“Would you like my advice, sir?”
Why not? At this point, she already knew more about Nikhail’s love life than anyone else. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d shared so much with someone. Not even his sisters knew this much about his romantic connections.
“Lay it on me,” he said.
She slid to the edge of her seat, leaning forward.
“If you care about this young woman, and I think you do, you should tell her how you feel.” Crow’s feet formed around Nysa’s eyes as she smiled, looking at him with kindness. “There are very few guarantees in life, but the one that comes for us all is death. Even you fae, with your long lives, cannot outrun it forever.”
The wise words echoed the ones he’d spoken to River the morning after the storm, and they kindled warmth in his soul.
She drummed her fingers on top of the desk, holding his gaze. “Pick the one that feelsright, sir.”
And with that, Nysa stood. She wished him luck, taking her clipboard with her as she left him alone with his gifts and thoughts.
Pick the one that feels right.
Easier said than done when his soul was pushing him to choose one, and his brain was telling him to pick the other.
But he had to make a choice, and time was running out. It took most of the afternoon, and he had to rush through his report for the general, but he picked a gift.
He just hoped he made the right decision.
Nikhail had always enjoyedthe train ride into Golden City. Something about the rumbling tracks beneath him, coupled with the scenery passing by in a gentle blur, soothed him.
He spent the first hour responding to emails before shutting down his laptop and crossing his arms, settling in for a rest. The seat beside him was empty, a welcome change from the usually packed train.
The reverberations soon lulled him into a light sleep. Over the years, Nikhail had trained himself to wake at the slightest disturbance, so he was confident he’d hear if something happened.
“Twenty minutes till we reach Golden City!” A fae with ash-blond hair shorn close to their head slid onto the train bench beside Nikhail. The train car was packed, filled with military recruits from the Southern Region headed to base camp. “Have you ever been to the capital?”
Nikhail shook his head, raising a hand to run through his black hair before remembering that Mama had buzzed it yesterday. The short, spiky ends felt odd against his hand, and his pointed ears were cold without the protection of his longer hair. This was the cut the military demanded for new recruits, though. He’d had no choice but to abide by it.
He was fairly certain he’d get used to it in time. Besides, his hair was a small price to pay for the stability the military would provide for him and his family. For the first time in over a decade, his mother wouldn’t have to scrimp and save.
“This is my first time leaving the Southern Region,” Nikhail admitted.
Mama couldn’t afford to send him or his sisters on trips. Not when she had to carefully conserve every bit of money to help pay for Laney’s medication. He’d helped as much as he could,working two part-time jobs while in high school, but there had only been so much he could do.
Now, though, Nikhail would make sure that his family was taken care of.
Turning to see the other fae better, Nikhail fiddled with the lanyard around his neck. He’d been given it before boarding the train, along with a stern reminder that he was to wear it at all times when not sleeping or showering during boot camp.
“Same. The name’s Arlo.” The blond fae held out their nametag so Nikhail could read it.
Arlo Night
They/them
Water fae
Southern Region
“Nice to meet you.” Nikhail showed Arlo his own name tag before he put his hand in theirs and shook vigorously.
“The pleasure’s all mine. This is my first time out of the Southern Region, too. I’m so excited!” Arlo gasped, practically vibrating in their seat. “Look!” They pointed out the window. “The arches.”
There was no masking the awe in their voice, and for good reason.