Page 97 of The Heir
“Yes, Thor challenges and excites me more than anyone else.”
“Have you discussed getting closer without forming an official bond? That way if it doesn’t work out it’s easy to move on for both of you.”
My dad chuckled in the corner while Thor cleared his throat and moved around a little.
“That’s not how we do things in the Northlands. We believe in loyalty and commitment.”
My mom arched a brow. “And yet you have divorces.”
“Sometimes a couple isn’t right for each other.”
“Exactly.”
Thor scratched his stubble. “Don’t forget that many couples still meet through the matching program and base their decision on a brief encounter. Linea and I know each other’s families, we’ve traveled together, and been in multiple arguments. We aren’t blind to each other’s flaws.”
“Then tell me what you see as Linea’s flaws…”
I smiled a little as I saw Thor move his body as if the floor was hot to sit on.
“Ehhm… well, she doesn’t always understand our culture in the Northlands, and she’s a bit naïve at times.”
“How so?” My mom sat with her back straight and a few flowers braided into her gorgeous red hair. It was easy to get the impression that she was soft and pliable because she radiated empathy. But my mother had never been afraid of asking tough questions if she felt people were deluding themselves. “How is Linea naïve in your eyes?”
“Ehm… well, she believes that all people are inherently good. One of our biggest clashes was back in January when we were deciding what candidates to accept for the Explorer Academy. One of the candidates admitted that he fantasized about hurting women sexually and Linea still approved of him joining the Explorers that went to France. That infuriated me because it was so obvious that he was dangerous.”
My mother looked to me. “Is this true?”
“Yes. Bjorn was a sadist but with high enough standards that he wanted to carry out his fantasies with a consensual sex partner. I figured that France was the perfect place for him to explore his sexuality.”
I cut through: “And what happens when he comes back to the Northlands and has no one to play with? Will he get desperate enough to hurt a woman for real? You saw him in France, hammering down the door of that woman he was desperate to fuck.”
My dad, who had been sitting on the kitchen counter watching us, groaned. “What the hell? Does Khan know about this?”
“No, and I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell him. I’m planning to talk to Aubri, Banni, and Sparrow about Bjorn’s unacceptable behavior. I threatened him that we would ban him from returning to the Northlands and dump his ass outside the safe zone in Europe if he didn’t behave from now on.”
“Do you agree that you’re naïve, Linea?”
I thought about it. “I think it’s true that I project my own values onto others and therefore think everyone wants the best for me just as I want the best for them. In general, that’s true here in the Motherlands, but Thor has a point that not all Northlanders are trustworthy. I blame it on their upbringing in a country that values material things over integrity.”
“That’s not what I said,” Thor protested.
“If Northlanders were trustworthy, you wouldn’t have any crime,” I pointed out. “I see your point, but Bjorn hasn’t assaulted any women as far as I know. Nora was toying with him and in his drunken state he overreacted. It’s not that I’m blind to people’s flaws, Thor, it’s that I have faith in humanity. You were taught to be cautious while I was taught to meet the world with open arms.”
“Which seems naïve to me.”
“Are you saying I should focus on people’s flaws more?”
“Yes. Be realistic.”
“All right, then let me start by focusing on your flaws. You’re arrogant and this is the perfect proof. I was hired to vet the candidates as I’m considered an expert in human behavior and yet you want to lecture me on how I can’t read people. Do you know how disrespectful you are right now?”
We stared at each other. Thor’s frustration was right there in his eyes as he tore a hand through his hair. “I’m not trying to be disrespectful. I’m answering your mother’s questions as honestly as I can.”
“Well, in that case, go on. What other flaws do I have?”
Thor placed his hands on the floor, his ears turning a reddish color. “I’m not sure if it’s a flaw, but it frustrates me that you look down on the Northlander part of you. When you’re swearing, or you get jealous, it’s like you think it’s beneath you and that you should somehow rise above all those nitty-gritty feelings, but to me that’s the best part of you.”
“You liked it when I got jealous?”
