COF 11

Lucian stood there staring, unable to believe what he had just heard. His mouth opened and closed several times, as he stared at the floating Freya, her words slowly sinking into his brain. “Did you just say what I think you did?!” His voice caught in his throat, and he swallowed nervously. “She’s back? Lenneth has returned?!” He watched as her head dipped forward, nodding rapidly, the Fertility Goddess’ face shining with happiness.

“Mortal fool, do you not have ears?!” demanded Thor, causing Ull to let out a snort of laughter. “The Goddess has spoken. We have no need to hear you repeat what she has to say!” Lucian dared to shoot a dark look at the Thunder God, but Freya’s hand on his shoulder stifled his words.

“Now is not the time to fight amongst ourselves.” She said. She directed a look of warning at Lucian, feeling the einherjar needed to heed her words most of all. “This should be a moment of great joy, not one of petty comments.”

“Right…” Lucian agreed.

“Forgive me Freya.” Thor said, unused to having to apologize for his words.

“It’s all right…” She said benevolently.

“Can I go to her?” asked Lucian, eager to see Lenneth once again. “I have so many questions to ask her!” Foremost at the list was where exactly had she been during this time.

“I don’t think the Creator should be bothered right now.” Thor said, and Ull nodded his head in agreement. “It’s best we leave this business private among the Gods.” The boy God added.

Lucian frowned. “I wouldn’t be bothering her. She’s MY woman after all.” Freya winced at that, unbelieving of Lucian’s audacity.

“Insolent cur!” boomed Thor, the rumble of nearing storm clouds echoing in his voice. “You would dare lay claim on our fair Creator?!” He gripped his hammer, holding it before him in a threatening manner. “I have struck down mortals for far less offensive remarks!”

“Before this gets completely out of hand…” Freya floated down between the God and mortal, her hands held out to ward them off. “Need I remind you Lord Thor, Lucian is…special to Lady Lenneth?”

“It would displease her greatly if you were to dispose of him before she tired of her mortal toy.” said Ull with a smirk, causing Lucian to let out an outraged sound.

“Bah!” harumphed Thor. “This doesn’t give him leave to speak so freely around we Gods.”

“I’ll be sure to speak to Lenneth about his…behavior.” Freya said in assurance.

“See that you do.” Thor said gruffly. Lucian wisely kept quiet, biting down on his tongue to keep a hot headed remark to himself.

“Lady Freya, should we not go to Lady Lenneth’s side at once?” asked Ull. “Surely she has need of us.”

“Yes.” agreeed the blonde woman. “We must go to her.” Unspoken was the thought of what they would do should the energy signature disappear.

“You can track her now?” questioned Lucian.

“Hopefully…” Freya sighed. “We will consult with the water mirror. The pulse of energy from the Creator is strong now, it will resonate with the waves of the mirror, and tell us where she is.”

“Good…then let us be off.” Thor commanded, and as he stepped forward, the air around him shimmered. The image of the bearded God wavered and turned, disappearing before their eyes with a ringing sound. Ull nodded at Freya, and then he too was twisting, disappearing into the air around them. Lucian watched this with impassive eyes, and was surprised when Freya held out her hand to him. “Coming Lucian?”

He blinked. “What? But I thought…”

Freya allowed a smile to cross her lips. “I would not deny you the chance to see Lenneth after so long. I am not so…cruel as that.” She could see the man was truly surprised by her words, and gratitude was in his eyes.

“Thank you Freya.” He reached out, eagerly taking hold of her hand. The Goddess floated close to him, her body brushing against his. “Steady yourself.” She advised him. “I’ve never transported a mortal before.”

“Okay…” Lucian nervously wet his lips, taking a deep breathe of air. He found it interesting to watch the teleportation happen from the view of one doing it. He wasn’t sure what he had expected…maybe to feel his body hurt, feel it wrench and disassemble in an instance. However, rather than see his and Freya’s body shift, it was the area around them that grew distorted. It was as though looking through a waterfall, the land becoming out of focus, colors blurring together. He heard a loud popping noise, and felt his feet drop down to touch on the stone below him.

“You brought him with you?!” demanded Thor aghast, watching as Lucian blinked rapidly, looking around at his surroundings. They were outside the Hall of Valhalla, the doors remaining tightly closed. That’s right…To get to the water mirror, you have to pass through the throne room. Lucian remembered, unease growing in his stomach. The last time he had tried to contact Lenneth via the water mirror it hadn’t ended well for him.

