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

Chapter 49

Eveleen

Will it into existence.

That's what Owen had said, but could it really be that simple?

"Yes, ástvinur, it is really that simple," Loki said, coming up behind me, his lanky arms wrapping around me as he nuzzled my neck. "You have gained a part of all of our powers over the decades, and now, well now, those have amplified exponentially. Why do you doubt yourself?"

I let out a shaky breath, "If all I had to do was think it, then I've failed them. I've let them suffer."

He spun me around, "No, ástvinur, no. I think you misunderstand. You need to have faith in your own ability. You haven't always been able to do this, and even now it is growing."

"Do you remember when I gave you your dragon, little wolf?" Gabriel said, appearing next to us. "Odin told me I could manifest like Loki. I had to see it in my mind to accomplish it. When you brought Marc back, that's exactly what you did. You just need to trust yourself."

I paused for a moment, then asked, "Wait. If Loki can manifest things and he's a god, and I'm a goddess, then why aren't you a god?" I asked him. Gabriel's mouth moved much like a fish lacking water as he struggled to answer the question. Loki just grinned. "Morpheus said you doubt who you are and who you've always been...does that mean you've been a god this entire time?"

"No...no, that's not possible," he sputtered.

"Isn't it?" Loki smirked. "Only you could withstand the shadows when Victor gave you a dragon form. When we were captured, we were the only two unable to be altered or influenced."

I spun and slapped Loki's arm, "You knew this entire time!"

He acted as if I'd injured him with a pout, "I may have had an inside source. No need to beat me, ástvinur." I rolled my eyes at him. "Oh dear," he said, looking at Gabriel who was about to hyperventilate as he bent over, gripping his knees, his body swaying.

I helped him to the ground, "M'anam, take a deep breath and just focus on my voice." His crystal blue eyes met mine and I felt like that first day I saw him. "Oh, my sweet Gabriel," I said softly, "he's right. It's what you've always been, even before Odin claimed you."

"Damn, I'm glad that secret's out in the open now," Odin boomed as he appeared before us. "I thought for sure Loki would spill before now."

"I can keep a secret, old man," he looked at me and smiled softly. "After all, I kept one for several thousand years if I recall."

"Why didn't anyone tell me?" Gabriel sputtered as we both stood.

"You weren't ready to accept it, my boy," Odin said. "You spent years thinking you were less than your family members, always doubting your own strengths and intellect. Even now, you feel like an imposter at times, but just like last time, she will need to draw on all of your powers and strengths to end this. Eveleen isn't trying to imprison Erebus this time but kill him. It takes a lot of power to kill a god - and far more than she possesses on her own."

Odin held out his hand revealing a single golden apple and Loki drew in a breath. "Is that what I think it is?"

"An apple from Idunn. It's time for Gabriel to take his place at the table. Like you Loki, his path is not directly with us, but you are both still tethered to us. You are both still gods of the Aesir."

"Me?" Gabriel stared at the apple, its golden sheen catching the light around us. "But doesn't that give immortality? If I'm already immortal, why do I need it?"

Odin laughed, "It's far more than just that, son. The fruit is from the sacred tree and all the gods and goddesses of the Aesir eat them to ascend to their divinity. It is time for you to do that as well, Gabriel. Eat and claim your seat at the table."

He looked at the apple, then to Loki who simply nodded with a smile. Still holding one of my hands, he took the apple in the other and bit into it, then another and another bite until it was gone. "Woah," he muttered.

Like a sheet being torn down from a window, the block on his powers vanished. Just as it had been with Owen, Gabriel's power now radiated off of him, his eyes sparkling. He chuckled, "Um, excuse us for a moment," he said, and grabbing me, we suddenly appeared in Cailleach's grove. His mouth latched onto mine as I moaned.

Loki

"You realize they aren't coming back anytime soon, right?" I asked Odin who just chuckled.

"Yeah, I kinda gathered that. Well, I guess we should go fill in the others." We began to head back to the castle when I suddenly swayed. "You okay?"

"Um, yeah. I think someone forgot to close the connection," I chuckled. "Damn, I didn't even know that was possible," I muttered as Odin just raised an eyebrow.

Author's Notes:  smut ahead