Page 80 of Tyr

Poor Phes seemed as nervous as Tyr felt. He’d put on a button-down, black shirt and had slicked his hair back. It even looked like he’d brushed and waxed his beard.

Frigg took his arm and led him to where Tyr stood.

The two shook hands, and then, as Phes went to shake Celeste’s hand, she pushed his hand out of the way and hugged his hard middle. Phes hugged her back as his cheeks reddened.

“I’m so glad there’s someone else here who is as new at this as I am,” said Celeste.

Phes chuckled. “I can’t remember the last time I was invited to some kind of family gathering.”

Frigg patted his arm. “You are welcome with us any time.”

Phes smiled, and Tyr swore he saw tears in Phes’ eyes.

“Come on,” said Tyr. “Let’s get a drink.”

Phes sniffled and nodded. Together, the group walked to the bar, and Frigg poured them each an ale.

For a minute, no one spoke as they each tried to calm themselves.

“Why do I feel like the girl at prom without a date?” Celeste asked.

Tyr and Phes laughed.

“Does kind of feel like we are the odd ones out,” said Phes.

Tyr took a deep breath. No. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. Celeste was his mate. His life. He shouldn’t let her feel that way.

Tyr downed his drink and set the mug on the counter. “Come on.”

He grabbed Celeste’s hand and motioned for Phes to follow them. Together, the three walked out the doors to the atrium and onto the grass. Loki turned and nodded, and then Fenrir looked over his shoulder as well.

“Loki, Val.” Tyr nodded to them and then to Fenrir. “Fen.”

“Tyr.” Fenrir’s eyes remained wary, but at the same time, they’d softened since Tyr had last seen him. His demeanor had, too. His gaze no longer shot around the room, assessing everyone and looking for a way out like a trapped animal. He’d found a sense of peace. A sense of calm. The thought both made Tyr happy and jealous.

“Who’s this?” asked Grace.

“This is my mate, Celeste. Oh, and Hephaestus.”

Phes held up his hands. “I am not his mate.”

Everyone laughed.

Fenrir stood and walked to Tyr. “This is my daughter, Sygni.”

The expression in Fenrir’s eyes went straight to Tyr’s heart. The love and total adoration were more than apparent, and soon, Tyr found his throat so tight he couldn’t swallow. After everything that had happened, everything Fenrir had been through, he had found hisFylgja. And his family.

Fenrir looked up at him. “Would you like to hold her?”

Tyr’s mouth opened and then closed.

Go on. Hold her.

Celeste beamed up at him.

Go on.

Tyr looked at Fenrir again. “Fen, I?—”

---