The Family Lokison (Part 4)

A New Unknown (LOKI)

It only took a handful of days for word of our departure to reach the masses. Vali, while excited to have a place to call his own, lamented quietly about being far from his new friends. We assured him that regular portals to and from our realm would be created in due time.

The Vanir unanimously agreed to come with us. A few choice Aesir did as well—those who lost their families and opted for more sweeping differences between what they knew and what was to be. Other realms were poorly represented by survivors, yet they wanted to wait for their own lands. In the meantime, Thor and I saw to it that they were allowed to govern themselves in regions they dedicated on their own.

Thor insisted on making a ceremonious exit, again requesting that I wear my armor and address the people who saw me as a savior. Grid surprised me by embroidering cobalt and purple into the borders of my luxurious cape, forever memorializing the lost and the living. Narvi's violet would always represent him in our house—whichever hue Hela chose would be added someday, too.

Sigyn helped me dress for the audience and lingered around my face while coiling my hair in defined curls. "You have more gray than you did when we arrived."

"So you do."

"Seems faster than it should, don't you think?" She hissed and tapped on her belly. "I will say, she's anxious to join us. Whenever she shifts, a bolt of pain rips through my bones. Grid says it's to prepare for her, but I don't recall my body being quite so sensitive last time."

"Freyr believes Ragnarok changed all of us. Shortens our timelines, making them more human. Their bodies haven't ever been as long-lived as those in the higher realms; now that we're all on the same plane, it's equalized us. That could explain why you're more aware of your body's fragility."

"Evidently." She shook her head and returned to admiring me. "You sure whatever shelter's been planned is adequate if she doesn't wait to join us?"

"I'm sure. And we'll have more hands to assist us this time. You won't have to wait long to have a proper home again." I leaned down to tickle her ear with my breath. "And I've asked for help to ensure you one luxury—a tub large enough to completely submerge in. We'll build our home around it instead of hoping it will fit."

She laughed with the old melody of her happiness. "Oh, Lo. You truly do love me."

"I do." I rubbed her nose with mine before kissing her hard, each day reigniting the fire between us.

Vali, ever able to sense the least convenient moment to interrupt, cleared his throat to announce his presence.

We snickered and turned to him. "Yes, son?" I asked.

"Astrid wants to know when we're coming back."

Sigyn sighed and patted my shoulder. "This one's yours." She kissed Vali's temple on her way out of the tent. "Don't be too long. Thor's presentation starts at the palace site in ten minutes."

Vali looked at me with his face turned down. "It's just a question."

"We won't ever come back permanently, Vali. But I can see trusting some of the friends we've made here for extended stays. For your education, of course."

He shined a little, standing straighter with the deep breath he took of joy. "So I can still train with her and Riggs?"

I squinted. "Riggs?"

"Ragfrieda. The gatekeeper's daughter."

I couldn't help but laugh and kneel before him. "Well, well. I'm surprised Heimdall's let you become friends at all, little wolf."