Too close. That was too damned close. I'd had her back for not even one fucking day and almost lost her again. Everything in me wanted to sweep her off to Asgard immediately. I needed her to be safe. Maybe behind guards, palace walls, and my own protections, I'd finally be able to relax with her.

Damn it. The surging adrenaline in my veins had me fighting to force myself to sit in the car, to not escape this realm with her. My instincts screamed at me to take her to Asgard now. I couldn't lose her the way I'd lost Sigyn. Not Shannon. Not after the Norns had blessed me... me of all unworthy gods... with a soulmate. 

As Shannon drove us down the highway towards her brother's house to spend the Midgardian holiday with her family, I hid my clenched fists, tapping legs, and uneven breaths with an illusion of calm. I couldn't chance scaring her away again by being stupid. Bloody fucking hell. Stupid, in a completely domineering, overprotective way.

Think of her, you damn git.

Still battling my instincts when we arrived, I did my best to participate in the discussion with her brother and his wife over dinner. Fortunately, Liam liked to discuss Shakespeare, and engaged me in a lively debate on how theatre had changed over history. He didn't need to know that I'd experienced it. I enjoyed his passion for the topic and willingness to argue with me as we talked. It was exactly what I'd needed to pull my mind away from my worries, from my nightmares. The evening ended up being remarkably pleasant.

After midnight, we said goodnight to them and Shannon led me upstairs to a nicely appointed bedroom with a nineteenth century four-poster cherry wood queen-sized bed, night tables, and dresser set. A handmade quilt adorned the bed. She turned on stained glass lamps that sat on the two night tables.

"I really like your brother and sister-in-law," I said, getting rid of our clothes. "They are fun, interesting people."

Shannon raised an eyebrow. "I'm glad you like them. What have you done with our clothes? I kinda want to wear them again. Where do they go when you do that?"

I laughed. "You'll find yours in your backpack. Mine get converted to energy, which I re-use when I want to conjure new clothes, or new versions of the same clothes next time."

"I really wish conjuration was one of my abilities. It seems so useful." She sighed wistfully.

"Darling, I am more than happy to conjure whatever you would like, whenever you would like." With a tug, I pulled Shannon into bed, tucking her curvy form against me. If only I could always keep her in my arms. More than anything, I wanted to sink into her warmth and reassure myself that she was alive and safe. But she'd be uncomfortable with her family on the other side of that thin wall and able to hear her. Even if I reassured her I could keep any sound from travelling... although, could I? I tended to lose myself with her and wasn't entirely sure I'd be able to stay in control. Especially after almost losing her today. Embarrassing her would not be a great way to convince her to stay with me.

Damn it. At least I get to hold her.

I bit back my sigh. "Go to sleep before I change my mind about ravishing you with your brother in the next room. I only have so much willpower where you are concerned. For the love of my sanity, stop wiggling that sexy little ass of yours."

Shannon snorted out a laugh, but settled down. It didn't surprise me when she drifted off to sleep quickly.

Yet that blissful oblivion eluded me. With the house quieting around me, my mind was anything but. Over and over, I saw Ao Guang and his brothers grab her and recalled the terror of her slipping from my grasp. My thoughts tortured me with what could have happened—what had almost happened—if my goddess hadn't been so clever and surprised them. Too easily did I remember Sigyn's broken body after the ravages of the dark elves and their sick tortures. Four hundred years on the Asgardian calendar might be two thousand here, but time hadn't lessened the impact of those horrific visages.

Despite my affinity with chaos, I was finding myself less tolerant to the idea of unpredictable events compromising her safety.

I needed to get Shannon to Asgard and convince her to not leave. Whatever it took.

Despite my lack of sleep, Christmas day was more laid back than I'd anticipated, given how my first meeting had gone. Her annoying sister hadn't tried to sit next to me, grab me, or be obnoxious, so that was a pleasant surprise. Still, I kept my distance. The family opened presents from under the tree, feasted on numerous dishes, and everyone seemed to get along. Her uncle was a bit of a drunkard, but Thor was worse when celebrating. It was surprisingly quiet, with less drama between family members than I would have predicted.

Not that the day was completely drama free.

Shannon's best friend showed up on the doorstep and exploded when she saw me, accusing Shannon of lying and sabotaging her business. Yet Shannon wouldn't let me help her, wouldn't let me change her friend's memory, even as I felt her heart break at the harsh words spewed by Lynda. Instead, she took Lynda outside to talk to her.

But I knew. I could feel Shannon's sorrow.

More than ever, I wanted to whisk her away from all of this. To protect her from the pain. I hated feeling unable to help her.

Shannon was quiet when she returned. Her friend had left, which was probably a good thing, as I wanted to kill the mortal for hurting my goddess. Pulling her into my arms, I held her for hours as we visited with her brother and his wife, and her mother to a lesser degree. She didn't object when I convinced her to come to bed early that night.

The next day, we took our leave before breakfast, and I was relieved that she seemed more herself again. Because she needed to get her car back, we drove to her house, and then walked into the secluded backyard hidden by towering conifers.

"Do you want me to put you in Asgardian-style clothing?" I asked. When she agreed, I conjured a green, black, and gold empire-waisted dress. I couldn't resist putting her in my colours, but jewel tones complimented her complexion and red-gold locks. She was stunning in the style of my home realm.

With an arm around her to hold her sexy body against mine, I opened my mouth to call on Heimdall. To my surprise, Shannon covered my lips with her hand before I could say anything. I wasn't sure what she wanted.

"Heimdall, please open the bifrost," she said, her lips turned up in a grin with a sparkle in those beautiful hazel eyes.

