Truthfully, the moment Xavier was standing in front of me, gazing down at me with that inscrutable expression, I felt an incredible tremor of relief. Holding his arm out, I didn't hesitate to take it. When I stumbled a little on the stilts Poala had made me fasten to my feet, Xavier pulled me in front of himself, one arm slipping around my waist, the other clutching my hand lightly. I'd hardly had time to handle our adjusted positions before he was guiding me into the restaurant and, vacantly, I realized my feet were hardly touching the ground. "Did you enjoy the spa?" he asked casually, walking at a quickened cadence that I never would have been able to keep up with were I not feeling light as a feather.
"I . . . thank you," I stuttered, noticing the fancy wood decor, lights dancing a
