Page 46 of The Rake OR The Orca Who Met His Match in a Selkie Desiring Revenge
"It’s important to me that she has the option,” Aegir said definitively. He spoke soquickly Elspeth didn't have the opportunity to speak. While it was true he wanted her to have the option, he wasn’t certain he wanted to hear her admit to wanting it broken. He had time yet, he could convince her to let it remain, or perhaps to forge a new one after. One of her own choice.
For him, it seemed he’d already made his choice. Everything about Elspeth seemed to fit, and while he’d thrown away the idea of a mate long ago, she’d not only rekindled it, but solidified it around her. He didn’t want a mate, he wanted her, and only her. He didn’t care if it was due to the bond, the past days with her had been the happiest of his life and he’d not give it up by his choice.
“Well, your reasoning for coming here seems plain,” Torsten said, handing Aegir a cup.
"Aye, Calida’s due in tomorrow, and we can see what we have in the library about the bond.” Catrin nodded.5 “But, all that is a problem for tomorrow. Tonight, we’ll have a nice meal, get you cleaned and rested. A mind always works better that way. Elspeth, if you’ll come with me, I can show you where you can freshen up.”
Elspeth looked at Aegir, a question in her eyes, and he nodded,reassuring her. They took their cups with them, and Catrin grabbed Elspeth’s pack from the floor and swept them out of the room.
Torsten sat and Aegir pointedly avoided meeting his friend’s eye until he was certain the women were well away.
"Noticed you didn’t mention your thoughts on the bond,” Torsten said. He sipped his tea and raised his brows over his cup.
"Oh leave off, Tor.”
"It’s just an observation.”
"One which you’ve no doubt drawn conclusions about.”
"Perhaps, you could always prove me wrong.”
Aegir sat back in his chair with a sigh. “Not likely.”
Torsten raised his cup in a salute. “Welcome to the pathetic sods club. We might be pathetic, but we’re happy as hell.”
"Never thought I’d join your ranks, to be honest. Thought it was an exclusive club, reserved for those who deserved it.”
"Gods, no! Just a load of poor idiots who bumbled into the women perfect enough to see how well we’d fit is all.”
"So it stays like this then?” Aegir asked. “You’re still so happy.”
"Yes and no.” Torsten pursued his lips inthought. “It changes. Deepens and grows over time.”
"Doesn’t sound so pathetic then.”
"No, it’s the best club there is to be honest. Nothing better.”
The tea was a blend from home—Berne’s own blend if he wasn’t mistaken.
Catrin’s brother Berne was the founding member of the “Pathetic Sods Club,” and Aegir had truly never seen a man happier to settle into married life.6
Aegir couldn’t see himself settling down to blend tea or build chairs, but perhaps that wasn’t what Elspeth needed. Perhaps his siren needed something more exciting, travel and adventure, a way to fight back against the people who’d wronged her. The ability to return home when she needed, but in another community who’d know her separate from the trauma she’s undergone. From what little she’d said about her home, he got the impression her experiences would likely remain at the forefront of her people’s minds.
No, Elspeth didn’t need a picture of domesticity, she needed freedom, which Aegir could give her in spades.
As he thought of it further, he realized that her talent for art mightactually come in handy, not only for their current quest, but moving forward as well. If he hadn’t missed his guess she’d have an excellent hand at forgery.
He might not be what most folks needed in a partner, but by some chance of fate, perhaps he wasexactlywhat she needed.
1. At this time, the duchies were largely still organized by the territories set by the Pathian Empire. As the rebels desired their own form of government, they named these same territories duchies, with a Duke named in secret for each.
2. My favorite of these is a gorgeous statue of the healer Morgan le Fay, who is often characterized by the Empire as a wicked, jealous, cruel sorceress.
3. It should be noted that this is largely a generalization, there are actually plenty of people who grow taller than your average orc, namely trolls, giants, and ogres
4. Perhaps I am the only one who cares, but when I first saw a fireplace in an underground city, I was concerned. In case you have the same worries, I am happy to inform you that these fireplaces are connected by a system of flues that vent outside.
5. Unlike Torsten or the children, Catrin has quite a strong accent when speaking Pathian, as she had no exposure to the language until they moved to Berggeheimnis.