ELSKER: THE ELSKER SAGA *complete*

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Chapter Sixteen

THE NEXT DAY, ULL was in a considerably lighter mood. “Sweetheart,” he kissed my head over breakfast, “We will put up a good fight come Ragnarok. But I do not want to think about it anymore. I just want to enjoy our time in the country while we have it.”

“Really? Just like that? Aren’t you still upset?” I certainly wouldn’t have been able to shut off my worry switch.

“I am fine, darling. Let us not talk about it again.”

“Fair enough. What do you want to talk about?”

Ull raised an eyebrow. “How about our wedding?”

“Right. Um, who exactly is coming from your side?”

“Probably just my parents and grandfather. Odin does not like to have too many of us away from Asgard at once.”

Now it was my turn to worry. First, I was beyond nervous about meeting Ull’s parents. Ull’s mom had golden hair – not hair the color of gold, but hair actually made of gold. And Thor was, well, a big deal. The most influential person I’d ever spent time with was the Mayor of Nehalem, and he had to be nice to me because he was Ardis’ uncle. The rulers of the celestial realm didn’t have that obligation.

“Do you think they’ll like me? I can’t be what they imagined for a daughter-in-law.”

“Of course they will like you. Why would you ask?”

“Just wondering.” Wondering if they’ll like me enough to make me a god. Wondering if I’ll be any good at being divine. Wondering what it’ll feel like to be changed. That’s all.

“Darling, you have nothing to worry about on that front.” Yeah, right.

I put my worries aside on Christmas morning. When I woke up, I pulled open the curtains to find a thick dusting of snow outside. It coated the grounds in a fresh powder, making the entire countryside look new. I threw my gray ballet sweater on top of the blue pajama pants and tank top I’d worn to bed. The sweater was as close as I would ever get to the graceful dance. I padded in blue, fuzzy slippers toward the smell of apple pastries.

Ull was taking Olaug’s tarts out of the oven. I snuck up behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist. He turned with a huge smile and bent to kiss me, his lips hot on mine. Breathing evaded me as my fingers curled into fists against the muscles of his back. He lifted me, drawing me even closer. My need for air won out, and I pulled back gasping.

“Am I ever going to get used to this?”

“I hope not.” He smiled. “Happy Christmas, darling.”

“Mmm…” I snuggled closer, still in his arms. “It is happy.” I breathed in his deliciously woodsy scent and tilted my head up. Ull’s chiseled jaw was calling to me, and I stretched on my tiptoes to kiss it.

“I have a gift for you.” He untangled himself and reached for a small wrapped box on the counter.

“You mean the diamond engagement ring wasn’t my Christmas present?”

Ull laughed, the jovial laugh I loved best. “No, love.” He handed me a cup of tea and pointed to the living room. Overnight, he’d transformed it into a pacific-northwestern paradise. Real evergreen garlands hung across the mantel and above the French doors. A six-foot tree stood in the corner, decorated with white lights and red, felt ornaments. Each side of the French doors hosted an evergreen wreath and a fire burned in the fireplace, filling the small space with its warmth.

“Do you like it?” Ull squeezed my hand.

“It’s perfect. It smells like home.” It did. The evergreens took me thousands of miles back to the forests of Oregon, and the aroma coming from the oven reminded me of the apple pies Mormor used to bake with our Christmas supper.