The Chancellor pulled out her tablet, moving her stylus rapidly across the screen. Taking their cue from their leader, many others took out their own devices. It was well-known that Fortune Elves could walk the silver planes for minutes or even hours. There was no telling how long they’d have to wait for Nalon to return.
Nikhail glanced to his right, where Ryker was texting his wife. Averting his eyes to give his friend privacy, he slid out his own phone and unlocked the device. He’d set it to silent when he first arrived—a requirement of the Hub.
He had over a dozen notifications, but only one had his heart squeezing in his chest. He clicked on River’s name and, on a whim, changed her name.
Princess
Thank you for tonight, Nik. For the necklace… and for everything else.
His lips lifted, despite the heavy air in the room.
It was my greatest pleasure.
There is nowhere else I would’ve wanted to be, no one else I would’ve wanted to spend time with.
He sent the messages without expecting an immediate reply. It was almost three in the morning, after all. When a bubble appeared with three moving dots, his brows rose. He knew River was a night owl, but this seemed late, even for her.
The dots came and went several times before a message popped up.
You didn’t change your mind the moment you left? I won’t blame you if you did.
His eyes widened, and his fingers grew wings and flew over the screen. Why in the gods’ names would she think he’d do that?
Change my mind? Never, little storm. I’ve wanted you for years.
She’d have to try a lot harder to get rid of him now. He didn’t think he’d ever let her go.
You think I would give you up now? No. I’m here for the gods-damn longrun.
Little storm?
He bit the inside of his cheek, fighting to keep his smile inside lest he attract attention.
It fits. You are a storm.
You say that like it’s a good thing.
It is.
Even without the wind’s whispers, his enhanced fae hearing picked up footsteps in the hallway. Moments later, shuffling filled the otherwise silent room as everyone started putting their devices away.
I have to go, princess. Sleep well.
He put his phone away, only to find his best friend studying him intently.
“Princess?” the fae captain whispered, his brown brow arching in interest as he leaned closer. “Who are you talking to, Nik? Do you have a new special friend?”
Damn it. How much did Ryker see? Presumably not the entire conversation, since Nikhail’s face was still intact. He imagined that telling Ryker that not only had he kissed River, but he planned to do it many more times, wouldn’t go over well.
Thank the gods, before he could figure out what to say, the doors swung open. Nalon re-entered the conference room, trailed by the two guards who had followed him out. The Fortune Elf’s hair was in disarray, as if he’d run his hands through it, and his face was paler than before. Rather thanreclaim his seat, he stood behind it and placed his hands on the top rail.
“The silver planes have shifted once again,” Nalon announced ominously.
The air in the room grew heavier, and a weight pressed down on Nikhail’s shoulders.
“Don’t be cryptic, Winterthread,” Dranya Silver, a Light Elf Representative from the Southern Region, called out from the other side of the room. “It’s late. Just tell us what you Saw.”
Ripples of agreement ran through the room, but they were silenced the moment Nalon released the chair. He straightened, balling his fists at his side.