36 Invitation for a Date

Since Luna, Macha, and Tyr returned to Marseille, work had been busy. News of Tyr and Macha saving the king's life spread around the city-state, causing an influx of applicants who wanted to join the Obsidian Dragons. The new surge in applicants meant that they had to review all the people applying.

Tyr assigned Luna to sort through the candidates first. Whoever made it through Luna's initial elimination would be screened by Macha. Tyr gave Macha a list of questions to ask. He wanted her to determine if they were made of decent moral integrity. Tyr did not want people who made poor moral choices to join his guild.

If the applicant passed through the screenings and got the approval of both Luna and Macha, then Tyr would meet with them in person to make the final decision. The interviews took two weeks to complete. Thousands of people applied, but they accepted only 163.

One day, Macha made tea while talking with Tyr about the new recruits. The door to the office opened and two men walked in to scan the room. They nodded and bowed at the door before they left. Freyr entered wearing a black knit turtleneck and dark red pants. Macha gave Freyr a small wave and returned to making the tea.

Tyr stood up and welcomed his cousin. "Freyr, you don't come by very often. What do you need?" His cousin's visit was a nice surprise. Tyr had not seen Freyr since the attack, so it was comforting to see him in good health.

Freyr shook hands with Tyr and sat down in a chair. "I wanted to give you and Macha medals for saving my life," he watched Macha pour the tea into two cups. Freyr liked the eyelet skirt that Macha wore. Since it was winter few women showed their legs. Macha was not affected by the weather because she spent all day in the building. This allowed her to wear a skirt without tights.

Tyr gave a grin and glanced in the direction Freyr was looking. "You don't have to. You're family. It was my sister who tried to kill you anyway." Tyr dismissed this idea with a wave of his hand. He did not want to bother going to a ceremony just to get an award in front of thousands of people. Tyr found awards tiresome and worthless. He knew his actions, and he did not need recognition from others.

Freyr shook his head. "Tyr, I know you do not want to, but it would also help your guild's morale for the upcoming tournament. I heard you lost half of your guild when Fenrir left. I am sure spirits are low because of all the comrades that left." Freyr wanted to give his cousin the award, and he tried to find a different angle to get him to accept it. The population expected Tyr and Macha to receive awards, so it would seem strange if he did not recognize their assistance.

Macha set the teacups gently down on the wooden table. She had been listening to their conversation and asked, "What tournament?" Macha walked back to the refreshment station to make a tray of snacks. Macha bent down to get a few tins from the lower cabinet.

Freyr picked his teacup up and admired Macha while she worked. When she bent down to reach the tins in the lower cabinet his eyes became transfixed on her skirt rising. It rose slowly revealing the creamy skin that led to the swell of her hips. Freyr's eyes widen as he leaned his body to get a better view. The tea spilled out of the cup and landed on his knees. "Ah!" he cried as he stood up.

Tyr had been talking with Freyr, so he saw his cousin staring at Macha. He was aware that the tea spilled because Freyr was distracted. This was a daily problem he himself had been dealing with since Mama Ocllo changed Macha's wardrobe.

Macha heard Freyr cry out in pain. When she looked he was trying to get the hot tea that soaked into his pants fabric away from his skin. Macha rushed over and dotted a towel on his knees. "Are you all right? I'm sorry, I should have warned you it was hot."

Tyr noticed that Freyr had a clear view of Macha's breasts since she knelt down in front of him to clean his pants. Tyr rolled his eyes. This was exactly why he did not want Macha wearing normal clothes in the office. It had not even been a month and an accident occurred because she looked too beautiful. Tyr's face hardened. "He's fine. He was stupid enough to spill his own tea." After saying that, Tyr grabbed the towel from Macha's hand and threw it at Freyr's face. "Clean it up yourself," he ordered while lifting Macha up off her knees.

Freyr dabbed the napkin on his knees. Looking at his pants, he explained, "Every year we hold a tournament for the guilds to compete in. The tournament promotes friendship and friendly rivalry between the different guilds." Freyr looked at Tyr, "Morale would be better if the two of you got awards just before the tournament. How about it?"

