by S Lawrence
"Or set you free," Cora whispers, and I whip my eyes to her upturned face. She smiles sadly at us. "It's your choice, of course. I would never force you. I would never try but just like everyone else in your lives that loves you, I want to see you happy. I want to see you free from your demons."
I slide my hand over her hair and squeeze her shoulder. I step around her and move to stand in front of my brother. We have done everything together, and this will be no different. I will stand with him, no matter what.
"Do we risk it, after all the shit that drove us to have to protect ourselves?" I ask and even I can hear my fear in my voice. I hate that sound. It has been a lifetime since I heard it when I spoke.
"Do ye think she will be like the others?" His body trembles with memories. I glance back at Cora, and she shakes her head in denial.
"No, brother. I believe our pixie. I'm terrified, to be sure, but no," I murmur, and he nods in agreement.
"Wouldn't it be wondrous if it is true? To find the thing we witnessed Kai and Jason find?" Michael asks, daring to hope for that life, that chance. "What if she only wants one of us?" He says and studies my face, waiting for my reaction.
"Would ye begrudge me happiness?" I ask.
"No. Never." Michael responds quickly.
"Neither would I if she chooses you." I reach out and pull him to me, an image of him when he arrived at the orphanage in my mind's eye, and I hug him to me. "Together then."
"Together, as always." I feel his power start to wash over me, wrapping around me. I release him and move to stand at his side as we face the barrier, our eyes locked on her fallen form. One last look, and we destroy the walls around our hearts. Our power pulses from us, growing every second. Our individual magic twines around each other before surging forward and crashing into the barrier.
It shimmers and wavers before disappearing, and we rush to her. Our hands run over her, checking for wounds or injuries. Her eyes flutter, and my heart stops as our magic pulls hers to us. The moment they intertwined, everything changes. The force of it knocks us off our feet. We are all gasping from the tidal wave of emotion. Above us, the different strands of magic twirl and shift, making amazing patterns, weaving together tighter and tighter. I look at those gathered beside me. Tears are streaming out of Raven's eyes, and Michael is staring open-mouthed, his hand over his heart. My eyes continue to travel up until I see Cora standing just outside the entrance to the cave. Her hand is over her mouth and her eyes are wet with unshed tears.
"It's more beautiful in person," she says. I don't think she realizes she spoke out loud.
"Did you see it before?" I gasp and the others turn to look at her.
She turns to us and nods."It was just one of many possible outcomes. I didn't want to take your choice from you. I didn't want it to be like before. It means more that you chose."
The power is ebbing, settling, and we all push up. Raven's hands are running over us, and she is crying. "I felt you die. I don't understand."
"It's a long story, one we will tell you later, but we should probably leave this place." Michael pushes to his feet and holds his hand out, ever the gentleman, helping her to her feet.
"Yes. Odin will have felt the barrier drop. So will everyone he drew power from to make it stronger," she says as she releases her wings. We all stop, frozen in place as feathers as black as her namesake flare out behind her. She looks at us gaping at them. "Umm, yes. I got very upset."
"Girl, we followed your anger here." Cora whistles.
"They're beautiful," I whisper, longing to stroke my fingers over them. Michael nods in agreement and our magic pulses, causing me to stumble as lust pours through me. I look up, and both of them have their eyes on me. "Do you feel it?" Michael's voice is husky with need. I nod, unable to speak.
"Holy shit, y'all. Turn it down. Even I can feel it." Cora walks awkwardly away from us, trying to get away from the feelings.
"Our magic is feeding off each other; magnifying our feelings. We must get control of it," Raven pants. I nod and force my body under control. Michael struggles to do the same.
Finally, long minutes pass and we are able to rein in our feelings and needs. "We really need to go. Follow me to my home." Raven flexes her wings and walks to Cora. "Hold on tight, Cora. I'm taking you with me." Cora grins and wraps her arms around Raven's neck. She takes to the air in a single leap. Michael shrugs and shifts. I do the same, and then we are running, following her flight.
