“Let’s dance,” Brynna blurted, bringing Travis out of his musings. “Come on. The ballroom is wired for sound, and I need to work off that delicious meal. You, too, Marcie. You can clean up later.”
Urijah clapped his hands. “Great idea. I’m going to call my parents so they can join us.”
“Where’s Lawrence?” Brynna asked Marcie. “He needs to be here too.” Jealousy hit Travis. Brynna had bragged on Marcie’s brother several times regarding his artwork. She had also said the siblings were like family, so he tried not to be too jealous.
“He drove up to Bergen to drop off a painting. He should be back any time now.” Marcie began gathering dishes even though Brynna told her to wait, so Travis stood to help. He wasn’t a good dancer, but he would happily watch Brynna.
Brynna pulled out her phone. “I’ll call him and have him stop off at the liquor store. I’m in the mood for some of those rum drinks he made after the coronation.” Travis swore to himself he would learn to make Brynna’s favorite drinks. She had learned to make his favorite dishes, so it was the right thing to do. It had nothing to do with Lawrence.
Yeah, right.
Freyda helped Marcie put away the few leftovers. “I hope ya save me a dance, Travis.” Freyda winked at him, and he grinned at the female. He didn’t know how old Freyda was. Since she was a Goyle, she didn’t appear much older than Brynna, but he knew from hearing stories of her and Gautum she had to be close to nine hundred, if not older. That was still taking some getting used to. Brynna was closing in on eight hundred herself. Talk about a cougar. Travis laughed to himself at his joke, and Freyda poked him in the ribs. “Are ya laughing at me, gutt?” Her eyes were smiling, so whatever “get” meant, he doubted it was an insult.
Brynna strolled up to Freyda and hip-checked her older friend. “I can assure you he’s not a boy.”
“Oh? Do tell!” The females giggled, and Travis turned his back on them, looking for help from one of the males.
“Come on, sønn. Let’s go have a drink,” Gautum said, grinning as he clapped Travis on the shoulder and directed him to the ballroom. Travis gladly went with the male. He was out of his element, but the older Goyle took pity on him and poured him a glass of Scotch. Travis wasn’t a big drinker considering his health, but if he was going to get through the next few months in close proximity to Brynna, he might take the chance.
Banyan started the music, and soon, the ballroom was alive with all of them dancing. Travis tried to remain on the sidelines, but Brynna pulled him into the fray, so he went with it. Travis wasn’t a good dancer to say the least, but neither were the others. Not the way they were all just wiggling their hips and pumping their arms overhead, having a good time. After a few songs, Urijah’s parents showed up with Lawrence, all of them carrying bags of liquor and mixers.
They stopped dancing long enough to make introductions. Lawrence shook Travis’s hand before he got behind the bar and mixed several concoctions that Travis had to admit were delicious and much more to his liking than straight Scotch. Travis knew better than to drink more than a few since he was a lightweight, but for once, he let himself indulge.
When a slow song came on, it was as though a switch had been flipped. All the couples set their drinks down and paired up, holding each other close as they moved to the music. Lawrence danced with his sister, and Brynna grabbed Travis and led him onto the dance floor. She took Travis’s hands and placed them on her hips, then wrapped her arms around his neck. God, she smelled so good, and swaying together was going to be problematic if she decided to close the distance.
“I’m so glad you’re here with me,” Brynna said.
“Me too. Norway is stunning. I can see why Banyan and Urijah would want to build a house here. Even if Banyan weren’t King, I bet he’d still want to live here.”
“Yes, Norway is wonderful, but I was talking about you. You’ve come to mean a great deal to me over these past weeks. I appreciate you indulging me in my shopping trips and basic craziness.”
Travis swallowed hard. He figured Brynna only spent time with him because she didn’t really know anyone else, and her brother and his mate were always busy with the armory. “I like hanging out with you and your brand of crazy. Before I met you, my life was rather boring.”
“Yeah, that’s good old Brynna. The life of the party.” Something in Brynna’s voice was off, and Travis pulled back to look at her.
“That’s not what I meant. You’re such an amazing female, and anyone would be lucky to spend their time with you.”
“You think I’m amazing?” Her voice was wistful.
“Of course.” Travis cleared his throat. “You’re a real-life princess, but you don’t act like it. I mean, look at where you live. Most women would probably be ecstatic about having somewhere like this to call home, yet you find it ostentatious. You’re open and honest. You have a great business sense. And look at all the adventures you’ve had over the years. I mean, come on. Who else can say they were taught to shoot by Annie Oakley? You rode in an all-female motorcycle club. You can wield a sword with the best of the males I know. I bet you’d have been a kick-ass shieldmaiden.”
“I’d have certainly made the clothing look good,” Brynna joked, but there was no smile to go with it. She laid her head on his shoulder. This was a side of her he’d never seen. Insecure and a little sad. Travis pulled her closer since his hard-on had deflated with her mood.
“Seriously, Bryn. You’re a remarkable female. One of these days you’re going to meet your mate, and he’s going to be the luckiest male on the planet.” Travis kissed her forehead, doing his best to lighten her mood. He held her tight, swaying to the music while the other couples did the same. Banyan and Uri were lost in each other’s eyes, and their parents were just as focused on their own partner. Travis wanted that. He wanted the connection that would last through the ages.
When the song finished, Brynna stepped back. “Let’s go for a walk.” When Travis agreed, Brynna laced their fingers and led him out of the ballroom through a set of double glass doors. The night air was refreshing, and the sky was full of stars. Like he’d told her, Norway was spectacular. The stone pathway leading from the house was dotted with lanterns hung from metal shepherd’s hooks. Travis could imagine the original oil lamps being filled then lit by the help years ago. Each lantern came to life as they strolled past. About twenty yards away from the steps, the path split off, forming a circle around a large fountain lit from within, giving the trickling water a golden hue.
The walkway continued on the far side of the circle, and Brynna stopped when they came to a stone bench, tugging Travis down to sit by her. “Did you mean it?”
Travis thought back to what they’d been talking about. “Yes. Your mate is going to be the luckiest male, because you’re the most incredible female I’ve ever known.” Travis’s heart would break when that happened because somewhere along the line, he’d fallen for Brynna. How could he not?
“There’s something I need to tell you. Travis, you’re—”
A mournful cry rent the air, and they both jumped from the bench. “What the hell is that?” he muttered, pushing Brynna behind him.