The sun streamed into Thalia's room, a piercing ray of light that cut through her grogginess. Marcus, the Captain of the Guard, had stormed in, flinging open the heavy drapes with a force that sent shadows dancing around the room.
“Wake up!” he barked, and for a brief moment, the brightness blinded her, sending the last remnants of sleep into a retreat. It was an abrupt awakening, leaving her disoriented and irritated. Thalia groaned, pulling the blankets tighter around herself, desperately trying to cling to the warmth.
“It’s freezing!” she moaned, curling into herself, knees drawn up to her chest as she felt the chill seep into her bones. She wished she could summon the will to rise and face the day, but the cold sheets held her prisoner, and Marcus’s impatient nature only made her w
