I groan. He has no idea what trouble he’s putting himself in.
Reverie doesn’t waste a second.
“Do you have marshmallows?”
“Uhh,” he looks to me for help, but I quirk a brow back. He got himself into this mess with the over the top plant spreeand open ended offer, he can very well learn to navigate it. “No? I don’t think so.”
“M&M’s?”
“Um, no.”
“Honey sticks?”
“I… Honey comes in a stick?”
Poor guy, he looks bewildered now and I bite my lip against the grin I can’t contain. Reverie’s wings droop and his eyes flare with alarm. I decide to step in before he pulls out his phone and orders a deathly amount of sugar.
“Sugar is like a drug to her. Too much can be dangerous, a little doesn’t do much, but in between there is a euphoric, loopy feeling. It’s been a learning curve for all of us over the years, I’ll catch you up.”
We settle into the kitchen and I share the notes folder Zuri and I compiled. It details everything we know about sprites. After filling a glass of ice water, I bring up the conversation we’ve both been avoiding.
“I’m supposed to go back into the office tomorrow,” I say.
Asher nods, his lips pinched. “I know. I’m going to be at the coffee shop down the block, so if anything happens, I’ll be right there.”
My heart swells with affection that he’s not trying to control me or take this decision away, even though we both know my safety isn’t guaranteed. I assume this means he has a plan finalized.
“What are you going to do?”
Asher thumps his elbows on the table and leans forward.
“I’ve debated so many times if I should tell you or not.”
My heart trips and his eyes flick to the pulse in my neck.
“I assume you’ve decided not to?” I ask, and he looks away but nods. “Can I at least know why?”
“I don’t want anyone to suspect your involvement. Your reactions need to be authentic. I’ve got pretty mucheverything worked out, and after this week, I hope it’ll be taken care of. They won’t bother us anymore, and although I trust you, if there’s any inkling that you know what’s coming or are involved in any way… I can’t risk that. I can’t risk them thinking that.”
What is he planning?
Part of my brain worries he might sacrifice himself to his family, or give in to his dark urges to protect me, but my protective instincts won’t let me fully face that possibility.
“Will you be in danger?” I ask.
“Being anywhere near them is dangerous, but I won’t put myself in any more danger than is necessary.”
That’s not the least bit encouraging or satisfactory, and in fact only increases my anxiety.
41
LOVE BITES
RAYA
Monday morning arrives too soon.Asher is driving me to work, while Reverie opted to stay at his place to organize a new bed-nook in the plants.
Asher parks a couple blocks away and pulls me in for an achingly sweet kiss full of tender affection and more than a hint of worry.
