"You mean stay close like I have been?" She let the bitterness bleed through. "Oh wait. That was you running."
His head turned toward her.
The air between them ignited.
She could see silver flecks in his dark eyes, the way his pupils had dilated until there was barely any color left. Could see the muscle jumping in his jaw, the tendons standing out in his neck, the tight grip he had on the desk's edge.
His gaze dropped to her mouth.
Her breath caught. Her heart slammed against her ribs. Every rational thought in her head went silent, drowned out by the sudden, desperate want that flooded through her.
Neither of them moved. Neither of them breathed.
The moment stretched. His shadows crept toward her feet, reaching for her despite his rigid control. His lips parted. His body swayed forward, barely, like he was fighting gravity.
Then he stepped back.
He put the desk between them again like a barricade, and the loss of his proximity hit her like a slap.
"The investigation." His voice came out hoarse. "We have work to do."
Her hands were trembling. She curled them into fists at her sides.
"Of course." She stepped back as well, pride the only thing keeping her upright. "And tomorrow's visit?"
He grabbed onto the subject change like a drowning man clutching a rope. "Caelum should be cooperative. Reasonable." Hisfinger jabbed at another section of the map, gaze fixed firmly on the parchment. "He deals with natural deaths, peaceful crossings."
Brynn nodded, filing away the information while studying his profile. The rigid set of his shoulders. The way he wouldn't meet her eyes. The rapid rise and fall of his chest betrayed how affected he actually was.
"When do we leave?" she asked, proud that her voice didn’t waver.
"Within the hour."
"Fine. I'll meet you at the transport chamber."
She was halfway to the door when his voice stopped her.
"Wait."
The word came out rough. Almost unwilling. Like it had escaped against his will.
She turned back slowly, hope flickering to life in her chest.
He stood behind his desk as if it were a shield. The shadows had gone still. Too still. His hands were braced against the wood, and for just a moment, he looked like a man at war with himself.
"The investigation is important." He wasn't looking at her. "The realm's stability depends on finding the saboteur."
Of course. Back to safety. Back to what he could control.
A bitter laugh escaped her. "Of course it is. Wouldn't want anything personal to interfere."
His mouth opened. His gaze met hers, and she saw something raw flash across his expression.
For one heartbeat, she thought he might actually say it. Whatever was choking him. Whatever had made him flee the garden. Whatever kept making him look at her like she was simultaneously salvation and damnation.
But he didn't.
"One hour," he said finally. "The transport chamber."
