Tired of being in the same space as River but too fatigued to do anything more than kiss her before collapsing onto the bed, falling into a restless sleep.
Tired of chasing Gale Harringdale across the region and being one fucking step behind him at all times. The rebel leader always seemed to know they were coming. Nikhail was convinced now more than ever that there was a leak, someone who was tipping the rebels off about their movements.
Nikhail was tired of it all, and his fuse was shortening with every passing day. He wasn’t the only one on edge; every member of his team was feeling the effects of this wild goose chase.
Tempers were short, arguments were being had, and mistakes were being made.
This was an outlet he desperately needed. Earlier today, after their briefing, the Chancellor had made the call to send for reinforcements. It was a slap in the face, if Nikhail was being honest, but he was capable of admitting that they needed the help. It felt like he was trying to solve a puzzle, but key pieces were being held from him.
Therian had arrived an hour ago, along with a few other soldiers from Golden City. The dragon shifter had taken one look at Nikhail’s face and suggested they make their way to the gym while Dalyn debriefed the others.
“Be careful what you ask for.” Nikhail rolled his shoulders, then cracked his neck.
“I know exactly what I asked for,” Therian retorted. The shifter was standing casually, as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
Nikhail lifted his wrapped hands and eyed his friend. “Don’t hold back.”
“Are you going to fight me, Galebringer, or are we going to keep chatting like a couple of schoolgirls?”
Therian was clearly baiting him, hoping to enrage him, but he was also right. Nikhail did need this. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so frustrated and tangled up inside.
Before this past week, he would’ve told anyone who asked that he was unflappable. It was what made him so good at his job. No matter what he encountered in the field, he could deal with it. It was a silver lining of sorts. A skill he’d acquired early on, after having to deal with his father’s leaving. Despite his young age, he’d had to step up and help his mother.
Nikhail was steady and patient, able to deal with whatever came his way… or so he thought.
Now, he was irritable and anxious. He wanted to put this matter to rest, once and for all. Find Gale Harringdale, then track down the leak. After that, he planned to ask for vacation time so he and River could get settled back in Lakewater.
But first, he needed to get his head on straight. And that meant getting rid of his pent-up aggression so he could think properly.
Nikhail charged towards the dragon shifter with a roar. He feinted to the right before spinning at the last second. His fist slammed into Therian’s side.
“Cute,” Therian said, barely moving. He smirked, dancing out of the way of Nikhail’s follow-up left hook.
Damned dragon shifter.
Nikhail growled, calling a sphere of wind to his palm and launching it at Therian while he charged him again. This time, the dragon shifter grunted at the impact. Nikhail’s victory was short-lived. Therian punched Nikhail’s side, and the air fae wheezed, stumbling back.
Maybe it was a good thing River was upstairs. She might have had a heart attack if she saw the two men right now.
Soon, it was all Nikhail could do to avoid Therian’s fists. The muscular dragon shifter was as powerful as he was fast. Hiskind was known for their strength, which was one of the reasons the Crimson King had tried to eradicate their species all those centuries ago.
Fighting Therian was exactly what Nikhail needed. Right now, he wasn’t a commander of a team that was, in the Chancellor’s words, struggling to achieve their purpose. He wasn’t an air fae desperate to keep the woman he loved safe. He was just a warrior, training. This was where he felt comfortable and in control.
Right now, he was able to focus on himself. He wasn’t thinking about last night, when he and his team had tracked Harringdale to a run-down warehouse in the Southern Region. Nor was he worrying about Indira, who had gotten injured when the rebel leader shifted into his bear form and went on a rampage. Even though Nikhail had tried to shield his team, Indira had still taken claws to the stomach. The bear had ripped through her skin as though it were made of paper.
By the time they got her to the hospital, Indira had been clinging to life. Nikhail stayed there for hours, pacing in the waiting room. It wasn’t until the surgeons updated him, assuring him that she would pull through, that he’d called the Chancellor and gave her an update.
Nikhail wasn’t even thinking about the verbal flogging he’d received from the head of the Republic when she’d heard about their failings. Ignatia Rose had made it clear that she was holding Nikhail personally responsible for the fact that Harringdale was still at large.
Therian kicked Nikhail’s legs, sweeping them out from under him. He landed on his back with awhooshand a grunt.
Before Therian could pin him to the ground, Nikhail rolled. He jumped to his feet, calling the wind to his palm. He threw several spheres of air at the dragon shifter in quick succession, pleased when the man took several stumbling steps back.
His advantage was temporary. Through some dragon trickery, Nikhail soon landed on his back again. This time, Therian used his body to pin Nikhail to the ground, trapping his arms at his sides with his thighs. Nikhail struggled but soon realized the futility of his actions.
“Yield,” he groaned, slapping the mat. “I yield.”
Therian dipped his chin and clambered off him. He offered his hand, and Nikhail took it, rising to his feet. Sweat poured off both men, and they staggered to the edges of the mat. Nikhail squirted half his water bottle down his throat, using a towel to wipe away the worst of his sweat.