Banyan and Brynna had taken a little road trip to a nearby city where he could purchase something appropriate for the coronation. It wasn’t until during supper the night before while Sigrid prattled on about the ceremony and how handsome Banyan would be in his formal attire that he realized he needed something special to wear. When his mother suggested he wear something of Asmund’s, Brynna cut in and offered to take him shopping the next day. Their mother was momentarily offended until Asmund reminded Sigrid Banyan was a much larger Goyle. Banyan winked at Brynna, silently thanking her for offering.

His every day clothes had arrived the day before, but Banyan decided to splurge a little. After finding a couple of nice suits and dress shoes, Banyan shopped for more casual clothes, including jeans. His father had said being King didn’t require speaking with the Clan in person often, so Banyan didn’t feel the need to dress up if he was going to be hanging out in the armory with his uncles or helping Brynna discuss remodeling the house.

Once that task was complete, they headed to a specialty shop that carried costumes and period clothing suitable for his needs. As soon as they walked in the door, a human female spoke up, “Hallo. I’m Karin. Is there anything in particular I can help you find?” She was blatantly checking Banyan out without knowing if he and Brynna were a couple or not.

Bryn pretended to gag herself with her back to the woman, and Banyan grinned. “Something like this,” Banyan said as he pointed to a formal coat.

Karin said, “You’re the third person to check out this particular line. Is there a costume ball somewhere?” she asked, still eyeing Banyan up and down.

“Nei. He and I are getting married, and I want him to look like a King,” Brynna said.

“Oh, uh, congratulations. You make a lovely couple.”

Brynna sighed and batted her lashes at Banyan. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. “What do you think of this one, dear?” he asked, playing along.

“I think you need something blue. It brings out the color of your eyes. What about this one?” Brynna asked, showing him a blue and grey coat.

The saleswoman spoke up. “Not that I’m disagreeing, but a man came in yesterday and bought one almost identical. I would say there’s no way he could upstage you dressed the same, but honestly? He was just as handsome and as large. He had long blond hair and eyes so blue they sparkled. You could almost be brothers.”

Banyan figured one of the Clan had purchased the costume for the coronation. It wasn’t often a new King was crowned, and he doubted many of those in attendance had their clothing from when Asmund took the throne. Being they were Norse, she could be describing any number of Gargoyles. One of Uri’s brothers could have been the male she was referring to. Brynna was absentmindedly caressing the overcoat and biting her lip.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

His sister handed him the coat. “Hold this,” she instructed. Banyan waited while his sister slid tunic after tunic across the rack until she found what she was looking for. “Did the man yesterday also purchase a tunic?”

“Yes. It was silver.”

“Perfect. Here, B. Try these on.” He took the garments from her and stopped at the rack displaying pants. He found his size and the color that matched the tunic before stepping into the dressing room. It had been hundreds of years since he’d worn traditional Norse clothing. The breeches weren’t comfortable, and they didn’t hug his ass like a nice pair of faded jeans. Banyan could stand them for one day, though. He liked that some things had maintained their design over the years, but clothes were not one of them.

When Banyan stepped out of the dressing room, both Brynna and the saleswoman sighed. “Perfect,” Brynna said.

“What about a sword? We had a new shipment of replicas come in this morning. I’m not a collector, but these look authentic,” the woman suggested.

“Do you mind if I take a look?” Banyan asked.

“Not at all.”

Still wearing the formal attire, Banyan followed the woman to a display. He didn’t have to look closely to know who had forged the weapons. He waited until Karin unlocked the case and presented the broadsword to him. With his shifter eyesight, he automatically noticed the small icon his uncle and Tabor were using for their brand. The weight was good for a replica, but not nearly as heavy as a true weapon. Banyan held the sword up, crossing his chest with it. “What do you think? Do I look like a King?”

Brynna had tears in her eyes when she nodded. “I’m proud of you, you know?”

Dropping the sword to his side, he opened his free arm, and his sister stepped into his embrace. Karin had the grace to turn away and give them a private moment. Banyan kissed Brynna on the temple. “And I’m proud of you.” He blew out a breath and said, “Now, let’s find you something to match.”

“You want us to dress alike?”

“I do. I want everyone to know who the Queen is.”

“But I’m not—”

“Shhh. If I can’t have Urijah by my side, then I choose you.”

Brynna nodded and shoved her face into his neck. He didn’t care if she was getting mascara all over the coat. He would gladly buy five of them if his words made her happy.

When they walked out half an hour later, Brynna said, “That was a Tatum sword, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. I didn’t have to hold it to know. The quality is unsurpassed.”

“Do you miss it?”

“Forging weapons?”

“Yes.”

“I do. Running a business like a restaurant or a bar is nice; it gives me something to call my own. Creating something is a whole other ballgame. Taking the raw materials, molding them into the shape you want, tamping the steel and heating it until it’s the perfect strength, that has to be right up there with making a child,” Banyan said, grinning.

“Like either one of us would know how that feels,” Brynna said. She was smiling, but Banyan could feel the sadness rolling off his sister.

