10. Akira

It's Tuesday morning, and it"s been three full days since River and I kissed in the forest. Every morning since then we"ve gone jogging together around the campground before taking the path to our secret meadow in the forest.

Okay, it"s not really a secret, but it"s way more fun pretending it"s just ours.

Every morning, I pull out my faerie daggers to practice, while River pulls out his book to read. After a few hours together, we split off in different directions to start our day. River goes back to our trailer where he works from his laptop, while I meet up with Indy and Seven for our usual lessons.

Neither of us has brought up the kiss, but I"m dying to do it again. But if my kitsune has taught me anything, it"s the act of patience.

Not that my kitsune is very patient when it comes to River. Even now, they lean against my chest, encouraging me to go find the human.

"How is the knife-throwing act going?" Rhea asks as we casually walk around the campground. After spending so much time with River, my sister finally put her foot down and insisted we meet up for a late morning walk. Since I already did my morning jog with River, I didn't mind taking it easy with Rhea. I've missed my sister.

"Yeah, it's going great. River helped me figure out a way to make it a little more thrilling. I can't wait for you to see it."

"So River helped you?"

"Mmm hmm. I was struggling with the idea of people actually finding it interesting, but he caught on to the way I loved Seven's Ringmaster act, with all his faerie glamour. Plus, he knows how much I love throwing my daggers."

"He does?" Rhea asks, shocked. She's one of the few people who knows exactly what the faerie weapons mean to me, and why I keep them hidden. For years, they were one of the only things I could count on. If I needed to go on the run or if the fortune hunters found out that I was a kitsune shifter, I relied on my daggers like a safety net. The magical element of these daggers would only work for me.

"I trust him."

Rhea's smile stretches wide. "What's the deal with you two?"

"I really like him, Rhea. I'm just trying to make sure I go at his pace. I don't want to pressure him, but every time I'm near him. my kitsune is just so happy. And honestly, so am I. But I'm scared of getting hurt."

"I don't think he'll hurt you."

"Did you see something?" I ask, eyeing her curiously. Rhea's fortune-telling skills have definitely improved since being here at the circus, but she's made it a point not to meddle in life without me asking.

"Nope. Just a feeling. River and Indy seem like good people."

"We kissed the other day," I blurt.

"Holy shit." Rhea punches my arm. "Why the hell didn't you lead with that?"

I dive into the story of how River and I have been growing closer, the way we've been opening up, and admitting things we never admitted to anyone before. I tell her about how he makes me feel alive. Like myself.

"I know that probably sounds ridiculous, but I don't know. I just feel like I can be myself around him."

"No. It doesn't sound ridiculous at all. For the past hundred years or so, you've been in Faerie fighting by Sorren's side. It sounds like River is helping you discover who you are without the stress of war."

I nod, happy she understands. "Don't get me wrong. I miss Sorren, but I don't think I've realized just how much I was helping him fight his battle. And even though River is so young, we feel like kindred spirits. Did you know he spent the last decade looking for Indy? And he spent his youth training to work at his uncle's law firm. I get the impression River is also discovering himself here at the Black Cat Circus."

We take one last loop around the campground and as if we timed it, both of our stomachs growl.

"Oh gods, I'm starving." Rhea laughs. "Wanna get a bite to eat?"

I wave her forward. "Lead the way, little sister."

We enter the mess hall and my eyes immediately find River like he has some magnetic pull on me. Anytime he's near, I'm unable to pry my eyes from him. River's so intriguing that I'm fascinated with everything he does. Like now, he's just sitting with Indy, Brighton, and Farren in the middle of the mess tent, chatting while eating breakfast and pointing at something in his book. He has his usual pout on his face that makes him look so damn adorable.

I chuckle when I spot the big hulking gargoyle bent over his breakfast as he holds up a tiny little paperback. Did River and Farren talk about the kiss he interrupted the other day? Or is he acting like it didn't happen too?

Spending so much time with River presents a bit of a problem the more I get to know him. I"m pretty sure I have feelings for my little fox. He"s even smarter than I realized and I love how much he challenges me. His faith in me and this future dagger act has been a balm to my soul. I didn't even realize how insecure I've been about staying with the circus. But River makes me feel like I can make BCC my home.

