If not for the fact that Rika was a faery discussing faery politics in a cave, the quiet gathering of food would seem normal. Sometimes it was easy to see the mortal girl that she had been. Those glimpses of Rika were enchanting in a way that her Otherness wasn’t. He didn’t mind that she was fey, didn’t want her to change, but the world she lived in was a little alien and unsettling. Knowing that an entire civilization existed hidden within his own left him with a sense of peril that he wished he didn’t have. Until Rika, the desert had seemed safe—potentially harsh and filled with natural dangers, but those weren’t threats with motive. Snakes didn’t bite with malice; the sun didn’t create heatstroke with intent.

Except according to Shy and Rika, the sun sometimes did just that when it was a manifestation of the Summer King . . . who is my girlfriend’s ex.

Jayce shook his head at the oddity that was now a part of his life and then followed Rika back into the main chamber. Sionnach had been dozing. He looked up at them drowsily, eyes half-lidded. Even injured and still, the fox faery had something of the feral animal that Rika didn’t.

“The other problem is that Maili has taken some issue with Shy, so . . .” Rika’s words faded away when she noticed Sionnach blinking sleepily. “Sorry.”

Jayce handed the faery a plate of food while Rika balanced her own plate on the vaguely table-shaped rock outcropping. “Why does Maili have issue with you?”

“It was inevitable.” Sionnach suddenly looked uncomfortable, not meeting Rika’s eyes.

“Why, Sionnach?”

“Seriously, Rika . . .”

“A girl,” Jayce said in relief. The injured faery might have feelings for Rika, but he obviously also had someone else in his life that he hadn’t told Rika about. “There’s a girl.”

“No.” Rika laughed. “Shy doesn’t do relationships, so that’s not it. So what is it?”

After a long moment of silence, Sionnach asked, “Why do you say that?”

“Because you flirt with Rika to get her to do what you want, but you say you aren’t interested in pursuing her that way, right?” Jayce flashed Sionnach a smile, half daring him to admit that he hadn’t been honest with Rika about his feelings but half hoping the faery would keep his secret. He admitted to himself that he felt threatened by the history the two faeries shared, but they both insisted that there was nothing more. Jayce hoped his expression was not too revealing as he added, “And because a girl being involved seems like the only thing you’d be hesitant to admit.”

“Shy?” Rika sounded puzzled.

“So maybe there is a girl. . . .” Sionnach sat up straighter in the bed. “I spent some time with a mortal lately, but it’ll pass. I’ve never been one for relationships, Rika. Everyone knows that.”