by Elin Peer
We all smiled at the obvious pride that radiated from Khan.
“What’s so funny?” Finn came to join us.
“Nothing. It’s just that Khan is liking his new title as President.”
“Really?” Finn shook his head. “I don’t know, it doesn’t have the same ring as Ruler.”
Khan frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Lord Khan just sounded more badass than Mr. President.”
“I’ll be President Khan.”
“Still doesn’t sound as dark as Lord did.”
Pearl was quick to defend him. “It’s not supposed to sound dark. Khan isn’t some old vampire king, he’s a modern leader of his people.”
Finn leaned back and with a mischievous smile on his face, he narrowed his eyes like he was studying Khan. “You sure about that? He’s looking pretty old to me.”
Khan brushed his salt-and-pepper-colored hair back. “It’s that damn lowlife Edward Wolf. I swear this election aged me three years in three months.”
Finn clapped his hands together; his smile grew to a grin. “Then it’s a fucking good thing that it’s over. What do you say, Mr. President? Are we going to stand here all night and admire your new title or should we turn off that screen and get this party going?”
Khan’s straight posture relaxed and with something close to a boyish grin, he spread out his arms. “You’re right. It’s time to get drunk.”
It was rare to see Khan intoxicated, but that night he didn’t hold back. I saw him on the dance floor swirling Pearl around and laughing in a way that made him look ten years younger.
“Look at my little sister.” Jonah nodded toward Anne, who stood surrounded by Nmen. “I asked her if she wants to go back to the Motherlands with us tomorrow but she is having the time of her life.”
“I wouldn’t go back if I were her either. Arson is a serious thing and she would be spending time in a place of reflection for what she did.”
“Do you think your family would let her stay a while longer?” Jonah asked me.
“Of course, but I have a feeling she won’t have a hard time finding a protector and roommate if she decides to stay.” I nodded toward Nero, who stood in conversation with Tristan but kept sending long glances in Anne’s direction.
“They’ve been dancing a lot.” Jonah had only just said the words before Anne broke free from the five men surrounding her. With a courteous smile, she excused herself and walked over to Nero.
“Aww, look at them.” I felt my heart flutter when I saw my old classmate and sister-in-law smile at each other like no one else in the room mattered.
“You think she’s in love with him?”
I gave Jonah an ‘are you blind?’ look. “Of course she’s in love with him. The two of them had an instant attraction from the moment they were introduced. It was the same way I felt when Hunter introduced me to you.”
“Yeah, but with us it was just friendship.”
“No, to you it was just friendship. I always wanted more.”
Jonah cupped my face. “Why didn’t you tell me then?”
“Because I didn’t want to ruin our friendship and I never thought you saw me as anything but a friend.”
“I’m so sorry that I was slow to understand what was going on. It was new territory for me.”
“You really should have gotten the clue when I asked you to teach me how to kiss.” I laughed when Jonah shook his head with regret.
“Jonah.” Anne was approaching us with Nero by her side. She smiled at us both. “Nero and I will take a walk in the park.”
“Oh, okay, you want us to come with you?”
I elbowed Jonah the second he said it.
“Auch…” He gave me a confused look.
“You two go ahead. Your brother forgot he just promised to dance with me some more.”
Nero shot me a grateful smile before they turned and walked out of the ballroom.
“Didn’t you see that they were trying to be alone together?”
“Then why did they invite us to come?”
“They didn’t! She only told you where she was going.”
“Why?” Jonah raised his brow. “I’m not her parent.”
“I’m sure it was because Nero insisted that she tell you. He’s a Northlander and finds it unnatural that you’re not more protective of her.”
“But you said he was a good man. I trust your assessment and I’m sure Anne wouldn’t appreciate me dictating what she can and can’t do.” Looking toward the door where Anne and Nero had left, Jonah pondered.
“Do you think they’re going to make out somewhere in the castle?”
“It’s not a castle and they’re probably just going to talk. Maybe hold hands a little.” My convincing expression didn’t hold long before I smiled. “Or kiss.”
Leaning closer, Jonah whispered in my ear, “Wanna go spy on them from the balcony?”
I nodded with eagerness and like two naughty children we held hands and moved through the room to the balcony overseeing the garden.
As soon as we opened the door to the outside, we saw Finn, Khan, Boulder, and my dad swaying from side to side with their arms around each other’s shoulders. They were singing with deep low baritone voices and sounded drunk.
When Magni saw us, he stopped singing and asked with his speech slurred, “Oh, hey, Vanilla Bean. You’re not going to bed now, are you?”
“No, we just wanted a bit of fresh air. You men look happy.”
Finn’s eyes were unfocused. “Why wouldn’t we be? This year has been one long fucking party.” He counted on his fingers. “First there was Raven’s and Leo’s wedding on New Year’s Eve, and then there was your wedding party, and now, we’re celebrating that the Northlands finally has the best president in the world.”
“That’s right.” Boulder swayed a little. “Best in the world… and then some.”
Khan lowered his brow and spoke with slow deliberate words like speaking was difficult. “Hang on. There are no other presidents in the world and what do you mean, ‘finally’?”
