This Time Around (Sequel to All Over Again)

Chapter Twenty

CHAPTER TWENTY

"Heimdall, can you see them?" Loki strode into the gatehouse shortly after dawn the next morning.

"I can, Your Highness. Selig is awake and playing with Cap. He appears fine, but he looks a bit sad."

Loki's hands clenched on their own. "Does he?"

"Yes, my king. I think he might have been crying. He wonders if the princess is ever coming to get him."

"I see. And McKenna?"

"She and the others are fine as well. Her Highness is nervous. Frightened about what is about to come to pass. But Agent Coulson is with her."

"He keeps his word where McKenna is concerned. He will not put her in danger."

"The others are equally concerned about her. I think she is with good people."

"They are. And Lady Sif is with her as well. She is in good hands. Selig is the one I worry about."

Heimdall looked over at him, his expression somber. "He misses you both."

Loki closed his eyes at that. "That isn't helping my mood, Heimdall. You have no idea how difficult it is, knowing I must remain here while McKenna is there on her own. She is out of her element there." He rubbed his forehead. "I wish the Allfather would awaken, so I could bring McKenna back and go after Selig myself."

"She would be furious with you."

"She would, but she would get over it."

"True." Heimdall turned back to the cosmos and his expression grew even more serious. "They have arrived, Loki."

That brought a kink to his gut and an uncomfortable dryness to his mouth. "And?"

"That is all for now. They are waiting to make their move."

"What is Selig doing?"

Heimdall shifted and his shoulders stiffened. "He is crying in earnest. He is frightened. Ward is with him and-"

"And what?" Loki stepped up to stand beside the gatekeeper. "What is it, Heimdall?"

"My lord, he-"

"What?"

"Ward has raised a hand to him."

A red haze dropped before Loki's eyes. "Open the bridge, Heimdall. I need to go to Midgard. When I leave, close the Bifrost until I say otherwise."

"You should remain here, Loki."

"Heimdall, do not make me repeat myself. You are sworn to obey me, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Then open the bridge and let me pass."

"Your Highness, with all due respect, the princess will be to him in no time. You should allow her and the others to do this, since you are needed here."

Loki's hand tightened about the scepter he held. Heimdall was right, of course, but that didn't make it any easier. His instinct shrieked at him to go to Midgard, to pull McKenna behind him, and blast Ward straight into Hel. And it was all he could do to remain standing where he was.

"I am needed there as well. My first responsibility is to my family. My wife. Our son."

"I understand that. And the princess is taking care of what is happening on Midgard so you might focus on Asgard."

With a low sigh, Loki nodded slowly. "You are right, of course. That doesn't make it any easier, but you are right."

"I will keep watch over them."