Chapter 16

“Okay.”

There was no need to tell her that he was steadying his hormones, too, before he made a fool of himself. But he also strengthened his shield, thickening it.

“How does that work?” she asked. “Me and Yu getting in while it blocks others?”

“Intention. You and Yu have no intention to kill me. The moment you do, the shield will kick you out.”

“Oh.” She made an envious sound. “I wish I had the same shield.”

“You have your magic, which is far cooler,” he pointed out. She wrinkled her nose, a cute gesture that drew him nearer before he remembered himself. “This will protect us for the night. Unless you want us to rest on separate branches.”

He watched her consider it, a brief moment as she looked down at the thinner branches covering them below, then the night sky filling up with stars above. Slowly, she shook her head, her expression somber.

“That’s not a good idea.”

“It isn’t?”

“Sirens and pixies can’t seem to stay away from you, so I’m taking it upon myself to be your repugnant shi