He caught her arm and steadied her, chuckling. Medusa glared.
“Don’t laugh at me,” she said.
“I’m not laughing at you,” he said.
“Then why are you laughing?” she countered.
“Because,” he said, having not really thought about it, “I’m having fun. Aren’t you having fun?”
She didn’t answer, but they continued gliding along the ice, and soon he caught her smiling, and it made his chest feel light. She was so focused, she didn’t seem to realize he wasn’t holding onto her anymore.
“Look at you go,” he said. “You’re skating all on your own.”
Her smile widened and she gave a breathless laugh. A second later, she fell.
“Are you okay?” Dionysus stopped to help her up.
“Yeah,” she said. “Thank you.”
They continued around the rink, passing Ariadne and Acamus. Dionysus turned, skating backwards to watch them a moment longer.
“You’re such a showoff,” said Medusa.
“You’re just jealous,” he said, but as he moved to face forward, he tripped and fell.
Medusa’s laugh was a roar as she continued forward, stopping to hold the wall, doubled over with laughter.
“Uncle!” he heard Acamus call right before he fell on him, stealing his breath.
“Oof!”
Ariadne laughed, appearing over him like an angel.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Fine,” he grunted as Acamus continued to bounce on his stomach, oblivious to Dionysus’s discomfort.
“All right, let’s let uncle get up,” she said, lifting Acamus to his feet. “Maybe we should get some hot chocolate to warm you up.”
“Chocolate!” he said as Dionysus got to his feet.
“Hot chocolate sounds great,” he agreed.
They made their way off the ice and changed their shoes, stopping at a small stall to order.
“I don’t have any wine to spike it with,” the vendor said, chuckling at his own joke as he pushed a carrier toward Dionysus.
“I’ll forgive the oversight,” he replied, trying to sound like he was equally amused, but he would never have requested spiked hot chocolate for his family.
He took the tray to where Ariadne, Acamus, and Medusa waited beneath a lighted tree and handed out the drinks.
“Where to now?” Dionysus asked.
“Should we walk through the garden and see the lights?” Ariadne asked.
Suddenly, his heart seemed to beat harder and slower all at once. That was where he wanted to propose, somewhere deep in that maze of dreamy, glittering lights. He wasn’t sure why he was having this reaction; it had been his plan from the start. He guessed he thought they’d end the night there—on a high note. He could suggest something else, but he’d rather honor her desire.
“Whatever you want,” he said, attempting to sound casual, but he’d started to sweat as the panic settled in. Would she say yes? Or would he ruin their entire holiday with a single question? He tried to remind himself that rejection was a reflection of her trauma, not her love and devotion, and that he would wait. He would give her as long as she needed to make the decision.
