I attempt to open my eyes, but heavy exhaustion blankets over me. I’m exhausted, beyond worn out, and can’t quite figure out why or how I even ended up falling asleep.

After I read that journal that revealed my life is set on repeat, that it’ll start over the second I die, which will be soon, my brain had been wired with adrenaline. I planned on reading the journal from cover to cover, then ransacking the room for more clues. But suddenly, I was asleep and dreaming about Rhyland, Kingsley, and I as if we were friends once, a long, long time ago …

My eyes pop open as reality smacks me across the face. What I saw while my eyes were closed wasn’t a dream. It was a memory. I can feel the realness in my chest, in my heart, soul, and mind. Rhyland, Kingsley, and I used to be friends. Nadine was going to be queen once. And the fey queen had been out in the woods that day, spying on us. But I can’t remember why. Can’t remember if we ever found out the truth. Can’t remember anything past that point. The journal did mention something about the fey queen being part of the curse, so that memory had to have taken place before I was cursed.

Why am I even remembering anything at all? I don’t remember the journal mentioning sudden memory bursts of past lives.

My thoughts drift back to something I overheard Rhyland say yesterday—that this time things were happening differently. That I was different. Could that possibly be why memories are resurfacing?

Whatever the reason, I hope I continue to see the past, not only because it might be the key to saving my future, but because it was kind of nice to see myself so happy, even if I was with Kingsley and Rhyland.

“I still can’t believe we used to be friends,” I mutter as I slowly sit up in the four-poster bed.

Aeribella, my lilywolf tiger, is curled up at the bottom of the bed, fast asleep, wiggling a bit when I sit up.

I scoot forward and pet her bluish-black fur, her cat-shaped ears, and the tiny silver pixie wings sprouting from her back, twitching in response.

“You can stay asleep, if you want,” I tell her as she starts to stir. “I’m not even sure what time it is, anyway.”

After she relaxes, I kick off the purple velvet blanket, drag my ass out of bed, and wander over to the table where I left the journal before I fell asleep. Or well, thought I left it, but apparently not.

Trying not to panic, I start ransacking the room, searching the bookshelves and the secret compartment. When I come up empty-handed, I dig through dressers, the armoire, and then the closet. At least half an hour later, the journal is still missing and I start to suspect someone took it while I slept.

“Cursed vampires, this is bad.” I grimace, raking my fingers through my hair.

Why would someone take a journal? Did they take anything else important?

My gaze lands on the enchanted jewelry box where the choker Rhyland gave me for my birthday is hidden. I hurry over to check inside. When I lift the lid, I breathe in relief.

“Well, at least that’s still there.” At least there’s proof I’m not going off the deep end. Because I’ve seriously been wondering if I lost my vampire marbles and am imagining this stuck-on-repeat, soon-to-be-crowned-queen life.

Then again, maybe it’d be better if I was just a crazy nutjob than living out the same tragic life repeatedly.

I sink down onto the edge of the bed and lower my head into my hands. “What the hell bats am I going to do? That journal was pretty much the only key to the truth, besides these fleeting, random memories I keep having. But I don’t even know what’s causing those.” I huff out a breath. “I really need to find that journal.”

I peer around my room again, as if the journal will somehow miraculously appear, when an idea strikes me as my gaze zeroes in on the jewelry piled on top of the dresser. Dex told me that the castle is enchanted with magic and can give me almost anything I request. So, perhaps …

“Castle, can you give me my journal?” I hold my breath and wait for it to drop from the glittering ceiling, but nothing happens.

Well, nothing except a knock on my door. But unless my journal suddenly came to life, I highly doubt it’s knocking.

“Knock, knock, knock,” Dex, my stylist, says from the other side of my shut bedroom door.

According to a memory I had, Dex installed the secret compartment where the journal was kept. He also gave me the journal. However, I’m not sure how much he knows about this curse. And the journal warned me to trust nobody, so I need to pretend everything is normal. Ugh, I’ve never been fantastic at acting. Plus, someone has my journal, which means at least one creature in this castle is aware of what I know.

“Dammit, why in the nighttime vampires did I have to fall asleep?” I grumble as I pad across the room and throw open the door.

