Ryker was fae, so he couldn’t lie, but even if he could, the truth was reflected in the way he watched her.
“We didn’t… I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he said. “I swear, I was just trying to protect you.”
River had already reached this conclusion during her therapy session with Eliza Fern, but it felt good to hear her brother say it out loud. Even so, it didn’t soothe the ache in her heart.
It was strange, because while River was well-versed in how to heal physical ailments, most of her problems seemed to originate in her heart.
Hearts, it turned out, required much different care than the rest of one’s body. They were fragile. Delicate, like flower blossoms in the early spring. Easy to destroy but nearly impossible to put back together once they’ve been broken.
“Will you forgive me?” Ryker asked tentatively.
As if he wasn’t sure what she’d say.
As if he didn’t know that fighting with him was hurting River nearly as much as the emptiness inside her.
As if he thought there was a chance she’d say no.
At that moment, no one in the room seemed amused. Even Atlas’s face had turned serious, his green gaze trained on them.
River’s bottom lip wobbled, and she moved towards her brother. She wrapped her arms around Ryker and hugged him tight.
“Yes, of course.” She pressed her head against her brother’s chest, his familiar scent seeping into her. “My feelings are hurt, but I forgive you.”
Ryker thanked her, his voice muffled as he held her close. When they pulled back, River regarded him, the corner of her lip twitching up.
“Besides, I suppose now we’re even.”
Ryker quirked a brow. “Even?”
River glanced at Nikhail. “Yes, well…” She gnawed on her bottom lip. “You’re not the only one who has been keeping secrets. Why don’t we sit down, and Nik and I can tell you more about… us.” She glanced at her air fae. “That is, if you have time. I’m not sure when you need to be back at work?—”
“I’m off today.” Nikhail beamed. “Unless something major comes up, I’ll be here all day.”
“Really?”
“Yeah,” he said. “I’m all yours.”
Hers.
She really liked the sound of that.
Ryker groaned. “I can already tell I’m going to need coffee for this conversation.”
Pushing off from the wall, Atlas laughed. “No worries, Ryker. I’ve got you covered.”
Disappearing into the kitchen for a moment, the earth fae returned with a large steaming mug and handed it to Ryker.
“Let me know if you need something stronger, and I’ll see what I can scrounge up. I’m sure this is a lot to take in at once.”
“It is,” Ryker said, studying the professor. “Yet you don’t seem surprised.”
Atlas grinned. “I’m not.”
“Why aren’t you?”
“I figured it out on my own.” Atlas tapped his index finger against his temple. “Using this.” He touched the corner of his eye. “And these.”
“You mean?—”