by Audra Hart
“Your sister’s mate. They plan to wed in June. He’s a Vanir.” Luca says with a smile. “He’s a good man too, and strong enough to deal with your sister.” Luca chuckles at that thought.
“Father, I heard Mother refer to dying here and you just did as well. You mean she actually died? I thought she was an Immortal.” Kylor asks.
“The curse.” Luca says stiffly.
Breena gets up and goes to her brother in law and places her arm around his waist. “Kylor, Morna’s remains from two life times are buried next to what we all believed were your remains. Luca has buried his mate twelve different times. It’s been pure hell on him.”
Luca kisses Breena on top of her head. “Not just me. She has had to die thirteen times. Two of those times I wasn’t with her.”
“I can’t imagine the pain all of you have endured over the centuries,” Says Kylor sadly.
“There has been a lot of pain Son, but our joy is boundless now that we have all of our children with us. And we have a sixth child coming soon. I can’t express how happy your mother and I are.” Luca says sincerely. “I hear Aideen and Agnar.”
Luca opens the door and a beautiful couple walk through the door. They are very different in appearance. The woman is tiny, fair, and red headed, the man is huge, at least seven feet tall, has a darker complexion, and his hair is black as midnight. But it is obvious that they are a couple. Aideen walks directly to Kylor, he stands to face her. Both of them clearly reveal the wonder on their faces, and their uncertainty of how to proceed. After several moments Aideen says, “I have met you before. In Chicago. About two years ago. I was drawn to you, just like I am now.” Aideen reaches out and strokes his face. “You are really my big brother?”
Kylor nods and smiles, and takes her into his arms when the tears of joy start to fall down her face. Everyone in the room is overwhelmed by the joy of this reunion. After several minutes Aideen reaches out and draws Kyle into their embrace and looks around, “Where are Nora and Aiden?”
“Asleep, little girl,” says Breena. Her voice choked with emotion. “You will all be able to be together soon.” Rinda walks over and hugs her friends Luca and Breena. She too, is overcome with emotion. Luca extends his hand to his mother. Bellona stands and comes to him. He wraps his right arm around her and pulls her into the group. Rinda turns around and is watching the three siblings as tears of joy run down her face.
This is the scene that greets Morna as she walks through the door. She moves aside a little to allow her father and grandfather to enter the room. The trio of siblings turn to look at the new arrivals. Kylor immediately races to his mother, and hugs her and kisses her cheek. “Mother! I am so glad to see you again! Father says my secret is out.”
“Yes Kylor. Heimdall has seen Valgullveig. She is on her way to Mars. She is probably already there. We go to confront him in the morning,” Morna says decisively.
Kylor looks at his father who nods his agreement before saying; “Anyone who poses a threat to one of our children must be dealt with immediately.”
“I am hoping Valgullveig will still be there, we have not been able to catch up with her.” Morna says quietly. She sighs and says, “We would go tonight, but I must rest.” She points to her belly and says, “Growing your baby brother takes much of my energy.”
Kylor rubs her belly gently and says quietly, “This amazes me. I thought I would never have another sibling beside the lovely Aideen when the other children apparently perished.”
Kylor turns towards the two huge men taking up the front part of the room when Valliant laughs heartily and then booms, “Morna, when do my father and I get to meet our grandson?”
“Sorry Father, Grandfather. Kylor meet the mighty Valliant and his esteemed Father, Vali. Your grandfather and great-grandfather.” Valliant rushes over and scoops Kylor up into his arms. Kylor laughs and hugs the giant. When Valliant sets him down he goes over to Vali, nods his head at him and then extends his hand to shake. Vali laughs and picks him up just like his son did. Kylor laughs again and hugs his great-grandfather.
“Amazing!” Says Vali. “You are as strong as a bear, boy! But I shouldn’t be surprised, you come from good stock.”
Vali sets his grandson down and makes his way to Bellona. He gently takes her hand into his own and kisses it tenderly. “Beautiful Bellona! I feared I would never see you again,” Vali says with intense feeling.
Morna and Luca exchange confused looks, and Valliant laughs. “They have history together. Father wanted to challenge Mars on Bellona’s behalf years ago, but she refused. She feared he would be killed, or start a war between the realms.”