Dex is standing on the other side, fiddling with his black hair shaved shorter on the sides and longer on the top, the tips glinting silver. His outfit screams stylish from his black jeans to his silver embellished boots that match the chains dangling from his vest pocket. His startling icy-blue eyes framed with kohl eyeliner and thick lashes are settled on me, and his blue-stained lips are curved into a smile.

“Still in our pajamas, are we?” He pushes into my room without waiting for an invite and strides toward the closet. “We need to dress you quickly this evening. We have very little time before you embark on your journey to the Land of Moonlight.”

“The Land of Moonlight?” I follow him into the closet, confusion tap dancing in my sleepy mind. “I thought we weren’t supposed to be going there for at least a few days. That’s what my mom said last morning.”

“Last morning?” He shakes his head as he sifts through the hanging clothes filling up the large closet. “Raven, you’ve been asleep for almost three moonrises.”

“Three moonrises?” My mind races a million blood drinks a second. I’ve been asleep for three moonrises. Three freakin’ days? How? “Why didn’t anyone wake me?”

He shrugs. “I think they figured with all the excitement and chaos going on you needed some extra rest.”

“How convenient.” And I’m completely not buying the story.

No, I didn’t fall asleep under my own free will. Someone magically doped me into a three mornings’ long sleep. And my vampire blood is on Rhyland and his witchy witch sleep spell he’s already used on me multiple times. I just wish I knew how he did it. That is the million shots of emperors’ blood question that I desperately need an answer to. Well, that and hundred other ones.

“Now, if I can just decide what to put you in …” Dex taps his fingers against his bottom lip as he studies a few dresses hanging in front of him. “I’m thinking something black with a little bit of lace.” He fingers the zipper of a leather jacket. “Perhaps a little bit of leather so you’ll blend right in with all the other Land of Moonlight creatures.”

“Or I could just wear some holey jeans, a T-shirt, and boots,” I suggest, leaning against the doorjamb, mostly for support against the dizziness taking over my brain.

Lies. Everything is a lie.

Dex shoots me an appalled look. “Raven, the queen of vampires doesn’t wear holey jeans or jeans or holey anything. It’s sacrilegious.”

I hold up my hands in front of me with a teasing smile. “Sorry, I didn’t realize queen attire was so important.”

He nods in all seriousness. “It’s almost as important as ruling.” He returns his attention back to the clothes. “However, considering you are going to the Land of Moonlight, I think pants instead of a dress might be a better idea, just in case you run into some trouble. And I’m also thinking a lacey top.” He plucks a thin-strapped silk top trimmed with lace from a hanger and hands the thin piece of fabric to me before assessing the selection of jeans. “These would look really great”—he selects a pair of black pants then crouches to the bottom shelf of shoes—“with these.” He collects a pair of thigh-high boots before standing up straight again. Then he dumps the clothes and shoes into my arms before whisking back into the room. “Now, for your jewelry—”

“Actually, if it’s okay, I’d like to wear my own jewelry today.” I set the clothes down on my bed then move over to my jewelry box to grab the choker with the rose pendant.

Dex steps up beside me, examining the choker. “Well, I was about to say you can’t wear a non-castle approved piece of jewelry, but I’m going to let that rule slide.” He runs his finger along the rose pendant. “It’s gorgeous. Where did you get it?”

“From Rhyland.” I watch his reaction closely, trying to assess how much he knows.

“Well, he has excellent taste, but I’m not surprised. He always has.” His smile seems all sorts of wrong—forced.

And there’s the slipup I’ve been waiting for.

“You know Rhyland?”

His eyes slightly widen, but he hastily collects himself, clearing his throat. “Of course. He’s the king.”

“But what you said … it sounded an awful lot like you’ve known him for a while.”

“I’m a very old vampire, Raven. I’ve been around for a very long time and practically know everyone and everything.” He offers me a stiff smile then backs toward the doorway. “Hurry and get dressed so I can do your hair and makeup.” Turning on his heels, he slips out of the room and shuts the door behind him.

I wasn’t planning on wearing the choker until I gathered more information about this cursed life I’m stuck in, but after seeing how squirmy Dex got, I think I’ll put it on and see how Rhyland reacts. Maybe it’s a risky move that I’ll later regret, but with the journal gone and sleep spells being casted on me, I need to get to the bottom of the truth before my time expires and my life starts over again.