An Unwise Fae

PRESENT DAY

O ver the years, Nikhail had become a master of ignoring the way his heart ached around River. He’d grown accustomed to the way his soul yearned for her, to the pull that he constantly felt around her.

He’d even grown used to the emptiness deep inside him. He was missing a piece of himself, but he’d long since accepted that this would be the price he paid for pushing River away. It was for her own good.

A wiser fae would’ve stopped seeing the forbidden object of their desires, knowing that it would make things easier for them. They would’ve done everything they could to avoid the other person.

Nikhail never claimed to be a wise fae. In fact, as he stood in the lavish ballroom in Waterborn House, he was fairly certain he was a fool.

That was the only explanation for why he’d accepted Representative Waterborn’s invitation to her Winter Solstice soirée.

She’d invited several members of the military, and as one of the highest-ranking intelligence officers in the Fae Division, that had included him.

That was why he’d accepted, but the black box in his pocket was the reason he was here.

Tell her how you feel .

Nysa’s words echoed through his mind, a reminder of his purpose.

He’d felt confident when he grabbed the smaller box, but now that he stood in Waterborn House, surrounded by its splendor, he was second-guessing himself. Wealth was on display everywhere he looked, and he’d be lying if he said it didn’t intimidate him.

From the golden vases sitting on the windowsills to the glimmer of jewels that must have cost thousands, he was reminded that he didn’t belong here.

The estate had been guarded when his taxi had pulled up half an hour ago, and he’d had to show his ID and invitation to security before they allowed him through the gates.

He’d been ushered inside the ballroom, where the party was already underway.

He didn’t recognize anyone, and he’d spent his time alternating between studying the room and berating himself for coming.

Gods, he wished Atlas were here. The earth fae professor had a calming, if a little strange, demeanor that would’ve been good at a time like this. Unfortunately, he never attended these types of functions.

Honestly, Nikhail understood why. Nothing made him feel more out of his depth than Waterborn House. Even the furtive glances from the other guests reminded him he didn’t belong.

Coming here was a stupid idea. Why did he ever think that River would want to talk to him alone? Sure, she’d come to him for help with her storm, but that was because of their connection through Ryker.

No, the longer Nikhail stood in the ballroom, the more he realized he’d been an idiot.

Who was he to think that River would give all of this up for him?

He could never buy her a house like this, even if he worked every single day for the rest of his very long life.

The kind of wealth the Waterborns had was passed on from one generation of long-lived fae to the next.

The box in his pocket felt like a hundred-pound weight, and despite the black tuxedo he wore, he felt naked.

Nikhail must’ve been a fool, because even though he suspected his heart would be crushed tonight, he wasn’t going to leave. He would see this through, and perhaps once River turned him down, he could move on.

His magic chilled at the thought of her spurning his affections, and that pull he’d felt towards her since the day they met twisted.

“Would you like a drink, sir?” A server dressed in black paused in front of him.

“Gods, yes.” He accepted the glass, curling his fingers around the stem. A drink was good; it would take his mind off his impending rejection. “Thank you.”

“Of course, sir. Enjoy the celebrations.”

Nikhail wasn’t sure what to say to that—would he enjoy this? Unlikely, since he expected to get his heart crushed. Luckily, the server moved on. Swirling the sparkling white wine, Nikhail inhaled deeply before taking a sip.

Sands save him. Even the damned wine tasted like money. It shouldn’t have surprised him, but it did. Before he’d met the Waterborns, he hadn’t even known wealth had a taste .

The wine was yet another reason why the box in his pocket was a stupid idea, another reminder that he didn’t belong here. These people were so far out of his league that he couldn’t even fathom coming close to them.

The ballroom was slowly filling up as guests dressed in their finest milled about the space, enjoying the Representative’s hospitality.

The Waterborn matriarch had yet to make an appearance, and Nikhail was grateful for that fact. He hadn’t had the displeasure of ever being alone with Tertia, but he’d heard enough from Ryker to know that his friend’s mother was all business, all the time.

Being a Representative wasn’t just a job for her. It was her entire life. Her calling. Her duty. Her only love, other than her husband. She made sure that everything reflected her position in society, including this get-together.

