It was past curfew, and Rosalind was still awake, waiting for Rowan to return. She had stayed up for an hour, but he still hadn't come back.
Rosalind decided to give it a few more minutes before retiring for the night, and after some time had passed, her eyes lit up as she saw him approaching.
"Come in," she said quietly and he stepped inside to find the room dimly lit, Rosalind closed the door behind them.
She moved toward him, her eyes searching for any sign of injury. "What happened? Are you hurt?" she asked.
"No," he replied, and she paused, studying him carefully.
"Nothing happened where you were taken?" Rosalind asked.
She had imagined all sorts of things he might have faced just because he was trying to protect her reputation, and it struck her again that it was always because of her. She was the one bringing this trouble to him, every single time.
