Page 13 of Loki's Heart
“Long enough to reveal much,”Cian said into her mind as they readied themselves for travel. He looked at her with concern.“I know ‘tis not what you want to hear, but you should consider Loki’s offer. As much as I loathe admitting it, he can keep you safer than I. Especially here on one of his worlds.”
“Yet yesterday, you feared him hurting me,”she reminded.
“Yesterday, I didn’t realize you had history together. A past where he didn’t endlessly lust after you.”He gave her a pointed look.“It could almost be said that the two of you aren’t all that different than the dragon shifter couples his dagger Forged in Fire.”
“Except they had all fallen in love.”Still weary, she allowed him to wrap her fur cloak around her shoulders.“Where—”
“Youdidfall in love,” he murmured in her ear, then met her eyes. “Which no doubt aided us in putting half of Loki's heart in your safekeeping.”
“Yet I get the sense you believe there’s even more to it now.”
“Honestly, against the odds, I do,” he admitted. “What we did was monumental considering the god we took it from. What if therewasmore to it than we realized? Not just his divinity helping on a possible subconscious level, but more than we imagined?” His brows inched up. “What if he actually loves you too? Isinlove with you?”
She chuckled until she saw he was serious. “You’re kidding, right? We’re talking about the God of Chaos here. Not just that, but I’m pretty sure the biggest flirt in existence.”
“Can flirtatious men not fall in love?”
He was about to say more, but Svend interrupted them.
There was no time to spare. They had to leave now.
Chapter Eight
“Yrsa is that opposed to the sun, then?” Loki smirked at what looked like nothing more than a full moon. “Enough so that it’s best we only travel when it isn’t hidden by clouds?”
“It seems her mirror has convinced her it will affect her magic.” Svend smirked as well and shook his head. “Sometimes, I think that magical mirror just enjoys toying with her. That it’s nothing more than rogue magic twisting her mind more and more.” He shrugged and gestured at Revna. “Though itisright about your seer to a degree, isn’t it?”
“I’m not his seer,” Revna grumbled. “And it wounds me you would say that, friend.”
“I meant no harm.” Svend fell in beside her and gave her a hopeful look. “Though I’ll admit I like the idea of you being better protected. Even if it means giving a piece of your heart to such a god.”
And just when Loki thought he was making headway with these dwarfs.
“Seers,” Truthsayer corrected. “We arenotdwarfs.”
“Any more than I’msuch a god.” Loki looked at Svend rather than Truthsayer. “More like one ofthegods.” He shrugged as if he couldn't fault his worshippers. “Orthegod in some circles.”
“Over Odin?” Revna’s sarcasm was accompanied by a well-aimed jab and a humorless grin. “But then, that’s right, youarea dreamer, aren’t you? Or should I say one who intrudes on them?”
“You wouldn't have thought it an intrusion if we’d traveled further into your future in this last dream, my little demon.” He winked. “Rather, it might have reminded you why you’ll be more willing to give me a piece of your heart than you think when the time’s right.”
Or so he could only pray.
If able, he would take it without her permission if it meant keeping her safe, but unfortunately, even he couldn’t make that happen. This sort of magic was beyond him. She had to come to him of her own volition, so to speak. Or at least that’s how it felt. Yet how to convince her without showing her via dreams? Without making her more accessible to Yrsa?
“Does she not hold a piece of your heart now?”Truthsayer pointed out telepathically in a tone that sounded much like Thor. In a voice he knew she could not hear. “Is that not enough to work with?”
Was it? Would it help translate how he had come to feel about her if he merely voiced it? If he told her of their many times together?
“We must move quickly up that ridge.” Svend started up a steep, rocky incline. “Then get down into the valley before the next storm arrives, and the sun is no more.”
Loki breathed in deeply, longing for the excitement he should have felt at enjoying a magical storm on this volatile world. He heard the crackle of Thor’s thunder, splintered and mystical, in this unnatural place. Felt the way it skewed across the heavens as though caught in a deep, dark monstrous seashell.
Then he felt something else.
Though tempted to push past Revna to confirm his suspicions, he would stay behind her until she was at the top. Stay where he could catch her if she stumbled. He not onlysensed but saw her growing weaker, and it hurt his chest in that strange way again.
Only this time, it was even stronger.