9. Chapter 9 #2
Arlo glances my way before I can look out the car’s window.
A smile lifts his lips, eyes dancing with heat.
“Then if you’re happy with them, let’s have Nan make some more for the wedding.
Oh! Speaking of which, what should we tell your brothers?
They’ll surely want to know when we’re tying the knot. ”
I pause as it hits me that the sooner we wed, the sooner all this pretending will be over. There will no longer be any excuses to see Arlo every day. He’ll get to make his potion, and I’ll keep my sanity without needing to take a mate.
“Sooner rather than later.”
Arlo brakes hard, making me lurch against the seat belt. “Right. Of course. That makes sense. Can’t have you going berserk before the big day, can we?”
I should feel relieved. Instead, there’s a tugging in my gut, like a fish at the end of a hook, tearing free just before the catch. Is it disappointment I feel?
“Aye…” I sound less agreeable than I want.
Arlo doesn’t speak until we’ve entered London’s TTA office. He’s glued to his phone until we’re through the portal into my past. An oar in each hand, I row from the portal to the isle of Ulfheim’s shore.
We’re meeting to celebrate Soren’s return to the pack.
It will be the first time in years that he’s dined with us.
I haven’t seen Soren since his trial almost a week ago.
I have much to atone for after blaming him all these years and going so far as to attack him and my brother.
Gods willing, today will present an opportunity for a new beginning.
Nerves twist in my belly like a pit of snakes.
What do I say? Do? I want this meeting to go favorably for all of us.
“So, when would you like to start my swimming lessons?” Arlo’s question jolts me from my miserable ruminations. He’s gripping the sides of the boat hard enough that his knuckles have gone white as snow.
“After supper,” I say.
“That soon?” Arlo’s voice goes all high and squeaky.
Smirking, I arch a brow. “Afraid of the water?”
“Of course I bloody am!” Arlo folds his arms over his chest. “It’s only wise to be terrified of the ocean! We’ve seen more of space than we have of the depths of the sea!”
“Space? Where is that?” I climb out of the boat and pull us the rest of the way to shore.
“Up there.” Arlo points to the sky. “But beyond what we can see. In the future, humans have walked on the moon.”
My mouth drops open. “But how? It’s so far away! And how did they catch it?”
“Catch it?” Arlo looks at me as if I’ve grown another head.
“Mani pulls the moon across the sky in his chariot,” I explain. “The only ones capable of catching it are Skol and Hati. When the wolves catch the sun and moon, Ragnarok begins in earnest.”
“Ah, I see. Fear not, it isn’t wolves who catch the moon, but a rocket.” Arlo chuckles, carefully standing up in the boat.
“A… rocket?” That does not sound much better. “Does it swallow the moon?”
He jumps onto solid land and follows me farther up the shore. “Goddess, no! It lands on it and the humans walk about, stick a flag in it, and go home.”
My heart beats faster the closer we get to the village. Soren is the very last man I want to see. The way I’ve treated him since I discovered him with my brother is… well, shameful. Gods, I’d even bitten him in my rage!
Arlo bumps his shoulder into mine. “Are you all right?”
I hold my head higher, neck warming from embarrassment. I don’t like that he can see how nervous I am. “Aye.”
He snorts. “Darling, you’re the worst liar I’ve ever met. What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know how to be around Soren and my brother. I’ve caused far too much trouble for them. How can I show them I’ve changed my mind about their relationship?”
Arlo hums, casting his gaze to the clouds. “It doesn’t have to be anything grand. Just be polite. Chat a bit. Goddess, if an ass like Anders can win back your brothers’ affections, surely they’ll forgive you, too.”
I huff a laugh. “I… I hope so. Mayhap I should get them a gift? The woods should be full of game at this hour. I could hunt for them, or… or—”
Arlo smiles softly. “You’re sweet, you know?”
“Kieran’s told me I’m salty,” I say, and he barks a laugh.
“If you’ve ever tasted anything that is sweet and salty, you’d know what a delectable combination that is,” Arlo remarks, sweeping an appreciative gaze up and down my form.
“I—that is—” I cough, then clear my throat. Did he just compliment me? Gods, it’s been a while since anyone did that. I look ahead and catch sight of the longhouse. “Come, we’re almost there.”
I like his compliments too much, I think.
We’ve arrived ahead of Lyall and Soren, so I have more time to prepare what I want to say or do, or so I thought. Yet when they walk through the door together, I find myself speechless, but not out of fear.
