Gunnar’s eyes hold mine, crinkling at the corners when he grins. “It’s perfect for you.”
I agree, which only frustrates me because I’ve yet to find a ring I like for Gunnar.
I sidle up to the counter and get the employee’s attention. “Can I request a custom order?”
He smiles. “Of course.”
While Gunnar makes his purchase, I fill out a form and decide on a number of things, from metals and gems to engravings. An idea pops into my head. I want to truly personalize it, make it Gunnar’s alone. Phone in hand, I search the web for images of what I’m looking for. “Could you do these engravings?” They’re elder futhark runes, and I pick ones symbolizing desire, luck, and trust.
After getting Gunnar’s measurements, we decide on matching sapphire wedding bands, and we leave the store together. I hope he’ll love his engagement ring. I wish I could wear my wedding ring right now and show it off.
Once we’re home, Nan texts me, asking me to meet her in the greenhouse. When I arrive, she’s trimming a bonsai with utmost care. “Just a moment, love.” She snips a branch, gives her handiwork a once-over, and beams. “There you go, little dear. That look suits you nicely, doesn’t it?”
I can’t help but smile at how much Nan loves her plants. “It looks nice.”
“Doesn’t it?” she agrees, removing her gloves and returning her shears to the toolbox. “Now!” She spins around and marches up to me. “Have a seat, dear. There’s something I want to discuss with you.”
I settle in at the tea table. “Is everything all right?”
“Quite! Your father and mother got the barn all cleared up and stabilized.”
“So no surprises during the ceremony?” I ask, biting back a grin.
“Don’t joke about such things! Goddess, we were so worried about you. That reminds me, has your father spoken with Gunnar yet?”
That surprises me. “Is he going to?”
“He said he would. I’ll have to remind him.” She huffs. “My son is many wonderful things, but admitting he’s wrong is not one of them.”
I quell my curiosity about that little revelation and focus more on Nan. “What is it you wanted to talk about? Nothing bad, I hope.”
She smiles. “Not at all. Do you remember when you asked me about my lunar flower?”
My heart leaps into my throat. “Y-yes?” Could it be she’s decided to give it to me? Or maybe she’s decided it’s out of the question entirely? I lean forward, gripping my knees hard.
“After what happened to you…” Nan trails off, blinking hard. “It tainted my perspective of shifters. We all loved him. Trusted him. And then he turned around and did… that to you.” Nan’s eyes water.
Throat tight, I take her hand and squeeze. “He was sick.”
“I know, and you’re a far better person than I am to have forgiven him. When you told me your betrothed was a shifter, it terrified me. All of us were shocked but most of all, we were worried about you.”
I nod my understanding and rub my thumb over her knuckles. “No one was more shocked than I was, believe me. I thought I’d never trust a shifter again, but Gunnar is…” I chew my inner cheek so I don’t grin like an idiot. “He’s wonderful.”
“I can see that now. It’s obvious how much he cares for you.”
Is it really?I want to ask, but I bite my tongue. If everyone can see it, then does it mean we’re on the same page?
Nan exhales, nose scrunching when she smiles. “I’d hate for wonderful shifters like Gunnar to suffer from a curable affliction. If you still need the lunar flower for your potion, you may have it.”
That’s it then.
I’ll be able to make my potion. Gunnar will drink it, and if it works, the Council will be able to mass produce a cure for berserkism. This is wonderful news. It is… but once Gunnar is cured, he’ll no longer need to take a mate.
He won’t need me anymore.
“Thank you!” I spring from my chair and throw my arms around her. Hopefully, she’ll think the sudden rush of tears in my eyes is tears of joy and not of heartache.
This was always the way things were going to end between us, and yet I went and fell in love with him anyway.
