There was no doubt in Nikhail’s mind that the man would follow through on his threats. And it was a threat, because even fae, with their ability to rapidly heal, couldn’t survive an injury like that.
How could he have ever thought that Harringdale didn’t look imposing? He never should’ve left him with only one guard, even while sedated.
This was all his fault.
Guilt ate away at Nikhail, but he shoved it aside for now. There would be a time for those feelings, but this wasn’t it. River was still alive, and she needed him.
Nikhail held up his hand. An order to stand down.
Whoever was behind him obeyed instantly, halting their approach. Nikhail didn’t dare divert his attention fromHarringdale even for a moment to see who it was. It didn’t matter. The only person who mattered was River.
“What do you want?” Nikhail asked.
He was surprised that his voice was steady. Firm, despite the terror coursing through him.
Harringdale smirked. “Freedom, of course.”
As if he thought that was in the cards for him. Yes, the Chancellor wanted Harringdale alive, but she would never allow him to go free.
“Let her go,” Nikhail said in response.
“And lose my only bargaining chip?” Harringdale dug his claws deeper into River’s skin. “Never.”
River whimpered, and the sound was a knife, piercing Nikhail’s heart.
A possessive, warning growl rumbled through Nikhail before he could stop it. The sound, a primal fae one that came from the depths of his soul, echoed through the space.
“Oh, my gods.” Harringdale glanced between Nikhail and River. Understanding bloomed in his eyes as a slow, sinister smile spread across his face. “You two are together, aren’t you?”
Nikhail didn’t answer. What good would it do?
“What a scandal.” Harringdale gasped mockingly. “I didn’t think you had this in you, River. The daughter of a Representative, sharing her bed with a common soldier? I wonder what the Representative of the Fae thinks of this?” He forced River’s chin up and peered at her, searching.
Nikhail’s magic thrashed in his veins, and every part of him wanted to scream. He’d never felt so helpless.
He kept sorting through various scenarios in his mind, trying to figure out how he could free River from Harrington’s grasp, but every scenario resulted in River’s neck being torn to shreds before he could save her.
Whatever the rebel leader saw on River’s face had him smirking.
“Oh, I see,” Harringdale said with a tinge of amusement. “She doesn’t know.”
“Release the water fae,” Nikhail repeated, his voice stern.
“Why, so you can put a bullet in my skull? You must think me a fool. I will do no such thing.” The bear shifter jerked his chin towards Nikhail. “Get one of your men to call the Chancellor. Inform her of the situation. Tell her I will be killing Tertia Waterborn’s only daughter on the spot if she doesn’t authorize my immediate release.”
“There’s no signal down here,” Nikhail said, without removing his gaze from the rebel leader. “We can’t call anyone.”
Harringdale snarled. “Figure it out, or she dies right now.”
Fuck.
Nikhail called for Therian, his voice hoarse as ice sluiced through his veins. The dragon shifter was at his side a moment later.
“What do you want me to do?” Therian asked.
“Get to the surface and call the Chancellor,” Nikhail said. “Let her know what’s going on.”
It wouldn’t do any good, but if playing along would give him more time to save River, then that’s what he would do.