Page 39 of Daddy's Justice

Chapter Twelve

Forseti

I tried not to focus too much on the concern I was feeling over Morrigan’s comments at breakfast. I had thought she was accepting her place in life and was, albeit slowly, giving over to the truth of the situation. Hopefully, meeting Winter would be just the nudge she needed to step over the line from human to valkyrie demigod and take her rightful place among us.

“Okay, I think you have eaten enough to appease me. Would you like your surprise now?”

She stood up so quickly, her plate toppled to the floor.

I chuckled. “Slow down there, killer.”

“Oops. Sorry! Guess I am just excited.”

“I’d say.” Edda smiled teasingly at her.

“If she gets this excited over the word surprise, I can’t even imagine what she’ll be like when she actually sees it,” Kara said through laughter.

Both girls pushed in their chairs and headed outside with us. It was heartwarming to see my girls all happy this morning. Morrigan had been good for us. She brought almost a childlike joy with her. As team leader, Edda and Kara were my responsibility. I put their safety and wellbeing first, always. They knew this, respected me and my authority, and I trusted them with my life. I considered them mine, but in the most platonic of ways. Mine to care for, mine to protect.

Morrigan was something else altogether. I felt it all the way to my bones. She was mine in a different way. Sure, she was mine to protect and take care of, but it was deeper than that, much deeper. She was mine in the ways that would partner us together for all of eternity. If I were to admit it, I was also hers. Now that I had her, I knew if we were ever to separate, a part of me would go with her, and I could never be whole until she returned.

Deep into thought, I hadn’t realized we had reached the stables on the back of the property. Morrigan turned to me, questions dancing across her expression.

“Is it a dog? Or a horse? Is it alive? A pet? Is my surprise a pet?”

She was bouncing from foot to foot, excitement radiating from her.

“Stay right here,” I commanded, turning to Edda. Edda nodded in understanding and went to get Winter. I came behind Morrigan and turned her into my arms. Placing my hand on the back of her head, I held it into my chest.

“Hey! I can’t see!”

“That would be the point.”

She pushed against my hand, seeing how much give it had.

I leaned into her ear so that Kara couldn’t hear. “Stop struggling. It will all be revealed soon.”

Her little muttered, ‘ugh’ under her breath made me chuckle. She was too much, this goddess of mine.

Edda brought Winter around and stood him just a few feet from us. “Are you ready for your surprise, my little goddess?”

Morrigan nodded her head yes emphatically.

“Yes, Daddy! Yes!” I’m not sure she realized that she had called me Daddy.

Edda and Kara noticed. I saw their exchanged looks.

“I don’t know. You don’t seem like you really want to see it,” I teased her.

“I do! Please, Daddy!”

“Okay, little goddess, turn around.” I let go of her, and she stepped out of my arms and turned around so quickly I wondered that she did not give herself whiplash.

Her face lit up like a lantern, shining brightly for all to see. Had I known her delight would turn her into a vibrant sunbeam, I would have taken her straight to Winter when I arrived back from Asgard last night.

“Her squeal is going to bring the dark forces here,” Edda said, jokingly.

“Do you see how happy she is? Aye, that is the valkyrie in her,” Kara spoke with pride, nodding toward her cousin.

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