To be fair, he does look really cute.
And it isn’t like Andrei is trying to scare everyone in the neighborhood—he’s just being protective, glaring at any manwho looks like they might even think about stepping in our direction.
“Ready to go home?” I ask, offering my hand out for Niko’s candy bucket. He nods, handing it over without a fight as he rubs a fist over his eyes.
“Will you carry me?”
“Sure.” I smile, already reaching for him when he shakes his head and steps away.
“Not you, Mama. Andrei.” I look at Andrei, and he has that same startled look on his face. For the first time, he looks uncertain. Niko’s never asked him for anything I was willing to do before. He’s only sought him out as a matter of convenience, and the weight of that trust can feel crushing when you aren’t prepared for it.
I nod and, taking a deep breath, Andrei scoops Niko into his arms. “Sure, kid. No problem.” Niko wraps his arms around Andrei’s neck and settles right in, resting his head on his shoulder without a single care or worry.
Andrei’s jaw is clenched tight while he looks around. I can’t help but grin at how overwhelmed he looks. Niko rubs his face against his jacket, already half asleep when I take mercy on him and reach out to hold his hand and begin the slow trek home.
When Andrei turns his head, blinking rapidly, I pretend that it’s because of the cold wind and lift our joined hands so I can kiss the back of his.
Chapter 23
Andrei
I’m still in a daze the next morning.
When Niko hugged me before falling asleep in my arms, it was both the greatest thing I’ve ever felt and the most terrifying. I spent the walk home trying to hide my conflicted emotions from Blair while she just smiled at me, a small glow lighting her up from within.
Niko’s an amazing kid. He’s curious, clever, responsible for his age, and knows how to listen. When he wants to, he’s quick to show off his temper, and if he learns to control it, it’ll be an asset as he gets older. He’s a reflection of the best parts of his father and so much of his mother.
If he’s guided by the right hands and learns how to be patient, he has the potential to go far in this life.
He was born with the expectation that he would follow in Daniil’s footsteps, but if he wants to do something else when the time comes, I’ll fight tooth and nail to make sure he gets the chance. Especially if this supposed brotherhood doesn’t find a way to shape itself into something that deserves him.
I duck into the living room, continuing my search for Blair. She’s supposed to be going to some pottery class with Nadya soon, but I can’t find her anywhere. She’s not in our room, not in the yard, and not in the living room, either.
She wouldn’t leave without saying anything.
As a last resort I check Niko’s room, hoping that he knows where she is. Peeking in, I find her sitting on the floor next to his bed, holding a hand to his forehead. His face is simultaneously flushed and paler than I’ve ever seen him.
“Everything alright?”
She sighs as Niko buries his face in his pillow. “He isn’t feeling well, and it feels like he has a fever.” Her voice is soft. It doesn’t hide the way her shoulders are slumped in concern, but I can also see a little disappointment in her face, too. She was looking forward to her pottery class with Nadya. “I’m going to get you some medicine, then I’ll be right back, okay?” she tells her son.
Niko makes a quiet sound that sounds like an okay, and I follow her out of the room.
“Can you watch him for a little bit? I have to call Nadya and cancel, but I’ll be right back.”
“I can stay with him,” I say before I can think it through.
Blair’s been excited about spending some time out of the house, and I can probably manage to watch a sick kid for a few hours.
There’s a frown on her brow while she considers it.
“Are you sure? He’s not going to be much fun,” she eventually says, eyeing me warily. I school my face so she can’t see how much that hurts. “He’s probably going to complain and fight you whenever you tryto help him.”
Just like his mother.
“I can handle it. Say goodbye, then go and have some fun. We’ll still be here when you get back.”
Reluctantly, she nods, and I trail after her while she grabs a bottle of medicine.
