Legends of Amacia Heart of Darkness

Feeling a growing kinship with Selina, Sakura noticed Selina’s weakening complexion and became concerned. “Are you all right, Selina?” she asked. “You’re looking quite drained.”

“I don’t know,” Selina admitted. “My legs are half-numb, especially the left one, apparently from being thrown around by the Emperor and my back and ribs are really aching now. The adrenaline spike I had a few minutes ago when Chizu’s heart was racing has drained out of me like water out of a sink. I’ve crashed from it, and it’s made me as weak as a newborn kitten. I can barely move.” A weary sigh escaped Selina’s lips.

“That’s not surprising considering the condition you were in when first brought in here,” Myra called out as she worked on Chizu with Izanami. “You’re still suffering from the beating they gave you, and I’m betting they drugged you too initially to make sure you didn’t get out of control. I suspect you’re much stronger than the rest of us and they didn’t want to get hurt handling you.”

“That would explain a lot,” Selina admitted. “God, I’m so tired. And I stink too; what I would give for a dip in that nice tub at Kaal Bek. But that’s not likely to happen again.”

“Would you like a bath?” Sakura asked.

“Yeah,” Selina answered. “But how can I do it chained like a wild animal without any strength to do it? I can’t even go to the bathroom because of these chains. This place does have a bath and toilet, doesn’t it?”

“Yes,” Jasmine reported. “But those chains prevent us from taking you there and bathing you.”

“So what do you suggest?” Selina asked.

“We can give you a sponge bath right here,” Sakura replied. “But only if you want us to. It’s your call. We do it all the time for those who are chained and incapacitated as you are. If you feel uncomfortable with us bathing you in your time of need, it’s perfectly okay to say no. We do not force our will on our fellow sisters, unlike the Emperor and his cronies. Isn’t that right, sisters?”

“That’s right,” Jasmine chimed. Lola and Trinity also agreed.

“A bath does sound nice, even a sponge bath,” Selina murmured. She thought about it for a few moments and what it would entail. Looking at the women around her, Selina noticed many were physically scarred, but not as badly as she was. “To be honest, I kind of hesitate to allow it because of my scars,” she admitted. “There’s only one person I’ve truly uncovered and revealed myself to and that’s Hannibal. I just don’t know.”

“Scars are nothing to be ashamed of,” Jennifer stated, “It’s a badge of honor. It shows you’re a survivor. We all have scars, whether it’s from torture or battle. You can see that clear enough with what we’re forced to wear. It’s not like we can hide it.”

“That’s what Hannibal says,” Selina stated. “He’s far more chewed up than I am.”

“None of us will be-little your scars,” Izanami called out while tending to Chizu. “All of us know the horrors of being maimed and scarred, as you can well see. We’ll accept you no matter what you look like, no matter how bad your scars are. You must trust us. We’ll not humiliate you. We’re all sisters here.”

“I know you won’t,” Selina replied. “But I feel so uncomfortable being completely undressed in front of everyone.”

“There’s nothing to fear,” Hitomi declared softly. “To be perfectly blunt, we’re all practically naked in here anyway. It’s not like this shit we wear covers anything, you know.”

“If you prefer, I can ask the others who aren’t helping to give us some privacy while you bathe,” Izanami suggested.

“Would you?” Selina murmured.

“Sure,” Izanami stated as she continued to help treat Chizu. “Our feline sister wants a little privacy while she takes a bath,” she called out to everyone. Those who were not involved in treating Chizu or directly helping Selina moved on, leaving only nine women in that section of the Harem.

Jasmine looked around and said, “Looks like you have your privacy, Selina. Let’s get the stuff we need for your bath, sister. Lola, Trinity; help me get everything for the sponge bath.” Lola and Trinity nodded and followed Jasmine on a mission.

Sakura put her hand on Selina’s shoulder and rubbed it, saying softly, “It’s okay, Selina. I know you feel really embarrassed by this, but you shouldn’t be. We do this all the time for our sister who are chained and incapacitated by the Emperor’s brutality. We’re all sisters here and will in no way demean, humiliate, or even take advantage you. You can trust us, sister. Just look at how we’re helping Chizu. We do not mistreat our sisters when they’re helpless like the Emperor does. It’s not in our nature.”

Selina touched Sakura’s hand as it sat on her shoulder. “Thank you, Sakura. I can sense your sincerity,” Selina murmured weakly through her pain. “Since I don’t have the strength to do it, I must rely on you, sister. Please be gentle. I’ve only allowed one other person to wash me and that’s my husband. God, I wish I knew what happened to him.”

Jennifer knelt beside Selina and touched her arm. “I know you do,” Jennifer replied. “You really love him, don’t you?”

“So much it hurts,” Selina admitted. “And not knowing what’ll happen to him is even worse. I fear for him more than I’ve ever feared before.”

“And so you should,” Myra stated as she, Izanami, Hitomi, and Tasha continued to work on cleaning up Chizu’s infection. “We’ll all pray for him now that we know the Ancient of Days does answer prayers even in this dark pit.” The other women present vowed to pray for Hannibal as well.

“Thank you,” Selina replied weakly. “We both appreciate it. He’s going to need it, especially if those strange psychic dreams he’s been having recently come true. I really hope they don’t, but I can’t be so sure about that as of now. Much of what he’s dreamed has started coming to pass as we came to this savage land, and it’s very unsettling.”

Selina’s declaration intrigued Izanami. “I’d like to hear these dreams you speak of,” Izanami stated, “but only after we finish treating Chizu. I need to remain focused on her for now.”

“Sure,” Selina replied as Jasmine, Lola, and Trinity returned with a small portable bathtub just big enough to sit in along with the other bath items. “But let’s get my bath out of the way first.” Eyeing the tub, she noticed it resembled a Japanese bathtub where someone would bathe and rinse without being submerged in water.

“Of course,” Izanami stated as she paused in treating Chizu. Myra, Hitomi, and Tasha continued working. Speaking to Sakura, Jasmine, Jennifer, Lola, and Trinity, Izanami said, “Be gentle when you handle Selina. We don’t know the extent of her injures. I suspect she may have some broken ribs, so we don’t want to make them any worse.”

“Right,” Sakura stated as Jasmine sat the small tub next to Selina opposite of Chizu. Lola sat down two large steaming buckets of clean water while Trinity brought the sponges, soaps, washcloths, and dry towels, laying them next to the tub.

“Okay, sister,” Sakura said with a warm smile, “...time for your bath. Is it okay for us to undress you?”

