ThatTertiahad stopped her from eating.
River drew back, her question-filled eyes searching his.
“We don’t have to do anything,” he assured her. He had never forced himself on a woman, and he certainly wouldn’t start now. “I just want to see you fed properly. That’s it.”
His inner fae yearned to provide for River, especially after watching her pick at her food two nights in a row.
She drew her bottom lip through her teeth, her gaze darting over to Ryker’s table before coming back to his.
“They won’t even notice we’ve left,” Nikhail assured her. “There’s an entire ballroom of people waiting to speak with them and wish them well.”
It was customary for the newly bonded pair to receive guests before they retired for a week to celebrate and explore the bond. The fae tradition was as old as the soul bond itself, and the couple would be occupied for hours.
River’s breath hitched, and indecision flickered across her face. “I?—”
“Please, princess,” Nikhail murmured. “Let me take care of you.”
A long moment passed when he was unsure whether she would agree, before she relaxed against him, blowing out a long breath.
“Okay,” she said. “Let me talk to Ryker and check on my dad. I’ll meet you outside in half an hour.”
He grinned, feeling like he’d just won the lottery. “It’s a date.”
Thirty-seven minutes later,the front doors of Waterborn House opened. Nikhail grinned from where he was leaning against the stone dragon standing guard at the base ofthe stairs, pushing off as River slipped outside. She wore a wool coat over her dress, and a knitted red scarf was wrapped around her neck, keeping her warm.
“Hey, princess.” He met her at the base of the stairs, taking her hand and pulling her towards him. The driveway had been shoveled, and he kept to the prepared path so her feet wouldn’t get cold. They left the bright lights at the entrance behind, stepping into the shadows. “I called for a rideshare; they’ll be here in a few minutes.”
The moment they were away from potential prying eyes, Nikhail released River’s hand. He palmed the back of her neck, drawing her towards him.
“How are you doing?” he asked, eyes searching hers.
She smiled softly. “I’m… okay.” She leaned in closer to him, her shoulders loosening. “The fresh air is helping. It’s good to be away from my mother, you know?”
“Makes sense. She’s horrendous.”
River laughed, and gods, the sound was everything. It was a brilliant sunrise, a first flower in the spring, a warm fire on a cold winter’s night.
He bent, capturing her lips because he couldn’t help himself. A groan slipped from him as her warm lips welcomed his embrace. Her soft mouth, contrasted with the cool metal of her lip ring, felt amazing.
Had a mere day passed since their last embrace? It felt as though years had gone by since he’d last felt her mouth on his.
Nikhail had intended for this to be brief, but that was before River’s fists rose and gripped the edges of his jacket. She moaned into his mouth, pulling him closer.
He ran his tongue along the seam of her lips, and she opened for him. Their mouths merged, their tongues tangled, and everything else faded. Nothing else came close to the waythis stunning woman made him feel. The way she felt against him, the way she tasted, the sounds she made…
“I’m getting addicted to the way you taste, River,” he groaned, nipping at her lips.
Her grip tightened on his jacket, and she sighed against his mouth. “I could say the same.”
Nikhail drew her deeper into the shadows and fused his mouth to hers once again. He lost track of time as they kissed beneath the cover of darkness, only breaking apart when the wind carried whispers of crunching gravel to his ears.
“I meant what I said earlier, River.” Nikhail brushed his lips over the crown of River’s head. “I just want to take care of you. That’s all.”
There would be many other nights for them to do more than just be together, and he didn’t want to pressure her. Being around her mother was stressful for him—he couldn’t imagine how it made her feel.
Those beautiful brown eyes swept over his, and she smiled. “I know, Nikhail.” She leaned against him and sighed happily. “That’s how I know I’ll always be safe with you.”
Their ride arrived, and Nikhail drew his water fae out of the shadows. He helped her inside before following and closing the door behind them.