A thousand curses ran through his mind, and even though it felt like he was pulling his heart out of his chest, he broke away from her. His chest heaved, and he rested his forehead on hers.
“Nik?” He’d never get tired of hearing River say his name. “What’s wrong?”
“Someone’s coming,” he said.
For a while, Nikhail had forgotten all about the Winter Solstice party, but now, the reality of the situation was rushing back all at once. Even though he’d kissed River, even thoughhe’d told her he didn’t just want to be friends, they hadn’t sorted anything out or defined what they were.
Inside the solarium, it was just the two of them. Once they left these glass walls, they’d have to deal with the rest of the world. But now that he’d tasted her, the barriers dividing them didn’t feel insurmountable anymore. Whatever came at them, they would tackle it together.
It was as he had told River: He wanted her, and nothing could take her from him.
Still, his heart ached as she gracefully rose from the bench. She held the lapels of his suit jacket closed with one gloved hand and straightened out her dress with the other.
His chest heated at the sight of her puffy lips and the crimson tinge in her cheeks. More tendrils of hair had escaped her elaborate bun, and she looked well taken care of.
He’d done that.
His fae instincts practically purred at the thought, and he stood as a shadowy form trudged down the path towards the solarium.
Their time alone was running out, and Nikhail’s legs ate up the distance between him and River. He took her hands in his, brushing his lips over her forehead.
“I meant what I said earlier, River.” He squeezed her hand. “I want you. We’ll talk later about what that means for us, but I’m all in.”
She blinked, as if she still couldn’t believe his words. “You are?”
“Absolutely. I’m ready for anything.”
Honestly, if he thought she’d accept his proposal, he’d ask her to marry him tomorrow. It was a little dramatic, seeing as how they’d just shared their first kiss, but Ryker had gotten engaged to Brynleigh after courting her in the Choosing, andtheirs was the strongest relationship he’d had ever seen. Maybe there was something to be said about unorthodox methods of dating.
Besides, it wasn’t like they’d just met. He and River had a history that spanned several years, a foundation of friendship that would keep their relationship strong.
River exhaled slowly, her eyes searching his. “I want you, too, Nik.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “But you have to know?—”
The solarium door swung open, and a man covered in a layer of fresh snow stepped inside. He shook himself off, white flakes covering the ground.
The newcomer was slightly shorter than Nikhail, and lankier. His black hair was askew, and his olive skin was flushed. After a moment, Nikhail recognized the man as Carson Byward, a witch bonded to a fellow soldier. Both men served on the base in Golden City.
Carson wore a black leather jacket and dark pants, signaling that he definitely wasn’t an invited guest to Tertia’s party.
The witch’s lack of formal attire wasn’t what had Nikhail instinctively stepping in front of River and snarling, but the gun clasped in his right hand. Carson’s weapon was pointed at the ground, but Nikhail’s fae instincts didn’t care. They screamed for him to protect River at all costs.
He’d just kissed her for the first time, gods-dammit. He hadn’t even tasted the sweetness between her legs. There was no way he would let harm come to her.
“What is it, Carson?” Nikhail barked, not making any attempts to moderate his tone.
For his part, the witch didn’t seem bothered. “Your presence is required at the Hub, sir.”
A hand landed on Nikhail’s hip, and he sensed Riverpeeking out from behind him. He tried to shove her back so he could protect her better, but she stood her ground.
“Now?” he asked, no less annoyed. This was absolutely not how he’d envisioned the night coming to an end.
“Yes, sir.” Carson’s expression didn’t change. “There’s been a situation that requires immediate attention.”
Ah, fuck. Nikhail knew what that meant, and it wasn’t good. There would be no use trying to get out of this. If something had happened, it didn’t matter what time of day it was. He was still a soldier, and he had to obey orders.
He jerked his chin. “I’m assuming there’s someone to shadow us?”
“Absolutely, sir. The vampires from the Night Corps are assembled out front.”