Selina sighed deeply, feeling completely helpless because of her lack of strength. She could barely lift her hand. “Go ahead,” Selina stated. “I’m too weak to even undress myself, much less take bath. Besides, I’m three-quarters naked anyway wearing this humiliating scandalous teddy. Just be warned…my scars are impossible to miss and may shock you. You can see part of the big one here on my right shoulder and chest.”

Trinity put her hand on Selina’s shoulder and smiled warmly. “Don’t worry, Selina,” she replied. “I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think. We all have seen some nasty scars from being tortured, as Izanami pointed out. There’s no way for us to hide it with what we’re forced to wear. It’s no shame to be a survivor.”

“You’re so kind,” Selina murmured. “But how do we get this thing off with these chains in place?”

“Your suit is much like mine,” Sakura declared, standing up. She turned her back to Selina, showing the teddy’s straps and buckles on her back after pulling her hair out of the way. “These suits are designed so they can be put on and off while being chained,” Sakura continued. “All you need is someone to reach the buckles and we can get it off you without any trouble.”

“Oh,” Selina purred as Sakura turned back around. “That’s useful. What about where it’s hooked to my collar? How does it come loose?”

“The teddy has a separate narrow collar not hooked to your leash collar,” Sakura stated. “It wraps around the leash collar just below the leash loop and is hooked on the backside like the other buckles. We can get it when we get the others.”

“Ah, right,” Selina murmured in exhaustion and pain, wincing as a surge of pain abruptly ran up her spine, crashing into her skull. A deep groan escaped her lips as her back arched from the surge. “Ugh...that really smarts,” she commented with a hiss.

“You’re really in pain, aren’t you?” Sakura asked, steadying Selina as she swayed slightly after the pain subsided.

“Yeah,” Selina admitted, “But it’s letting up slightly for the moment. It comes and goes in surges. Something’s definitely not right with my back and ribs. I just know it.”

“Then you girls must be very careful as you move her,” Izanami called out, overhearing what was said as she continued to treat Chizu. “Don’t move her too quickly. If she has any broken ribs or worse, quick movements might seriously aggravate the injuries.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Sakura replied. “Now, let’s get to it. Lola, help me sit Selina up so we can get to her buckles, and be very gentle.”

“Right,” Lola answered. Seconds later, she and Sakura gently pushed Selina up into a sitting position.

“Ahh, here we are,” Sakura murmured. “Let’s get these things unhooked, Lola.” Lola nodded and they quickly unhooked every fastener so the teddy hung loosely on Selina. “Okay now, let’s pick her up. Jennifer…give us a hand,” Sakura ordered, “You too, Jasmine.”

The four women gently lifted Selina up, making her groan from the pain in her ribs. “Trinity, finish removing her suit and then help us sit her in the tub,” Sakura ordered. Trinity finished removing Selina’s loose teddy, pulling down and out from between her legs, tossing it aside. She then grabbed Selina’s feet and lifted them as the five women cautiously moved Selina to the tub, sitting her down in it. Selina gritted her teeth, hissing loudly in pain as they moved her. She became increasingly aware that her left leg wasn’t right as pain flashed up and down it while the women moved her to the tub. A relieved sigh escaped Selina’s lips as they sat her in the tub, sweat beading on Selina’s brow from the pain.

The women helping Selina gawked in disbelief at the horrendous diagonal claw scars across her chest along with dozens of other shrapnel and burn scars all over her torso. Seeing their reaction, Selina moaned, “Told you so. Bet you haven’t seen scars like this, have you?”

“Please forgive us,” Izanami stated as she, Myra, Hitomi, and Tasha too briefly gawked at Selina’s claw scars. “We didn’t mean to offend. It’s just we’ve never seen scars of that magnitude. Usually, someone who is mauled like that is dead before they hit the floor.”

“That’s true,” Selina wheezed from her pain. “But seems I was the exception.”

“If you don’t mind my asking; how did you get those scars, sister?” Sakura asked.

“I got those scars when I was a teenager,” Selina rasped. “A Zoarian pirate commander tried to kill me when they attacked our ship. I barely survived.”

“Oh, Selina,” Jasmine cried in sympathy. “What a horrible thing to happen to you!”

“Yes, but it doesn’t diminish her beauty. It enhances it,” Jennifer commented. “All of us have our share of scars, so it isn’t that bad.”

“So true,” Sakura agreed as she marveled at Selina raw seductive beauty despite her scarred chest and belly. After getting over the shock of seeing Selina’s scars, Sakura noticed the extensive bruising around Selina’s left rib cage. “Oh, dear, no wonder your ribs hurt. They’re black and blue. You’ve obviously taken a nasty hit in the ribs.”

“I thought as much,” Selina wheezed. “And now my left leg is throbbing like a toothache just above the knee. I think it might be broken.”

Izanami heard the comment and left Chizu in Myra’s hands to check on Selina’s leg. “May I take a look?” Izanami asked Selina.

Selina nodded and Izanami gently prodded Selina’s left leg, making her wince as a flash of pain raced up her leg and spine, smashing into her skull. “Not so hard, sister,” Selina growled softly, her face twisting in pain.

“I was afraid of that,” Izanami stated. “Girls…we must take extra care not to jostle her leg too much. It feels like it’s broken. I’ll go get a splint set to immobilize it.” The other women agreed and Izanami left quickly to get the splint set.

“It’ll be okay, sister. We’ll take care of you,” Lola reassured Selina. “We routinely have to deal with broken bones in here, so we know what to do.”

“That’s nice,” Selina whispered, becoming increasingly fatigued from the pain.

“May I make an observation, Selina?” Sakura asked, kneeling beside her and putting an arm around Selina’s shoulders.

“Sure,” Selina answered, the pain in her back, ribs, and leg keeping her alert despite its fatiguing effect on her.

“You have the most beautiful body I’ve ever seen,” Sakura breathed. “It’s so perfect. I’ve never seen such raw beauty as this, and your scars seem to enhance it. It’s a savage beauty that I’ve seen no equal to. It’s no wonder you snared your husband. All you had to do was show him your most beautiful assets and you had him.”

Selina smiled, sensing Sakura’s jealousy and awe of her beauty, yet being so noble and caring towards her. “Yes, these assets are indeed fine,” Selina admitted. “God gave me this scarred goddess’ body because it suited him. But this body isn’t my finest asset.”

“And what asset would that be?” Jasmine asked, equally as taken by Selina’s raw naked beauty.

