All Over Again (Sequel to Wanted Man)

Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

McKenna didn’t hurry, smiling as Selig let out a shriek of laughter. Loki must’ve caught up to him. She strolled across the courtyard, down the brick path leading to the Royal Stables, where Cap would share her space with the Odinson family horses.

The smell of hay and horse grew stronger as she rounded the corner and crested the hill and the large stables came into view. She could hear Loki saying, “No, Selig. We told you; not until your cast comes off.”

“Please, Daddy. I just want to sit on Cap, that’s all.”

“No. And if you keep it up, we’re going back inside and you won’t ride Cap until two weeks after your cast comes off.”

“That’s not fair.”

“I don’t have to be fair, I’m your father.”

She came into the stables just in time to see Selig kick Loki in the shin. “I hate you!”

Loki grabbed Selig by the arms and lifted him up, saying, “I don’t care if you hate me. You’re going to listen and now, we’re going inside.”

“Mommy! No! I don’t wanna!”

McKenna sighed. “You need to listen to Daddy, Selig. Inside, now.” She gestured toward the palace.

Selig kicked and screamed and squirmed, but Loki held him tight, marching ahead of McKenna, growling, “Hit me again, Selig, and no birthday celebration tomorrow.”

Selig went quiet at that and didn’t make another sound until they were back in his room. When McKenna came in, she saw him still in Loki's arms, his head resting on his father’s shoulder, his eyes half-shut and his thumb in his mouth.

She paused in the doorway, biting her bottom lip as Loki rocked the little boy, gently swaying back and forth, whispering, “Shh…” in a tender whisper.

“I’m sorry, Daddy. Do you hate me?”

“Oh, no, sweet boy, I could never hate you. Not ever.” He kissed Selig's head. “Know this, there is nothing you could do that would ever make me hate you. Nothing.”

Selig lifted his head. “Really?”

“Yes, really. You are my son, Selig, and you are my greatest creation.”

McKenna bit back a smile as Selig's nose wrinkled and he said, “Ew… you and Mommy… is that where I came from?”

Loki's laugh was soft as he smoothed Selig's hair from his face. “Without it, you wouldn’t be here, little man.”

“Ew.”

“I know, I know.” Loki went back to swaying, his voice dropping lower as he said, “I love you, Selig. More than anything else in the world. You and Mommy and your little brother or sister.”

“I love you, too, Daddy.”

McKenna pressed her lips together as Selig's eyes slid shut and Loki bent to set him in his bed. She came up to slide her arms about Loki's waist, whispering, “Good job, Daddy.”

He sighed, rubbing his eyes with one hand. “It’s not easy, when you want to just swat them.”

“I know. He’s tired and frustrated.” She shifted, bending to tug the light quilt up to Selig's chin. Brushing his cheek with her hand, she whispered, “I imagine this is how you looked, when you were his age.”

“I was a lot more trouble,” he replied as she straightened up.

“His day will come.”

“No doubt.” He caught her by the hand and drew her away from Selig's bed, to the hallway outside his room. “You should probably go and rest yourself.”