Chapter 34
RAVEN
I wrap my arms around the tiny woman and leap to the air. New change and growth in my wings carrying me to my home in record time. I don't look to see if they follow; I can feel them, sense them racing across ground and tree to reach me.
I look at her as I fly. "Tell me what happened." She tears her eyes from the blurred landscape and sighs, locking eyes with me.
"I'm not sure that's my story to tell." Her eyes flash brilliant sparkling silver, and her power washes over me. I falter, and we almost tumble from the sky as a memory slams into my mind. I see them, I see them choose to sacrifice themselves. I feel her anguish and her anger. I watch as the blood coats the ground as they fall side by side to the ground. Fresh tears flow down both of our cheeks. Suddenly, the images are gone, and she is blinking, regret and sadness in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry. I'm not sure how that happened. I don't know how to control this fucking power." Her voice is choked with self loathing.
I shake my head. "No, Cora, I needed to understand. They did that for me, didn't they?"
She nods and then answers, "They also did it for each other. Each one sacrificed so the other would find happiness. They were locked in their own vision at the same time. Neither could see or hear what the other was doing. They protected each other until the end."
I fly in silence, unwilling to voice my fears. Where is the bravery I had after I felt them die? Where is the woman that was pissed she didn't get not only one of them, but both?
"Raven...," her voice breaks through my thoughts, "I promise it will work out. I promise it will be everything you have ever dreamed of, if you just trust in them, just as they trusted in you."
"Trusted in me?" Her hand comes up, and I tighten my hold on her. She trusts me enough to not to let her fall. Her fingers glide over my forehead, smoothing the lines there from my drawn brows.
I raise one of them, waiting for her to answer. "They chose you, trusted you with their hearts. How else do you think they got through that barrier? They released their feelings, and their magic sought out yours. You saw it, just like me. You saw the three threads of your magics twining together forming a stronger thread. They bonded to you. You are their destiny. Yggdrasill looked far into your future long ago, saw these two broken, but strong, men who you needed and who needed you. She has long done what she could to direct them to you. Now you could heal them, and they could strengthen you with their love." I stare at her, shocked into silence. "Y'all are unstoppable together, and you’re gonna need that strength in the very near future."
"Another vision?" I grumble.
"You know as well as I that a battle for our world is coming."
"Fenrir. They plan to kill him," I whisper.
"I know. The Norns warned me I can't change what I'm shown, but I'm sure gonna fucking try." She shivers at some memory, something I’m sure is not good.
"Care to share?" I glance over at her, watching her turn her shield her eyes from me.
"I can't. I'm just going to try to get you there in time. You need to rest and ready for what's coming next. Spend some time with those men of yours. And believe me when I say they are truly yours. You better not fucking hurt them." Her eyes are hard like diamonds as she stares at me. I lower us to the ground as we reach my home.
"I'll never hurt them on purpose, Cora. But I have no idea how to do this."
"There's no rules in love. You'll figure it out, and man, will it be fun trying, I'm sure." She grins and confesses, "Don't get mad, but I saw t
hem naked after their first shift," She holds up her hands at my unintentional growl. "Woo wee, you are one lucky bitch. Damn, woman, just damn."
She turns, and I wave my hands, opening my doors just as I hear them approaching. I look back over my shoulder as Cora walks in. I hear her oohing and ahhing as I watch Sean and Michael shift from their animals.
"I think this is going to be a very long talk about what happened since I left New Orleans and you sleeping on the couches." Michael chuckles and Sean smiles. His smile is amazing, and I'm not sure if I ever saw it - not this type of smile, one that reaches his eyes. It takes my breath, and when I finally glance back at Michael, he is watching me intently. I locked my magic down as tight as I can but I can still feel some of what they are feeling. Sean's head tilts in a a very dog like fashion, and I smile. He studies me for a moment, and I feel a whisper of a touch from his magic.
