The next day was pure hell.
I woke with a start, from a dream that I knew half the Select were being sent home and there was an executioner's gallows being erected in front of the castle to take them as they left. But I couldn't find David in time to convince him the danger was real, and to save them.
I sat bolt upright in bed, panting, to find Ash at my side, sword in hand and scanning the room.
"It's okay, you're safe," he said, one hand on my shoulder. "It was just a dream."
I sighed with relief and slumped back onto the pillow, only to be washed in adrenaline once again... it was only a dream.
A dream.
No one dreams while they're already dreaming.
The night that I discovered Nicholas cheating I slept, alone and hurting, and I dreamed of Ash and David... then I woke from that dream and now I'm here.
This is really happening.
I gripped the bed like it might tilt and dump me out onto the floor.
Holy shit.
Holy fucking shit in a sandwich, this was really happening.