Page 29 of Delinquent Dette
The Nielsen clan have always been lucky because Farfar protected us and let the gods play.Luka stomped a paw and snorted.I will be a Nielsen jarl. Nidhogg will wait for their king.
Fjallarr stared him down.But the gods…
“The gods and Drakes have played with Frikka like a toy for two hundred years, Fjallarr. We have lost so many pups to them, have lost our homes and years of our lives. But my pups have brought the mating flower to the world once more. Jasper is reviving the ancient histories, our old tongue, and the first line. Torsten has rescued so many Dettes, and Peter has discovered how to unwild Dettes. Jörmun has fought to recognize same-sex pairings as a legitimate and complete bond. All my sons have been blessings. My grandchildren will be no different.” Sten folded his arms and Frikka spat flame, sparks skittering across the cobblestones.
I will not come crying back to you because you want me back. You came because there is a new jarl, there are nestblossoms and peace.Frikka stood proud, all elegance and sharp features.He was not the spiteful creature he’d been so long ago.
I am willing to restore your honor! I will accept your mating in lieu of all the things your children have done. You have made me proud.Fjallarr stomped a foot into the cobbles, shifting them beneath his weight. Sten made a note to have someone come out to repair the damage later.
Restore my honor? I never lost my honor. I chose my mate. I held my gift. I brought beautiful pups into this world and my pups have seen to far more. My pups, you considered a disgrace, fodder for your army, your own grandchildren, have become better leaders and stewards than you ever were. My last memories of you, Father, were a coward who watched his grandson murdered and ate his son’s prized pet out of spitebefore seeing him off with a pittance of his dowry. I received less than a raider would have from a slow year!Frikka snorted.
“Frikka.” Torfi raised his voice and stared up at Frikka, eyes full of emotion. “Did he really eat Blomst?”
“And Orne,” Sten added. “Which, not even mad about that. I’m genuinely impressed he caught the old fucker.”
Frikka huffed.I had so few things I bonded to and loved. So few joys. I was lavished with finery, but kept prisoner for your political machinations.
Fjallarr took a step forward and halted when Luka blocked his path from Frikka.You ate his goose?
Roasted and feasted upon them.Frikka snorted.Didn’t even get a last meal I could eat, did I, Father?
Torfi sneered, his upper lip curling over teeth that grew sharper by the minute. “My mate and I will have words. We have only three Dette sons and one Drake. None of them speak with us, and I understand why more by the day.”
Fjallarr bowed his head sheepishly.Things were different.
“Were they, Fjallarr? Were they so different that— Nevermind. You will have a cold nest come spring until Europe has a Dette council of their own.” Torfi showed his first real anger as he stamped his foot, glaring up at Fjallarr. “I may not be an attentive papa or be good with my pups, but I know this, Fjallarr. You took me from my clan because you loved me. You mated me because we know no others we’d rather have. But the Drake I see right now is a coward, an ingrate, and a piss-poor father.”
Frikka held his place and Luka relaxed only by a margin.
You must understand. Things…we did things different—Fjallarr flinched when Torfi stomped his foot once more.
“Apologize. Bow to your son and apologize. Grovel! Apologize to all the Nielsens! We came to offer thanks and to make things right, but it is clear that there is no right afterwhat all was done.” Torfi stomped past Fjallarr and Luka before standing in front of Frikka. “You were the fairest of my pups. I saw the gods play in your eyes. Loki owned your voice and Freya guided your heart. It is clear that you have become more than we ever gave you. I am proud of you! You are a great dragon, have mated well and done good. That will never be enough, I know, but it needed to be said.”
Frikka gave a jerky nod.
“And you, Fjallarr! Do it!” Torfi pointed at the ground and Fjallarr bowed lower, prostrating himself before the Nielsens and Frikka. “Say it!”
I apologize. I committed atrocities. You pointed out my flaws and weaknesses and I reacted worse than a Drake. Worse than an animal. I behaved like a human.Fjallarr closed his eyes and took a few shaking breaths.I will not ask you to be Nidhogg, as it is clear, I have ruined my clan’s name. And since I can say nothing else, I say that I love you, my son.
Frikka shifted back into his human form and stared his father down. No tears, no sadness, only emptiness lay behind his neutral stare. “Papa. Father. Time comes soon for us to run and claim our mates. We are having a new kind of running, to celebrate our union, and I do not wish for my parents to be involved.”
Hallr shifted back and procured his clothing, gesturing for Luka to join him. “Or your children or grandchildren!”
From around the estate, Nielsens, their mates, and a few unclaimed Dettes wandered up, staring at the commotion as Fjallarr shifted back.
“I’ll bring Farfar and grandfather to my estate for the time being. We can let him spend some time with Luka and the others.” Hallr gestured for Fjallarr to grab his clothes and whistled for Luka to shift back and dress, too. The little one did so obediently.
Fjallarr and Torfi glanced at Sten and Frikka for a moment before nodding quietly and following Hallr out. Luka scampered off, grabbing Hallr’s hand.
“Wait for me, Hallr!” Torsten chased after, as well as Jasper. Peter was nowhere to be seen, but it wasn’t unusual for him to come and go as he pleased. After all, the goal of the evening was not something their children should participate in. Jörmun hadn’t even shown up for it, as rumor was the Finnish dragons had their own version where he’d met his mate long ago.
Even in the old days, if a Drake knew he shared blood with a running Dette, he avoided the run that year.
“And now, we wait for Sile and Shui.” Sten smiled at his mate, ready to choose one another again.
Chapter Sixteen
Frikka