"I can barely feel you now," he grumbles.
"I locked my magic down."
"Why?" It's Michael asking, struggling with the newfound change in emotion.
"So we can make our own decisions without its interference." He nods once before stalking forward and grabbing my face, pulling it to his.
"I waited too long to do this." His mouth slants over mine, and I sigh. He licks along my lips, and I open to him. And then his tongue is caressing over mine. I revel in the taste of him. I draw in a deep breath as I lean into him. He smells of trees and snow and man. His thumb slides over my jaw, and slowly he breaks away, coming back for a quick gentle kiss on my wet lips, then he moves around me. I blink, lost in a haze of need, and struggle to focus as Sean moves in front of me.
"I've dreamed of your lips." His fingers slide into my hair, and he grips it tight before crashing into my lips, nipping and biting at them before I open them, offering him entrance. Where Michael was a slow seduction, Sean is a storm of passion sweeping me up. He uses his hands to move my head, allowing him more access to my mouth, and a growl tears from his mouth as he devours me. He releases me as quickly as he took my mouth and moves around me.
Stopping at the entrance, he calls back, "Ye coming, mo leannan?"
I stumble toward them and see Cora's grinning face, staring out at me as she fans herself, mouthing 'fucking hot.' I giggle. Startled, I stop mid stride. I don't giggle. I look at their retreating backs as they move through my home and wonder what I will become with these two men. One thing's for certain, I'm not giving them up.
Chapter 35
LOKI
Something has happened. They are watching me more closely. I didn't miss the tensing of not only Odin, but several of the others in the hall. He has more allies than I originally thought, more than any of us thought. I have waited for hours, since that moment of tensing, since they all shared a glance they don't think I saw. I did. I have waited here patiently, biding my time, but now it's time to go.
It's been days since I've seen either of my children. That in itself is not strange, but they always manage to get a message to me. I've heard nothing. It's time to find them. I no longer care about my brother finding out. I fear he has already.
Carefully, I build the image of me right on top of my presence. Once my duplicate is ready, I sift away, leaving him to take my place. It is a trick I have done before but never in the hall. I materialize beside Freya. She startles, and then her face turns worried.
"I haven't heard from her in days. I can't even track her magic," she whispers, glancing around. We never know who is listening.
"I know. I also haven't heard from Fenrir. He has them somewhere." I don't say who because she knows. "Something happened a few hours ago though. I don't know what, but those that serve him are very tense. I'm guessing one of my children has freed themselves."
I watch as Freya sends out her power, searching for Raven. She shakes her head after a long moment. My shoulders slump. "Maybe she has shielded herself," she offers.
"When has she ever been able to hide from you?" I admonish.
"Never. Maybe she has help. Or maybe it was Fenrir. Have you tried calling to him?" I nod.
"I have, and still nothing. He went to search for Aphrodite after Raven told us of her involvement in Greece." Freya gasps at the news.
"She didn't tell me," she says, her voice filled with hurt. "She didn't trust me."
I take her hand and draw her eyes to me. "I told her to trust no one. Somehow they still got her. I think it's time I go to Yggdrasill. She has set in motion something none of us can stop now."
"Yes, go. We need to know what is happening if she expects us to fight."
"Be careful. There were quite a few who reacted to whatever happened earlier. More are fighting with Odin than I thought. It isn't safe here for you." I squeeze her hands tightly.
"I will ready my warriors. No one will breach this hall." She straightens and is immediately the shield maiden I know her to be. I sift away, thinking Odin has no idea the fight he is going to have on his hands. Raven has always made sure Freya has the best warriors from every battle, strengthening up her army. My brother may have the numbers, but we will have the strength and the heart.
I stand beneath the Tree on the Vanishing Isle, coming this far away from Odin to stay off his radar for the time being. Danu and Morrigan appear beside me.
