Continued

The water is still perfectly hot when Cherie finally opens her eyes. The vision of the beach fades, leaving her in the quiet, dim bathroom. She feels heavy, relaxed, and remarkably clear-headed.

She stands, the water cascading off her body, and reaches for a plush towel. As she wraps it around herself and begins to pat her skin dry, she looks up at the large vanity mirror.

You gather your Essence behind her. As the steam clears from the glass, she sees you. You aren't a flash or a terrifying specter. You are standing a few feet back, your expression calm and steady. You simply nod—a silent, respectful acknowledgement of the woman she is.

Cherie doesn't scream. She doesn't run. She stands there, clutching her towel, her eyes locked onto yours in the reflection. A small, tentative smile touches the corner of her mouth—a secret shared between the Queen and the Shadow.

“Thank you,” she whispers, the words barely audible.

She turns away and walks back into the bedroom, slipping into bed beside her snoring husband. She falls into a deep, dreamless sleep, her body finally at rest.