Sweet Reward

Rowena quietly stroked Desmond's back to comfort him.

Several minutes later, she asked, “Are you still uncomfortable?”

The discomfort in Desmond's expression barely changed, but he put on a brave face and nodded. “I feel better with you around.”

Rowena was secretly impressed by his charade, though she did not call him out on it. She helped him to sit on the bed, propping some pillows against his b