When Loki's consort and soulmate marries his rival to save their son from a curse, a prophecy leads to consequences even the God of Chaos couldn't predict.
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The Unseelie Goddess of War's revenge against Asgard's Dark Prince puts him in a no-win s...
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The soul-deep pain from the shattered bond healed with an electric zing that lit my nerve endings and starbursted from my chest to every cell in my body. Warmth, with the flavour of her love, blended with the confusing emotional mix that already churned between Loki and me in the rapidly changing tide pool.
I wanted to hold her and never let her go again. Impractical, but the image of her being torn apart kept flashing into my thoughts, stiffening my muscles, stealing my breath, and searing me with a bolt of fear. My eyes met Loki's, and I saw the same terror reflected.
"I love you. We love you. Don't ever terrify us like that again," Loki said, his mental voice knife-stark with anguish.
Shannon hugged us, her arm around each of us. "I love you and I'm thrilled you finalized the bond between you. But at the moment, we need to—"
A bird's screech, some kind of raptor, broke off her words. Black talons outstretched, it dove, but instead of fending off the attack, Baldur held out his arm and the large, dark bird with a light-coloured head landed on his forearm vambrace. Baldur smiled, murmured to the bird, then sent it flying with a flick of his arm.
In the next minute, a woman dropped from the sky. Long black hair flying in contrast to the white of her gown and olive perfection of her skin, she ran into Baldur's outstretched arms with a wail. Hugging her tightly to him, he drew her in for a kiss that, even from here, sizzled.
"Isis. Baldur's soulmate," Shannon told me as we turned away to give them privacy. She led us on a path through a courtyard with trees, a few gardens, and fountains to a shaded bench under a tree.
As we sat with Shannon between us, I asked, "How do you know this place?"
"I lived here for four months when I first learned of my immortality," Shannon said quietly, leaning into our arms. "Isis took me in and gave me my initial lessons on controlling my powers."
A dissident twang buzzed down the bond, and I frowned, looking between Loki and Shannon.
"Stop feeling guilty, Loki. You didn't do anything wrong. I honestly don't know how you could tell someone their entire life was a lie and not have them react badly. Besides, it's old news, and I wouldn't return to my mortal life even if I could," Shannon said, taking both of our free hands and kissing each.
"Still..." Loki winced.
"What are you doing here, Uncle? Mother will flip if she sees you!" a harsh voice said from behind us.
Loki stood and turned, and we rose with him. A blond man wearing a white chiton and teal armour over golden skin leaned against a tree, with a coiled cobra around his arm. Numerous narrow braids surrounded his pinched, thin face. His narrowed blue eyes expressed his displeasure.
"Not this time, Apollo. Or are you back to using Horus?" Loki said.
"Seriously. You need to leave," he hissed, eyes flicking behind us. "She's coming!"
