Page 99 of The Heir
My dad whistled low.
“Don’t act so impressed,” my mom said and shook her head. “What if he had fallen to his death?”
“Why was the door locked anyway? Aren’t you Motlanders supposed to have zero crime?” Thor asked.
With an apologetic tone, my mom explained, “It’s because of our cat, Figaro. He figured out how to open the door and he’ll drag in mice and hide them in corners. Finn found one infested with maggots in our bedroom about eight months ago. Since then, we make sure to let him in and out, always checking that he isn’t bringing any dead mice home.”
Thor intertwined our fingers and planted a kiss on my cheek. “It’s all good. Linea says that once when we were children, I bragged that I could climb to her room. I’m happy Figaro gave me a chance to prove myself.”
“That window is at least seventy feet above ground,” my dad pointed out. “I would say that climbing that wall gives you bragging rights. I can’t wait for us to gather the boys and tell them the good news.”
“How long are you staying?” my mom asked. “Do we have time to host a family celebration? We could probably have everyone here by the end of the week.”
“Then how about if Linea and I travel north and spend some days breaking the news? We could be back this weekend, or you could all join as at the Gray Mansion for a fun engagement party. You know my parents will want to celebrate the good news with you. We’ll be family now.”
“That’s fine. But it’s too late for you to fly home now. You’re sleeping here tonight. By the way, do Pearl and Khan know that you proposed to Linea? I’m asking because you mentioned that Khan had a list of women that he wanted you to marry. I gather that Linea wasn’t on that list, so I wonder if he’ll be against your wedding.”
Thor gave my mom a reassuring smile. “Not at all. Linea is Finn’s daughter. According to my father and uncle, there are few Nmen with finer character than your husband.”
Finn straightened up. “That’s right.”
My mom smiled up at him. “Yes, I supposed I’ve had a good influence on you.”
We all laughed and then my father insisted on us opening a bottle of his finest beer. “I’ve been saving this bottle for a while. It’s hidden in my stash.”
My mother stepped back when my dad moved the rug and pulled up a few of the floorboards.
“This is one of the downsides of living in the Motherlands. I still have to hide my alcohol. It’s legal now, but consumption is restricted to certain safe locations.”
“That’s why I could never live in the Motherlands.”
“You just did for five months,” I reminded Thor.
“Yes, but I mean permanently.”
“Then you’d better hope that I like living in the Northlands, or we’ll have a problem.”
Thor kissed me. “I’ll make you fall in love with me and my country.”
My dad distributed the beer among us and raised his glass. “To the mill-climber and my daughter. May you love each other fiercely.”
“Cheers.” It was a beautiful moment to see my parents and Thor clink their glasses and to hear my father tell Thor, “Welcome to our family. It’s a weird one but the best you can get by far.”
Thor beamed in a huge smile when we clinked our glasses and drank to our love.
CHAPTER 24
Bizarre
Thor
After sleeping together for an entire magical night, we left the Mill early Monday morning and set course toward the Gray Mansion.
Around nine o’clock messages started popping in.
Thor smiled from ear to ear. “I guess one of our parents leaked the news. Indiana and Aubri send their love and so do Banni and Sparrow. Oh, wow.”
“What is it?”
