Page 50 of The Rake OR The Orca Who Met His Match in a Selkie Desiring Revenge
“I’m proud of you,” he whispered. “We have a big day tomorrow, let’s get some rest.”
1. Aegir explained all sorts of boring things on the ride to Berggeheimnis, like Cat’s shifted form, the fact that Torsten is an orc, etc etc etc… but I couldn’t see wasting all of our time with things we might already know from other books.
2. The twins, born in Sanctuary, have white hair as a result, whereas Bjorn was conceived of and born in Berggeheimnis and ergo the magic of the Lady did not affect his gestation.
3. This sketch, was later enlarged to a full scale piece that now hangs in the library at Berggeheimnis.
Chapter sixteen
Aegir
IN WHICH DRAGONS ARE CAPABLE OF TAMING CHILDREN, ALL LIBRARIES SHOULD HAVE MULTIPLE STORIES, ANDANSWERS ARE FOUND
The following morning, Elspethwas already up and downstairs before Aegir woke. He dressed quickly and found her in the kitchen with Catrin.
"Mornin' darlin'!" Cat called, turning some aebleskivers in the pan.1 She knew he loved the round pancake balls and made them at least once during his visits. Next to her, Elspeth held her own toothpick for turning. She smiled at him over her shoulder and didn't shy away when he hugged her from behind.
"Good morning," she said. "Couldn't sleep with all the noise." She waved a hand at the city.
"It must be odd for you—this many people in the same place."
"Exactly."
Aegir kissed her neck and she giggled.
"I'm going to burn my pan because of you!"
"It's not my fault if you can't concentrate when I am around. Are you truly blaming me for your lack of control? Why Elspeth, that is so misandrist of you! I thought better of you. How disappointing." He amped up his distraction, tickling her sides until Catrin smacked him with a towel.
"Get out of here, you menace! I'll thank you not to ruin our hard work, you daft flounder. Go find yourself a child who can match your energy and get outta my kitchen!"
Wiggling his body to avoid the swipes of Catrin's towel, Aegir blew a kiss to Elspeth on his way out the door. "I'm sorry, my love, I am no match for this foul witch that keeps you captive!"
Likely hearing the commotion, all three children barreled out the back hall and tackled him. He spent the next five minutes battling for his life against three children who had no business being as strong as they were, with little knowledge of how to temper their blows. Luckily, a knock on the door saved him. At the sound, all three children released him, and Torsten sauntered out of his office.
"Were you in there the entire time?" Aegirhissed.
"Of course, I get to have that fun all the time. I didn't want you to miss out, after all!"
Aegir narrowed his eyes at his friend, but was cut off from any further bickering when Torsten opened the door.
On the other side stood a stunning purple dragoness. Calida, as usual, wore no clothing, though opalescent scales covered her body. Long horns curved over her flowing purple hair, and her mouth quirked in a smile.
"Trouble with the children, dear?" she asked, bringing Aegir in for a kiss on the cheek. "I've always found them to be extremely well behaved."
"Of course you have. They're entirely in awe of you."
All three children stood to the side, eyes wide and mouths shut, staring at her. Though they'd ridden on her back the entire journey from Sanctuary to Berggeheimnis, they'd somehow retained a healthy reverence for her.
"My dears, surely you don't mean to have breakfast in your nightclothes? Do go get presentable for your auntie, won't you?"
Nodding their heads, all three children scurried off.
"Really, Aegir, they aren't hard to manage. It just takes a little practice. Ah yes, hello darling."She pulled Torsten in for his own hug and kiss on the cheek.
Torsten was smiling, even wider than usual when they stepped back. "Guess who is here!"
"Oh, I couldn't begin to guess. You know I've had such a flight, just tell me."