Page 47

A Cursed Confession

N ikhail sucked in a breath, studying his lovely water fae.

River’s beautiful brown eyes were wide as she waited for his answer. As if there was any question as to what he would say. Didn’t she know he’d give her anything she asked for?

“Of course, we can talk,” he murmured. “We can do whatever you want.”

Nothing was off-limits when it came to her.

River’s hand twitched in his, and then the stunning woman he’d spent years pushing away led him through the halls of Waterborn House.

Her high ponytail bounced as they walked, teasing him.

What would it be like to wrap it around his fist while he took her from behind?

His dick twitched as he imagined the way he’d make her scream and beg for him.

Soon , he promised himself.

Soon, they’d get to do all the things he dreamed of.

They passed several doors before River led him into what appeared to be a small library .

Nikhail had never been in this room before, but that didn’t surprise him. The mansion was enormous, and even though he’d visited a dozen times with Ryker, he’d never had the chance to go exploring.

The library was beautiful, which made sense.

The Representative of the Fae would never have a room in her home that wasn’t properly decorated.

Shelves filled with leather-bound tomes occupied half the space, leaving room for a cozy sitting area.

Two crimson velvet armchairs rested on the edge of a dark grey carpet near a bricked-in, unlit fireplace. A matching crimson settee sat nearby.

Before, this room would’ve served as a reminder of all the reasons why he and River wouldn’t have worked. Not anymore. Nikhail searched for that fear within himself, pleased to discover it was gone. What he and River had was bigger than money, social class, or age gaps.

River shut the door behind them and steered him towards the armchairs. That wouldn’t do. Not today.

He tugged her over to the settee, pulling her down with him. It wasn’t really built for two—that much was noticeable the moment they sat.

River squeaked, but she didn’t pull away. Nikhail took that as leave to keep holding her hand. He’d forgotten how well they fit together—like they were always destined to be together. His thigh pressed against hers, and something settled within him.

Whoever designed this too-small settee deserved a raise.

Honestly, if Nikhail didn’t think it would scare River, he’d pull her onto his lap and wrap his arms around her, resting his head on hers for this conversation. As it was, he slid his arm around her and pressed her against his side.

It felt like years had passed since they’d last been in the same room together, and he was craving her like his lungs craved air. Had he merely wanted her before?

Now, he was desperate for her.

Nikhail had no idea how he’d gone so long without River, but he had no plans to give her up. Not if he could help it.

On impulse, he leaned over and brushed his lips over River’s. Her mouth was soft and plump and entirely her . She tasted like salt and rain and everything he’d been missing in his life.

The kiss, if it could be called that since it was just a brief meeting of their mouths, was over far too soon. She pressed her forehead against his and breathed in shakily.

“I like you, Nik.” Her whispered confession was so quiet that if he wasn’t in tune with the wind, he never would’ve heard it.

“Oh, River.” He pulled back just enough to look at her, his heart lifting at her words. “I like you, too.”

He more than liked her, if he was being honest.

He wasn’t entirely sure when the scales had tipped. Was it when she’d come to him for help with her storm? Or perhaps when she’d scolded him in the hospital? Or had he fallen head over heels for her the first day they met, all those years ago?

In the end, he supposed it didn’t matter when it had happened, only that it did. He’d fallen down the road of “liking” River to something more, and he knew in his heart that what he felt for her was unparalleled.

Was it too soon for that? Too soon to tell her that his heart belonged to her, that she’d stolen it, and he never wanted it back?

Probably.

It didn’t feel like that, though. If anything, it felt like this had been years in the making .

“I know you do,” she whispered, her bottom lip wobbling. Why was it doing that? Why was she upset?

He didn’t have the chance to ask before she added, “And that makes this so much harder.”

Wait.

What?

His heart plummeted to his feet, and there was a gaping hole where his stomach used to be. His magic whirled in his veins, and he just… stared at her.

She pulled her hand out of his, reaching behind her neck.

“Wait, River….”

His voice trailed off, and his blood chilled as she unclasped the necklace around her throat. His necklace, the one he’d given her.

Disbelief was a coiled rope unfurling in his gut as a tear slid down her cheek. What was she doing? Why was she crying?

