Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

STEVE

I was pacing our room when Reykr finally walked in.

"Where the hell have you been?" I demanded.

"I could ask you the same thing." He looked me up and down, as I was obviously in my clothes from the day before.

That's when I noticed he was also in his prior day's clothes.

"Oh, were we spending the night with a certain petite spitfire?" I asked.

"Well, since your Elska mate already knows about it, I don't see any reason to keep it from you," he said, his tone oozing with harsh judgment, intensifying the tension in the room.

"Hey. That just happened. You and Joey are the first two to find out. I am genuinely as surprised as you are," I said, my voice filled with unexpected shock.

"Ha," he barked out a laugh. "You think I am surprised? I saw this coming a mile away."

"What the fuck? How?" I asked.

"Um, you are clearly obsessed with her. But if that wasn't enough, you told me you can smell it when she is turned on. All male orkin can smell when a female is ripe, but when it is your mate it is enough to drive you insane," he said knowingly. "You've been particularly insane in the last few weeks."

"And you didn't think to tell me?" I cried.

"I knew you'd figure it out eventually. It seems as if the kidnapping was enough to push you over the edge."

"What do you mean?" I asked with a huff.

"Well, sometimes mate marks just appear spontaneously, but they often appear when one mate senses the other is in danger," he explained. "I wouldn't be surprised if they showed up late last night."

"They did. Billie saw them when we were…" I trailed off.

"When you were fucking her?" He smirked.

"Must you be so crass?" I spit out.

"Would you call what you did last night ‘tender lovemaking'?" he asked, giving me a withering stare.

He did have a point there. I dragged my fingers through my hair, my head still spinning. Mate. I had a mate.

If she'd have me.

"Well, what do I do now? Just sit around while she makes up her mind?" I asked plaintively

"Did you agree on anything?" He asked.

"She said she'd stay in the kitchen with Joey and Runa, working on mead and cocktail recipes so I can work on the bar and we can have some space from each other," I said, trying to keep the melancholy out of my voice. I didn't want to think about spending two days working without Billie, especially because I'd have to work with Tyr and Berit, whom I still wanted to strangle. I sighed.

"Think about it this way," Reykr said. "Work yourself to the bone to keep your mind off of it and so she'll be proud of how much you've accomplished when she returns."

While that didn't sound nearly as appealing as working alongside Billie, it was a solid plan.

"Okay, let's shower and head to the bar," I said.

"Shower, breakfast, then bar," Reykr corrected.

Realizing I hadn't eaten since the night before, I agreed.

Reykr and I arrived at the bar to find Tyr and Berit already there, looking terrified but working away. Osif and his crew were there as well. Good. We'd need every pair of hands to complete this in time for the equinox. Billie would have her bar in time for the celebration if I had to work myself to bone. I would prove to her that I was here to stay.

Osif ambled up to me. "Where's Billie?"

"My mate is spending time with Emla to learn how to make more drinks and finalize the menu," I growled. "We are going to finish the bar in her absence."

Osif raised his brows in surprise but didn't say anything.

"Alright, all," I called in a booming voice to get everyone's attention. "Billie is taking some time to focus on the menu and the drinks. We will finish the bar and make it absolutely perfect in time for the equinox."

I was met with a lot of muttering and even some eye-rolling from Osif's orkin when I heard another low voice growl behind me. "Do you all want to eat, drink, and be merry on the equinox, or do you still want to be working away while the rest of the tribe celebrates in the longhouse instead of the beautiful new bar we've restored?" Reykr crossed his arms in front of his hulking frame and gave them all a look that would have immediately brought me back to work.

There was some grumbling, but all the orkin returned to their tasks. We were almost ready for the soft furnishings and the serving ware, but not quite. After ensuring everyone was working hard, I took it upon myself to sand and seal all the tables. Reykr joined me and we worked in silence for a long time before he finally said something.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, not looking up from sanding.

I continued sanding. Did I want to talk about it?

I sighed. "She doesn't understand Elska mates. She's worried about us getting tired of each other. She said you don't go from ‘dating' to being mates this quickly. I explained that it was normal here, but she said she still needed time. So I am giving it to her." I didn't stop working. It was easier to talk about without having to make eye contact.

