I awoke with a start, the cold air from my open window sending shivers down my spine, the cool breeze rustling my hair. I open my eyes to the mesmerizing night sky, and an even more beautiful boy lying beside me. That's when I notice the dark shadow at the end of my bed. I try and reach for my knife, the one I always keep under my pillow, but the shadow moves like lightening, swiftly moving so their hand is covering my mouth and a long, thin blade is balanced against my throat.
"Try and scream High Queen, I dare you," a rough voice hisses in my ear. I immediately stiffen as the blade digs into the skin on my neck, the faint tang of blood filling the air.
I hate this feeling, I hate the fear as the knife digs deeper into my neck, my own discarded on the coverlet. I look to Cardan, still sleeping peacefully only feet away, and wish that he not wake, for if he did, he would blame himself when the faerie holding me slits my throat. I do not wish him to see me die, at least not this way.
"Truly pathetic. I expected more from the great Jude Duarte. But I suppose with your spouse so close, you wouldn't risk open combat, now could you?" The Shadow murmurs in my ear, their breath hot against my cold skin. "Love has made you weak, Jude."
I start slowing sliding my hand towards my knife, the movement almost unnoticeable to the eye. But only almost.
"None of that please," the Shadow whispers, pulling me off the giant bed, the knife at my throat drawing droplets of blood that pool on the floor like spilled wine.
They drag me to the open window, and I just have enough time to whisper, "Cardan," before the Shadow spreads their wings and dives into the night sky, dragging me with their needle-like fingers.