“My greatest asset is my mind,” Selina murmured, “...and my gentle spirit. It was my mind and gentle spirit that snared Hannibal. The rest is just a perk he gets for being my soul mate.”

Sakura laughed. “I can see that,” she replied. “He is truly blessed to have such an exquisite creature as a mate. He is so lucky.”

Izanami returned with the splint set as Sakura spoke, hearing the last portion of the conversation. She knelt down beside Selina and put a caring hand on her shoulder. “Unfortunately, your beauty is your curse in this place, as it is with all of us,” Izanami stated. “That’s why we’re here. The Emperor searches for the most beautiful women he can find and has his way with them. Our beauty is what cursed us to be in this place, otherwise we may have been condemned the Cadre’s slave cages or worse. So you must be extra careful, Selina. Your exotic beauty, fiery intelligence, and undying love for your man make you number one on the Emperor’s list. He’ll not stop until he’s either tamed or destroyed you.”

“I’m well aware of that, sister,” Selina murmured after a surge of pain made her grit her teeth for a moment. “I found that out the moment we were taken before him. I could see his vulgar mind raping me over and over again. He’s definitely got something for me; something I’d rather not know about.”

“That puts you in a very precarious position here, sister. Guard your mind carefully for he’ll try to break you as he’s tried to do to us all,” Izanami replied.

“I know,” Selina murmured.

“Sisters, put the splint on her leg after you help Selina with her bath,” Izanami stated. “I need to continue helping Chizu.”

“Right,” Sakura stated while pulling off her leggings, setting them aside. “Okay girls, let’s get to it. Jennifer, help keep Selina steady while the rest of us start washing her.”

“Sure,” Jennifer answered, kneeling to one side while holding Selina in a sitting position. Jasmine took position with the bath supplies, handing them out to Sakura, Lola, and Trinity.

“Okay, here we go,” Sakura murmured. “Let us know if we touch you in a way you don’t like, all right?”

Selina nodded and they started giving Selina a sponge bath. “What about my hair?” Selina queried.

“We can get it later,” Sakura answered. “Now just relax, and enjoy your bath. Helping our incapacitated sisters is one of the few joys we have in this dismal place.”

Selina smiled wearily and submitted to the bath. Sakura, Lola, and Trinity were extremely careful and gentle as they washed Selina from head to toe and all places between. Selina blushed deeply as they scrubbed every inch of her wounded form as if she were royalty, paying close attention to her breasts and groin, giving them extra gentle care. Five minutes into the sponge bath, Selina began to relax and enjoy the stimulation being bathed gave her.

“Ah…you’re starting to relax now,” Sakura murmured, noticing Selina’s reaction. “That’s good. See…we mean you no harm and wish to help you in every way.”

“It’s okay to enjoy being cared for like this,” Trinity affirmed, scrubbing Selina’s back. “We get almost as much pleasure from doing it as we get from receiving such treatment.”

“I can see that,” Selina purred. “It does feel good. You girls have done this many times, haven’t you?”

“Yes,” Lola stated, washing Selina’s unbroken leg. “We have. It’s one of the things that allow us to bond with one another; being able to take care of our wounded sisters when they truly need us.”

A purr started rumbling out of Selina that further relaxed her. As Sakura gently stroked Selina’s scarred chest with the wet sponge, she asked, “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Selina nodded. “I can’t help it,” she admitted. “You’re being so gentle and it feels so good. It reminds me of how Hannibal used to handle me.”

“You’re not feeling violated by this, or humiliated by us washing you like this,” Sakura queried, rinsing Selina’s breasts by squeezing water from a soaked sponge on them.

“Oddly, no,” Selina murmured in delight. “I can sense the intentions of each of you and it’s only to help me as a sister while I’m incapacitated. There’s no lust, or evil thoughts lurking in your minds. But it’s a little embarrassing being bathed by strangers as if I were a baby.”

“You consider us strangers?” Jasmine asked, being very careful as she washed Selina’s fractured leg.

“Not now,” Selina replied. “You’re my friends, and I love my friends. Only a true friend would be so gentle washing me in such a personal intimate manner. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Sakura answered with delight, scrubbing under Selina’s right arm and down the same side. “I’m glad you’re feeling more comfortable with us now. I find being able to wash this beautiful body of yours to be a tremendous honor. Whether you know it or not, your beauty and love have snared me too. I’ll be your friend until my very last breath. You have my word on that.”

“Same here,” Trinity chimed, washing Selina’s left arm.

“Me too,” Lola blurted out. “Even with your scars, you’re a goddess as far as I’m concerned. Your beauty has no equal anywhere. You have my love and loyalty forever, Selina.”

“I know,” Selina purred, blushing as they heaped praise on her beauty while washing her. “I find myself strangely at ease now. It’s weird.” She shivered as Sakura started cleaning her groin very gently, but thoroughly. Sakura couldn’t help but noticed Selina’s physical reaction to being washed there and blushed. Selina’s purr became louder and deeper as a sultry smile crept across her lips.

“You’re starting to adapt to our world,” Izanami called out while treating Chizu. “It means you’re accepting us as we have accepted you.”

“You may be right,” Selina agreed with a growl instigated by a surge of pain from her ribs and back, driving away any stimulation she felt from Sakura’s sponge rubbing against her intimate area.

Seeing her pain, Sakura declared while gently finishing with Selina’s groin area, “Just a little more, my feline goddess. We’re almost done.” She did one last rinse before cleaning Selina’s hips and upper thighs.

“Good,” Selina murmured, gritting her teeth as the pain slowly subsided. “I really need to lie down and get some pressure off these ribs and back. They’re throbbing like a toothache.”

Sakura, Lola, and Trinity finished washing Selina two minutes later and dried her thoroughly. “Jasmine, get the splint. We need to put it on Selina’s leg before we move her again,” Sakura ordered.

Jasmine quickly got the splint set, handing it to Sakura. Those that bathed Selina gathered around her. “Izanami…do we need to set her leg?” Sakura asked.

“Yes,” Izanami stated, wiping her hands and turning to Selina. “I’ll help with this. First, is she clean from top to bottom? Did you be sure to cleanse her intimate areas thoroughly? She did hold Chizu in her lap, and get contaminated by Chizu’s infectious fluids. We can’t have that infection getting into her.”

“Absolutely,” Sakura insisted, “We cleaned everything but her hair, which didn’t get contaminated. I cleaned everything on the front myself, especially her pussy. She’s as clean as the day she was born. I’m surprised though how little reaction I got out of her when I did it. But I do think she liked it. When I started washing her there, her purr got louder and deeper and her smile grew broader and dreamier despite her pain. And I know she’s in pain. It’s obvious.”

