#excerpt four

CHARACTERS: Nero and Araceli 

When I next awoke. It was on something soft. Too soft to be my prison cell. Waaaay too soft. And silky. Or is slippery the better word? I kept my eyes closed, trying my best to figure out where I am. Without alerting anyone, fearing being tortured and beaten more.

"I know you're awake."

The voice was feminine, soft, and oh so warm. Wait what? My brain quickly started turning its gears. Trying to figure it all out even quicker.

"Wondering where you are? How cute…"

That's when I bothered to open my eyes. Only to wince in pain and close them again. What the hell was that bright light I just saw?

"Oh...my aura hurts you doesn't it? I'm sorry."

"That...that was your aura?"

I flinched at the roughness of my voice. My throat hurt. I open my eyes again. This time strictly avoiding looking in the direction of that blinding light. I tried my best to grasp my surroundings. Am I...on a bed?

"You're in my room. So yes. On a bed."

"Your room?"

"Yes. You won't have to worry about that prison cell anymore. Need help sitting up?"

I didn't say anything in response. Finding it best not to question how this person knew what my thoughts are. And yet, soon enough that light was back in my view. And warm hands helped me with sitting up. I didn't look away this time.

"Who...are you?"

I managed to mutter the question while she handed me a glass of something cold. It seemed appealing.

"You can call me Araceli. And it's water. Drink it."

'Wait. Araceli? The princess Araceli? The goddess amongst men???' That definitely made my mind race with millions of questions.

"Yes. I'm that Araceli. Shocked?"

"Obviously."

"Oh my. Someone's bitter."

I gave her the best glare I could currently muster. A glare that screamed "of course I'm bitter!" I'm pretty sure she understood. Considering her aura dimmed just a bit.

"I...apologize for not rescuing you sooner."

"Why did you rescue me at all? I tried to kill your commander."

"Because I had a vision."

"Of me?"

"Yes! Of you!"

I flinched at her tone. A foreign reaction to me. But one I had nonetheless. My lips found the edge of the cup to drink. Maybe it'd be poisoned and cause me to die. Didn't taste like it though.

"Work for me and I'll ensure no one touches you again."

That caught me off guard. My eyes widening in what I felt was to a comedic extent.

"W-What? Why would you need me???"

"Cause I saw."

"Saw what???"

"Things."

"Gonna be vague?"

"I have no reason to tell you. Yet."

I sigh and she giggles softly. A pleasant sound. Or at least that's what I perceived it as. My hands come to rest on my lap. The cup long forgotten.

"And...if I don't work for you?"

"I won't be able to stop my father from killing you."

'Damn. Could've just said I've got no choice.' I sigh again, one hand coming up to mess with the ends of my hair. Which I soon realized had been braided. Probably by her…

"Yes. I could've just said that. But some people prefer death."

"Not me…"

"So I'll be taking that as a yes."

"Is there any other way to take it?"

"Nope!"

"Then why'd you question it?"

"I question everything."

"You're one weird lady."

I faltered after that. Letting the conversation die out. What was I even doing here? Did some vision from a goddess really save me? Guess I gotta start being religious.

"Thanks for the compliment! I'll go bring in servants to...clean you up some more."

Before I could protest she was gone. The soft click of the door and the complete darkness signifying as much. I let out another sigh, something I found myself doing just a little too much all of a sudden.