"Oh, Andivad," she breathed, realizing now the lengths he'd been willing to go to. It hadn't quite clicked until now. How heartbroken he must be that she couldn't remember him!
She'd never really understood romance. It didn't seem like something that would happen to her. Poor Nicholas had probably wanted to pull his hair out a few times for how slow she was to catch on, but that seemed like nothing compared to this. It wasn't that Lirael couldn't ever see herself wed. She just imagined it would be a practical matter--possibly arranged--without any fairytale romance or adventure besides the required ones related to her duties as the Abhorsen.
She reached out to touch his hand, but stopped just short. "It wouldn't have done either of us any favors if he'd driven you mad," she said gently. They probably should change the topic. After all, he'd said it was bad luck to talk about the Devil King for so long.
It all seemed so impossible. Well, not the magic. That was unfamiliar, but understandable enough. And the structure of the world made sense. She could follow the talk of different kingdoms, and the path he'd outlined for their journey tomorrow. But that this prince could truly be so fiercely in love with her.. "I'm not entirely certain this isn't all a fever dream," she admitted.