Min eneste kjærlighet,

 

I am writing to you as we prepare for battle. These are my words to you in case I don't make it to the other side with my head attached to my shoulders, unable to look you in the eyes again on the dawn of a day without bloodshed. These are the words of my heart.

As I write this, I am watching the ildflues dance in the trees, and I dream of the days when you and I sit side by side beneath the stars, or better yet, lie naked on the grass together after we swim in the fjord, and watch them dance in the trees above us as they send out their mating signal.

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt you are indeed my mate, yet I have not been able to find the courage to admit as much. I know you feel it as well, but you continue to search for what you already have. Me.

As we may not see each other after the morrow, not knowing what the fates have truly decided, I am giving you the words I cannot speak aloud.

I love you. With every breath in my body, with every fiber of my being, I love you, Urijah Torfinn Aldobrand. I will love you until the last breath leaves my body and forever after that day.

So if tomorrow does not find me standing by your side, and this letter is my last message to you, know this: I will spend eternity waiting for you. Whether it is on this side of life or the other, I will wait.

 

Jeg elsker deg,

 

B

 

Urijah swallowed hard. The lump in his throat matched the knot in his stomach. The letter he was holding was much like the one Banyan had given to him in Greece, only this one still held a shred of hope. Banyan loved him. Urijah knew this. Felt it every day they spent together before he so foolishly parted ways. How could he have thrown away something so precious?

Standing to stretch his back, Urijah noticed the faint light of dawn creeping through the window. He had sat all night, reading letter after letter. The one he just finished had somehow gotten out of sequence, as ones he had read earlier were written after he left Banyan and set out on his own. Those had been the hardest to stomach. Banyan’s loneliness bled through each line. The poems had become somber. His pain tangible.

Needing a break from the task of going through Banyan’s words, Urijah slipped quietly out of his room and navigated his way through the large house until he found a door leading out back. He walked until he found a path through the woods, and he continued winding his way toward the scent of water. When Uri came to an opening, he found himself at the mouth of a fjord, much like the one he and Banyan swam in as kids. As he stood gazing at the mountains rising up on either side of the water, Uri breathed deeply, letting the Norwegian air fill his lungs while the memories filled his soul. After today, he would know whether or not Banyan wanted Uri in his life.

It was selfish on his part to approach his mate on the day of his coronation. Banyan would have enough to worry about without Uri adding to the stress, but he couldn’t wait. He had to know if there was a chance to rekindle their friendship. That was all Uri wanted.

Liar.

It’s all I deserve.

His shifter was right. After spending all night surrounded by Banyan’s words, Urijah wanted nothing more than to beg his forgiveness and ask for a chance at a life together. He wasn’t going to approach Banyan before the ceremony. Urijah had no idea whether they could mate once Banyan took the throne, and he would not chance Banyan throwing away the crown for him. Not that he thought he was such a prize, but he knew Banyan. Deep down, Uri knew which one Banyan would choose. No, he would wait until Banyan was King before he let his presence be known.

Having made the decision to remain unseen, Urijah returned to the house in hopes of finding food and coffee before settling into the bedroom while he waited for noon to roll around. As he walked through the woods, his cell phone vibrated in his pocket.

Are you on your way?

Uri decided it was better to remain completely hidden, even from his parents, so he responded to his mother with a yes. It wasn’t a lie. He was on his way back to the house. Now if he could get inside and back to his room without being seen.

 

 

Banyan had spent long hours talking with his family after the guests had left for their hotels. According to Marcie, none of those in attendance at dinner had opted to spend the night in the house. He couldn’t blame them. The tension was thick with his mother having what his father deemed “an episode”, and if he could have slipped away with them, he would have. After saying goodnight, Banyan had gone to his room and tried to rest. Thoughts of Uri plagued him all night long. Banyan fought with himself over checking the bedrooms on the second floor where all the guest rooms were. He didn’t want to be caught searching for a ghost.

Now, he stood staring out the window, begging time to move faster. Something moved between the trees. Banyan sucked in a breath when he caught sight of a blond-haired male. He held that breath while whoever it was walked toward the house. A soft knock sounded before his door was opened. Banyan took his eyes away from the window as Bryn peeked in, and upon finding him up and dressed, she entered the room, carrying a tray. She closed the door behind her with her foot before bringing breakfast to the small table which was situated under the window. When Banyan returned his gaze outside, the male was gone.

