A Little Night Muse(50)

                He pulled up a stool to the counter and glanced toward her,                     though he didn’t quite make eye contact. “You’re not eating?”

                “I nibbled earlier. We phae really                     don’t need much.” Plus, she was queasy with worry. About the imp. About Raze.                     About what was happening between her and Josh.

                Once she’d never thought about humans, and now one ranked with                     the Queen’s Ruiner on the heretofore short list of things that made her                     hyperventilate.

                Josh focused on the food for a few bites, then said, “I talked                     to Vaile earlier.”

                Good thing she hadn’t eaten anything or she might have                     wretched. How had she even briefly forgotten that Josh’s neighbor was on her                     list too? “What did he say?”

                “He and Imogene are coming back. Something about traveling by                     mushroom.” He shook his head as he recounted the conversation. “Vaile had some                     suggestions for warding off the bastards.”

                “Good.” Short as it was, Adelyn could scarcely force the word                     out.

                Wards would isolate the valley. How would she get word to Raze?                     Would the Ruiner honor their agreement if he couldn’t retrieve the runaway phae?

                What if she couldn’t return to court?

                She startled when Josh put his hand over hers. “It will be all                     right, I promise.”

                He couldn’t make that promise. In fact, just voicing it was the                     sort of thing that invited the forces that would crush them both. The Queen’s                     forces.

                “I shouldn’t have come here.” This time, the words came out                     against her will.

                Josh scowled. “Don’t say that.”

                Is that what the other phae had                     felt when they had fled the court? Had she been the only one unwilling to                     leave?

                “I’m putting you in danger,” she whispered. She had thought she                     was deceiving only a rogue Hunter. But now...”I won’t let you be hurt.”

                “Too late.” He lifted their joined hands to his chest.