“Lady Freya, is this wise?” asked Ull, shifting a look at Lucian. “Remember what happened the last time a mortal…this one in particular, entered the sacred vault…?”

“That wasn’t my fault!” Lucian cried out angrily. “Loki tricked me!”

“Be that as it may…it was your presence in the vault that allowed him to cause Ragnarok.” pointed out Ull.

“He would have found someone else to use if Lucian was not around.” Freya sighed. “Ragnarok was fated to happen after all.”

“True but…”

“But enough!” Freya snapped, nostrils flaring. “We waste too much time on words. I would rather we speak on this and other matters after we consult the mirror.”

“I want it known that I am against this boy’s presence here.” Thor said. “However, I will concede to put off talks until a later date.” He glared at Lucian. “There will be a reckoning should you step out of line boy!”

“Right…” Lucian held up his hands in a placating manner. “I promise to be on my best behavior.”

“Is that good enough for you Lord Thor?” Freya asked. “Ull?”

“Yes I suppose.” He agreed. Ull also nodded his head.

“Then onwards!” She gestured at the tall double doors, that towered over the group’s head. Energy poured out of her arm, enveloping the door, creeping into the cracks. With a loud groan, the marble began to part, the doors opening inward to the throne room. The four entered the room, and were stopped up short by a voice. “Well look at this.” It was man’s, strong and arrogant in tone. “I’m gone for a few months, and already my Gods have forgotten their manners. Don’t you know better than to enter my throne room without knocking first?!”

The sound of a God teleporting rang out, echoing through out the cavernous room. The air shimmered near the golden throne, and slowly a man, his back to them appeared, standing on the red carpeting. His hair was a light gray, sometimes snow white depending on how the light hit it. He was immaculately dressed in a dark gray suit, a burnt sienna cape falling down to the back of his knees. He turned, a smile on his face, though it did not reach his eyes. They were cold and calculating, piercing as they stared at you, as though the man could see into your very soul.

Lucian heard the gasps around him but did not understand why. He saw Thor and Ull drop swiftly down to their knees, head bowed down in reverence. Freya touched down on the ground, her mouth agape as she stared at the man. “No…it cannot be…” She whispered, taking a step backwards. Lucian noted the distress on the Goddesses’ face, and moved to catch her an instant before her legs crumbled out from underneath her. She sagged in his arms, but stayed conscious, her green eyes locked on the figure by the throne.

“Who are you?!” demanded Lucian, shifting his arms to better hold up Freya. The man’s eyes narrowed as he glared at Lucian, looking at him as though he was a mere bug he would squash.

“Lord Odin…” Freya answered, closing her eyes, tears brimming under the lids.

“Odin?!” Lucian exclaimed in surprise. He had never met the God, had never even seen what this particular Aesir had looked like. “But he’s supposed to be dead?!”

“As you can see, I am fine.” Odin smirked. “Rumors of my death have been grossly exaggerated”

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Reaching for the pitcher, Lenneth poured herself another glass of wine. It was just one in a string of drinks, even Lezard had lost count of how many she had had in the past two hours. Was this the seventh, or eight glass of wine? He looked at her, seeing the skin of her face was flushed, and her eyes a bit glassy. She wore a dreamy smile, and her hands fiddled with the buttons of her jacket. In and out went the button, her still nimble fingers freeing the metal, then capturing it again in the clothing’s slit.

“Are you feeling well my dear?” He asked concerned. He subtly moved the pitcher further away from her, thinking she had had enough.

“Never better!” She said this a bit too enthusiastically, and he noted her words were a bit slurred.

Oh dear. He thought amused. She’s drunk.

Lenneth was indeed feeling the effects of the wine, her thoughts heady and intoxicated. She smiled at nothing in particular, feeling her body aflame though the night air was brisk and cold. She kept tugging at her clothing, wanting to slip free of their confines. She glanced at Lezard, puzzled to see him swaying before her, and closed her eyes. She opened them a few seconds later, and he was still, sitting next to her, his eyes curious as he watched her.

“What are you looking at?” She demanded, taking another sip of her drink.

“You.” He answered truthfully.

“Well don’t.” She jerked up on her knees, jabbing a finger into his chest. “I am NOT that interesting.”

“I beg to differ.” He told her, raising his hands up to help her stand. “I can do it.” She told him, shooing his hands away from her. Lenneth smiled as she managed to walk upright a few steps. “See?”

Lezard nodded his approval, humoring her. “Well done Lady Valkyrie. You’ve managed to walk a straight line.”

