A Still Voice

My Mind is in a blur.. The last few Hours have taken their toll.

I lean My head back against the cool wall, legs weak from torture. Tears slide down My face as the Night relives itself in the Images of My Mind, My battered body still Naked and exposed.

I Will My SELF to Move, reaching out for My cloak disheveled upon the table. Gently I wrap it around my waist, Creating a makeshift floor-length skirt. I Do not Assess the damage.. I take a Deep Breath and then another before approaching the antique mirror, bracing My Self to face My Reflection. I close My eyes and PRAY aloud.

"Please, GOD. PREPARE MY HEART for what I am about to Witness. Give Me THE STRENGTH to OVERCOME this.." I trail off.

Opening My eyes, I stare into the Mirror. Relief Washes over Me. Spit streaks My makeup smeared face, My Beautiful curls are tangled and knotted, but aside from the cosmetics - I have Come out of The King's punishment relatively unscathed. And though Deep purple bruises cover the entirety of My neck, this can Be hidden under high-collared dress.

I walk the room in a haze, picking up the fire poker and placing it back on its hook. I gather the remains of fabrics torn off. Looking at this room, one would never Know what took place just a few Moments ago.

I cannot return to My Chambers.. The GUARD Will Alert Seamus. No one must Know. Thoughts of returning to My Private Quarters makes My head spin. Xavier flashes across My Mind. My stomach turns, and I wretch upon the floor - collapsing to My hands and knees. I wipe my mouth with the scraps of my dress, mopping up the rest as Best I can.

Weakly, I stand and Inhale a full Breath Deep into My lungs. "I can Do this." I meekly Say to My SELF.

Dazed and confused, I exit the room. The corridor is empty. I Find the Entrance to My Private Quarters and bolt My SELF in, Safe from the outside world.

Slowly, I walk Toward the Washing Room, undressing My Self as I Move. Clothes fall to the floor, trailing behind Me to the large basined tub. I draw a hot, soapy bath. Steam fills the air. Breathing in, I loose the tangled pins from my hair, letting them fall to the floor with a quiet tink upon the marble floor.

I reach for a soft wash rag and a fresh towel, laying the towel at the foot of the tub before finally stepping in. Easing My pained body into the steaming water, I Feel the excruciating sting of My Inner Walls. I suck the air in sharply through My teeth as I Allow My body to slowly adjust. Finally, the pain subsides and My sore Muscles relax. I lean My Head back against the edge of the bath, close my eyes, and Inhale. Exhale.. Inhale.. Exhale.. I Breathe..

Loosely, I wet the wash rag and gently pad My tender skin, Allowing the warm water to soak across My arms.. My chest.. My neck.. The swelling throbbing across My throat. I dip the cloth into the warm soapy water and lay it Gently across my neck to slow the inflammation process. I rest.

Images of sharp fangs creep out of the corners of My Mind. I Shiver. I Do not Understand.. What Did The King mean when He Said I had Been Marked? Were the puncture wounds not that of the black widow spider? Had I not Been poisoned? But if not poison.. this could Be something far worse..

Another shudder wracks the entirety of My body. I groan in pain as My tattered body shifts with the fear Rising. Darkness is closing in. I Begin to panic, My breaths Coming shorter and shallow.

"BREATHE." I Hear a soft Whisper in MY HEART. "TRUST ME."

"GOD?" I Whisper.

"The Prophetess." A Still Voice Stirs Within Me. "Go."

I Tremble.

"Now." The Voice Commands.

With what little Strength I am able to muster, I slide beneath the Water, and drag My fingers through My hair. Slowly, the knots give Way.

I come up for air and wash My face before cautiously standing and reaching for the soft towel. I wrap it around My body and step out.

Deep Relief Washes over Me, as I Move Toward the wardrobe and Find a high-collared gown. I dress My SELF with Care, repin My damp curls, and Apply a Fresh face. Looking at My SELF in the mirror, I Realize that no one Will Be able to Know what has taken place in The East Drawing Room.

A small flutter bubbles in My Womb. Instinctively, I brush my fingertips lightly across My Growing CHILD. My HEART Swells.

"Mercy.." I Whisper to My SELF, eyes brimming. I blink back the tears Filled with pain and Sorrow, and Allow The JOY to Envelope MY SOUL. I Breathe a Deep Inhale before turning and exiting the room.

Outside My Private Quarters, Silence Fills The Estate. It is late and darkness has fallen across the sky.

Quietly, I Move. I must Go unnoticed beyond The Estate and into the wooded Night, where I Will Find The Prophetess once again in her Home.

The cool Night air Fills My lungs and pricks My skin. "I am Alive." I Think to My Self, as I slip beyond the Estate Walls into the treeline.

The forest is dark, yet Bright, The Full Moon hovering in The Sky. I close My eyes and Listen to the Sounds Guiding My Path. "Deep Breaths." I Remind My Self.

I open My eyes and Begin The Journey, TRUSTING My Steps. I am weary, and The Path is long, but I Do not Give up.

Finally, I Find My SELF outside The Home of The Prophetess. I Erect My Posture and Confidently Knock. The door creaks open.

"I Have Been Expecting YOU." She Says. "Right on Time."

I Release the Breath I have Been holding and Step Inside.

"Tea?" She Asks.

"Yes." I reply.

She pours a large cup. "Drink." She Commands, handing it to Me.

I Do as I am Told.

"This Will Help with the pain." She gives Me a Knowing Glance.

I lower My gaze.

"Do not Be ashamed, Será. YOU are Right Where GOD Needs YOU to BE."

I nod quietly and take another sip.

zvzv

"The CHILD." She States. "It is HIS?"

I blankly Stare.

"The MAN YOU were Encouraged to TRUST. The CHILD is HIS?"

"Yes.." I Whisper.

"GOOD." She Says. "You May Rest Here for Tonight. Tomorrow, We Will Talk."

"Thank You." I reply.

"Let Me Show YOU to YOUR room." She Rises and Guides Me to a small square room Filled with a single bed, a night table and an Armoire. "YOU Will Find the Appropriate Dressings in the Armoire." She Says, turning Toward Me. "The Wash Room is just down this Hall to the left." The Prophetess Directs My Attention to a small corridor with three doors. I nod. "I Will Leave YOU Be. GOOD Night." She turns and closes the door softly behind Me.

A soft, silk bed dress lays Gently upon the bed. I step out of my gown, hanging it in the Armoire before slipping into the smooth garment. It hugs My skin with a Tender Caress. I Sigh, exhaustion weighing heavily upon My SPIRIT.

Pulling the thick furs back, I Climb into the feather bed. My head falls upon the Pillow, and I am Carried into The Realm of Sleep.