Enchanted Shadows

Chapter 74 - The Tightening Circle

**POV:** Maya

The days are growing shorter, the chill of Asgard's approaching winter nipping at the air. I watch from the window as Loki plays with Fenrir in the courtyard. Fenrir's laughter echoes through the halls, a sound that warms my heart. Loki is different with him—gentle in his stern way, guiding every movement, every lesson. Sometimes, it makes me nervous, how closely he watches Fenrir. But then, when he turns those tender eyes on me, I feel the fears melt away. He loves us. He only wants to protect us.

"Come down, Maya!" Loki's voice calls up to me, breaking my thoughts. He's looking up at the window, a faint smile on his lips. "Join us."

I nod, a smile spreading across my face. "I'm coming!" I turn away from the window, my heart fluttering with warmth.

When I step outside, the cold air brushes against my cheeks. Fenrir runs towards me, his small feet unsteady yet eager. I scoop him up, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "You're getting so big," I murmur, looking into his bright eyes.

"Mama!" He wriggles in my arms, pointing back at Loki. "Dada's teaching me magic!"

I glance at Loki, who's watching us with an intensity that always catches me off guard. He approaches slowly, his gaze never leaving us. "Yes, our son is learning quickly," he says, his voice soft but carrying that familiar edge of pride.

"Is he?" I ask, feeling a mixture of pride and concern. "Loki, he's still so young. Should we—"

"Should we what, Maya?" Loki interrupts, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Keep him sheltered? Make him weak?"

"No, that's not what I meant," I say quickly, glancing at Fenrir, who is now looking between us with wide eyes. "I just... I worry sometimes. About how much he can handle."

"He can handle everything," Loki says firmly, placing a hand on Fenrir's head. "Because he is ours."

Fenrir looks up at Loki, his eyes shining with admiration. "I'm strong like you, Dada."

Loki's lips curve into a satisfied smile. "Yes, my son. You are."

I want to protest, to say that strength is not everything, that Fenrir should be allowed to be a child. But the way Loki looks at me, the possessiveness in his gaze, silences my doubts. He knows best. He always does.

Loki steps closer, his arm snaking around my waist, pulling me against him. "You worry too much, Maya," he murmurs, his voice low and soothing. "I will not let anything happen to either of you. You know that."

"I do," I reply, though my voice is quiet. "It's just... he's growing so fast."

"He must," Loki says simply. "The world is not a kind place. It will not wait for him to be ready. We must make him ready."

I nod, swallowing my doubts. "I just want him to be happy, Loki."

"He will be," Loki assures me, his tone softening. "He is loved. He is protected. He has you and me."

Fenrir wriggles in my arms, reaching for Loki. "Dada, more magic!"

Loki chuckles, taking Fenrir from me and setting him down. "Very well, but listen closely," he says, kneeling before him. "Magic is not a game. It is a tool, a weapon. You must learn to control it, not let it control you."

Fenrir nods solemnly, his eyes fixed on Loki. "I will, Dada."

Loki smiles, a genuine warmth in his expression that makes my heart swell. "That's my boy," he murmurs, ruffling Fenrir's hair before standing up.

As Loki turns to me, his eyes soften. "You see, Maya?" he says, his voice low and intimate. "He is learning. He is becoming what he needs to be."

"I know," I say, trying to push down the lingering unease. "I just... I want him to have a childhood, Loki. To have memories of laughter and joy, not just lessons and power."