Page 64 of The Magic of Vanaheim
“I’ve brought horses for you.” Njord sighed. “Fetch Thyra from the farm and meet me at Sveinn’s camp.”
As they hurried back to the little farmstead by the forest, Talvinen rode close by Håkon’s side. As soon as they’d reunited with Thyra and the other warriors, they traveled further down the fjord and Talvinen grew tense. Concerned. Håkon had never seen him like this. He knew his husband to be fearless, reckless, even. What could’ve elicited this sudden swing in his mood?
“Why does this Sveinn want to kill you?” Håkon asked. He needed to understand what was going on if he wanted to console his husband.
“He’s a merchant, capturing slaves in the other realms to sell them as thralls. He wishes for a different ruler in Vanaheim and he isn’t fond of my mothers, either.”
Håkon chuckled. “I’m starting to like your mothers. They know how to make friends.”
To Håkon’s delight, his words elicited a brief smile from Talvinen. “He used to raid our own settlements. Tried to blametheÆsirfor it. My mothers taught him a lesson he has neither forgotten nor forgiven.”
“A man holding a grudge can be dangerous. What about the priestess your uncle talked about?”
“Svanhild,” Talvinen said with anger in his voice. “An ambitiousvala. Not as powerful as my mothers, though, which irks her a lot. She’s like a raven feasting on a corpse, always trying to exploit weakness, always bringing bad news.”
A hostilevala. Håkon could deal with that.
“They’ll think that they can get to me through you,” Talvinen said darkly. “You have to be careful. Stay close to me.”
It was suddenly hard to breathe.
“You’re worried for me,” Håkon said.
It was a simple statement, but he felt its truth deep in his bones. Håkon suddenly had a hard time keeping the memories of last night at bay, Talvinen above him, hisseiðrinside him, Talvi telling him helovedhim, followed by his vows of protection in the morning. His husband realigned the strings of Håkon’s fate yet again.
“Of course.” Talvinen frowned. He didn’t even know what he was doing to Håkon with his talk about concern and love, the utter fool.
“You’re not afraid for yourself,” Håkon pressed on. “And you do not fear that I’ll be a liability either.”
Talvinen looked horrified; as if these thoughts hadn’t even crossed his mind. How was Håkon supposed to teach him to be less gentle?
“My only concern is for your safety. I made a rash decision that could put you in danger. I should’ve listened to my uncle instead.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Håkon said. “Frekegar is right, you know? You should be more careful, more concerned aboutyourself.”
Features hardening, Talvinen grasped his hand. Håkon let himself be pulled closer, ignoring that they were both on horseback. Their knees brushed as their horses came closer, and Håkon didn’t even care if Thyra or the other warriors saw their display of affection.
“Don’t let us waste time discussing this nonsense,” Talvinen said. “I’ll never give you up. Arngrim understands that. That’s why he’s so angry. But he’ll get over it. And as for this topic, not even you can change my mind.”
A sense of calm and safety washed over Håkon, unfamiliar, but already deeply associated with Talvinen.
“You’re crazy,” Håkon mumbled, unable to keep the fondness out of his voice.
“I’m crazy about you.”
“Did I say you could be a skald? I take it back—” Håkon wheezed, shaking with laughter. He clung to Talvinen’s hand so that he wouldn’t slip out of the saddle, even as warmth filled his chest.
“Is that so?” Talvinen chuckled.
Tilting his head, Håkon hid his smile. He sighed. Maybe it was time he accepted his fate. His honor may have been forfeit, but he couldn’t be bitter about it if Talvinen kept treating him like this.
“I’ll be careful,” Håkon promised. “You won’t have to worry about me.”
seventeen
The Slave Trader
?åkon