First Snow of the Year

Throughout dinner, Tyr was in a terrible mood. He had snapped a wine glass at its stem at the beginning of their meal. Macha did not know what happened when he left the office that afternoon, but he had taken a few hours to get back. When he returned, he stalked around the office and apartment, slamming papers and other things on the table whenever he finished using them.

Macha looked at Tyr's frustrated face. He seemed remarkably high-strung and his eyebrows had been furrowed all afternoon. "Tyr, did you want to skip training tonight?" To Macha, Tyr seemed like he should relax instead of exercise.

Tyr stabbed a carrot and shoved it into his mouth, thoughts racing through his mind. They did their training around midnight, so Macha should have plenty of time to go to the concert and come back. Her asking him for a way out of training implied she wanted to do more than see the concert. Tyr was angry that she would not admit that she planned to stay the night at the palace with Freyr. He shot out in a voice harsher than he meant to, "Why? Are you planning to stay out all night?"

Macha felt like he insulted her. Tyr's voiced dripped with bitterness, but she could not comprehend what she did to invoke his ire. Macha paused, trying to understand what he insinuated. Annoyed, she put an elbow on the table and leaned towards him. Enunciating her words she explained in a clear voice, "You seem like you're in a bad mood and I thought you might want to relax. What happened today?" Tyr's sour mood began to wear on her.

Macha's question aggravated him. Tyr did not contemplate why he was in a bad mood until she asked. He remembered when Freyr asked Macha out on the date. It surprised him and left him a little annoyed. Tyr realized Macha asking him to leave his own office, so she could have time alone with Freyr was what sparked his anger.

Tyr thought about how Freyr seemed to be moving at a quick pace. His mind jumped to how they might have had sex on his desk and he slammed his wine glass down on the table. The sound of the stem snapping resounded for the second time that night. "Damnit! Another glass broke. Why'd you buy cheap glasses?" Tyr thundered through clenched teeth.

Macha raised her eyebrows and blinked her eyes. She sighed and pointed out, "These were already here when I moved in." Macha had enough of Tyr's temper. She refused to be yelled at when she did nothing wrong. "I'm going to read a book. Let me know if you change your mind about training."

Tyr moved to clean up the mess. He checked the clock. Finishing his wine before throwing the glass away he asked impatiently, "When's Freyr coming. I don't feel like seeing him."

Macha turned around to face Tyr, her small body framed by the hallway. She did not expect Freyr to come over tonight. She did not want to see him so soon after rejecting him. "Is he coming to see you? I don't have any business with him."

Tyr assumed he misheard her. He could not think of why Macha would not go on the date with Freyr. Tyr wanted her to clarify her words, "You aren't going on the date? He's the king, why wouldn't you go?" His voice lost its edge and his brows relaxed.

Macha shifted her gave to Aži, who relaxed in his bed. She was not sure if it upset Tyr that she turned his cousin down. "Uh... well, I told him that I didn't think we were compatible. I know you're cousins, but I would prefer not to date him." Tyr said nothing, so she added, "I wanted to go to the concert though." Not wanting to explain further, Macha turned around and went to her room.

Tyr understood he should feel bad for Freyr, but he didn't. Relief swept through his body. It calmed him and lifted his spirits. Macha not caring about money or status confused him. He remembered Fenrir's personality, few women would make the same choice Macha had, he mused.

Tyr made a small grin while he cleaned up. The anger that consumed him earlier had dissipated and a small wisp of an idea crept into his mind. If Freyr had been turned down, then it would be all right for him to pursue Macha. As soon as the idea occurred to him, his eyes widened. Tyr glanced to Macha's room and covered his mouth with his fingers.

Tyr moved to sit on the sofa's armrest. He looked out at the city lights that brightened the dark night. Tyr remembered the night at his family's estate. The vision of Macha eating dinner while wearing his robe seemed clear as day to him. After they had trained, he entertained loving Macha but did not imagine he could compete with Freyr. Tonight, Macha clarified that she didn't think of his cousin that way. Tyr turned his head to glance at the hallway. He wondered if he should dare to try and win Macha's affections.

