Page 46 of Steve's Barmaid
I groaned. “Couldeveryonesmell us?”
“Orkin can smell sex. Can’t you smell it?” Reykr looked confused.
“I can smell Billie, and I can smell when she’s…er… interested in me, but don’t know that I can smell when other orkin or people smell of sex,” I tried to explain what I was smelling because there was clearly a difference between smelling Billie and smelling of sex.
“You can smell when Billie is turned on?” He arched a single brow at me.
“Yes? I mean, she smells more strongly of Billie.” I tried to explain, but I felt I was failing.
“Interesting,” was all Reykr said. “So what is this going to be? Are you taking each other as mates? I am guessing you haven’t discovered you are Elskas?”
“No, we talked about that. We don’t know if we are even capable of being Elskas,” I didn’t really want to have this whole conversation with Reykr, but now that he knew, I couldn’t see a way of getting out of it.
“So, are you chosen mates?” He followed up.
“We’re… dating.” I cringed as I said this because I knew Reykr would have no idea what I was talking about.
“And what isdating?” he asked, incredulous.
“We are going to continue to spend time together and get to know each other and then decide at the end of the season if we are ready to make a permanent commitment,” I explained.
I knew the next question Reykr would ask before he opened his mouth.
“So if you decide to be chosen mates, one of you will have to move to the other’s tribe?” he asked.
“Yes. But I have already decided. If she’ll have me, I am staying. I already feel more at home here than I ever did at Snaerfírar. And it isn’t just because of Billie. This tribe feels so much more welcoming and interested in each other’s well-being. Their sense of community is stronger. And, I like it here more.” I wasn’t able to look Reykr in the eye at the end.
“Well, I can’t say that I am surprised,” he said. “But I think you should continue to think about it and see what happens with Billie before you decide. I won’t tell anyone. You know I barely like talking to Tyr, and Berit anyway,”
I let out a sigh of relief as I gathered my belongings and headed to the shower. “Thank you for listening and for keeping this to yourself,” I said to Reykr as I left.
“I won’t tell a soul. But you’ll have to get better at lying. And showering,” he replied with a mocking expression.
I just rolled my eyes as I headed out the door.
The next morning, I had breakfast with everyone to avoid further suspicion. Billie was also at our usual table, but she sat at the far end with Joey and Osif and seemed to be deep in conversation about mead. I ate quietly, again grateful for the breakfast options outside of gautr that Snaerfírar had. Today was flaky pastries with some cream and jam in the middle. I devoured them with vigor, considering my time spent with Billie had led to some skipped meals in the last few days. It wasn’t very long before everyone at our table stood, and we headed toward the bar together. I hung back a bit, pretending to tidy up the plates, hoping that Billie would notice and stay. I looked up from the stack of plates I was creating and was grateful to find it was only the two of us left.
“Hey,” I said, trying to sound casual.
“Hey, yourself.” She grinned.
“Want to walk with me to the bar?” I asked.
“Obviously.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Was this what it was going to be like being with Billie? Me just constantly grinning like an idiot? We left the longhouse, walking close to each other but not too close.
“So, how was the rest of your night?” I asked, wishing I could have spent it with her.
“Oh, you know, the usual shower, interrogation by Joey, etcetera.”
“Ah, it sounds like we had very similar nights. Reykr had many questions. He knows, by the way.”
I wasn’t sure how she’d respond to Reykr being in the know, but I didn’t want to lie to her about it.
“How much does Reykr know?” she asked, brow raised.
I coughed uncomfortably. “I didn’t give himthosekinds of details. He knows we’re dating. And I explained what dating is.”