“That’s right.” Lenneth gave a toss of her head. “I can do a lot of things!” She stumbled away from the blanket, intent on exploring the rooftop. Lezard remained where he was, sipping tea he kept warm via a fire rune carved on the mug’s bottom. He heard Lenneth softly singing under her breath, and smiled at the sound of her voice. She really did have a lovely voice from what he could hear.

“Lenneth?” He called out to her. “What was it like being a God? How did it differ from being a human?”

“You mean besides the power?” She asked, slowly spinning around.

“The power is the most obvious benefit.” Lezard conceded. “As is the ability to be immortal.”

“Hmmm…”

“I wonder…” He mused. “Could a human soul gain a kind of immortality from soul transference? The body would be different but the mind would be the same…”

“There are much easier ways for a human to become a God.” Lenneth replied. She let out a laugh then. “Well…easier than stealing a body at any rate…”

“What do you mean?” Lezard asked eagerly.

“Oh no! You can’t trick me!” She wagged a finger at him. “Just because you give me presents and a sweet tasting drink, it won’t get me to spill the secrets of the Gods so easily!” She folded her arms over chest, spilling the remains of her cup on the ground. “Besides the Aesir would never allow someone like YOU to taste the forbidden bounty!” She noticed the spilled liquid, a pout appearing on her lips.

“I don’t think they have any intention of letting any mortal taste this…treasure.” Lezard said. “We’re not talking about ascending to the top of Yggdrasil are we?”

“That would hardly be considered easy for a human!” Lenneth told him.

“Really…” He hid a smirk, thinking she was telling him more than she thought. It was fascinating to think there was an easier way out there, a way for one to attain the power of the Gods through some simpler means. “And would you be able to use this way in your current state?”

She sighed, stopping at the roof’s ledge. “If I could get away, I would…”

“Where would you go Lenneth?” urged Lezard. She continued as though not hearing him. “I know she’d let me have a taste…she’d remember me…”

“She?” There hadn’t been anything that sounded like this in the Philosopher’s stone. There was no response, and Lezard turned to glance at the Valkyrie. His heart gave a leap of fright to see her standing so close to the edge in her current inebriated state. “Lenneth?” He slowly got to his knees, trying to keep his voice sounding even and calm. “Don’t you think you should step down from there?”

“Hmm? Why?” She continued to dance along the ledge, a care free smile on her face.

“You might fall…” He moved closer to her.

“I have wings.” She told him, coming to a stop, but still standing atop the ledge.

“Yes, I’ve seen them.” He continued to walk towards her, a hand outstretched in her direction. “But you don’t have them now…!”

She swayed, her face uncertain as she remembered he was right. She closed her eyes for a second, thinking she might be ill, and was startled when a hand grabbed at her wrist. She went to jerk back, but Lezard held on, his strong grip pulling her forward so that she did fall, but only into his arms. He reached up to cup the back of her head, holding her close to him as he breathed out a sigh of relief. “That was a little too close for comfort.”

“Lezard?” Heart pounding, she wrapped her arms around him, holding on tight. Clinging to him, she glanced up at his face, seeing him up close and personal. Once again she couldn’t help noticing he was handsome with his unique purple eyes, and his chocolate brown hair.

“Now you’re the one who’s staring.” He said to her, stroking the back of her hair.

“Am I?” She smiled then, a teasing light in her blue eyes.

“Yes, you are.”

“Do you mind?” She asked, and leaned into him, standing on tip toe so that her face was somewhat even with his.

“No. But I can’t help but wonder what you’re up to.” He said a tad suspiciously, failing to notice how she was looking at him.

“I’m not up to anything.” promised Lenneth. She reached up to wind her hands into his hair, mimicking his movement of hair stroking. She felt him jump slightly, shooting her an odd look, before relaxing somewhat into her touch. “Do you like me, Lezard?”

“That’s a dumb question.” He laughed then, eyes turning puzzled as one hand caressed his face, her slender fingers tracing the curve of his mouth.

“Do you really, really like me?” She then asked, even as her eyes latched onto his lips. She stared at his mouth, thinking back on all the times she had been kissed by him.

“You know I do..” He said, even as she was moving, bringing her face to his, her lips soft and hesitant as they touched against his. His eyes widened in shock. Lenneth! He thought, thinking this must be a dream to have her kissing him. The kiss was different from the ones he forced from her, the key being this one was given freely, offered up to him for the taking. His hand fell away from her hair, gripping her by the upper arms, pulling her into him as though he could meld their bodies together into one being. Her mouth opened to his, and he thought how sweet indeed consent was, as their tongues danced together.