Lyall’s smile is big and bright as he holds Soren’s hand as if he never wants to let go. Gods, it’s been ages since I’ve seen him so happy. When his gaze collides with mine, I can’t help but smile myself.
“Lyall. Soren,” I say in greeting as they sit across from us.
“How are you, darlings?” Arlo asks.
Lyall puts an arm around Soren’s shoulders. “We’re well. You two seem to be quite close.” He gives my foot a kick under the table, and I feel myself blush.
“Aye, well…”
Fortunately, Helga offers them drinks and lavishes attention on Soren.
I never missed the misery that always furrowed Lyall’s brow when we dined together in the past. We all knew why.
He’d been lonely, aching for the connection Anders and Wulfric have with their mates.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t envy their happiness at times myself.
Now there’s a light in Lyall’s eyes. He’s quick to laugh and smile.
My brother has found happiness after so long.
I wonder if I can, too.
Arlo coughs to get everyone’s attention. “Sooo, not to steal your thunder, Soren, but Gunnar and I have an announcement to make.”
Soren lifts his eyebrows. “Really? What is it?”
I take a breath and steel myself. How will they react? Will they believe us?
Arlo looks at me expectantly. Face heating under everyone’s attention, I clear my throat, then take Arlo’s hand. Helga gasps, hands over her mouth and tears in her eyes. Seems she believes us already. I deserve a place in Helheim for my deceit.
Arlo smiles big and bright, almost convincing me of his excitement. “We’re getting married!”
Wulfric spits his drink across the table.
Lyall’s wide gaze snaps onto me. “That is… great news, brother!”
“What?” Wulfric wheezes. “Why?”
My grip on Arlo’s hand tightens.
Arlo frowns. “Well, you see, when two people love each other, they may decide to spend the rest of their lives together!”
Wulfric glowers at him. “I am aware of what a marriage entails. It’s just… surprising, is all.” He looks at me as if I’ve grown two heads.
“You’ve been pestering me to take a mate, and now I will. Happy?”
Arlo pats my chest. “How could I resist such a handsome brute?” He squeezes my hand hard. Could have played my part better, I suppose.
“Should be interesting,” Anders murmurs, a devious smile curling his lips.
Well. That was… not as disastrous as I’d feared. Judging from Wulfric’s glare, however, I doubt we’re done with this conversation. “Stew, Soren?” I grab a bowl of fish stew and hold it out to him. “It always was your favorite.”
He smiles and accepts the bowl. “Thanks. It smells great.”
Lyall’s warm look makes me flush. “Thank you,” he says through our bond, which flares with love and affection.
A mountainous weight falls from my shoulders, unburdening me.
Lyall should be angry with me, and I would not hold it against him.
Somehow he’s found it in his kind heart to allow me a second chance with his mate. A lump thickens in my throat.
“Hush and eat, snowbrain,” I tell him.
The rest of supper flies by in a blur of laughter and storytelling. I tell them how I proposed to Arlo. Anders’s mate Jamie swoons, and Helga blots her damp eyes. Wulfric leans back in his chair, mouth lifted in a smile. “When is the ceremony?” he asks. “We’d be happy to host the festivities.”
Arlo smiles. “Oh, that’s all right. We’ve decided to wed at my parents’ home in the countryside. You’re all welcome to come! There’s plenty of space for everyone.”
Kieran plops onto Wulfric’s lap, cheeks rosy from lots of mead. “Oooh, Wulf, we’ve got to have a day trip in London! Say yes!”
Wulfric chuckles and pats his thigh. “Yes, little rabbit.”
“When’s the ceremony?” Kieran asks.
I hesitate, realizing we never decided when our fake wedding is happening. I might as well decide now. I clear my throat. “We decided to get married on the last Frigg’s day of next month.”
Four weeks from now.
I turn to Arlo. “That’s correct, isn’t it?”
Arlo has an unnaturally blank expression on his face. “Huh? Oh. Yes. That should work. Gives us plenty of time to prepare.” He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
Regret sinks into my stomach like a stone. I did something wrong. Should I have asked him? Let him have a say in it?
We have a month to play up our fake relationship and get ready for the biggest lie we’ve ever told. A month until we go our separate ways, and I will likely never see him again. Why would I, when we’ll have gotten everything we need from each other?
Arlo will get his potion, and I will get to keep Leif’s memory alive.
It’s as it should be.
I’m not strong like Arlo’s nan is. I could never be.