Shadows from the Past - Book 2 of To Be Claimed By Her

Chapter 1

Eveleen

"All set, son," Brandon said as he helped Jackson finish packing. I couldn't keep my tears in check. My baby was all grown and moving out. Brandon heard me sniffle and tilted his head at our son.

"Ma, I'm not dying," Jackson droned, "You can visit anytime. It's not like Asgard is the end of the universe, you know."

I pulled him into a fierce hug and sobbed, "I know, but you're my baby." He groaned. "Oh hush, just indulge your overly emotional mother for a few moments. I mean, before you know it, you and Filon will be getting married and making me a grandma again."

He laughed, "No rushing us. I think moving in together is a big enough step for now."

"I know, and I'm proud of you," I patted his cheek. "You let Afi Odin know when you arrive, okay?"

"Yes ma," he rolled his eyes. "Not like I can avoid it since Filon is in the guard."

"Don't sass your mother," Brandon scolded him with a not-so-stern look.

After several more hugs and loads of tears, Loki stepped out on the lawn with Jackson and called for the Bifrost. Brandon held me tight as I watched my son vanish in a swirl of lights.

"Am I still in the doghouse, ástvinur?" Loki asked as he gave me a kiss on the cheek.

I gave him a fake glare, "You would be if I didn't like Filon. At least he's happy," I sighed.

"He is and we have the entire place to ourselves now," Brandon chuckled, but my shoulders drooped. "What's wrong, Firecracker?"

"It feels so empty now. All of them have grown up and moved on with their lives," I sighed again. "I feel old."

He lifted me up and kissed me, "But you don't look a day over twenty-five, baby."

I snorted, "Yeah, just add seventy-plus years. I may look young, but I feel old."

"Talk to me when you hit your first millennium, ástvinur," Loki teased. "You aren't old, love, you have an empty nest. What you need is an adventure to distract you from Jackson finding his own life."

He wasn't wrong. Our entire lives had been a series of battles, births, and weddings. Now that Lochlyn has taken the throne and most of the kids are in various realms, I feel directionless.

"Come on," Brandon said, tugging at my hand, "Let's go talk to the others and see what we can come up with."

****

"So what did you have in mind, Loki," Owen asked, eyeing my mischievous husband carefully. Loki had gotten us into many interesting situations over the years with his affinity for chaos. I could understand Owen's trepidation.

"Well, we could explore a different realm, or even travel back to the mortal world in a location away from where you might still know humans. I just know she needs something to get her mind off things," he mused.

Luke snickered and gave Owen a full grin, "Well, whenever we needed refocusing as kids, Owen made us go camping as a team builder. I think that sounds interesting, especially with our current abilities."

"Any places you've wanted to see, Star?" Sean asked me.

I paused, "Well, even with all our exploits, I really haven't been to many places and especially not just to relax. I think I'd prefer someplace warm, maybe with a beach?"

North snorted, "Warm was a given, Queen. You and snow are mortal enemies just like Gabe and spiders." Gabriel and I both stuck out our tongues at him, making the others chuckle.

"Would something like this suit you, ástvinur?" Loki asked as he made an image appear. It reminded me of the lush jungles of Central America, but the skies were an odd pinkish hue and the foliage seemed almost technicolor.

"It's beautiful," I said in a hushed tone, "Where is it?"

"Alfheim, darling. It's one of the nine realms in my pantheon, and home to the light elves and very beautiful," Loki said with a glimmer in his eyes.

"What do you all think?" I turned to ask them.

Luke's eyes lit up with glee, "I say we're going camping!"

Author's Notes:  A bit of fun before the darkness settles in.

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