"And how do you feel about that?" Still sanding.

"I want to give her time. I don't want her to feel like she has to choose me. I am finishing this bar whether or not she does. But it has to be her choice. I don't want anything with her if she doesn't want it with me," I said sadly, my gut twisting at the idea of finding my Elska mate only to have her snatched away. It felt almost cruel.

But I knew Billie. She wanted me, but she didn't understand. And she was scarred by all the pathetic human men in her past who didn't treat her like the treasure she was. I doubled my efforts on sanding, ensuring that the wood of every table was soft as silk under my fingers before sealing them. The day seemed to slip away. I paused to shove down a meat pie that Joey insisted I eat before I returned to work around midday. The sun was setting as I looked out at the lawn, admiring all the sanded and sealed tables.

Osif approached me. "Steve, I must let my orkin break for the last meal. They've worked hard all day. Some have families to return to."

I waved my hand at the workers. "That's fine." I raised my voice so it would reach everyone could hear me. "Thank you all for your hard work today. I know if we keep at it we can finish tomorrow!"

Instead of cheers, I got grumbles, but all the orkin agreed they'd be back early the next day. Soon, it was just me, Joey, and Reykr. They both assessed me in silence.

Joey was the first to speak. "You're going to stay working, aren't you?"

"Yep. Bram delivered all the glassware, cutlery, and such today. I am going to clean it and put it all away."

Joey sighed. "Then I'll stay, too. I'll wash, you dry?" She gave me a tired smile.

I almost hugged the tiny woman, but knowing her, she might kick me for even trying. "Thank you. I really appreciate it."

Reykr gave me a mock salute and headed out while Joey and I walked into the bar.

"I'm kind of surprised he didn't stay," I said as we entered the bar's kitchen.

Joey rolled her eyes. "He's going to get you food, you moron. I know you've forgotten you need food, but he hasn't."

I felt a blush creeping up my neck, embarrassed that I thought my best friend had left me in my time of need. "Right, right. That makes sense," I muttered. "Let's get to work."

We washed and washed and washed. By the time Reykr returned, we had finished all the glasses. I'd dried them and lined them perfectly along the shelves behind the bar so Billie could easily access them. Reykr forced me to sit on the floor of the bar and eat. I devoured everything without tasting it and stood to keep working.

"No," Reykr and Joey said in unison.

I opened my mouth to fight, but Reykr cut me off. "You're no use to her dead. I will ensure we finish tomorrow, but you are dead on your feet. Bed." He steered me toward our room.

He nodded at Joey as we headed out, and she gave him a small smile. I briefly felt bad for interrupting whatever plans they probably had with each other for the evening, but I was so tired the thought drifted out of my brain almost immediately. Reykr watched me hawkeyed as I changed out of my dirty clothes and climbed into bed. It felt heavenly. Reykr was still watching me as I sunk into a deep sleep, void of dreams.

BILLIE

It was still early when we arrived at Piper and Agnarr's house, nestled among the trees at the edge of the village. I knocked and waited. And waited. Joey and I shifted uncomfortably in the silence.

"It's too early for them to be at breakfast," Joey said. "Knock louder. Maybe they are still upstairs getting dressed."

I knocked again, this time with much more force. Another few minutes passed and then the door opened. We were greeted by a shirtless Agnarr, pants barely laced.

"Uhh, sorry if we woke you," I said awkwardly, "It's kind of an emergency."

"You didn't wake us," he said. "We were just…busy."

Jesus Christ, is everyone having sex today?

He led us into the dining room. "What kind of emergency is it? Was someone injured at the bar? It is early for you to be working." Agnarr looked concerned.

"Um, not that kind of emergency," I said.

I turned my back to him and pulled up my tunic.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" he asked, sounding incredibly pleased. "Who is the lucky orc?"

I dropped my tunic and turned back to him, blushing. "It's Steve."

"Ohhh, even better! We can use this to build relationships with the Snaerfírar. He's such a beloved member of his tribe. When I was there, they treated him with deference and respect. His parents were in high standing in the tribe. His taking a human mate will open up trade and diplomatic opportunities." Agnarr rubbed his hands together enthusiastically.

