We laid together after, in each other's arms, bundled under the warm furs. I was on his chest, fingers running over his amazing tattoos. He was dozing off occasionally, his breath growing heavier.

He inhaled sharply and opened his eyes, looking down at me.

"I had the most wonderful dream," he murmured, sleep gruffing up his voice.

"What about?" I asked and pulled myself up on my elbow.

He brushed a lock of my hair behind my ear and smiled. "Of when we were in Dania. In that little hut. That was the first time I felt true happiness."

I couldn't help but smile. "Really?"

"Yes. You must understand. My people were not accepting of my love. The love I bear for men. It is not allowed. But you... You loved me without caution from the day you took me on the pyre."

I had loved him before that even. My love had only flourished for him in the hut and now here too. I could never not love this man.

"As you love me now," I said and bent down, kissing him. He guided me on back my back, so he could lie on my chest this time. He snuggled close, slinging on slender leg over mine. I grabbed the inside of his knee, bringing his leg further up. I kept my hand on his leg, as the other massaged his scalp.

"Xipe, my love," he whispered and kissed me on the chin. "Your love alone could keep me alive."

"I think we've proved that to not be the case," I chuckled a little nervously.

"Oh don't spoil it," he laughed and poked me in the gut. I laughed and caught his hand in mine, bringing his fingers to my mouth.

"Always the jester," I chuckled and kissed his hand.

"It's not a jest. I am as serious as the winter frost," he laughed.

I looped my arm around him and pulled him on top of me. "Are you now?" I murmured and cupped his cheek with my hand. "I don't like you serious. Smile for me, lover."
And he did.

Years passed fast with Frej. Zitzi and Ton came and went as they pleased. It became more so that my sister would stay, and after a while she didn't leave anymore. She found brotherly love from Frej and they spent many hours together.

Frej's powers grew and he grew more and more competent with the different wards I had taught him. He was now in charge of keeping our home safe and I loved watching him work.

He had a bowl of his own blood in one hand, a paint brush in the other when he was making a new ward on the front door.

"Beskyt os. Lad ingen med ond vilje krydse vores tærskel."

Protect us. Let no one with ill intentions cross this threshold. His eyes were closed as he sprinkled blood on the dark wooden door. 

"Og beskyt os mod Xipe som smuglytter."

And protect us from Xipe eavesdropping. I snorted and came into the hall. My husband glanced at me over his shoulder and smiled.

"Why do you always do this? You have seen me painting these wards for years, my love."

I slowly walked up to him and circled my arms around him from behind. He kept murmuring in Danish, as he splattered the blood on the symbol he had painted.

It was important to speak only in the tongue your mother had spoken to you when you were performing spells like this. It made it stronger.

And I enjoyed listening to Frej. We had always spoken in his language as he didn't know mine, but hearing him perform the spells I had taught him was... Spell-binding.

I had started teaching him different languages years ago, but we still only spoke Danish with each other. We were creatures of both the night and habit, it seemed.

I rested my chin on his shoulder and sighed deeply as he started humming a song from his home country. A song that went out to his gods, to ask for protection. This was my favourite part of the ritual. He had the most lovely and deep voice.

He ran his fingers over my arm as he kept humming, occasionally murmuring the words. The song ended too soon and he turned his head, kissing me on the temple.

"We are protected once more."

"What would we do without you?" I asked, making my husband chuckle softly.

"You would surely wither and die without me. Your enemies would overrun the estate. It's lucky you have me."

"Indeed," I murmured and let go of him so he could turn around and drape his arms around my neck.

"So you agree? I am the sole reason you're safe?" he asked with a snicker.

"Of course. What would I ever do without you? My life was bleak and colourless before you, lover. I was nothing and now I have everything." I bent down in my knees and picked him up, wrapping his legs around my hips. He laughed and held onto me, as if he was afraid I'd drop him. He was so slender and light, I didn't have to put much effort into lifting him.

"And now, my husband, I am taking you to our chambers where I will make love to you until you beg me to stop."

"I will never beg. You know that," he murmured and kissed me as I started walking towards the stairs.

"Oh you will beg for something tonight," I promised and squeezed his buttock.

"There has been talk in the community..." Zitzi said hesitantly. "Your absence has been noticed."

I rolled my eyes. I had been slacking off on the gatherings in the past years. Frej never felt comfortable at them and I didn't want to put him through unnecessary stress. After what had happened with Atla, I wasn't exactly keen on bringing him anywhere either. Or be with the other deities. I still had my own gathering around spring but I only invited my true friends. Mitra, Itzpa and a few others.

