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A sharp ache bloomed behind my ribs. “That was almost emotionally intelligent.”

His eyes opened. “I’m learning.”

The smile came unbidden, surprising us both.

He stared, something unguarded and raw in his expression, like he’d forgotten I could look at him like that. The sight lodged in my throat.

I started to pull my hand from his neck, but let my fingers catch his instead. “Come sit with me.”

His gaze flickered instinctively toward the door.

I tightened my grip on his hand. “Not by the door.”

“Talia—”

“We have to leave soon.”

“Yes.”

“So for ten minutes,” I said, tugging him gently. “Sit.”

A hesitation, a nearly imperceptible tension in his shoulders, then he let me lead him to the bed.

I sat first, the mattress dipping under my weight.

Veyr lowered himself beside me, spine rigid as a blade, his gaze sweeping the room in a continuous, silent circuit.

“You’re terrible at this.”

“At what?”

“Existing.”

His mouth tightened. “That seems broad.”

“It is.”

I slid back until my shoulders met the cool wall. “Lie down.”

His eyes cut toward me. “You want me to sleep.”

“I want you to try.”

“We leave soon.”

“You said we had time to rest.”

“Yes.”

“Taking time to rest won’t kill you.”

“That isn’t the concern.”

“I know it isn’t.”

His attention sharpened, zeroing in.

I kept my voice low. “Do it anyway.”