Page 76 of The Outcast
“What do you mean that’s not you? I thought that you were in line to the throne.”
“No, I am, but all of that status and power isn’t who I am in here.” Thor placed a hand on his chest to underline that he was talking about his core. “At least with Sparrow you know that she wants you for you and not for the status or wealth you can bring her.”
“Oh, I see what you mean.”
“People say that I’m arrogant, but I don’t know how else to protect myself. I was born famous and I can’t meet a woman who doesn’t know who I am.”
I shook my head. “I would say that you could go to Old Europe, but I’m sad to tell you that people know about you and your family there too. Aubri and Indiana became famous while living with us and we’ve learned about the delegation members for years. Your face would be familiar to most people if they watch the News.”
Rubbing his face, Thor pushed out a noisy breath. “Yes, but at least no one in France would want to marry me.”
“No, that’s for sure. They would all want to be your friend though.” I elbowed him a little. “You could try out that gay side of you and see if it sticks.”
With a groan, Thor leaned his head back. “I’m far too physically attracted to women to have doubts about my sexuality.”
“Okay, but then how about you do what Aubri did and take a year abroad to learn more about yourself? If you worked a year in France like Aubri did, maybe our prime minister would let me move here to be with Sparrow.” I gave him a hopeful smile.
Thor sighed. “I honestly wouldn’t mind getting away for a while, but you have no idea how close we came to a war. If I went against my father’s will, he would feel humiliated and he would no doubt retract his offer to sponsor the Explorers’ work in Old Europe. He might also send troops to bring me back here. I know how much that project means to Aubri, Sparrow, and you, so I wouldn’t do that.”
My shoulders dropped a little. “You’re right. It was a bad idea.”
“I wish there was a place in the world where no one knew my face and where I could bring my two dogs and hang out with them without any sort of pressure to be or act a certain way.”
“Thor, how do you know for sure that all the women here want you for the status and not for you?”
“Because even when I’m behaving like an arrogant ass, they still smile at me like I can do nothing wrong.”
“Hmm… It can’t be all women who act that way. Linea didn’t smile. To be honest, I don’t think she likes you at all.”
Thor frowned. “That’s different. Linea is a Motlander.”
“Half a Motlander. Her father is a Northlander,” I reminded him.
“True, but she was always a strange girl. It’s not her fault. Athena raised her to believe in all that energy stuff and Finn indulged their fantasies.”
“They found Sparrow using their energy work.”
Thor moved to stand. “No, Banni! You, Aubri, and Indiana found Sparrow.”
“With a tip from Athena and Linea.”
Thor gave a dismissive shake of his head. “I’m sure there’s a logical explanation or that it was a mere coincidence. Besides, aren’t you Europeans supposed to be scientific-minded? Don’t tell me you believe in all their nonsense.”
I shrugged and pushed off from the edge of the boxing ring too. “We have psychic mediums back home. They do their work in secret because most consider them frauds, but I’ve experienced enough strange stuff in my life to keep an open mind.”
Thor chuckled and patted my shoulder. “Maybe you should ask one of the psychics to tell you if you and Sparrow have a future together.”
I kept my face straight. “I don’t need to ask them that question to know the answer. I came close to losing her once and I won’t let that happen again. No one has ever loved me like she does.”
His gaze hardened. “And could you be true to her?”
“My heart says yes, but I’m not going to lie. It would be uncharted territory for me.”
“All right. If you’re serious, I’ll help you. Let me talk to my father about it.”
“Thank you. Try not to yell at him.”
With his arm around my shoulder, Thor moved us toward the stairs. “Maybe your marriage to Sparrow can distract him from thinking about my wedding for a while.”
