Gilbert woke with Cherry curled beside him.
For a moment, he lay still, listening to her quiet breathing. Then he looked around the unfamiliar room, and the danger beyond its walls returned to him.
They were still inside the Hidden Palace.
Cherry had finally fallen asleep, and he did not want to wake her with another reason to be afraid. He kept his concerns to himself and looked back at her.
She seemed peaceful now. After seeing her trembling and struggling to explain what had happened, he was reluctant to disturb that peace.
Faint marks remained on her skin. He could not look at them without remembering how frightened she had been.
He had promised to take her home.
Until he did, every reassurance he gave her depended on what he could make happen next.
Gilbert leaned down and kissed her forehead before carefully getting out of bed. He went into the bathroom and showered, leaving her to rest.
Half an hour later, he came out wearing a bathrobe.