“Don’t give up, Bryn. I don’t know why the fates dick around with some of the Goyles, but after watching the American Clan find mates in humans over the past few months, I’m not giving up hope you’ll find yours.”

“But a human? How does that even work?”

“You bite one, and their aging process stops. At least that’s the way it’s worked with the males with human mates. I can’t imagine it would be any different for you. Jonas Montague, the scientist, mated with a human over two hundred years ago, and his female still looks to be in her twenties. The Italian King bit his mate, Elizabeth, over thirty years ago, and according to her daughter, Tessa, Elizabeth looks the same as she did when they mated. Jasper and Trevor are mates, and the bite cured Trevor’s color blindness. When a male offspring was poisoned, I gave some of my Original blood to mix with the male’s mate’s blood. Our blood mixed with certain herbs cured him.”

“How did you know to mix your blood?”

While they drove back to the house, Banyan told his sister about Desi and Simone.

“You know Desmond Rothchild?” Brynna was fanning herself.

Banyan laughed. “I do. I bet I could score you some backstage passes even.”

“Shut up. I wish you’d have told me this last time we were together. I wouldn’t have run off.”

“We’re together now. From the little Father has shown me, there isn’t much to being King, so I should have plenty of free time on my hands to do things like take you to concerts.”

“What else are you going to do?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you going to sit in the house and wither away like Father did? Or are you going to start another business venture?”

“Gautum mentioned me taking over the armory, and it’s something I enjoy. I also plan on building another house, so that will take up some of my time. What about you?”

“I’m going to take up knitting.”

Banyan laughed. “Knitting?”

“Yeah, that, or maybe I’ll become a pirate. I’ve done just about everything else.”

“I know a pirate. I could introduce you.”

“Of course you know a pirate. Tell me about him.”

“When I first found myself in New Orleans, I visited several of the local jazz clubs almost nightly. I loved the music as well as the food, but it was the atmosphere that really drew me in. Dominic is in charge of watching over the southernmost states, and he happened to live in New Orleans. I introduced myself to him, and we became fast friends. When I told him I was interested in running my own club, he helped me find the right one as well as the right employees – namely Gargoyles.

“He and I struck up a friendship that lasted a long time. I still call him just to catch up. Anyway, his mate, Lilly, was called on by her cousin when one of the Gargoyles in New Atlanta was poisoned. Since she was able to help Jasper, she was called to California when Desi was also poisoned. Remind me to tell you about Tessa, Jonas, and that whole bunch. That’s an all-night conversation requiring a bottle of whiskey or five.”

Banyan recounted a few stories about his time with Dominic, but he purposefully left out Dominic’s role in Mishka’s death. “I guarantee, if you and I were to head down to New Orleans and you saw him on the street, you could point him out. Some of us have advanced with the times. Others…” Banyan shrugged.

“Forget Dominic. I want to meet Lilly. Do you think she would teach me how to become a witch?”

“I have no idea. She’s really sweet, so she probably would indulge you as long as you didn’t take up too much of her time. Last time I saw the two of them, they were newly mated, and Dom didn’t like to share.”

“Wouldn’t that be wonderful? To have someone who wanted all your time?”

“Yeah, it would be the best.” Thankfully, Banyan turned the car down the long driveway leading to his parents’ place. He didn’t want to think about mates anymore. His heart was still aching with the loss of Uri. Not that he ever had him, but having released him from the bond made things permanent. Before that, he’d had an ounce of hope. When all hope was gone, there was nothing left.

 

 

Whenever Uri was at the gym, in the car, or at home, he listened to hard rock music. He knew all the words to every Cyanide Sweetness song. He had listened to Desi’s band before he knew the half-blood, but once he met Sixx’s son, Urijah bought their albums and listened until he had each song memorized. His musical tastes ran the gamut from classical to hard rock, depending on his mood. Driving down the road in his SUV, he often turned on old country and western. Cruising somewhere on his Harley? He could be found listening to rock. When he was working in the armory, he preferred classical. Part of the reason was the lack of lyrics. When he was listening to rock, he sang along while trying to dissect the meaning behind the words. Some songs were easy to get the gist of, while others were more abstract and deep. Uri admired anyone who could take a set of words and assemble them into a song, a poem, or a story. Banyan had amazed him with his talent.

Scrolling through his music app, Uri pulled up Yo-Yo Ma, and let the sound of the cello playing Bach surround him as he got to work. The first attempt at Mjölnir had been a success, but it wasn’t perfect, so Uri was making another one. The shape had turned out well, but the elaborate Celtic design had not. There was no way he would present anything less than his best to Banyan.

Another order had been placed on the website. This one was for a custom sword. The hilt was plain, but the blade would be etched with intricate designs. When his father was teaching him and Banyan, Gautum had been the one to do scroll work. He wondered if that were the case now, or if Tabor had learned the art as well. He would love to try his hand at it. Uri had always loved creating beautiful designs. If things worked out the way he planned, he would be able to take over the armory for his father and Gautum. If Banyan refused to accept his apology and attempt to rekindle their friendship, Uri would go back to the States and make his own designs at the armory in New Atlanta.

