WHEN I FELL INTO BED that night, with Audi already snoring away beside my bed, it hit me.

The ball was in just three days. We had weapons training tomorrow and then two days in which the castle became even more chaotic with preparations. On the eve of the second day was the ball, after which, we would start our normal life at the castle and fulfil Elena's expectations, as protectors of the Realm.

I could feel the beginning of a panic attack while images of what had ...