "The fool brought you to the Radiant Throne, of all places. This is one of the guest rooms in the right wing. I'm a priestess here. You may call Revera."
"I...I see. And this?" I asked, fingering the band of rough leather around my neck.
She stared at , as though wondering how I could possibly ask sothing so stupid. When she finally deigned to answer, her voice dripped with vitriol. "The binding ceremony hasn't been completed yet, so naturally a slave can't be allowed to run around free."
I shrunk back before her condescending gaze, an uneasy tingle running down my tail. "S-so I'm still a slave?"
It was mostly rhetorical, more voicing my thoughts aloud, but Revera rolled her eyes and answered anyway. "Naturally. That's why the hero brought you back in the first place. Now, enough of that. Are you hungry?"
I nodded, unable to ignore the hunger clawing at my stomach. I blushed as, a second later, an audible grumble rolled around the room.
Wordlessly, Revera turned and left the room. She returned shortly after, carrying a thin wooden tray. My mouth watered at the sight of fresh bread and a small bowl of soup. After placing it on the table, the priestess stood back.
"Co, but be careful. You're weak, so eat slowly."
I slid my foot out of the sheets and touched the ground. The hardwood floor was cool to the touch, but infinitely better than the abrasive wood of the cage. My legs shook as I stood, nearly collapsing beneath my scrawny weight. As I lurched forward, the priestess grabbed my arm and helped into the chair.
Thanking her, I grabbed the bread and tentatively nibbled on a corner. Delighted to find it soft, I tore into it and swallowed a chunk. The explosion of flavor took by surprise, and my eyes widened. I quickly scarfed the bread down, barely chewing in between coughs. As I licked my fingers, the last few bites caught in my throat.
The priestess frowned as I began coughing. "Silly girl. Eat slowly!"
"Sorry," I said, clearing my throat with a final sputter, "I...I just couldn't help it. Is there, um, I an, if it's not too much to ask, is there more?" I asked hopefully.
She rolled her eyes at my request and gestured to the tray. "Finish the soup. If you're still hungry then, I can arrange for sothing else."
The soup was incredibly delicious. The broth was thin and nearly flavorless, but I was delighted to try sothing that tasted like, well, anything. Chunks of at and potato disappeared down my throat as soon as I dug them out with the spoon. Still, I recalled her admonition and slowed the pace, taking the ti to relish every bite.
All too soon, the bowl was empty, and I lowered it to my lap. "Thank you," I said softly, bowing my head to the priestess.
She folded her arms and waggled an eyebrow. "Well?"
"I think that was enough," I admitted sowhat bashfully. I felt like I'd only eaten a few bites, yet a warm, comfortable pressure radiated out in my stomach. It had been so long since my last proper al I'd nearly forgotten what it felt like to be full.
"Good. The hero is out for now, but I'll return when he returns to prepare you for the ceremony. Don't cause any trouble."
With that, the priestess took up the tray and left the room.
"Wait, I--oh...she's gone."
Standing slowly, I stumbled over to the bed. Hearing soone else's voice had been nice, even if she was a little prickly. The silence now felt oppressive. Lonely. At least Soltair would be back soon.
Anticipation stirred my heart as I recalled his glowing face and strong arms, encircling as I fell. Being from my world, he would definitely free , right?
But, even if he didn't, I resolved myself to stay close to him. He had saved my life and shown kindness. For the first ti in years, I was safe, fed, and had a warm bed. That was enough.
The ti passed slowly, yet I luxuriated in it. Here, I could stretch out and think, finally free of that awful cage. There was much to ponder, so many changes I had to adjust to. To start with, I'd been able to understand every word since around the ti I left the warehouse. It was difficult to explain, but I knew the people here were speaking one of the languages I hadn't understood before. Did it have sothing to do with that wondrous sensation that sustained through Kaitlyn's beating? I shivered at the mory and touched my side, running my slender fingers over flawless, smooth skin. There was no sign a rib had ever ruptured my side.
The leash was long enough to reach most of the room, but I didn't have the strength or motivation to explore much. My body was weak and emaciated from the months of neglect and malnourishnt, thin and bony without a single ounce of fat or any real muscle. I probably wouldn't have lasted much longer in the warehouse, even if Kaitlyn hadn't taken it upon herself to personally kill . On the bright side, the church had given a simple white dress. It looked around my size, yet it hung loosely on my shoulders and waist.
A few hours later, Revera returned. She marched into the room with the sa, cold expression, arriving beside my bedside before I could so much as sit up.
"Can you stand?" She asked, voice clipped.
"I-I think so," I stamred. Tensing, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and shifted my weight forward. My legs barely shook at all as I got to my feet, and I looked at her proudly, hoping for even a glint of approval.
There was none.
"Good," she remarked, "Now, let us be off. The ritual is ready."
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