I opened my eyes to the frantic twitch of a familiar pink nose.
Dave, my fluffy rabbit, was standing right on my chest, his little paws pressing into my collarbone. I blinked away the heavy fog of sleep, my vision clearing slowly as I stared up at his long, twitching ears. It had been weeks since I had last seen him—he usually hid away in the eastern gardens.
"Dave?" I mumbled, my voice raspy with lingering fatigue. "What are you doing up here?"
The rabbit dropped down, his tiny teeth snagging the delicate lace rim of my nightgown. He tugged with all his tiny might, leaning backward, trying to drag me toward the high arched windows. Frowning, I swung my bare legs out of bed, the cold floorboards stinging my skin, and followed him across the room. I leaned my forehead against the cool glass, looking down into the front courtyard—and every trace of residual sleep evaporated instantly.
