*ONE WEEK LATER*
**Clarissa's POV**
I have no idea what time it is; I just know it's sometime in the middle of the night. I'm awoken by the same nightmare that comes every night to haunt me in my sleep. No matter how much I try not to remember that day, it still comes back to rob me of my peace at night.
My body tenses as I hear the sound of the door opening and closing. What follows is the slow footsteps of someone walking into the room.
"My Lady? Am I permitted to come in?" Matthias' voice comes from the door, slowly easing my anxiety and making me relax my mind.
"You’re already in,” I remind him. “Turn on the lights. The switch is by the door," I say, and quickly pull the sheets up to cover my chest. I’m wearing a sleeping dress.
My heart is still thumping a little in my chest bec
