She flinches away from my hand so hard that she nearly falls off the end of the bed.
“Little spoon.” I keep my voice as low as I can. “It’s not real, sweetheart. You’re safe.”
“Fuck,” Cade whispers, and I can’t disagree with him. I’ve never seen night terrors as strong as these.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” I murmur, my throat tight with emotion. “You need to come back to us now.”
She twitches again, rolling over to face me. Her face is twisted, silent tears falling from her closed eyes.
Reaching out, I carefully wipe one away. “Little spoon.”
My words are slightly louder this time, and her twitching stops, her breathing coming in harsh snaps as her eyes creak open.
“There you are,” I murmur. “You were having a nightmare.”
It takes a moment for her to come around, the drowsiness leaving her eyes and replaced by awareness.
She licks her lips. “Axel?”
“Mmhmm.” I keep my voice low, soothing. “You’re alright now. Just a bad dream.”
Her eyes flicker from me to Cade. “Was I loud?”
Cade hesitates. “No. Your scent – you perfumed quite heavily.”
Her eyes squeeze closed. “I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to apologize for. We’ll leave you in peace.”
I stand up, but her breath hitches again. When I glance down, she’s chewing on her lip. Her eyes dart towards the door.
“I can stay,” I say gently. “Just for a little while, until you go back to sleep.”
Lips parting, she nods soundlessly. Cade gives me a nod, a final smile for Gabrielle before he turns to leave, leaving the door ajar.
I settle down with my back against the side of her bed. There’s movement above me, a slight shuffling as Gabrielle rearranges herself.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
Tipping my head back, I glance at the dark ceiling. “Anytime, little spoon.”
We stay in silence for a few minutes, Gabrielle’s breathing still a little harsh. My chest aches, wanting to tug her into my arms, curl myself around her so she can hide from all of her nightmares.
Gentle fingers slide over my shoulder, and I blink at the small hand that appears, fingers outstretched.
When I take it, interlacing our fingers together, she sighs, long and deep.
Neither of us say anything, but I cradle her hand carefully with mine as her breathing slows and deepens.
She doesn’t have any more nightmares.
ChapterThirty-Two
Gabrielle
The lack of noise is what wakes me.
There’s no shouting, no hustle and bustle of the dungeon as it bursts into life to eke out another day. Just peaceful quiet.
