"You're awake?" she whispered, the words barely catching the air.
"As it turns out... yes," he replied, his voice a low rumble that vibrated against her.
"Since when?"
A faint, knowing shadow of a smile touched his lips. "Since you started grumbling about the unfairness of me drifting in dreams while you remained tethered to the waking world."
Olivia froze. She searched for a retort—a witty shield to hide behind—but her mind was a blank canvas. Sensing her sudden urge to flee, she moved to stand, but his hand was swifter. With a firm yet gentle tug, he pulled her back into the sanctuary of his embrace.
"Where do you think you're going?" he murmured, his eyes scanning her face with clinical intensity. "You only ever seek me out when you're standing on the precipice of a collapse. You look like a ghost of yourself, Olivia. Stop playing the part of the ice queen and just... stay."
