Beau stirs, waking up. He sits up as he rubs his eyes. Something's odd and different. His hands feel soft fabrics of blankets and a bed sheet. Beau opens his eyes and learns he's not where he remembers. The last memory he recalls is walking in the storm, freezing, before pasing out. Now, he's in a messy but warm chamber, complete with an abandon spider web and a thick dust coated window.
What's happened? Who has brought him here?
Beau moves away the covers and immediately feels the cold on his bare body. Whoever saved him has also stripped his clothes. He pulls a random blanket and conceals himself. With one arm free, he leaves the bedchamber in search of…something, answers of why and how he's here.
Beau wanders in several corridors, lost in this mysterious labyrinth. A castle, he guesses. He keeps walking aimlessly until sounds capture his attention. Beau follows to its source. At the dining room table, he sees a woman eating a meal. As beautiful as she is, he holds the blanket closer and scans the room is there's anyone else present, more particular another man.
"Don't worry, sir; it's only you and me here," she says looking at her plate. The woman has heard him before he even entered the room. She cuts a piece of venison then chews before making eye contact.
His eyebrows furrow. "Who are you? How did I get here?"
The woman stands in a proud manner. "I am Lokiah, Princess of Asgard. I'm the one who saved you."
Princess? He bows some. "Where are my clothes?" he asks a little too loudly.
"They were wet. I took them off, so you could get warm."
Blinking, he asks, "You saw me naked?"
The woman rolls her eyes and walks around the table. "Oh, calm yourself. It's not like I don't know what a man looks like. And if I had not, you may not have been here talking to me, not to mention getting one of my beds wet."
She moves in ostentatious steps. Her long emerald dress murmurs against the floor. Lokiah's vibrant green eyes are locked on his.
Beau swallows, trying not stare at her swaying hips.
Lokiah stops in front of him looks in his blue eyes. "What's your name?"
He clears his throat. "I'm Beau French. I came from a village called Avonlea."
"You're not a nobleman." She takes his free hand, feeling his rough skin. "Such men do not have calloused hands. What's your occupation?"
Beau snatches his hand back. "If you must know, I was a servant and just earned my freedom. I started living my dream of seeing the world until you brought me here.
"Thank you, Princess Lokiah, for saving my life. I want to go now, so return my clothes then I'll leave."
"There's only one flaw in your plan, Beau. A strong blizzard is raging. It could be days maybe even weeks before it's safe to go."
For a moment, Beau doesn't speak. "What?"
He hurries to the nearest window and sees the powerful storm. Crushed, he watches his dream being delayed. Beau has waited so long to see the world and now he has to be patient a while longer. He presses his back against the wall, defeated.
Beau looks at her with sad eyes. "What am I supposed to do now?"
Lokiah stands before him. "I didn't save you to be kind. I live in this secluded castle alone. There is much to be done. I brought you here to help, to be my servant." Grabbing his face and bringing it close to hers, she continues, "I don't care that you earned freedom. You're here to serve me. When the blizzard dies, I might let you go. Until then, you will obey me."