"Excuse me," I said tartly, "but I haven't said yes. If you recall, humans don't have fated mates. Finding out that someone you've been sleeping with for only a handful of days is now your forever is a lot to take in."

Agnarr's face flashed with concern before he said, "I understand. You'll need to talk to Piper, and I should probably talk to Steve. What did you tell him?"

"I told him I needed a couple of days to think about it and that I would stay in the kitchen while he worked on the bar."

"Does anyone else know?" Agnarr asked.

"Just Reykr," I said. Agnarr arched a brow. "They are best friends, and I can't expect him to handle this on his own. While I might be overwhelmed with the idea of forever, I can empathize with the anxiety he must be feeling at me wanting time to decide."

I wasn't a bitch. Well, only when I wanted to be. I decided to leave out how Reykr found out. Reykr and Joey were even more tenuous than Steve and me. Though I did have to admit to myself, my best friend dating my mate's best friend did sound pretty great.

"I will go to Steve and Reykr. I can also help them with the bar today. Piper should be down any moment, and you three can discuss how you want to proceed. Does that work?" he asked.

I felt relief flood through me. He wasn't mad. He wasn't expecting me to say yes or no. He was giving me all the tools I needed to make an informed decision. I felt better already. I sat down at one of the chairs at the dining table, ready to wait for Piper. Agnarr stared at us awkwardly for a moment.

"I'm just going to go finish getting dressed. I am sure Piper will be here any minute," he said very quickly as he headed back up the stairs.

Joey and I burst out laughing as soon as Agnarr had left the room. We'd definitely interrupted Piper and Agnarr's morning sex. Not too long after Piper arrived. She didn't look embarrassed at all. She was fully dressed, and her hair was freshly braided.

"I knew you'd expect me to take awhile, you know, what with all the cum." She waved her hand vaguely toward Agnarr.

I snorted, and Joey let out a laugh that could only be described as hysterical.

"So Agnarr tells me there is some sort of female emergency going on?" she asked, looking suspicious. "I'm not sure I believe it's an emergency if you two are involved, knowing the shenanigans you get up to in the kitchen and the bar. Wasn't it just a few weeks ago you were throwing furniture out a second-story window?"

"Oh, it's very much an emergency." Joey's eyes widened as she nodded and nudged me to start explaining.

I said nothing but stood and pulled up the back of my tunic. Immediately, I felt Piper's finger tracing the markings down my spine.

"Wow, yours are so different than mine. Is it Steve?" she asked.

I whipped around, "How did you know it was Steve?"

"Um, you used Agnarr as a cover-up to go have sex in the berry bushes. You thought that wouldn't get back to him? Also, we both know everything that happens around here." Piper crossed her arms matter-of-factly.

I opened my mouth to say something, then closed it. I wasn't sure what else there was to say.

"So what is the emergency?" she asked.

"Well, I haven't said yes," I said.

"Ohh, I see," she responded sympathetically. "Scared of forever?"

I wrung my hands. Piper was spot on.

"We just don't have anything like this on Earth," I said anxiously. "What if we get tired of each other? Or want to separate?" I worried about this, too.

"My parents are divorced, and I knew so many people in unhappy marriages. I thought I always wanted forever, but now here it was, a hulking, sensitive, kind orc, standing right in front of me—I was scared. But I don't know if it is Niflheim, or the orkin, or just a magic we don't understand, but the Elska bond felt very real. I have never connected with someone the way I connect with Agnarr. It is almost as if I know what he feels before he tells me. I don't even like being apart from him." Piper exhaled, then asked, "How's the sex?"

"Wh-what?" I spluttered.

"Oh, come on now, we both know you're no prude. How's the sex?" she asked again.

I didn't need to think twice. "The best I've ever had. Head and shoulders above any human dude."

"And you didn't find it odd that Steve, who was purportedly a virgin when he showed up here, was giving you mind-blowing sex?" she sassed.

"Jesus, you really do everything that goes on around here," I said, shocked.

"It's part of my job." She shrugged.

I thought about what Piper said. It was odd that the sex was so fantastic with someone who had no experience. I just thought he was a quick learner—with an amazing cock.

"So," Piper continued, "the sex is amazing, the bond is real, whether or not we understand it, and I am guessing Steve is all in? Is he happy to move here?"

