I spent the remainder of the night cradled in Gosto’s arms. I couldn’t tell when exactly sleep had claimed me, but we woke up entangled, and as I breathed in his scent, my heart stuttered against my ribs. The world beyond the walls was cloaked in darkness and uncertainty. A new enemy loomed faceless, unnamed and an attack could descend without warning. Yet here, wrapped in his warmth, I allowed myself a fragile sliver of peace.

“We probably need to get up,” Gosto mumbled drowsily, ...