‘I feel hot’

‘My skin feels like it’s on fire’

I breathed heavily as I felt like I was burning up.

“Get a cold towel!” Someone shouted, I felt their voice pound through my head.

‘Why is it so loud’

“Just breathe Amaris! You’ll get through this” a deep voice spoke, it was still too loud.

“I haven’t seen anyone’s contract effects this bad, maybe it’s because she’s so fraile” 

I slightly opened my eyes and felt them burn from the brightness, I started to move my hands towards my ears.

“The princess is awakening!” 

Throwing my hands over my ears I muttered,

“To loud”.

Silence fell upon the room and many scattered out the door. I felt the presence of three people left.

Trying to peer through my eyes without blinding myself, I see the figure of my father in front of me smiling brightly, to the right was Aenon who had tears staining his cheeks and the last… no one?

“Isn’t there someone else in here?” I mumbled, the look of confusion rose upon their faces.

“It’s okay Amaris, just relax” father spoke while placing a hand on my head, now looking around the room I noticed I was somewhere completely different, I was currently on a circle bed in the middle on the room, to the right was a large open balcony and everywhere was either a light shade of red or yellow I also was hearing the trickle of water, as I looked I saw a stream of water running through my room and out of a gap, it looked like a waterfall was outside.

The slight sound of an Oud guitar and a drum was being played from around the place I was, it sounded beautiful and mesmerising.

“Welcome home darling” father spoke, my eyes now widened and fully intact, I’m back in the original castle.

“What happened father?” I ask while sitting up.

“Well my beautiful daughter, you made a contract with a god! I can’t wait to find out who it is!” Father beamed with excitement.

“But wait don’t tell us yet, we are having a big celebration, all the other empires are on their way now!” He cheered.

‘He’s so goofy’

“But weren’t they busy, they didn’t have to come all this way” I muttered, still unsure about the other empires.

“Daughter, do you really think anyone can say no to me?” He smirked like a child.

“OKAY!” He yelled which made me jump,

“The party will be held tomorrow, everyone will be arriving today so the servants will come in and get you ready!” He jumped up proudly.

“How can they get here so fast!” I yelled, still confused with everything that’s happening.

“You really have forgotten everything? Magic portals. okay enough chit chat, Now come in!” He cheered, practically skipping down the hall.

I looked at Aenon who was trying to hold back his laughter, and watched as ladies with red veils covering their faces and silk white dresses came in, they all had red tattoos up their arms. I guessed that was a sign of our empire.

“Princess may we” they all bowed, I nodded in response as one of them softly picked me up and held me, they carried me out of the room leaving Aenon on his own.

Walking through these beautiful open red and yellow halls, there were no doors, only archways. Looking ahead I watched as we entered a large bath house, a huge steamy bath was in the Center surrounded by green trees and plants.

“I thought we couldn’t grow trees or plants?” I ask.

“These plants are embedded with magic, as long as the castle has magic they will stay alive” a servant responded.

Looking around there was no ceiling so I could see the clear sky perfectly, I watched the heat waving across the sky. It must be really hot out there.

Placing me down on a large red cushion, the servants removed my red nightgown I was placed in, they took my hair out of its braid and brushed it.

‘This is relaxing’

I heard the sound of a soft flute being played, I think it’s called a Nay, it was beautiful, almost hypnotic. I was now sitting naked on a puffy pillow. They softly placed my hands upon theirs, as we entered the bath they did not remove their gowns.

“Will you not get wet?” I ask.

“There is magic surrounding us so we can not contaminate your bath princess” The one of the left spoke, looking at her she had beautiful dark hair and I could see her shining yellow eyes through her veil.

‘Yep everyone is gorgeous here’

…..

After the most relaxing bath I've ever had, a light pink robe was thrown over my body, which I’m sure was made from silk, we then entered a large dressing room. There were so many different kinds of silk or netting for outfits and most of all there were many jewels displayed.

“Wow so many beautiful colours” I gasped in amazement.

“Everything in this room is yours princess” the servants bowed before walking me over to a gold chaise chair with beautiful cushions covered in art.

Laying down slightly they brought over some fresh water and fruits.

‘I could get used to this’.

I watched as they brought out a beautiful light pink cropped top which was covered with gold ornaments. They gestured for me to stand up and I followed, now removing my clothes they placed the top on my body, it fit perfectly and was a nice material against my skin.

They now brought a see-through skirt with pants hidden underneath it, the skirt flowed beautifully. It was the same colour as the top and had the same design. I watched as they delicately placed it on my body and applied more gold accessories around my waist, neck, legs and wrists.

They brought out a long piece of see through fabric and wrapped it around my arms and a small bit across my body.

‘I feel like a Christmas present’

Lastly they brushed my wavy hair down my back and applied a pink jewel on my head which fell just above my eyes, also grabbing another see through fabric they placed it over my hair and it fell down my back and on the floor.

Slowly walking towards the mirror while they made sure everything was in place and wouldn’t move, I stopped and stared.

“Wow, I look beautiful” I mumbled, these clothes really are amazing.

“My daughter! You look beautiful! Like a shining star” father spoke loudly which made me jump because of his sudden appearance.

I turned around and looked at the man who was one hundred percent royalty. He wore loose silk pants which were white and had gold tribal marks, he had a silk gold fabric thrown over his shoulder which wrapped around his arm to his finger tip. On his other arm was a white with gold marked shoulder strap and was finished off with a golden encrusted turban.

‘Wow father does up nicely’

He had many golden jewels all over him. It was hard to count but the one that stuck out was the choker around his neck, it was moving, like water.

“This is my connection to my god, it shows we are one and I possess his power” he smiles while kneeling down to my height.

“Are you excited to see everyone?” He smiles while patting my head, I quickly move his hand away trying not to get my hair or outfit messed up.

“You’ll ruin my outfit” I pouted, he chuckled at my response.

“We shall meet you siblings first Amaris, if it’s too much or you feel overwhelmed let me know” he smiled, I nodded at his words. Now standing up Aenon came over and picked me up while trying not to ruin my outfit, looking behind the servants were holding the end of my veil so it would not get caught.

‘Wow I’m nervous’