Page 258 of Night's Fall
In all thatI’dgotten used to without even noticing it, sleeping withAlekseiby my side was the one that was the easiest.
Because us tangled together through the night was the most natural thing in the world.
“I’m setting up aPalacetour for tomorrow,”Iforced out. “Andyour mom has agreed to the loan of the royal garments to theMdV.I’llbe taping an announcement that’s going to happen tomorrow as well.Alongwith sharing there’ll be a fundraising ball.”
“Excellent.”
“Would you like to…”—Iflipped out a hand—“share a drink before we both go to bed?”
“I need a clear head.Ihave some business comms to return beforeIretire.”
So, that was a no.
“Right.”
He said nothing.
I said nothing.
This continued as my heart grew to feel like it weighed a ton in my chest.
I stood. “I’lljust…go read for a bit.”
He nodded.
All right.
This was the hardest thingI’dhad to do in my life.
I hadn’t even been “giving him space” for a whole half an hour, and this was torture.
“CanIkiss you goodnight?”Irequested timidly.
A flicker of something warm and lovely glimmered in his eyes before he murmured, “Youmay always kiss me, love.”
Okay, at least that was good.
Right?
I moved around his desk.
He didn’t get up, just tipped his head back.
I bent in and touched my mouth to his before pulling back.
“Try to sleep well,”Ibid.
“You too.”
“Love you,drahko,”Isaid softly.
He didn’t say the words, he jerked up his chin.
And that was bad.
Totally torture.
I gave him a smile that trembled, that flicker came back to his eyes as he watched it, but he turned to his desk and picked up his stylus.
