THE FIRST NIGHT of rounds isn’t terrible.
The second is harder.
By the third, exhaustion is a living thing inside me, clawing at my bones.
Seth has me scheduled every single night. I walk the perimeter from midnight to dawn, then report for my regular duties with the Queen at seven in the morning. I’m getting maybe three hours of sleep total, if I’m lucky. And even that precious time is plagued with nightmares that jerk me awake, gasping desperately.
The herbs Selene gave me sit unused in my pocket. They would knock me out for six hours, but I only have three. I can’t risk oversleeping and missing my duties. Can’t risk Seth having one more reason to question my loyalty.
So, I don’t take them. And I don’t sleep. A week in, I’m barely functional.
My hands shake when I grip my sword. My
