Elisabeth's POV
Time froze around us. Neither of us moved, neither of us breathed. His steel-gray eyes held mine captive, unblinking, and for one heart-stopping moment, I was certain he would close the distance between us.
Then reality crashed back. He pulled away sharply. "Go to sleep, Elisabeth."
The dismissal in his voice cut through me like a blade. It was final, absolute, making it crystal clear that no amount of persistence would crack the fortress he'd just rebuilt around himself. My chest collapsed inward, hope dying where it had briefly flickered to life.
Just when I believed we'd broken through something, we were right back where we started. Two steps closer, then a concrete wall slamming shut in my face.