River gathered the necklace in her palm and stared at it for a long moment before she extended her hand towards him. As if she wanted him to take it. As if she wanted to give it back.

“No,” he breathed, shaking his head. “I don’t want it back.” Like his heart, it was hers. He didn’t want her to return either of them. Reaching out, he curled her fingers around the necklace. “It was a gift. I gave it to you.”

He probably should’ve pulled back his hand, but he couldn’t. Not even if this… if she was…

Her eyes squeezed shut, and she shook her head.

“I’m cursed, Nik.” The words were barely more than a hushed murmur, but they were filled with years of conviction. They stole his breath. “I always have been.”

What? No. She couldn’t be cursed. He didn’t even know if curses were real , but even if they were, there was no way she was afflicted with one. He would know, wouldn’t he?

Tears slid down her cheeks, each silver drop a blade digging beneath his skin. A reminder that he was failing to protect her from harm.

“What are you talking about, River? You’re not cursed.”

Her eyes opened, and there was so much devastation in those lovely brown orbs, he could drown in it.

“I am,” she whispered brokenly. “I’ve been star-crossed since the day of my birth.”

She believed this, he realized as horror crashed through his veins, taking a wrecking ball to his happiness. It had vanished, replaced by red-hot anger. River— his River—truly thought she bore a curse. How could this be?

This was madness. Fucking insanity.

“No,” he protested. “You aren’t.”

“I am.” River sat up straighter, drawing in a deep breath.

As if she were preparing herself for something.

As if that wasn’t the worst of what she planned to say.

“I’m going to tell you a story, and when I’m done…

” Squeezing her eyes shut, she seemed to steel herself for something before she met his gaze once more.

“When I’m done, you’ll understand why you need to stay away from me. ”

“Never,” he said fiercely, gripping her hand tightly. “I will never leave you.”

He would sooner bind his magic with prohiberis shackles and never hear the wind again than walk away from her.

“Yes, you will,” she replied sadly. “I’m fated to bear the burden of my destiny on my own.”

“No. I don’t believe that.”

“You will,” she whispered.

There was an ache in his chest, and it took a moment for him to realize that his heart was breaking. How much had River suffered in her life in order for her to believe this?

“Princess…”

She turned away from him, her legs no longer touching his. Every inch between them felt like too much, and that ache in his heart grew.

Why couldn’t she see that her place was by his side, forever?

She pressed herself into the corner of the settee, and her eyes found a far point on the wall. They glazed over as she started talking, and with every word, his heart broke further.

River’s voice was low as she told him of the day her magic came in when she was eleven, of the endless power that had swept through her veins.

Magic had battered at her willpower every day since then, she told him, wanting to get out.

For years, she’d kept it locked away until she went out with friends when she was fifteen.

Her voice cracked, and the pain on her face…

Nikhail’s fingers twitched, and the urge to hold her close and never, ever let her go was nearly overwhelming. The only thing holding him back was the look in River’s eyes. He’d seen it once before, and that memory was ingrained in the very core of his being.

“Nikky, you’re holding my hand too tight,” Laurie complained as he tugged her out of the elevator.

He was annoyed because Laurie had tried to jump into the massive puddle outside their apartment building when they got off the bus.

Nikhail had taken her hand and pulled her aside just in time.

Dad didn’t like it when they brought water into the apartment, and besides, it wouldn’t be good for Laney’s lungs.

“Sorry, Laur,” he said, releasing her hand as he opened the apartment door.

Something felt strange as he walked inside. Off. But… what was it?

A baby’s cry came from the playpen in the corner of the living room, where Laney was holding on to the side as tears streaked down her cheeks.

Where was…

Mama stood in the middle of the living room, clutching the back of the shabby blue armchair. She was as pale as snow, staring at the paper crumpled in her fist.

“Go to your room, Laurie.” Nikhail gently pushed his sister inside. “I’ll come play with you in a bit.”

Laurie must’ve felt the shift in the air because she didn’t fight back. She kicked off her boots before padding down the hall to the room she shared with Laney.

Nikhail turned back to the living room, where Mama hadn’t moved at all. Slowly, he walked up and put his hand on her arm. “What’s wrong?”

She lifted her head, and her wide eyes met his. He was too young to realize it then, but they were filled with grief and fear.