Chapter 22

As the night wore on only the shuffling of healers and the occasional hoot of a bird could be heard.

Loki had stayed vigil watching over his lover and child.

The occasional shuffle from Serene trying to stay asleep and the soft breathing of his daughter had lolled Loki into a trance.

He felt Serene nuzzle her head into his shoulder as she started to wake.

Hello beautiful. Loki thought as he brushed a few locks out of her face.

"Morning Love," Serene whispered back as she shifted to a more confortable position so now she sat with her back half on Loki's chest.

Loki opened his arms as he saw the need to be closer in her eyes.

Quietly a healer shuffled closer with their daughter in her arms.

"Thank you," Serene said as she gently tucked their daughter into the crook of her arm.

"She will need feeding my Lady," the healer whispered as she back out of the room to give the two parents privacy.

Serene pulled at the buttons that held her top in place.

She maneuvered Astral to her chest and began to feed her child.

Loki watched in fascination as he saw the exchange.

Loki maneuvered his head to lay his chin on Serene's shoulder.

They lay in a comfortable silence as Astral fed and the hum from other beings near by.

Soon Astral pulled away with a dribble of milk on her lips which Serene wiped up with a conjured cloth.

She then maneuvered the babe to burp her.

Once the action was done Serene settle the baby back in her arms.

"Do you think your family has waited long enough to see their new addition?" Serene asked with a playful smile.

I believe so, I think they are just itching to see our child.

Loki responded as he waved a healer over.

"You can let the royal family in now," Serene said to the healer.

The young maiden nodded her head and went to the doors.

Thunderous footsteps were heard along with a gentle dragging sound of a dress.

Thor and Frigga had entered the chambers to see the young parents sitting in a bed holding a small bundle.

Frigga felt a beaming smile cross her face as she walked closer to the bed.

She gently sat down in the offered chair and Thor stood to her side as she looked at the couple.

"My, isn't she something precious," Frigga said in a light tone as she opened her arms to hold her granddaughter.

Serene smiled at the older woman and passed over her daughter.

"What is her name, Sister?" Thor asked with a quiet voice.

"Her name is Astral," Serene spoke as she watched Frigga's fingers be grasped by the baby.

"She's got a strong grip for such a young child," Frigga noted as she felt the strength behind the grip.

"Yes, but that is due to her accelerated growth rate and parentage Frigga," Serene said to the Queen. Frigga nodded in understanding before carefully handing off the little bundle to Thor.

Thor awkwardly held the child in the crook of his arm as the other held her head.

"She has your hair brother," Thor said with a chuckle as he touched the wisps of black hair.

He began to sway so that it created a rocking motion.

Astral clung onto one of Thor's fingers as he rocked her carefully.

"When do you think you will be able to preform the spell?" Queen Frigga asked Serene.

"I would think by tomorrow I would regain enough strength to preform the ritual," Serene said as she watched the pair.

Loki squeezed her hand in reassurance.

"Hmm then there must be something we can do to prepare for the ritual right?" The queen asked as she shifted in her seat.

"I'm afraid not, Loki and Astral are all that I need, I will be traveling to the Unknown to preform it though," Serene said quietly to Frigga.

Frigga gave a small smile before confusion took over her place.

"Is he going to be accepted there," Frigga said in a hushed voice.

"Yes, he will be able to," Serene said with a smile.

Frigga returned it with her own before going to relieve Thor of Astral.

Loki gave Serene a questioning look.

I will tell you more later once we are back in our chambers.

Serene thought to Loki as she waved down a healer so she could be discharged.

Loki stood from the bed to help Serene get her balance.

Serene gave Loki a warm smile as she felt an arm wrap around her waist.

"I'm sorry to cut this short but I no longer need to be here," Serene said to Thor and Frigga.

"Well let us meet with Odin so he may meet his granddaughter then," Frigga said as she passed Astral back to her mother.

Serene gently tucked the end of the blanket under Astral as Loki guided her to the throne room.

As the group approached the door two guards pushed open the massive doors. Perched on top of the golden throne was Odin.

