I followed behind Nikolai, my chest heaving as I watched his back. He was the majestic sort of tall, and when he suddenly turned, I felt my breath stick in my throat.
"We should sit here."
I looked around. It was more secluded and had only one bench. I nodded, then joined him on the bench. Instead of facing away from me, which for reasons best known to me, I would prefer, he turned to face me, his legs crossing under him. I kept my focus on my nails like they were more interesting than they really were.
I listened as he tuned it without saying a word to me, and once he got the sound he was looking for, he looked up.
"Sing for me."
I turned to him, then swallowed. "I... I am..."
"Nervous?"
I swallowed. "A bit. I have only ever sang in front of Matthew."
He leaned forward. "Not even
