Or Viking.
“What is that you understand then, son?”
Loki mirrors me and places his small hand on my cheek. “He will return. But it will not be a happy reunion. He leaves us over and over again, until one day, he will never return. His heart is heavy, but he does this to save you.”
Tears instantly spring to life, but I need to be strong for my kin. “I have everything I want right here.”
Sune nestles into my side as I embrace him warmly. Loki, however, doesn’t wish for cuddles. Although younger, he is far older than Sune. His soul is older.
I worry for my, for our son.
“Did Prince Ludwig send sausages again?” Loki knows I received a gift from the prince because he “saw” it.
In the universe, mayhap?
If anyone knew of this, we would all be found guilty of heresy. No good Christian would ever believe there is more than one God. To even think it…I do not wish to even dwell on the outcome.
“Could you smell it?” I ask, tickling under his chin because the last time the prince sent sausages, the palace smelled of rotten meat for a week.
He swats my hand away but cannot contain his laughter.
Beneath his special abilities, he’s still just a little boy.
“His desperation stinks rotten. What a daræ.”
My mouth gapes open because my son just spoke to me in Norse. “How do you know that word?”
Loki arches his head to peer into the skies once more. I follow his actions and see three black ravens circling above us. “They told me.”
There is nothing but happiness in his tone.
Sune appears confused, but he doesn’t ridicule his brother for being different.
“Come, Sune, let us pick some herbs for dinner,” says Lady Bianca, one of my ladies-in-waiting.
She senses my panic, as I always knew this day would come. I just thought I’d have more time.
Sune rises quickly as he adores being doted on by my ladies, but not before kissing my cheek. “I love you, Mother.”
“And I you, my son.”
I watch as Lady Bianca scoops him up into her arms and leads him toward the herb garden.
When we’re alone, I brush the long hair from Loki’s face, the hair that he refuses to wear short. I know why that is when I think of Skarth’s hair, which he wore long and plaited—the hair of a true Viking warrior.
Before I have a chance to speak, Loki smiles. “Forgive yourself, Mother. Sune will understand why you did what you did. If he does not, then I will protect you.”
“Loki, what do you see?” I ask, unable to keep the terror from my tone.
“I see him in another woman’s belly, but you gave him life. You were covered in his blood because it was your face he first saw.”
I place a trembling hand to my mouth because I quickly realize my son’s life is at risk if anyone were to find out about his gift.
“Why do you punish me, Lord?” I whisper under my breath, shaking my head. “Have I not sacrificed enough?”
Loki frowns, and I instantly regret my words. “Loki, I did not mean it.”
But it’s too late.
