Lysander set Zerina down gently at the foot of the ladder. He turned toward her afterward and said, “I’ll climb down first. Make sure you grip the ladder properly so the wind doesn’t sweep you away again.” His voice almost carried a trace of concern, yet a sly, dangerous smile curved his lips as he spoke those words.

He descended swiftly, and the instant his shoes touched the solid ground below, he tilted his head upward and gestured for her to come down.

Zerina swallowed ...