I groaned as my eyes cracked open, morning light stabbing through the small window. My head felt heavy, my chest heavier.

"Ugh... I knew the plan with Jace was a mistake," I whispered to myself, voice rough from sleep. "Now my friends hates me. How am I supposed to stay sane in this cursed palace?"

I dragged myself out of bed, dressed, and gathered the pile of linens for duty. Every step down the corridor made my chest tighter, dread curling in my stomach.

Tessa was in the ...