The ones that she hadn’t truly let herself consider for more than a few fleeting moments at a time since that awful night when she was fifteen. For years, they’d felt like silly dreams, but they didn’t seem out of reach right now. Less of a fantasy, and more like something that might actually be attainable one day.
For the first time in her adult life, River could see a future for herself that wasn’t a lonely, solitary existence.
Her mind was brimming with possibilities, and they weregood.
Maybe one day, she could be happy.
Maybe one day, the clouds would disappear, and the stars would remain forever.
Maybe one day, River would be able to live with her power without fearing it.
Nikhail tucked a lock of hair behind River’s ear and rested his forehead against hers. For a long moment, they remained there, sharing the same air and existing in the same space, together.
“I’m glad to hear that, because I don’t see how I could be any happier.” His breath ghosted over her lips, and she exhaled, eyes falling shut.
River waited for Nikhail to draw her close and for his mouth to fall on hers. She could feel his hard cock pressed against her thigh. She yearned for him to fit his hardness at her entrance and show her exactly how good their life could be together.
Except his kiss never came.
A cool breeze brushed over her, and when River peered at Nikhail, he was sitting beside her. His head was tilted, as if he was listening.
A knock came from the door a moment later.
“Nik?” Atlas called out. “You in there?”
River’s cheeks heated. She had almost forgotten that the earth fae was here. Now that she thought about it, he probably heard them last night.
They hadn’t exactly been discreet.
“I am,” Nikhail answered.
“And is… fuck, this is awkward.” Atlas made a sound that was part-chuckle, part-groan. “Is River in there, too?” He paused. “Not that it’s any of my business if you are… if the two of you… Gods. It doesn’t matter. Ryker is on his way over. That’s what I was trying to say.”
River threw off the covers and planted her feet on the floor. “Wait, what?”
“Ah. Well, that answers that question,” Atlas said through the door. “Hello, River.”
She bent, picking up her long T-shirt from the floor and pulling it over her head. “Hi.” Her cheeks felt like they were on fire. “Ryker’s coming right now?”
“Mm-hmm.”
River peered over her shoulder, exchanging a worried glance with Nikhail.
Do you know what’s going on? she silently asked him.
She wasn’t sure he understood, but he shook his head.No, his gaze seemed to say.
“Did he mention something about the rebels?” Nikhail asked, pulling on a pair of grey sweatpants.
I didn’t even know he owned sweatpants, River thought.They look good.
She chased the thought from her mind. Gods, she needed to focus. Her brother was on his way. This was not the time to be lusting after his best friend.
Even if that best friend looked like a god brought to life.
“No, nothing like that,” Atlas said. “Apparently, Ryker has been trying to call River all morning. When she didn’t answer, he got worried.”
River patted her thigh reflexively, checking for her phone, before she remembered that she’d left the device in her room last night before venturing into the kitchen for snacks. Then Nikhail had found her, and…