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 ofspacethan 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.
