“To Ryker and Brynleigh Waterborn!” Nikhail’s voice boomed through the ballroom. He raised his glass, leading the attendees in a toast. “May the gods continue to shower their blessings upon them in this life and the next!”
“May the gods bless them,” chorused the hundred guests, the words rippling around the room.
“Congratulations, old friend. I couldn’t be happier for you.” Nikhail tipped back his glass, the sparkling white wine cool as it ran down his throat.
Ryker lifted his glass in salute, his suit jacket on the back of his chair, and his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing off his new tattoo. The gods’ blessing on their soul bond had manifested as intricate swirls and whorls that marked Ryker’s right hand and wrist and Brynleigh’s left one.
The bonding ceremony had ended several hours ago. After the shadows lifted, revealing the new bond markings, Tertia had stood and performed the traditional bonding reading from the “Hymn of the Gods.” Ancient Fae had rolled off hertongue, but even if she’d been speaking in the Common Tongue, Nikhail wouldn’t have paid attention to a single word she’d said.
No, the moment Ryker and Brynleigh held up their arms, revealing their new bond markings, Nikhail had gone back to staring at River. He couldn’t help himself—he was drawn to her like the tide was drawn to the shore. Nothing would keep him from her.
Sitting at the next table over, River had been picking at her food over the course of the meal. For the gods’ sake, she’d had two glasses of wine, but she’d barely eaten ten bites.
If she wasn’t hungry, or she regularly had a small appetite, that would’ve been one thing, but Nikhail knew that wasn’t the case. He’d been at plenty of game nights where River ate plates of greasy food, watching whatever game was on that night. She had a healthy appetite, which meant that this was all Tertia’s fault.
The Representative had wasted no time in picking up her vile behavior from the night before. Every time she’d leaned in close, her mouth moving with awful words that Nikhail couldn’t hear, River had wilted a bit more in her seat.
Having to watch his water fae suffer was like ingesting slow-acting poison, but thank all the gods, dinner was finally over. Atlas was standing, giving a toast about how he’d known Ryker and Brynleigh had a soul-deep connection from the moment he met the vampire.
The earth fae was an eloquent speaker, and he had the assembled crowd laughing several times. Nikhail half-listened, raising his glass of wine at the right moments and toasting the bonded couple along with everyone else.
And then finally—fuckingfinally—the orchestra began playing. The ceremony had been lovely, but Nikhail wasitching to have River in his arms again. It delighted him to no end that she’d put his necklace back on, that she was still marked by him even if no one else knew he was the one who’d given it to her.
The reception was taking place in the same ballroom as the Winter Solstice party, although it looked completely different. Night had fallen, the windows were uncovered, and hundreds of roses were spread throughout the space. A mix of black and red, they were equally elegant and dark.
Nikhail had already sent a selfie to his family, to which his mother had appropriately gushed over the beautiful decorations, and Laurie had predictably gotten angry about the Waterborns’ extravagant show of wealth.
Now that it was socially acceptable, he drained his wine and stood. He stopped by Ryker and Brynleigh’s table, hugging the newly bonded pair and passing on his well-wishes before making his way over to River.
She was staring gloomily at the slice of chocolate cake on her plate, which had a single bite taken out of it.
Anger bubbled hotter in Nikhail’s veins. It took everything within him not to snap at the Representative, who was ignoring her daughter in favor of having a conversation with a prim-looking fae woman.
Gods above, he hated Tertia Waterborn. Who in their right mind would ever ignore River? Well, it was working out in his favor tonight. Holding out his hand, he bent his upper half in a bow.
“Would you care to dance, River?”
She looked up at him, her lovely brown eyes wide. The sadness in them sent lava racing through his veins. He clenched his teeth, forcing himself not to snap at the Representative whocared so little about her daughter that she didn’t even notice she was unhappy.
“Thank you, Nik. I’d love to.” River slid her hand into his, and something deep within him relaxed. Touching her was a soothing balm to an ache he hadn’t known existed, and he never wanted to let her go.
He led her away from the table and onto the dance floor, where other couples were already swaying to the music. Sliding his hand around her back, he held her as close as he dared in public.
“You look beautiful tonight, River,” he murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair that had fallen into her face. “I missed you last night.”
Sleeping alone had been torture when all he wanted was to have her with him. They spun, reaching the other end of the dance floor, and she sucked in a breath.
“I missed you, too.” Her voice was hushed, but he heard her words as if she’d shouted them. Flames licked his insides, and he held her close, propriety be damned.
He couldn’t wait until everyone knew she was his. Gods, how did he get so fucking lucky? This beautiful woman could have anyone, but she’d chosenhim.
“Why are you smiling?” River asked softly, stepping even closer to him. Barely any room remained between them.
His smile stretched. “I’m just thinking about you, little storm.”
“Me?”
“Mm-hmm.” He pressed his palm more firmly on her back, dipping his head and whispering in her ear. “Would you like to get out of here and have some real food? I noticed that you didn’t have the chance to eat much.”