Chapter 21

The Emberlandic sun had always been dazzling. Zoe walked barefoot on the beach with soft, white sand spilling between her toes. The waves surged up now and then, gently kissing her ankles. She held a bouquet of freshly bought daisies, their golden petals glittering in the sunlight. "Slow down." Luke's voice came from behind her, tinged with the trace of a helpless smile. He was holding two ice cream cones and striding to catch up. The sea breeze lifted the hem of his shirt and revealed his lean waistline. "If you slow down any more, the ice cream will melt," Zoe said as she turned and made a face at him, deliberately walking backward. Luke caught up in just a few steps and handed her one of the cones. "Why can't you just wait for me, then?" The vanilla ice cream melted on her tongue, its sweetness making her squint in delight. Zoe sneaked a glance at Luke beside her, only to find him gazing quietly at the horizon. His lashes were rimmed gold in the sunlight. For the past three m