I tossed and turned for a long time. Every time I would begin to drift towards sleep, something in my mind would scream, I'm going to wake up! and jolt me out of the dark.
As the flames of my fire ebbed and faded to glowing embers, I turned over in the bed again, throwing the covers back because I was beginning to sweat.
My eyes stung with weariness. My feet were sore from being on them all day. And my heart… my heart ached with the echo of Nicholas's rejection. It ached with a little hope for Ash, and it fluttered for the handsome King with the sultry smile.
I didn't want to lose the dream yet! I was having fun!
But then it occurred to me… even if I did wake up, even if I did have to face the drudgery and embarrassment of my life without Nicholas, I would sleep every night. I'd been here once. I could dream again!