“That’s because Selina is a master of her body,” Izanami declared, raising an eyebrow, “She knows how to keep her body from reacting to such stimuli. Am I right, sister?”

“Yes,” Selina answered, blushing. “But I must admit it did feel good to be cleaned there after all that’s happened. You did a wonderful job, Sakura. You used just the right amount of pressure and motion with the sponge to keep me from getting too excited, but you did make me tingle just a bit. It reminded me of how Hannibal used to wash me when we took baths together.”

“You took baths with your man?” Sakura asked in amazement.

“Of course,” Selina stated, “I love bathing with him. It’s one of the few intimacies we had before all this happened...one that we’re allowed to have. He never touched me in a way I didn’t like, and when he’d wash me down there, he always did it very gently so as to not get me overly riled. It was just enough to clean me and give me a little lift, sending chills up my spine while making me tingle from head to toe. Oh, how I miss his gentle touch.”

“Wow,” Lola breathed, “You actually let him wash you like that?”

“Yes,” Selina admitted with a chuckle, blushing deeply. “And that’s because I love and trust him explicitly. He will not abuse the merchandise, if you know what I mean.”

Everyone broke out laughing, including Selina. “We indeed know what you mean,” Myra chimed as she continued her treatment of Chizu. “You’re so blessed to have a man who doesn’t abuse you the way we’ve been abused. You should be very thankful to have such an intimate connection with your man. Such loving, intimate connections are unknown in this house of pain.”

“I am,” Selina answered, wincing from a surge of pain from her ribs, followed by a larger rush of pain from her leg that made her hiss. “Oh, man...that really smarts. I shouldn’t have laughed like that. My ribs are on fire now.” Tears started flowing as her face twisted in pain.

“We need to get Selina’s broken leg set and something on her ribs before she damages herself further,” Izanami stated, seeing the agony in Selina’s eyes and realizing they needed to stabilize her leg immediately. “Selina…we need to make sure your leg is aligned properly.”

Selina’s warrior spirit suddenly shined out of her face and eyes, surprising everyone. “I know,” she stated. “I can definitely feel something isn’t right on that leg now. Do it quickly.”

“Lola, get the bit,” Izanami ordered. Lola rushed off on a mission.

“Trinity, I want you to help Jennifer hold Selina steady while we do this,” Izanami instructed. “Like Myra suggested, I suspect she’s far stronger than any of us realize.”

“Okay,” Trinity replied, taking up position with Jennifer, holding Selina steady in her sitting position from both sides.

Lola came back with a leather roll six inches long by an inch thick. She handed it to Izanami. “Lola, I want you and Sakura to hold on to Selina’s leg here while I pull on it from the knee,” Izanami instructed, pointing midway up Selina’s thigh. They took position. “You may want to bite down on this when we set that leg,” Izanami suggested, holding up the bit so Selina could see it. “It’ll help with the pain. Trust me, I know.”

“Right,” Selina whispered, sweat beading on her forehead again from the pain.

Izanami placed the bit in Selina’s mouth and she bit down on it. Everyone took position and Izanami said as she grasped Selina’s leg at the knee, “Okay…on three now; Three!” Izanami snatched Selina’s leg and felt it move slightly as the bones aligned. Selina squalled in agony, hissing as she clamped down on the bit with her teeth. At the same time, she jerked so hard Trinity, Jasmine, Lola, and Sakura had trouble keeping her still. Tears of pain drained down her cheeks. “Good,” Izanami said in a pleased tone. “I felt the bone give and settle into place when I pulled on it. The worst is over now, sister. You can relax.”

Selina’s head sagged as she moaned in agony. Her mouth dropped open and the bit fell out, dropping in her lap. “Damn,” she whimpered, “I’d forgotten how painful it was to set a broken bone without painkillers.”

Sakura picked up the bit out of Selina’s lap and gawked. “My god…you nearly bit this thing in two!” she cried in amazement. “Remind me never to let you bite me.”

“Wow,” Lola breathed.

“Told you she’s much stronger than we are,” Izanami chimed. “Now, let’s get the splint on her leg.” Within a couple minutes, they effectively immobilized Selina’s leg with the splint. She groaned and hissed as they cinched the splint in place. Once they’d put the splint on Selina’s leg, Izanami said, “Now, we can move her without risking the fracture compounding. Sakura...you and the girls move Selina back to the cushion and lay her on her belly. She needs a full massage to relax her, but be careful of those ribs and the back. We know they’re damaged to some degree.”

“Right,” Sakura, Lola, Trinity, Jasmine, and Jennifer chimed in unison as Izanami went back to treating Chizu.

“Looks like this is your lucky day, sister,” Sakura chimed, “First, you get a bath and now, a massage.”

“Yeah,” Selina murmured as Jasmine arranged the pillows on the cushion so Selina could lie down. “Lucky me; just be careful when you move me. My ribs and back are fouled up too. I can feel it.”

“Of course,” Trinity chimed. Once again, the five women gently picked Selina up, making sure to support her back, and laid her face down on the cushion, making sure she was comfortable, and the chains weren’t interfering with her comfort.

A groan of deep relief escaped Selina’s lips as she settled on the cushion with her arms spread to the side and front. She rested her head on the cushion looking to the right so she could see Chizu and sighed. “That’s much better,” she purred. “I don’t have so much pressure on my ribs and back now.”

“Good,” Sakura stated. “Jasmine, get the pain-relieving ointments from the medicine cabinet. We’ll use it to help dull her pain.”

“Good idea,” Myra called out as they finished flushing the infection out of Chizu. “With those bruised or broken ribs, that’ll definitely take the edge off them.”

“How’s Chizu doing?” Selina called out weakly as Sakura and Trinity started to rub Selina’s back and legs gently.

“She’s still pretty bad off,” Izanami stated. “We’ve finally been able to get most of the infection cleaned out to the point we can start applying the medicine, but I don’t know what to do about the fever. She’s unconscious so we can’t give her any of our fever reducers. Until she wakes up, keeping her cool with wet towels is all we can do.”

“Are there any others in here like her tied up with those damned ropes?” Selina asked.

“There are a few of us that are in her position,” Tasha called out. “But the ropes are not nearly as tight and haven’t been on them as long as Chizu. We would have cut them loose ourselves, but we aren’t allowed to have anything sharp in here and the knots are so tight we can’t undo them.”

