This Time Around (Sequel to All Over Again)

Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

McKenna gave his hand a quick squeeze. "Would you like me to come with you?"

To her relief, he shook his head. "No. I'll be fine. Are you going to stay here or will you be in our chambers?"

"I don't know. I don't think I can sit anywhere." She couldn't even begin to describe the nervous energy flowing through her and the thought of trying to contain it unnerved her to no end. "I'll probably be pacing the promenade."

"My lord?"

Loki glanced at the guard, and then looked back at McKenna. "I'd best go."

She nodded, stretching to brush his lips with a quick kiss. "Come find me when you're finished."

Loki nodded and followed the guard out of the room, while McKenna glanced over at Eir. "I'm going to go for a walk, Eir. I'll be back in a bit to check on them."

"My lady, if I may?" Eir waited for McKenna to nod, and when she did, the healer said, "It is probably unwise for you to be walking about unguarded. I heard about the incident between Loki and Royce. You should take care."

"Why? What did Royce say?"

"Nothing, my lady. His jaw is broken. But he has many friends in the guard and not all are fond of Loki, no matter what they put on display when he is present."

McKenna sighed, reaching up to rub her forehead. "Not you, too, Eir. I've come a long way the last few months and-"

"Yes, you have, but these men have trained for years to become the warriors they are. And to some of them, you are nothing more than a Midgardian and, as you may have noticed, not all Asgardians are fond of Midgardians."

"I know." McKenna leaned back against the wall dividing the front of the infirmary from the private rooms in the back. "So, what happens if Loki becomes King of Asgard?"

"He will be very careful in selecting the men he wishes to guard you." Eir came over to rest her hand on McKenna's shoulder. "And I believe he would assign Volstagg to you especially. And the Lady Sif. He knows they are fond of you and I believe he trusts them. Especially with you."

As if she heard them discussing her, Sif appeared in the doorway. "Lady McKenna? Have you a minute?"

McKenna peered at her over her shoulder. "Of course." Turning back to Eir, she said, "Let me know if anything changes."

"Of course, my lady."

"Thank you." McKenna joined Sif in the hallway. "What's up?"

"Don't be angry, but Loki asked me to see you back to your chambers."

"I'm not angry, Sif. I understand his caution and it's okay." She fell into step with Sif. "Do you think Thor is going to officially step aside?"

"Honestly?" Sif looked over at her and nodded. "I do. He is not happy here for great periods of time and I cannot see him marrying an Asgardian and producing an heir. Loki, on the other hand, has proven himself worthy and not only has he married-" she smiled at McKenna-"but he's also fathered a son. The throne is secure for the next two generations and that is important to Odin."

McKenna pressed her lips together as she nodded slowly. Then, she glanced at Sif. "And would he be pressured to have another son? You know, on Midgard, we joke about the English royal family's Prince Charles, who is the future king, and how he has two sons-the heir and the spare."

"I don't know. I don't think so. The pressure will be on Selig one day to produce a son of his own."

"God, I don't even want to think about that."