“Because of that...soldier?” Tertia made no effort to hide her disgust. “He’s a common air fae, River. He comes from a poor family and barely makes any money at all.”
“Life isn’t about money.”
“Spoken like someone who has always had it,” Tertia retorted.
River bit back a sigh. Gods, she wanted to get this over with and return to Nikhail before he woke up. She could feel her blood pressure rising, could hear her pulse racing in her ears.
But there was a part of River—that little girl who had yearned for her mother’s love—that wanted her mother to approve of her relationship. It was that part of River, that desperate hope that maybe Tertia could see reason, that had her softening her voice.
“Nikhail is a good man. A great one, even.” And she loved him, not that Tertia deserved to know that. “And besides, Ryker is also a soldier.”
Tertia lifted her nose. “It’s not the same. Ryker is a Waterborn, and he’s only doing this to pass the time until the mantle of Representative falls to him.”
And just like that, any desire River had for her mother’s approval vanished. Why was she worried about what Tertiathought when, even now, she made it clear that the only thing she was concerned about was her position in society?
“Ryker isn’t playing at being a soldier. It’s hisjob, just like mine is working at the hospital.”
“For now.” Tertia sniffed, as if the thought of her children being gainfully employed repulsed her.
River crossed her arms. “All right, Tertia. I’ve had enough of this. You came. You checked on the situation. You saw me. Do you need anything else?”
“No, but?—”
“No,” River spoke over Tertia. “I’m done with this conversation, and I’m done with you.”
The Representative had the audacity to look surprised. “What?”
River lifted a shoulder. “You heard me. You and I are done. Over. As far as I’m concerned, I no longer have a mother.”
Sputtering came from behind River as she walked to the door and placed her hand on the handle. “You know, I spent years trying to understand why you treat me the way you do. And I hated myself for a very long time because of you.”
Even Cyrus’s love, plentiful though it had been, hadn’t been enough to stop that.
“I don’t feel that way anymore. I am a good person, and I am not cursed. If you can’t see that, it’s your fault.” River turned the handle. “Goodbye, Tertia. May you find what you deserve in life.”
And with that, River walked out of the room and away from her mother for good. Her steps were light, and a smile teased at the edges of her lips.
Nikhail lifted his head as she entered. “Hey,” he murmured, his voice groggy with sleep. “Everything okay?”
River slipped under the covers and reached for Nikhail. His arms wrapped around her, and they hugged. She nuzzled hisneck, inhaling his comforting scent, before pressing her lips to his. He didn’t hesitate, taking over the kiss.
“Yes,” she replied when they broke apart. “Everything is great.”
CHAPTER 36
The Pinnacle of Happiness
Nikhail’s veins were teeming with warmth as he woke. Soft rays of sunlight filtered through the blinds. He propped himself up on an elbow, gazing down adoringly at the water fae sleeping beside him.
He couldn’t believe he’d come so close to losing River a few days ago. Even now, when he shut his eyes, he could still see her in Harringdale’s arms. Relive the fear that had coursed through him.
But Harringdale was dead, and River was safe.
Nikhail had spent all day yesterday on a call at the dining room table in the safe house. Attendees had included various members of the military and Representatives, along with the Chancellor.
Ignatia Rose was furiousthat she wouldn’t have the opportunity to interrogate the rebel leader. Nikhail hadn’t even heard the Chancellor react so poorly when her own son-in-law had been brutally murdered in front of her.
It was possible, Nikhail supposed, that the Chancellor’s anger was less due to Harringdale’s death and more to the fact that her personal assistant, Greta Lawrence, had taken her ownlife the day after the news came in about the rebel leader. Before killing herself, Greta had left a note confessing everything. Her involvement with the rebels, the fact that she’d been feeding them information, and that Gale was her lover, and she couldn’t fathom living without him.