She had to stay strong, had to remember all the reasons why she and Nikhail could never be involved with each other. Sure, his hand felt ridiculously nice pressed against hers, but it wasn’t like a single touch took the curse out of her veins. It didn’t solve her problems. Not really.
The problem was that even though River’s mind knew that staying away from Nikhail was the right thing to do, her body and soul seemed to have a different idea. Even her magic seemed less troublesome right now. Calmer. Easier to manage.
Traitors, the lot of them.
All of River’s resolutions from earlier, all the reasons why she couldn’t possibly be in a relationship with anyone, let alone Nikhail, seemed further away than ever before. She was having a hard time remembering why she couldn’t let him get too close.
It was this very public show of support. It was one thing for him to help her with her storm in Lakewater when it was just the two of them, but this was different.
Tertia’s shrewd eyes swept over them, freezing when she saw where the back of Nikhail’s hand was touching River’s.
Did the temperature drop even further?
River yanked her hand away as if Nikhail had burned her, but it was too late. She was certain her mother had seen his touch. For his part, Nikhail didn’t seem worried, but that was because he didn’t know how cruel Tertia could be.
“Well, then.” The Representative took a step back, her eyes returning to Nikhail’s. “Perhaps my daughter can do one thing correctly.”
Even though they were no longer touching, River felt Nikhail bristle beside her. Before the air fae could do something foolish, like further antagonize Tertia and make an enemy for life, River hooked her pinky finger through his.
This isn’t for me, she reasoned.It’s for Nikhail.
To save him from Tertia’s wrath. To pull his attention away from her mother.
It worked.
Nikhail glanced down at her, a lock of black hair settling on his forehead as he arched a questioning brow. Gods, those eyes. If she wasn’t careful, she could lose herself in them forever. They seemed made for her in a way that didn’t really make sense.
But she had to remember her task. Before she could second-guess herself—or remind herself of the many reasons why this was a terrible idea—River asked, “Would you like to dance, Nik?”
Dancing was a safe activity, one that people did with their friends all the time. It would be a few minutes, she would keep the walls around her heart strong, and she’d get Nikhail out of Tertia’s warpath.
It was a fantastic solution, and she was proud of herself for coming up with it so quickly. Besides, no one fell in love from a single turn on the dancefloor. What a ridiculous notion.
“I’d love to.” Nikhail offered River his arm, his mouth kicking into a glowing smile.
Maybe… maybe this wasn’t the best idea. That one look threatened to shatter her resolve and ruin everything.
But she couldn’t back down now. It would invite too many questions, and Tertia was still here.
Sliding her hand onto Nikhail’s offered limb, Riverhardened the walls around her heart and reminded herself of her plans.
I am death, she told herself.And no one can be with death. No one can love death.
Bringers of destruction were doomed to lives of loneliness, and she would do well to remember that.
Tertia turned to Ryker, effectively dismissing River. “So, my son. What’s this I hear about you and your vampire deciding to bond…”
The rest of their conversation was lost to the crowd as Nikhail led River to the dance floor. The air fae moved with smooth grace as he clasped her left hand in his right one, drawing her close. His other hand snaked around her lower back and splayed around her skin.
Shivers cascaded down River’s back like snow falling off a roof, and she inhaled sharply.
Oh, gods. This definitely wasn’t the best idea she’d ever had. In the heat of the moment of dealing with her mother, River had forgotten that the back of her dress was practically non-existent.
That fact was impossible to overlook now that Nikhail’s hand was a brand, stretching across her lower spine. His pinky brushed against the swell of her ass. Yes, this had been a mistake. She’d sooner be able to ignore the magic coursing through her veins than forget that he was touching her.
Panic streaked through her, and she would’ve stumbled if not for his hold on her.
By the Black Sands, this was the worst idea she’d ever had. Causing a scene would’ve been better than this.