Page 76 of Royal Reluctance

Odin chuckles as we touch blades before backing away. “That’s got to be fun for you.”

“Yeah.”

Odin feints left and skips back as I take a swing. It’s been a while since I’ve wielded a sword, and it feels clumsy in my hand. He parries my second thrust and then swings for my throat. I manage to block just in time.

“So how do you really feel about Hettie being back?” he asks over the clashing of metal. The blades may be for training—without a point and with dull edges—but they’re real steel and heavier than they look.

“I’ve agreed to talk to this doctor, not you.”

Odin blocks my reckless swing with a grin. “You can practice with me. It’ll do you good.”

“Always such a know-it-all,” I grumble.

“Always. So? Happy? Sad?” He punctuates each word with a swing, forcing me back a step.

I give myself a shake. I used to be pretty good at swordplay, but Odin has continued to work at this, and it shows. “Confused. It’s complicated.”

“Must be, especially when you’re not talking about why she left in the first place.”

I miss my block and Odin’s sword brushes against my bicep. “Gotcha.”

“Once. And you’re distracting me. Go again.”

“Why did she leave?”

“Is this your way to find out stuff? Maybeyoushould work on your diplomacy.”

Odin laughs and feints left again before coming at me with a forward thrust so strong that I almost end up on my butt on the floor.

“I got a second chance with Camille, remember?” Odin pauses to let me find my balance again. “I’m rooting for you.”

“Glad someone is.”

We spar for a while. Odin has a better technique but I have strength on my side, so I like to think we might be evenly matched. Until Odin calls it and throws me a towel. I’m dripping with perspiration whereas my big brother doesn’t seem to have broken a sweat.

“Good match. You need a little practice to get back to where you were,” he points out with a grin.

“It’s not fair when you try to talk to me,” I grumble.

“I did want to ask you about Tema. Don’t get all uptight,” he warns when I start to bristle. “It’s just…” I wait until he collects his thoughts. “You’re afather.”

“Yeah,” I say in a heavy voice.

“That’s… wow. You’re the first of us. Camille and I are talking, but she wants to wait a year or so. And Kalle—”

“My money is on Edie being pregnant within the year.”

“Has he said something?”

“No, but I can tell. He’s not going to waste any time.”

Odin hefts his sword to rest it on his shoulder. “You really didn’t know that Hettie was pregnant?” he demands.

“I had no clue.”

“I have to ask because you seem to have jumped into the idea with both feet. I think it would have taken me some time to process. Not to mention get used to the idea. It took me long enough to find my footing when I saw Camille again.”

My brother’s second chance worked out for him. Am I an idiot to think it might for me as well?

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