I had grown secluded and I had a hard time caring. I had Frej. I didn't need anyone else.

Frej looked up from the book he was reading and frowned. "Why do they care?"

"Ouch, lover. Because I'm terribly important," I mused and coaxed a snort out of my husband.

"Maybe they should grow used to not seeing you. I take up far too much time for you to have time for their stupid gatherings," he laughed and winked at me.

"Oh yes. Tell them that, Zitzi. I have my hands full with my marriage."

Zitzi didn't look amused. She crossed her arms across her chest. "You know, Ton has finally been asked the raise someone."

"Uh huh."

"Who's to say he won't take your spot with Death?"

I looked up from my sketchbook and met my sister's gaze. "I do not have the right to question Death's decisions. If she deems Ton appropriate as her main deity, then he's welcome to the job. I'd be honoured to let him have it too."

"You speak on her behalf, Tec. You're her favourite. She would never choose anyone else unless she was forced. Like if you started slacking off on your duties to her."

"If she's unhappy with me, I'm sure she would tell me," I replied courtly.

Death hadn't spoken to me since I had taken Frej. She had never left me alone for this many years and it was grinding on my nerves. Her silence was killing me very slowly and I was terrified she would take her anger at me out on Frej. He was an innocent bystander to whatever was going on between Death and I.

Zitzi remained quiet but her eyes were screaming at me to do something. I could almost hear her scorn through the looks she was sending me.

"Come Frej," I said and rose to my feet, wanting to escape the weight of her gaze. Frej didn't question me, but obediently followed. In the hall to our bedroom, I pushed him up against the wall and kissed him. He moaned into my mouth and this was exactly what I needed. I needed to forget there was anything but this right here. His warm body pressing against mine, the blood flowing in his veins, begging me to drink it.

I pulled away and pushed him inside the bedroom and down on the bed, kicking the door shut with my foot. I loved Frej for not asking me what was wrong. I loved him for just kissing me back, letting me undress him. I loved him for running his hands over my body as I let loose, feeding on him and burying myself deep inside of him.

I loved him most of all for letting me use him like this. It wasn't fair to him, but he just somehow always knew when I needed this. I wasn't attending to any of his needs, not even kissing him, but he didn't complain.

Then something changed. My mood I think. I started going slower, pushing as much love through my actions as possible. I kissed him and he welcomed my tongue into his mouth, as if he welcomed me home.

"Xipe," he moaned and squirmed under me, as I rolled my hips in circular motions. He dug his nails into my back, making me groan loudly.

I took his hand in mine, placing it next to his head, the one where he bore the ring. I had to show my love and appreciation for him. I had to.

I kissed him again, silencing his amazing sounding moans.

"I love you," I said and repeated it many times over. It was like a chant, following the rhythm of our bodies. I had to make sure he knew.

The door was almost busted down in the halls. I was out there in a second with both Zitzi and Frej on my heels.

A deity was in my door, barely holding on to it. Frej was fast to catch her before she hit the ground. She looked tiredly up at Frej. "Your deity... Where is he..."

"I'm here, Genaya," I said softly, kneeling down besidesher. She smiled up at me, clutching her stomach. She was a deity of good. Of kindness. She had never hurt a fly in her very long life. Who would do something like this her was a mystery to me.

"I was attacked." She coughed, blood spurting out of her mouth.

"The hunters," Zitzi said and softly removed the deity's hand, looking down at the wound. "This has been done with lavender. The poison is in you, Genaya."

She nodded. "Death will treat me well, won't she?"

"I'll make sure, she will," I promised softly.

Frej sniffled, black tears streaming down his face. He didn't know this deity. It wasn't one I had introduced to him before, but he was weeping over her death. He was too pure for this world.

She looked up at him and smiled. "Thank you," she whispered and grabbed his hand. He softly squeezed it.

Genaya closed her eyes and took her last breath. Frej tried to bite down a sob, but was unsuccessful.

"Why did she thank me?" he asked quietly.

"Because you mourned her. That's the sweetest kindness you can do for anyone. Especially for her," Zitzi explained softly and put her hand on Frej's shoulder. "You're a very good person, Frej. Good and kind."

Frej sniffled. "We have to do something with her body. We... We should burn it. Right?"

"Yes," I murmured softly. "Come. We'll build her a magnificent funeral pyre."