"What has happened?" Danu asks softly. I stare up at the great branches as they lower around us, protecting us.
"Raven and Fenrir have been missing for days." Morrigan stiffens beside me. Fenrir is a favorite of my niece. He has often joined her on the battlefield, striking fear in those she opposed.
"Father." I nod at her growled response.
"Something happened a few hours ago. I was in the hall, and Odin and several others tensed up at the same moment. I thought one of my children had freed themselves but I still can find no sign of them. Since it is she who has set this all in motion now, I thought she might be willing to tell me what the hell is going on." My voice has raised in my anger.
"Several?" Danu latched on to that tidbit.
"Yes. More are helping him than we thought. And those are the ones just in our clan. You know about that bitch Aphrodite. There is no telling who else he has pulled from the other clans."
'His army is vast, reaching across the clans,' Yggdrasill answers. 'Your children are safe for now. Raven has broken free, with help from those I have sent to her side. I have hidden them from all eyes until they can rest and recover. Your daughter has realized her true potential and freed her magic. She has embraced not only your side, but her mother's.'
I frown. "Her mother is a heartless harpy who craves nothing but death and destruction."
'Yes. That, tempered with her heart, will make her stronger than you can imagine. Plus, she now has Cu Sith and Cait Sith at her side.'
Danu starts at the names. "Great Tree, they have long been gone from this world, choosing to die instead of residing here hidden. They missed walking among the humans too much."
'True, but they gave their magic to me to hold safe for the future. I found my warriors, ones found worthy of the power and responsibility. Raven's Druids have passed all the tests, made all the sacrifices, and are now the legends reborn, Guardians of this world and nature. Their powers have combined, bonded with Raven's.'
"Bonded? But that means...," I stutter.
'Yes. They have always been her destiny. The three together have a great destiny to fulfill in the battle for the world. Trust me, Loki, I see you. Hard times are coming. Great losses but you, my Trickster, are soon going to recognize your own true destiny.'
I feel Morrigan and Danu's eyes on me. My destiny; I shake my head wanting to deny the weight of what she has said. I feel her power ebbing away, but one last whispered message comes to me.
'The one they travel with is also alive and well. She is embracing her new power and will soon understand her part in this. As will you.' And she was gone.
I look at the others. They are waiting expectantly. How much should I tell them? Not everything, no
t about me, not about Cora. Morrigan narrows her eyes, knowing I'm about to hold back.
"She assures me Raven is fine. She is hiding her from Odin and Ragnhild. The Druids freed her." Morrigan grins and Danu nods in approval.
"I knew Michael and Sean would pass the tests set before them. They remind me of the Druids of old." Morrigan preens as if they are her personal creation, and I raise my brow at it. "I have watched over them since my Guardian befriended them, Uncle," she grumbles. I would ask her then about why she didn't protect them but even I'm not that cruel. The Goddess of War has a very soft heart, especially when it comes to her warriors. They are important, not only to her, but these two she holds very dear. I lower my head slightly before smiling at her.
"And what of the seer?" Danu asks with false innocence. I have known her since we were children though and I don't miss the subtle humor in her voice.
"Seer?"
"Yes, the one that travels with the men. The one you saw at the wedding. I believe her name is Cora." Morrigan bites her lips at her mother's words.
"Yes, Uncle. Did the Great Tree speak of Cora?"
"Yes. She is fine, still with them," I answer begrudgingly.
"That's all she said of her? I know she too was given more power. She had great power locked within her. I truly hope she is dealing with it without any problems." Danu was the picture of concern, but I'm not falling for it. I shrug before turning to look out at the vast hills and mountains that lead to the sea. Danu had fashioned the Isle after her beloved Scotland and Ireland, and it was a perfect mixture, beautiful and peaceful. Yggdrasill sits on a high hill surrounded by fields of thistles and helleborine, their purple and dark red flowers filling the air with a subtle sweet scent.