Double Fury (Book Two)

Chapter 2: Who Wants a Party?

Thora's POV

"You want to what?"

Hiccup takes another deep breath, fidgeting in place as he looks away from me. "I...want you to marry me."

I stare at him, completely stunned. This is completely out of the blue. There is absolutely nothing that could've prepared me for this. We aren't even a couple, much less do we have feelings for each other strong enough to invoke marriage. Maybe he drank some bad ale.

"I'm...just..." I swallow, trying to get myself to speak. "Okay, did Snotlout spike your ale this morning?"

Hiccup's shoulders rise and fall sharply as he takes in another breath. "No, I'm serious. I-"

"Marriage?!" I exclaim, causing him to jump. "Where in Odin's name did this come from, Hiccup?"

He gazes at me, his deep green eyes swimming with some emotion that I can't place. He purses his lips as he adjusts one of the straps on his chest.

"Look, I know it's sudden-"

"Tell me about it."

He shoots me a quick glare, silencing me. "My mom has been pressuring me to pick a bride. The people want an heir. They want to see what the great Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third will produce as the next great leader." He shuts his eyes as I continue to watch him. He sounds stressed, saddened, as though the idea is just too much even for him to truly wrap his head around.

I swallow again, combing my fingers through my loose curls. "So, you want to marry me just so people will get off your back?" I clarify, a sick feeling twisting my gut. I don't want to be used, like I'm just some walking baby maker.

He opens his eyes, stepping closer to me as a sort of urgency builds in his gaze. "No, it's...I want..." He stops, his cheeks turning pinker. "I really do...like you, Thora, and I know you don't have those same feelings for me above friendship, but..."

He stops yet again, snapping his fingers as he tries to think up the right words. My stony expression softens, but only a bit. I do like Hiccup. He's pretty much my best friend here in Berk, seeing as I feel like he's one of the few people who understands what it's like to be a recluse like myself.

He's asking me to do what I did three years ago; do something for the good of others instead of myself. Berk needs their chieftain to have an heir, and me being married to Hiccup would make the whole Nightstar and Toothless thing a whole lot easier.

I let out a long sigh, running my fingers through my bangs again. "Okay...fine..."

Hiccup's eyes widen. "Wait...really?"

"I'll marry you," I repeat, although the words make my stomach want to twist into multiple knots. It's not because the idea of marrying Hiccup is scaring me, just the idea of marriage in general.

He lets out a long breath. "That's great, uh...thank you."

"Yeah, but please do me a favour and tell the others when I'm not around. I don't want to get mobbed," I mutter, feeling my skin crawl at the idea of being trapped in a throng of people congratulating me.

He steps forwards, taking my hand and lifting it to his mouth, pressing a gentle kiss to the knuckles. My face heats up at the motion, a tiny smile flickering across his face as he bows his head.