Rafael was quiet.
He averted his gaze and faced the opposite direction, unable to answer her question. His sudden movement broke the stillness, and he rose from the bed. His long legs led him to the opened window, his steps slow and deliberate, and he stopped.
The night air was heavy with the promise of rain, and the wind outside whipped through the window, rustling the dark curtains, and his hair.
"You should get some sleep," he said finally, his words a clear attempt to change the subject. He closed the window, the sound of the latch clicking shut. "We have to be somewhere important tomorrow."
When he turned around, the young woman was already up on her feet, and she was standing right in front of him. For someone who had the daring audacity to confront a table filled with powerful old councilmen, of course talking her to sleep would never work.
"Polly." He exasperated. "Didn't you hear what I said?"
