As the water closed in over our heads, Shannon created a bubble around my head, pulling me along in her wake. Not simply shifting to an animal form was odd, but inspiring confidence in Shannon's abilities was important. Surprisingly peaceful under the water, no boat noise disrupted the gurgling sounds of our passage and the clicking of dolphins some distance away. Shannon created a light glow around us, as she propelled us through the water towards the nearest section of the Great Barrier Reef, twenty kilometres offshore.

Before we'd gone half the distance, a pod of bottlenose dolphins found us. Curiously, they dove around us, making Shannon laugh at their enthusiasm.

"Skinny fins want to swim? Want to play?"

"Go fast? Dive with us!"

"Yes, we'd love to swim and dive with you," she said as they nudged our hands with impatient dorsal fins.

Grabbing on, we shot through the water like bullets, swerving and diving. When one dolphin tired, another took its place.

"Oops! Sorry, love!" Shannon apologized the third time she'd not managed to keep the bubble in place, due to a sudden swerve of my dolphin. Fortunately, I could hold my breath long enough for her to get it back in place again.

"Are you sure you aren't doing it on purpose?" I accused. 

Shannon grinned. "Maybe?" 

"Dangerous game, darling. You'll never know when I'm going to pay you back," I warned, loving her playfulness.

"Oh, look at me shaking in my non-existent boots."

Norns, but I loved her sass.

The brilliant colours of the reef came into view. We let go of our dolphins, thanking them for the game. They chittered happily, telling us to come play again as the pod left to go eat. I swam over to Shannon and we started to explore.

Huge mounds of brain coral and staghorn coral jutted out of the nearby ledge in and amongst bright pink soft corals. Vividly coloured fish contrasted with silver schools of fish as they darted in and out of large anemones and coral branches. Yellows, purples, greens, pinks, and even blues; there were so many colours, and so much life surrounding us. Shannon wove between canyons of corals that had grown up into tall ridges, building on dead coral of the past.

It was fantastic seeing the wonder on her face as she explored. Striped angel fish and a bright blue school of surgeonfish led her down a deep canyon. She pointed to something moving deeper in the canyon when a dark shape to my left caught my attention.

My pulse leapt as my gaze sharpened. Oh bloody fucking fantastic! 

Instantly recognizing the enormous black horse-like kelpie as it darted towards me, I conjured a blade to toss at its eye. It was one of the few vulnerable spots, but the damn things hunted in packs. There had to be more.

With a warning on my lips, I turned towards Shannon in time to see her scream, and try to dodge a lunging kelpie. Fuck. I wasn't fast enough. Conjuring another blade, I drew back to throw, only to have three kelpie attack me at once. Killing one with the blade, I was about to kill another with telekinesis when my concentration shattered as pain speared up through the bond like a spike into my heart, seizing my lungs.

Norns take them! Shannon was in agony.

Growling, I turned back to her, taking but a moment to absorb the scene. Blood stained the water by her leg, and a kelpie jerked at her calf with its teeth sunk in. She had called her armour, smart girl, and it covered her arms, chest, and abdomen down to just below her hips. Shannon stabbed at the head of the kelpie holding her leg.

Power and rage swirled in a blazing inferno within me. I destroyed one about to attack her, shredding it with telekinesis, and focused on another aiming for her. But a thick tail wrapped around my neck, distracting me. The fucking kelpie attacked me from behind. I exploded it with another blast of telekinesis and conjured blades in both hands.

Shannon screamed, and another wave of agony pulsed up the bond, stealing my breath, and I fought to not grip my chest.  

I've got to get to her! 

Quickly killing another kelpie, and then another, I found myself surrounded by the long thrashing muscular tails, short tusks, and snapping jaws of six more. Where the fuck did they keep coming from?

"LOKI! I'm in trouble!" Shannon shouted.

"Hang on, Shannon. I'm coming!" I told her, trying to kill the ones surrounding me as fast as possible, but more seemed to replace them. A quick glance her way told me Shannon had one trying to bite through the armour of her shoulder. The creature wouldn't get through, but it was still hurting her. Another had her calf, shaking her.

"Gods-damn it! Let me GO!" she yelled.

I snarled, exploding another, and stabbing two more as the heat igniting my veins surged. They couldn't get through my defences, but those fuckers were hurting Shannon and keeping me from her with their sheer numbers. Through the swirling black bodies, I saw another trying to bite her other leg.

Changing tactics, I channeled the heat within me and sent it out as a wave. They squealed and backed off. Never had I appreciated my partial fire giant heritage more. Blasting them again, I drove them further away and turned towards Shannon. In the water next to her, his distinctive long blue hair and large, muscular physique easily identifiable, was Poseidon. He was removing a kelpie's tail from around Shannon's neck, and her sai slashed up to connect with his silver sword.

