I like the hiss of death. There was so much here, the three edicts from her father, the riddles, the creatures. You took on a lot. I can only keep so many balls in the air. Juggling a story takes a good deal of concentration. You need to develop this in a much larger piece. I also think your contrasting images, like her snoring and the footsteps, (creaking floor) advancing toward her make a good start and engage the reader.