Out of Time

Kaelia

The rhythmic thud of marching boots dragged me out of a restless sleep.

I bolted upright, blinking against the harsh morning light filtering through the windowpanes. It took a second for my brain to catch up, slamming the reality of yesterday back into my skull. Valen. This mansion. The forced wedding.

I slipped out from under the blankets and moved to the window, pulling the fabric back