Page 34 of The Magic of Vanaheim

When he finally was satisfied, Talvinen cleaned their hands and Håkon’s face of the sticky remains of the dish and ordered him to lie down. Håkon did what he was told without hesitation.

“Do you mind if I hold you?”

“What?”

“Come here, try it. Rest your head on my chest.”

Håkon obeyed as if in a trance. He was tired, and beginning to feel cold. So why shouldn’t he share the warmth with his husband?

He drifted off to Talvinen’s even breathing and to the soft feeling of his skin against Håkon’s. It was stupid, but in theVanr’sembrace, he felt safe.

ten

A New Morning

?åkon

He woke slowly, surrounded by warmth and the softness of silken sheets. Trying to make sense of his surroundings, Håkon turned around and blinked into the soft sunlight of early summer.

“Good morning, sleepyhead.”

Suddenly wide awake, Håkon sat up. Sheets pooling around his waist, Håkon realized he was naked underneath them. Heat rose to his face. As a warrior, he was proud of his body, and usually not ashamed to show it, but his state of undress brought with it the memories of last night. The way his body had eagerly submitted to Talvinen’s touches, how he’d moaned in pleasure.

He found Talvinen lounging in a high wooden chair that was covered with furs. He was holding a book in his hands, but Håkon had a feeling he’d done something other than reading.

“Did you watch me sleep?”

The idea was weirdly satisfying.

“In my defense, I tried to concentrate on my book. But it’s hard when you have the most beautiful man in the Nine Worlds sleeping in your bed.”

Håkon failed to suppress a genuine laugh.

“You should’ve become a skald. Kings and queens would thirst for your words of flattery.”

“A tempting occupation, but I fear I couldn’t stomach the insincerity. With you, it’s easy. You’re like a sunny day in the deepest winter, Håkon Bloodaxe. Magnificent. Beautiful and deadly. The best warrior I’ve ever seen. Even as a little boy, when I didn’t understand what love or longing was, I saw you at the þing and I knew you were the only person for me. The only spouse worth wooing. Do you remember when I proposed to you? That last þing theVanirand theJötnarheld together.”

“That was you?” Håkon blurted. He remembered the day vividly. Brogar’s defeat. The strange boy who’d talked to him right after the duel. Gudrun’s amusement. And the ring. Håkon still owned it.

Talvinen shrugged. “I drove my mothers crazy with my obsession with you. There was no other topic for me. I studied the way of the sword and the intricacies ofseiðrmore eagerly than my poor brother, just so I could impress you when I’d grown up. And one day, my uncle took pity on me, and allowed me to visit theþingwith him.”

“Njord, the Lord of Nóatún. I remember him, although he didn’t enter the tournaments.”

“Yes. Uncle doesn’t fancy drawing his blade if it isn’t to kill.”

Now that they were talking about it, the family resemblance was striking. Talvinen and his infamous uncle shared the same sharp features and dark hair, although Håkon remembered the Lord of Nóatún with longer hair adorned with a few strands of gray. Bergelmir had called Njord a coward for refusing tocompete at the tournament, but for all Håkon knew, he had been a great warrior.

“May he dine in the halls ofHel,” Håkon said quietly. He could only imagine how Talvinen was coping with most of his family gone. On the other hand, he’d spoken as if his uncle was still alive. Could it be?

Talvinen’s gaze grew distant for a moment.Hel. Håkon shouldn’t have breached the topic. Then Talvinen got up and smiled.

“I just ordered someone to bring your breakfast.” Sitting down on the bed next to him, Talvinen gently tucked a strand of hair behind Håkon’s ear. “And don’t worry, my uncle is still alive.”

Heart beating faster, Håkon leaned into Talvinen’s warmth. This was exactly the kind of information Bergelmir would be interested in. What happened to the Queens Vellamo and Ahti? Where were Njord and Prince Rune? Were they all dead or did something else happen? Håkon would’ve preferred to fight a duel over this game of spying at any time. He wasn’t equipped to spin smooth lies and gather information without anyone noticing.

“I heard that he and his dragon fell fighting theÆsir,” Håkon said. His throat was suddenly dry, and the words sounded croaking to his own ears. What was he doing?

Talvinen hummed, a look of sadness crossing his features.