Chapter Nine

When I opened my eyes again, I was resting on a plush, oversized mattress between silky sheets.  I moved my legs about while I savored the sensation.  It took a moment for me to realize that I was no longer in pain and that I felt strong enough to get out of bed and move about on my own.  In fact, I didn’t think that I’d ever felt as good as I did just then.

My face lit up with the joy of having the nightmare behind me.  Something told me that it was over and would never return.  I hoped that I was right.

Seeing that I was awake, Pricilla rushed to my side.  She babbled her excitement about how well I was doing while occasionally relaying tidbits about the nightmare she’d just witnessed.  I could see the pride she felt for having stood by me during the horrific ordeal.  She was certain that no other handmaiden had been called upon to do such a thing.  This made her feel very special and important.  I s