Chapter Twenty-Nine

“Vervain.” Odin was waiting for me on one of the couches just outside the bathroom.

Everyone was getting ready for bed. It was Vipers turn to spend the night with me, and he was already in our massive bed, lying on his back with the covers around his waist. I glanced from him to Odin.

“I want to talk to you about what you said,” Odin said.

“What did I say?” I asked.

Odin frowned. “About not being ready to have another baby.”

“Oh!” I just stared at him, mind spinning. “Um. Thats when I was confused.”

Odin wasnt a man to be swayed. “Have you been worried about that? About me?”

“No. Well, maybe I have since it popped into my head.”

“Im content, Vervain. I can wait until youre ready. Weve talked about this.”

“Yeah, but feelings change and sometimes I wonder if you guys say things for my benefit.”

“We dont lie to you, love.”

“Not lie, just . . . soften the truth.”

Odin chuckled.

“Id like to have a kid,” Viper said.

Odin and I swung to face the bed.

“Sorry to eavesdrop, but youre right there.” Viper motioned at us.

“You want a child?” I asked.

“Yeah, someday. I think it would be fun.”

Odin made a snorting, scoffing sound.

“Whats wrong with that?” Viper asked.

“Parenthood is not about fun.”

“It can be,” Viper said. “And dont tell me that I dont know about it. Ive helped with the kids here. I know there are moments of joy and times when you want to strangle them. But mostly, its about love. So why cant it be fun? I have fun with them.”

I grinned at Viper. “It is fun. It can be very fun. Kids are a source of fun. They remind us to play.”

“See?” Viper waved a hand at me.

Odin sighed. “Yes, I suppose it can be fun. But—”

“Why do you want kids, if you dont think theyll be fun?” Viper interrupted.

Odin scowled at Viper.

“Its a simple question.”

“But the answer is far from simple,” Odin said. “Children are the physical representation of love. When I look at Vidar, I remember all the moments Sabine and I spent raising him. Loving him. We didnt just bring him to life, we also helped to form him into the man he became. Hes a living monument to my life with Sabine. But Sabine is now Vervain, a completely different person. I have new memories with her, a new life, and it would . . .” Odin sighed. “It would mean everything to me to create a new child with her. I want to see Vervain in our child. I want another piece of her to hold and love. A pure piece that I can protect and guide and experience the worlds anew through. There is nothing like that.”

“Exactly.” Viper grinned in a very youre-welcome way.

Odins jaw dropped. Hed been led and hadnt noticed. That did not happen to him. Then he looked at me.

I had to blink back my tears.

“Oh, sweetheart, no.” Odin pulled me into his arms. “Im sorry. I didnt mean to pressure you.”

“You didnt.” I hugged him. “That was just very sweet. I love you too, Odin.”

Odin relaxed around me, his huge body both my shield and support. I was safe there. And loved. I had been since the day Id been born. And even before that.