Page 6 of The Magic of Vanaheim

“Get out of my way, boy,” Håkon growled.

Boy, really?

“You can join me if you ever decide to forsake your dishonorable king.” Talvi grinned at the incensedJotunn. “I can give you everything you’ve ever wanted; glory, treasure, and recognition.”

Up close, Håkon looked even prettier than Talvi remembered him from theþingalmost ten years ago. Prettier than he had imagined him in his most fanciful daydreams.

“Shut up,” Håkon hissed, already charging at Talvi.

Talvi stared at his opponent in awe for way too long. He brought his blade up just in time to parry Håkon’s first blow, the brute force making him stumble. He countered fast and hard, as his mothers had taught him.

Dancing around each other, they were trading blows, both seeking to exploit an opening in the other’s defense. Savoring every moment, Talvi drank in Håkon’s movements. Fast, precise, and deadly. This was so much fun. Talvi needed to get Håkon to practice with him.

“Consider it,” Talvi purred even as he barely evaded being gutted by a harsh blow. “Unlike King Bergelmir, I’dappreciateyou.”

Håkon’s eyes widened, and Talvi imagined he sensed a bluish blush creeping over theJotunn’shigh cheekbones. Håkon answered him with a furious attack, ripping the shield from Talvi’s grasp.

“Yield, boy,” Håkon growled.

Summoning the shield back into his hand with a lazy gesture, Talvi grinned at him. Håkon’s irritation was just too cute.

“Maybe you should yield to me and fulfill the promise you made all those years ago,” Talvi teased.

“What. Are. You. Talking. About?!” Håkon emphasized each word with a harsh cut.

“Theþing,” Talvi said, countering Håkon’s attacks and forcing him to retreat.

Only a few more steps. If I can cut him off from his warriors—if I can trap him behind our shield wall—

“What about it?” Håkon’s steely blue eyes sparkled with anger.

“You promised me your hand in marriage.”

Jaw dropping in the cutest expression of surprise Talvi had ever seen, Håkon just stared at him. He’d even forgotten to keep fighting Talvi. Norns, he remembered their encounter at theþing! Talvi’s heart sang with hope.

“So? What do you say?” Talvi pressed.

A mighty explosion shook the harbor, cries drifting up to them. Perhonen was kickingJotunnasses big time.

“Håkon!” From the warriors who managed to overcome the shield wall, only one was still standing: a sturdy woman whose purple eyes glowed from underneath her helmet. “They’re retreating. We need to go!”

Håkon didn’t listen. Shaking himself out of his stupor, he threw himself at Talvi again.

“Håkon!”

Looking up, Talvi spotted the otherJotunnhaving almost fought her way through the shield wall. Håkon growled, and for a second Talvi thought he’d keep fighting. But then he turned and ran. Together, the twoJötnarmanaged to break the wall, but their success was short-lived. Talvi closed the gap immediately behind them.

He got a glimpse at the harbor—Jotunnwarships on fire and warriors fleeing. Perhonen had outdone herself. TheVanirsurrounding him cheered in victory.

But Talvi couldn’t rejoice with them. He could do nothing else but stare after Håkon. He couldn’t believe how close this had been. If Håkon had been a little more reckless, Talvi might have been able to trap him behind the shield wall.

But most importantly, Håkon remembered Talvi’s proposal! After all these years and in the midst of battle, he’d immediately known the night Talvi had been talking about!

Arngrim’s laughter pulled Talvi out of his thoughts.

“Well done, my Prince.”

Talvi grinned.