Page 20 of The Heir
“But he’s your father’s best friend.”
“I know. But his size and scars made him look scary.”
We sat for a while, flying across the sky without speaking, and then I asked, “If I can find a way to bring you to France for the summit, will you tell me if something is going on between my sister and Holly?”
Linea sat up straight in her seat. “You’ll bring me?”
“If I can find a valid reason to convince the others, yes.”
“That would be phenomenal.”
I cut through her excitement. “You would have to swear that you’ll tell me everything you find out about Freya.”
Linea stilled in her seat. “Why? What’s the big deal? Who cares if Freya is a lesbian or not?”
I grinned. “I don’t, but I believe that one of the reasons my dad lost his patience with me is because I told him I was gay.”
“You’re not!”
I gave her a flirtatious smile. “Was it my kissing you that gave that away? Anyway, don’t you see the irony? My father and Magni are old-school, and always swore that they’d never let a woman rule the Northlands. Now that I’m such a disappointment to my father, he’s threatening to make Freya his heir. Imagine his and Magni’s surprise if it turns out that I’m the straight one and he’s paved the way for Freya to rule the country with her lesbian Motlander lover.” I laughed just from thinking about my stern father’s face. “That would be epic.”
Linea waited until I was done laughing. “I don’t want to get Freya in trouble. I care about her deeply. We’re friends.”
“You’re not getting her in trouble, Linea. I’m just dying to know if my suspicion is right.” I leaned a little closer to her. “Did Freya ever come on to you?”
“If she did, I’m not telling you.”
I moved closer still. “Does that mean you won’t tell her about our kiss either?” I couldn’t explain why I loved being close to Linea so much or why getting under her skin was so fucking satisfying. It had to be because of my need to get back at her. My pride was still wounded after she called me out for being scared.
“Thor.”
We were nose to nose. Looking deep into her gray eyes I said her name in the same tone as she had said mine. “Linea.”
“Stop playing with my mind.”
“You said energy work gave you power, so use it.”
The bridge of her nose creased a little. “My energy work gives me the power to do good. With you, I would use my right fist to punch you for being so annoying.”
I smiled. “Do it!”
“Don’t tempt me. I grew up with brothers and a father who liked to play wrestle.”
My cheeks pulled up as my smile grew. “I’m begging you. Give me a reason to put you on your back.”
This time amusement played across her face. “You’re begging me?”
“Mm-hmm.” I kept up our prolonged eye contact. “Please, punch me. Let me defend myself. I would spank your ass and put you in your place so fast you wouldn’t know what happened.”
Linea stayed in her seat but didn’t push me away. What was it about this frustrating woman that made it so easy for her to affect me?
“Do you talk to women in the Northlands like this?” she breathed.
“No, I keep my distance.”
“Then why are you so close to me?”
I remained nose to nose, my hands now touching her knees. “Because you’re different.”
