Goddess Rising

She knew where to go. It was the section that occupied the largest portion of the main house, with secluded outdoor and indoor baths, a bedroom large enough to host a feast in, and two receiving rooms.

She teleported into the dressing room first. Its central portion, linked to the bedroom by a glass door, held several mirrors and a lounging chair. Arranged around it in a semi-circle, were other rooms like sections of a honeycomb. She chose one at random and found it filled with rows of shirts and trousers, all in plain, dark colors.

She ran one through her fingers and found the material soft, yet sturdy. She pulled a shirt off its rack and held it up to her body. It was the right size and so were the trousers.

She replaced it and checked another room. There, she found dresses bearing all the luxury the other clothing had not. The first one was a tan-colored one, heavy with layers of silk and cotton. Crystal buttons ran down the front while tiny diamonds were sewn into the oversized colors. She pulled it off its rack and held it out in front of her. It seemed to be her size as well.

She almost put it away, but she had to know. In a few minutes, she had shrugged off sweat-stained clothing and climbed into the new one. As she had thought, it was a perfect fit and the most comfortable thing she had ever worn.

She took it off and returned to her old clothing.

One section of the dressing room was different from the others. Instead of clothing, it held fabric, each carefully folded and paper wrapped. There were some from every material and color she could think, sitting individually in alcoves cut into the wall.

With the fabric and pre-made clothing combined, she had enough clothing for ten years. Finding something to wear among all those treasures would be a chore. And how was she to keep the whole place clean? Servants?

She noticed then that there was not a speck of dust in any of the areas she could see. When had Achi done all of this?

She teleported into the bedroom, ignored an oval bed, sitting atop a gray-stone platform, and the jaw-dropping view and fresh air drifting in from the screenless window, to snatch up the letter sitting on a wooden table. It was time to see what Achi had to say.

She unfolded it to his neat writing, black ink on white paper, and felt a surprising pang in her chest.

Aria,

This is yours - the house and the realm it’s in. It is not Ovi’s. I made it when I knew that you would need to hide. I would beg you to stay here and keep out of more trouble, but I know that nothing draws you like the forbidden. So, just try to stay safe.

You should be able to teleport into this realm now. The portal you came through will have dissipated. If you wish, you may also use the carriages. The realm is closed to everyone but you. That restriction can only be changed by me, so you need not fear that anyone will find you here. Whenever you feel unsafe, return here immediately.

I’m sorry I was unable to provide any staff, but you should not have too much trouble. The rooms will keep themselves clean, but you must handle any clutter yourself. There is enough food in the storerooms for a long time and they are well preserved. I tried to find the things you like but you can buy anything that’s missing. There is gold is a vault below the main bedroom. It should be sufficient for several decades.

I refit the clothing for your new body, but it was done in a hurry. If anything does not fit, a tailor can adjust it.

The rings you found are for emergencies. When they run out, I will be unable to replenish them.

Try not to pick any fights you can’t win.

Achi.

Aria let the letter drop and stared around at the room in terrified silence.