With another blast at the surrounding kelpie, I forced them away as I made my way towards Shannon.

"I'm trying to free you from these bunyip, but if you'd prefer I not, just say so," Poseidon said, his clear and deep voice ringing through the water.

Shannon hesitated, then said, "Sorry. Yes, please." Cautiously, she withdrew her sai, and Poseidon killed the rest of the kelpie surrounding her with his sword.

After killing another half-dozen, I finally reached her."Shannon? Are you okay?" Looking her over for injuries, I barely noticed when she put a bubble around my head. My focus was entirely on her, with her pain still resonating within my chest as a sharp, pulsing ache. "Is it just your legs, darling? Is our son okay?" Running my trembling hands over her, I searched for the source of blood in the water, particularly over the obvious curve of her pregnancy.

"Our son is fine. It's just the bites on my legs and puncture on my foot. Maybe some bruises on my shoulder," she reassured me.

Poseidon watched me use my meager healing seidhr to close the bite wounds on both her legs. There was still more blood, and pain still pulsed along the bond. It took me a minute to find the wounds on her foot. Shannon probably caught a tusk by kicking it in the head. My brave goddess, fighting them off. Although I closed them enough to stop the bleeding, I couldn't do much for the bruising. I gritted my teeth, even as I allowed my hands to continue to stroke over her calf and foot. 

"You called them bunyip?" Shannon asked Poseidon.

"Yes. In this part of the world, that's what they're called. The Celts call them kelpies. They are a horse-like water demon," Poseidon replied.

Taking several steadying breaths, my hands stopped shaking and I forced my jaw to unclench. "It's been quite a while, Poseidon," I said, speaking aloud for the first time. My voice was somewhat muffled, travelling out of the air bubble and into the water. But he'd hear me, regardless.

"At least five hundred years, I think, Prince. You don't often venture deep into the waters of the realms. I'm back to using Manannan Mac Lir again." He tilted his head. "Who is your lovely companion? She's clearly a water goddess, but doesn't recognize water demons?"

"Princess Shannon of Asgard, my consort," I introduced her. "Recently of Midgard."

"Congratulations to the both of you on your pairing and soon-to-be parenthood. Manannan Mac Lir at your disposal, my beautiful goddess," he said, as he held out a hand to Shannon.

"He's Seelie, a good one that was not banished with the rest," I said when she hesitated.

She took his hand and surprise flared up the bond. Manannan's eyes also widened. Was it that weird jolt she'd described previously?

"Not just a water goddess, but Tuatha de Danann. How do I not know you?" he asked curiously, still holding her hand.

"Well, I've only recently discovered I'm not human. I'm still learning the full extent of my goddesshood, and do not yet know my birth parents," she told him.

"I am honoured to meet you. As a fellow Tuatha de Danann and sea god, I'd be happy to help you explore your water-based powers if you have questions. Perhaps we will find clues as to your parentage?" he offered, releasing her hand and giving her a slight bow.

"Is it safe to ask him? To tell him what I know?" she asked, looking down to meet my gaze.

I smiled and squeezed her uninjured calf lightly."While you are carrying our child, I'm not comfortable with it, but later when you aren't quite so vulnerable, yes. Poseidon can teach you things I can't. He's incredibly strong, the strongest of all the sea gods and goddesses. You can trust him with whatever information you have about your parents."

"I'm very glad to meet you as well. At some point, I will take you up on the kind offer, but not yet." She gestured to her abdomen.

"Completely understandable, my dear."

"However, if you could tell me anything about my parentage, that would be wonderful. All I've learnt is my father's name, Dylan Connolly."

Manannan nodded. "Well, that explains your sea goddess traits. Dylan is a Summer Realm sea god, the God of Selkies."

"Selkies?" she asked.

"Seal-skin shapeshifters," I answered, when she looked at me, eyebrows raised.

"Dylan is the only good one of his family, though, as his brother Llew and parents, Gwydion and Arianrhod, are all Winter Court nobles. You don't want anything to do with those members of your family, I'm sorry to say," Manannan warned in a careful voice.

My mouth dropped open. Yggdrasil's twisty limbs! Of all the unfortunate elves to be related to, they were up there in bad choices. Damn.

Shannon looked down at me, and I wasn't fast enough in hiding my distaste.

"Isn't Gwydion and Arianrhod the two Sidhe we ran into in London?" she asked, a frown furrowing her brow. "They're my grandparents?"

"Yes," I said, trying to not snarl. "Manannan is absolutely right. You want nothing to do with them, Shannon. They'd be happy to stab you in the back." I shuddered to think of Shannon trying to find out more about her background from that pit of vipers. Human sacrifice to power their realm was the least of their crimes, with Llew being one of the main purveyors of victims. Fucking Wild Hunt.

