Soul of Furies (Book Three)

Chapter 26: Forever

Hiccup announces that I'm safe to those who missed my return rather swiftly. I've never been hugged and thumped on the back so much in my life, so much so that I feel as though I'm going to lose my mind if I don't relax soon.

Thankfully, I'm able to retreat and take a much needed nap back at my house. When I wake up, I join my family and friends around a fire and explain everything about my strange encounter with Vár and my quest. They listen with amazement, especially Destin, Runa, Astrior, and Loki. The Night Furies rest in a small cluster near us, snoozing away happily.

"And...in the end, Vár sent me home," I finish.

The four children gasp and start clapping wildly.

"You know, if it weren't for me witnessing Valhalla giving you a second chance at life, I'd think you just ate some bad berries," Snotlout admits, poking at the fire with a stick.

"That sounded crazy," Ruffnut says. "Other Eret really died saving your life?"

I nod. "He did, but only because I proved my story."

Ilia glances sideways at her husband and squeezes his hand gently. "That's very heroic of you, even if it wasn't exactly you."

Eret shrugs, smirking a bit as he rubs the back of his neck. Loki yawns, rubbing his eyes as he smacks his lips together. That, of course, sets off a series of yawns from the other four children.

Valka stands up, ruffling her granddaughter's hair as her aged face softens with a genuine smile. "I think we've all had a long week," she says. "How about going to get some rest?"

"Agreed," Fishlegs says, getting to his feet. He glances at Ilia and points. "Don't forget, Seaworth has a checkup tomorrow."

Ilia smiles. "I won't."

Everyone starts to get up, but I don't. I clear my throat, feeling a surge of nervousness building in my gut.

"Wait, everyone," I say, making them stop. I look up at Valka. "Mom, could you start walking the kids home? There's something that I have to tell the adults."

She agrees without hesitation, urging each of the four children to their feet before turning and walking away. Dark Moon and Emerald perk up and dash after them, making me smile just a bit. My friends sit back down, the firelight accenting the curiosity in their eyes.

"My quest was given to me as a chance to change my deal," I say, reiterating what I told them before. They nod, remaining silent and watchful. "I didn't want to say how long around the children. I have until the anniversary of Alrek's death when I'm fifty-five years old."

Hiccup's face falls. Astrid's eyes seem to darken with worry. The twins share a fleeting glance. Snotlout looks away as Fishlegs lets out a tiny gasp. Ilia lifts a hand to her mouth as Eret's jaw clenches.

"I'm sorry," I say. "I never should have made that deal ten years ago."

"No," Hiccup utters, resting his hand over mine. "Without you, Destin and Runa wouldn't exist. I'm thankful for their lives every day." He meets my eyes, a tiny smile on his lips. "If we've got twenty-two more years to be with you, then let's be glad for that."

"Hear hear, Hiccup, my man," Snotlout agrees. He gets to his feet, helping Ruffnut up. "While I'd love to stay, my princess needs her sleep."

Ruffnut rolls her eyes a little and exhales, making her lips flutter. Snotlout smiles at her and pecks her cheek before wishing us goodnight and heading off. Before long, the others are also wishing us goodnight and hurrying off to retrieve their children and return to their own homes.

I stand up at the same time that Hiccup does. He gazes down at me, but I find that I can't read his emotions in the dying firelight.

"Do you mean that?" I ask.

He laughs softly. "Of course. I'd rather have you now then have lost you all those years ago." He takes my hand, its warmth making me feel safe. "I'm sorry about everything I said during that fight. I was..."

"I'm sorry too," I say. "I shouldn't have kept something like that from you." I give him a hopeful smile. "Forgive me?"

He leans down and leaves a gentle kiss on my lips. "I do."

We start for home, our Night Furies waking as soon as our footsteps sound on the cool grass. Nightstar and Toothless wander along next to one another, bumping shoulders and tails every now and then. Slayer and Stardust roll around together, playing in the path ahead of us. Stardust looks like a patch of clean snow in the torchlit surroundings, her brother's glowing eyes following her goofy movements.

We take our time. Hiccup holds my hand, our arms swinging between us and the chirping of crickets creating a peaceful ambience all around us. By the time we reach home, Valka is already standing on the front steps with Cloudjumper at her side. She gives us a teasing smile and taps her wrist, as if scolding us for taking so long. After a brief "goodnight", she heads for home and we go inside.

I head for Destin's room while Hiccup goes to check on Runa. My son is already fast asleep, Emerald curled up next to his bed. Dark Moon is situated near the window, the moonlight casting shadows on his dark scales.

Destin snorts a little on his sleep, his hands grabbing at the fur blanket covering him. I kiss his forehead, smoothing his hair as my lips twitch into a half smile. Hiccup comes in to say goodnight to him while I go and do the same for Runa. She too is snoozing soundly, my old sheep cuddled against her chest. I gently run my hand over her head, loving how peaceful she looks.

"Never grow up, darling," I murmur, wishing she would stay this young and innocent forever.

I get up and head out to the living room, where Hiccup and the dragons already are. We bid our dragons goodnight as Nightstar and Toothles herd their two remaining children off to Runa's room. Toothless and Nightstar shamble off to their special "Night Fury quarters" as soon as the twins have settled in.

Finally back inside Hiccup and my room, I fall back on the bed and exhale heavily. Hiccup begins his nighttime routine, taking off his armour and stretching after he does so. I force myself back up, pulling off my armour and trying to massage the aches out of my arms and legs.

A short time later, I'm wearing my preferred sleeping clothes, as is Hiccup. I flop back down onto the bed, shutting my eyes and exhaling heavily. I feel the bed shift as Hiccup climbs on, and it isn't long before his arms snake around my waist and pull me against his bare chest. His lips caress my neck, making my eyes flutter shut.

"Thora?" he murmurs.

"Mmhmm?" I mumble, feeling just about ready to fall asleep.

He takes a deep breath, his hands brushing against my stomach. "Should the entire village know about your twenty-two years?"

I let out a long breath, rolling onto my back so that he can see my face. "Honestly? Part of me doesn't want them to know."

"But they deserve to know," he counters.

I purse my lips. "Yeah...maybe. Still, I don't want them to treat me differently. It'll be like I'm terminally ill. They'll start acting like I'm so weakened old woman who can't fend for herself. I don't want that," I mumble.

He hugs me closer to his chest, his arm draped across my stomach. He exhales, his eyes closing for a moment. "Okay...how about we talk about this later?"

I nod in agreement. "Besides...I'm still here. You're stuck with me for a little while longer," I tease.

He leans over and kisses my cheek, my eyes falling shut at the movement. His hand tightens around my waist for a fraction of a second, a look of longing flickering across his face.

"I just wish it was forever," he admits.

My head rolls to the side so that I'm looking into his eyes. "Sorry, Hiccup, but good things never last forever."