Aphrodisia
I woke up the next day in a four-postered bed surrounded by dark stone walls. Tyrian purple carpets and drapes filled the halls.
The bed enveloped me in its luxurious embrace, its plush cushions cradling me so snugly that I felt ensnared in its comfort, reluctant to break free from its irresistible embrace.
"Ah, you're awake little dragon." Looking to my right for the sound of the sultry voice I discovered the woman from last night laying beside me.
The woman's presence sent a shiver down my spine, her beauty radiant in the soft glow of morning light filtering through the chamber's windows. Her long, dark hair cascaded like silk around her shoulders, framing features that seemed sculpted by the hands of the divine.
"Little dragon?" I echoed, the words slipping from my lips in a whisper of disbelief. The nickname stirred a flicker of recognition deep within me, evoking memories that danced on the fringes of my consciousness like elusive phantoms.
She smiled, a beguiling curve of her lips that held both promise and peril. "Indeed, little dragon," she purred, her voice a melodic symphony that resonated with a hypnotic allure. "For you possess the blood of the dragon within you, a flame that burns bright amidst the darkness."
Her words carried a weight of meaning that left me breathless, the truth they held echoing in the depths of my soul. I was no ordinary mortal, but a scion of House Bellona, heir to a legacy forged in the fires of battle and steeped in the blood of heroes.
As I struggled to make sense of the tangled threads of destiny that bound me, the woman's hand reached out to trace the contours of my face, her touch igniting a spark of desire that smoldered beneath the surface.
"We have much to discuss, little dragon," she murmured, her voice a seductive whisper that stirred the depths of my being.
"Come child, follow me," she cooed, removing the covers, making me notice the lack of clothes we were wearing.
I watched as she slowly donned a silk dress that left little to the imagination. "Ooh the dragon stirs." She said with a giggle. Confused, I looked down and saw the 'dragon' she was referring to. Blushing, I covered myself with the sheets.
"There are clothes in the drawers next to you. They should fit since I took your measurements last night." Looking away shyly, I found the clothes she was referring to. A simple white tunic with light brown pants waited for me.
Wearing the clothes she laid out for me I asked, "Where are we?" I had no knowledge of a castle close to the forest of Melizas. Nor one that was so wealthy that they could import silks from the Taffeta Sultanate.
"Oh, I forgot proper introductions. Welcome to Aphrodisia Castle, my home. I am Lilith, proud ruler of this keep. Lilith's words hung in the air, casting a veil of intrigue over the luxurious surroundings of Aphrodisia Castle. As I absorbed the weight of her proclamation, my mind raced with questions, each one a thread in the tapestry of mystery that enveloped us.
"Aphrodisia Castle," I repeated, the name resonating with a sense of awe and curiosity. "I have never heard of such a place."
Lilith's laughter danced like music in the air, a melody that echoed with the timeless allure of the castle's namesake. "Ah, little dragon, Aphrodisia exists beyond the realm of mortal knowledge, a sanctuary hidden from prying eyes and wandering souls."
'Mortal? Is she not a mortal?'
Her words carried a hint of enchantment, weaving a spell of fascination around me as I struggled to comprehend the secrets that lay hidden within the castle's walls.
"Come, let me show you the wonders of Aphrodisia," Lilith beckoned, her voice a siren's call that stirred the depths of my curiosity. With a graceful gesture, she led me through the corridors of the castle, each step a journey into the unknown.
As we wandered through the labyrinthine halls, I marveled at the opulence that surrounded us, the grandeur of Aphrodisia manifesting in every intricately carved archway and gilded tapestry that adorned its halls.
She spoke of powerful enchantments and hidden chambers, of mysteries that lurked in the shadows and secrets that whispered in the wind.
At last, we reached a chamber bathed in golden light, its walls adorned with shimmering crystals that cast a kaleidoscope of colors across the room. In the center stood a grand table, laden with an array of exotic fruits and delicacies that tantalized the senses.
"Welcome to the dining hall of Aphrodisia, little dragon," Lilith said, her voice soft with reverence. "Here, amidst the splendor of this chamber, you will find nourishment for body and soul, sustenance for the work that lies ahead."
I gazed upon the bounty before me, overwhelmed by the richness of the feast and the warmth of Lilith's hospitality. Each morsel seemed to beckon to me, a symphony of flavors and textures that promised to awaken the senses and sate the hunger within.
As I partook of the feast, Lilith watched with a knowing smile, her eyes alight with a spark of mischief and intrigue. In her presence, I felt a sense of belonging, a kinship that transcended the boundaries of time and space.
And so, amidst the splendor of Aphrodisia, I surrendered myself to the allure of its mysteries and trusted the lady of this grand castle.