The next morning, the sun rose over the horizon, casting its light across the land and slipping into the cave where it settled gently around them. Rosalind had already dressed in her gown as she couldn't return to the palace wearing only Rowan's shirt without drawing attention.
She adjusted the fabric at her waist, her arm straining slightly as she tied the last knot behind her back, then glanced across the cave to where Rowan stood. He had changed back into his own clothes, and the shirt she had worn the night before was now returned to him.
Neither of them spoke.
The silence between them was thick and unfamiliar, made worse by what had happened the night before.
They had slept apart, one on each side of the fire, their backs turned, as if distance alone could undo it. Rosalind exhaled slowly, trying to steady herself, but before she could say anything, the sound of voices and movement carried in from outside.
They glanced at each other.
