Page 100 of The Heir
“Mason wants me to call him so he and Belle can congratulate us and now my sister just told me she wants to call me as well. I didn’t know that was possible from France. They have that strange ban on communication with outsiders. When Indiana and Aubri lived there they could write us and send us vids, but they never called.”
“I’m more curious to know how Freya found out about us so fast.”
“I guess my dad or mom must have written to tell her.”
I wrote back to Mason and the others that we were on our way and then I answered an incoming call that turned out to be Freya.
“I had to force Victor to take me to the ministry so I could call you,” she explained with a massive smile. “Dad wrote me the good news and told me to act surprised but I’m so excited that I had to call you up. When did this happen, and why didn’t you two tell me before you left France?”
“Because Linea hadn’t accepted my proposal then.”
“But when did you propose to her? Here I thought I was close to both of you and then you’re keeping secrets.”
Linea leaned against me. “You can’t share a secret unless you’re ready for the world to know. I’m sure you understand.”
“Hmm. I suppose so. But let me tell you how thrilled I am that we’ll be sisters-in-law. My brother couldn’t have found a more wonderful person to fall in love with.”
“Thank you, Freya. That’s sweet of you to say. It’s all still so new and I have to get used to the thought that we’re a couple now, but the fact that you are part of the family package is definitely a plus.”
“How are things in France?” I asked. “Have you started working on the project yet?”
“Yes, today was my first day. Victor brought me to his lab and it’s exciting. Shelly and Marco will be here in about a week.”
“Tell Shelly and Marco that they are invited to our wedding,” I said.
“I will,” she promised with a beaming smile just as Victor popped his head into the picture behind her and asked, “What about me? Do I get an invitation?”
“You want to come to our wedding? Why? You’ve been against marriage as long as we’ve known you. What was it you called it?”
Freya answered in a dry tone. “He said that no sane person would trap themselves in a marriage contract and that the whole concept is a farce.”
“Oui, but I’m curious to observe such a strange tradition up close. It’s something I can never experience here. We scientists must be curious in order to expand our understanding of the most bizarre phenomena in nature. Your tradition of marriage is up there along other peculiar things such as cannibalism and self-mutilation.”
“Victor, now would be a good time for you to stop talking,” Freya pushed at him.
“Why? I’m serious. I want an invitation.”
“Not fucking likely.” I shook my head. “Cannibalism and self-mutilation. Tsk. He’s out of his mind,” I complained to Freya. “Why in the world did you agree to work with him?”
Freya shrugged. “It’s Victor’s sense of humor. It’s sort of like a code. You need to peel away the irony, sarcasm, and every word in the sentence for it to be funny.”
We exchanged a smile.
“Victor, I’m happy to invite you to our wedding,” Linea said.
My brow rose as I gave my bride a sideways glance. “Why would you invite him when his sole motive to participate is to mock the ceremony?”
“Because as you pointed out last night, I always see the best in people. I believe Victor is truthful when he says that he’s curious. He’s willing to investigate what he doesn’t understand. I’m happy to include him and I’m sure you are too.”
“All right. Victor, you can come. But you’ve got to follow all the traditions and get drunk.”
Victor’s face was back in the picture. “Don’t confuse me with a Motlander. We French like alcohol. I’ve been drunk before. When is the wedding?”
“We don’t know yet, but I hope as soon as possible.”
Freya said, “Just keep us updated and don’t tell anyone we talked. I’m not supposed to use this connection. It’s reserved for the prime minister. Victor is breaking all sorts of rules for me to call you.”
“Wow, turns out he’s good for something after all,” I said and smiled at Victor. “Thanks.”