Tyr took a sip of tea. He thought Freyr's idea was sound, but he hated those types of ceremonies. "What do you want to do, Macha?" he asked. He decided to leave the choice to her.

Macha came back with a tray of snacks. "If it will help the guild I don't see a problem with it." She placed the macaroons and scones onto the table.

Freyr gave a broad smile and clapped his hands together. "Excellent! I will have someone contact you when I decide on the time and place." Freyr turned his body so he faced Macha. He gave a shy smile and glanced into her eyes, "Macha, I was wondering if you are free tonight. I know you liked the music I played the other day and I wanted to take you to a concert at Montfort Hall." This was the first time Freyr asked a woman on a date. He hoped she understood his intentions.

Tyr did not expect his cousin to ask Macha out on a date in front of him. This was the first time his cousin showed any initiative when it came to love, so Tyr thought Freyr would take things slowly. Tyr crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. He was not dating Macha but felt annoyed that his cousin decided to ask her out during office hours. Tyr was about to kick Freyr out of his office when Macha spoke.

Macha was acutely aware this was an invitation to go on a date. She wanted to go to the concert but did not want to lead Freyr on. Macha was attracted to Freyr, but she doubted a king would be faithful, especially since he seemed to be a flirt. She remembered he had met his midnight tryst a few weeks ago by the lake and wondered what happened to that woman.

Macha looked at Tyr and asked him to leave the room. She did not feel it was appropriate to answer Freyr's invitation in front of Tyr. A terrible look set on Tyr's face when he left, but Macha did not have time to worry about that. After Tyr had left, Macha sat down next to Freyr. "I'm sorry, I asked Tyr to leave because I didn't want him to hear my response. I might have understood wrong, but you asked me on a date, right?"

Freyr grabbed Macha's hand. Her opening with an apology did not sound favorable. "Yes. You have been on my mind constantly since I got to know you a few weeks ago. I am positive that I would like to date you." Freyr tightened his fingers around Macha's when she tried to gently pull them away.

Macha was surprised at Freyr's reaction. She assumed it would not be a big deal if she turned him down. "I'm sorry, I don't think we're compatible as lovers," Macha tried to decline his offer as gently as she could.

Freyr looked upset and frowned, "Why? I think we would do well together." Freyr enjoyed their conversations and he was positive they shared an attraction to one another. He did not see a problem with a relationship with her.

Macha's voice raised and she gave a nervous laugh, "To be honest," Macha was worried about telling the king the negative things she thought of him. "I would say you're too flirtatious. I would always be worried about you finding another wife. I want to be my future husband's only wife. I'm aware we're talking about dating, but it's a waste of time to date without intending to marry." She chose to be honest because she believed Freyr deserved the truth.

Freyr didn't understand what Macha talked about. He was never flirtatious with anyone except her. Macha was the first person he had ever tried to woo. His mouth opened, "I'm too flirtatious? Why do you think that? What can I do to convince you I'm not like that?"

Macha tried to think of an answer but could not come up with a solution. "I don't know. I just see you that way." This was an odd situation. She did not know how one would prove themselves not to be a flirt.

Freyr knelt on one knee. His face looked solemn, and he vowed, "I swear on my honor to not date anyone except you. I will wait for the day you accept my love. This will prove the sincerity of my feelings towards you." Freyr had no doubt in his mind that he could keep his word.

Macha's eyes widened. Her mouth opened and closed. His sudden vow was over the top. "Uh... You can date other people that's fine. I really don't think I'll change my mind." Macha did not want Freyr to wait for her and miss out on finding someone else. He looked too earnest when he promised to date no one but her.

Freyr smiled while getting up. He took her hand and kissed it lightly. "Do not worry. I will be faithful and you will come to understand my sincerity." He made his way to the door and left.

Freyr did not imagine Macha would refuse him today. Rejection stung, but she misunderstood his character. Freyr believed with time she would understand the real him. Her refusal, also made him more determined because Macha was not a woman who cared about him being the king. To Freyr, that raised her worth even more.