“I noticed,” Selina purred as Jasmine returned with the ointments. “Can’t have the slaves possessing any weapons, now can they?”

“Nope,” Hitomi chimed as they applied the medicine to Chizu. “That just won’t do.”

Selina heard Hitomi’s sarcasm and hate for the Emperor in her comment. “Well, after you girls get done giving me this wonderful spa treatment, why don’t you call over those who’re bound like Chizu so I can cut them loose?” Selina suggested as Sakura and Trinity began using the pain-relieving ointments on Selina’s back and legs. “The bastards didn’t realize Lynxians have razor-sharp retractable claws. Cutting those abominable ropes off my sisters is the least I can do for this spectacular treatment I’m getting here.”

“That’s a marvelous idea,” Sakura chimed, “We’ll do that after we finished here and get you dressed.”

“Okay,” Selina murmured as a purr roared out of her. Between the massage, the pain-relieving ointments being used with the massage, and her purr, Selina’s pain level started to drop significantly, allowing her to relax even more. “Oh, man,” she purred, “That feels really good, Sakura. Just watch those ribs and the spine down low there. I can definitely feel something out of place there.”

“Got it,” Sakura answered. “You’ll let us know if we hit a sore spot?”

“Yeah,” Selina purred softly, “I’ll probably cry out when you do, so watch it.”

“Can you tell us where your back feels out of place?” Jasmine asked.

“The worst place is just above the hip, about four or five vertebrae up,” Selina murmured. “It’s aching and feels like I have a knot in it just to the left of the spine. I don’t know if it’s just a bruised, damaged muscle or if the vertebrae has actually slipped or broken. Though I don’t think it’s broke because I still have a good deal of feeling in that area, and it aches terribly.”

“Oh, there it is,” Jasmine said, suddenly feeling the knot and spine out of alignment in the area Selina described. “Can you feel that?” She pressed on it gently, and Selina’s eyes got wide. A cry of pain erupted from her lips, arching her back.

“Not so hard!” Selina hissed, tears running down her cheeks. “That really hurts!”

“Sorry, Selina,” Jasmine apologized, immediately letting up on the spot. “Sometimes I don’t know my own strength.”

“How about this,” Sakura asked, gently rubbing the knotted area with circular motions.

“Not nearly as much,” Selina answered with a sigh of relief. “But I can feel it.”

Izanami came over when Selina squalled and knelt down beside her, seeing not just the knot on Selina’s back, but an extensive bruise as well. “Let me in, Sakura,” she ordered and Sakura immediately obeyed. Izanami gently probed the area with her fingers, pressing just slightly and getting a rigorous response from Selina, who protested the probe.

“Please, stop poking me there,” Selina pleaded in a pained whine. “It’s setting my spine on fire.”

“Just a moment more,” Izanami insisted, continuing to explore the problem area. When she understood what the problem was, she rubbed Selina’s back with both hands in that area with a steady, but gentle pressure using a circular motion. “Forgive me for being so rough,” she apologized, “but I had to be sure you didn’t have a broken spine.”

“Do I,” Selina asked with a groan, liking Izanami’s massage of the problem area of her back.

“Fortunately, your spine isn’t broken,” Izanami stated, “However, it has slipped out of place just a little. I felt three vertebrae that weren’t lined up properly. They’ve slipped to the left just a bit. You also have deep bruising and trauma to the tenderloin muscle running down beside your spine. It’s swelling up, which is why you feel like you have a lump in your back. Sakura, Jasmine; use the pain-relieving ointments very liberally on this and any other area where you see bruising. It will help with Selina’s pain and may get these muscles to relax enough to allow her spine to realign itself.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Sakura and Jasmine answered in unison. Jasmine immediately grabbed the container of ointment and started smearing it liberally over Selina’s traumatized back, paying close attention to the problem area.

Izanami backed away, letting Sakura in to take over. Moving around front of Selina to look her in the eye, she said, “I wish I had the knowledge to realign your spine, but I don’t. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.” She reached out and touched Selina on the hand.

Selina glanced up from her pillow and sighed deeply as Sakura’s and Jasmine’s massage of her tormented back using the ointments caused the pain to ebb. “It’s okay,” Selina murmured gratefully. “You’ve done far more than you needed. I’m truly thankful for all the help you and your girls have given me.”

“You’re most welcome,” Izanami answered with a smile, patting Selina’s hand. “If you will excuse me, I need to get back to Chizu.”

“Go right ahead,” Selina murmured sleepily as her fatigue started to swamp her. “I’m in good hands.”

Izanami nodded with a smile, saying, “That you are.” With that, she went back to helping Chizu.

For almost an hour, Sakura, Trinity, Lola, and Jasmine massaged Selina from head to toe using the pain-relieving ointments. They marveled at the softness of Selina’s fur, her incredibly fit body, and her almost magical purr that they could not just hear, but also feel through their hands as they massaged her. Selina started drifting off to sleep as they concluded the massage. “Look at that,” Trinity murmured quietly. “We put her to sleep.”

Selina’s ears twitched at the comment and she purred softly, “Not quite, but almost. You girls really have a gift. I’m completely relaxed now.”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Sakura chimed modestly. “It comes from many cycles of experience, but I can safely say we’ve never had the honor of massaging a cat goddess before. It was an honor to so please you, Selina.”

“Here, here,” the other women agreed.

“Are you done yet?” Selina murmured.

“Yeah,” Sakura stated. “Now, we need to get you dressed. Would you like to turn over?”

“Sure,” Selina replied. In seconds, the women helped Selina roll on her back, helping to support her back, ribs, and leg as they moved her. It caused some of the pain in her back and ribs to return. Jasmine piled the pillows under her back and head like before so she could sit up. A relieved sigh escaped Selina’s lips as she looked around. Izanami, Myra, Tasha, and Hitomi were finishing up with Chizu, covering her infected groin with bandages soaked in medicine. Sakura, Jasmine, Lola, Trinity, and Jennifer hovered around Selina while the rest of the women of the Harem continued with their own activities as if Selina wasn’t even there. Selina felt oddly comfortable being completely nude before what she now deemed her friends. It puzzled her.

“What’s wrong?” Sakura asked, sitting next to Selina while resting a hand on her right knee. “You look bewildered.”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Selina purred. “I’m just a little puzzled how I can feel so at ease being completely naked in front of you girls when I never allowed anyone except my husband to see me like this. It feels strange, and I don’t know exactly what to do with it.”

