All Over Again (Sequel to Wanted Man)

Chapter Forty-Eight

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

McKenna had never seen such a beautiful place before. She thought the Sølvfoss was the most perfect place in all the nine realms of the universe, but that didn't come close to this.

She walked down a narrow gravel path and all around her bloomed the most beautiful roses and tulips in seas of brilliant red, yellow, white, and pink. The air smelled so sweet as the flowers' perfumes combined into one scent.

Funny, she thought her side would still hurt. After all, stab wounds took forever to heal, didn't they? She didn't know. She'd never been stabbed before. Either way, no blood remained, either on her shirt, on her belly, or on her hands. She walked without pain. Breathed without pain.

But something wasn't right.

Where had everyone gone? She heard Loki's voice, felt his warmth as he cradled her in his arms, against his chest, and promised her all would be well.

So where was he?

For that matter, where was Asgard?

"McKenna?"

She stopped, lifting her head at the familiar voice-a voice she hadn't heard in nearly six years.

Aislinn Carlin-Al to all who knew her-stood at the end of the path, where it came to a T. McKenna stared at her. How was it possible?

"Mom?"

"Kenna, let me see you."

McKenna felt her heart pick up its pace as her feet carried her toward her mother. Faster and faster she walked, until she was running. And when her mother's arms wrapped around her, McKenna realized just how much she'd missed her mother's hug, how wonderful it felt to be in her arms just one more time.

She hugged her mother tight. "I'm sorry, Mom... I'm so sorry.... For-for what I said that-that day."

"Oh, honey, don't apologize." Her mother's voice was exactly as she remembered it, before she got sick-light and happy and sweet. She laughed. "It's okay."

"I didn't mean any of it."

"Kenna, it's all right. It was no worse than anything you said to me when you were growing up." Her mother pulled away and held McKenna at arm's length. "Let me see you. It's been so long."

"I know. Six years." McKenna swallowed hard against the lump rising in her throat. "But... does this mean I've died?"

"Walk with me." Her mother took her by the hand and led her down the gravel path, toward the T. "Tell me, how have you been?"

"I've been good, Mom. I'm married now. To a wonderful man."

"I know. I've been keeping tabs on you. Tell me about him."

"His name is Loki. Loki Laufeyson. And you will never believe this, but he's a god, actually. From the realm of Asgard."

"Realm?"

McKenna nodded, glancing over at her. "I know, I didn't believe it either, but I've been there. It's one of the universe's nine realms. His father is Odin. You know, from Norse mythology? He's not a myth. He's real and Loki is his son."

"Go on."

"And we have two children now. Your grandson, Selig, is three and half. Your granddaughter, Aislinn, is almost eight months old."

"Aislinn?"Her mother smiled, her eyes shiny.

McKenna nodded. "She is named for you and for Loki's mother, Frigga. She died a few months before Loki and I met."