Cora knelt before the weathered stone that marked Loki's resting place. Her whispers were barely audible, a string of ancient words taught by her grandmother. The spell felt like a fragile thing, delicate as gossamer threads spun in the night air. As she spoke, the breeze grew colder, swirling around her like an embrace from the past.
Cora gasped, startled by the sudden chill against her skin. Turning, she found herself face-to-face with Loki. His eyes, sparkling with mischief, seemed unchanged by time. The smirk on his lips was as she remembered, a mix of charm and defiance. "Did you miss me?" he teased, his voice a whisper against the night.
Cora struggled to find words, her heart pounding with disbelief and joy. "I thought you were gone forever," she breathed, reaching out to confirm he was not a mere illusion. Loki's hand was solid, warm, grounding her in reality.
Loki chuckled softly, a sound that sent a shiver of nostalgia through Cora. "You should know by now, I’m not so easy to get rid of," he quipped, his eyes dancing with a familiar mischief. Cora laughed, a sound mingled with relief and the weight of five long years without him.
Cora studied Loki's face, searching for answers. "How is this possible?" she asked, her voice a blend of wonder and disbelief. Loki shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Magic is a funny thing. Sometimes, it just needs the right words and the right heart," he replied, his tone both cryptic and reassuring.
Cora stepped closer, wrapping her arms around Loki in a fierce embrace. The warmth of him, the solid presence of his body, banished any lingering doubts. "Welcome back," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. Loki returned the embrace, his smile genuine and full of promise. "It's good to be home," he whispered, the words a balm to a heart long aching for his return.
