The next several hours became chaos.
Absolute chaos.
My family descended upon Erik’s estate like a small celestial army armed with wine, blessings, ceremonial gifts, and invasive questions.
Ivan came, grinning like he already knew what had transpired..
Even my mother came.
That alone nearly made me nervous.
Astrid Blau terrified entire political councils without effort.
But when she looked at me tonight—truly looked—her silver eyes softened instantly.
“My son,” she whispered.
Emotion caught unexpectedly in my throat as she cupped my face gently between elegant, gloved hands.
“You found your moon.”
The old Asgardian phrase nearly undid me.
Because yes.
That was exactly what Amrin felt like.
The moon after endless darkness.
Hope after years of emotional winter.
My mother kissed my forehead softly before pressing something cool into my palm.
A folded square of shimmering midnight fabric.
“The night sky over Asgard,” she explained quietly. “Woven during the last blue moon. Give this to your mate.”
I stared down at the impossible fabric.
Stars glittered faintly within the threads.
Magic pulsed softly beneath my fingertips.
Emotion swelled hard enough to become painful.
“Thank you,” I said roughly.
My mother smiled knowingly.
“She must be extraordinary if she convinced you to stop brooding long enough to fall in love.”
Erik barked out a loud laugh somewhere behind us.
Traitor.
The rest blurred after that.
Blessings.
