Love's Unspoken Question, Fear's Sudden Arrival

I jerked my hand back like I'd been burned, my heart hammering in my chest.

"I thought you were asleep," I whispered, my voice betraying my nervousness.

Rhys's eyes were fully alert now, dark and intense in the moonlight filtering through the curtains. "I was," he admitted, his voice still husky. "Until I felt your touch."

Heat rushed to my cheeks. "I was just changing your bandage."

A small smile played on his lips as he slowly sat up, wincing slightly. "You didn't come to see me last night."

His statement caught me off guard. "What?"

"I waited for you," he said simply, his eyes never leaving mine. "After everyone went to bed. I thought you might come."

My pulse quickened. "Why would I do that?"

"Because there's still something between us, Elara." Rhys reached out, his fingers brushing my wrist so lightly I almost thought I imagined it. "Something neither of us can deny, no matter how hard we try."