Page 19 of Loki

“Nah. Just wanted to stop by and say hi. I’ll tell you if the place I go is worth it. If it is, I’ll make reservations for us for Friday night. Does that work?”

Val nodded despite the knot which formed in her gut.

Benjinn winked and tapped the counter. “Hope you have a pleasant time tonight, but not too pleasant.”

Val smirked. “You too.”

Benjinn waved and left.

Val appreciated the view of his round, full backside. His gate was utterly different from Loki’s, as was his rear. Where Loki stalked toward people like a lithe panther who would rip out your innards at a moment’s notice, Benjinn lumbered toward people in a non-threatening, yet I’ll-knock-you-on-your-ass-if-you-mess-with-me, sort of way.

The moment she caught Elle watching her, Val turned and scrubbed the bar.

Two men.Two. Val had never thought she’d have one man looking at her. But two was just... too much.

CHAPTER 6

Loki stoodat the portal on the underworld side of The Raven Weaver. He shifted the box under his arm and sucked in a breath. What the hell was wrong with him? He’d given women gifts before. They usually gushed and then slept with him after, or at the very least later. Not that that’s why he gave gifts to the women he dated. He gave them gifts because he liked to admire them wearing it—especially clothing. Loki appreciated the female form, and nothing pleased him more than seeing a woman he was with look her absolute best... well, almost nothing.

But this was different somehow. This time, he didn’t think falling into bed with him would be Val’s reaction. But when he’d seen the dress hanging in the window of Metamorphosis, it reminded Loki of Val instantly— though he wasn’t sure she would understand why.

“Are you alright?” Frigg walked up beside him.

Loki threw on a smile, but Frigg’s all-knowing eyes saw through it. “Have you ever seen my future?”

Frigg smiled. “I see lots of things. Some things are specific, and some are broader in nature, as you are well aware.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“I see you in broad strokes. Never anything concrete.”

“And what are these broad strokes?” He wasn’t sure he wanted the answer, but his curiosity and his nerves wouldn’t allow him not to ask.

Frigg smiled and patted Loki’s arm. “Happiness and peace.”

Seriously? That’s all she was going to give him?

Loki shook his head.

“You better go up. Val doesn’t like to wait.”

Loki snorted. “I wouldn’t think patience was a virtue of hers.” Though he wasn’t patient, so he couldn’t fault her for being the same.

Loki stared at the black box tied with a satin ribbon and almost gave it to Frigg. Instead, he walked through the portal to Midgard.

Loki satat Heimdall’s table.

“Loki. What a surprise.”

“That joke never gets old, does it? Considering you see everything coming and going.”

Heimdall shrugged. “I’d ask what you are doing here, but I already know the answer.”

Loki contemplated how Thor could be such close friends with Heimdall for all his centuries. How annoying to have conversations with someone who already knew what would be said?

Elle approached the table. “Would you like one more before closing?”

Heimdall shook his head. “I’m good, thanks, Elle.”

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