Enchanted Shadows

Chapter 70 - The Weight of the Past

**POV:** Maya

The council room is filled with an uneasy silence as the Asgardian tribunal convenes. Loki stands at the center, his posture regal, his expression a mask of calm control. I stand beside him, our son Fenrir cradled in my arms. He's a year and a half now, his bright green eyes the same shade as his father's, observing the room with a curious intensity.

The High Judge clears his throat. "Loki, son of Odin, you stand before this tribunal to answer for the actions of your past."

Loki inclines his head slightly, his face impassive. "I am here to acknowledge my past, not to dwell on it."

I feel a surge of pride at his words. He has changed so much, grown into a man who owns his past without letting it define him. I tighten my hold on Fenrir, who shifts slightly in my arms, sensing the tension in the room.

The Judge continues, "You speak of redemption, yet you have caused much suffering. The question remains whether you can be trusted now."

Loki steps forward, his voice low and commanding. "My actions, though severe, were born from pain and rejection. I do not seek pity," he glances at me briefly, his eyes softening, "I seek to build a future for my family."

I watch the faces of the council, their skepticism evident. My heart pounds in my chest, fear mixing with a fierce need to protect the man I love. I take a deep breath, stepping forward.

"He is not the man he once was," I say, my voice steady despite the tremble in my hands. "He has chosen love. He has chosen us—our son." I glance at Fenrir, then at Loki. "He has vowed to protect his family and to bridge the gap between the realms."

A murmur ripples through the room, doubt mingling with uncertainty. I can see it in their eyes—the hesitance, the disbelief. I hold my chin up higher. "I have seen his heart. He is a father who will do anything for his child. He is a man who has found a purpose beyond himself."

Odin, who has been silent until now, leans forward. His gaze is cold, piercing through the facade that Loki presents. "Maya," he says, his voice heavy with the weight of countless years. "You speak of change, of love. But love can be a veil, a trick to hide behind. How can you be sure this is not another manipulation?"

Loki tenses beside me, but I place a calming hand on his arm. I meet Odin's gaze, unflinching. "Because I have felt his love, not just in words, but in his actions." I take a deep breath. "He saved me when he didn't have to. He chose to stay when he could have left. Our son... our son is the proof of that change."

Odin's eyes flicker to Fenrir, who gazes back at him with wide, innocent eyes. "A child does not erase a lifetime of deceit," Odin replies, his voice a growl of doubt.

"No," I agree, my voice strong. "But a child can change a man's heart." I look at Loki, my heart swelling with the truth I feel. "And that is what Fenrir has done. He has given Loki a reason to be better, to be more."

Loki turns to me, his eyes burning with something intense, something possessive. His hand comes up to cup my face, his thumb brushing my cheek. "You have always seen the truth in me," he murmurs, his voice for my ears only.

I lean into his touch, feeling the solidity of his presence, the warmth of his love. "I always will," I whisper back.

The High Judge clears his throat, drawing our attention back to the tribunal. "Loki," he says, his tone cautious, "you ask us to believe you have changed. Words alone will not suffice. There must be proof through action."

Loki nods, his hand dropping from my face but not moving far, lingering near my arm as if he needs to keep contact with me. "Then let my actions speak," he declares. "I will take on whatever task you deem necessary to prove my intentions."

The council members exchange glances, some nodding, others frowning. Odin leans back in his chair, his gaze still hard. "Very well," he says. "You will be given a chance to prove yourself. But know this—if you fail, the consequences will be dire, not just for you, but for your family."

A chill runs down my spine at his words, and I instinctively pull Fenrir closer. Loki's hand finds mine, squeezing it firmly. "We will not fail," he says, his voice filled with a certainty that leaves no room for doubt.

Odin's gaze shifts to me, and for a moment, I see something that looks like pity. "Maya," he says quietly. "I hope, for your sake, that you are right."

I hold his gaze, refusing to let fear creep in. "I am right," I reply. "Because I believe in him."

The tribunal adjourns, and the tension in the room dissipates slightly. As we turn to leave, Loki's arm wraps around my waist, guiding me out. His grip is firm, almost possessive, but it feels like a shield, a barrier between me and the world that doubts us.

In the hallway, away from the prying eyes of the council, I let out a shaky breath. "Do you think they believe us?" I ask, my voice small.

Loki stops and turns to face me, his eyes dark and intense. "It doesn't matter if they believe us," he says softly. "What matters is that you believe."

I swallow, nodding. "I do," I assure him. "I believe in you, Loki."

A slow smile spreads across his lips, and he leans down to kiss me, his lips warm and insistent against mine. When he pulls back, his eyes are gleaming with a possessive light. "Good," he murmurs. "Because I need you, Maya. You and Fenrir are my world."

I smile, feeling a surge of love so strong it almost takes my breath away. "We need you too," I say. "We are a family. And nothing will ever change that."

He gazes at me for a long moment, his expression softening. "No," he agrees. "Nothing will ever change that."

We walk away from the tribunal, Loki's arm securely around me, Fenrir resting contently in my arms. As we move through the halls of Asgard, I feel the weight of the past lifting, replaced by the warmth of the future we are building.

Loki leans in, his voice a low murmur in my ear. "We will show them, Maya. We will show them that nothing is stronger than our bond."

I nod, leaning into him. "Yes," I whisper. "We will."

And as we step into the sunlight of the palace courtyard, I feel a sense of certainty settle over me. We have faced the doubts, the accusations, and we have stood strong. Together, we are unbreakable.