Page 16 of Delinquent Dette (Empty Nests #7)

“It would make sense there is a volur, and there will be gothar. But there is a jarl born, and I wish to see this new jarl.” Fjallarr followed when Sten gestured, pointing them to the backyard. Luka walked the edge of the fountain and glanced up when the two new dragons approached.

“Is that my great grandson? He has fire in his hair.” Fjallarr nodded in approval. Knowing Leo, the fiery little Dette, he’d given all the pups, blond or red hair, their fire.

“He is my son,” Hallr said, stepping up but not blocking the jarl’s way.

“And I have said many times, and will say so more—I will allow him to be a pup. He will not grow up without a childhood. He will not be trained in your camps or sent to your schools. I agreed to the tutors because they need education regardless, but they are not toys. They are not pawns. They are children first.” Hallr bristled as he stood his ground, chin lifted.

It’d never occurred to Sten just how much Hallr looked like Fjallarr before.

But he did. The two could pass for brothers.

“Let our dragons decide what is what.” Fjallarr unbuttoned his shirt, stripping down to reveal the ceremonial tattoos he bore. He was not a fit Drake by any means, soft around the edges. He shifted the moment he unclothed, stepping forward to present himself before them.

Hallr met the male’s challenge, shifting in a great rush, towering over the jarl.

Even their dragons looked similar. Hallr had pearl flecks down his stomach, as did the jarl. Bicolored, certainly, but not a true jarl’s scales. They were trait carriers.

Frikka shifted in a snap, his dragon slender and tail whiplike.

He had always been such a graceful and skinny dragon, but he held speed and fire in his heart and in a spit of fire, Luka shifted, his little dragon form sitting up, chin lifted as regally as a chubby little pup could manage.

The posturing showed off his fine cut scales, the tuxedo pearl color of his belly and undertail, down to the webbing of his wings.

You are a true jarl born. It is as they say. Fjallarr’s dragon knelt and bowed his head to the pup. I cede. My place among the Nidhogg is no longer as a leader. The Nielsen clan have their own jarl, now. It is time we unite as one kind again.

I will keep the name of Nielsen. Nielsen is my father and my grandfather. Luka huffed. I won’t disrespect my father.

The name of Nidhogg honors our first kind. It is not something I can claim or keep. Fjallarr snorted as a flick of smoke puffed about in frustration.

The Nielsen clan have always been lucky because Farfar protected us and let the gods play. Luka stomped a paw and snorted. I will be a Nielsen jarl. Nidhogg will wait for their king.

Fjallarr stared him down. But the gods…

“The gods and Drakes have played with Frikka like a toy for two hundred years, Fjallarr. We have lost so many pups to them, have lost our homes and years of our lives. But my pups have brought the mating flower to the world once more. Jasper is reviving the ancient histories, our old tongue, and the first line. Torsten has rescued so many Dettes, and Peter has discovered how to unwild Dettes. Jormun has fought to recognize same-sex pairings as a legitimate and complete bond. All my sons have been blessings. My grandchildren will be no different.” Sten folded his arms and Frikka spat flame, sparks skittering across the cobblestones.

I will not come crying back to you because you want me back. You came because there is a new jarl, there are nestblossoms and peace. Frikka stood proud, all elegance and sharp features. He was not the spiteful creature he’d been so long ago.

I am willing to restore your honor! I will accept your mating in lieu of all the things your children have done. You have made me proud. Fjallarr stomped a foot into the cobbles, shifting them beneath his weight. Sten made a note to have someone come out to repair the damage later.

Restore my honor? I never lost my honor.

I chose my mate. I held my gift. I brought beautiful pups into this world and my pups have seen to far more.

My pups, you considered a disgrace, fodder for your army, your own grandchildren, have become better leaders and stewards than you ever were.

My last memories of you, Father, were a coward who watched his grandson murdered and ate his son’s prized pet out of spite before seeing him off with a pittance of his dowry.