"You should be especially wary of them in your current condition," Manannan said to Shannon, indicating her pregnancy. "Never trust them. Do not let them learn that you are expecting a child."

"I appreciate your honesty," she said, eyes wide.

He inclined his head. Cupping his hands together, we watched a glow form between them. Opening them, a silver and blue spiral sea shell was sitting on his palm. He held it out to Shannon.

"When you want to talk to me, ask questions, or are ready for me to help you learn more of your sea powers, go to the nearest salt water body, focus on the shell and speak. I will hear you and find you," Manannan promised.

She took the shell from him. "Thank you, Manannan."

"It has been a pleasure, Princess Shannon." After nodding to both of us, he sped away through the water.

"My grandparents are evil?" she asked, turning to me as I rose in the water.

I winced. There was so much she needed to know, but I didn't want to overwhelm her. Let the bad news sink in first, before I told her how bad it really was. It was not a conversation I was looking forward to, yet I absolutely had to warn her. Of our dangerous enemies, the dark elves topped the list. Especially because of their sick proclivities that put her particularly at risk right now. Just like Sigyn. I swallowed hard, forcing those thoughts away to focus on my beautiful sea goddess. "I'm sorry Shannon. I know that's not what you wanted to find out, but at least you learned more about your father."

"Yeah. I'm also kind of in shock that I met Poseidon. He was interesting."

Shannon's expression was drawn and lacking the usual sparkle. Now was definitely not the time to expand on Manannan's warning. Maybe I could distract her from dwelling too strongly on it and bring it up again when we were safely back on Asgard. I knew how such thoughts could circle and drive one crazy. Plus, if she understood the risks, she'd be more willing to stay safe on Asgard. 

"It was definitely more excitement than I was expecting on our evening swim. You manage to surprise even this God of Chaos, my love. We should head back."

She nodded and wrapped her arms around me, propelling us through the water. I relaxed into her power and smiled when she started to play with it. She swerved us up and down, leaping into the air and back down into the water. It helped burn away the rest of the adrenaline from our bunyip encounter.

Relief surged, easing the tightness in my chest when Shannon whooped in glee. By the nine, I was glad to see her enjoying herself. She was giggling when she brought us to a stop on the beach by Thor and Elise's house. Such a beautiful sound.

I looked down at her joyous expression, eyes bright from her play. "It's no wonder you are my soulmate. You love mischief as much as I do."

"Now just think how much trouble our son is going to get into!" Shannon said.

Bloody hell. I hadn't thought of that. Fuck.

She burst out laughing when she caught my expression.

"Stop scaring me!" I growled, capturing her wicked lips to stop her laughter.

The last couple of days of our visit passed too quickly. We'd spent part of each day in the water, swimming, playing, and even learning to surf. My goddess loved the water and glowed with health the more time we spent in it. 

Shannon and I had managed one more trip out to the Great Barrier Reef to go exploring. I was reluctant, worried about what else we might run into, but unlike our previous trip, we found nothing but the beautiful natural environment, incredible diversity of fish, quirky turtles, and playful dolphins. 

The rest of our short time was spent visiting. All too soon, we were saying our goodbyes to my brother and his mortal family.

Shannon was sad to go. She'd really enjoyed spending time with them. I'd need to make sure she got more opportunities, although it would definitely become complicated once our son was born. It was times like now that I regretted Thor's family weren't aware he was a god. They couldn't come to Asgard to visit us. I wasn't thrilled with the idea of bringing Shannon and our son to Midgard, although with both Thor and I here, she was well protected.

I smiled to myself as I overheard Thor tell Shannon how much they'd enjoyed having us visit, and to come back if she tired of the gloomy English countryside while I was busy filming. Perhaps that was a good idea if Thor would be here to keep her safe. I trusted him. He'd never let her risk herself, or let another immortal near her.

"I will keep that in mind. Elise has already claimed part of my time when I'm there," Shannon said.

"Just be careful, little sister. Especially if Tod can't be with you," Thor cautioned in a lower voice, after checking to see Amelia was out of earshot and meeting my gaze.

I appreciated his comment, even as I debated with myself over Shannon's desire for her girls' night with Elise. While I wanted her to get to know Harry and Elise, there was no way I wanted her on Midgard without me right now. Perhaps I could shadow her unseen, to give her the illusion she was having an evening alone with Elise. Would it be wrong if I didn't tell her?

Or would it be better to just be blunt with Shannon about the risks? Had the bunyip attack and running into her grandparents been enough of a deterrent that she'd forego the girls' night, at least until our son was born? The idea of her having another encounter like either of those, without me there to help her, had my heart pounding hard enough to escape my chest, my muscles locking, and not enough air making it into my lungs.

I couldn't do it. There was no way I could let Shannon go without me. Just thinking about it gave me the shakes.