This Time Around (Sequel to All Over Again)

Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

After Selig and Aislinn were tucked away into bed for the night and they returned to their chambers, Loki flopped face down on the bed and let out a long, low moan of appreciation. “Ahhh… it’s good to be home.”

McKenna poked his left shoulder blade. “You make it sound like you were tortured for three days, you know that?”

“I know.” He rolled onto his back and gazed up at her as she circled the bed to move to the armoire. “And I don’t mean it that way, but the only place I’d rather be more than here is home.”

She glanced at him over her shoulder, then tugged open one door. “So, what did Odin have to say about Selig's going to school here?”

He didn’t respond at first and when she looked back at him, it was to find him staring up at the ceiling. “Loki?”

“He wishes us to remain here.”

“For how long?”

The dark green comforter rustled as he turned his head toward her. “Permanently.”

“He does? I always thought he tolerated my being here, but that was it.” She tugged her favorite fleece pants and an oversized dark blue sweatshirt from the armoire and closed the door.

“He did at first. But now… now he sees you for what you are. Possibly Asgard's next queen.”

“What?” She couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice. Tugging her sweater over her head, she added, “What’s going on with him?”

“I haven’t the foggiest, love.” Loki's voice held a slightly husky tone and she smiled from the depths of the sweater before pulling it all the way off to toss in the basket.

“Should I go into my dressing area and change?”

“I wish you wouldn’t.”

She smiled as she reached for the sweatshirt. It floated down about her, warm and snuggly, and when she swapped her jeans for the fleecy pants, she was pretty sure she heard Loki whimper. “What was that for?”

“Because you are a tease.”

“I’m hardly a tease and you know it.” She tossed her jeans atop the sweater in the basket and then flopped down on the bed next to him. She rolled onto her side and propped her head on her fist. “What’s on your mind, hon?”

“He looks exhausted.”

“Odin?”

He went back to staring at the ceiling as he nodded. “He has aged these last four years.”

“Well, haven’t we all?”

“No, I mean, he has aged.”

Her arm began to tingle, so she straightened it and shifted to lay on her belly, although she still looked at him. He bore such a striking profile—high forehead, sharply defined nose and jaw line—that from the side, he looked positively regal. “He’s had several difficult years, Loki. They are bound to catch up with him eventually.”

“I know.”

She reached over to let her hand come to rest on his arm. A gentle squeeze and she added, “And you’ve made up for the sorrow by giving him two beautiful grandchildren.”

Now he looked at her. “I think you need to take credit for them as well.”

“I do, but you went from being Asgard's exiled prince to being welcomed back into the fold. You’ve made him proud, Loki, by how far you’ve come since those days.”