His hand clutched his weapon to stand and slowly walk down the stairs to ground level.

"It seems there is a shift in Asgard, a new life it seems," Odin said as he approached the group.

Frigga smiled at her husband and stood back so he could see the babe.

Serene untucked the blanket to reveal Astral's head to Odin.

"Such a precious child, she seems to have taken after her father though," Odin said looking at Serene.

"I know this, it does not concern me that she is not like me," Serene said knowing Odin was talking about Loki's parentage.

Odin hmmed, before turning to return to his post.

Loki looked to his father and then back to his wife.

So many unanswered questions, but he knew Serene would answer them in private.

Serene bid the royal family good day and soon left with Loki to go to their chambers.

The hallways seemed to be alive with servants trying to sneak a peek at the newest Royal Family.

Loki only huffed in irritation at the attention as he entered their chambers.

He sat at one of the couches as Serene laid Astral down in a crib.

Where is the Unknown? Loki first asked when Serene joined him on the couch.

She sat leaning against him in his embrace and drew patterns on his skin.

"The Unknown is my realm, it is where I control who comes and goes, who is protected from others and where I draw some of my powers from," Serene spoke.

Loki was content as he listened and felt the trail of fingers on his leather-clad arms.

" I never spoke of it because only those that I can fully trust and the individuals must face the trails of the Guardians," Serene said.

Hmm and I guess I have gained favor with the Guardians then? Loki thought as he brushed fingers through her hair.

"Well they are my sons and they seem to think if I bring you with me, you would be fine," Serene said with a chuckle.

Loki hmmed as he circled his arms around her frame.

I love you. Loki thought as he picked her up to carry her to the bed.

"I love you too, my Dark Prince," Serene said as she snapped her fingers to change into a sleeping dress.

Loki stripped down to his under clothes and crawled into to bed.

Astral sat in a crib an arms length from the bed.

Loki pulled Serene to his chest and sighed.

It had been a long day and they were all exhausted.

"Tomorrow, is when I will hear your voice again my love," Serene said before succumbing to sleep.

~Next Morning~

The sun had begun to rise and set a warm glow over Asgard.

The faint shafts of light penetrated through the curtains that hung over the windows to the couple's chambers.

Serene had sat up slowly to check on her daughter when she felt the grip around her tighten.

"Love I need to check on the little one," Serene chuckled when she heard a growl.

She hasn't made a sound in a few hours, I consider us lucky.

Loki thought as he pulled her back into his chest.

Serene chuckled and placed a kiss on his chest.

"I know but we have a long day ahead of us and she will be wanting to be fed soon," Serene said as she snaked her way out the hold.

Loki sighed and glanced up at the ceiling.

By the Nine, I cannot wait to get these blasted things out.

"It will come darling, let me just feed our little child and then we can go," Serene spoke warmly as she lifted Astral up.

She guided her head and soon sank back onto the bed as astral fed.

Such a wonderful sight, so beautiful.

Loki remarked as he laid a hand on her waist and watched.

Serene then proceeded to burp the babe after Astral had finished.

She then changed Astral's clothing and then finally her own so they were ready for the day.

"I would suggest changing into something that can get blood out easily or something you don't mind getting soiled," Serene called as she walked towards the dining area to pick up a golden apple.

Serene heard shuffling as Loki put on an old tunic that had small tears and holes in it along with a leather pair of breeches.

"You still have the shirt you conquered that Bigelsnipe in?" Serene asked as she poured a glass of ambrosia.

Why not? I tell stories of my victory whenever someone makes fun of my helm.

Loki said as he took the glass of ambrosia and added a straw.

"I remember when you came back you were littered with cuts and scrapes, but you clung to the giant horns to show your trophy," Serene chuckled as she finished her apple.

Of course, only I have conquered am alpha without the help of others. Loki said in a proud tone.

"Well the mountain did most of the work," Serene pointed out.

And you are the only one that knows about that.

Loki said as he placed a closed lip kiss on her head.

"Come darling we must go," Serene said as she began to walk towards the door.

