Page 15 of Last Thrall of Asgard

“But you said we couldn’t fight fate!” I scoffed. “Even if you did change your mind about birth and station.”

“Usually, what one does to fight fate is what causes it to happen. But even if Ragnarök was inevitable, I believe that this time, Loki might be the one tricked.” Heimdall moved his lips closer to my ear and whispered, “Succeed, Oli. Save us and be saved too.”

I closed my eyes, taking in a deep, calming breath, and then turned my head to offer him thanks.

He was gone. His home, once a place of celebration among his brethren, was empty and quiet of anything but me.

I sat up, but all I could hear or see around me in the bedchamber was a lone fly, buzzing up to the window to head outside. Had I heard that same fly earlier? It seemed I must have, but all its presence made me think was…

What an odd thing to find in Asgard.

LOKI

I had to be more careful. That dashing young mortal almost spotted me.

As I landed back on Bifrost to await his return, I wasn’t sure yet what to make of him. He was certainly going to be fun to watch and was proving even more capable than I had guessed.

Exactly what was needed.

Exactly what had been foretold.

But it only got harder from here, so I summoned my best, most convincing smile, and waited.

OLI

In Heimdall’s bedchamber, whether it had been there originally or not, I found a basin filled with water and a cloth for me to cleanse myself now that I was alone. I thought perhaps Heimdall had left me to allow me time with my thoughts, to consider how I should move forward, for it seemed Loki might indeed mean to trick me, but it was possible to prevail.

It was possible to be free. It was possible to be… better. And if I trusted that I was worth more than I had been told my whole life, it was possible to help others achieve that too. I hadn’t gone into this arrangement with selfless intent, but it seemed I didn’t mind the helping the gods part of our pact.

I fussed with my hair to ensure its top length was tied back neatly in its braids, and then redressed, when I noticed new stitching had been added to my right sleeve beside Loki’s snake. Gjallarhorn with an all-seeing eye within the curl of its end, just like Heimdall’s stitching and what was imprinted upon his bangles and choker.

I walked out of Heimdall’s hall, unsure what awaited me next, and traipsed back down the rainbow trail to Bifrost proper. I looked left to see Midgard. Then right at the gates of Asgard.

No Loki.

“So? How did Heimdall taste?”

I didn’t bother spinning quickly, since I knew what I would find.

Loki stood behind me, where he hadn’t been a moment before.

“How did hisbladetaste?” I asked with a cross of my arms.

Loki smirked. “Isn’t that what I just asked you?”

Holding back was clearly pointless with him, so I didn’t intend to. “Best cock I’ve ever had. But that’s the problem. This feels too good to be true, as if you started with the perfect god to ensure I believe your ruse.”

“Ruse? What ruse?” Loki batted his eyes.

“One that means I will eventually wish I hadn’t taken your offer.”

“But you did. And what wonders have been bestowed upon you so far. A new outfit. New appreciation for a slick hole. The view alone!” He swept an arm toward Asgard.

If thiswasa trick—and to what end, I couldn’t yet guess—I had to be mindful and not give Loki any quarter. “It’s fine, I suppose,but while I might look the part of a noble now, does a real man truly require lavishness to feel like one? I enjoy nature more than some extravagant city. Or doyourequire ease and excess comforts to feel like a man?”

Loki laughed. “Oh, you are entertaining, I’ll give you that.” He skipped around me and latched onto my arm like earlier. “Are you saying you’d prefer another romp in the wood to that display on Heimdall’s bed?”

“How do you know we fucked on his bed?”

---