Knowing he was imagining things, Banyan didn’t allow himself to dwell on the male. If Urijah was on the grounds, he would be with his parents having breakfast, not traipsing through the woods. As his thoughts turned to food, he gestured to the tray his sister was rummaging through. “There’s enough food here for several large males. You must be hungry.”

“Sure am. Now, sit down and help me eat this.” She didn’t wait on him to sit before she started filling a plate with a little of everything. Banyan poured a cup of coffee from the carafe and sipped it while returning to the window.

“Nervous?”

“Not really, but I am ready for the ceremony to be over with.”

“Then what’s bothering you?”

“I’ve had the feeling since yesterday that Uri was here.”

“Did you look for him?” Bryn asked before taking a bite of a buttered croissant covered in jelly.

“I was going to, but Father demanded all my attention. Then there was dinner, and afterward, well, you were there.”

“Wouldn’t you know for certain he’s here? I mean, he is your mate.”

“He was my mate. My beast has been agitated more than usual, but that could be because of Father’s attitude.”

Bryn forked a mouthful of eggs off her plate, but paused before she put them in her mouth. “What if he is here? What are you going to do?”

“Why beg for trouble where there is none? I’m sure it’s my nerves getting the best of me.”

“You consider Urijah trouble?”

“Why else would he be here? He made it clear the last time we spoke he hates me. I killed his husband, and he blames me for Finley’s death. For all I know he could be here to challenge me for the throne.”

Bryn dropped her fork to the plate, her eggs forgotten. “Would he do that?”

“Who knows? Besides, if it isn’t Urijah, anyone else has the right to throw down the gauntlet. Just because Father is abdicating the throne doesn’t make it a done deal until there are no challenges.”

“Will you be worried if they do?”

“Not at all. I am Gargoyle, but I am also a warrior. I have been training my whole life but especially these last few months. I am in better shape now than I’ve ever been. I never wanted to be King, but I will defend my title to the death. My sister deserves to be Queen,” Banyan said, winking.

Bryn stared at him a beat before she resumed eating. Banyan sat down to join her. Starving himself wasn’t doing any good. As he dished out some fruit, he said, “I wanted to commend you on your flapper costume last night. I thought Father was going to shit himself.”

“I couldn’t believe it was still in the back of my closet. It is an original from the 1920s. I expected it to fall apart in my hands when I took it off the hanger. If Mother had ever gone through my things, she would most assuredly have burned ninety percent of them.”

“Not that I’m complaining, but why did you bring breakfast to me?”

“I figured you might want a little breather before the ceremony starts. If you come to the dining room, you’d likely have to deal with Father.”

“I knew I liked you for some reason.”

“Right? I am the shit.”

Banyan laughed. “I cannot wait for you to meet Tessa. You are a blonde version of the half-blood. She also rides a Harley.”

“Tell me about her.”

Banyan didn’t know Tessa all that well, but he shared what he had learned over the last few months. He had been with the West Coast Clan several years, and during that time, he and Sinclair had become close. Sin shared stories of the East Coast Clan as they happened.

“Speaking of Harleys, if I’m going to stay here, I would like to have my bike shipped from California. Can I do that?” Brynna asked.

“Of course you can. Or, I can buy you a new bike. Father left you a sizeable amount of money, and if you’d like, I can invest it for you. While you’re living here, there’s no reason for you to spend yours when I have more than we’ll ever need.”

“Must be nice being the male. You get the fortune, and I get an allowance,” Brynna joked. Banyan knew exactly how much his sister was worth, and the amount was nothing to sneeze at.

“And don’t forget this fine, three-story monstrosity.”

“I guess if you don’t want it, I’ll take it and turn it into a museum or maybe something like a bed and breakfast. It’s not very cozy, but I bet Americans would pay good money to stay here during the winter so they could see the Northern Lights.”

“Now there’s an idea. Too bad you can’t advertise it as belonging to a King.”

As they finished off all the food, Banyan and Brynna discussed all the possibilities of what the house and property could be used for. His sister had good business sense, and he had no problem backing her financially if she wished to transform their parents’ home into commercial real estate. The more they talked about it, the better Banyan felt about not burning it to the ground.

“Have I told you how proud I am you’re my brother?” she asked.

“Have I told you how proud I am you’re my sister?” he responded, holding his arms open. Brynna didn’t hesitate to walk into his embrace. As they stood there in the quiet of the morning, voices rang out in the hallway. Bryn pulled away and said, “You take your time getting dressed. I’ll do my best to keep the ‘rents away.”

“Thank you, Bryn. I will see you downstairs soon.”