They pulled apart at last for air, and Lezard knew he must look as stunned as he felt. He stood there gaping at her, even as she giggled giddily, pushing forward to rub her face against his cheek. She was swaying slightly, her eyes half lidded as she gazed at him.

“You’re drunk.” He said at last, earning another giggle from her. She was pulling him down, trying to kiss at his neck, and he let her, closing his eyes as he enjoyed the feel of her lips on his skin. He sighed, it part arousal, part sadness. He had to be drunk too, Lezard rationalized. He must be if he was letting his oft missing conscience get in the way of enjoying this.

“Lenneth…” He tried again to get her attention, even as she went to kiss him again, missing his lips by mere centimeters.

“Lezard…” She mimicked his tone. “You talk too much.”

“I think too much as well.” Lezard sighed. “I think on what you’re reaction will be tomorrow when you’re clear headed and sober.”

“I’m clear headed now.” She frowned, feeling just the opposite of her words. She tried to kiss him again, and this time he pulled back from her, holding her at arms length. That sensual mouth of hers twisted into a pout, and Lenneth let out a cry of frustration. “Why are you stopping now?! After all those other times, I thought you wanted this!?”

“I do!” He was quick to assure her. “You have no idea how much I want you.”

“Then show me!” Her look was wicked, her smile utter temptation, and she inhaled deeply, drawing his attention to her pushed out chest. Lezard gulped, and tried to look away. “Don’t tease me!” He said, trying to sound harsh. He gave her a little shake. “As a man I can only last so long before I do something we’ll both regret!”

Now she was the one sighing, trying to pull out his grasp. “You’re no fun.” To his great surprise, she burst into tears. Helplessly, and a bit reluctantly he pulled her to him, murmuring soothing words into her ear. It seemed Lenneth was an emotional drunk, much better than his former friend Mystina, who could get quite violent when she drank too much.

“It’s late, and you’re tired.” Lezard said at last. “I think we should go to bed.”

“Together?” She asked in a wavery voice, and he fancied he could hear a hint of hope in Lenneth’s tone.

“Er no…” Lezard couldn’t believe he was turning her down! “I think it’s best if we sleep separately tonight. You’ll uh…thank me in the morning!” And I might just kick myself for it.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

It was as though she was dreaming, thought Freya, closing her eyes at the sight of Odin. He couldn’t be real. She had seen him die, die to save her…protect her from Loki’s attack. How she had cried over his corpse, weeped and begged, even prayed to some nonexistent entity to bring him back to her. Her words had gone unheeded. Without the Lord Creator, who was there to hear the Vanir maiden’s prayers?

It had been enough to make her wish she had died with him, the heart break she felt at his death so immense. She had never felt such sorrow before, and wanted never again to. Now she didn’t know what to think. Was that really him? And how? Lenneth was all but forgotten in Freya’s mental crisis, the Goddess content to stay in Lucian’s arms, let his strength envelope and protect her.

She felt Lucian’s arms tighten around her, a gasp issuing from his throat. Her eyes flew open, and she turned her head to peer at Lucian’s face. His skin was pale and waxy, eyes wide and frightened, a slack jawed expression on his face as he worked to get air into his throat. Freya frowned, confused as to what was causing this, even as she heard footsteps approach.

“Get your hands off of Freya, mortal dog!” Odin demanded, striding forward. She turned surprised eyes at Odin, seeing him approach the pair, an angry snarl on his face.

“My Lord…” She murmured weakly, even as Lucian continued to gasp for air.

“My dear Freya…” He reached out to cup her face, fingers smoothing away the tears on her cheek. “Do not be sad, for I have returned to you!”

Freya managed to find her voice. “It’s merely tears of happiness…” Odin smiled then, and pulled her out of Lucian’s slackening grip. The man fell to the floor, clawing at his throat, desperate for oxygen. Ignoring the sounds from Lucian, Odin hugged her then, pressing himself against the golden haired Goddess, his arms gripping her tightly. “How I have missed you.”

The tears fell faster. “I’ve missed you too!” Her arms went around his waist, returning the hug, even as she buried her face against his chest. “I don’t understand…how can you be here?! I saw you die!”