Loki followed without a second thought and found that they were going towards a garden.

Really Serene, your dimension is a garden in Asgard? Loki thought as they approached the entrance.

Two canine statues as tall as the rest of the podiums guarded the entrance with stony faces.

"It's all right my darlings, this is my mate Loki," Serene spoke s she touched the front legs of the statues.

Loki watched with fascination as the stone gave way to reveal warm golden fur.

"Is this our newest Sister?" Darius asked as he leaned down to sniff her.

Loki flinched when he saw he wolf so close to his child.

"And so this is your new partner? He smells of Dark Magic mother," Silas sneered as he circled Loki.

"What's wrong cat got your tongue?" Silas teased and swiped his tail at Loki.

Loki growled and conjured a small stinging spark and sent it at Silas's flank.

Silas yelped and spun back around. Do not tease me, Guardian.

Loki sneered, as he stood next to Serene.

"You really were going to let him do that mother?" Darius said with a chuckle.

Serene sighed and held out her hand which Loki took with his.

"Silas you should know better, I will only hold back so much and you needed to know that my Love will stand up for himself," Serene said as she continued her stroll.

A massive red willow came into view and Serene kneeled in front of it.

"My darling follow me," Serene said as she placed her hand on the trunk and closed her eyes.

Loki, silently, mimicked her movements and felt the rush of energy rush up his arm.

He blinked back a shock and felt a pull from his navel and was soon transported.

Serene stood on the other side near a stone altar.

"Stay there Sweetheart, I will preform the ritual and then we will explore," Serene said. Not a sound was made in this new site.

They were on a flat gray slab of rock over looking a pond. Fog was gently rolling in and the morning sun casted a golden glow over the mist.

Loki looked and saw that besides Serene and Astral, there was no other living soul.

Serene shifted Astral to be more comfortable in the cloth sling she had and opened a tome that sat on top of the altar.

A blade was on the inside of the first page.

She lifted it and gazed at the beauty, a pure silver blade with a mother pearl handle.

Runes decorated the sides of the blade and a single ruby was encrusted into the handle. Serene turned the page and a bowl appeared.

It was a white stone bowl that was pure as the day it was made.

Flipping to the next page Serene read the instructions twice before whispering in an old tongue.

In the names that are above all others, the names of the great watchful eyes of those who passed.

My Love has done none wrong to see this punishment.

I ask of you to take my offering of my life force and that of my daughter to see the punishment undone and return this punishment back to those who have wronged us.

I ask for the twine to unwind from his lips and for the voice to thrive.

I ask to heal those scars that were a cruel reminder of his unjust punishment.

Serene cut her wrist with the blade and then let the blood fall into the bowl.

She then pricked a finger of Astral's and let a drop ooze into the bowl.

With this offering allow me to untie my love's lips and curse those who dare used this cursed twine.

Let these chains break with the blood of those willing and of love.

Serene painted Loki's lips with the blood and then drew a bless symbol on his forehead.

Let these sewn lips be returned to those of the dark and allow the voice of mine's to be free.

Serene said and gently tugged on the knot holding the stitching together.

Loki felt the string unravel and fall from his lips and felt the holes close.

Serene gently pulled at the string while being careful as to not let it touch her anywhere she did not touch with the blood.

I cast this thread back to the shadows where if any shall use it will face a death a thousand fold.

Serene finished and painted Loki's lips again with the blood.

Loki gasped as he felt the blood seep back into the healing holes.

The dark magic was sucked out and banished with a scream of agony.

Serene began her clean up and gently preformed a healing spell on herself and Astral. Loki stood from his kneeling position.

He delicately touched his lips and licked them hesitantly.

Serene watched Loki's movements with a small smile and gently passed his a glass of water.

"Drink slowly my Love," Serene whispered as she watched.

Loki nodded before lifting the crystal tumbler to his lips and swallowed a small amount. He tilted his back in ecstasy at finally tasting a pure element gracing his parched lips.

"My realm, I cannot express my love in words," Loki said hoarsely as he took her hand in his and bowed to kiss it.

