Page 17 of Viktor at Sea

I went over for a hug, but I couldn’t quite reach around her. I apologised and settled on grazing a kiss against the back of her hand.

A few moments later, a knock sounded on the door as our last dinner party guest arrived. She looked shocked to see all of us which I didn’t blame her for since we were all early.

Astrid had no doubt returned to fetch something, thinking that she could sneak out again before she ran into me.

Her plan quickly flew out the window when her eyes landed on me, and her father closed the door behind her.

“You’ve got perfect timing, Astrid,” Daewon grinned, standing with his back to the door so she couldn’t escape. “I hopeyou’re hungry because we were thinking about getting started on dinner early this evening.”

Astrid muttered something under her breath in response to her father, but the entire time, her eyes remained trained on me, glaring at me as if I were her mortal enemy.

Making a show of turning her nose up at me, she hissed under her breath and brushed past us all. Katarina apologised on behalf of her daughter while the other three Skaus laughed.

Daewon sent me a pointed look, as if to say,you chose this woman.

Much to my delight–and Astrid’s dismay–we ended up sitting next to each other at the dining table. Katarina and Daewon were situated at the two heads of the table, Dustin and Freja on one side, so Astrid was stuck beside me.

I always knew the Skaus were a beautiful family. The love between Daewon and Katarina had always been apparent, and now I thought the same about Dustin and Freja.

I scarcely allowed myself to hope that one day in the not-so-distant future, Astrid and I would be the same way.

Happy.

In love.

“Thank you all for inviting me over for dinner this evening. Everything looks amazing,” I smiled at Katarina, praising her for what I already knew would be one of the best meals I had eaten in my entire life thus far.

In the middle of the table lay a large roasted turkey, stuffed with something I could only describe as smelling heavenly. Around it were roasted vegetables of many different varieties, but the carrots and the turnips caught my special attention. Once everyone was busy talking, and not paying much attention, I would clear out the lot. It had been such a long time, more than three months at the very least, since I had savoured the taste of a carrot or a turnip, or both when eaten in one mouthful.

My mouth watered just thinking about it.

“I can’t let her take all the praise for it,” Daewon chuckled as he reached for some potatoes. “I helped stuff the turkey.”

“You mean, you held it still for me while I did all the hard work?” Katarina snorted and playfully narrowed her eyes at her husband, and a round of laughter sounded around the table.

When Freja stopped laughing abruptly and shifted uncomfortably, Dustin turned to dote on her, and I found the gesture rather endearing.

“Would you like any vegetables with your turkey?” I leaned over to ask Astrid. There was a sour, sullen expression on her face as she repeatedly stabbed at a piece of meat on her plate.

“From a pirate like you? No,” Astrid spat the words through gritted teeth, not even bothering to glance up at me.

“Astrid,” her mother tutted. “Is that any way to speak to our guest?”

“He’s not my guest, Mother,” Astrid huffed and finally glanced up from her plate to plead with her mother. “He’s yours and Father’s guest. Not mine, so I may speak to him whichever way I please.”

“Okay, fine,” Katarina sighed, a defeated look on her face.

Something told me that she came home many a day, cursing me for how much my mere presence aggravated her. That thought made me chuckle, and I didn’t bother hiding it when everyone sent me curious looks. Especially when Astrid turned to scowl at me, distaste shining in her beautiful hazel eyes.

At this point, any reaction from Astrid was a good reaction, and I felt blessed to be on the receiving end.

“I object to being called a pirate,” I protested, though my tone was playful. “I’m a Captain, not a pirate.”

“I agree with you, Viktor,” Daewon chuckled, his eyes set on his daughter and youngest child. “Viktor isn’t a pirate, Astrid.He’s actually far from it. And he may not be specifically your guest, but he is a guest of this family, so be nicer to him, okay?”

“Fine,” Astrid huffed, giving in. And then she turned to face me. “Ask me again if I want some vegetables with my turkey,” she demanded, and while her tone was sickly sweet as per her family’s wishes, I knew she had something in store for me.

“Would you like any vegetables with your turkey?” I repeated, my tone amused.

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