A Little Night Muse(73)

                “This is our forever, Josh. This is where we are meant to                     be.”

                He shook his head. “Is that how phae magic works?”

                “No. That’s our magic.” Gently, she                     pulled away. “If you still want it.”

                He scowled. “How can you ask?”

                “Because the Queen never does. No one should be trapped,                     Josh.”

                He looked down at his boots. “I can’t let you go, Adelyn. But I                     would if you asked.”

                She lifted her arms to him, making Wolly bark. “You, you are                     what I want.”

                Vaile and Imogene were waiting at Josh’s cabin, minus their                     humanizing glamour. His black leathery wings overlapped hers, like a white                     butterfly, protectively. Adelyn held her breath as the Hunter and sylfana looked her over with measuring gazes. They                     knew there was more to the tale, and she fully intended to tell them and to get                     their story in return. The phae realm was changing,                     and they were only among the first.

                Obviously sensing the undercurrent, Josh stepped in front of                     her, Wolly at heel. “She’s my muse.”

                Imogene smiled. “Then we’re glad you found her.”

                Vaile slammed down a brand-new frying pan on the porch railing.                     “This complicates matters.”

                Adelyn shook her head as she stepped up next to Josh. “It’s                     very simple, really. He saw past my veils, and I will never go back. I love                     him.”

                Josh stroked his hand possessively down her back and pulled her                     to his side. He smiled at her, the reflected love in his eyes as clear and                     bright as the mountain spring sky behind him.

                Later that night, as she took him into her arms and into her                     yearning core, tears prickled from the corners of her eyes and rolled across the                     flannel sheets.

                “Stop that,” he murmured. “I have enough already for a set of                     crown jewels.”

                “Starting with a huge belt buckle.”

                “The biggest and shiniest. And still it won’t rival what I feel                     for you.”