Free The Valkyrie Chronicles: Titans by Erik Schubach Page A

ways, they are a superior race to the Asgard, we only surpass them with our technology.  This seeming immortality must be like a silent torture to a race that has seen themselves brought to the brink of extinction but can not ever bring their numbers beyond five hundred for fear of degrading the genetic pool due to inbreeding.
    We finished our meal and made our way to Father's workshop.  He was, of course, already there.  I know that mother had stayed on Earth last night to assist Loki and to slap some sense into the artificially lovestruck Mist.  I shuddered to think what would have happened if she has followed Rhea as her thrall.  Mist, my Second, my sister, was the most dangerous non-evolved Valkyrie with a fury like my own.
    I believe that whenever mother does not share father's bed, he never sleeps. Instead, he just putters about in his workshop.  There is no man that loves his wife like Odin does, their love has inspired more songs that any other and is the stuff of legends. Arina liked to always remind Kat and I that the songs of our romance number almost as many, much to my chagrin.  The ballad of the human Valkyrie, who tamed the Wild One has been my eternal embarrassment on multiple planets.  I snuck a glance and a smile at my Kat.  Kroth do I love that woman!
    I heard her sweet raspy voice in my head across our nanite link, “Love you too troublemaker.” Then she bumped hips with me.  Arina was smiling cutely suddenly.
    I gruffed out, “Is my link always broadcasting?  Or am I that easy to read?”
    In unison, all of the evil women including Artemis, who does not share our link said, “Yes.”
    I growled in confusion and shook my head as I stepped up to father and laid the back of my hand on his cheek and stole one his lines, “Well met father.  I swear that the women of my family will be the death of me.”
    He chuckled heartily. “God morrow daughter.  How do the humans say it?  Welcome to the club.” We exchanged cheesy grins and then everyone greeted father, Kate kissing his hand like she always did.  This always put a smile on father's face and made him forget about the pressures of his position for a moment.
    We started the ritual of pulling up our virtual consoles.  He mentioned, “Samantha has asked when she can come back to Valhalla from Folkvangr.  I told her that you would probably prefer that she stay at Brunie's until this Titan matter is resolved.”  Kate nodded thanks to him for that.
    I glanced back at the empty tactical station and asked, “Tyr?”  The big man was always on station when we needed to make plans.
    Father shook his head.  “ He is still not fully recovered from the heavy concentration of pheromones he was exposed to.  But he is functional and is overseeing his men still stuck between the shields, making sure they have food and supplies until their compulsion wears off.  Many still want nothing but to kill Artemis for Rhea to please her.”
    Then he got a little quiet. “I also believe he is shamed and does not wish to face you Valkyrie yet.”
    I shot father an incredulous look. “How can he think that?  He resisted when others could not, and was able to sway others from her hold.”
    Odin took a deep breath.  “He is ashamed that couldn't fire on the woman even when she stood in front of him, so many lives could have been saved.”
    I pursed my lips, I had nothing but pride for Tyr, how could he believe we would think ill of him.  I locked eyes with Odin. “I shall speak with him.  There was nothing but valor in his actions at the gate.”
    Father gave me a single nod of appreciation then turned to the door as it opened.  Loki strode in with a purposeful gate with mother and Mist flanking her.  They love-struck look in Mist's eyes was gone and she looked almost embarrassed and...  angry.
    Loki gave us greetings then held up a case to father, she seemed more in control of her unhinged side at the moment.  The rest of us greeted mother and