As if the fates were pushing him to her, Macha opened her door and came out of the hallway. "I've been thinking about how I want to see a live music performance. I'm going to go to the concert. Be back in time for training." She did not want to regret missing this opportunity. If Freyr had wanted to take her, she assumed it would be a decent performance.

Tyr took this chance as a sign to pursue his feelings. He had never pursued a woman before, so this decision was life-changing for him. His hands felt cold and shook when he looked at Macha. She was the same woman she always was, but now she seemed out of reach.

Tyr did not want to be like the countless women who confessed to him. He hated that they threw their emotions at him expecting him to return their sentiments. Most of the time he barely knew the woman's name. He hated how they would corner him to tell him that they liked him. The whole confession idea seemed stupid and a waste of time to Tyr.

Tyr valued Macha's friendship and wanted to be sure she reciprocated his feelings. Only when he was positive of their mutual feelings, would he try to move their relationship forward. Tyr would not disturb their friendship as Taylen had.

Tyr moved off the sofa and crossed the room to the front door. He held Macha's wrist to stop her from leaving. "I'll go with you. Let me grab my coat."

Macha wanted to walk since the evening was pleasant and the hall was only twenty minutes away. While Tyr and Macha made their way to Montfort Hall, a light snow began to fall. Macha smiled a wide smile, her eyes turned into crescents. "The first falling snow of the year!" She inhaled deeply, wanting to imprint this memory in her mind. Macha stuck her hand out as they walked. She explained that she wanted to collect a mound of snow.

Tyr grabbed her hand, "Stop that. The heat from your body will melt the snow before you get enough." He placed her hand in his coat pocket. "You don't have gloves. Leave your hand in my pocket to keep yourself warm." They walked along in silence. Tyr felt bad about how he treated Macha earlier. He gave her a sidelong glance. "Sorry," he muttered.

Macha looked up at him. Tyr's temperament seemed to have improved since they left the apartment. He kept his eyes forward not wanting to look at her. "For what?" Macha prodded sweetly a smile spread across her face. She knew what he was sorry for, but she enjoyed how awkward he looked while apologizing. Macha did not hold a grudge and already let any animosity she had for him go.

Tyr inhaled and looked up at the falling snow. "I acted poorly tonight. I shouldn't have taken my frustrations out on you," he slipped his hand into his pocket to hold her hand. He gave her hand a small squeeze and their fingers interlocked. The warmth from her hand caused his heart to pound in his chest.

Macha realized the scene seemed like they were lovers. She didn't want to disillusion herself. Tyr was her friend and boss, so she slipped her hand out of his coat. Macha tried to break the romantic atmosphere, so she slapped his back twice. "It's all right. I didn't take it personally."

When Macha withdrew her hand. Tyr frowned slightly. He noted that she seemed guarded and her reaction worried him. Other women would be thrilled if he held their hand. Macha's reaction left him unsure if he could succeed.

Macha swung her arms and held her hands behind her as they walked. Wanting to change the subject she shared, "It didn't snow where I'm from. They had snow in other parts of the world, but not where I lived. I never experienced falling snow before." Small puffs of clouds left her mouth as she spoke.

"Aren't you cold? You're wearing a skirt," Tyr pointed out. Macha did not change her clothes before they left and Tyr remembered that she had a skirt and knitted top on underneath her coat. He also remembered the skirt had been quite short.

Macha chuckled, "It's pretty cold. I didn't know the weather had cooled so much. We've been stuck in the office and the apartment for two weeks." The mention of the weather made her realize how cold she was and she shivered.

Seeing Macha shiver concerned Tyr. He did not want Macha to get sick. Tyr stopped and pulled the black figure of his lizard out from his coat pocket. After summoning his mount, he put Macha on the saddle and swung himself up behind her. "Here, you'll be warmer next to me. The concert hall isn't very far, but it would be troublesome for me if you catch a cold." Tyr grinned behind her and held her a little closer. Feeling her warmth comforted him.

Macha blushed when he pulled her closer. She touched her chest to stay her heart. The night was cold, but at this moment her body grew extremely warm. She couldn't place her finger on it, but something was different in the way Tyr treated her tonight. He usually did thoughtful things like this, but tonight his actions seemed different. They seemed like they had another layer beneath the surface. Macha had a strong attraction to him tonight but knew his affection would be beyond her reach. She reminded herself that they were friends.