Evaline:
I waited.
Not patiently.
Not calmly.
I waited the way one does when every nerve is stretched tight and the answer they have been chasing feels close enough to taste.
Unfortunately for me, Elion seemed to sense that.
With infuriating composure, he lifted the teapot again and refilled his cup with fresh lotus tea. The steam curled lazily into the air, carrying that soft floral scent that had helped calm me minutes ago and now did absolutely nothing for my frayed nerves.
He took a sip - slow, measured, painfully unhurried.
My fingers curled against my thigh, my nails pressing into fabric as I forced myself not to urge him to speak. I refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing just how desperate I was.
Then he reached for my cup.
I lifted my hand immediately. "No, thank you."
His gaze flicked up, faint amusement glimmering in his eyes. "You don't like it anymore?"
"I like it just fine," I replied evenly. "I just don't want it right now."
