Several hours later…
I remained seated by the window with the weight of the nightmare still circling me like a fog.
On the other hand, the castle lay silent beneath the moon as the sky washed in silver and faint stars.
Slowly, time slipped past unnoticed while my thoughts wandered between fear, confusion, and a strange, lingering unease that I did not realize morning had arrived until a burst of brightness struck my eyes.
Light flashed across my face, sharp and sudden, I flinched from the impact, and at the same time, my eyes squeezed shut instinctively as the brightness burned through my lids, dragging me out of my reverie.
For a moment I stayed still, breathing slowly, allowing my vision to adjust.
I opened my eyes again, squinting against the pale gold glow flooding the room.
I
