His breathing shifts against my lap — a tiny stir, the kind that says the dream is ending but he doesn’t want it to.

“Evelisse…” he murmurs, voice rough with sleep. The way he says my name — not with formality, not with restraint, but like it’s something sacred — sends warmth straight through my chest.

His eyes flutter open, just barely, lashes heavy and unfocused. He looks up at me like a man lost, half in dream, half in longing. “...Kiss,” he mumbles, barely audible.

My breath catches. “What was that, my knight?” I tease softly, brushing my thumb along his cheek.

He shifts slightly, pressing closer, his lips ghosting against the fabric of my gown, too dazed to realize what he’s doing. “Want… kiss…” His voice is hoarse, broken, pleading.

For once, it’s not the cold, disciplined guard before me — it’s the man beneath the armor. The one who only exists when it’s just us.

I smile, leaning down, my hair brushing his face. “You’re bold in your sleep, my love,” I whisper, about to close the distance between us —

But before I can, his breathing evens out again. He’s already drifted back into slumber, head heavy against my thighs, lips parted slightly as if still waiting.

I let out a soft laugh, tender and quiet. “You really are impossible,” I murmur, tracing his jaw with the back of my fingers. “Even asleep, you manage to leave me wanting.”

I lean down anyway, pressing a gentle kiss to his temple. “Rest well, my darling knight. The next time you ask, I won’t let you fall asleep first.”