Chapter 43

True to his word, he stayed right by her side as he showed her the boardwalk. He showed her how to play the games and watched her consternation over the nature of cotton candy and stole little kisses from her whenever she managed to overcome her fear and ask him a question or express something that wasn’t self-loathing.

He took her on the Ferris wheel and held her while she hid her face in his coat before she got used to the motion and actually started to look around with something approaching happiness on her face. “I have never been so high, it is thrilling.”

He waited until their gondola was stopped at the top of the circle to turn to her. She was looking avidly out over the lights, and it took her a moment to realize she was being observed. “Ardala,” he said softly, brushing his hand down her cheek. “I want you to do something for me if you feel like you can.”