Page 49 of Daddy's Justice

“Yes.” There was no hesitation in his answer. I wanted to look at Loki, but his voice came from behind me. I couldn’t turn with the blade against me. No one said a word for a minute. Forseti stared at Loki; it was as if they were speaking with their eyes. Finally, Loki spoke again.

“There will be too much trouble,” he said, seemingly thinking out the situation. “Trouble that I do not need. Do you have Odin’s permission to marry her?”

“I do.”

“And mother? Do you have Frigg’s permission too?”

“Yes.”

“Damnit, Forseti, why did you have to fall in love with this one, of all the options you had? Now, if I kill her, it becomes so much more than…” He paused again, assessing his options.

My eyes were burning, they were getting heavy. I closed them, swaying. It was hard to stand.

“Fine. If I allow her to live, you will take her to Asgard and never allow her to come to Midgard again.”

“You have my word.”

What? No. I couldn’t go to Asgard. I couldn’t be forbidden from returning to my home. I couldn’t speak, I didn’t have the strength.

“Then, nephew, I will allow it. But, if she sets a foot back on Midgard, I will end her. Do you understand? One foot, one hair of hers crosses into Midgard and her life will belong to me. I will know, Forseti. I always know.”

With those words, he was gone. One by one, the dark elves disappeared as well until only Sethec stood, his blade still pressed into my neck.

“Release her.” The command was given and this time, he obeyed.

I felt myself fall to the ground.

* * *

Forseti

My aim was true. I watched Morrigan slip to the ground and I rushed forward, my sword slicing Sethec’s head clear off of his shoulders. Justice, finally, for my father. I fell to the ground next to Morrigan, gathering her to me. She was weak, I could barely sense her heartbeat.

“No, Morrigan, you can’t die, my little goddess. You can’t leave me. I order it.” I placed my hand on her back, willing her heart to beat stronger, harder, faster. If I could calm her down, maybe I could strengthen her, too. Her hand went up to her throat, tracing the cut along the line. I watched, stunned, as the cut faded under her touch. It healed and disappeared right before my eyes.

“He’s glowing.” There was an awe in Morrigan’s voice, a hushed reverence as she stared at Sethec.

“That is the death glow,” Edda explained. “As valkyries, we can tell when someone is near death or dead based on the strength of the glow.”

“I don’t think I like this power,” Morrigan mumbled, shivering. She turned then toward Kara and shrieked. “She’s glowing, too! No, no!”

“Morrigan!” Edda gasped as Morrigan crawled forward, over to where Kara laid. As if in a trance, she yanked the spear out of her neck and laid her hand flat against the wound. As with the cut on her own neck, the wound closed immediately. The only trace left was dried blood. I sat back on my heels. I had only ever known of one, the Goddess Eir, to have these powers outside of Odin himself.

My little goddess. My amazing little goddess had the power to restore and save lives with a touch of her hand.

She fell forward then, collapsing. Her strength drained from her. I picked her up, signaled to Edda and together, we transported them both up to Asgard.

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