“You’ve accepted us into your pride, Selina,” Izanami stated, sensing her feelings. “We’re no longer strangers to you, but sisters that you can trust intimately. I know you’ve had trust issues for a very long time. I sensed it when we telepathically linked earlier. Now, it seems Fate has pushed you into a situation where you’ve been forced to confront that very issue. I’m pleased that you’ve managed to adapt to our dismal world without being overwhelmed by it.”

“Then again, it may have something to do with the way the Emperor has us dressed in here too,” Tasha suggested. “For all practical purposes, everyone in here is naked. This shit they give us to wear isn’t hardly enough to blow your nose on. It’s designed to keep us constantly jacked and fatigued physically and mentally.”

“So true,” Myra agreed. “But that’s how the Emperor works. He uses our clothes as a weapon to keep us humiliated and in line. And when we get out of line, many of us end up like poor Chizu here, or worse.”

“You’re all right,” Selina admitted. “And I’m glad you were able to get that infection cleaned out of her the best you could. She’d be dead if you hadn’t.”

“We’re all aware of that,” Izanami chimed as she sat down next to Chizu after checking her vitals again while Myra, Hitomi, and Tasha continued with the final bandaging of Chizu’s infected groin. “And don’t you underestimate your contribution here, Selina. By calming Chizu’s racing heart and cutting her free of those infernal ropes, you gave her a chance she otherwise didn’t have.”

“I’m aware of that,” Selina murmured.

“So sister, what would be your pleasure in clothes?” Sakura asked Selina.

“I assume a full set of clothes is out of the question,” Selina surmised.

“I’d say that is obvious,” Sakura stated with a smile. “What you see everyone else wearing is pretty much standard issue for us. Some of us have slightly more modest outfits than the rest of us, mainly because we don’t do anything to incite the Emperor’s anger. But as Tasha said, most of what we wear isn’t enough to blow our noses on, and is designed to keep us perpetually stirred up. After a while, you do get used to it.”

Selina eyed Sakura’s outfit and liked it. “I can see that,” she replied. “In that case, how about getting me a teddy like yours? It’s a marvelous outfit. I don’t care what color it is, though that blue certainly works for me.”

Sakura grinned. “You have excellent taste,” she crowed. “I think we could find you something like this in your size. Give me a couple of minutes.” Sakura took off on a hunt for a new teddy for Selina.

“How’re you feeling, Selina?” Jasmine asked.

“Very tired and in pain,” Selina answered, “but strangely content in spite of the situation. I guess seeing all of you in the same position I’m in is making it bearable for me. Besides, that massage was excellent. I haven’t had a back rub like that in ages. Thanks.”

“You’re most welcome,” Jasmine answered for everyone.

Moments later, Sakura returned with a black version of her teddy just Selina’s size. Holding it up, Sakura asked, “Will this do, Selina?”

“Sure will,” Selina answered as she grabbed her throbbing ribs with a groan. “Is it put together like yours is?”

“Yep,” Sakura stated, showing Selina the straps for the sides and chest hooked on the back of the teddy.

“Will it immobilize my ribs?” Selina inquired.

“Yes,” Sakura answered. “It’s made that way. We can adjust the fit around your chest as tight as you like. Are those ribs hurting again?”

“Yes,” Selina stated. “They and my back are throbbing like a toothache…probably because they haven’t been wrapped yet. If this teddy will act as a wrap for my ribs, let’s get it on me before those ribs drive me nuts.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Sakura chimed. “Come on, girls, let’s get Selina dressed. Jennifer, you and Lola pick her up while we put the teddy on her.” Jennifer and Lola nodded, slowly picking Selina up and holding her. In less than a minute, Sakura and Trinity put the black teddy on Selina and Jennifer and Lola sat her down gently. Sakura made sure the teddy was properly fastened on the back and fit Selina properly, adjusting it on the front for Selina since she was still too weak to do it herself. “Okay, Selina,” Sakura stated, “Is the front comfortable?”

“Yes,” Selina answered. “Is that as tight as it goes?”

“No,” Sakura replied as Jasmine moved away, sitting down to Selina’s left. “We just hooked everything up and snugged it. Now, we can adjust the fit. The upper and lower chest straps can be adjusted for fit.”

“Tighten the chest straps at the same time until I say stop,” Selina ordered. “That way you don’t torque my ribs the wrong way. It may even support my back some, taking the pressure off that sore spot.”

“Right,” Sakura replied. “Jasmine, give me a hand here.”

“Okay,” Jasmine replied.

“You take the top strap while I adjust the lower one,” Sakura ordered. Jasmine nodded and readied to tighten the top strap. “Okay, together now,” Sakura ordered.

Sakura and Jasmine began tightening the straps slowly until they heard Selina groan. “Is that too tight?” Sakura asked.

“No,” Selina hissed in pain. “It needs to be just a bit tighter. I need to keep my ribs from moving too much. Go just a little more.”

Sakura and Jasmine pulled and heard a soft crackle echo from Selina’s ribs that caused her to cry out in pain. A secondary crackle emanated from her back that made her flinch and gasp in agony. “Enough! Tight enough; no more; please,” Selina moaned, tears streaming as she slowly caught her breath, holding her ribs. “Please let me lie down.”

Sakura and Jasmine secured the teddy’s straps and then laid Selina back on the pillows, making sure she was comfortable. “Are you sure you’re okay with it that tight?” Sakura queried, very concerned that she and Jasmine had tightened the teddy’s chest straps too much.

A weary smile crossed Selina’s lips. “Yeah…I’ll be fine. Broken ribs, which I’m sure I have now, must be immobilized for them to heal. This suit seems to be working well as a brace. I’m not in as much pain now, and my breathing is a little easier. Furthermore, it seems to be taking some of the pressure off my lower back too like I hoped. I felt something move down there with that last tug on the straps. It’s not hurting nearly as much now.”

“I thought we’d hurt you when I heard your ribs and back crackle,” Sakura said softly, putting her hand on Selina’s shoulder and rubbing it gently.

“Well, it did hurt,” Selina murmured in exhaustion. “What you heard were my ribs and back realigning. But don’t worry about it. I’m a tough cat. I can take it. The scars I have should be proof enough of that.” Selina glanced down at the suit and smiled. “I actually like this one compared to the other one. I don’t feel nearly as naked, though I wish it weren’t crotchless, but that’s not apt to happen, is it?

“I’m afraid not,” Sakura replied. “It’s just how things are here. The Emperor wants everything to hang out in the open. Again, it’s the humiliation factor to keep us in line.”

