Chapter 6 (Elena's POV)

The next morning, I was jolted awake by knocking.

My head felt like lead, my eyelids hot and heavy, my throat sandpaper-dry. The low fever hadn't broken; a deep ache settled in my bones.

"Madam, time to get up."

The housekeeper's voice, Anna's, came through the door, utterly devoid of warmth.

I stru...