Kidnap by Lisa Esparza Read Free Book Online Page B

the ocean. I could almost imagine that I was at some exotic hotel on earth except for the colorful birds and strange dolphin like creatures that move outside it.
    Reminding me that I was definitely not on earth. I sigh, moving off the bed. I walk into the bathroom that had been pointed out to me earlier. After bathing I put on the cloths that the servants had laid out for me. It was an elegant blue pants dress suit.
    The cloth was very soft to the touch. When I walked it almost looked like gentle swirls of water moving around me. I moved toward the wood doors reaching for the handle pushing the door open. I was surprise to find that there were no guards standing outside my door. Outside was a long hallway with pictures of royal Artthians on the walls. I slowly walk down the hallway looking at the pictures. The Artthians and their city seem so at odds with what I was told about them. Not at all what I pictured a warrior home to be I thought to myself. A door ahead of me opens and a young women steps into the hallway. As she closes the door she smiles at me. Walking towards me she says. “You most be Dorothy. I’m Nerissa.” She continues seeing my puzzled look, she says. “Prince Gaylon is my brother. Come, we shall have a meal and get to know each other better. Oh, and please don’t look so grim. I am sure my brother will convince father to help you. Once Gaylon gets a idea in his head there is not much anyone can do to sway him.” I am completely stun by her cheerful behavior towards me. Nerissa loops her arm through mine pulling me down the hallway. She leads me to a grand living room but instead of stoping there we continue out onto a patio. A white table and four chairs set in the middle of the patio.
    Nerissa motions for me to set as she takes a set on the opposite side. I slowly set down at the table.
    She says, “This is my favorite place to set. It’s always so quiet and peaceful here. Don’t you think?” I look out at the gentle waves of the ocean, smiling I said. “Yes, it’s very pleasant. This is not what I had expected at all. I mean...” Nerissa smiles as she interrupts me. “We are not quite the monsters that they believe us to be.” I gasp saying.
    “Oh no! That’s not... I just... Well...” Nerissa held up her hand to quiet me. She said, “It’s okay. We each have our own misconceptions. You were not what I expected either. But, here we are.” We sat in silence as the servants brought out the food for us. I didn’t know what to say to Nerissa. I had not expected any kindness from the Artthians. But here I was setting and having lunch with one. I wondered if the Garlandians had misjudged them and vice versa. I watch the mesmerizing waves of the ocean feeling that maybe, there was some hope.
    After finishing our meal Nerissa stands up. She smiles at me saying. “I’ll take you to find my brother, now. He most likely is still in the study with our father.” I follow Nerissa out to a
beautifully carved staircase. We descend down into a large open room. There are people walking about each appearing to be either entering or leaving the castle. I ask her why there aren’t any guards around the castle. Nerissa explains that the city was well protected so, their men had no need to stand guard.
    We stop at a large set of wooden doors. Smiling at me, Nerissa says. “Now you mustn’t let father intimidate you. Something he loves to do but he really is just a big Earthpas at heart. But don’t tell him I said so.” With that she opens the door walking into a large study. I follow behind her feeling more like a little fish in a room of hungry sharks. Taking a deep breath I wait to be introduce to the King of the Artthians. I hoped I didn’t look as nervous as I felt. Nerissa walks over to her father smiling at him. Giving him a kiss on his head she exclaims. “Father, I would like you to meet Dorothy. Dorothy, this is my father, King Aspar and of course you already have met my