All Over Again (Sequel to Wanted Man)

Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

McKenna couldn’t run fast enough to the Healing Room , where she found Odin pacing about and Selig lying on a small cot, a nasty gash across his forehead and his right arm at an odd angle.

She hurried up to Odin, grabbing his wrist. “What happened?”

“He fell.”

“He fell. Where was the groom? Who let him on that pony by himself?”

“The groom has already been dispatched.” Odin's voice was low and calm, and his hand came down atop hers to curl over it, the same way Loki's did whenever she was upset about something. “Let Eir do her work, McKenna.”

“Let her… that is my son lying there!”

“I know and he was awake and talking only minutes ago.” Odin patted her hand. “He is strong. He landed on soft grass.”

“He has a head injury, and those are dangerous in Midgardians,” she told him, trying to control the quivering in her lips. It wouldn’t do to fall apart right now. Later. Later she could shatter into as many pieces as she wanted, but now, she had to get a grip on herself and calm down.

“I know this. But he is not pure-Midgardian. Remember that.”

McKenna pressed her free hand to her lips as Eir wove her golden web. Selig let out a cry, and McKenna broke away from Odin to drop to her knees at her son’s side. Then, Selig vomited.

“Mommy!” He began sobbing in earnest, reaching out to her with both hands while Eir gave a wave of her hand to clean him up.

“It’s all right, my lady,” she said softly. “You may hold him.”

McKenna gathered Selig in her arms, cradling him to her chest as she rocked him gently and smoothed a hand over his hair. “It’s all right, sweetheart,” she whispered, kissing the top of his head. “You’re going to be all right, baby.”

“Daddy! Daddy!”

“Daddy isn’t here, little man. Remember?”

“Mommy…” Fat tears rolled over his cheeks and his eyes grew brighter blue and red-rimmed. He cried so hard, his entire body shook from the force and Eir was left with no other choice but to cast a calming spell over him.

As he went limp against McKenna, she squeezed her eyes shut and continued to rock him. Continued to stroke his hair. Continued to kiss the top of his head. He lay quiet in her arms, and Eir frowned. “He has a concussion, from what I can see.”

“How serious?” McKenna asked, smoothing Selig's hair as she rocked him.

“I cannot tell. I need to do further  work.”

“So do it.”

“McKenna, let her work.”

McKenna glared up at Odin. “How could you let him go on that damn pony by himself? He is only three years old.”

“Loki was riding by the time he was three—”

“Selig is not Loki!” McKenna snapped, although her voice never rose beyond a harsh whisper. She gently set Selig back against the pillow and rose to cross to Odin. “And now, look at him.”

“McKenna, I did not mean for harm to befall him. I took my hand off Cap’s halter for only a moment, she started, and he fell.”

The image of Selig toppling from the pony’s saddle was enough to curdle her stomach. “Oh, God.” She cast a glance over her shoulder at Selig. “Someone needs to go and tell Loki.”