Page 49 of The Magic of Vanaheim

“You don’tknowhim, Talvi. He might act all doe-eyed and docile around you, but he’s the enemy. He’ll never truly be yours.”

“Maybe I don’t know him, but you should. Weren’t you in a similar position? Didn’t my mothers take you in and put their trust in you when you fled Nidavellir?”

Eyes wide in shock, Arngrim gaped at him.

“How dare you compare me to thisJotunnbastard? We have nothing in common! Do you even know why they call him Bloodaxe?”

“He single-handedly killed King Lofarr and most of his warriors.”

Arngrim growled.

“An act of dishonor. He slaughtered a king of Nidavellir. These men thought they were protected under the laws of hospitality,but instead, theJötnarkilled them all. And for what? To get their greedy hands on some treasure their own kind is too unskilled to make.”

That’s not how his mother, Ahti, had told the story. Before she met Vellamo and settled down to rule over Vanaheim, Ahti had been traveling the Nine Worlds; a goddess in disguise on the hunt for wisdom to gain and deeds to accomplish. When they were younger, Talvi and Rune had hung on her every word, eager to learn about each of her adventures. And Talvi had been especially obsessed with tales of the youngJotunnprince Håkon. According to his mother, Håkon’s fame wasn’t unwarranted.

“Were you there?” Talvi asked, his anger tempered by compassion for his friend.

“No, of course not. If I had been there, either I or your preciousJotunnwould be dining in the Halls ofHel.”

More likely you.Talvi didn’t voice the thought.

“Ahti tells the tale of Lofarr’s demise differently.”

Something closed off in Arngrim’s face, and Talvi realized he must’ve had this argument before. Probably with Ahti herself.

“She—”

“Don’t you dare lie to me. Mother was there.”She knew. That’s why she told the story like Håkon’s saga.Talvi didn’t say that either. “Youmustaccept him.He’s mine and I’m not letting him go.”

Arngrim was desperate by this point, Talvi could tell.

“But will he be happy here?” Arngrim made another attempt to sway Talvi’s decision. “It’s a childhood infatuation, Talvi. I know what you see in him. He’s formidable, a great warrior for sure. But he’s corrupted by Bergelmir’s influence.”

Unable to suppress laughter, Talvi shook his head. How couldn’t Arngrim see what kind of man Håkon truly was? Honorable, yet cunning in battle. And so eager to please. If onlyTalvi could convince Håkon that he belonged to him, he knew Håkon would be the most loyal of his warriors, then. Talvi had a feeling that even now his husband would find it difficult to betray him, even though his honor demanded to obey Bergelmir instead of Talvi. “I’ll make sure he’s happy. Can’t you see? You’re right to despise Bergelmir. But this is his ultimate defeat. His son is going to be one of ours. And who knows, if Håkon ever decides to claim his birthright, I’m more than happy to help him ascend the Frostland Throne.”

Sighing deeply, Arngrim’s shoulders rounded in defeat.

“You won’t change your mind, will you? Damn your thick head,Vanr.”

Tentatively, Talvi grasped Arngrim’s shoulder.

“No. But I need your help to keep Vanaheim safe. Can I count on you, or are you going to keep harassing my husband?”

Another long-suffering sigh.

“Fine, you madman. Have it your way. Are you going to keep your pretty bride by your side when we ride out to inspect the borders?”

Talvi grinned, relieved to feel the tension between them bleeding away.

“I can’t very well leave him here to fend for himself, can I?”

“You could put him in a cell,” Arngrim proposed, but he sounded more lighthearted now. Almost teasing. Not as if he was making a serious suggestion. “It would be the safest option.”

Talvi rolled his eyes.

“As much as I would enjoy such a scenario, I think you wouldn’t like what it would lead to.”

Arngrim’s eyes widened. “Gross!”