Luca looks at Bellona and says, “Sorry Mother, but we will not take no for an answer now. If Mars chooses to strike against us, we must stop him. We cannot let any threat to our children or our Guild stand unanswered.”
Morna walks into the other room to check on her children. She sits in the chair by the bed to rest for a moment. She feels very tired and hungry. She did not eat like she should have today and she is feeling the effects. She leans her head against the wall and closes her eyes for a moment.
Suddenly she sits upright and is immediately awake. Heimdall is summoning. “Oh damn! What now?” Morna mutters to herself.
“Tsk, tsk. Watch how you talk to your godfather,” says Heimdall with a chuckle.
“I wasn’t directing that at you Heimdall and you know it.” Morna says crossly.
“I know, Baby Girl. I am bringing everyone home for the night. You need to rest, and rejuvenate. Don’t argue. Odin has commanded it.” Heimdall says authoritatively.
“I wasn’t planning on arguing, but you know technically, I am not subject to Odin’s commands.” Morna says sleepily.
“I know that, Baby Girl, but be a good girl and don’t remind him of that,” Heimdall says with a chuckle.
“Fine. I wasn’t planning on doing that either. I know how to respect my grandfather,” Morna says grumpily.
“Why are you so sullen?” Heimdall asks.
“Because I am exhausted and hungry and thirsty, and all I really want to do is go get to know my son,” Morna admits.
“Well come home to Asgard child, let us feed and nourish you. Let your babies sleep in their own beds. You must be fully rested before you confront Mars. He’s a cold hearted bastard. He will not respect you until you make him do so. You need to be at your strongest to face him. Let your Asgardian family take care of you tonight. Only Vali and Valliant can accompany you to Mars’ realm. And he may even take their presence as an act of war. But we are willing to risk it. Everyone knows that Vali chooses to only be a foot soldier and messenger for Odin and Valliant has taken it upon himself to act as protector and guardian of Ireland and Wales, and the fifty-two gateways. So neither hold official positions in the Asgardian hierarchy,” Heimdall reminds Morna.
“Fine,” says Morna with a sigh. She stands and trudges into the other room. “Luca, we go to Asgard for the night.”
Valliant laughs and says, “Baby Girl, we are already there.” He opens the door of Morna’s cottage and she is amazed to see that Heimdall has transported the entire cottage to his front lawn.
CHAPTER 14 – THE BELOVED SON’S HOMECOMING
Morna steps outside and chuckles, “Nice trick, Heimdall!” Everyone follows Morna out of the cottage. Valliant is carrying Nora and Vali has Aiden. Luca scoops Morna up into his arms and they all take off running for Morna’s greathouse. When they arrive, Tena, Surt and Skjarr have a huge meal prepared for them in the main dining room.
Shortly after everyone is seated and eating, Ingrid walks in, she sets another cup of blood before Morna, and checks to make sure everything is satisfactory. Morna tells the Valkyrie to sit down and eat with them. “In a bit Morna. I have a few other matters to check on first. I need to make sure that the room between Aideen’s and Kyle’s is ready for Kylor.”
Nora and Aiden woke up long enough to eat but they are showing obvious signs of sleepiness again so M
orna gets up to take them to bed. Aideen stands and says, “No way, Mama! Kiss them goodnight. Agnar and I can get them to bed. You must eat and sleep! Doctor’s orders,” She adds with a smile.
Luca takes Morna’s hand and kisses it gently. “Baby, you know she is right. Listen to your daughter, the doctor.”
Kylor has been thoughtfully watching his mother ever since Ingrid brought the blood to her. Morna sits down and picks up the cup. She drinks it down quickly and covers it with a saucer. She picks up her coke and takes a drink of it. She can feel Kylor watching her. “Kylor, I think you might have a few questions for me.”
“Yes Mother, as a matter of fact, I do. Are you a vampire like Father?” Kylor asks, without any trace of judgment in his voice.
