Page 61 of Made

“Gods no. ‘Tis for servants. You have to spend an awful lot of time by yourself learning to play. And for what?”

“Right. Do you, ah, have a female friend you spend time with?”

Niall made a strangled sound, leaving Vidar with the sense the prince wasn’t much interested in dating. Given his proclivity for meanness, Vidar was thinking that was just as well for Eire’s population of lasses.

“You’re meanin’ a relationship that lasts longer than an hour?” Niall asked with a lascivious grin.

Vidar did his best to disguise the deep breath he inhaled. “Yes. That’s what I mean.”

Though the need to answer had been suspended due to further clarification, Niall answered anyway. “No’ interested.”

“No music. No girls. What about governance? I understand your family is into it.”

Niall wobbled his head. “My da and brother are into it. ‘Tis reason enough for me to know ‘tis no’ for me.”

Not being able to help himself, Vidar had to ask the obvious follow-up. “You know you wouldn’t like it because your father and brother do?”

“Aye. Does that sound dÚsachtach?”

“Your feelings are your feelings.”

As if Vidar just uttered the most profound wisdom of the ages, Niall nodded solemnly and said, “’Tis very true.”

“Well…” Once again, Vidar moved to rise.

“Hold on.” Vidar did as he was told and paused, looking curious on the outside, smiling broadly on the inside. His plan was coming to fruition. The kid was hooked! “What’syourplan?”

“The Argonauts’ seas still exist in Greek faerie. Not like here, where the land underneath has been claimed for farming. Some of my cousins and I are planning to recreate a sailing trip from the Golden Age. We’ll do all the physical stuff ourselves. No magic. Just like humans.”

“Ah. Would ye go on?!?”

“You know, when you’ve lived a long time, new experiences are a prize above all else. I’d invite you along, but some of my relatives can be boisterous. Detrimental to the health and well-being of fae, you understand.”

Niall nodded. “So, do you?”

“Do I what?”

“Do you have a wife? Or a ready female?”

“No wife. But I’m quite fond of the Scandinavian queen.”

“Ilmr? You bloody devil! She feel the same?”

Vidar gave Niall a knowing grin. “There’s no doubt of that.”

“What other new experiences are you plannin’?”

“A few things,” Vidar said thoughtfully. “Haven’t worked out the details.”

“Like what?”

“Well. For instance, I’ve never been inside Eire.”

Niall sat up straight looking suddenly sober. “I can help with that.”

Vidar made himself look interested. “Why, Niall. Running into you here might’ve been a stroke of good luck for me.”

“Let’s go!”