“Aye. My brothers and I built her together over the course of three winters. I call her Gersemi, for she is the treasure of the sea.” A smile full of pride spreads over Gunnar’s face. It’s such an unexpected sight that it leaves me feeling weak-kneed. I’ve never seen him smile before.
“Wow. That’s incredible.” I can understand why he’s so attached to his ship, especially if it took so long to build.
Reaching into a basket, Gunnar hands me a bottle of what I assume is mead. He uncorks his and takes a long swig. He belches so loudly it makes me jump. “You wished to talk?” he asks.
“I did. We ought to get to know each other if we’re going to convince my family that we’re in love.”
Gunnar nods, leaning back against the rail of the ship. “Good luck convincing my family. They’ll sniff it out unless we’re careful.”
“Do you mind lying to them?”
“Only cravens lie but they have worried after me for long enough. Let them believe I’ve found happiness.” Shame darkens Gunnar’s voice.
“Sure, but it isn’t them we need to convince. My nan won’t let me make that potion unless she knows I won’t get savaged by you. She has to trust you.”
Gunnar waves a hand. “I know, I know!” His teeth are still quite sharp, a sign of the beast within pushing through.
Can I truly trust him? I was wrong before, and it almost cost me my life. I’d rather not walk away from this with any more scars on my body, thanks.
“So, why don’t we get to know each other a bit?” I prompt when he goes on drinking his mead.
“Aye…” His gaze falls to the floor. It seems his boots are more interesting than I am.
“Ask me something.”
“Why did you pretend to court my brother?”
Of course, he had to start with that one.
“The same reason I asked you. To convince my family ulfhednar could be trusted.”
Gunnar hums, the bottle close to his lips, not at all giving me dirty thoughts. “So you never felt anything for him?”
“Not at all! I mean, he’s a lovely guy, but no.” Besides, himbos have never been my type. Big broody men, on the other hand…
No, no. Bad Arlo! This is fake.
“Ask me something else.”
“Let me think on it!” Huffing, he rubs the back of his neck. After several long seconds, he sighs, shoulders slumping with the motion. “Apologies. I have not done this in a long time.”
“What, spoken to another human being?”
He growls low in his throat, cheeks reddening. “This. Courting. I don’t remember how.”
My chest tightens. “Oh. When’s the last time you courted anyone?”
Gunnar shrugs, refusing to look at me. “The last person I was with was my chosen mate. That was… years ago.”
I don’t know what to say. Goddess, I’d assumed Gunnar had never taken a mate before and that was why he risked going berserk. But that’s not it at all. Hewasmated, and though I don’t know what became of Gunnar’s mate, the fact that he’s never moved on tells me he must have loved them deeply.
Oh damn. That’s loyal of him. I take a swig of mead to hopefully drown the warm, fluttery feeling in my chest. “You truly haven’t been with anyone else since?”
Gunnar tenses. “No. It’s not for lack of interest. I made a vow. So spare me your judgment and your pity.”
“That’s not it!” I take hold of his arm. “I’m not judging you, not at all. Actually, I think your mate was lucky to have someone as faithful as you.”
Some of the tension leaves Gunnar’s shoulders, and he clears his throat. “I… I see. Apologies. Men have made offers over the years. I’ve rejected them all and when I explained why, their reactions were either to pity me or they tried to pressure me into saying yes.”
