Voices.
A lot of them.
Arguing. Shouting. A cacophony that felt like it was trying to drill directly into my skull.
Ugh. Make it stop.
"—absolutely NOT letting you in here until she's stable—"
"I am the KING of the Northern Territories, you cannot—"
"With all due respect, I don't care if you're the King of the Moon, Your Majesty, she needs REST—"
"Clarissa, please, just let me—"
"SHHH!"
The voices immediately dropped to frantic whispers.
"You'll wake her—"
"She needs to sleep—"
"If you idiots don't SHUT UP—"
My eyes snapped open.
And yeah, it was a mistake. A huge mistake.
The light was too bright. Everything was too bright. I squeezed them shut again with a groan that sounded like a dying cat.
"The Princess is awake!"
That was Rose's voice. High-pitched. Panicked…and definitely crying.
Oh no. Rose is crying.
I forced my eyes open again, slower this time, blinking against the harsh sunlight streaming through tall windows.
