Edmund's POV
It was past midnight and I laid awake, sweaty and breathless, from a nightmare. A frightening dream where Maisie begged to leave me for Alistair and I had to concede.
Her rhythmic breathing and her body heat provided assurance that she was still physically beside me. She was so close yet so far.
I turned to look at the angelic sleeping face, who was oblivious of the turmoil that existed within me. I wanted to embrace her. To kiss her. To remind myself that the present mattered more. But I could not. Not until she wanted to.
'Ah, I can't believe I've gotten greedier,' I thought. My hand was itching to stroke her face. To run my fingers through her soft dark hair and brush them to the back. But I held myself back.
I sighed defeated while resting an arm on my eyes. My chest tightened and I knew I had to resolve this matter as soon as possible.
