Sophia stirred, not fully awakened by the weight of a body beside her in the bed. The storm had quieted and slow,
steady rain fell outside her windows. She could tell by the silence from the
castle halls, the hour was late.
Somewhere in her partial consciousness, she knew she should be alarmed by this intrusion, but felt so warm and
content. She sighed and shifted onto her back, inhaling the smell of wet chalk.
“Mmm...” She shivered as icy fingertips brushed down her throat, and loosened the lace on the front of her gown.
"Shh...” a whispering voice hushed her. “Lie still my...my love.”
“I’m so tired...so sleepy.”
"No, Sophia.” His voice sounded as though it were being dragged across sandpaper. “Don’t slip away...I need
you...be aware.”
She felt the lace being removed from her gown, one eyelet at a time, and she didn’t protest...it was only a dream, after
all...