Page 74 of The Magic of Vanaheim
“Shhh, you don’t have to betray your kin by telling me all that,” said Talvi, overwhelmed by Håkon’s devotion.
“I should’ve done so earlier,” Håkon said. “You’re the kind of ruler I always wanted to pledge my loyalty to. I’ve wanted to do so since the night of our wedding—”
“Oh, Håkon—”
“But I didn’t dare to. I didn’t dare to defy Bergelmir. But I won’t be a coward anymore.”
“You’ve never been a coward,dróttning,” Talvi said, pouring all his love into the words, willing Håkon to see what he saw. “You’re amazing. So beautiful and brave. You were willing to give your life to spare your sister a miserable marriage. You’rethe best warrior in the Nine Worlds. And you’re going to make such a great king—”
“Stop!” Håkon choked. “Please. Don’t say such things if you don’t mean—”
Talvi kissed further protest from his lips.
“I mean it. Every. Single. Word.”
Silently, Håkon clung to Talvi, just breathing in his scent.
“You should rest now,” Talvi whispered. “It has been a long day, and the harvest celebrations are going to continue tomorrow.”
Watching Håkon drift into slumber was most satisfying. Talvi couldn’t wait to spoil his husband for the rest of his days. Reclined in his seat, he gazed up at the stars. He wanted to enjoy the calm atmosphere of the night a little longer before taking Håkon inside. Talking about his mothers and brother made Talvi miss his family with a renewed urgency. How he longed to introduce Håkon to them. Vellamo would surely want to chat with Håkon about everything from warfare to hunting, and Ahti would train with him and praise his fighting skills, while his brother would tease Talvi relentlessly about his infatuation with his husband. And Uncle Njord would watch over them all, a perpetual frown on his face, but secretly pleased to have them all together and safe.
Håkon was a warm, comforting presence at his side. The fates had favored Talvi indeed, and he would make sure that the rest of his family returned to Vanaheim as well. A small sound alerted him to a person approaching. Arngrim stepped out on the balcony, uncharacteristically not wearing armor but a loose-fitting green tunic instead. Small threads of gold were woven into his hair. He looked good, albeit tired.
“Enjoying the festivities after all?” Talvi asked.
Arngrim had worked tirelessly to ensure their safety, even as the city buzzed with guests and farmers from the surroundinghamlets. But their former carefree friendship was still strained. Arngrim had made sure to approach Håkon with more friendliness, but his resentment toward him seemed unchanged.
“Someone has to keep an eye at theJötnarin case your husband’s father decides to attack us again.”
Talvi’s heart sank.
“We’ve been over this, Arngrim.”
Taking in the way Håkon was cuddled close to Talvi, fast asleep, Arngrim sighed deeply.
“Are you happy?” Arngrim asked, voice sad. “You’ve dreamed of him since you were a boy.”
“I’m blessed with a good marriage, a far better one than any prince could wish for. And once we have my family back, I’ll be the happiest man in the realm.”
“I see.” Arngrim sat down on the edge of the bedding. “I respect your decision.”
A surge of hope made Talvi smile. He’d waited weeks for Arngrim to finally overcome his pigheadedness, and once he finally accepted Håkon, everything was going to turn even better.
“I’ll talk to Håkon tomorrow,” Arngrim promised. “He should know there’s a place for him in Vanaheim if he’s not stupid enough to risk everything and betray us, right?”
“Right.”
Silence fell between them, but for the first time in weeks, it wasn’t charged with tension. Laughter and music still drifted up from the lower town now and then.
“The festivities are still in full swing. Don’t you want to go down and have some fun?”
Arngrim regarded him with a strange gaze, partly fond, partly sorrowful.
“Yes, I’ll do that. I’ll also make sure that no one ruins the night with a surprise attack.”
Fleetingly, Talvi touched Arngrim’s shoulder as his warrior got up.
“Thank you, my friend.”