Serene was currently sitting outside in the private gardens of the Royals.
Leviathan sat coiled around her shoulders as she read another book about being a True Serpent.
Now most true serpents can switch genders in order to help their population grow.
I will teach you when you are a little bit older, once I have taught you the other powers you posses.
Serene whispered to the snake wrapped around her.
When will that be Mother? I feel as though this is going to be awhile with lessons, do you have any lessons like I do?
Leviathan hissed out as he turned his body to look at his mother.
I do, but for right now my duty is to teach you in order for you to return to the Unknown Realm with your brothers and sisters.
Serene spoke as she scratched the scales under Leviathan's chin.
"Lokiiiii!" a loud roar echoed through the palace.
The birds scattered as sudden clouds started rumbling in.
Leviathan crawled back up and curled around Serene's shoulders as she stood.
We better go check on Thor, no doubt Loki was being the mischief maker he always is.
Serene chuckled out as she walked through the palace.
The servants were scattering as Serene slowly approached Thor's chambers.
"Thor, Are you alright in there?" Serene said as she knocked on the door.
Leviathan hid in the hood Serene had attached to her cape.
Thunderous footsteps could be heard as a large hand snatched her wrist through a crack in the door.
Serene let out a yelp as she was pulled into the chambers.
Leviathan let out a warning his as Thor went to grab Serene's shoulders.
"Oh Lady Serene you must help me," Thor said as he held her hands with his.
Serene burst out laughing as to what the commotion was.
Thor's skin had taken on a pinkish tint all except his hands.
His hair was a lovely pink rose color while his body was a bit darker in color.
"Prince Thor this is a dye, no potion can remedy this you are going to have to wait for the body to expel the dye on it's own," Serene said as she tried to fight the smile by biting her cheek.
Thor let out a groan as his head fell. "But we are starting the Festival with Vanaheim on the morrow," Thor said.
"Well you best find a tailor to find some long sleeved clothes and perhaps get a hair cut plus a shave," Serene said.
"That is some fighting words Serene, you know I cannot shave or cut my hair, it would ruin my honor," Thor said harshly.
"Then I'm afraid I am of no use, unless… oh no that wouldn't work," Serene said as she started pacing.
"What, I'll do anything," Thor proclaimed capturing her elbows and spinning her around.
" Well I've always wanted to go to Vanaheim," Serene said as she trailed off.
"Done, now how could you help me?" Thor said pleadingly
. "Why a spell that would conceal your predicament," Serene said.
"I don't know Lady Serene the last time magic was used I turned pink," Thor grumbled.
The last time Loki had used a concealing spell, Thor was invisible and had crept into the women's bathing chambers in the brothel. Well the Trickster had other ideas and revealed his brother when he was standing in the middle admiring a woman. To say the least the woman was insulted at first before becoming flattered by the appearance of the Prince.
"Oh hush, unlike Loki I have no intentions of embarrassing you," Serene said as she rolled up her sleeves.
"Now you must swear you will bring me with you to Vanaheim, that is the only way to concrete the spell," Serene said.
Thor hesitated before placing a fist over his heart, "I swear." Serene concentrated as she weaved the magic to make a covering over the pink skin to look like normal tan skin.
With a weave of her hands a gold shroud embraced Thor before dying down.
Serene looked at Thor and saw that he looked normal.
"Oh thank you Lady Serene," Thor said as he wrapped his arms around her and squeezed.
"You're welcome," Serene gasped out as Thor squeezed before releasing.
Thor all but sprinted out of his chambers to look in the bathing chambers for a mirror.
Mother did you make it so others could touch him without breaking the spell? Leviathan hissed in her ear as she exited.
Well if he plans to seduce any Vanir he will turn pink.
Serene said as she chuckled.
Prince Thor had a tendency to entangle himself with the ladies from the Vanir court; well they were throwing themselves at his feet.
As she turned the corner she saw Loki perched on the railing of a balcony.
"I hope you didn't ruin my fun," Loki said as he looked at Serene.
He noticed that she was wearing a dark enchantress cloak over a silver corset dress.
Her hair was in long ringlets over her shoulders.
He noticed a movement along her shoulders and saw an emerald snake peak it's head out.
"Only a little, I did make a deal with him to go with the rest of the family to Vanaheim," Serene said as she approached the figure.
"Well I hope I don't have to break your little spell to embarrass the Oaf," Loki said as he stood to circle her.
"I highly doubt you would be able to break the spell Loki," Serene said as she folded her hands behind her back.
"Well challenge accepted, oh and nice trick with the little bargain, though I don't understand why you wouldn't just teleport there," Loki said.
"Well Prince Loki, it is rude to show up uninvited and you would know all about that, wouldn't you?" Serene said as she twirled around him to stand near the rail.
Though her son protested with an annoyed hiss.
"Serene are we keeping secrets again?" Loki smirked as he leaned in closer.
Serene felt Leviathan rear back and open his hood letting out a loud hiss.
"Do try to keep control of your pets Serene, one would think you weren't the ruler of the Galaxy hmm?" Loki said as strode to stand a few paces to her right.
"Some creatures know when their mother is being threatened by a dangerous man," Serene said as she stroked Leviathan's head.
Leviathan's hood was still open as he glared at the Dark Prince.
