Nikhail seemed to know where they were going, acknowledging the doorman before leading her to the elevators.
“I’ve never been to a safe house,” River mused after the silver doors had closed behind them.
“They’re not very special, but they come equipped with everything we need. Clothes, chargers, etc. Usually, they have pantries stocked with dried goods. If we’re here for long, we’ll get some groceries delivered, too.”
“Will we?”
Nikhail glanced at her. “Hmm?”
“Be here for a few days.”
“I don’t know,” he said. “I hope not, because I want to complete this task as quickly as possible. But I suppose it’s possible.”
It probably should’ve bothered River, being in another region without a clear itinerary or plan, but it didn’t. She was… happy. Light, even. The clouds were a thin veneer, and she thought that if she concentrated hard enough, she could see a few glistening stars.
It was all because of the air fae beside her. Nothing seemed as difficult with Nikhail by her side.
River’s steps were light as they exited the elevator on the fifth floor. Nikhail directed her to the third door down the hall, where he typed a code into the electronic keypad. The lock released with a soft click.
Even the emptiness inside River couldn’t wipe away her happiness.
Nikhail opened the door and instructed River to stay back so he could sweep the space. Once he decided it was safe, he called for her to enter. Shutting the door behind her, she took in the new space. Nikhail must’ve stepped into the other room because she didn’t see him. The safe house was small, but not tiny, and like the rest of the building, there was nothing special about it.
Tertia would hate this, River thought, her smile widening.
That just made it even better.
River toured the small kitchen and attached living room. She was running her hand down the back of the black two-seater couch when the bedroom door opened.
Nikhail had changed. Gone was his suit, and in its place was a black long-sleeved shirt and military pants. The outfit screamed“soldier,” and it made Nikhail look even more imposing than before.
Imposing and incredibly handsome.
Gods above. Heat coiled below River’s navel, and a sigh eased out of her. This air fae was so gods-damned attractive, it was practically impossible to look away from him.
He closed the space between them, and his lips drifted over hers.
“Make yourself at home, Princess. I hope I won’t be gone long, but I don’t know for certain.”
“Will you be alone?” She didn’t like the idea of Nikhail going into a potentially dangerous situation without any backup, even though she knew he was powerful.
“No. I’m meeting a local team nearby.” Nikhail clutched her shoulders, and he waited until she looked at him before he continued. “Don’t open the door for anyone, okay?”
There was a solemnity in his voice that River had rarely heard before, a seriousness that had her dipping her chin.
“Got it.” She ticked off her fingers. “Stay here. Don’t talk to anyone. Wait for you.”
The corner of his lips kicked up. “Good girl.”
She followed the air fae to the hall closet, which housed a large, black safe. Nikhail crouched, putting in a code. The safe beeped three times before opening.
And River’s jaw fell open. She’d seen a safe before, of course, but never one like this. Guns, big and small, were housed alongside stacks of money and a dozen sheathed knives.
It was nothing short of an arsenal.
The safe house was looking less like an apartment with every passing second.
Nikhail pulled out half a dozen weapons, each seeming larger and more intimidating than the last. He moved with ease, checking each weapon before attaching it to his body.