NIKOLAI

“Raya! Wait, please, listen to me!” I growled, jogging up behind her hourglass figure before placing a hand on her shoulder to stop her.

“Don’t you dare! Don't fucking touch me.”  Raya shrieked and my gut clenched painfully when I saw the tears streaming down her face as she sobbed.

“Please Nikolai, just don't, after what I saw I don't think there's anything you can tell me right now.” She hedged, her frail neck tight with muscles as her small chest rose and fell with rapid breaths.

I scanned the environment, feeling my heart skip a beat when I noted the guards and groundskeepers that were watching us curiously,...