Brynna took the tray with her as she exited his bedroom. Banyan returned to the window, thinking about the male he’d seen. Not wanting to be disappointed, he didn’t bother reaching out for Uri. Instead, he headed to the shower and focused his energy on getting ready to become King.

 

 

Urijah debated whether or not to wear Mjölnir on the outside of his tunic but finally decided it needed to be seen. The meaning behind the talisman was important to Banyan, and maybe seeing it around Uri’s neck would remind Banyan of what they had once meant to each other. Instead of pulling his long hair back in the bun he’d grown accustomed to, he left it down, since that was the way Banyan liked it. Everything about the day ahead of him was about his best friend. His mate. Banyan might have released him, but if Urijah didn’t accept it, did that mean it hadn’t happened? Was there the possibility they could still be tied together forever?

He finally texted his mother and asked her to come to his room. He was still staring at his reflection when there was a knock on the door. He reached out with his senses, and finding both his parents in the hallway, he said, “Come in.”

When Halina saw him, her hand covered her mouth and her eyes misted with tears. He waited until his father closed the door behind him before speaking. “Is this okay?” he asked, spreading his arms at his sides.

“Urijah,” his mother whispered.

“You look very handsome, min sønn. Banyan won’t know what hit him,” his father added.

“I’m not trying to impress him. Okay, maybe I am.” Uri took in his parents’ attire, glad to see he wasn’t overdressed. “I just want to get my best friend back.”

Halina stepped closer and fingered Mjölnir. “This was Banyan’s.”

“He gave it to me before we went into battle with the Greeks. I thought about returning it now that we won the war, but I couldn’t bring myself to part with it so…” Uri pulled the talisman he’d forged for Banyan out of his pocket and showed it to his parents.

“That’s what you were making?” Halina asked.

When his father saw it, he whistled. “And I thought Gautum was gifted. Urijah, that is the best craftsmanship I have ever seen. The detail on Odin’s face is unbelievable.”

“I hope he likes it.”

“He’s going to love it. Now, come along. It’s almost time for the ceremony to begin,” Halina said.

“I’m going to hang back for a few minutes. I don’t know how B feels about me right now, and I don’t want to distract him. This is the biggest moment of his life.”

His mother shook her head. “I would tend to disagree on that point, but I do know he will be happy to see you.”

“I hope you’re right. You two go ahead. I’m going to find a seat toward the back of the room.”

Halina kissed him on the cheek, and his father placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing. “Everything will be as it should be. You’ll see.”

Urijah nodded. He wished he was as confident as his parents and his beast. Reaching out, Urijah listened to the guests arriving. Footsteps overhead indicated Banyan, or someone in his family, was headed toward the staircase. By the heaviness of the steps, Urijah figured it to be Banyan. When he opened his senses, Uri felt that familiar pull from long ago. He relaxed his mind and welcomed the sensation, sending his love to Banyan. Bringing his beast to the surface, he used their combined essence to grab onto the bond and silently send a message to Banyan. I’m here, B. I’m here for you.

He almost added words of love, but Urijah wouldn’t push things too far. Not until he could see Banyan’s eyes to know if Urijah had lost his mate forever. If and when Banyan accepted Uri back into his life, only then would he say the words aloud he should have said centuries ago.

When the noises in the house quietened, Uri left his bedroom and joined the other Norse Clan members who were there to witness the passing of the crown. He stood behind several couples who were waiting to take their seats. When they moved, Uri slid into the back row, carefully hidden from the front of the room where Banyan would stand in a few minutes. His parents were seated in one of the front rows with Gautum and Freyda. Uri smiled when he saw the two of them together. The female had been trying to catch Gautum’s eye since before Uri and Banyan transitioned. Looked like she succeeded.

Uri’s brothers and their mates were sitting a few rows behind their parents. It had been too long since he had been around his family. If Banyan rejected him, Uri at least had his family to visit with. He knew he had several nieces and nephews, and they all had their own offspring. His family was large, and it was time he got to know them all.

As the grandfather clock struck noon, everyone stood while the King and Queen entered the room from a door at the far end. Following them was Banyan and a female who had to be his sister. As Uri took in the sight of his mate, his heart beat so strongly he thought it was going to jump out of his chest. He asked his shifter for strength. He also requested it calm his nerves. Within seconds, his heart rate was normal, and Urijah could breathe without fear of passing out. When Banyan’s eyes scanned the crowd, Uri moved a few inches to the left so he was hidden by the male in front of him. It was time for his mate to become King, and Urijah could do nothing but hold his breath and watch.