They walked home hand in hand, their fingers threaded together in an unbreakable bond. Tristan squeezed her fingers and grinned yet again. There was no such thing as walking when he was beside her, just floating in the air.

Helena’s sweet smile made his heart trip and stumble, and the memory of her lips caressing his was enough to keep him awake for hours. He didn’t want the night to end and she mustn’t have either, because the closer they reached to home, the slower their steps became.

She rested her head on his shoulder while they ambled in the quiet darkness. Her long, delicate fingers played with the necklace he’d bought her. He kissed the top of her head, feeling like a king.

As if reading his mind, Helena began to hum “Lavenders Blue Dilly Dilly.”

He remembered his mother dancing around the house to the same tune, an entranced smile on her lips as she waltzed with the air.

“When I am king, dilly dilly, you shall be queen,” Tristan softly sang.

Helena giggled. “I never thought I could get you singing. I really have triumphed.”

He grinned, glad the darkness could hide his blazing cheeks. Looking across the street, he gazed at the patch of grass where it had all started.

If those kids hadn’t been playing ball…if they hadn’t hit one into his driveway…if the baseball hadn’t been so precious…

He never would have met her.

Pulling in a grateful breath, Tristan tried to ward off the weight of their impending goodbye.

Creeping through the thick grass, Tristan led her to the hanging sheet. It still floated in the breeze against the house, undiscovered. They stood beneath it, gazing at each other in the moonlight.

The sadness in Helena’s smile tore at Tristan’s heart. He didn’t want to return her. He wanted to keep her by his side…forever. But that was her choice, and he could tell by her lack of words that she had made her decision. She wouldn’t leave her mother, not even for him.

“Come on.” Tristan spun around and crouched so she could climb onto his back. Her arms and legs snaked around him. She locked her ankles at his waist and he gripped the rope. It took all his strength to haul them both up. It was lucky she was a lightweight.

With a grunt, he slapped his hand on the roof and dug his fingers into the shingles. As soon as Helena could reach, she climbed off his back and scrambled up to the window. He stayed close behind her, making sure she didn’t slip and fall.

Holding her hips, he balanced her so she could climb through the window and then followed her through. He couldn’t linger—it was too risky. He didn’t want her getting in trouble.

Helena slid his jacket off and handed it back to him. He gripped it in his fist with a heavy sigh before pulling it on.

“Thank you for a…magical…date.” Helena’s smile lacked its usual luster.

He collected her hand, pressing his lips against her knuckles. “It was my pleasure, believe me.”

Her cheeks bloomed with a cherry sweetness and she dipped her head. Long hair cascaded over her shoulders, hiding her face from him.

He wasn’t sure what to say, so he dropped her hand and forced himself back to the window.

“Wait.” Her gasp was soft and caught in her throat.

Pivoting on his heel, he spun back in time to catch her against him. He drew her close, breathing in her jasmine and running his hand down her back until they were fused together.

“You’ll return, won’t you?” Her whisper was frantic.

“Of course,” he murmured into her hair before pulling back to look at her. Running his finger down her hairline, he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “But only if you want me to.”

“I do.” She clutched his wrist, tears glistening in her eyes.

“Hey, what is it?”

She swallowed and blinked, the light breeze coming through the window making goose bumps ripple over her skin. “I was scared tonight, but I wanted to be with you, so I ignored my fear…and…and I had the most amazing night of my life. I’ve never felt so alive.” She gazed into his eyes, brushing her fingers down his cheek. “And now that you’re leaving I realize…” Her breath caught and she had to swallow before she could go on. “I can’t bear the thought of never seeing you again. I need more, Tristan. I want you to take me out on a hundred dates. A thousand.”

“I’ll take you on a million,” he whispered, resting his forehead against hers. “You don’t have to stay trapped here forever. We can get your mom help. We can get you out of this.”

She nodded, sniffing at her tears and giving him a watery smile.

“Is that what you want?”

She nodded again. “I need to be with you. I want to live in this world. I want to leave a footprint. I want…a life outside of these walls.”

Her words set his heart alight. With a soft smile, he reached for her lips, his body trembling with excitement. Their tongues danced for a moment, tying their fates together.

Pulling back, Tristan held her neck, rubbing his thumb across her cheek and smiling down at her. “We’ll make it happen, Helena. I promise you, I’ll get you out of here.”

The spark was back in her eyes, the vow of freedom giving her a radiant glow.

A creak sounded above them. Whether it was the wind or a dragon, they weren’t sure, but it was enough to pull them apart. Tristan snuck to the window, the idea of leaving no longer so painful.

Easing into the darkness, he steadied himself on the shingles, clutching the sheet rope and easing down the roof.

“I’ll see you soon,” Helena whispered into the darkness. Her pale hand reached for his. He leaned back so they could touch one last time.

“It’s a promise.” He kissed her knuckles and left before he was tempted to climb back through the window.

He landed in the grass with a faint thump, wiping his hands on his butt as the sheet was pulled away from him. He grinned up at the night sky, feeling lighter than air.

Practically prancing home, he waltzed in the back door and practically jumped out of his skin when he spotted his father in the doorway.

“Whoa!” He clutched his chest and leaned forward with a gasp.

A stifled laugh eased out of his father as he lumbered into the kitchen. “Where’ve you been?”

Tristan looked up and shook his head. “Just out.” It was impossible to hide his smile. His lips rose of their own accord, pulling his face into a dopey grin.

His father snickered. “Right. Just out.”

“Yep.” Tristan nodded, biting his lips together. It didn’t work; his smile fought against him and spread his cheeks wide.

Clearing his throat, his father ambled to the fridge, patting his son’s shoulder as he brushed past. “Helena. That’s her name, right?”

Tristan nodded.

His father gave him a knowing wink, shaking his head with a look that Tristan swore was pride.

“Well, I’m gonna head to bed. Get some sleep.” Tristan pointed over his shoulder.

“Good luck with that.” His dad pulled out a Dr. Pepper, opening the can with a wink.

Tristan walked out of the room, still grinning as he headed up the stairs. He didn’t know how he was going to get Helena out of that house, but he’d find a way to keep his promise.

Part of him was tempted to pull out his laptop and start researching everything he could on people with phobias, where they could get help, how to involve child services, but the idea tasted sour in his mouth.

No, he wanted to savor the night. So instead, he reached for a paper crane and a pen.

First date with Helena—pure magic.

Grabbing the nylon string she’d given him, he cut a longer piece than normal, tied a knot and threaded the bird onto it. Using a tack, he pinned it above his bed, in line with his pillow. Dropping onto the mattress, he gazed up at the ceiling with a dreamy smile, reaching up and lightly knocking the bird with his finger before closing his eyes and drifting back to Helena’s side.