“If you don’t think I’ll be imposing…” River rolled her bottom lip through her teeth, and Nikhail gently tugged it free, soothing the injured flesh before he pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
By the Blessed Obsidian Sands, it felt good not having to hide how much he cared about this woman.
“You won’t be. It’s exam season, and Atlas is barely around. Between grading papers, lab work, and whatever else he does on campus, he practically lives there. I’ll call him, just to be sure, but if you want to come with me, you can.”
Nikhail spoke loud enough that he was certain Ryker could hear every word. It’s what he would want if the situation were reversed and one of his sisters wanted to stay somewhere else after they had been in a fight.
A long moment passed before she dipped her head. “Thank you. I would like that.”
The quiet words settled something in Nikhail’s soul that he hadn’t realized was out of sorts. His lips quirked up. “Okay, then that’s settled.”
After a long moment, he glanced at Ryker. He appeared to be in more pain now than ever, clenching and unclenching his fists at his sides.
To the water fae’s credit, he was keeping his distance, letting his sister make her own choices. If Nikhail hadn’t already known that Ryker was a good brother, this would’ve affirmed it for him.
“You have my word,” Nikhail said. “I will take care of her.”
The words hovered around them, and a long moment passed before Ryker dipped his chin. “Okay. Thank you.”
The air was still tense as River pulled her hand from Nikhail’s. “I’m going to pack a bag.” She glanced at her slippered feet. “And maybe get some shoes, too.”
River was halfway to the front door before she turned around and raced back to her brother. She threw her arms around Ryker, holding him tight.
“I still love you,” she said against his chest, her words muffled. “I just… I need some space. Thank you for being okay with this. You’re still my brother, Ryker. That will never change.”
Half an hour later,River sat in the passenger seat of Nikhail’s car. He had given the siblings some room, calling Atlas and confirming that it was fine if River came and crashed with them. He and Ryker had talked about work—the Black Night felt like a much safer topic than venturing into whatever had happened between the siblings—until River came out with her bag.
She’d hugged her brother again, and it sounded like she’d already said goodbye to Brynleigh. Then, she got into the car.
Now, they were sitting in silence. Nikhail was watching River—memorizing the way she looked—as his water fae shredded tissues on her lap.
She wasn’t looking at Nikhail, but at the enormous front window of the farmhouse, where Ryker and Brynleigh stood behind the glass, holding each other.
“You don’t have to leave if you don’t want to,” Nikhail murmured. “I’m sure that Ryker will be overjoyed if you choose to stay.”
“No. I need some space, and I want to go with you.”
How could he push back against that, when those words were a soothing balm to an ache he hadn’t known existed? “Okay.”
Reaching around River, he took her seat belt and buckled her in. His fingers grazed hers, and warmth swept through him. When she was secure, he took her hand and gently squeezed her fingers.
“I’m glad you called me, River.” He kissed their joined fingers, the glimmer of the prohiberis manacles catching his eye. Gods, he hated those shackles. “You can always call me.”
“And you’ll come,” she said, glancing over at him.
“Always,” he vowed.
It was the easiest promise he’d ever made. And as he pulled out of the driveway and headed towards Golden City, warmth sparked in Nikhail’s soul. It remained there as he drove to Atlas’s house and carried River’s bag inside, showing her the spare room.
“Atlas said it’s yours for as long as you need it,” Nikhail said.
River stood in the doorway for a long moment before she looked over at him. “It looks nice. If you don’t mind, I’m going to lie down. It’s been a really long morning.”
“Of course.” He gathered her close, pressing his lips against her forehead. “Take all the time you need. Have a nap if you want. I’ll make you some food when you wake up.”
“Thank you, Nik,” she murmured, turning towards the room.
“Oh, and little storm?” he called out.