But that fae part of him didn’t seem to care.
Before River could change her mind, or gods forbid, someone tried to talk to them—because Nikhail was fairly certain he’d snarl at them like the possessive fae he was becoming—he led her away from the party. Neither of them spoke as they left the ballroom behind, but the silence wasn’t heavy or unnatural.
This is right,that fae part of Nikhail declared deep within him.It’s good.
He didn’t understand how it was possible to feel this connected to River when they hadn’t explored what was between them, but he didn’t really care. Not now that he’d decided to tell her how he felt.
Cold air enveloped them as they stepped outside. Snowflakes lazily drifted from the sky. The stone balcony stretched several dozen feet in either direction, and a few other couples were finding refuge in the darkening night.
The Winter Solstice theme continued outside, with silver garlands wrapped around pillars. On the grounds below, strings of twinkling white lights illuminated the Waterborns’ garden.
Although to call it a garden would be like calling Waterborn House a bungalow. The word was utterly inadequate. Nikhail recalled Ryker mentioning that his parents employed an Earth Elf year-round to tend to the grounds, and the gardener’s connection to the land was clear even from up high.
Every plant, from the snow-capped trimmed hedges running along the garden’s expansive perimeter, to the winterflowers and bushes growing along the marble statues lining the paths, flourished despite the winter season.
It should’ve served as a reminder that he wasn’t in River’s league, but he found he didn’t care. Not right now. Not after the dance they’d just shared.
River glanced up at him, the question in her eyes clear.
Why are we out here?
He loved that even though she wasn’t sure what they were doing, she wasn’t pulling away from him.
“I have a plan.” He swept his thumb across the back of her hand because he couldn’t stop himself from touching her. “Do you trust me?”
River inhaled, and her gaze swept over him for a long moment before she nodded. “I do.”
Heat unfurled within him. Having her trust was an honor he didn’t take lightly.
Shrugging out of his suit jacket, he released her hand long enough to slide the material over her shoulders.
“I don’t want you to get cold,” he rumbled, adjusting the material so it covered her skin. Her gloved hand rose, clutching the lapels to hold them together.
Fucking gods. His blood burned at the sight of River in his clothes, and his cock jerked to attention. She looked like perfection now. What would she look like wearing nothingbuthis suit jacket?
Nikhail had never been one for fae possessiveness, but he had a feeling that was about to change. That territorial part of him loved that River would now be covered in his scent. When they returned to the ballroom, every fae, elf, witch, werewolf, shifter, and vampire would be able to smell him on her.
It was a small claim, but it was a claim, nonetheless.
River’s eyes were wide as she looked up at him, her face paler than normal. “Nik, I’m not sure this is a good?—”
“Not yet, River. Please.” The same part of him that was delighted by the fact that she was now covered in his scent didn’t want anyone overhearing their conversation.
Not now that he finally had a chance to have her alone.
“All right,” she whispered.
Placing his hand on her back once more, he led River down the balcony stairs and into the gardens. The snow was starting to pick up, and the temperature was dropping, but he didn’t feel the cold at all.
How could he, when River was by his side?
Nikhail ledRiver through the garden for several minutes, a comfortable silence stretching between them. She didn’t seem ready to talk, and he wouldn’t push her.
The sounds of the Winter Solstice celebration slowly dimmed until they were nothing but a hum on the night air.
After a short while, their destination came into view. Situated in the middle of the garden that wasn’t really a garden, far enough away from the party that they were completely isolated, was a large glass solarium.
Nikhail exhaled a sigh of relief that the structure was still here. Ryker had told him about this place, saying that he used to play here as a child, and Nikhail had banked on the fact that Tertia Waterborn wouldn’t let a building fall into disrepair on her watch.