I woke suddenly, my throat parched, every breath feeling dry and uncomfortable. For a moment, I lay motionless, staring at the ceiling of my dimly lit chamber. Shadows twisted lazily along the stone walls, forming abstract shapes as the faint glow of moonlight seeped through the heavy curtains.
Sitting up slowly, I rubbed my eyes, shaking away the haze of sleep. I glanced toward the table where I usually kept my water, sighing when I saw the empty pitcher and glass I'd neglected to fill earlier.
Great. Of course, I'd forgotten.
I swung my legs over the side of the bed, wincing slightly as my bare feet touched the cold marble floor. I started toward the door, barely awake, fully intending to find some water myself, but before I'd taken more than three steps, a soft, familiar voice startled me awake.
"Your Highness, did you need something?"