"Earth to Akira." Rhea waves a hand in front of my face and laughs. "Have you heard a thing I"ve said?"

"Oh, sure," I reply absently.

Rhea laughs again. "That's a no. Come on, you. Let's go get our food and we can sit with them. That way you don't have to strain your neck like a giraffe when you stare at your crush."

My lips twitch. I know Rhea is only joking, but oh, gods, it's true. I totally have a crush on River.

Maybe more.

Rhea ends up ordering a pepper jack cheese omelet, and I decide to try the eggs benedict with a side of toast. As we approach their picnic table, River looks up and gives me a small wave, blushing. Adorable.

Today his blond hair is tousled from the wind, probably from our run earlier. Let's just say that the faux bedhead look suits him. He's currently wearing a blue tank top that almost serves no purpose, since the sides are completely cut out, and show off his sexy, lean body.

The only open spots at the table are across from River and Indy, so my sister and I slide onto the bench. "Hey guys," I greet.

"Hey, Akira. Hey, Rhea," Indy says.

Brighton bounces in his seat. I was shocked to find out the young and vibrant raven shifter is dating Zander, the auburn-haired demigod I met earlier this week. "Are you two joining our book club?" Brighton asks.

I arch a brow at River. "Book club? Is this where you get all your reading material, little fox? Or do you pick some of those books on your own?"

River blushes.

My gaze bounces back over to Brighton. "I never thought of joining a book club before, But I'm sure someone could persuade me."

River lifts his orange juice and smiles down into his cup before taking a sip.

Damn, I love how sweet and submissive my little fox gets around me. He always seems to know how to push all my buttons.

River's phone rings in his jeans pocket, and I immediately recognize the ringtone as Uncle Harris. River tenses, and Indy notices.

"Who's that?" Indy asks as River swipes ‘ignore'.

"Just a friend back home," River lies, and I'm pretty sure Indy knows it. Almost as soon as River silences the first call, that same ringtone starts up again. What the hell is his uncle's problem? He needs to stop harassing River. Wanting to help, I decide to distract Indy.

"Indy, are you still on for today?" Indy and I had planned to go into town to shop for some new clothes. I'm kind of hoping I can convince Indy to help me shop for clothes River might appreciate.

"What? Where are you two going?" River's green gaze turns fiery as he eyes his brother. My kitsune jumps excitedly. Is River Lowe… jealous? River shoves his phone back in his pants.

"To a few thrift stores." Indy's eyes sparkle. "You should come with us!"

Oh! This could be fun. Maybe seeing which outfits River reacts to in person might be the way to go.

River chews on his lip and hesitates. "Oh, I don't want to interrupt."

Sliding my leg up River's calf, I shoot him a wink. "You aren't interrupting, little fox."

"No, really, it"s fine. I'm just going to stay back and—"

"Awe, Riv, you have to come with us. How are you going to find those outfits you wanted me to wear?" I tease.

"What outfits?" Indy's eyes bounce between us, a huge grin on his face. Brighton presses in close, wanting to hear the answer as well.

"River wants me to wear something sexy for him."

Indy's head whips to his brother, just as River's face flames.

"I what?" River squawks. "I said no such thing!"

"Didn't you? I remember you kept talking about my pirate clothing, and how you thought I should wear something else." Next to me, Rhea is silently chuckling.

"Exactly," River nods. "And I was insinuating that you did not look like a sexy pirate."

Brighton giggles, before whispering loudly to Indy. "Clearly that was a lie."

Farren's chuckle rumbles like thunder. "Sounds like River is in denial."

I smirk playfully.

"Fine," River hisses, narrowing his eyes at everyone at the table, and standing. "Let me go change into something less sweaty."

River brushes past me, his fingers trailing across the back of my neck, and causing me to shiver. That little tease. The move is so quick that I don't think anyone else noticed. Peering back up at River, I don't miss the smirk on his lips.

My own smirk turns into an ear-splitting grin. Why do I feel like a giddy kid who just won some huge prize?