“Not yet, but I have a feeling there’s more to come.” He settled me on his lap. “Want to tell me who Arawn is?”

I stiffened.

“You do know, then. Can I ask? Or have you reached your weekly limit of weird shit you care to explain?”

I exhaled. “It’s a long story.”

“I’d like to hear it.”

I nodded and told him everything. About Matilda and Gwynn and Arawn. Then about the three of us—the roles we played in that old drama.

When I finished, he said, “Huh.” Then, “Well, that explains even more.”

“Like why you stick with a girl who causes you so much trouble?”

He said nothing, just sat there and looked at me until I squirmed and said, “Sorry.”

Ricky shifted closer, our legs brushing. “Like you said, this isn’t reincarnation. We aren’t them. Thank God for that, because the guys both sound like self-centered pricks.” He paused. “Does Gabriel know?”

I choked out a laugh. “The phrase ‘self-centered prick’ prompted that question?”

“Not entirely. But I don’t know what’s tougher to swallow—me as King of the Underworld or Gabriel as King of the Fairies.”

I laughed, then sobered and looked at him. “I’ve told him the story. His role? No. I . . . I suppose I should. I’m just . . .” I took a deep breath. “My gut tells me he won’t handle it nearly as well as you did.”

“Because he’s playing the role of the guy who won you? Betrayed his best friend? Lied, lied, and lied some more until the woman he loved died horribly, because he couldn’t stand to share her—even in friendship—with another guy?”

“All of the above.”

Ricky went quiet. After a minute, he said, “I’d like to say you’re wrong, and he can handle it. You and I both know how he is, though. My advice? Don’t tell him now, but if there’s any chance he’ll find out, you need to get the jump on that. I wouldn’t have cared who told me. Gabriel will—especially if I already know. I don’t want to cause trouble. I know how much he means to you.”

“I—”

“I know he does, and now I understand why, and that doesn’t change anything, because I always knew not to interfere, that the worst thing I could do would be to come between you two. You’re with me. That’s all that matters. Gwynn and Arawn might have claimed they were best friends, that they both loved Matilda, but they didn’t seem to give a shit about her or about each other. I’m not that guy. I’m never going to be that guy. Gabriel is my friend. But even more, he’s your friend. More your friend than mine. I will not interfere with that. Ever.”