It took me over an hour to cleanse my body of the blood that clung to it, scrubbing the stains that trailed across the floor as if they had branded my every step. When the task was finally complete, I slipped into the nightgown prepared for me and collapsed onto the bed in my chamber. I longed for the reprieve of sleep, but rest eluded me.

The night was plagued with restlessness, haunted by nightmares that clawed at my sanity. This wasn’t the first time my dreams had been invaded, but these ...