Gwen woke up in stages, and as soon as she opened her eyes, a blinding headache overtook her. She groaned and carefully pressed her hand to her temple, trying to relieve the throbbing pain, and then to her aching face. Her other hand ached too. She studied it. Of course, the wound from the tree. It had been cleanly dressed now.
She forced her eyes to open fully and took in the surroundings – a bedpost, windows, the soft bedding beneath her and the warm cover draped over her. She was in her bedchamber. But how had she gotten here? Who brought her? The last she remembered was…
Alexander!
Her heart skipped a beat, and her head pounded even harder. She recalled seeing him before she had fainted, except her vision was cruel and had lied to her.
Gwen sat up abruptly, and when her head spun, instantly regretted it. She looked herself over and exhaled. Now in her night garment, and in her bed, she was safe from her assailant, but where was Alexander?