Gods fucking above, even the decorations mocked Nikhail, reminding him that this wasn’t just any celebration. Most people who threw a Winter Solstice party would just string some twinkly lights around the room and call it a day, but not Tertia Waterborn.

The palatial ballroom was dripping with decorations, and even though Nikhail never professed to care much about interior decorating, he could safely say the ballroom was absolutely stunning.

Seven silver chandeliers hung from the domed roof, dripping in sparkling crystals. Garlands of the same color stretched from one wall to the next. Lavish silver bows hung beneath each windowsill. Sparkling lights were strung from the ceiling, artfully draped over the entire ballroom.

Sitting on a raised platform in the corner of the ballroom was a ten-piece stringed orchestra. Even the musicians’ instruments were silver, matching the elegant theme.

The most stunning of all the decorations was the enormous evergreen tree that sat on the edge of the dance floor. Several stories tall, the top of the tree came close to brushing the domed roof.

The tradition of decorating trees for Winter Solstice was an old fae one.

While many of their ancient customs had been lost since the Great Migration, this one persisted.

A remnant of the days when their kind had been divided into elemental courts, decorating a Solstice tree was one of the ways the fae remained connected to their homeland.

And this wasn’t just any Winter Solstice tree.

This was the most lavish one Nikhail had ever seen.

Silver and blue glass bulbs dangled from the branches.

Glistening white lights were twisted around the tree, twinkling like stars in a cloudless night sky.

Blown glass in the shape of water droplets reminded the guests whose home they were in.

As if anyone could forget. Only a Representative would have a tree that looked like it belonged in Fae Weekly .

Nikhail pulled out his phone and snapped a picture, sending it in his family chat to his mother and sisters.

Three bubbles popped up immediately, indicating that someone was replying.

Laney

Ooo, is that your tree?

As if. They all knew he could never afford that.

No, it’s the Waterborns. *eyeroll emoji* I’m at their Winter Solstice celebration.

Laney

*clinking wine glass emoji* *party hat emoji* Fancy, Nikky. Very fancy.

He made a face at his youngest sister’s nickname for him. He’d told them to stop calling him that hundreds of times, that he didn’t like it, but they never listened.

Before he could reply, his phone buzzed again.

Mama

Such a beautiful tree. It looks like a lovely get-together; the Representative has outdone herself. Please send more pictures later. I miss you.

Nikhail bit the inside of his lip, shame burning his stomach. In all the years since he’d moved away from Barren Ridge, his mother’s request never changed—more pictures, please.

Her requests used to annoy him. Why did she want so many pictures of him? Didn’t she understand that he did the same thing nearly every day? Military life was full of schedules, and he liked it that way.

After a few years of living apart from his family, though, he finally understood where his mother was coming from. She was just trying to stay connected to him. It must’ve been hard, having her only son living so far away from her.

At least she had his sisters. It was odd for fae to have three children in such a short time frame, and Nikhail often wondered if that was why his father had left. If he hadn’t been able to handle the responsibility of having so many children so close in age.

Once Nikhail had realized that his mother just cared about him, he tried to send her pictures and updates regularly.

Laurie

*angry face emoji* *trashcan emoji*

Gods, you’d think the Waterborns would find a better use for their money. This country is filled with people living in fucking poverty…

He hadn’t reached the end of the message before another one popped up.

Mama

Laurelei Aurelia Galebringer, watch your language, young lady.

Nikhail could hear his mother’s chiding tone as if she were standing next to him, and he didn’t fight the smile that spread across his lips. Gods, he was overdue for a visit home.

Making a mental note to ask for time off to go visit his mother, he returned his attention to the conversation at hand.

Laurie

I’m a full-grown woman, Mama. I can swear if I want to.

Mama

It’s not dignified.

Laurie

I don’t really care.

Is it dignified for the Waterborns to spend an ungodly amount of money on a party in their luxurious mansion when there’s a housing crisis in the Republic of Balance?

No, it fucking isn’t.

Sighing, Nikhail’s fingers flew over the keyboard, crafting a response. If he didn’t step in, Laurie and Mama would get into another one of their arguments, and they’d be fighting for days.

This isn’t why I sent the picture, Laur.

Laurie

Too late, because you sent it.

Mama