Read A Deal Between the Gods and Me :: The Morning After

As Seraphina’s eyelids fluttered open, she found herself bathed in a soft golden glow filtered through the sheer white curtains. The moment shattered with a searing pain accompanied by white blocky letters.

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Her head ached as she remembered the scenes leading up to the conversation between the gods. Gritting her teeth against the agony, she attempted to rise, only to find herself pinned beneath the weight of an unfamiliar figure. Lifting her head, she felt a heavy weight resting on her stomach, anchoring her in place. Following the weight, her gaze fell upon a figure beside her, and a sense of unease crept over her. Beside her lay two figures, their forms intertwined amidst the rumpled sheets. Their features are blurred by the soft light filtering through the curtains. Their breathing steady in the quiet aftermath of sleep. A surge of unease washed over her as she realized the implications of her predicament, her lips curling in disgust at the unwelcome sight.

Ignoring the discomfort she looked to her right and spotted her lifeline through the curtains. Without further inspection of her unwanted bedmates she slid out letting the arm retract and curl around a silken pillow. Her feet touched the cold granite sending a shiver up her naked body adding to the pain in her head. The princess had quite the night. She brushed past the drapes cascading from the canopy and it opened to a larger area.

The air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers, their vibrant hues contrasting with the pristine white marble and plain vases. As Seraphina approached she could see the meticulous arrangement as each one holding the same flowers. Each vase held the same emotion, a pure loathing and hatred-a sentiment she knew all too well. Whoever sent the bouquet knew the princess enough to know she was not well versed in flower language.

Seraphina continued looking around, the bed itself was the main piece, a large king-and-a-half mattress standing on a marble platform, voile fabric cascading around the canopy in a display of elegance and luxury. The windows were flung open and in the morning light the silk curtains billowed inward with a gentle breeze. She couldn’t help but marvel at the exquisite details that adorned every corner of the chamber. Gilded frames of young trees and rose thorns climbed the sides of the mirrors on every empty wall space. The space itself spoke of a life of luxury and privilege, a stark reminder of the role she agreed to play.

Seraphina's gaze met her own in one of the many polished surfaces, a wave of despair washed over her. The image staring back at her was that of the princess. She traced the lines of the unfamiliar lines of her face, each feature a stark reminder of her reality. This was not her own reflection—it was a role. With trembling hands, she reached out to touch the mirror’s surface, as if to seek solace in the cold, unyielding glass. Her reflection seemed to glare back at her with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. Her body broke out into a cold sweat and she stumbled back. As she stared at her reflection she could feel the princess’s purple and red eye glare.

Her mouth gaped the words escaping her as searing pain shot through her back sending spasms rippling down her limbs like lightning. Frozen in agony, she turned towards the bed, where the two bodies lay undisturbed, oblivious to her silent torment. Desperation clawed within her as she stumbled forward reaching for the bedpost. She fell into it, her right hand curling around the bedpost.

“Help” she whispered hoarsely the word barely more than a breath, the pain becoming intolerable, blotches began to dance in the edges of her vision. Another spasm wracked her body, and she summoned the last dregs of her strength to pull at the sheets, her movements clumsy and erratic.

Silk bedding cascaded over her body as she capitulated forward, her head spinning as she struggled to remain conscious. In her haze, a mirror seemed to shimmer, revealing two identical figures dressed in a fantasy maid attire. The sound of shattering crystal echoed through the chamber as a breakfast tray fell to the ground, its contents scattered amidst the shards.

"Princess!" The urgent cries of the maids pierced through the haze, their voices a lifeline in the darkness. Suddenly the blotches receded and two identical faces filled her sight. To her left a maid with black hair and to her right a maid with white hair. “Hurry call the royal doctor”, one called and a fear struck Seraphina, they could not find out.

“Don’t!” She hissed and a look of concern flashed across both faces. In the corner of her vision a disheveled man peeped his head out and Seraphina instinctively recoiled, her expression a mixture of frustration and vulnerability. “Get out.” She growled, her tone sharp and commanding as she pushed away the maid to her left.

The two maids exchanged a quick, knowing glance before swiftly rising to their feet. “Out!” they commanded the men, their voices carrying an authority that brooked no argument. Seraphina didn't spare a glance as they ushered the intruders out of the bed, her focus fixed on the task at hand.

"Princess, please, we didn't know," one of the men pleaded, his voice tinged with desperation.

"I can do better," the other protested, struggling against the maid's firm grip. In the corner of Seraphina's vision, two guards appeared, their armor glinting in the dim light as they approached overhearing the noise. With a series of hurried gestures, the maids directed them to escort the unwelcome visitors away, their protests fading into the distance as the mirror door closed behind them.

As the room fell silent once more, both maids turned their attention back to Seraphina, their expressions softened with genuine concern. "Let us help you," the one with white hair offered gently, reaching out a hand in a gesture of comfort. Seraphina hesitated for a moment before relenting. Even in this strange world she could feel their sincerity.

“Where does it hurt?” Both sets of hands gently lifted her up to the bed; she closed her eyes, their fingers cool against her skin. Seraphina shook her head as the pain began to recede. She needed a moment to collect her racing thoughts. She needed space, the headache and the gift must correlate. The men in the bed, but the reaction of the maids meant that the princess was promiscuous. Seraphina’s body throbbed again.

“Princess your hands.” A voice whispered urgently.Startled, Seraphina opened her eyes to find her hands shimmering with a familiar silver hue, reminiscent of the same liquid as the distant rivers. The maid with black hair gasped and grasped at her necklace, beginning to murmur incantation in a unknown language.

“Morthos...” The white-hair maid bowed her head reverently, her voice joining her sister’s in the mysterious tongue. Seraphina recoiled, she brought her hands up to her face, her heart quickened. Silver liquid began dripping from her fingernails, pooling in the indents on either side and gathering underneath the tips. With a trembling hand, she turned her palm upward, watching as the liquid rolled effortlessly down her skin leaving tingles where the silver trailed down.

“Help me.” Her voice trembled, the fear palpable in her words. Both maids snapped their heads up, realizing their mistress’s distress.

“Princess deep breaths, you must control your mana.” The white-haired maid whispered urgently, her movements cautious to avoid the silvery liquid. “Eve grab the basin. Help me put her hands in the water.” With the sharp command, Eve hastened to comply, running to a mirror to open it revealing a large bathroom.

“What is this? What does it mean?” Seraphina’s voice cracked. Her fingers trembled as the white haired maid held her elbows making her hands outstretched above the bed sheets.

“Listen carefully, Princess. Your magic has manifested. Without control...” The maid clamped her mouth shut. “Control your emotions, Princess.”

Feeling overwhelmed by the idea, Seraphina struggled to rein in her tumultuous thoughts and fears. “Here Susan.” Eve placed the basin of water between Seraphina’s legs, the ceramic offering a solid pressure. With a swift motion, Susan dipped a corner of the bedsheet into the silver liquid and brought it to Seraphina’s lips, prompting protests from Eve.

Yet as the liquid touched her lips, Seraphina felt a wave of bliss wash over her. The maids quickly eased her flat as their voices faded into the background. A shadow flickered in her pereprial almost in the shape of a man. Despite the unease, a sense of drowsiness crept over her, her thoughts no longer tangible, she relinquished control sinking deeper into the mattress. Being drugged never felt so comforting. She chuckled softly to herself, surrendering to the embrace of sleep.