The Future King and the Commander's Daughter

Returning A Man Pt. 3

Astrid reasoned, “He’s doing ok. You saw him and he was fine.” She had a point. I asked, “What do I do?” Astrid said, “We keep our families' confidences. You are our future King, you know what to do. You just don’t like it because you want to march up to your dad and demand to know why your cousin is out there instead of here.”

I had to admit she was right. She wrapped her arms around my neck, “Put yourself in his shoes, Bjourn.” I cringed, “No.” Rejecting the thought of losing my brothers and my parents. They didn’t have mates yet, but Benny’s brothers did. She whispered, “Could you be here after all that tragedy? His feelings have to be taken into account too.”

I ground out, “But we are here. We would love him.” She said, “We live for centuries, Bjourn. He just needs time. That’s a massive wound to feel. To feel your connections dim or wake up and find them gone would be as if a piece of your soul was ripped away. He lost them all.” I frowned, “He’d have one with us, faintly but it’s there.” She said, “I know that which means your dad knows he’s alive. Maybe they are letting him grieve.”

I grumbled, “He shouldn’t be doing missions alone though.” She said, “Technically your problem is with him assigning himself the mission. Because you know your dad wouldn’t have put you out there if he was when he’s trying to heal and stay off the radar. Everyone of Benny's age goes on missions alone. Hell, people way younger than him do. You’ll be doing missions alone by eleven if there’s no threat against you.” If there was an active threat, my guard would go.

She reasoned, “He’s been doing this for years.” I made my last argument, “But he’s all alone.” Astrid rubbed my shoulders, “He clearly wants that. He could come home and the realm would celebrate. He knows that. He also knows your dad would let him stay whenever he wanted and keep it quiet. He’s making the choice to stay out there, and we have to respect it.” I could respect it but I sure as hell didn’t like it. I couldn’t imagine my dad did though either. He would’ve wanted Benny at home. Poor Grandpa Ragor. I didn’t have children yet, but having a grandchild who was so hurt they left the realm would cut me.

I told Astrid, “It’s not just that. I need to know threats against our family to protect everyone. I will be King one day, but I’m still the crown Prince. I need to protect my family.” She told me, “You will. You will be a great King and I know you’ll never let anything happen to your brothers. Just like I’ll protect my bonehead brother.” I pulled her into my lap, “You are my family too Astrid. I will always protect you with everything in me.” She leaned down and captured my lips. I leaned into it.

I pulled back, “Te amo stella osculans (I love kissing you, my star).” She giggled, “I can’t believe you waited so long to kiss me.” I replied, “I wanted to kiss you when I returned a man. You have been tempting me for years.” She winked, “You have such a strong stubborn will though.” I threw my head back and laughed. I told her, “I will be King, of course I’m strong willed.” She hugged me all wrapped around me. I never wanted to let her go.

I whispered, “s*x annos et novem menses donec tu meus es (Six years and nine months until you’re mine).” She held me close replying, “Spero ita. Ego semper volui esse tuum (I hope so. I’ve always wanted to be yours).” I told her, “You will be mine. You’ve always been mine. I pray to Aesir for you. I pray every day to be mine every night and I will until you turn sixteen. I have never wanted anything as much as I want you.”

She teased, “And you do get what you want.” I wiggled my eyebrows, “You know that I do.” I took her upstairs to my room. She spent most of her nights with me, but tonight we were here. I held her until she fell asleep in my arms. I felt Marcus nearby and went out to find him.

He asked, “Are you ok?” I told him, “They threatened Astrid.” Marcus’ eyes blazed. He gritted out, “How dare they!” I agreed, “I killed them.” Marcus frowned, “Dad said one got away. He thought someone was different about him, but he didn’t get close enough.” I nodded without saying anything. He snorted, “So you know but aren’t saying.” I winked, “That about sums it up, brother.” He said, “So, I’ll just have to look into the mystery myself.” I laughed, “If anyone can solve it, you will.”

He grumbled, “You are smarter than I am.” I pointed out, “You are on the same trajectory school wise I am. You will be graduating next year and you’ll be in medical school with me after that.” He nodded, “I know.” He wanted to be a doctor too. Drake did not. He was on his own path. I’d fight for all my brothers to do the things we wanted.

Our people often picked careers they enjoyed and could help in missions to gather intel. A doctor could do a lot in the human realm. We could also help develop things here. Drake liked doing things with his hands though. I wasn’t sure what he’d do yet, but I wasn’t sure he was certain either. Some didn’t decide until late anyway. It wasn’t a big deal.

Marcus said, “I don’t know how Astrid slipped us.” I laughed, “She’s stealthy, brother.” He grumbled, “I’m stealthy.” I laughed, “She’s very headstrong and determined. She knew where I was coming back to.” Marcus nodded, “Next time, I’ll anticipate her moves better.” I acknowledged, “I know you will.” We sat there for a minute. I put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. He left my wing to go back to his own.

I slid into bed beside Astrid. I looked up at the ceiling and prayed fervently, “Aesir, I will never ask you for anything ever again as long as Astrid Crawford is mine the day she turns sixteen. I need her to be mine, please. It’s best for everyone since I don’t know anyone who deserves her, but I might kill someone else if they called her theirs.” Honestly, Rhett I was still debating killing.

He made Astrid cry when we were little, and he’d been a prick since. He was someone who didn’t pretend to be my friend. He hated me almost as much as I hated him. Because he wanted Astrid, and Astrid didn’t want him. She insisted they were just friends. I kept telling her that was because she kept it there, he wanted what was mine and he’d better watch himself. Because when it came to Astrid, I was going to kill first and ask questions later. Because not unlike today, I would always protect Astrid. She nuzzled into me and I fell asleep wondering if I’d see Cousin Benny again.

I will again welcome you to Astrid and Bjourn's novella. We will jump around in their ages to important events for them. Learn more about the Hackura and their way of life. We will also learn some things about the Cambridge's Haley herself doesn't know. Benny for example, telling where one of the brother's gets his name ;). We are going to learn about so much and I can't wait to share this journey. F B group is the ribbon novels.