Suddenly, she seemed vulnerable and very, very sad, and Jayce regretted pushing her to tell him about her life. “Rika . . .”

“It’s okay,” she assured him. “I’m trying to be open about everything like you asked, but it’s not easy to talk about it.”

“I’m sorry.” He pulled her into his arms and held her in silence.

She didn’t cry, but she did curl into his embrace, accepting his comfort or maybe forgiving him for wanting to know. He felt a flash of guilt at the thought. He’d dated a few girls, but he wasn’t sure how to truly date Rika. Part of dating was getting to know each other, but it was hard to do that when the girl in question was some sort of supernatural creature with secrets too big for him to truly grasp.

Moments of silence passed, and he wished he had a clue how to be in her world without asking for answers that she wasn’t willing to share. He didn’t want her to be unhappy, but he wanted to know her. He stroked her hair and kept her clasped tightly to his chest. Talking wasn’t the right way to grow closer to her right now. After a moment, though, he had to ask, “How’s Sionnach?”

He knew that the faery was obviously alive and alert; Jayce had heard his voice. That didn’t mean he was fine, however.

“Weak.” Rika pulled back a little and looked toward the tunnel leading to the cavern where Sionnach was resting. “He’ll be fine in time, but she poisoned him. He’s not going to be truly well anytime soon.”

Jayce nodded, trying to find the right words to tell her that he was there for her without asking any questions that would make her grow quieter.

But then Rika blurted, “There’s no one but you in my life.”

When he looked at her, she took a deep, shuddering breath and continued shakily, “I’ve been alone for . . . ever, really. Keenan left me when he realized I wasn’t who he hoped I was. Shy’s been my friend, but we’re not . . . we’ve never . . . been anything else.”

“He’s something to you.” Jayce wasn’t accusing, merely stating the obvious. He wasn’t the sort of guy to make a scene or be possessive, but he wasn’t going to pretend he didn’t notice what was right in front of him either.

“Not what you are.” She blushed. “I’ve never felt like I do with you.”

Jayce paused before he said, “He’s in your life in ways I’m not.”