"My queen... my queen..."

The whisper jolted me awake, and I glanced to my side to see Kat standing beside the bed. She nodded politely, then smiled.

"King Elijah requests that you dress quickly. I've got your clothes ready," Kat said.

"What are you talking about, Kat?" I mumbled, still half asleep. "Where are we going?"

"I'm not sure, my queen. But it's you who will be going, not me."

I threw the covers aside and dragged myself to the bathroom. When I looked out the window, the sky was still dark.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"Four in the morning, my queen."

My mouth dropped open; it was...