“Nonsense.” Freyr lifted the pendant I had given him—a sword with both our symbols. “You already gave me one.”
I was well and truly stunned. I held the magical sword upright in front of me, studying its beauty as I had the great ship behind me, the fine oiled sheen that Freyr had polished it to and its keen edge. Lovely as it was, I couldn’t shake this sense of uneasewielding it. “Being without your sword was what doomed you during Ragnarök.”
“True,” Freyr answered gravely. “Then I suppose that means you must forever remain at my side, little raven, so the sword is also.”
As Freyr stepped closer, I was so overcome with affection for him, my grip slackened and the sword would have dropped if it wasn’t capable of keeping itself aloft on its own. I threw my arms around Freyr’s neck and kissed him fiercely. He wanted me. He’d chosen me.
And so had his sword, for it caused a whirlwind around us, dancing about again as if in celebration. I sputtered out of our kiss with a laugh and watched as a scabbard miraculously formed on my belt for the sword to sheathe itself. That too was light, as if I had merely filled one of my satchels with extra feed for the horses.
“Is that a yes then, Raven?” Freyr asked. “You accept my offering?”
“Yes.” I chuckled, for this was too surreal, but as predicted, I wanted my hands on him instantly. “Please, Fricco, might you bring me to bed now?”
“Yes,” he answered plainly. “I shall indeed.”
Freyr took me by the hand and led me onto the boat’s deck to the great bed that had been made of its bow. I had so longed for this moment. Dreamed of it. Envisioned it in my most intimate, private moments alone. But to be on the cusp of having him, of being had by Fricco, I felt a sudden sting of trepidation.
He had bedded so many others here. Was I truly any different? Would what was between us all unravel after we consummated our growing bond? Was this real when, despite the sword on my hip, he had not said the words?
“You hesitate?” Freyr’s brow crinkled as we reached the bed. “We needn’t rush into this if you’d rather wait—”
“No! I want this very much. But you aren’t… um.”
“What?”
“You aren’t merely going through the motions because you think you should, are you? You really want me? You…” I had to ask. After all, he asked it of me when this began. “Do you love me, Fricco?”
How handsome he looked when, at least for a moment, all his clouds were gone. “All I ever doubted was whether I knew what being in love meant. I didn’t before. I thought it was the overpowering desire I had for Gerdr, but what it actually is must stem from partnership first, from friendship, companionship, and a willingness to lose if we cannot win together. You are all those thingsanda beauty I deeply desire.
“I also worried that your love for me might change over time. That is a possibility. You need not deny it—I know you would never expect it to, but we are not the Norns and cannot predict the future. We also cannot live in fear of unknowns. We are changing the nature of who we are to one another by choosing this path. I cherish you as my friend. I rely on and trust you as my hirdman. But we are more than those things if you accept me.
“So before I answer you, I must ask you again first: do you love me, Ravnur, as my equal in all things?”
It dawned on me why the difference was important, but when I thought on what Freyr meant to me, I allowed no hesitation. "I tripped you in an attempt to win our wager and told the entire city how you fell on your ass.”
Freyr laughed melodically, seeming charmed by the reminders.
“I cherish you as my friend, Fricco. I rely on and trust you as my king. But I love you foryou,and I always will.”
“Then please, little raven, know that I would be a fool to not admit to myself and to you thatI love youjust the same.”
I kissed Freyr again, for I knew my joy would burst from me in a downpour of tears if I did not.
“Well then, you know my stipulation for bed partners?” Freyr asked, tender and teasing. “But for abeloved, I would like things to go a bit differently. I would still like to stretch you open slowly to ensure you can handle all I have to give, but if you need reprieve, that doesn’t mean an end. We can try again another time. And again. Andagain. And if still you cannot take all I am, we will find other ways to please one another, for it is you I want, Ravnur, not only a harbor for a night.”
“Fricco.” I blinked away the wetness still flooding my eyes. “Thank you. But I will handle you fine, I am sure of it.”
“I applaud your confidence.” Freyr lifted one of my hands to kiss it. “While we wait to see that proven, how would you, little raven, like to fuck me?”
I stared. “…t-truly?”
“If it is something you would enjoy—”
“I would!” I blurted just as hastily as when I confirmed I wanted this. “I never considered what it might be like to lay my king down and take him instead of being taken, but I could imagine nothing sweeter.”
“Oh, there is much sweetness to come, becausewhileyou take me…” Freyr pulled the elven device I knew of well from a pouch on his belt.
Only it wasn’t exactly like one of the devices I’d heard of. This one was ribbed with engravings that looked like alternating outlines of swords and ravens.
