Page 9 of Agnarr's Jarlin
At this, they all looked at me, clearly waiting for my explanation. I stood slowly, turning my back to them and raising my tunic up over my shoulders. I heard a collective gasp as they saw my mating marks. I stood for a second, before lowering my tunic and sitting back down.
“Yes, it is true. Humans can be Elska mates with orkin,” I said. “I didn’t go out looking for a mate, but he happened to be in my path on my way to collect the baldrian herbs I needed. He’s actually waiting outside right now, should I need anything.”
I grinned at the women, thinking of Agnarr waiting for me patiently.
“Have you made any plans with Tora and Astrid in my absence?” I asked.
“We need a permanent place to stay. We know we are displacing some of the male Orkin,” Gemma responded. “There was discussion about building the human women a row of rooms to stay in as we become accustomed to Fýrifírar.”
“And how do you all feel about that option?” I asked.
“I think it would be best for us not to be living in someone else’s home,” Ellie said quietly. “I know that it will be quite some time before any of us are ready to take on mates—if ever. I’ve never considered a permanent relationship.”
I gathered the information, thinking on my feet, “Okay, so what would be most important to everyone right now would be a place to stay that doesn’t displace anyone else?” I asked.
Eleven heads nodded, so I had an answer. However, I had yet to tell them of what came next for me.
“Has Astrid mentioned that she intends to step down?” I asked hesitantly.
All of the women looked surprised, so that was a definiteno.Shit. Did I want to explain now or later? I decided to lead with honesty.
“Astrid wants to step down as jarlin. She has chosen Agnarr as the next in line for her title. This will make Agnarr and I jarl and jarlin of the tribe. I don’t know how quickly she intends to move, but I know she’s been waiting for Agnarr to take a mate for some time,” I explained.
“So you would be the new leader?” Billie squealed, hands over her mouth.
“Well, along with Agnarr, yes. I would be the jarlin and he would be the jarl.”
Billie jumped up and hugged me at this, taking me by surprise.
“We will have someone to represent the human women! This is perfect!” Billie exclaimed.
I was surprised to see a lot of heads nodding around the group.
“Would you...” I hesitate. “Would you like to meet Agnarr?”
Eleven heads nodded and I had my answer. I guess it was time to introduce my man to the human women.
CHAPTER4
PIPER
Agnarr stepped inside, his hulking frame clearly much larger than any of the women present. In the presence of so many human women, he looked soalien. He approached me and grasped my hand, immediately steadying my whirling thoughts.
“So. Ladies, this is Agnarr,” I said, smiling up at him but feeling my stomach clench with nerves. This was the first male orkin these ladies were meeting.
Agnarr smiled at me, squeezing my hand. I was nervous. I wanted to remember everything the other women had told me. They all stared at Agnarr, some in obvious appreciation of his appearance, some in concern. There was a moment of awkward silence as everyone adjusted to his presence. I shifted uncomfortably.
Finally, Billie broke the ice.“How did you know you were Elska mates?” she asked.
“I felt it before we saw the marks, but she didn’t believe me,” Agnarr said, giving me a smirk. “I had never felt a draw to someone the way I felt to Piper. I would be with her even if our marks hadn’t appeared.”
“What if we don’t want a mate?” Lucy asked, timidly.
“You don’t have to accept the bond,” I explained. “If you choose not to accept it, your marks will fade over time, but you will not get another Elska mate.”
Lucy looked mildly relieved, as did a lot of the other women.
“So even if we are fated, we don’t have to accept the bond?” Zoey asked.