Page 27 of The Magic of Vanaheim

“Wouldn’t go amiss to have a taste of home in this place.”

Cringing at his own words, Håkon looked up at his husband. What a stupid mistake to make. How could he hope that whining about homesickness would bring him any favors? But Talvinen didn’t seem to care.

“Very well. Gudrun should prepare your food then. She can attend to you, too, if that’s what you wish.”

“I’m not in need of a handmaiden,” Håkon growled, taken aback.

“Maybe not, but seeing a friendly face could be comforting.”

“I’m not in need of comfort, either.”

Talvinen chuckled. “Everyone needs some comfort once in a while. And I won’t deny my husband a confidant.”

The boy spoke as if he really intended to keep Håkon by his side, whatever twisted reasons he might have for it.

“How generous of you,” Håkon retorted, bitterness creeping yet again into his voice.

“I’m not your enemy.” Talvinen scrutinized him with such a piercing gaze as if his whole world revolved around Håkon. The thought made heat rise to Håkon’s face.

“Aren’t you?” Håkon scoffed.

“I’m not. Do you remember when we last met during the battle of Saeborg?”

“Darkly.”

The encounter had haunted his dreams for months afterward. The way the young warrior, who he hadn’t yet known was Talvinen, had offered him a place at his side with the cocky self-assurance of youth. The way he’d promised to fulfill his every wish as if Håkon were a person worthy of aspirations, had shaken him to the core.

‘You can join me if you ever decide to forsake your dishonorable king. I can give you everything you’ve ever wanted; glory, treasure, and recognition.’

The memory alone had a strange, fluttery feeling twisting in his stomach. Maybe the food had been poisoned after all.

“I understand that my word doesn’t mean much to you, but I need you to know that your life in Vanaheim doesn’t have to be miserable.”

“As long as I follow a few rules, I guess,” Håkon growled. Now they were getting to the heart of the matter, and although Håkon was quite sure he wouldn’t like what Talvinen wanted from him, it would be a relief to finally know what was expected from him.

“Well, I could do without your attempts to murder me, but don’t worry, I don’t expect you to make any promises you can’t keep. And I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.”

“Are you telling me you want nothing from me then?”

For a second Håkon thought he’d finally earned a punch in the face for his insolence. But instead, Talvinen kept looking at him as if he wanted to devour him.What in Hel’s name?Håkon’s clothes suddenly felt too tight.

“You have no idea, do you? How desirable you are. You’re brave and cunning and so gorgeous. The things I want from you—” Leaning close, Talvinen almost joined their lips again. His proximity made the elation of battle sing through Håkon’s veins. “We’ll have to consummate the marriage tonight and maybe bless a ritual at some point, which I’m very much looking forward to. But other than that, I want nothing from you that isn’t given willingly.”

Consummate the marriage? How?

“What are you talking about?” Håkon blurted.

He couldn’t mean—unless they—Oh. Oh! By Freyja’s tits.

Face heating, Håkon recoiled. He hadn’t expected theVanirto take the marriage between men quite so far, but why was he surprised? He should’ve known better.

“Don’t worry,” Talvinen soothed as if he was talking to a spooked horse. “Let’s see, why don’t we leave this dull feast and get the rituals over with? I promise I won’t hurt you.”

Håkon lifted his chin, unwilling to let Talvinen see his insecurity.

“Fine with me,” he said through gritted teeth.

He followed Talvinen back to his chambers in a state of feverish confusion. Completing the wedding rites would be theworst ordeal of the day, and Håkon’s inexperience didn’t make it any better.