“It was not a true death. Think of it as what the mortals refer to as a coma.” He petted Freya’s hair soothingly, trying to distract her from further questions. Lucian managed to reach out, grabbing Freya around the ankle. Startled she looked down, seeing him there blue in the face. “Lucian…release him my Lord.”

“He dared to lay hands on you.” retorted Odin, gazing down at Lucian with a disdainful expression on his face.

“He meant no offense.” Freya quickly added, pulling out of his arms. “Please my Lord!?”

Odin was silent a second longer, frown lines appearing on his face. “Very well.” He snapped his fingers, and Lucian let out a loud gasp, slumping weakly to the ground as his lungs gratefully took in much needed air. “My return has put me in a benevolent mood tonight.”

“Thank you Lord Odin!” Freya said, holding herself still. She wanted to bend down and check on Lucian, but she didn’t dare risk Odin’s anger by fussing over the mortal. Instead she watched Odin walk back towards the throne, fingers sliding across the gold as though inspecting it for dust.

“My Lord…” Thor began, hesitantly raising his head to look up at the God. “May I have permission to speak?”

“You may.” Odin said, settling down in the throne. Lucian couldn’t bear to think of it as HIS throne, but no one in the room objected to the Aesir sitting down in Lenneth’s seat.

“How is it you are here?” asked the Thunder God. “Where have you been all this time?”

“Does it really matter?” He bent his arm on the arm rest, resting his face on the palm of his hand.

“Yes. It does.” Thor said insistently.

“I have been resting in the care of an ally. That’s all you need to know.” Odin replied.

“But who is this ally?” asked Freya, approaching the throne. “Surely we must honor the one who saved you? At least tell us a name.”

“My benefactor wishes to remain anonymous for now.” Odin’s lips quirked as he tried not to smile. “She’s very shy.”

“She?” Freya arched an eyebrow, feeling a jealous twinge stab through her. “You’ve been with another woman all this time?”

“Fear not Freya.” He waved lazily at her. “I was badly ill and too incapacitated to do anything besides lay in bed.”

“Really?” She pursed her lips, not quite believing him. Lucian chose this moment to speak up. Coughing around his words, he said, “Can we worry about extramarital affairs later? We need to find Lenneth!”

“Shush!” Ull whispered, shooting him a frantic glance. “Do not speak unless Lord Odin bades you too.”

“But…” Freya glanced over her shoulder at Lucian, looking at him as though she was unsure why he was still present in the room. “Lenneth!” He mouthed at her, hands splayed apart as though to say, “What’s going on?!” She frowned and shook her head no, before turning her back to him.

With a stifled growled, Lucian sat back on his knees, glaring at Freya’s back. He didn’t see why everyone was content to forget about Lenneth all of a sudden.

“I suspect much has gone on in my absence.” Odin was saying. “You will have to fill me in later, Freya, Thor.”

“Yes my Lord.” The two Gods said in unison.

“What is the status of Asgard now?” He asked. “Whom do we fight?”

“Fight? Well…no one…officially…” Thor said, thinking of Hrist rallying the einherjar for battle against Brahms.

“What?” Odin laughed in disbelief. “Astonishing! Surely Ragnarok was not enough to force Tyr to retire from battle!?”

“It’s true his blood thirst for war is great…” Thor began hesitantly, with a look at Freya. Odin would take the news better from her. “But…”

“Tyr was kept on a short leash.” Freya said. “Your…replacement kept turning down his bids for war.”

“My replacement.” His eyes darkened, but then he pasted a fake smile on his face. “Ah yes…I had heard some news on an…impostor to the throne, running things in my absence. Who was it?”

“You’re…you’re not angry my Lord?” Freya asked, stressing his title. It was good to remind him that he was their Lord, the one they had all sworn featly to.

“Not at all.” Odin said, the lie flowing smoothly off his tongue. “You thought I was dead after all.”

“Yes…” But still his calm acceptance was unnerving to them all.

“So who was it?” He reminded them of the question.

“It was Lenneth my Lord.” Thor stated. Odin threw back his head, a robust laughter echoing from his lips. “Lenneth?! Surely you jest! Heh…a sixth level Goddess was who you took orders from?”

“Sixth level no more!” Lucian dared to speak. “She has the power of creation in her.”

“Really?” Odin asked, feigning interest. “Do tell. Where is the little Goddess? I’d love to have a chat with her.” He looked at them, seeing them silent and awkward before him. “What is it? What are you not telling me?”

“She’s missing.” Freya said with a sigh. “We haven’t been able to find her, no matter what we try.”

