Page 25 of Delinquent Dette
“Didn’t think you wanted to look him in the eyes ever again after what he ordered done. So I had the head crushed and made into something more worthwhile.” Sten’s chest swelled with pride. He’d commissioned the item specifically molded and created just for Frikka.
“Drake…” Frikka’s lips turned into a frown.
“I had it made into toilet seats and distributed them as gifts. I saved one for you!” Sten waited as Frikka pieced the admission together and his face transformed into a wide grin.
“You truly are a great Drake. Now, about my father’s bust?” Frikka gestured at the fountain, unable to hide his tears of happiness.
“Oh, I had Peter swing by to visit his grandfather. He swiped it and replaced it with one of the toilet seats.” Sten choked as Frikka launched himself at him, arms wrapping about his chest. Harsh sobs shook his chest.
“Why couldn’t I just kill them?” Frikka’s whimper settled down as two Drakes and two Dettes walked around the side of the house from one of the smaller gardens.
“I brought you two something,” Jasper said, his fluff of blond hair flitting in the breeze. It was saying a lot for the timid Dette to be out and about at all, let alone in the spring.
To Frikka, he handed a single egg, a fat goose’s egg. “For when you wish to run with the Drakes again, Papa. And Peterand I are moving down onto the old property. We’re building a home for Dettes coming back from the wild.”
Peter gave a grunt and shrug. “Someone’s got to. Hallr can’t just foist them all onto his mate.”
“Probably could. Have youmetLeo?” Torsten, their other Drake son, snorted and huffed when Hallr punched him hard in the arm.
“We need to be a real family again. None of us got great practice at it.” Torsten shrugged. “Hallr promised to give me some nestblossoms if I moved back, too. Maybe I’m ready to settle down.”
Jörmun, who sat off to the side with a rather dark and brooding male with ice-blue eyes, watched with a half smirk and snort of laughter.
“They’ve not made a Dette yet that would put up with you,” Jasper said, sticking his tongue out.
“Nah, but there’s some Drakes around that I’d put in their place.” Torsten elbowed Jasper, who blushed prettily. “You’ll have a chance to meet some working at Leo’s shop, right?”
Jasper cleared his throat. “Maybe. The American Drakes are different, now.”
Jörmun’s mate broke into heavy laughter. “It is running in your family.”
Jörmun, for his part, rolled his eyes. “I’m exclusive to the Drakes. I think Torsten likes both.”
Frikka bunched everyone in for a great hug, his body shaking. “I need a few minutes. Then I’ll rejoin you.”
“Need to go freshen up, wipe the tears away?” Sten stuck out his tongue.
“No. I need to go take a shit. There’s a toilet seat in there I’m dying to use.” At that, Frikka marched off and Sten knew he’d truly done the right thing.
The last Bhaldraithe was gone. His execution did not need to be at anyone’s hand. It was public, because it wasn’t just Frikka who was owed peace. Nor could it be Sten who dealt that blow for him. The broken, faceless statue would remind Frikka that in time, all his enemies would topple. And his father’s bust? It was funnier that way.
Chapter Fourteen
Frikka
Hatchday Next
A little pup, a mix between coyote and Slang, played amidst the others. She, the only female dragon since the Welsh dragons disappeared, proved to be what we expected hybrids.
Luka, Leo, and Hallr’s bicolored pup, the youngest of their clan, sat primly, surveying his territory. He had the air of a jarl from birth, a duty in his heart to lead and protect.I told them I’d protect Blossom. No Drake will ever break her like a toy and throw her away.
That’s exactly what most Dettes were. Broken toys. “Big words. Always fear the bearers. Without us, there is only death. Broken toys bring no smiles. Even with us, there is death, sometimes.”
Sten sat nearby, watching. He’d waited long enough. There was a new jarl born at a time when Dettes were to be revered. Dettes had their own council and laws were being rewritten to exclude Dettes from property laws and give them the same standing as Drakes. And from the liquidated assets of all the Drakes Frikka had disposed of? Dettes coming home would have their inheritance. They’d be dragons, free and clear.
“C’mere, røvhul.”Asshole.Frikka gestured for Sten, who slunk over, joining Frikka at his side.
He pulled Sten’s hand over, studying the hard lines of callouses and old scars. He’d wielded sword and axe in Frikka’s father’s name and wielded tooth and claw for Frikka. Over two hundred years ago, he’d chosen the Drake who sat beside him. Two hundred years of pain had passed. With a single gesture, he shifted his claw and recalled the mark that meant his dragon’s name:feral grace.The few marks were easy, cutting into Sten’salready marked-up hand. And he didn’t flinch. He watched, breath held. For a moment, Frikka could swear his heart didn’t beat.
