*Isla*

It’s not even 5:00 in the morning when my toes touch the floor, cool to the touch. A day had passed since my nightmare of ice cold water, and tonight I dreamed of much more violent things. I was restless, unable to fully shut my eyes, and when I could, Isaac would wake.

I’d eventually taken him to the nursery across the hall to be tended to by one of the nursemaids so I could try to get some rest.

I’d felt guilty, and found it hard to sleep, but eventually ...