Page 57 of The Champion
I sat for a while thinking about what Marco had said. It was weird to me that a marriage contract could mean that much to the Northlanders, but I was no longer doubting the value of partnership. Freya and I were weaving our minds together in a way that made us fall into routines after less than two months of living together. She often knew what I was going to say or what I needed. Sex with her was a thousand times better than with any other woman I’d ever been with. We had become experts at knowing what the other liked and I didn’t have to explain to her what turned me on; she remembered. And then there was the lead-up to sex and the sensation afterward. I didn’t miss the awkward moments that followed after sex with strangers who felt rejected by my one-time rule. Never had I felt the need to stay around and cuddle with a lover, but with Freya that had become one of my favorite things to do.
To be loved by someone was a strange and marvelous experience for me, but for it to be Freya, who had to be the most desirable woman in the world, was a fantasy come true.
It stressed me to hear that her family might turn violent toward me if I refused to marry her. Ada was right that it should be Freya’s choice. If they took their anger out on Marco, I wouldn’t know what to do. I wasn’t a fighter and even if I was, there was no way I could overpower so many at one time. Thor, Indiana, and Mason were intimidating with their size, and I had no doubt that they would have a serious issue with Freya choosing me.
The more I contemplated what she was about to do for me, the more my respect for her grew. I had experienced plenty of verbal confrontations with the Northlanders over the past fourteen years of summits, but this would be the greatest confrontation of my life.
Next to me, I heard Freya whisper to Ada, “How did you get so strong at such a young age?”
“I just am and so are you. Listen to me, Freya, when you go see your father, don’t ask. Take what you want. Make no apologies and don’t mind what others think of your choices.”
Freya sat mesmerized by the young teenager who, unlike the others in her family, had green eyes. The girl was fearless and seemed to get a kick out of butting heads with her father.
When I took Freya’s hand, she squeezed my fingers and gave me an uncertain smile.
“We can do this,” I assured her.
“We have no choice.” She leaned her head against my shoulder and sighed. “But they are going to shit sheep for sure.”
CHAPTER 15
Thor and Linea
Freya
The park by the mansion was beautifully decorated for Thor and Linea’s wedding. White silk ropes snaked around trees and strings of lights hung from the tree crowns. There were white flowers, tents with chandeliers, and buffets with wine and food to serve the hundreds of guests. This was no small intimate family event, and everywhere I looked I saw people in their finest outfits, talking and laughing.
When I finally got a chance to hug the bride and groom, I asked them. “How many people did you invite?”
Thor laughed. “No more than seventy. The other eight hundred are friends of our parents.”
“You look beautiful,” I complimented Linea, whose gorgeous red hair had flowers in it.
“Thank you. I have to say that you look stunning as well. There’s a different glow to you that makes me think that France was a good experience for you.” Linea’s gaze went from me to Victor and back again. “Oh, I see. Well, congratulations.”
My face reddened but luckily Thor was distracted by teasing Victor. It was no surprise that Linea saw through our charade. She had always been extremely perceptive, but we couldn’t risk her telling Thor and have the wedding blowing up.
“Please don’t tell anyone,” I whispered in Linea’s ear. “Not even Thor. Let me tell my family myself.”
“Of course.” Linea gave me a reassuring smile just as Thor addressed me.
“I was just telling Victor how surprised I am that you two haven’t killed each other yet. If I’m honest, sis, none of us thought that you would stick it out for two months in France. You must have missed home badly.”
“Actually, I had a good time in Europe. The project is exciting, and I made new friends. Of course, it helped to have the Polo family around. They are entertaining.”
“Freya even learned to speak our language,” Victor said. “Although with the easy time she had picking it up, I suspect she knew it before she came to live with us for a while.”
He was right, but I kept a secretive smile on my lips, not admitting a thing.
“It shouldn’t surprise you that my sister is wicked smart, Victor, but what do you think about being back in the Northlands? Are you excited to see a wedding?”
Victor looked around. “I have to say that your park was always lovely, but this is another level. It’s like being inside a fairy tale.”
When the bride and groom were pulled away by other guests who wanted to congratulate them, Victor and I walked on. For the better part of the evening, I stayed close to him although Victor told me not to worry about him.
Once the dancing began and the alcohol made people loosen up, I saw Victor relaxing as well. With a drink in his hand, he fell into talk with Banni and Belle, who were French like him.
I caught up with friends and family, always sending glances in Victor’s direction to see if he was okay. At one point some of the men dragged him to the dance floor and involved him in their group dancing, which anyone could do as all it required was jumping up and down and throwing your hands around.