“The short answer is yes, the whole answer is much more involved. I still have a beating heart, I still bleed, sweat, eat, all the other human things like that. But I have many vampire attributes. Your father accidentally exposed me to his venom 21 days ago. It was due to that exposure that I was able to conceive again.” Morna rubs her belly lovingly. “Because of the pregnancy, I feed on blood. I was feeding on animals, but it took too much time, and the doctors ordered me to consume two units of human blood, four times a day. The whole answer is, I really don’t know what I am now. I am, Me.” Morna says with a shrug.
Kylor laughs and hugs his mother again. “You amaze me, Mother!”
Just then Damian and Heimdall stroll into the hall. Damian rushes to Breena’s side. “Baby, I was out of my mind when I couldn’t find you after the cottage disappeared. I was standing by that river in Morna and Luca’s glen screaming at the heavens, demanding Heimdall take me to you. I don’t really think he appreciated a lowly vampire talking to him that way.”
Heimdall laughs, “I didn’t mind, young Master Damian. I am sorry I forgot to bring you up the first time. You were so deeply engrossed in conversation with the Anasazi envoys, I forgot about you for a bit.”
Breena kisses Damian lovingly and says, “I am sorry. I didn’t think of anything else after Ingrid told me that Kylor lives.”
“That’s cool, Baby, I can understand that. Hey have you seen Mac?” Damian asks.
“She is with Skjarr. They are really tight.” Breena says happily.
“What do you mean tight?” Damian asks, his face showing his obvious concern for his sister’s welfare.
“Just what I said, they are tight. Good friends. Mac took right to him. You surely saw that for yourself.” Breena says. “Look, I can assure you that his feelings towards her are pure. He is quiet and timid and she is quiet, they like each other.”
“Okay, sorry. I guess I am overprotective.” Damian says. “I am going to go check on her. I will be right back.”
“Wait, did Heimdall say you were with the Anasazi?” Morna asks with a grin on her face.
“Yep, I figure that since my mate is a Stone Breaker and my best friend is too, I better get in tight with the leaders. Seriously though, their beliefs and customs fascinate me. They are really cool people.” Damian says with all the exuberance of any typical eighteen year old.
Breena laughs and pats his hand, Morna shakes her head happily at him and watches him go in search of his sister. Morna and Breena lock gazes and Morna asks telepathically if she ever feels like she is robbing the cradle. Breena laughs and blushes, but she can’t answer because her sister is sitting several feet away and she still doesn‘t know how to use telepathy like Morna and her children.
Morna finishes her meal and snuggles up to her mate. Luca wraps his arms around her and thanks Tena as she carries the dishes away. “Tena could you get my Morna a cup of warm milk. She is going to bed very soon.”
Morna is nearly dozing against his chest and says, “Sorry Kylor. I don’t think I am going to be able to stay awake much longer.”
Luca agrees, and scoops her up into his arms. “Sorry all, but she really needs sleep. Kylor, have Tena show you to our rooms when she comes back.” Luca leaves the hall so quickly no one sees him go.
Kylor laughs and says, “Does he do that all the time?”
Several at the table laugh and say, “YES!”
Odin rises and Thor, Frigg and Sif follow his example. “We will come back mid-morning. Morna needs to sleep as long as possible. Heimdall can transport you to Mars’ realm and get you there at the crack of dawn. Odin looks towards Valliant, and says, “Make sure Luca doesn’t let her refuse to use that chamber. She needs to be completely rejuvenated before she confronts Mars.”
Valliant laughs and says, “Luca will see to it. Keeping her well and safe is always his first priority. Baby Girl is stubborn, but she will not go against Luca, when he insists.”
Kylor turns to Valliant and Vali. “How strong is Mother? Is she truly a strong warrior?”
“One of the strongest ever,” says Valliant. Kylor looks around and realizes everyone in the room agrees with that assessment.
Kylor nods and says, “That’s good, because when we confront Mars tomorrow, he will probably challenge Mother. He will not respect her and will want to put her in her place. He will insult her, and try to degrade her. That is how he treats all women. Can she keep her cool when someone is taunting her?”
Agnar laughs heartily at that. “She won’t exactly keep her cool. But she will probably start the taunting, as soon as she senses his disrespect. Plus, he poses a threat to her children, and her Guild. She will be vicious and virtually unstoppable against him. Don‘t worry about your mother, Kylor. She is fully capable of facing Mars or any other so called god of war,” Agnar assures Kylor.
