✵ SWEETER THAN HONEY ― nikolai lantsov ✵

The Reunion

Yi slowly made her way off the ship, and the first thing Nikolai noticed was the way she carried herself. Her shoulders were pushed back, her chin high, expression completely and unnervingly unreadable.

She had matured.

Saints, she had matured a lot.

Her cheekbones and jaw were evidently more defined, the Shu tilt of her lids more visible now. Her face seemed to be a perfect mixture of soft yet distinguishable and unforgettable features. Her neck and collarbone were visible despite the modest cut of her dress, and a simple necklace of pearls gleamed in the sunlight. Yi's skin glowed deep bronze and gold, significantly darker than before, as though she was a statue carved to perfection in gleaming copper, and Nikolai suspected it was from days spent in the warmth of Ahmrat Jen. Her curls, usually an untamed mess, were pinned into a perfect bun, a pearl-studded barrette holding it all together.

His eyes landed on her gown he raised his eyebrows, lips twitching.

It was silk and simple enough, embroidery of falcons expertly placed at the large, billowing sleeves, reminiscent of the red silk she'd been so fond of long ago. But it was the colour that amused Nikolai most.

Teal.

Sturmhond's slightly gaudy teal, the colour of his signature frock coat.

Nikolai barely reeled in the delirious laugh that bubbled in his chest. His eyes scanned her face and something dawned upon him like the sudden jolt of waves against the mast of a ship.

Saints, he thought to himself. All Saints, she's beautiful.

Yi regarded him, raising her eyebrows and tilting her head ever so slightly. Nikolai felt Tamar elbow him hard in the side and he coughed, blinking and coming to his senses with an awkward start.

"Oh," he said stupidly.

Yi blinked.

This is spendid, Nikolai thought to himself as he felt his throat go dry. Just splendid.

"I―. . ." He couldn't form words.

"Welcome back to Ravka, Your Highness," Zoya greeted, casting Nikolai a questioning look. "We have a lot that we must speak of." Her cold gaze found the Tavgharad. "Alone."

Yi's lips tilted upwards. "Zoya," she said softly, breaking the ice by using the simplest, informal address. Nikolai wanted to grin. "It's good to see you."

And then the Zoya Nazyalensky walked forward and hugged Yi so tightly that Nikolai wasn't sure whether or not he was dreaming anymore. Yi let out a laugh and accepted the embrace, and soon Tamar and Tolya rushed forward as well.

"I had a hug for her, not you two," Zoya grumbled, her glower like darts dipped in venom. Still, Nikolai noted that she didn't shove them away all the same.

Yi laughed again. "Saints, I missed you too."

"Tolya, do try to be a bit careful. I'd rather not have Shu Han's princess squeezed into oblivion the moment she stepped foot on Ravka's land. It looks rather alarming to the other countries," Nikolai stated, finally pulling himself together.

Tolya glared at him but relented all the same. Yi, Zoya, and Tamar extricated themselves from each others arms, and Nikolai felt a grin tug at his lips as he met Yi's eyes.

"Nikolai," she said, a smile forming on her face.

His grin widened when dimples formed in her cheeks. "Yi," he whispered.

She studied him. "You look. . ." Her head quirked to one side and her eyes softened. "Different."

"A relative synonym for dazzlingly handsome and duly irresistible. I appreciate the comment, darling." Nikolai almost groaned in self-annoyance as the words left his mouth.