He waited for her to nod before stepping back and opening the door. They went down to the lobby. It was snowing lightly,and he adjusted River’s scarf before she climbed into the yellow taxi. Only then did he get into the waiting black military SUV.
Commander Root sat in the front passenger seat, next to a driver Nikhail didn’t recognize.
“Galebringer.” Commander Root met Nikhail’s gaze in the rearview mirror and dipped his chin as the engine purred to life. “Good to see you.”
Nikhail buckled in. “You, as well. Is there any news on the attack?”
“It’s too early to know for sure, but all signs point to the Black Night.”
That wasn’t a surprise. The vampire they’d captured at Castle Sanguis had been willing to talk after some… encouragement. The woman mostly spewed hatred, but between her vile words and curses were nuggets of information.
Between her and the intel they’d gathered, it appeared the rebels were focused on removing Chancellor Rose from her position. They seemed to believe that by doing this, they’d be able to dismantle the government from the top down.
The military had increased security around the head of state, but evidently, something had slipped through the cracks. Nikhail’s phone was blowing up with emails and messages about tightening security around the country. There had already been talks about putting stricter laws in place, and now, they would certainly be pushed through.
Gods, this was a fucking disaster. As much as Nikhail believed the Representatives were unjustly powerful, the rebels weren’t trying to bring about change in the right way at all.
Didn’t they understand that their methods would merely lead to more injustice and bloodshed?
Any hope Nikhail had of returning to River’s side vanishedwhen they pulled up in front of what was left of Hydrangea House.
The once-white building was now a burned husk, and the gardens that gave the residence its name were completely destroyed. Smoke billowed out of what had been the roof, and the thin layer of snow that had fallen overnight was covered in ash.
Crews of water and air fae fought alongside firefighters, battling the remnants of the fire. Yellow police tape surrounded the gated residence, and hundreds of military personnel and police were inside the perimeter.
Nikhail’s mouth dried as bodies in black bags were wheeled out of the residence, while a circle of ambulances helped the injured. No matter how many times he dealt with death, it never got easier. Not really.
“The Chancellor was hosting a private meeting with two dozen Representatives last night,” Root said grimly from the front seat. “It was supposed to be a secret, but…”
“Someone found out.” The driver finished the commander’s sentence.
“We lost several Representatives in the attack, as well as many of their aides,” Root added.
Nikhail cursed. “What about the Chancellor?”
Commander Root glanced at his phone, which beeped twice. “She’s in critical condition, en route to the Rose Medical Center. They’re not sure if she’ll make it.”
His words settled upon Nikhail like a cloud, and he knew that the next few hours would be chaotic. Root opened his door, signaling that, for now, the time for conversation was over.
They stepped out into absolute mayhem. Nikhail slippedinto his role with ease, finding his team, but even then, he couldn’t stop thinking about River.
What if she had been here? What if, after attacking the Representatives, the rebels turned towards their families? His blood chilled at the thought. No. He wouldneverlet that happen.
River Waterborn was his, and he would protect her until his last dying breath. No one wouldeverbe able to take her from him.
CHAPTER 35
The Cursed One
River felt like she was floating on a cloud as she stepped out of the taxi in front of her parents’ house.
Not even the fact that she was returning to Waterborn House wearing the same dress as yesterday could ruin her mood. Her mother had tried calling earlier, but River let the call go to voicemail. She didn’t need Tertia ruining the amazing way she felt.
The way Nikhail had made her feel.
He was… everything. Being with him last night and waking up in his arms this morning had been better than any dream she’d ever had. She hadn’t been afflicted by a single nightmare, hadn’t dreamed of a single scream or crashing wave or impending storm.
It wasn’t just the fact that he’d given her the best orgasms of her entire life—although that had certainly been a high point. It was the fact that Nikhail had gone to such great lengths to take care of her. No one had ever done that for her; no one had ever made her feel like her needs were as important as theirs.