Loki moved out of the small cottage, standing in the doorway but giving Torrian the space he needed to fight his battle.
Jake
Book 4
Of the second generation of Grants, Loki was closest to the twins.
Chapter 18
Loki and his mountains…
They left early the next morn. Kenzie rode with Loki, Aline with Jake, and Magnus rode alone. Jake kept his lips in her hair for most of the trip, taking in her scent for comfort. She smelled of lavender, most likely from the oil his aunt Celestina made.
Loki glanced up at the majestic mountain in front of them, covered in white.
“Papa, why do you stare at the mountains so?” Kenzie asked.
Loki tried to straighten the lad’s unruly hair. “Must you be so attentive? I stare at the mountains because they represent freedom and a good life to me. You know exactly what I mean, do you not?”
Kenzie frowned, but then glanced around him. “Aye, but to me, ‘tis something different. Why the mountains?”
“Because the first time I saw them, I rode in front of my mama, though I did not yet know that she would adopt me. We were traveling to see Da because of his injury. ‘Twas verra cold and nearly winter, the snow was flying hard, and I’ll never forget the first time I saw the mountains and the Grant lists. The peaks looked like they touched the heavens. ‘Twas where I thought we were headed, but the next thing I saw was the Grant lists. Thatwasheaven to me. Was there not something similar for you?”
“Aye, but you will laugh at me if I tell you.”
Jake listened to his cousin’s conversation with his adopted son, curious to see what Kenzie would say meant the most to him. All the clan knew of Loki’s attraction to the mountains, but what did the wee laddie care about?
“Go ahead.” He tipped his head toward Jake. “We promise not to laugh.” Magnus was too far ahead to overhear, but Jake stayed close.
“The moment I knew things might change for me was when you and Grandsire came to get me. Remember when Grandsire told me to go get my favorite animal my mama had made for me? I knew for sure you were Lucky Loki then, and I knew you would not leave me to live in a crate.”
Jake turned to Kenzie. “Is there a sight that summons that feeling for you?”
“Aye, whenever I see my papa and grandsire. Then I know I’m lucky, too.”
Loki gave Kenzie a quick hug and they continued onward.
Loki’s Christmas Story
Loki struggled to find his purpose in the world, but he needn’t have worried. It found him.
Chapter Nine
Loki learns the origin of his name.
“Bor, may I speak with you outside?”
“Of course.” Bor led the way out the door and, instead of stopping, walked into the nearby forest, continuing on until he came to a clearing.
He turned around, giving Loki a pointed look, but Loki had no idea what the old man wanted from him. His gaze scanned the area, a small clearing surrounded by trees on all sides. Strangely enough, something pulled to him, so he walked the perimeter without any prompting from Bor, finally stopping at a tree with multiple cut marks across it. It looked as if someone had attempted to cut it down and failed. A stump was not far from it, so he sat down, staring at the tree as visions peppered his mind.
A young lad.
An axe.
Tears.
Screams.
