Soliel looked in the mirror and tried to keep the tears brimming in her eyes from spilling over. The girl in the blue lingerie staring back through the mirror was not her. Be strong Soliel. Crying will solve nothing. I wish this were all just a dream, a horrid, terrible dream!
"If only I hadn't lashed out at Father, maybe then I could find some comfort…"
"He's miserable too you know."
"Thaltali! What are you, how did you get here."
"Slow down dear, your father thought you could use a little pick me up so he asked me to pay you a visit."
"I'm so glad to see you, really I am. When you said my father is miserable, what did you mean?"
"Only that he's as sorry as you are. Honestly both your mannerisms are identical! You both lash out at each other one moment and then feel sorry about it the next. He knows you didn't mean what you said just as you should know that your father could never stay angry at you. You're the gem of his eye, Soliel. He wasn't just going to through you to the wolves."
Soliel could no longer keep the tears at bay and embraced the goddess. How long had it been since she heard nurturing words and felt a tender touch? While she loved her squad and the challenges presented by the Elites, Soliel was still just a young girl in need of care and guidance.
"Oh Thaltali, what am I going to do? I wasn't expecting the Prince's return, I have no plan or course of action. I'm completely unprepared."
"Now stop your crying. You don't always need a plan in place. The Prince came home early, yes, but that does not mean all is hopeless. Even in situations like these good always comes of it."
"How can you say that? No good can come from my being forced to be a sex slave to a man I hate."
"And I suppose my situation doesn't count?"
"What do you mean?"
"While I was still a young sprite flitting about the forest, I was brought before the Jade Emperor and told that I pleased him and would become his lover. I tried a million ways to be rid of him even to go as far and giving my virtue to another and then seducing dozens after that. I was even given the title of Goddess of Passion and Adultery, so earnest were my efforts to escape him. For awhile I thought it was working. Then one night a man came to my room and offered me a gorgeous jade bracelet. The beading was exquisite and my love for such fine things would not allow me to do anything but accept it. The moment I put it on a summons appeared requiring myself to appear before the Jade Emperor. When I arrived at his court there was a wedding feast prepared and waiting for me was a dress made of the finest of silk inlaid with gold. Confused I questioned the Jade Emperor, telling him that even he could not force me into marriage unless I gave my consent. I remembered his smile was cunning as he told me that I had in fact agreed to marry him by placing his bracelet on my wrist. I tried pulling it off but it would not budge. I had no choice but to go through with the marriage. My heart was broken, I was quite sure I would die before I could make it to the altar. I didn't however. Rather I was wed to the Emperor and then ravished by him throughout that night and for the next several nights. No matter the time of day he never tired of me and there wasn't anything I could do. The bracelet bound me to obey his every command. My own greed and stupidity was what had bound me to the Emperor and it was embodied in this bracelet. Since that day it has not moved from my wrist. Sadly it is an ever fixed mark that I will wear until my death, which as an immortal is not at all likely. The important thing is that I survived the entire ordeal. My heart remains my own, it was not lost to this difficult circumstance. I even was able to find the good. You see, by using my newly acquired position of the Goddess of Passion and Adultery the Jade emperor remains enchanted by my beauty and I was able to instill in him a thirst which can only be quenched by me. Therefore he listens keenly to what I have to say and I've found that with the passing of time the bracelet's hold had weakened. I can in certain moments defy him and exert my free will. I have saved many peoples lives and been able to have power by gaining the Emperor's ear. Many looked upon my circumstances as hopeless, but you see dear girl, I did not. Yes there were times when I thought that my life was over, but the truth was that it hadn't ended yet and therefore I had to continue living. Your circumstance is much more hopeful than mine. The cuffs you wear may block your bending but they do nothing to hinder your ability to choose. Remember Soliel you always have a choice."
"Thaltali I…" Soliel had turned to address the goddess but she was no where to be found. She was tempted to believe that she had imagined the whole exchange but she knew better. Thaltali had come and given her an ounce of hope that maybe, just maybe, this whole situation would turn out alright.