"Has my love's tongue gone to lead?" Serene giggled as he nipped her wrist.

"It will need to be sharpened once again, my little minx," Loki spoke softly.

He still felt the rough scratch in his throat from disuse.

"But what joy, we are graced with your voice again my Lover," Serene laughed with a beaming smile.

Loki smiled and finally felt the pinch of it on his face.

Tears fell from his eyes with joy.

"Oh Loki, my love I feel as though we are now finally starting our live that we were cheated out of," Serene spoke as she wiped away the tears.

"I'm glad my dear, that I will now be able to say what my soul begs me to," Loki whispered and laid a kiss on her lips.

A spark jumped across their lips.

The fire ignited with a furious burn.

Loki cupped Serene's face as he deepened the kiss.

Serene gasped as he nipped on her lips.

"My love as much as I would love to continue this, we cannot do our actions here," Serene said as she pulled back.

Loki frowned but understood that this was a pure plane.

"Of course," Loki said with a smile.

Serene gently lifted her daughter out of the cloth sling from around her body.

"Hello my precious daughter," Loki said as he lifted her to his face.

Bright steel eyes stared back at him.

He gasped at their color.

"My look at those eyes, they could stop a heart," Loki smirked as he kissed her nose.

Serene stood back with a loving smile watching father and daughter.

She knew that it was still early for Astral's eyes to be open but she knew it had to do with her side of the genes.

"Will they be a heart breaker when you are older," Loki whispered in a daring tone.

Astral opened her mouth and let out babble and a coo.

"I will take that as a most definitely," Loki smirked.

The new family had spent the rest of their day exploring Serene's realm before retiring for the night in the stone castle, the realm had provided.

Serene knew it would be hard to tear Loki away from this place and go back to Asgard so they had stayed longer then she anticipated.

Loki's magic began to grow because of the new source of energy emitted in the Unknown realm, increasing his power.

She did not mention that time was a different set in this realm as she watched her daughter quickly accelerate in growth and intelligence.

Soon Astral was talking and walking in just a few months in the Unknown realm.

When in Asgard a few years had passed.

Serene watched as Loki chased after their daughter through a field of long grass.

"I will catch you, little star, you cannot out run me," Loki called out as he ran after a squealing toddler.

"Mama help me," Astral squealed as Loki caught her and spun her.

Serene chuckled at the pair but soon frowned when she saw a messenger owl fly and land on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry to report this my lady but Earth is in need of a hand to help stop the newest slaughter," the barn owl said in a sad tone.

"This is that second Midguardian war yes? Their second realm war against each other?" Serene asked with a long sigh.

"Unfortunately yes my queen, they did not learn from the first and now they are using a new source of dark magic to fuel weapons," the barn owl said.

Serene looked puzzled before asking, "What dark magic did the Midguardians find?"

"The Tesseract my Queen." Serene held back a gasp.

An Infinity stone was found and not just any one, the heart.

"I will be arriving soon, prepare the forces to retrieve this gem," Serene commanded.

The messenger nodded his head before taking flight.

Serene held a stern face as she approached the pair who lay in the grass.

"My love, I believe it is time we returned," Serene said with a sorrow filled tone.

"If that is what you wish Serene," Loki said as he stood to kiss her.

She accepted his kiss and kneeled down to Astral.

Her raven black hair was braided on one side with feathers tucked in.

Astral's steel eyes looked at her with confusion.

"Must we go Mama?" Astral asked.

"I'm afraid so, but I'm sure you will have loads of fun with Uncle Thor and Grandma Frigga," Serene said with a smile.

Astral giggled as she started to sprint towards the Asgardian Portal.

"Please be carful and come back to me Serene, I couldn't even fathom what my life would be like without you," Loki whispered as he gathered her up in his arms.

"You silly man, my time is not yet, I will be back after I settle this squabble of petty children," Serene said as she nuzzled his head.

"Thank the Norns, but do please take my caution with you, I will wait for your return," Loki said kissing her as he left.

Serene felt him slip away and watched as they returned to Asgard.

Serene took a breath before teleporting to Midguard.