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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With Baldur's promise to visit his mother again soon, we left the Winter Realm. Although he hadn't come with us through the bifrost, I would have sworn I'd spied Horus in the crowd of courtiers when we departed, yet when I looked again, he wasn't there. It had a shiver of unease raising the hair at the back of my neck, despite the relief coming through the bond from Loki and Shannon.
And for their sakes, I hoped I was wrong. They'd had enough to deal with and their excitement at reuniting with their son matched mine at finally getting to see Asgard. Although a school of fish also swam circles in my belly. I didn't know what to expect. Would I be welcomed and accepted? Or would I forever stand apart from the Asgardians?
Shannon hugged her mother, who agreed to visit for Aidan's first birthday after Loki assured her she'd be welcome. Then those rainbow lights swept us up, and again, I stood in awe on the stone platform.
Heimdall's smile was wide. "Welcome home, Princes, Princess, and Lady Isis. The All-Father and All-Mother await you in the throne room, as does your son, who is currently doing his best to pull his grandfather's beard."
Baldur laughed. "I can't wait to meet my nephew! He sounds like a firecracker."
"Come, Elatha, let's show you around on our way," Loki said, putting a hand on my back with Shannon adding hers on the other side of me.
Guiding me out an archway, we stepped onto a wide stone and metal bridge. The silvery stone had an odd sheen to it, like seeing a rainbow from the corner of your eye. Below, a deep blue lake stretched in both directions, between the mountain we were on, and across the water to the hills on which a walled city and a tall palace sprawled. Outside the walls, farms and reddish-stone cottages dotted the landscape, with forest rising on mountains in the distance.
A single breath told me the water was fresh. "Are there any seas or oceans on Asgard?" I asked, trying to mask my anxiety. I could survive with fresh water, but my soul craved the sea.
Loki smiled, eyes meeting mine. "Yes. Not as extensive as on Alfheim or Midgard, but yes, we have a few smaller salt water seas for you to play in, Elatha. Don't hide your needs from us. Shannon and I love you."
Joy filled me and lightened my steps. Eagerly, I took in the white buildings of the city as we approached. It was an interesting mix between old world Litaui-type structures and sleeker stone towers with arches and spirals, rising above the heights of a defensive wall that shimmered in the light.
"Like the barriers of your underwater cities, we can raise a force shield around ours to defend against attack." Loki gestured to the wall with its interspersed guard towers. "But since that doesn't protect everyone, we prefer to utilize portal jammers around the planet and ensure the only way on or off planet is the bifrost."
"Who has permission to use the bifrost?" Was I able to come and go freely if I wanted to go back to Atlantia?
Loki had been frowning at the wall, but a teasing grin lit his expression at my question. "Worried I've trapped you here, Elatha? You can use the bifrost whenever you want, as can our Valkyrie and Einherjar. All other citizens require a travel permit they can obtain through an office in the palace that approves off-world travel to ensure the traveller knows the risks at their destination, or their responsibilities to hide the immortal world if they travel to Midgard."
