Midnight

Tonight, as usual, she made her way into the room without my even noticing that she was there.  She greeted me, and then went about her work. 

Chanda had a bundle of white cloth in her arms which she placed on a side table.  Then she ran a warm bath for me in the small rock basin that served as my bath tub. 

The scent of the bath sea salts and perfumed oils into the water tickled my nose as she helped me into the tub.  Then, as I reclined in the warm circulating water, she began to massage my face, neck and back. 

"You are partaking in a ritual bath," she said in her low soothing voice. 

"It will be your last night as Princess Nana of the Belladonna clan.  Tomorrow, you will officially be Princess Nanael of the Baccarat clan." 

Her words were all a jumble to my tired mind.  All I could think about was how nice it felt and that I had to stay awake at all costs because I absolutely had to make that midnight meeting with Rafael and Gabriel.