Finn was having a little difficulty scratching his nose because his finger kept landing on his cheek. “Mila. Jonah. Don’t you think Khan is the bestest and most impress… impressive president ever?”
Jonah and I grinned when Magni broke into low laughter. “Shit, Finn, you’re so drunk that you can’t even speak without stammering. You should go to bed before Athena sees you. She’s going to be sooo pissed.”
“No she’s not. Athena is the best. She loves me.” Finn placed his arm around my dad again, swaying a little more in the process. “She knows how fucked up I am, but by some mira… miracle, she still loves me.” His eyes teared up. “She knows, man… she knows everything.” My dad and Finn leaned their foreheads together and squeezed each other’s neck. I knew they had met in school and that Finn had been severely bullied by a teacher that my dad had ended up protecting him from, but I didn’t know the details since none of them ever spoke about it. The bright aura of love between these two lifelong friends had me tearing up myself.
“Athena is fucking amazing.” Boulder muttered, “and so is Christina.”
Khan took one of the glasses of beer standing on the balcony railing and raised it in the air. “To our wives.”
Boulder, Finn, and my dad reached for their glasses and cheered.
“I fucking love my wife,” Finn said and hiccupped. “Athena should be president.” His nose wrinkled up when he realized what he had just said, and he quickly added, “In the Motherlands.”
“Athena for president,” Boulder cheered along, but then he looked to Jonah. “Shit, wait, if Athena is president then what about Jonah?”
Finn squinted his eyes. “That’s right… Jonah should be the president. Athena doesn’t have time anyway.” Elbowing Boulder he grinned. “I’m keeping her busy, you know.”
Boulder nodded and patted Finn’s shoulder. “I’m going to check up on my wife. I bet she’s missing me.”
T
hey all followed inside and as Magni passed us, he kissed me on the cheek. “You look beautiful, Mila Vanilla.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
As soon as they were gone, Jonah and I hurried to the railing of the balcony and looked down. “Do you see them?”
“No.” The park was dark, but the area around the terrace below was lit up.
“Maybe they went to the amphitheater. We should try the other balcony.”
“Wait.” Jonah grabbed my arm and pointed to the corner of the Manor, where two people came into view. From the height difference it was clearly a man and woman and they were walking closely together.
“That has to be them.” I squinted my eyes to see better. “Yeah, it’s them.”
“I think they’re holding hands.”
“Aww.” The romantic in me couldn’t stop smiling and when Anne and Nero stopped and turned to each other, I held my breath. It was like watching a movie.
“I wish they’d come closer,” Jonah whispered and as if they had heard him, they began walking again. The sweet giggle from Anne reached us and made Jonah and me smile.
“Shhh...” Jonah placed a finger in front of his lips gesturing for us to be quiet now that Nero and Anne were within hearing distance.
“I’m serious, Anne. You could pick any single man in that room and he would fall at your feet and ask you to marry him. Why do you not believe me?”
She shook her head. “I believe you but the thought is absurd.”
“Why?”
“The only thing they like about me is the way I look. One of them even told me he thought my actions toward Jonah and my family were despicable.”
“Do you disagree?”
She was quiet for a few seconds. “No, but if you all feel that way toward me then why do you want to be around me?”
We couldn’t see their faces but Nero’s words flowed to us on the balcony. “I can’t speak for the others but I feel you spoke in ignorance in those interviews. You were condemning things you didn’t understand. I’m sure we’re guilty of doing some of that too when it comes to Motlander things that we find strange. You had never had beer before, had you?”
“Actually… I had. My accusations were more about acting out when I felt excluded and unwanted by my family. We talked about it with a mediator and I feel awful about the things I said and did.”
“Hey.” Nero moved close to her. “We’ve all said and done things we regret. If your family has forgiven you, maybe you should too.”
“I’m trying.” Anne sighed. “We’re going home tomorrow. It will give me some quiet time to meditate and reflect. Maybe then, I’ll find forgiveness for myself.”
“When are you coming back?”
“I don’t know. Now that the election is over, I’m not needed any longer.”
“Yes, you are. I need you.”
Anne gave a little laugh. “You don’t need me. You didn’t even know me until less than a week ago.”
“But now that I’ve met you, I need you.”
“Why?”
“Because… because…” Nero’s head fell forward. “I don’t know how to say this without sounding like a loser.”
“Just say it.”
“I can’t stop thinking about you, Anne. I get physically ill when I see you talking with all the other men who are desperate for your attention. The thought that you might like one of them more than me is enough to make me…”
“Make you what?”
“I don’t know, but I feel it here in my chest. Like I can’t breathe right.”
Her voice was soft. “I don’t like any of them better than you.”
“Anne, do you understand what I’m telling you? I’m in love with you and I want to be your man.”
She was quiet.
“I just don’t know how to go about it. You’re not in a tournament so I can’t fight for you. You’re not in the Couples Matching Program either.”
“Would you fight for me if I was in a tournament?”
“Of course.”
“But what if there were Doomsmen?”
“Even big guys have weaknesses.” He paused. “The question is, if I was one of the five champions, would you pick me?”
