“That looks good.” I took a step back to get a better look at Frej’s handy-work.

“Yeah? You think it’ll work?”

“Well, there’s only one way of finding out, right?” I smirked at him and turned my attention back to the open door. “Ton! Can you come in here?”

Heavy footsteps sounded from somewhere downstairs, moved up the stairwell and then in the hall. He was just about to enter, but then he was flung back and slammed into the wall across from the door, leaving a dent in the wood. He rubbed the back of his head and groaned.

“Really?” he asked less impressed.

“That was magnificent, Frej!” I exclaimed and clasped both of his cheeks, bringing his mouth to mine for a brief moment, before wiping the large symbol off the floor.

“Why are you warding up?” Ton groaned and stumbled into the room.

“I’m teaching Frej to protect himself,” I said proudly.

“It was one hell of a ward. Whose blood did you use?”

“Mine.” Frej raised his hand a bit.

“Really?” Ton arched his brows. “That’s… Impressive. You’re strong, Frej. Really. Maybe you should be in charge of protecting this house.”

I actually had to agree. All my blood relatives could enter now since our blood didn’t have any influence on itself. I wasn’t expecting anything to happen, but you could never be too safe. Frej could never be too safe.

“Let’s try it on Zitzi now!” Ton said too excitedly about this.

We tried it on our sister, but she was not stupid enough to walk right into the ward. She merely slid her fingers over it and smiled, complimenting Frej on his work.

***

So, we started painting together. Frej practised on the runes, memorising them, while I painted his portrait. I had found a plain, leather-bound notebook for him and he was very eager about practising. I liked watching him and painting him. I had been sketching him when he was asleep sometimes. He was my favourite motif at the moment.

He was bent in over the table, his hand flying over the paper, while the other was holding down the book he was copying. The sight alone rocked me to my core because that was my man sitting there. I wanted him to be mine.

“Frej?” I said with a gruff voice.

He looked up and smiled at me.

“Will you marry me?”

His eyes widened and he dropped his paintbrush. He rose to his feet, pushed me back against the backrest of my chair and sat down in my lap. His fingers slid up in my hair and he kissed me.

“Yes, Xipe,” he murmured against my lips and kissed me again. “Yes. A thousand times yes.”

My heart sped up and I circled my arms around him, holding him close to me. I just held him. I just needed to hold him close.

“How… How do people get married in Dania?” I asked with a shivering voice.

“Let’s make up our own ritual. I don’t want a Viking wedding. I want it to be ours.”

This man was going to kill me one day with his sweetness. I was sure of it.

“Yes,” I murmured and kissed his throat.

He inhaled sharply and tightened his grip around my hair. “It’ll be you and me. Under the stars. Promising ourselves to each other.” He pulled on my hair, forcing my head back as he slowly slid the palm of his hand over my jaw and then my cheek. “You’ll be mine,” he whispered.

“Yes,” I said and met his gaze. “I’ll be yours.”

“And I’ll be yours. As I have from the beginning.”

I groaned as he pulled on my hair again and pushed him down on me, while I lifted my hips.

“Frej, I love you,” I breathed as he bent down to kiss me. He smiled briefly and then bit down on my lip, causing me to gasp.

His fangs punctured the skin and he softly ran the length of his tongue over it.