Swallowing the lump in my throat, I managed a faint smile and declined her offer. "Thank you, but I'll do this on my own."
She inclined her head. "Of course. If you need anything, just call out for me. Before you get in, I wanted to let you know that I left a healing tonic for you on the table. When they first brought you in and assigned me to your room, I noted your injuries and had one prepared. Just please pretend to still be in a bit of pain if any of the gods are around you—they would punish me for finding a way to subvert their orders and ease your suffering.”
As she left the room, a heavy silence settled around me, punctuated only by the sound of water gently lapping against the sides of the pool. Alone in the solitude I’d just craved, my vulnerability washed over me like a tidal wave.
Maria had risked much by having the tonic prepared for me before even meeting me. All she’d known was that I was hurt and a prisoner to be looked over, and yet she’d still done that for me.
After crossing the room and drinking the tonic, I undressed and stepped into the warm water. I sank into its depths, the fragrant oils enveloping me in their embrace. With each passing moment, the water offered a momentary respite, a brief escape from the overwhelming emotions that threatened to consume me as my aches and pains slowly receded.
How could I turn my back on helping Maria and the others imprisoned here? If she was willing to risk the ire of the gods by giving me that tonic, perhaps she was willing to risk it all for the chance at an escape.
My heart settled on the desire to not only free myself, but free all those held captive here too. As if getting myself out of this mess wasn’t going to be hard enough, who knows how many other lives I was vowing to help now.
I closed my eyes, allowing myself to fully submerge in the warmth around me, if only for a moment. Being beneath the water allowed me to feel like I was in a cocoon of safety, where only myself and the water existed together in harmony.
I thought of all the women I had met who would never falter in the face of their possible death.
Alora.
Alina.
Ama.
Ariel.
A smile tugged at my lips as I realized we all had ‘A’ names. Maybe there was something that came with that letter–a streak of stubbornness and the gift of never giving up.
Each woman had taught me so much about myself, inspiring me to be better. To be more vulnerable, to believe in myself. If any of them were here right now, they’d be breathing down my neck to stand up and fight. To never bow or risk being broken.
Strong women forge their own paths.
Ama’s words left me searching deep within myself for the fire I needed to get through this, and it led me back to my core power coiling within me. I was faced with the purple and white ball Ariel helped me mix together while completing my initial grounding work with her.
I sat with my memories for a bit longer before finally emerging from the depths.
A renewed sense of determination coursed through my veins. The warm waters had not only washed away the physical residue but some of the emotional weight that had been pressing down on me as well. As I stepped out of the chamber with a towel wrapped around me, I realized that the marble beneath my feet felt cool and refreshing, a stark juxtaposition of the heat and steam I’d just been enveloped in. I was pleased to find the pain in my ankle already fading and the throbbing, constant ache in my shoulder lessening.
Upon stepping back into the main room, I was met with a smile from Maria.
She stood near the same table that held our tea, which now also held a selection of sandwiches, fruits, and a delicate assortment of pastries.
"I thought you might be hungry," she said softly, her voice a gentle reminder of the kindness that resided within her. “If you want me to sample anything before you eat it to ensure it’s not poisoned, I can do that.”
I nodded gratefully, appreciating her effort to make me feel at ease despite being stuck in a place where I was set to die. The sandwiches looked inviting, like a promise of sustenance in both physical and emotional senses.
As I began to eat, not asking her to sample anything after deciding I did trust her, I thought of how to connect to my mates. Could I use the paper and pull them into the place we used to create stories together within Pandora’s box? It was the only option that came to mind, and I knew I had to give it a shot.
Finishing my meal, I looked at Maria, my heart filled with a renewed determination. I chewed my lip for a short moment before finally asking, "Would you be willing to help me with something?"
She met my gaze, her expression a mix between curiosity and a readiness to assist. "Of course, if I can."
I took a deep breath, the moment feeling both surreal and crucial. "I have a connection with someone–a soulmate. I believe I can use my powers to reach out to them to communicate, but I'll need your help to keep watch while I’m trapped within that world. I don’t want to leave myself exposed."
She nodded, her understanding evident. "I'll do whatever I can to assist."
I watched as hope began to fill her again, and I saw an overwhelming sense of warmth and light emanating from her now that I knew what to look for.
With her calming presence in the room, I settled at the desk. After dipping the quill in the ink, I closed my eyes like I would when I wrote in my journal and focused my thoughts on the three souls who had always been a beacon of strength for me. I let the memories of our shared moments fill my mind, the bond between us growing stronger with each heartbeat.
