Page 83 of The Magic of Vanaheim

“We aren’t dead,dróttning,” he said, gently carding through Håkon’s hair.

“What?” Dizziness seemed to overwhelm Håkon. “I saw you die,” he choked, the horrible images threatening to drown him.

“I came back,” Talvi replied simply. “I couldn’t leave you.”

Suddenly it all made sense—their chambers in Saeborg, Talvi’s warm body, even the dog that wasn’t a dog at all.

A hurt sound tore itself from his throat and Håkon clung to Talvi.

“You came back,” he sobbed, incredulous and so relieved. He couldn’t stop the tears streaming down his face, and he didn’t try to. “I thought I’d lost you, but you came back.”

“Always,” Talvi promised. “I’ll never leave you. I’ll always find a way back to you.”

And Håkon believed him. Whatever lucky slip of theNornirmade this incredible, powerful, loving man so obsessed with Håkon, he was blessed.

Patiently, Talvi let him cry, patting his back and murmuring sweet nothings into his ear. How did Håkon deserve a man like him?

Håkon must have fallen asleep at some point because he woke up again to dim winter sunlight and familiar voices talking.

“Any signs of Arngrim or Svanhild?” Talvi’s voice was laced with anger, but the hand petting Håkon’s hair was gentle.

“None.” Gudrun’s voice was stoic and determined as ever. “But we’ve warriors all around the realm looking for them and spies heading for the other worlds.”

“They’ve both vanished from my sight.” That was Perhonen, the seeress. “It takes a lot ofseiðrand distance to hide from me. Rest assured, they aren’t a threat at the moment.”

Håkon’s head rested comfortably in Talvi’s lap, and his husband’s gentle caresses never ceased. Gods, was Talvi talking politics with his closest advisors while Håkon slept? The idea was enticing.

“You’ll see Arngrim again,” Perhonen said softly.

“I don’t want to see him,” Talvi snarled. “He almost got Håkon killed. I’ll never forgive—”

Stirring and stretching, Håkon made a show of waking up. As he’d expected, Talvi’s attention was immediately focused on him.

“Hey, are you awake? How do you feel?” All anger had disappeared from Talvi’s voice, chased away by a softness that warmed Håkon’s heart.

Sitting up next to Talvi, Håkon attempted to look dignified despite his state of undress and the fact that he’d been drooling on his husband’s pants only moments ago.

“Perhonen. Gudrun.” He nodded at the women.

Gudrun smirked, but thankfully refrained from crawling into bed with them to hug him. It was bad enough that Håkon discovered the bear dozing like a dog at the foot of the bed. How could his life have changed so fundamentally in just a few months?

He smiled at Talvi, who regarded him with a worried expression.

“I’m fine,einar minn,” Håkon said. At this point, he wasn’t ready to suggest Talvi talk to Frekegar, but he knew the time would come. He couldn’t yet forgive the dwarf for causing Talvi to get hurt, even if it was in a misguided attempt to protect him. But the man had been Talvi’s friend, his sworn warrior. If Talvi wanted to make peace one day, Håkon wouldn’t stand in his way.

“Are you hungry?” Talvi rearranged the sheets and pillows for Håkon to lean against. “Make yourself comfortable.”

His first impulse was still to refuse Talvi’s care. He could stand up. He wasn’t that famished. He could take care of himself.

But he didn’t have to. Not anymore. He could allow himself to be treated kindly, because he knew Talvi would never use it against him. So he leaned back with a sigh.

“I could eat,” Håkon said.

“You should,” Perhonen said, gathering her parchments. “You both should. You thwarted Svanhild’s plans, but it would be wise to get some rest.”

So, if they didn’t leave the bed for the next few days, the seeress was to blame.

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