“Therian?” Cyrus’s gaze flitted between the phone and River, his brows scrunched together. “Who is that?”
“He’s a dragon shifter, Daddy,” River said softly, aware of just how much her father had missed. “Therian went throughthe Choosing with Ryker. His wife is a Fortune Elf, and she’s very nice.”
“Ah.” Understanding filled Cyrus’s face, and he nodded. “A dragon is a good friend to have.”
“A very good friend,” Ryker agreed, sounding pained on the other end. “Therian is waiting for me, and I have to go. But Dad, before I hang up?—”
“I love you so much, my son.” Cyrus caught River’s eye and smiled. She’d never tire of the sight or forget how he looked at her with so much love. As if his heart would burst. As if he loved her more than anything else in the world. “I am so proud of you both. You are the joys of my life, and I am blessed to call you mine.”
Fresh tears slid down River’s cheeks, and she sniffled. How many times had she yearned to hear a parent’s praise? How many times had she hoped that Tertia would be proud of her just once? And here her father was pouring out his love for her.
Her chest warmed, and she wished she could bottle up the feeling to hold onto forever.
“Oh, Dad.” Ryker’s voice cracked, and he sucked in a sharp breath. “I love you, too. So, so much. Hold on for me, okay? I’m coming.”
“I will,” Cyrus promised. “Your sister will keep me company until you get here.”
“Absolutely.” River squeezed her father’s hand and poured him another cup of water. “There is nowhere else I’d rather be.”
CHAPTER 22
A Father’s Love
River kept her promise. She remained by her father’s side, talking up a storm at his request.
She told him about everything, from the latest season of laser—it looked like her favorite team, the Drahanian Dragons, would win the Gilded Cup—to graduating at the top of her class. She shared how she’d been accepted into the residency program at Lakewater General and how it had been hard to move to the city, away from him and Ryker.
The nurses slipped in and out of the room while she talked. Megan took Cyrus’s vitals while Serena gave him an injection. River paused to ask them a few questions about what they were giving him, but once they left, she went right back to talking.
She told her father about Ember, since Cyrus never had the chance to meet the fire fae, and about practicing medicine. She skipped over the not-so-wonderful parts of her job—being late, Doctor Collins, Lila Howler’s death, losing Mrs. Valois—but she shared about all the things she enjoyed. Healing. Working with her hands. Helping people when they needed her most.
“It sounds to me like you’ve found your calling,” Cyrussaid when she finished telling him about the last surgery she’d been in before coming to Golden City.
“I have, Daddy.” River’s smile widened, and she passed a finger under her eyes. “I really have.”
He squeezed her hand. “I’m so happy you’ve found a fulfilling profession, my darling.”
His voice trailed off, and River sensed he wasn’t done. “But…”
“But life isn’t just about work. You need more.”
Gnawing on her bottom lip, River tugged her ring. The slight pain grounded her as she struggled to find something to say. Something to appease him.
“Do you have someone?” Cyrus looked pointedly at the necklace she was still wearing. She hadn’t taken it off last night, even though she was certain that once she explained the extent of her curse to Nikhail, he would ask for it back. “A lucky man or woman to come home to after a long shift at the hospital? Your brother has his Chosen wife, but what about you?”
River shifted in her seat. Had it become more uncomfortable?
“I…” She wanted to say no, to deny all of it, but the words wouldn’t come out of her mouth. Damn her inability to lie. “There is… someone.”
Sort of. For now. Until he learned the scope of how damaged and dangerous she was. Then, he’d run in the other direction.
Cyrus exhaled, leaning back. Relief and happiness shone in his eyes as he regarded her. “Tell me about them?” he requested, his eyes falling shut. “I’m still here. I’m just… listening.”
They were running out of time. River could feel it as surely as she felt the magic pulsing through her veins.
Get here quickly, Ryker, she thought, hoping Therian was flying as fast as possible.
“Of course, Daddy.” She scooted her chair closer and lifted the cup to his lips. “Well, if I’m being honest, this… thing between me and him is very new.”