Jasmine smiled warmly at Selina, saying, “The outfit suits you, Selina. You look good in it.”

“Thanks Jasmine,” Selina replied. “Just out of curiosity, do you have a mirror? I’d like to see how I look in this.”

“You got it,” Jasmine replied. “I’ll be right back.” She took off to get the mirror.

Selina sighed and Sakura patted her on the shoulder, rubbing it gently. “Just relax, Selina,” Sakura said in a friendly manner. “We’ll watch out for you.”

“I know you will,” Selina answered.

Jasmine returned with a rectangular mirror two foot wide by four foot tall on a stand. “Here, will this do, sister?” she asked Selina, holding it up in front of her.

“Quite,” Selina replied pleasantly as she saw her reflection. The teddy she wore was jet black with no shoulder straps. It formed to her figure as if she had been poured into it. It adequately covered her breasts, but did let all of her cleavage and the upper half of her chest show prominently. The front of the suit below her breasts was ribbed much like a corset down to just above her hips where the suit stopped being ribbed and smoothed out. It stretched down and actually covered most of her groin, but had an obvious slit in the leather there, making it a crotchless teddy. The teddy also had very high cut legs that stopped five inches above the belly button level on her sides, showing off all of her legs and hips. The straps connecting the front and back of the teddy covered her sides to just below the armpits. Her butt felt curiously bare, but framed by the teddy. A smile crept across her lips as she liked what she saw. It made her feel both covered and sexy. “This is much nicer than I thought it would be. It’s not like the other one I had on,” Selina murmured. “It covers much more than I thought it would and doesn’t feel confining. My skin can actually breathe in this one, unlike the other one. It’s so soft, too. Thank you for letting me see myself, Jasmine. You can take the mirror back.”

“I don’t need to,” Jasmine chimed pleasantly, sitting the mirror off to the side of Selina’s cushion, just out of the way. “This one is for you so you’ll be able to groom yourself when you need to.”

“Thanks again.” Selina said with a smile.

“You really like that suit, don’t you?” Sakura noticed.

“Yep,” Selina murmured, relaxing as her pain slowly ebbed. “I don’t feel nearly as humiliated in this one, plus it’s actually doing a very nice job as a brace for both my ribs and back. This thing has a corset built into it, doesn’t it?”

“It does,” Sakura answered. “That’s why we were able to tighten it up like you wanted. When that thing gets too tight, let us know so that we can loosen it for you.”

“I’ll do that,” Selina said softly. “By the way, is this suit open on the backside so I can use the bathroom when I need to? It feels like it.”

“Yes,” Sakura declared. “You can relieve yourself without having to take it off, which reminds me, you’ll need a chamber pot since you’re chained. We do everything we can to make sure this room stays clean and doesn’t smell like a real dungeon. I’ll go get one for you.” Sakura rose and walked away.

“Tasha, go gather our sisters that need to be free of their ropes,” Izanami ordered.

Tasha wiped her hands and rose, saying, “Of course, sister.” She rushed off on a mission of her own.

“Do you do help every newcomer to this prison the way you’ve helped me?” Selina asked after a few moments of silence.

“We do,” Myra stated categorically, overhearing the question. “But it seems that Sakura, Jasmine, Hitomi, Lola, and Trinity have taken a real shine to you, Selina. I’m sure they’ll not leave your side and will do anything you desire.”

“Oh, that isn’t necessary,” Selina murmured, her exhaustion weighing heavier on her by the minute.

“There, all done,” Izanami said, putting the last bandage on Chizu. Izanami sat down beside Chizu with a deep sigh as she wiped her hands. Putting her hand on Chizu’s forehead and feeling intense heat there, she said, “Hold on, sister. Don’t die on us.” Hitomi put a new set of cold wet towels on Chizu to control her fever.

“You love her, don’t you?” Selina asked Izanami.

“I do,” Izanami replied wearily. “I see her as the daughter I never had. Oh, it looks like Tasha has brought the others who need to be freed of their ropey bondage.”

Tasha returned with ten women in tow, each of them with the same drained, haunted expression Selina saw on Chizu’s face...each having been bound in the exact same manner as Chizu. They gathered around as Tasha said, “These sisters need releasing, Selina. Please cut the ropes that bind them.”

Selina tried to sit up but couldn’t. Holding out her hands to Jasmine and Jennifer, she said, “Please, a little help here, sisters.” Jasmine and Jennifer grabbed Selina by the arms and gently sat her up. Trinity moved behind Selina and pushed her gently from the back to help. Selina groaned softly as she moved, and then sighed in relief. “Thanks, sisters. Now, let’s see to your other sisters. Please come here if you really want to be free of those ropes, sisters, and don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.”

The ten women gathered around Selina on the right and she noticed that, like Chizu, they were under constant stimulation by the ropes, but they hadn’t been as severely abused as Chizu. When they just stood there, Selina singled out the closest woman…a petite young woman with short brown hair and eyes who was trembling. “Come here, sister. Let me help you out of that binding,” Selina murmured, holding out her hand with a disarming smile. The woman hesitantly took Selina’s hand, allowing Selina to pull her within reach. “What’s your name?” Selina asked softly.

“Chihiro,” the woman whispered, staring in amazement at Selina while kneeling before her. “Can you really get this thing loose?”

“Chihiro,” Selina murmured while checking the ropes around the groin for puss, not seeing any, “What a beautiful name. Of course I can get you loose. I’m a cat, you know.” She reached out with her claw and cut the cord at the belt knot on Chihiro as the girl stared in disbelief, feeling the pressure on the rope cease. Seconds later, Selina ripped the rope outfit apart on her front with her claws without as much as scratching Chihiro. “You’re free now. Take off that infernal apparatus and throw it away. You needn’t be tormented by those ropes anymore.” Chihiro stared at the ropes hanging loosely on her nude frame. The tormenting tightness of her ropey bondage was gone in an instant. Her eyes grew wide as she looked at Selina in shock. “Go ahead, sister. Get rid of those damnable ropes. You’re free,” Selina insisted with a weary smile.

Chihiro quickly removed the offending ropes and threw them across the Harem with all her might, shouting as she did. Turning back to Selina, tears filled Chihiro’s eyes. She leaned in and gave Selina a hug. “Oh, thank you, sister,” Chihiro cried gratefully. “I’m finally free of that terrible beast now. Thank you so much.” She kissed Selina on the cheek and backed away.

A pleasurable chill raced down Selina’s spine as she saw and felt Chihiro’s gratitude. “You’re welcome, Chihiro,” Selina replied. “Just try not to upset the Emperor so that he puts it back on you, okay?”

