Now it did, and Raven intended to see it through.
To do as Loki suggested and let things play out.
“Now is our moment to take it all back.” She stood up taller, willing Tor to see her strength. Feel it. Because second by second, everything she had magically forgotten was coming back. “We lost so much because of Mórrígan’s interference in the Forge.” She looked at the egg that had started out the size of a tiny pee but was now considerably larger. “We also gained, though. Because no matter what her motivations, she gave me the solidity to be with you. The solidity to make our son.”
Raven looked at him again. “And I want him to have a life.Usto have a life.” She took his hand. “And there’s only one way to do that.”
“The storm over this mountain has a specific design to it,” he realized. “It’s a signal. One to make her think you’re still allied with her despite your actions seeming otherwise.” The corner of his mouth curled up. “More than that, it’s another one of your safeguards.”
“It is.” She met his crooked grin despite her breaking heart. “Put in place to start unraveling the minute Cian showed up, and I turned solid. A summoning. One that might not be foolproof, but I guarantee kept her from attacking sooner.” She shrugged. “If she did, she might have never found the baby. So while I doubt she thinks I’m honoring my word, my bet is her draw to our son will be too strong an urge to fight.”
Some might say she was using her offspring as bait, but it was the only thing that would bring Mórrígan to her. The only thing the goddess cared about.
“I can do this, Tor,” she promised, sure to keep her actual intentions buried down deep. Her ultimate safeguard, her grand plan, where he couldn't see it and stop her. Because hewouldtry to stop her. “Ihaveto do this.”
Although he wasn’t happy about it, she could tell by the look in his eyes he knew she was right. Not just that, but everyone was ready and standing by.
It was time.
Long past time.
“I love you.” Tor cupped her cheeks and brushed his lips across hers. “And I will back you up every step of the way.”
“I know you will,” she managed, amazed she could keep her emotions repressed now when they had wreaked so much havoc over the past few days. Without a doubt, another safeguard.
The strongest safeguard yet.
Before she let everyone know it was time, she closed the distance between her and Cian and took his hand as well. “You’ve been amazing, and I’m thankful, but I need to ask one more favor of you.”
“Anything.”
“I need you to keep my son's spirit in this nest and be the last line of defense between the enemy and my child.” She looked from the egg back to him, certain he was capable of both tasks. “As protected as he is, anything is possible when it comes to warring gods. My safeguards might weaken. All the magical protection others have put in place might not be enough. So I need to know someone’s here.”
Not to mention she didn’t want him fighting his own gods.
Not if he didn’t need to.
Raven did her best to stay strong as she pled with him because she knew what lay ahead. What she had to do. How important these final moments were. “I need to know he’s not alone if....”
“He will not be alone.” Cian squeezed her hand and gave her a look that said he would die before letting anything happen to her son. “I will protect him with my life.”
“Thank you,” she whispered and nodded once, unable to say much more for fear of breaking down. Now wasn’t the time for that. Now was the time to stay strong and fight.
So she nodded at the others that it was time to get moving.
While it was heart-wrenching leaving their baby, their battle was above, so she whispered goodbye into his mind, told him she loved him, and started up.
“It’s time,”she said to Trinity and Vicar telepathically, knowing how this needed to go.“Loki and Thor will be joining you as well as several other gods. Everyone else will stay here and fight where needed.”
“Be careful, sis.”There was no missing the emotion from both sides of Trinity. Her sister was happy for her because she had found out she had a son but terrified of what she faced now.“You’re taking on the worst of it single-handedly.”
“Yes, you are, and it sucks,”Maya agreed.“I love you, little sis. Know that I’ve got your back.”
“Me too,”Jade echoed, not mincing words. Angry to mask her fear.“Now go kick that bitch’s ass!”
“A bitch that is extraordinarily powerful,”Destiny reminded, her inner voice as emotional as Raven's sisters’. Not surprising, considering the two of them had such a strong bond. So strong, Destiny didn’t hesitate to say how she felt.“Leviathan and I will help any way we can, daughter. Never forget how powerful you are. Never forget what you fight for.”
“She never would,”Aunt Elsie said, tears in her telepathic voice.“Be careful, dear. Remember, even if you can’t hear me, I’m soothing you. I’m there with you.”
