Ice & Prejudice

Chapter 25

Ria's POV:

I stared at my phone, the last message from Nikolai lighting up the screen

Nikolai: Are you going to the party tonight?

Like he had asked a million times already?

I rolled my eyes, typing back a simple "Yes" and sending it before I could second-guess myself. No sooner than twenty minutes later than had I tossed my phone on the bed, a knock sounded at my door. Just as I wanted to empty my bladder. Perfect timing.

I opened the door to find Nikolai standing there, his grin already too wide for my comfort. "Figured I'd come help you get ready. Since, you know, you have no idea what you're doing," he announced, pushing past me into the door before I could protest.

"I didn't invite you," I muttered stalking after him, more to myself than to him, but he was already rifling through my closet.

"Well, you need help. And I'm here. So let's get started." He didn't even look back at me, too busy flipping through my clothes like he owned the place.

I watched him for a moment, unsure whether to be annoyed or relieved that he was here. Layla had assured me she'd take care of the wings and halos for our angel and fallen angel costumes, leaving me to figure out the "something hot" part. But standing here now, all I had were a few black tops and jeans. Tight, yes, but not exactly what Layla had in mind. She had sent me a picture of her short white dress. And told me to wear something similar but in black.

Nikolai paused, turning to give me a look. "Where are your hot clothes?"

I glared at him. "Excuse me?"

"You know, dresses, mini skirts, revealing tops, heels, hot black stockings..." He rattled off the list like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You do have those, right?"

"Nope." I crossed my arms, trying to ignore the way my cheeks warmed under his gaze.

"Mmh, right." He didn't believe me. Of course he didn't.

I could feel my bladder getting fuller by the second, and I really didn't have time to argue with him. "Don't mess up my room. I'm going to pee. I'll be right back."

"Have fun," Nikolai said absently, his focus still entirely on my wardrobe.

"Thank you?" I frowned at his odd comment, but I didn't stick around to ask more. I needed to use the bathroom before this whole situation drove me insane.

When I returned a few minutes later, the first thing I saw was Nikolai on his knees, hunched over a box I'd shoved in the back of my closet ages ago. The box Mia had insisted I keep, filled with clothes that didn't feel like mine anymore. Clothes meant for a different version of me. The version of me before everything went wrong.

Nikolai looked like a kid in a candy store, his eyes wide with excitement as he dug through the clothes. I watched him for a moment, the sight almost comical, before I finally crossed my arms and leaned against the doorframe.

"Am I interrupting something?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He looked up, surprised at first, before quickly recomposing himself, his usual cocky smirk returning. "Oh, just helping you rediscover your sense of style," he said, holding up a pair of lacy black lingerie with a grin that made my stomach twist in both irritation and... something else.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Put that down."

"Why? You've been hiding this goldmine. I'm just trying to help," he teased, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—something almost serious.