I received less than a raider would have from a slow year! Frikka snorted.

“Frikka.” Torfi raised his voice and stared up at Frikka, eyes full of emotion. “Did he really eat Blomst?”

“And Orne,” Sten added. “Which, not even mad about that. I’m genuinely impressed he caught the old fucker.”

Frikka huffed. I had so few things I bonded to and loved. So few joys. I was lavished with finery, but kept prisoner for your political machinations.

Fjallarr took a step forward and halted when Luka blocked his path from Frikka. You ate his goose?

Roasted and feasted upon them. Frikka snorted. Didn’t even get a last meal I could eat, did I, Father?

Torfi sneered, his upper lip curling over teeth that grew sharper by the minute. “My mate and I will have words. We have only three Dette sons and one Drake. None of them speak with us, and I understand why more by the day.”

Fjallarr bowed his head sheepishly. Things were different.

“Were they, Fjallarr? Were they so different that— Nevermind. You will have a cold nest come spring until Europe has a Dette council of their own.” Torfi showed his first real anger as he stamped his foot, glaring up at Fjallarr.

“I may not be an attentive papa or be good with my pups, but I know this, Fjallarr. You took me from my clan because you loved me. You mated me because we know no others we’d rather have.

But the Drake I see right now is a coward, an ingrate, and a piss-poor father. ”

Frikka held his place and Luka relaxed only by a margin.

You must understand. Things…we did things different— Fjallarr flinched when Torfi stomped his foot once more.

“Apologize. Bow to your son and apologize. Grovel! Apologize to all the Nielsens! We came to offer thanks and to make things right, but it is clear that there is no right after what all was done.” Torfi stomped past Fjallarr and Luka before standing in front of Frikka.

“You were the fairest of my pups. I saw the gods play in your eyes. Loki owned your voice and Freya guided your heart. It is clear that you have become more than we ever gave you. I am proud of you! You are a great dragon, have mated well and done good. That will never be enough, I know, but it needed to be said.”

Frikka gave a jerky nod.

“And you, Fjallarr! Do it!” Torfi pointed at the ground and Fjallarr bowed lower, prostrating himself before the Nielsens and Frikka. “Say it!”

I apologize. I committed atrocities. You pointed out my flaws and weaknesses and I reacted worse than a Drake.

Worse than an animal. I behaved like a human.

Fjallarr closed his eyes and took a few shaking breaths.

I will not ask you to be Nidhogg, as it is clear, I have ruined my clan’s name.

And since I can say nothing else, I say that I love you, my son.

Frikka shifted back into his human form and stared his father down.

No tears, no sadness, only emptiness lay behind his neutral stare.

“Papa. Father. Time comes soon for us to run and claim our mates. We are having a new kind of running, to celebrate our union, and I do not wish for my parents to be involved.”

Hallr shifted back and procured his clothing, gesturing for Luka to join him. “Or your children or grandchildren!”

From around the estate, Nielsens, their mates, and a few unclaimed Dettes wandered up, staring at the commotion as Fjallarr shifted back.

“I’ll bring Farfar and grandfather to my estate for the time being. We can let him spend some time with Luka and the others.” Hallr gestured for Fjallarr to grab his clothes and whistled for Luka to shift back and dress, too. The little one did so obediently.

Fjallarr and Torfi glanced at Sten and Frikka for a moment before nodding quietly and following Hallr out. Luka scampered off, grabbing Hallr’s hand.

“Wait for me, Hallr!” Torsten chased after, as well as Jasper.

Peter was nowhere to be seen, but it wasn’t unusual for him to come and go as he pleased.

After all, the goal of the evening was not something their children should participate in.

Jormun hadn’t even shown up for it, as rumor was the Finnish dragons had their own version where he’d met his mate long ago.

Even in the old days, if a Drake knew he shared blood with a running Dette, he avoided the run that year.

“And now, we wait for Sile and Shui.” Sten smiled at his mate, ready to choose one another again.