“Yes, sister,” Chihiro said with a huge smile, backing away and sitting down a few steps away from Selina with her hands in her lap.

“Who’s next?” Selina called out. One at a time, the women came forward and Selina freed them of their ropey bondage. As Selina freed them, they thanked her and sat down in a perimeter around her and Chizu. Once Selina freed the last woman, she kissed Selina in gratitude and sat down with the others.

“Looks like you’ve made some friends, sister,” Tasha noted, sitting down at Chizu’s head and stroking her hair.

“Not just friends,” Selina murmured as Jasmine and Jennifer helped her settle back on the pillows, “...sisters. I only wish I could do more.”

“You have done far more than we could have ever hoped,” Izanami stated. “Your kindness and faith has become a starburst in our darkness. I feel hope now that I’ve never had before. You truly are a princess of the stars to be so kind and gentle to us.”

A deep sigh rattled from Selina as a shiver raced through her. “I’m happy I could help,” she replied. “But if someone could get me a blanket now, I’d think I might just take a nap. I’m exhausted. I can barely stay awake.”

Jennifer grabbed the blanket that Tasha brought to Selina earlier and spread it over her. Selina pulled it up under her arms and held it to her chest, making her feel more secure and covered. “Thank you, Jennifer, Tasha,” Selina murmured. “I really appreciate this.”

“You’re welcome, my feline sister,” Tasha called out. “As you now see, we’re all sisters here, even you.”

Myra nodded and agreed, “Yes, we are. That’s how we survive. We stick together and look out for each other.” Selina’s head began to swim as her equilibrium wavered with fatigue, enhanced by the newfound warmth of the blanket. She blinked and shook her head trying to stave off the sleep that was rapidly coming upon her.

Izanami saw it and said, “Don’t fight it, sister. Let it come. You need the rest. Before you go, there’s one final thing. You asked before Chizu’s crisis whether anyone had ever escaped. Legend has it that about three hundred cycles ago, one princess was brought here and escaped with....” She stopped abruptly, noticing that Selina had lost the fight with the sleep overtaking her. “Selina?” Izanami asked. With a snort, Selina began to purr softly as she slept. Everyone heard it and was at first shocked, and then fascinated with the fact she could purr while asleep.

“Sleep, my feline sister,” Jasmine said gently as she and Jennifer pulled the blanket over Selina’s shoulders up to her chin. “Sleep…you have earned it this day.”

Tasha looked at Selina’s sleeping face, and then turned to Izanami, asking, “You really think she’s what she claims to be, Izanami?”

Izanami thought for a moment and then said, “Yes. I know she is. I saw it.”

Jennifer had no doubt who Selina was. She had seen Hannibal and Selina fight, sacrificing their freedom so others could escape from Hades’ trap. “She’s who she claims to be,” she declared. “I was there at their capture. Both of them held the line so my people could escape. He’s the Promised One...the Last Caverias, and she’s his wife…his Celestial Mate.”

Tasha looked at Jennifer, seeing her conviction and faith in the duo. “Just asking,” Tasha said with a smile. “I think so too. The thing that does it for me is the fact that she’s a cat. There’s never been a feline like her in here.”

“That is so true,” Izanami returned. “According to legend, not since the Emperor rose to power has there been a feline like her in here. It’s a tremendous sign that she’s here. We must guard her carefully and give her all the support we can. This strange feline woman may be the cause of our deliverance.”

Sakura returned with the chamber pot and some toiletries as Izanami finished speaking. She saw Selina sleeping comfortably. A sigh escaped her lips. “She crashed, didn’t she?” Sakura asked.

“Yes,” Jasmine replied, resting her hand on Selina’s head. “She couldn’t fight her fatigue any longer. She just went out a few moments ago.”

Sakura sat the chamber pot and toiletries down next to the mirror and settled next to Jasmine, Trinity, and Lola. “What a strange fate it is that has brought her into our lives,” Sakura murmured, stroking Selina’s hair, marveling at its softness.

“Indeed,” Izanami stated. “And I believe her fate and ours will become even stranger as Fate weaves her web. I have no doubt that this cat and her husband are the ones prophesied to save us. Unfortunately, I don’t think she really knows how strange her fate is going to become if the prophecies are true.”

“What’re you saying, sister?” Myra asked.

“If the prophecy is true, then we may actually see her husband here in an altered form before we’re freed,” Izanami stated.

“You don’t mean...,” Tasha said, trailing off as if afraid to speak her mind.

“Yes, Tasha,” Izanami stated, “The Emperor will attempt to make him one of us while trying to break him; that’s if the prophecies are true.”

“I sincerely hope he escapes that fate,” Sakura stated. “No man deserves that fate, except maybe the Emperor himself.”

“Amen to that,” Lola whispered, her hatred of the Emperor showing in her tone.

“Ditto,” Jasmine murmured, enthralled by Selina very presence. “I just hope the Emperor leaves her alone.”

“We all do,” Myra stated. “I don’t even want to think what the Emperor would do to such purity.”

“He’d destroy it,” Izanami answered sternly. “That’s why we must do everything we can to protect her. She and her husband are the keys to the prophecies. What happens to them will determine the fate of everyone. I’m sure of it. We must do all we can to help them, even at the price of our own lives.”

“We will,” Sakura chimed. “We all will.” Those within earshot swore to help Selina in whatever meager way they could.

“That’s all we can be expected to do,” Izanami stated with a sober smile while looking at Selina’s sleeping form.

Tasha moved next to Jennifer, looking down into Selina’s now peaceful slumbering face. “Have you ever seen anyone so exotically beautiful in all your life?” she asked. “She’s a goddess in mind and body. I’m awed by her very presence.”

“Me too,” Jennifer agreed, gently stroking Selina’s hair with Sakura. “Mark this day: our lives will never be the same again.”

“That’s so true,” Myra stated while checking Chizu.

“Sakura,” Izanami called out.

“Yes, sister,” Sakura replied.

“I want you, Jasmine, Hitomi, Jennifer, Lola, Trinity, and Tasha to stay close to Selina and be her helpers for now,” Izanami ordered. “She’s very vulnerable in her present state. At least one of you should be with her at all times. I fear the Emperor may be planning something truly devious for her and her husband, so we need to be ready to help her deal with any eventuality.”

“Yes, sister,” Sakura, Jasmine, Hitomi, Jennifer, and Tasha replied in unison.

“You can count on us,” Sakura added as she watched Selina sleep.