"Me dangerous? Why my lady I haven't the faintest idea of what you speak of," Loki said smirking as he conjured a wave of green swirling lights.
He took a couple steps closer and placed the light near Serene's hand on the railing.
The light took the shape of a snake resembling Leviathan.
It flicked its tongue out before bursting into flames.
"Be careful, when one plays with fire they tend to get burned," Loki whispered into her ear before vanishing.
Serene stood there for some time contemplating Loki's words.
What did Loki by 'Playing with fire' Mom? Leviathan asked as he slithered out and onto the railing.
Loki is saying I should be careful with playing against him, he is a little jealous when another magic user ruins his fun.
Loki is known to be a little dangerous to those he sees a challenge against his title as the most powerful magic user in the Nine Realms.
Serene spoke to her son as the sun started to set on the horizon.
I thought you were the most powerful? Leviathan spoke as he curled himself around Serene's arm.
I'm the most powerful race of the Nine Realms, but I can't reveal myself. Other beings look to steal me and use me for their own gain.
This is why most of my kind is dead.
Only when we feel that the universe does not need us do we pass the torch on to the next Galaxian.
We can have children but only when we feel the universe looking for another Galaxian do we have a child of our race.
Serene started to walk towards her chambers.
She saw the servants scrambling about, cleaning the already polished floors.
Serene traveled towards the hidden wing of the palace.
The royal family knows this is her wing but those who are not of the royal blood only here that it is forbidden to go into on account of death.
Serene approached her door and opened the door with a soft creak.
She stepped inside and changed into a silk sift and approached the bookcase.
She picked up a book of children's tales and he bookcase slide open revealing the Unknown realm.
The door slid close behind her as she stepped on the soft green grass. Leviathan slid off her shoulders and onto the ground.
Serene watched as he grew in size and girth.
Leviathan was almost as tall as Serene's True serpent form.
You are sure growing up fast. Serene spoke as she ran her fingers over his scales.
She heard a content hiss in return.
"Mommy!" Serene heard as a cluster of children came over and hugged her.
Ansa slowly slid up to her and waited for the children to let go.
Soon the children let go as they heard a low hiss.
"Leviathan, you are so big," One of the boys spoke as he slithered over towards his brother.
Cloro was the eldest of the clutch so he approached first.
Aryan was the oldest female and she followed behind her brother.
The rest of the brood stood behind their eldest as they conversed with Leviathan.
"Serene, it has been some time since you last visited us," Ansa said as he finally approached her.
"I seem to remember I visited yesterday," Serene said as she watched the children.
"You should know by know that time here is different then the Realm Eternal," Ansa said as he drew closer.
Ansa flicked his tongue out to taste Serene's scent when he caught a different scent, it smelled of old books, winter and herbs.
"Who have you been entertaining Serene? You know I get jealous when I can smell others scents on you," Ansa said in an angry growl.
Serene shifted into her Naga form and glared at him.
"You know we wouldn't have lasted as mates, and for your information I was only talking to the Princes," Serene said as she let out a warning hiss.
Her hood was half raised ready to appear if she felt anymore threatened by Ansa.
Ansa went to slither over to calm her down but Serene raised herself higher and let out a growl as she puffed her self up.
Ansa stood back and turned his head to the side to show submission.
Leviathan distracted the children.
He had seen the interactions between his parents and was angry with his father for not being courteous towards his mother.
Serene flattened her hood as she slithered close to Ansa.
"You need to understand, I can't choose a mate until my life is coming to an end, my life has just begun and I still have so much to learn," Serene said as she cupped his face.
She brushed a tear away from his eye that leaked out.
"I love you so much, it hurts when you are away," Ansa croaked out as he held her hand that was cupping his face.
" And I will always love you, but you deserve someone who can give their life for you and that isn't me," Serene said as she stroked his cheek.
Ansa sobbed a little as his head bowed.
Serene felt a clench in her heart as she saw the broken man in front of her.
"In a few years, there will be a vibrant young Naga who will grace the Unknown Realm and she will heal your heart from this heartbreak, until then you must look after your children they need both of us in order to grow," Serene said as she wrapped her arms around the broken Naga.
Ansa leaned in and wrapped his arms around her and buried his head into her neck.
"It hurts," Ansa whispered into her neck.
"I know, it hurts me too but you must be strong for our young," Serene said as she held him at arms length.
"Can I have one last kiss," Ansa said looking up to Serene with his reptilian eyes.
His slits were blown wide with emotions.
Serene nodded as she leaned in.
She felt his smooth cool lips on hers.
His were cool as they mingled with her warm ones.
All to soon she pulled away to look at him. "I'm sorry Ansa."
Serene rubbed the tears coming from his eyes before placing a kiss on his forehead.
She smiled sadly at him before turning to return to their children.
~Lapse of time~
Mother when do you think father will find his real mate?
Leviathan asked as they were exiting the Unknown Realm.
I can't reveal to much of the future, too much knowledge could lead to the unraveling of time itself.
Serene said as she let her son on the bed as she crawled under the covers.
Your father will find love in the next coming year of Asgard, but it will be several for the Unknown Realm.
Serene said covering her mouth when a yawn came onto her.
She crawled under the covers and settled in.
Leviathan slithered up and coiled himself around her stomach on top of the sheets.
When do you think I will find my mate? Leviathan asked quietly.
Soon my son, when you least expect it.