Even so, this was a lot to take in, and River needed a moment. She stood on wobbly legs and, using the wall for support, made her way into the bathroom.
When she returned, Nikhail was still perched on the bed, his feet planted on the floor.
River stood in the middle of the room, looking around.
“So… where are we?”
There weren’t many places in the Republic of Balance that were equipped with rooms like this—or at least, not many that she knew of.
“The Hub,” Nikhail answered after a moment.
River was familiar with the building. Her mother often attended meetings here, as did her brother.
Oh,gods.
River’s heart stopped beating for one long moment before restarting with a jolt.
Her brother.
River had been so worried about herself and her emptiness, she hadn’t even thought about the rest of her family. About Ryker, who had also lost a father.
Not only was she cursed, but she was a gods-awful sister.
“Ryker? Is he…? Did he…? Where…?” A multitude of questions tried to rush out of her at once, and they tangled on the tip of her tongue.
Did Ryker know about their father? Did he find out before he and Brynleigh left to celebrate their bonding? Had he heard that River had lost control again? Did he hate her for calling another storm?
“He knows.” Nikhail took her hand in his, as if he couldn’t help touching her. “He and Brynleigh returned the day of the storm. He’s been coming by daily to check on you, along with the doctors.”
“He knows you’re here?” River asked. As soon as the question left her lips, though, she realized it was silly. Obviously, if Nikhail hadn’t left, then Ryker must have seen him here.
Nikhail dipped his chin.
“Does he… know?”
About us?
The unspoken words swirled around them, and River’s heart writhed. She wasn’t sure what she and Nikhail were; they’d never put a label on what was between them. Maybe that was for the better, because maybe now that Nikhail understood the depth of her curse, he’d walk away for good.
“No. He assumed I helped you because of my relationship with him, and I stayed because I’m his best friend.”
“Oh,” she said softly.
That was a good thing, right? It would make things easier when Nikhail decided she was too much. But that didn’t stop a flash of disappointment from coursing through River.
Nikhail’s thumb grazed her palm. “I wasn’t sure how to correct him—or if I should—so I didn’t. It seemed like the wrong time, and something we’d want to tell him together.”
River chewed on her bottom lip. “That makes sense.”
“It does.” Nikhail inhaled deeply, as if steeling himself. “Ryker would’ve been here more often—he probably would’ve stayed, if he could—but he’s been busy looking after your mom.”
River’s brows knit together. “Wait. What’s wrong with my mom?”
Nikhail gritted his teeth, and a vein ticked in his jaw.
“Nik?” River prodded. “What is going on?”
She knew there was no love lost between Nikhail and her mother—he’d made it clear the night after the bonding ceremony—but this seemed different.