Page 40 of Daddy's Justice

“Oh, I’ve always loved animals,” Morrigan called from over her shoulder. “But horses, horses have always been my favorite.”

“Yes, she is definitely a valkyrie,” Kara confirmed with a laugh. “We ride into battle on the back of them, you know,” she called after Morrigan. “Our great grandmothers would pick the winners of the battle and escort the dead, those who had earned their seats, back to Valhalla to dine with Odin himself. They would ride straight down to battle on the back of the gleaming white steeds and raise the souls.”

“When they weren’t engaging in battle on behalf of the winning side,” Edda added.

“She has been fixated on his nose. When do you think she will notice his wings?” Kara wondered, aloud.

“His what?” Morrigan’s shocked tone carried across the yard. She stumbled back three steps and took in Winter in all of his glory. It was then that she finally noticed his magnificent feathered wings. I could feel her heart racing as I strolled up upon them.

“This,” she stroked his left wing, tracing along the feather-like design, “is impossible.” Her whisper carried off into the wind.

“Only to humans. You see, humans can’t see things they don’t believe in.”

“He’s magnificent,” she whispered in awe. “Can he fly?”

“Of course, he can fly!” Edda exclaimed, joining us. “What do you think his wings are for?”

“His name is Winter. Your mom named him that when he was born on the same day as you. She always knew you would someday find out who you are and fulfill your destiny,” Kara said.

“Winter.” The word rolled off her tongue in the sweetest of ways.

“If you don’t like it, you can change it,” I told her.

“I love it. I love him!” She threw her arms around his neck and he neighed. Morrigan hadn’t taken her eyes off of him at all.

“Well, do you want to ride him?”

Her eyes met mine, and for a moment, time stood still. The amount of emotion in them had me catching my breath. There was excitement mixed with fear and unbridled joy. I saw a hint of arousal lingering in the background.

* * *

Morrigan

Of course, I wanted to ride Winter. I wouldn’t mind riding him off into the distance away from everything and having a minute to just think. I also knew that wouldn’t happen, there was no way Forseti was going to allow me out of his sight.

“I have never ridden a horse before,” I confessed, stroking Winter’s silky white coat and nuzzling my face into his neck. I slowly traced down the lines of his wings, still in shock by what I was seeing. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. Heck, I still have a hard time believing it.

“Sweet boy.” I stroked his flank with even, firm rubs. “Beautiful boy.” He lifted his head and blew out of his nostrils. “I wish you could talk to me, but I suppose that would be taking all of this a bit too far.” He neighed and I laughed. “Shall we go for a ride, sweet boy?”

Surprising even myself, I threw myself across his bare back.

How did I know how to do that?

Sitting astride, it was as if I had been doing this my entire life. As soon as I landed on his magnificent back, every instinct in me kicked in. We were as one. It was natural and a bit terrifying.

Without a word of direction, Winter took off galloping across the field.

I looked over my shoulder at Forseti and he waved me on. I was surprised that he was giving me the freedom to ride him alone, but I suppose he knew I didn’t know where I was or how to get anywhere else. He wasn’t wrong. Plus, he was out there watching me. I wouldn’t leave in the middle of the day with their eyes on me.

As I rode, keeping all of Winter’s feet on the ground, not quite ready to find out what flying would be like, my thoughts wandered. There was one thing that Forseti forgot when describing my Krav Maga training. The very basis of our training was to avoid combat. My instructor’s favorite phrase was, the best way to win a fight is to not get into one. I spent as much time, if not more, practicing how to deescalate and negotiate situations. Avoiding conflict was of utmost importance. I needed to find a way to avoid all combat and see about fixing the situation in a way where no one got hurt.

Sure, Loki was known for his trickery, but what class clown wasn’t looking for attention? How dangerous could he be, really? I thought back to all my Marvel movie watching and remembered seeing Loki more as a manipulative trickster and less as someone who was the dangerous villain they portrayed him to be. Perhaps if I offered him a solution that was more beneficial to both sides, he would take it. After all, I wasn’t a threat, especially being the only one left.

A tiny voice in the back of my mind warned me about finding Loki myself. I shrugged her off. I didn’t need that kind of negative thinking in a time like this. I needed to focus. I wished I had my phone so that I could google and do more research on Loki. I considered this for a moment, and laughed. According to Forseti, men had gotten most details about the gods wrong anyway.

I didn’t have my phone. Not only could I not google more information on Loki, there was no contacting my family, either.

I had now been gone for almost twenty-four hours. My parents, especially my mother would be a worried mess. My coworkers would have the FBI and all available resources out searching for me. I had to get word to them, if not go to them myself and it had to be soon. It would have to be tonight. I leaned forward over Winter’s neck and hugged tightly. I was one with him. Love at first sight seemed to be happening a lot to me lately. I heard the whistle behind me and Winter turned around and galloped back to where they stood, watching.

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