Biting her lip, Sumi hesitated. She looked for a tag to see the price, but there wasn’t one on it. “How much is it?” she asked the clerk.

He smiled warmly. “Gersen War Hauk had us remove all tags. He wants you and your daughter to buy what you like without worrying over the cost. He was quite explicit that we not dampen your happiness in any way, and that we outfit his daughter like a fae princess.”

Kalea gave her the most adorable begging face.

“Then I guess you can have it, sweetie.”

Kalea squealed as she hugged the dress to her and danced around the chairs.

Sumi pressed her lips together, enjoying the sight of her daughter’s excitement while they picked out the rest of Kalea’s wardrobe. She wished Dancer was here to see it, too. Especially since it was his kindness and generosity that made Kalea so thrilled and happy.

By the time they were done, Kalea had more clothes than Sumi could have dreamed of. She kept trying to say enough, but the other women, and Maris and Ture, came up with reasons and occasions that required more and more.

Giggling, Kalea rolled around on top of her new wardrobe like a happy little piglet.

Dancer finally rejoined them. He arched a brow at her actions. “What are you doing, Lee-lee?”

She sat up with a gasp. “Daddy! Look at what all I got!” She turned to show him the tulle wings on her back before she twitched and wiggled her bottom to make them flap. “They made me a fairy princess! And… and me and Lil got matching dresses, and me and Mommy got matching dresses, and me and my dolly got matching dresses, too!”

Picking her up, he rubbed noses with her. “So you like them?”

“I do!” She lifted her foot. “See my red shoes. Aren’t they pretty! Aunt Mari said he has some the same color.”

Dancer glanced over to Mari. “I think I’ve seen those shoes.”

Maris winked at him. “Where should we stash all her new things?”

“The room that adjoins my bedroom. El can show you the way and open it for you.”

Maris nodded then turned back to Sumi. “Don’t worry. We’ll get this all put away for you. Come, come, everyone. Let’s tuck our girl into her new room.”

“Can I go, too, Daddy?”

He looked at Sumi. “Are you okay with that?”

She nodded. “Don’t be long, though, and stay with everyone.”

“Okay!”

He set Kalea down so that she could take Lillya’s hand and skip along with the rest to her new room. Then he knelt down by Sumi’s side.

She cupped his cheek in her hand. “Thank you.”

He inclined his head to her. “Did they please her?”

“You should have been here. She was deliriously happy.” But there was a strange shadow haunting his eyes. “What’s wrong?”