Her answer came fast. “How can you ask me that? Haven’t you noticed how I’ve been rejecting men all evening so that I could dance and talk with you? I’ve literally met and greeted thousands of Nmen. They’ve all been charming and kind to me, but no one makes me feel like you do.”
“Yeah? Are you picking me now? Do I have your permission to take this to the next level?”
Anne played with her hair. “Sure, but what is the next level?”
I almost gave a small shriek of joy when Nero pulled Anne in and kissed her.
“Shhh… Mila,” Jonah whispered when I couldn’t control my excitement anymore.
“Who’s there?” Nero was looking up at the balcony and we had to come clean.
Waving at them, Jonah called out. “Sorry, it’s just us. We didn’t want to disturb you two.”
“Were you spying on us?” Anne was staring up at Jonah.
“Nooo… Jonah wanted to come out here to make sure you were safe,” I defended my husband.
“Why wouldn’t Anne be safe? She’s with me.”
“No, you misunderstand. We weren’t worried about you hurting her, but you know how Jonah and I were attacked in the park recently. We were just worried about you two being alone out here.”
“Ahh, I see.” Nero relaxed his stance. “Well, as you can see, we’re fine.”
“Good. That’s... ehh... good.”
Anne had her neck bent all the way back. “Would you mind if I don’t go back with you tomorrow.”
Pretending that we hadn’t eavesdropped, Jonah gave a look of surprise. “Why not?”
“Because Nero and I would like to spend some more time together.”
I spoke up. “But Nero, don’t you live on the East Coast?”
“Yes.”
“I thought you were going home tomorrow. How will you have time together with Anne if she stays here at the Manor?”
“Well, I’m hoping that Anne might want to come back with me.”
“Yeah, we’ll figure it out.” Anne waved at us and began walking. The last thing I heard before they were out of earshot was Nero saying, “I have a really nice place with a view of the water. I think you’d love it there.”
Rising up on my toes, I hugged Jonah. “I’m afraid your little sister might never move back to the Motherlands.”
“If Nero makes her as happy as you make me, then you won’t hear me complain.”
Kissing his soft lips, I whispered into his mouth, “I love you so much, Jonah.”
His arms wrapped around my waist and he pulled me close. “I love you even more.”
Epilogue
The Picnic
Two years and two months later
June 2451
Jonah
“Why did we have to go on a stupid hike?” Mason had a stick in his hands and was swinging it at the vegetation along the trail.
I laughed at his sulky expression. “Mason, you’re thirteen. You should love being outside.”
When the moody teen didn’t answer, our mother did it for him. “He does, but not with his family. We’re not cool enough.”
Mason rolled his eyes and hit a bit harder. “I didn’t say that.”
“Why don’t you run ahead to Dina and Aubri? They look like they’re having fun.”
Mason didn’t react to Laura’s suggestion, so I tried striking up a conversation with him.
“Are you excited about Raven’s party tonight?”
“I guess.”
“Hopefully, you can find some more enthusiasm than that. Raven has worked her butt off for the last four years and now we get to celebrate her being the first fully trained female police officer in the Northlands. Her indomitable spirit is inspirational.”
Mason frowned but gave me a sideways glance. “What do
es indomitable mean?”
“Unbeatable. Haven’t you noticed how Raven doesn’t take no for an answer and doesn’t need pep talks. She’s got a core of strength that she pulls from, one that’s bigger than any others I’ve ever seen.”
“I’m strong too and I can take Raven in a fight any day.”
Magni chuckled next to me. “Yeah, you are strong, Mason, but there are different kinds of strength.”
“Is that why you got that stupid tattoo on your arm? I liked the bear better.”
Magni grabbed his son by his neck, and gestured for Mila and Laura to bypass us. “I’ve told you what this tattoo represents.”
Only sounds of annoyance came from Mason.
“I like your dad’s tattoo,” I said in support.
“It’s a joke.” Mason didn’t have the courage to look Magni in the eye when he said it.
“You know what’s a fucking joke?” Magni’s tone had turned sharp. “A disrespectful teenage boy thinking he has figured out life. I had a roaring bear on my forearm when I thought being strong was about being lethal, but I had no idea what real strength was, and neither do you.”
“Let me go.” Mason broke free from his father’s hold and jogged off to get away from us.
“I remember being thirteen and moody,” I said to lighten up the mood as Magni and I began walking again.
Magni snorted. “The worst part about being a parent is recognizing your worst sides in your kid. Mason is so much like me at that age.”
“Then chances are he’ll turn out fine.”
“Don’t say that. I’ve done a shitload of stupid stuff out of pride and a sense of immortality. I don’t want him to end up like me.”
“Why not? I mean, you’re still crude and loud, but the accident gave you a sense of humility that wasn’t there when I first met you.”
Magni groaned. “Nothing will humble a man as much as coming face to face with his own mortality. Accepting help from people around me was the hardest thing I ever had to do.”
“Huh. I would have thought flying again would be the worst part.”
Magni shrugged. “I’m a soldier.”
“And?”
“Fear is our constant companion. We Nmen learn early on that cowering in the face of danger is far worse for your soul than killing with a pure heart. Fear will destroy a person completely.”