“It’ll just be a couple of people, Frej. My brother and my sister. They’re anxious to meet you,” I said as I slid the golden rings around my wrists.

“They’ve… Said that?” Frej asked from his position next to me on the little love seat in front of the bronze mirror.

“I wrote them a letter. And they replied. So they’re very excited.” I smiled at his reflection and he smiled back.

“I don’t know what to do with myself,” he murmured and glanced down at my jewellery. “We would donne furs. Nice ones. But I didn’t bring any. I don’t have anything, Xipe...”

“Good thing I do,” I said and kissed his cheek. I rose to my feet and opened the massive wardrobe. “I think… Green would look good on you.” I picked out a soft green woollen tunic, that would compliment his eyes.

He rose too and ran his fingers over the fabric before taking it from me. He slipped his own tunic off and then pulled the green one on. It fell just above his knees and he turned back towards me with a questioning look.

I grabbed a belt from one of the drawers, one made of silver and clasped it around his waist.

“There,” I said and smiled. “Now you’ll fit right in.”

He ran his hands over the tunic, smoothing the fabric down a bit and smiled. “It’s so warm.” He pulled down on the sleeves and met my gaze. “I feel weird though.” He wiggled his leg. “And these trousers are… Uh… Very tight.”

I snorted and nodded. “That’s the point.”

“I’d be a laughing stock back home.”

“But not here.”

“Can’t I wear something looser?”

“You look amazing, Frej. Don’t worry.” I kissed his throat and turned him towards the mirror. “See? Wouldn’t you want to love someone looking like that too?”

“Someone looking like you?” he asked and smiled at me through the mirror.

“No,” I laughed and turned him back towards me, cupping his cheek with my hand. “You’re the most beautiful being walking this earth, Frej. But parts of our lives is to fit in with the world we’re in. We’re in East Anglia now, not Dania. And in East Anglia, all the fine lords wear something like this.”

“Right,” he murmured and looked down at the golden necklace around my neck. “Do they wear something like this too?”

“No. This is Aztec. It’s customary to wear this when other deities are around.” I held up a finger and went to the dresser, pulling out a box. I handed it to him and he opened it with a questioning look. Inside was a silver chain with a silver circular plate ornament hanging from it. An intricate Viking pattern was carved into the little plate. “This is for you. Then everyone will know where you come from.”

He gasped softly and looked back up at me. “Where did you find this?”

“In Roskilde. You didn’t think I’d let you leave without a piece of home, did you?”

His eyes got shiny and he shook his head. He let me clasp the chain around his slender neck, the ornament landing right under his collarbones.

“It’s… Ægishjálmr. It’s for protection and victory. I have that tattooed on the back of my neck,” he said quietly.

“I know,” I said softly.

His fingers ran over the ornament before his hand dropped down by his side. “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me for that. I enjoy spoiling you. All I ask in return is that smile of yours.”

And I got my payment, tenfold before he pulled back again and looked down at it.

“I have no reflection in this,” he said and frowned, turning the medallion around, the backside of it completely smooth.

“A curse,” I sighed deeply and took his hand in mine, forcing him to drop the pendant. “We have no reflections in silver, no. Life got jealous of Death and how devoted her deities were to her, while people forgot about Life. So she cursed us with weaknesses. The sun could never hit our skin or we would burn. Our most precious metal, silver, would never work in our favour again. It can kill us.”

“Is it wise of me to hold it? Wear it?” Frej asked with a small voice.

“Yes,” I said and smiled. “Fuck Life.”

Frej chuckled softly and looked down at my golden necklace. “Is that why you wear gold?”

“Yes. Death blessed us with a new metal. Gold to remind us of the sun and mourn the true loss it is to never feel its rays on our skin.” I kissed his cheek softly. “It doesn’t feel like such a loss with you here.”

His cheeks reddened, and he kissed me back.