Kylor looks at Agnar, “Have you fought against her before?” All the Asgardians bust out in laughter. Kylor looks around in confusion.
“Many, many times,” Agnar says after his laughter starts to subside. “But I have fought alongside her more often than against her. She can stand her own ground. We can assure you of that.”
Ingrid enters the dining hall and goes to Bellona, “Madam, your chamber is ready. Just let I or Tena know when you are ready to retire.”
Bellona sighs, and says, “I am not as strong as the others here. I am ready now. Vali, would you come with me? I would like to talk to you for a bit.” Vali comes to the Lady and extends his arm to her. She lightly places her hand on it and bids everyone a good night, and then allows Vali to lead her to her chamber.
The group resumes light chatter for a few minutes until Tena returns with the cup of warm milk for Morna. She looks around in surprise. Kylor stands and says, “Dear Tena, I am to have you show me to my parent’s quarters and deliver the milk to my Mother.”
Kyle stands and takes the cup from the confused Tena, “Thank you Ma’am,” he tells Tena politely. “I can show my brother to Mom and Dad. I am almost ready for bed myself.” He walks towards the door and says, “Come on, bro.”
Kylor joins him, “Kyle, I am truly gratified by the reception I have received. I am so happy you, Aiden and Nora live. I thought I had missed the chance to get to know you.”
Kyle chuckles, “Bro, I can’t tell you how happy we are to find we have a big brother. Mom and Dad are out of their minds with joy.”
When Kyle and Kylor arrive at their parent’s suite, Luca quickly takes the milk to Morna and then brings his sons into the small study. He has been going over the prophesies again. Kylor and Luca sit on the sofa and chat quietly about Bellona and her work with women and children that are devastated by wars. Kyle is listening but wanders over to the desk. At first he skims the notes that Luca has made in his perfect handwriting, and then he starts looking at the copies of the original prophesies. “Hey Dad, is this stuff supposed to be accurate?” He asks holding up the originals.
“Kyle, can you read that?” Luca asks.
“Yeah, I don’t know how I am doing it, but I am. I can read these symbols as easily as I can read your notes on it. But I think you made a couple of mistakes in your translation.” Kyle says as he continues to read intently.
Luca joins Kyl
e at the desk and says, “Show me, Son.”
Kyle points out a couple of minor grammatical errors in Luca’s translation and then finally points to the part about Aiden, with the help of his older brother, delivering the final blow to Valgullveig, “That should be plural. The original says brothers. I guess it means Kylor and me.”
Morna had come to the doorway by then and had been listening to their conversation. “Luca, I was going to mention that to you. I thought it might be saying that. But it didn’t make sense until we found out Kylor lives.” Morna pads into the study and strokes Kylor’s cheek, “Welcome to your home, my son.” She crooks her finger at him and he bends down and she kisses him on the cheek. She walks over to her mate and other son, and kisses both of them.
Kylor watches her move across the room with the smooth grace that most great warriors exhibit. Her hair is wet and wild looking. She isn’t wearing any make up or a fancy suit. Instead she is wearing shorts, a tank top, and no shoes. There are no traces of the vicious scars he had seen on her body when he saw her last in Oklahoma. “Mother, was it the venom that healed your scars?”
“What scars?” demands Kyle.
“From the crash, baby,” Morna says quietly. “Yes Kylor, your father’s venom healed me completely from all of those injuries. He and I can still see faint traces of the scars, but the naked human eye cannot.”
“How badly were you really hurt, Mom?” Kyle asks.
“I should have died Kyle. The witch healed me just enough to allow me to survive. If I had died by her hand, she would have lost her immortality. The UCI would have tracked her down. It’s a rule among immortals of our kind. We can only take the life of another ascended immortal if they are threatening our own lives. It keeps us from petty squabbles, well usually. She is a former Spell Weaver. Her hatred for me is strong, but not strong enough to willingly give up her immortality.”
“I saw that jagged piece of metal get plunged into your chest. What other injuries were there?” Kyle asks persistently.
“Baby, you really don’t want to know all of the details,” Morna says in a quiet but firm voice. Kyle looks frustrated and a little bit angry at his mother’s response, but he doesn’t argue with her.
