River scanned the list, her eyes widening when she realized she’d be gone for hours. She might not even make it back in time to help set up for the rehearsal dinner.
As if he knew that, Ryker shared a small smile with her. Even though this was his day, he was still looking out for her. She wasn’t exactly sure what she’d done to deserve such a good brother, but as she headed out to the car, River realized she was more grateful for him than ever.
Ryker had taught her what it meant to be loved, and on a day when her magic seemed closer to the surface than usual, it was exactly what she needed.
A few hours later,the back seat of Ryker’s car was full of bags. River loved shopping, especially when it didn’t involve her own money, and this had been a long but delightful afternoon.
She’d stopped at the bakery, the florist, and the caterers to confirm everything was still good to go for tomorrow. Now, she stood at the counter of Golden Gifts, a specialty shop in the west end of the capital. The storewas busy, and she’d waited in line for thirty minutes before her turn.
“I’m here to pick up a package for Captain Ryker Waterborn,” River told the clerk with a smile.
The tired Light Elf, whose name was Dorinda, according to her crooked nametag, looked like she wanted to be anywhere else. Computer keys clicked before Dorinda sighed.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. I have to go search for it in the back.” She looked like she was moments away from collapsing. “It’ll be a few minutes.”
“Go ahead.” River smiled kindly and gestured to the store. “I don’t mind waiting.”
In fact, she’d prefer it. Anything to put off interacting with Tertia.
Dorinda seemed equally shocked and relieved that River wasn’t about to scream at her, and she hurried into the back room.
Leaning against the counter, River took in the shop. It was stocked with every imaginable item, each coated in shimmering gold. There were knick-knacks and trinkets, cutlery, sustainable drinkware, and even a gilded mixing stand, for the Republic’s poshest bakers.
River wasn’t sure what Ryker had ordered for Brynleigh, but she was certain it would be perfect. If there was one thing she knew about her brother, it was that he took gift-givingveryseriously.
To this day, Brynleigh still spoke warmly about the way Ryker had surprised her with specialty windows in their apartment, which allowed her to see the sun. Their new home was filled with the same ones, so Brynleigh would never have to go a day without the sun again.
“I’m sorry, miss, but it’s going to be a few more minutes.”Dorinda popped her head out of the door, looking harried. “I found the package, but it’s buried beneath several others. I need to get Horatio to move some things for me.”
If Tertia were here, she’d take this opportunity to make sure the Light Elf knew exactly how awful her failings were. She’d no doubt cause a scene and ruin Dorinda’s day. River had witnessed it happen many times.
But River was not her mother.
“It’s not a problem, Dorinda,” she replied, smiling compassionately at the other woman. “Take all the time you need. I’ll just browse.”
“Oh, thank you, miss. Thank you.”
Grateful that Ryker had asked her, and not their mother, to do this task, River smiled and made her way to the nearest shelf. She admired a few gilded ornaments before leafing through a history book about Golden City. She was putting it back when someone bumped into her arm.
“Oh, forgive me, I’m sorry.” The woman sounded chagrined.
“No problem.” River put the book back on the shelf. “I’m sure it wasn’t intentional—oh. I know you.”
The woman’s blue-black hair was cut into a sleek bob that framed her face, but a new haircut couldn’t hide the fact that this was the Chancellor’s only daughter. River had seen her at enough events over the years to recognize her on sight, which made it strange when the woman’s eyes widened, and she shook her head.
“No, I’m sure you’re mistaken,” she said.
River frowned. “No, I’m not.” She might’ve had problems with punctuality, but she never forgot a face. Especially not this one. “Valentina Rose, right? You were on the Choosing with my brother, Ryker.”
It was hard to forget the fire fae who had occupied some of her brother’s attentions before he Chose Brynleigh.
Valentina inhaled sharply, and silver lined her eyes. “Oh. I… I don’t like to think much about that time in my life.”
Because her Chosen partner had been brutally murdered the night of the Reunion. Right. Gods, River could be so stupid sometimes. She knew more than most how much it could hurt to have painful memories brought up out of the blue.
‘I’m sorry,” River said. “I didn’t think…”
“It’s okay, no one ever does.” A sad smile spread across the fire fae’s face, softening her features. “You’re River, right?”