invisible.
The massive door pushed shut behind me and the sound of it closing echoed through the seemingly endless hall. My chest constricted with the painful thought that I’d just been sealed inside the world’s most elaborate tomb.
“I’m Mathias,” the voice told me. “You may call on me for anything you need.” His hand was still wrapped around my arm and he guided me further inside.
Too dumbstruck by everything that was happening, I couldn’t even respond. The deeper into the palace we walked, the more elaborate it became. The walls were covered in impossibly detailed tapestries of gods and creatures romping through forests and swimming in rivers. The mosaics on the floors were made of tiles barely bigger than a pearl.
We stopped walking when we reached a sitting room. Awash in the morning light, the space glowed with warmth. Couches overflowed with silky pillows and wool blankets dyed in creamy yellows and soft oranges and juicy limes. It was as if summer had arrived early and was welcoming me into the folds of its cozy arms. In a million years I couldn’t have dreamt up a room that suited me more perfectly.
I slid onto a couch and sank into the pillows, drawn to the enticing oblivion of comfort. And sleep. I didn’t think I’d slept since Father had returned with the prophecy.
“Forgive my intrusion,” Mathias said, “but perhaps you might enjoy a warm bath before napping in your room.”
I looked down at myself and immediately wrinkled my nose. I was still wearing the horrible black shroud and my skin was covered in dust and dirt from the wagon ride.
“Sorry,” I said, clambering back to my feet, “I didn’t mean to get the couch dirty.”
No sooner had I spoken the words than a beautiful female voice spoke up. “No worries. All you need is a nice soak in the tub. I have everything ready.”
The invisible person behind the pretty little voice eagerly grabbed my hand and began leading me away. The palace was a maze of hallways, alcoves and rooms.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am to have you here. We’re all excited, of course. But I’m really excited. It’ll be so much more fun now that you’re here. And trust me, you’re going to love this place.”
This invisible girl talked way too fast for my bewildered brain. I just nodded and let her lead me into the maze. “I can already tell you’ll fit in wonderfully here,” she chattered on. “It’ll be like this palace was made for you. And I’m sure you and I will be great friends.”
A friend? Now that would be something.
“Oh, I shouldn’t be talking so much. Like I said, I’m just so excited. Anyway, here it is,” she said as she pushed open an ornate golden door.
Inside was a massive marble tub. Thick, brocade curtains covered the windows, blocking out most of the sunlight. Hundreds of white candles surrounded the tub, casting dancing light everywhere. Steam rose invitingly from the bath water.
“Do you need help getting undressed?” she asked.
“No,” I blurted before I realized I’d just snapped at the girl who wanted to be my friend. “Thank you, but no.”
After untying my sandals, I gingerly stuck a toe into the tub to make sure it wasn’t too hot, but it was perfect.
“I won’t look,” the girl said. “Go ahead and get in.”
Ditching the shroud, I sank below the surface, closing my eyes. The scent of lavender enveloped me and I felt the stress of the past several days slowly releasing my muscles from its painful grasp.
“I’ll leave you in peace for a little bit. If you need anything, just call me.”
“How?” I asked. My eyes barely managed to stay half-open. “I don’t even know your name.”
“Oh gods! I’m such a goof sometimes. I’m Alexa. Just call for me whenever you need anything. If you’re in the palace, I’ll hear you.”
“Thanks, Alexa,” I mumbled
The massive door pushed shut behind me and the sound of it closing echoed through the seemingly endless hall. My chest constricted with the painful thought that I’d just been sealed inside the world’s most elaborate tomb.
“I’m Mathias,” the voice told me. “You may call on me for anything you need.” His hand was still wrapped around my arm and he guided me further inside.
Too dumbstruck by everything that was happening, I couldn’t even respond. The deeper into the palace we walked, the more elaborate it became. The walls were covered in impossibly detailed tapestries of gods and creatures romping through forests and swimming in rivers. The mosaics on the floors were made of tiles barely bigger than a pearl.
We stopped walking when we reached a sitting room. Awash in the morning light, the space glowed with warmth. Couches overflowed with silky pillows and wool blankets dyed in creamy yellows and soft oranges and juicy limes. It was as if summer had arrived early and was welcoming me into the folds of its cozy arms. In a million years I couldn’t have dreamt up a room that suited me more perfectly.
I slid onto a couch and sank into the pillows, drawn to the enticing oblivion of comfort. And sleep. I didn’t think I’d slept since Father had returned with the prophecy.
“Forgive my intrusion,” Mathias said, “but perhaps you might enjoy a warm bath before napping in your room.”
I looked down at myself and immediately wrinkled my nose. I was still wearing the horrible black shroud and my skin was covered in dust and dirt from the wagon ride.
“Sorry,” I said, clambering back to my feet, “I didn’t mean to get the couch dirty.”
No sooner had I spoken the words than a beautiful female voice spoke up. “No worries. All you need is a nice soak in the tub. I have everything ready.”
The invisible person behind the pretty little voice eagerly grabbed my hand and began leading me away. The palace was a maze of hallways, alcoves and rooms.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am to have you here. We’re all excited, of course. But I’m really excited. It’ll be so much more fun now that you’re here. And trust me, you’re going to love this place.”
This invisible girl talked way too fast for my bewildered brain. I just nodded and let her lead me into the maze. “I can already tell you’ll fit in wonderfully here,” she chattered on. “It’ll be like this palace was made for you. And I’m sure you and I will be great friends.”
A friend? Now that would be something.
“Oh, I shouldn’t be talking so much. Like I said, I’m just so excited. Anyway, here it is,” she said as she pushed open an ornate golden door.
Inside was a massive marble tub. Thick, brocade curtains covered the windows, blocking out most of the sunlight. Hundreds of white candles surrounded the tub, casting dancing light everywhere. Steam rose invitingly from the bath water.
“Do you need help getting undressed?” she asked.
“No,” I blurted before I realized I’d just snapped at the girl who wanted to be my friend. “Thank you, but no.”
After untying my sandals, I gingerly stuck a toe into the tub to make sure it wasn’t too hot, but it was perfect.
“I won’t look,” the girl said. “Go ahead and get in.”
Ditching the shroud, I sank below the surface, closing my eyes. The scent of lavender enveloped me and I felt the stress of the past several days slowly releasing my muscles from its painful grasp.
“I’ll leave you in peace for a little bit. If you need anything, just call me.”
“How?” I asked. My eyes barely managed to stay half-open. “I don’t even know your name.”
“Oh gods! I’m such a goof sometimes. I’m Alexa. Just call for me whenever you need anything. If you’re in the palace, I’ll hear you.”
“Thanks, Alexa,” I mumbled
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