Page 19 of The Champion
“Perhaps.”
“How about you ask the question you want the answer to the most,” I suggested.
She was quiet for a moment before she muttered, “How many have you slept with?”
I hadn’t expected that question and took a second or two to answer. “Does it matter?”
Turning her face to study me, she sighed. “Do you remember their names?”
“Some.”
Her eyes glazed over, and her shoulders sank low as she returned to look at the view.
“If you worry that I won’t remember your name after we sleep together, you’re a fool. I’ve known you for more than a decade, Freya.”
Her voice was breathy when she sighed and muttered, “You don’t know me. Few people do.”
“What are you talking about? You were barely sixteen when we met the first time. I’ve seen you grow and develop.”
She gave a soft snort. “People think they know me, but they don’t. Linea is one of the few who understands me, but even with her I’m not honest.”
“Are you honest with me?”
“Not always.”
“So you lie?”
Again, Freya shrugged. “I omit details if I don’t want people to know things. I’m a private person. Most of my life is in the public eye where I play the role of the dutiful daughter and sister. That’s not all I am though.”
“I know that. For years, I’ve been telling you that you can’t live your full potential in the Northlands.”
In a sudden and unexpected change of subject, Freya revealed. “Aubri had a threesome.”
Tilting my head to one side, I smiled. “Sex before marriage. Wow, that sounds scandalous.”
She ignored my thick sarcasm and carried on: “At first, I didn’t believe the woman who told me, but Indiana confirmed that it’s true. He and Aubri slept together before they were married and at one point they had a threesome with a woman called Lucille.”
“Why wouldn’t they? Aubri blossomed when she lived here, and you could as well. Sex is natural. I keep telling you to spread your wings and fly. Why are you choosing to miss out?”
Her tone rose and from her side profile, I could tell her eyes were shiny. “To me it doesn’t feel like a choice. Why would anyone choose this?”
My heart sped up as I felt the sorrow emanating from her. “This?”
With an annoyed movement, she dried away a tear. “If I had a choice, I would have fallen in love with an Nman who wanted the same commitment as I do. We would be making passionate love every night. I didn’t choose to fall in love with you on purpose.”
I had never heard those words spoken to me before. Falling in love in France was taboo. We associated emotional entanglements with pain and disaster. It was something to be avoided. “Don’t say that.”
“How predictable that you would use those words.” Turning to look into my eyes, Freya’s nostrils widened as she puffed out air. “I hate when people tell me not to speak my truth. You are eager to point fingers at my protectors for limiting me. Do you know that you’re as bad as they are?”
“How? I’m not the one keeping you from experimenting with your sexuality.”
“Maybe, but no one requires me to put greater limitations on myself than you. You force me to hide things from you because you aren’t strong enough to handle the truth.”
Her accusation stung. “It’s not that I’m not strong enough. We don’t speak about such things, Freya. It’s dangerous and forbidden.”
“Ha.” She smiled without amusement. “Hypocrite! Why don’t you follow your own advice, spread your wings and try something new? Live in the moment, Victor. Talk about your feelings for a change.”
Feeling cornered, I inhaled sharply. “Okay, so maybe we’re both suppressed by our country’s cultures, but at least I get to express myself through my actions. If you stop fighting your attraction to me, I can show you my desire for you.” I slid my finger up her arm and leaned in to kiss her neck.