"Yes, he's all in. And he said he feels more at home here than he ever felt at Snaerfírar."

Piper looked thoughtful before brushing a whisp of hair from her face. "Well, then, what are you waiting for?"

"I don't know. I just can't say yes to this without having some time to untangle it in my brain. You didn't say yes right away," I accused.

"You're right. I didn't. Take some time. But try not to kill poor Steve."

I stood without even thinking about it and started to head to the door. Joey went to follow me.

"Hang on there, Joey. You and I need to chat about a particular older orkin with a tough exterior?" Piper gave her a knowing look.

Joey's jaw dropped, but she stopped walking. I grinned to myself before waving to both of them. "See ya later."

I left Piper and Agnarr's house and headed toward the kitchen, my head feeling heavy. I rubbed my temples. This was a lot to think about this early in the morning. If I were back on Earth, I would still be asleep. I was groggy and overwhelmed. What was I going to do about Steve? He wanted forever, but I knew how "forever" could turn out for the people with the best intentions—even for couples who seemed made for each other. Divorce. Unhappiness.

I was surprised to find myself already at the kitchen doors. I pushed them open and was greeted by the normal morning crew with enthusiastic hellos. I plastered on a smile and asked if Runa was in her office. Receiving several affirmations, I headed to her door. It was open and she was looking over a giant stack of disorganized papers.

"Hi." I tried to sound chipper.

"I'm surprised to see you here, Billie. Shouldn't you be working on the bar?" she asked without looking up. "Summer equinox is only two days away."

I sighed. I would have to tell her. "I need to spend some time away from the bar. I don't think it will be ready for the equinox, and the tribe will have to live with it. We'll celebrate it a few days late."

Emla raised her brows at me. "You think the tribe will be okay with that?"

"Well, they'll have to be. I have some thinking to do about what I want before I finish," I said plainly. I didn't have any more to offer.

"So you've come here to think?" Emla looked even more skeptical.

"Not just think. I thought maybe I could practice some cocktails while I mulled things over. I would love to offer more than just mead when the bar opens."

"And you want me to help teach you how to make cocktails?" She crossed her arms in front of her chest and squinted at me as if she could figure out why I was really here if she stared hard enough.

"Only if you have time." My words tumbled out, anxious that she'd tell me I would be better off spending time in the bar.

"Of course, I have the time." Emla rubbed her eyes with her thumb and index finger, "But eventually, you'll have to tell me why you're really here."

Buoyed by her agreement, I was able to say, "Maybe."

Emla stood and ushered me over to a far corner of the kitchen, grabbing a bowl of fruit I didn't recognize on the way.

She placed the fruit, a knife, and a cutting board on the counter before me. "Cut these into quarters. All of them. Then maybe you'll be ready to talk, and we can start making cocktails."

She walked away before I even had a chance to object. Grumbling, I grabbed one of the fruits and started quartering it. It looked like a cross between a lime and a grapefruit. I tentatively licked one of the quarters. Sour but not bad. More lime than grapefruit. I started thinking about the cocktails I could make from home with this lime-type fruit.

I mulled it over, but after about the tenth piece of fruit, my mind wandered back to Steve. I circled around the same question over and over. Was I ready for forever? I didn't have an answer. I pulled myself one way, then the other, thinking about happy couples and unhappy couples I knew. People I knew that were divorced and people that were happily married for twenty plus years. How could I ensure that we fell in line with the latter? I was nowhere close to an answer when Emla showed up to teach me some cocktails.

She brought several different jugs with her. Some seemed to be liquor, the others juices and mixers. I had fun trying different options with her but stayed tight-lipped about Steve. Eventually, the time for the last meal approached. Emla wordlessly produced a tray of food and shooed me on my way. She could sense I was in no mood to socialize. I headed back to my cabin and ate my dinner in silence.

I didn't have the brainpower to think about anything anymore. I finished my meal and lay back on my bed. It wasn't long before I felt tears welling in my eyes. Silent tears turned into hiccuping sobs. I wanted a clear-cut answer of what to do, but there didn't seem to be one. I drifted off as I cried, exhausted from a day spent overthinking.