(One week later—midnight.)
Eva lay curled up on the wide, empty bed. Her hand slid over the cold sheets beside her, tracing the hollow where Kyel should have been.
"I miss you…" she whispered into the silence.
It had been eight days since they had last shared a bed. Eight long nights without his warmth, without his arms around her. She turned her head toward the clock on the wall.
"Two already… and I still can't fall asleep."
The room was so quiet that even the ticking of the clock sounded loud, each second dragging on like an eternity.
Finally, she pushed the blanket aside and sat up. "It's been eight days… sleeping together just once won't hurt," she murmured to herself, determination flickering in her chest. "I need to see Kyel."
Carefully, she cracked the door open and peeked into his chamber.
"Honey… are you sleeping?" she whispered timidly.
Silence.
On tiptoe, Eva slipped inside, her heart pounding with both guilt and anticipation. Her eyes softened as she saw him lying there, his chest rising and falling in steady rhythm, his face calm in sleep.
"Look at him," she breathed, lips tugging into a faint, sad smile. "Sleeping so peacefully… while I'm the only one dying of loneliness."
Quietly, she climbed onto the bed, careful not to disturb him. She slid closer, inch by inch, until her cheek pressed against the warmth of his chest.
"Don't wake up… please," she whispered, closing her eyes.
His scent surrounded her, familiar and comforting. She inhaled deeply, smiling faintly. "I missed your smell…"
Her fingers trembled as she reached out, gently wrapping her arm around his waist. For the first time in eight nights, her body relaxed.
"Good night… honey," she whispered against him, her voice soft as a sigh.
And with that, she finally let sleep take her, clinging to the warmth she had missed so dearly.
---
Kyel stirred the moment he felt the warmth pressed against him. His eyes fluttered open, and there she was—Eva, tucked against his chest, her hand resting gently on his waist.
"Princess…" Kyel whispered, surprised.
A small smile tugging at his lips. "When did you slip in here?"
For a moment, he simply watched her, the peaceful rise and fall of her breath, the way she looked so content beside him.
Then he whispered softly, "You shouldn't be here."
Carefully, he lifted her hand away from him and shifted back, putting just a little space between them.
Lowering his head, he found himself at eye level with her sleeping face—the distance close enough to feel her warmth, yet far enough to remind him of the barrier he'd promised to keep.
His chest tightened.He reached out and brushed his fingers against her cheek, tenderly.
"You look healthy now, princess," he murmured, his voice almost a sigh.
But then his gaze fell to her lips. Soft. Parted. Tempting.
His thumb grazed them without thinking, and his throat went dry.
He swallowed hard, his body tensing, desire clawing through him like fire under his skin.
"No… no, don't look at her lips," he muttered under his breath, jerking his hand back.
Yet his eyes betrayed him, drawn once again to that soft curve, and the heat in his chest only grew.
His body stirred in response, straining against his restraint.
"Damn it," he hissed under his breath, lowering a hand to his pants as though he could ground himself.
He slapped his cheek lightly, then his chest, muttering, "No… Eyan, get it together. Control yourself."
His heart was racing wildly. He smacked his chest harder, whispering through gritted teeth, "Stop beating so fast…"
A shaky exhale escaped him, his voice low and strained. "I can't do this."
He pushed himself up from the bed, breathing unevenly.
With gentle care, he slid his arms beneath Eva and lifted her against him, careful not to wake her.
He held her close for a moment, his lips brushing her hair. "You should sleep in your room."
he whispered, almost pained. "We can't sleep together… not yet."
Carrying her back, he laid her down on her own bed, brushing her face once more, his thumb lingering at her cheek. "Sleep well, princess…"
Then, forcing himself to turn away, Kyel left the room—closing the door softly behind him, his heart still raging inside his chest.
---
Eva's eyes opened slowly, the faint warmth of sunlight brushing against her skin. She blinked, confusion settling in when she realized she was in her own bed.
Her lips parted in disbelief.
"What am I doing here? … I was with Kyel."
The thought pierced her heart. Did he… leave me here? Carry me away while I was asleep?
Frustration bubbled up, but it was laced with hurt. She pressed her hand against her chest, whispering his name under her breath.
"Kyel…"
Pushing off the blankets, she rushed out of her room, her bare feet carrying her quickly down the stairs.
"Kyel!" her voice cracked, half-angry, half-desperate.
He turned from where he stood near the table, calm as ever. His lips curved faintly.
"Good morning."
Eva stopped at the last step, her eyes already glistening.
"I don't need your good morning," she snapped, though her voice trembled.
Kyel frowned. "What happened?"
Eva walked toward him, her hands clutching her dress tightly. "I came to you last night… do you remember?"
He hesitated, he nodded his head. "yes."
Her throat tightened. "Then did you bring me back to my room?"
"Yes."
"Why?" Her voice cracked, softer this time, filled with disbelief.
Kyel's gaze lowered. "Because… we can't sleep together."
Eva's lips quivered. "What's wrong with just sleeping? I only wanted to stay beside you…"
"We can't."
She shook her head, tears burning at the corners of her eyes. "No… I'll be sleeping with you from staring today. I don't care what you say."
Kyel's voice grew firmer. "No, you can't."
"Why not?" Her whisper came out broken, pleading rather than angry.
"Eva, I said no. Why won't you listen to me?"
She bit her lip hard, fighting the tears threatening to fall. "If you sleep in a different room tonight too, then I'll break into your room again."
His tone turned cold, like ice. "Then I'll leave the house."
Her breath hitched, her eyes widening. "…What?"
"Yes," he said flatly. "If you do that again, I'll leave—and I won't be back for at least thirty more days."
"Now choose." his voice cold.
For a moment, Eva's face went pale. Her hands fell limply to her sides, and when she spoke again, her voice was trembling.
"…Fine. You want to sleep alone? Then I won't force you."
She turned quickly, running up the stairs.
The door slammed shut behind her, the sound echoing with the weight of her hurt.
Kyel remained frozen, his hand clenched at his side. After a long silence, he let out a heavy sigh, guilt washing over him.
"It's harder than I thought it would be…" he muttered, his chest tight with regret.