She looked like an angel, curled up in the middle of the bed, and he could stare at her all day long. Or he would, if that damned phone would stop ringing.
He dug through his pants where he’d abandoned them yesterday, pulling out the infernal device. River shifted on the bed, a small whimper slipping from her lips as she buried her face in the pillow, and he hurried to the bathroom, pressing the phone against his ear.
“Hello?” he whispered, shutting the door behind him.
A low voice met him on the other end of the line, and a pit grew in his stomach the longer they spoke. By the time he hung up, Nikhail was fully awake.
Putting the phone on the counter, he showered as quietly as possible, trying to buy River a few more minutes of sleep. He dried off, wrapping a white towel around his waist and stepping out of the bathroom.
He stopped short, his lips creaking into a smile despite the news he’d just received.
River was sitting cross-legged on the edge of the bed they’d shared, the comforter wrapped around her. She looked beautiful,even though she was barely awake, and he wished he could stay with her all day. Fuck duties and jobs and everyone else that required their attention.
“Morning, princess.” He strode forward and kissed her, because asking him to keep his hands off her was like asking him to carve his beating heart from his chest. “How did you sleep?”
“Well, thank you.” Her fingers fiddled with the edge of the blanket as she gazed up at him. “Who was calling? I heard you talking in the bathroom.”
He supposed it had been foolish to hope that she would’ve been able to sleep through that, with her fae hearing. He sat next to her, the mattress dipping from his weight, and she slid into him.
“Nik?” she asked, shifting to look him in the eyes. “What happened?”
“I’ve been called in to work early.” He hated that this was happening now, hated that today was starting on such a bad foot. Last night had been so incredible, he wished it could have lasted forever.
“It’s not good, is it?”
He shook his head, raking his hands through his damp hair. “No. There’s been an attack at Hydrangea House.”
“The Chancellor’s residence?” River’s eyes widened.
“Yeah.” He grimaced. “There are multiple casualties.”
River sucked in a sharp breath. “Chancellor Rose?”
“I don’t know,” Nikhail said. “But I’ve been summoned, and I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone.”
Everyone in the Central Region was being called in. Vacation time was cancelled, trips annulled, days off were over.
“Do they need any doctors?” River asked.
Gods, his water fae had such a beautiful heart. He lovedthat she was so quick to offer her help. Wrapping his arms around her, he brushed a kiss across her lips.
Was it too early to tell her the depth of his feelings? Probably, but that didn’t make it easier to keep the words inside.
“There will be military healers and witches on-site, but I’ll call you if we need more.” He was certain he could get her temporary clearance if needed, considering her familial connections.
“Thank you, Nik.” Her lips brushed the bare skin above his heart. “Be safe, okay?” She peered up at him through lowered lashes. “When you get off, I’d like to talk about what comes next for us.”
He’d never heard better words. “Absolutely, little storm. I’d love that.”
They traded kisses and soft touches as they got dressed. Neither of them seemed to be able to keep their hands off each other for long, which made parting even harder.
Too soon, they were both ready. River was returning to her parents’ house, since she’d left her things there, and there was a ride waiting for Nikhail outside.
Knowing that someone was expecting him didn’t stop Nikhail from caging River in by the hotel room door, bracing one arm above her head while his hand trailed down her chin.
“I’ll miss you, River.” He bent, capturing her mouth with his. This kiss was soft and sweet. A promise that what they’d started the night before wasn’t over. A vow that even when he was gone, he’d be thinking about her. “Call me if you need anything, okay?”
Even if he couldn’t pick up right away, he’d keep an eye on his messages.