Vhalla glared at him as she stood. She never knew a man who could be such an ass while still being so handsome. The moment the bathroom door closed, Vhalla suppressed another fit of giggles.

It was absolutely insane what was happening. It was absolutely insane how happy she was. Vhalla hummed as she ran her hand across the counter. It was a dark black marble, and the spigot was cast in gold. The tub was large enough for four people to sit comfortably, like a small pool carved from stone. There was an adjacent closet filled with more clothing than she knew he carried with him on the journey. The whole room was as opulent as the building itself, and Vhalla couldn’t believe that she had a place here.

There were a few bottles on the counter. She noticed one or two mostly empty clerical elixirs among them. Vhalla mused over which one he used for his hair, smelling a few that had the fresh scent of eucalyptus, as she located the one to cleanse her mouth with. Vhalla washed her face and ran her wet hands through her hair. It stayed back slightly from the dampness and she laughed.

“Look, I’m you.” Vhalla opened the door.

He glanced at her and then returned to his papers. “It looks awful,” he murmured.

“Now, now, don’t be mean to yourself,” she laughed lightly, sitting across from him on the end of the bed. “I think it’s striking on you.” Vhalla ran her fingers through her hair, teasing it back into its normal mess. Aldrik looked over his papers at her and said nothing, though she could have sworn there were the makings of a smile on his face.

“So what will you be doing today?” he asked.

“I’m not sure. I suppose I’ll go back and ... see what everyone else is up to.” Vhalla shrugged.

“Will you return tonight?” Aldrik paused, searching for her reaction.

“Tonight?” She hadn’t thought of it.

“Yes, my parrot.” He grinned at her scowl. “Tonight, will you come back?” Aldrik placed his papers carefully on the pillows she previously occupied. He returned his quill to the inkpot on the bedside table.

“Do you wish it?” Vhalla wanted to hear him say it directly.

“I do.” Aldrik nodded.

“Then I will.”

“Do you wish it?” he returned the question.

“Of course I do.” Aldrik seemed relieved by her response. “Being near you is—”

There was a pounding on the door; they both looked out to the other room. Vhalla turned back to him, a deep scowl written across Aldrik’s features.

“Brother?” a voice boomed from the hallway. “Are you awake?”

“Stay here,” he said softly to her.

Vhalla nodded silently.