"Jude," I breathe with excitement.

I walk briskly towards her, then stop, realising she's not looking at me.

I duck behind a pillar a peer out at her, astonished.

She's holding hands with a hunky, buff guy with a wispy shock of blond hair.

My mouth hangs open as they walk past, and he kisses her cheek before waving goodbye to her as she steps into her apartment.

My eyes cloud with grief and rage as I realise that this is all my fault.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see the Roach behind another pillar, staring straight at me with the same shocked expression.

I grumble and stalk over to him as Jude's apartment door snaps shut.

"Nope, we're leaving. Now," I groan and grab him by his hand and run down the stairs to the ragwort.

I shake my head in disbelief.

Jude has a boyfriend- WHO'S NOT ME! AND I'M HER HUSBAND!

 
                                ***

Back at the Palace I collapse in bed, thankful that everyone is asleep at this time of day.

Almost everyone..

The door flies open and a tall, slender figure barges in.

"Cardan..!" A sickly sweet voice sounds throughout my Chambers.

"Why weren't you at last nights revel?" Nicasia scuttles to the side of my bed.

"What's it your business?" I cover my head with my pillow.

"I'm your seneschal," she sniffs coldly.

"So?" I roll my eyes.

"You were absent at the most important revel this moon! I had to cover for your absence! I don't know HOW Jude even handled this job.." she says, like I should be evermore grateful to her.

"Nicasia, I don't have time for this. Thank you, and goodbye. It is the middle of the day. Leave me." I dismiss her.

I can see her suppressing her rage as she stalks out, nose in the air, muttering about 'couple fights'.

I choke down a laugh and fall into a troubled sleep. 

<In Cardan's Dream...>

"Cardan, go away! YOU exiled me and now you come back here, and you KILLED HIM!" Jude screams at me, pinning me to the wall, holding a dagger, tears streaming down her cheeks. She points to the handsome man laying on the floor in a puddle of blood.

I look at him, gagging.

She was out with Josh.

I was meaning to surprise her, when she came in, but That Guy Josh came inside too.

He punched me, thinking I was an intruder.

So I threw a knife at him out of reflex.

He died.

I expected Jude to congratulate me on not missing my aim.

But instead she attacks me.

"I'm sorry J-" I start

But she plunges the dagger into my throat and slits it swiftly.

"Your all twisted games and lies Cardan. How could I ever love you?" she sobs, kissing my cheek.

Then it all fades to black... dead black...