Things will work out.

And you know this how?

I have faith.

For once, Uri wasn’t going to argue with the beast.

Having started early, Uri left home without breakfast or coffee. He decided to take a break and walk back to make something to eat. As he passed the park where the old armory used to be, a female was seated on one of the benches, reading a book. She looked up at the sound of his phone ringing.

“Hallo?” he answered, allowing his Norwegian accent to come through.

“God morgen, min sønn,” Halina greeted.

“Good morning, Momma. How are things at the palace?” Uri joked. He already knew from his father that Banyan’s parents didn’t live in an actual palace, but he’d described the house as too big to be practical when he called the day before.

“Not as palatial as you would think. How are things with you? Are you still planning on being here?”

“Things are good. I bought something nice to wear, and I’ve been working on Banyan’s gift.”

“You’re making him something?”

“Ja. I want it to be special.”

“Oh, Uri.”

“Now, Momma, don’t go making more of it than is there. He and I were best friends for a long time. Even if we never get that back, it’s not every day your best friend becomes the King of your Clan.”

“I just want to see both my boys happy again.”

“He’s not happy?”

“No. Banyan might put on a good front, but he’s hurting inside. If it wasn’t for his sister being here, I think he would shut himself in his room until the coronation is over. At least then he’ll have a reprieve from his parents.”

“Then I’ll do my best to remedy that. I’m headed to the house for lunch then back to the armory.”

“Is there any way you can get here sooner than you had planned?”

“It depends on how my gift comes along. I won’t rush it. It has to be perfect.”

“Okay, I can understand that. Regardless, we’ll all be waiting for ya.”

“I’ll see you soon,” Uri said and disconnected. He already knew Banyan wasn’t happy, and that had everything to do with him. He had spent too long turning his back on his mate instead of trying to see things from his point of view. Banyan might not believe Uri had a change of heart. Even Uri wasn’t sure what he hoped happened other than getting their friendship back on track. Thinking about the mate bond was too much to wish for because Banyan released him.

What if it didn’t work?

I guess we’ll find out when we get there. If he still wants us.

He does. You can’t turn off that kind of love.

I did.

You’re an idiot.

Urijah didn’t consider guarding your heart being an idiot. He didn’t consider wanting to please your father as a bad thing. Now that things were clear where Tabor was concerned, maybe Uri could have what his heart wanted all along.

Before he reached home, footsteps sounded on the sidewalk behind him. He reached out with his senses and determined it was the female who’d been sitting on the bench. Her heart rate was erratic, so either she was out of shape or nervous. She wasn’t the first human Uri had noticed around town. Not that seeing humans was odd, but in Holmesvik, they were the minority. The town had always been a haven for Gargoyles, and the Clan did their best to keep it that way. Pretending to look at his phone, Uri stopped when he reached the sidewalk in front of his house. Pointing the camera behind him, he snapped a photo of the woman. Something about her seemed off, and he wanted to get Julian involved to make sure she was nothing more than an innocent human.

Once inside, Urijah texted his mother to ask if she knew what the woman’s deal was along with her name. Halina replied that Freyda thought the woman was a spy, and nobody had found out her identity. She’d been sighted in the park several times, and Freyda had seen her coming out of the house across the street from hers. Urijah didn’t have time to ask around, so he sent the photo to Julian to run through his facial recognition program.

After eating the last of the leftovers, Uri headed back to the armory to work on Banyan’s gift. As he walked, he let his mind drift back to times spent with Finley. He vowed to never forget his best friend, and instead of mourning his loss, Uri would do his best to celebrate their lives together. Fin wouldn’t want him to mope around. He would want him to get on with his life.

Urijah stood, stretching his back after being hunched over the table working on the tiny lines that made up Odin’s features. The moon called out to him, letting Uri know the lateness of the day. The pull to go outside, release his wings, and take to the sky was almost too much to resist. It had been too long since Urijah had flown, and his beast was getting antsy. With a human hanging around town, it was too risky to phase. He would have to be satisfied in the knowledge the pendant was finished, and it was perfect. He compared the work to the one Gautum had created hundreds of years ago, and Uri was pleased. Tucking it in his pocket, he checked the website one last time before heading home.

When he was back in his bedroom, Urijah laced a leather strip through the hole in the pendant and tied it in a knot. He didn’t wrap it up in pretty paper. This was something Urijah would show Banyan before placing it around his neck. Mjölnir would serve as a coronation gift, a peace offering, and a symbol of the love Uri had for his mate, because he did love Banyan and had for a long time. He’d let fear and pride stand in the way. No longer. Banyan might not accept it as Uri intended, but there was only one way to find out. He didn’t plan on waiting, either. Instead of heading to Åsmundnes Saturday, Urijah was going to leave bright and early in the morning after he packed his things. With wishful thinking in mind, Uri planned to take enough clothes to stay a while. The worst that could happen was Banyan could send him on his way.