“And you’re here in ways he isn’t.” She looked back out to the now darkened and shadowy desert. He knew without her saying it that she’d been checking to make sure that Keenan had left. Now that the glowing faery was gone, Jayce could see her visibly relax. Quietly, she said, “I can’t change who I am. I won’t. I made that mistake once.”

Jayce stepped behind her and pulled her against him. His arms wrapped around her, and he rested his cheek against her head. “I don’t want you to change. I just want to know you. Everything seems like such a secret.”

He could feel Rika tense in his arms, but he didn’t let go of her.

“I want to be with you,” he added. “Just talk to me, please?”

She leaned back into Jayce’s arms. “Shy sent me to see you today. He stayed here, injured, while I came to you. He’s my friend. Until you, he’s been my only true friend.”

Jayce kissed her head. “And the other one? Keenan?”

Rika laughed bitterly. “He’s never been my friend. He’s never been my lover either.” She turned in Jayce’s arms, so she was facing him. “You can trust me, Jayce. There’s no competition for my heart. My attention sometimes . . . but not my heart. Until you, I’d never even been properly kissed. No one wanted to draw with me or hike in the desert. I watched you, wanting you, and now I have you in my arms. I want to be with you.”

Jayce leaned down and kissed her, meaning to be sweet, worrying that he’d been too forward after what she just admitted. He believed what she’d just said was true, too, because according to Rika faeries couldn’t lie. It seemed crazy that the beautiful girl in his arms had been alone for most of her life. It was a little scary.

And cool, he admitted to himself.

“I didn’t know you were so innocent. I won’t push you.” He started to step away from her, but she held him close and kissed him thoroughly. One of her hands entwined in his dreads, clutching them to hold him to her.

When they parted, she whispered, “You’re not pushing. I’m trying to let you in, but I’ve been on my own for longer than the town even existed. It takes time. Ask me something else.”

Jayce held her tightly, one hand on her back, one hand cradling her head. He wasn’t sure how he’d gotten so lucky. Rika was unlike anyone he’d ever met, and she wanted to be with him. They’d figure it out.