“Rika didn’t run from Keenan.” Sionnach felt a wash of exhaustion. He’d hoped that no one had noticed her absence, figured that with the way she hid in her cave they’d assume she was tucked away, but she’d obviously been seen. Gently, he said, “I’m sure she’ll be back.”

From beside him, the faery with the bruised face prompted, “And the rest?”

“We’ll fix it. Rika intends to . . . talk to Maili.” Sionnach’s tail swished behind him. “And if you are wise, you’ll want seats to watch. Rika is not pleased that Maili invited Keenan into our desert. He has no right being near her ever again. We will not allow him here, and we will keep you safe.”

“But—”

“Have I failed you yet?” Sionnach looked at each of them in turn.

“No,” several said simultaneously.

“I told you I’d find a way to have Rika help me keep you safe. I did.” Sionnach let them see his affection for them for a moment.

“Rika will come back?” the twitchy faery asked.

“This is her home,” he said. Hoping they didn’t notice that he’d avoided the question, he quickly added, “If I fail you, you have every right to anger, but I will not fail. I have not.”

“Rika will stand beside you? Keep him out?” the fox faery asked nervously. “I like it here, but I don’t want a king. Kings aren’t . . . good. We’re solitary and—”

“I will keep us all safe,” Sionnach interrupted him. “I always do. Trust me.”

After a quiet moment, all four faeries left. Sionnach let out a whoosh of breath. He needed Rika to come back, to forgive him or at least ignore her anger to look after the solitaries here. He was mostly certain she would return, but a niggling doubt remained. She’d held on to her anger at Keenan for decades. Grudge holding was something of an art for her. This, he rationalized, wasn’t a major offense though. Surely she could see that! A harmless omission, a few nudges toward what she already wanted, and some gentle manipulation . . . Among fey, these weren’t even worth noticing. He’d give her the day, and after that, he’d have to find her. If she wanted to rage at him later, she could, but right now, they had the safety of the desert to consider.

Matter resolved, Sionnach sat down and looked toward the mortal girl he’d grown to like.

Carissa walked back toward the table, accompanied by the waitress, who was carrying a slice of pie. Carissa slid back into the booth and snuggled up to him again.

The waitress smiled approving at Sionnach as she set the pie down in front of him. “Good riddance to them. That lot always starts trouble in here.”