“Hmph. If she has become as powerful as you say, there is no need to worry.” Odin assured them. “She merely doesn’t want to be found.”

“Ordinarily I would agree with you.” Thor said. “But we have troubling evidence that points to an abduction.”

“Evidence?”

“If I may sir?” Odin nodded, and Ull continued. “It seems to be soul transference. The remnants of the spell have been found by Yggdrasil. It has been speculated that Brahms is behind the disappearance.”

“Brahms eh?” Odin stroked his chin. “Well he has done it before.”

“Hrist is planning to lead an attack on him.” added Freya. “But now that you are here…perhaps you can open negations with the vampire Lord.”

“We do not have dealings with vampires.” Odin scowled. “You know that Freya.”

“But my lord…if he has Lenneth…?”

Odin gave an uncaring shrug. “Let him have her.” Lucian and Freya both let out gasps of outrage. “For now.” He added with a smirk.

“At least let us check on her via the water mirror.” begged Lucian.

“You dare make suggestions to me, boy?!” demanded Odin.

“When it concerns Lenneth, you damn well better believe it!” Lucian retorted.

“Sire, no!” Freya quickly interjected. “He’s grief stricken over Lenneth…he knows not what he says or does!”

“His actions seem that of a sane man to me!”

“But sire…”

“Enough!” He bellowed, banging his fist against the gold chair. “I will not be talked to in this manner! Especially by a mere mortal!” He rose from his throne, a hand thrust out in the direction of Lucian. The blonde was lifted up into the air, and hurled against a wall. He slammed into it, with a painful crunch. “Get that fool out of my sight.”

Thor and Ull both stood. With one last bow to Odin, the Aesir walked towards the einherjar, grasping him by the arms. They lifted him up so that his legs dragged on the floor, and walked him out of the room. “You didn’t have to do that.” Freya said softly to Odin.

“I am Lord here, and I rule by action. I make an example out of those who displease me. You would do well to remember that Freya.”

She turned sad eyes away from Odin, looking down at the floor. “Yes my Lord. I understand.”

“Good.” He settled back in his throne, lazily eyeing her. “Now leave me.”

“Odin?”

“I wish to be alone. Now go!” He slapped her pert bottom, smirking as she gazed at him with annoyance. With a shake of her head, she flew away from him, leaving the room. Freya did not notice the thick black smoke that had started to creep into the room. Did not see as the doors closed behind her how it inched it’s way towards the throne, curling and winding about itself, growing thicker and more voluminous with every second. It reached Odin, and several tendrils traveled up his pants, winding sensuously around his legs.

“You still have feelings for her…?” a seductive voice hissed into his ear, the owner envious of the golden haired Goddess.

“Perhaps just a tad.” Odin replied, shifting in his seat as the smoke went higher up on his legs. “Are you jealous Hel?”

“Of course I am.” She said, emerging from the smoke, the bottom of her dress still sending out tendrils of the black fog towards the throne. “I don’t like to share my playmates with anyone.”

“You don’t like to share at all.” He told her. “Be it lovers, or power. Your greed knows no bounds.”

“But it is no match for your avarice.” Hel told him, coming nearer the throne. She went to caress his chest, and he grabbed at her hands, stopping her from touching his skin.

“You don’t trust me?” She pouted, batting her eyelashes playfully at him. “After all I’ve done for you.”

“Why are you here?” Odin demanded. “You know we can’t be seen with each other. Not yet, it is far too soon.”

“The time for my permanent ascension to Asgard can’t come soon enough for me.” She informed him, pressing her body between his legs. “I don’t see why I must wait. I’ve done a lifetime of waiting!”

“I grow tired of explaining this to you, my impatient beauty.” Odin said, still holding onto her wrists. “The timing is not correct. If I was to show up with you by my side, just as Lenneth has gone missing…it would raise too many suspicions. As it is, I am lucky they don’t wonder too closely about my arrival here.”

“Yes, those three fools seemed glad to have you back.” agreed Hel. “Too trusting are these Asgardians, to not wonder why you have returned just as Lenneth is gone.” She laughed then. “Of course that mortal man doesn’t trust you. It might do well to dispose of him, the next time you have one of your little tantrums.”

“I will handle him and any others that cause us problems.” Odin told her.

“And me?” She smirked then. “How will you handle me?”

“Like this!” He said, his eyes growing lustful. He pulled the voluptuous Goddess onto his lap, and she giggled against him, wrapping her arms around his neck. They kissed with wild abandon, hands sliding across each other’s bodies.