Jannelle
The dead rabbit haunts my dreams. Every time I close my eyes, I see its broken neck, feel the weight of that threatening note in my trembling hands. 'Know your place, or end up like this.' The words echo in my mind like a curse, driving sleep further and further away.
I give up trying to rest around midnight. My small room feels like a tomb, the walls pressing in on me until I can barely breathe. The mate bond pain in my chest has gotten worse since finding that message, a constant ache that steals my breath and makes my heart race with panic.
My bare feet make no sound on the cold stones as I drift through the castle like a ghost. I don't have a destination in mind; I just need to move, to feel like I'm not completely powerless in this maze of threats and whispered warnings.