Norns, but it lightened my heart to see that mischievous little twinkle.

I hadn't expected it when the rainbow lights swirled around us. Mother must have given Shannon bifrost privileges. Part of me was proud of Shannon for adapting so quickly, but I'd hoped to keep her reliant on me so she wouldn't leave Asgard, and safety, as easily. Still, I buried that thought as the portal deposited us on the platform.

Heimdall smiled and nodded at both Shannon and I. "Welcome back to Asgard, Princess Shannon, Prince Loki. The King and Queen would be pleased if the two of you would join them for dinner."

Yggdrasil's roots! Not only bifrost privileges. Fortunately, she was looking at Heimdall and didn't see the involuntary wince that I didn't quite manage to suppress. I'd not wanted to pile more on her after everything of the last couple of days. Please don't let her freak out.

"Is it the same day as I left?"

"Yes, Princess. It was morning when you left, and now it's almost dinner time."

"Thank you, Heimdall. Close your mouth, Loki. You're going to catch flies." She laughed and strode out of the chamber.

I blinked at her tone. She seemed fine? How could she be fine with all of this so fast? I scrambled to catch up to her before she set out over the rainbow bridge. "Princess?" I asked, cautiously.

"Apparently your mom didn't waste any time once she found out we were soulmates." She shrugged. "It surprised me, but I'm told it makes me part of the royal family."

"You aren't... angry? Or feeling rushed?" Like walking through a minefield, I wasn't certain what might cause her to flee again. I bit back my groan. Why had Mother dropped all this on her at once?

Shannon stopped and put her hand on my cheek. A little smile flitted at the edges of her mouth. "Loki, I'll be honest. Yes, it shocked me at first. Everything about us has upended my life and turned it on its head. It's why I ran before." She looked away, down at the bridge.

Was she thinking of running again? No. Please, Norns. Don't let her leave me again. My heart pounded in my chest as I reached for her chin, tilting it up to make eye contact with her. Part of me wished she hadn't learned to shield her thoughts so well.

"Please Shannon. Please talk to me?" It was rough getting the words out past the lump in my throat.

She swallowed, eyes soft. "I haven't had the best experience with romantic relationships. And... I wasn't ready for the depth of our connection. I needed time and space to come to terms with all the changes in my life. It's definitely been an adjustment." She looked away for a few seconds, but then met my gaze again with a directness that reassured me. "I'm still trying to deal with it all. Sometimes, I need a bit more time to think about things before I'm able to discuss them with you. But I do care about you, Loki. I am willing to see if we can make this soulmate thing work between us."

At her words, relief surged through me with the force of floodwaters scouring a canyon and I had to lock my knees to stay standing. "I was scared, Shannon. Scared to tell you, because I didn't want you to run again. Those months of not knowing where you were, it was torture. I don't want to lose you again. It was..." Even just thinking about it had me blinking away moisture from my eyes.

"I told you I wouldn't run again," she teased, caressing my cheek.

Desire welled as I remembered how she'd looked, writhing and pleading. So fucking gorgeous. "Yeah, I got that promise from you under duress. I wasn't sure if you would consider that fair."

She laughed and tugged my head down, kissing me deeply and thoroughly until we were both breathless.

When she pulled away, she asked, "Does that answer your question?"

I groaned, holding her body tight against me. "Yes, darling, I do believe you have convinced me. By the Norns, you turn me on. We need to go before I attempt to mask us from view of all of Asgard and take you right here on the bridge. You have a way of making me lose my head and control of my magic. Abstaining at your brother's was torture!" It took me a few more calming breaths before I released her.

She looked tempted. 

Damn, but she drove me wild. I was so close to throwing caution to the wind when she clearly got herself under control. I almost pouted. Instead, I plotted what I'd do to her as soon as I got her to the privacy of my rooms, and held my elbow out to escort her. 

"Shall we?" I offered.

Shannon seemed a little distracted when I pointed out some of my favourite sights as we walked to the palace. Was she thinking the same as I? Once inside, I led her directly to my suite of rooms. We didn't have long to get ready for dinner with Odin and Frigga, and damn it, but I wanted dessert first.

As soon as I closed the door behind her, I pinned her to it, claiming those soft, full lips.

The arousal that had been simmering since our kiss on the bridge ignited, and Shannon arched against me, even as I plundered her mouth and got rid of our clothes. Teasing a tight nipple and delving between her folds to find slick heat had me growling with need. 

Her moans were music to my ears, and when she gasped a breath, I shifted to kissing and biting my way towards her ear. Fuck, I could not get enough of the taste of her skin.

Stroking and taunting her tender flesh, her hips pushed against me restlessly. She was as eager as I, and my pulse pounded. When her nails scraped over my scalp, the shiver it sent down my neck had me groaning.

"I've got to be inside you," I growled, circling and flicking two fingers over her hard little clit.

"Now," she moaned in agreement, lifting her legs to climb and wrap around my hips as I drove my cock deep.

My eyes almost rolled back in my head with her clenched around me. I couldn't restrain myself, and thrust in vigorous, pounding strokes, with her braced against the door. It was glorious, absolutely fucking glorious.

Heat and squeezing friction surrounded me as I drove into her again and again, with the coiling tension building. Her cries of pleasure sang in my ears and my breath rasped.

Hotter and higher, it surged up my spine as she tightened around me, quivering with her orgasm. As her walls fluttered, she screamed, "Gods, Loki! I'm... "

"Yggdrasil's gnarly bark!" I growled in Asgardian, unable to hold back as my own climax blasted through me.

I stayed like that, panting and holding her against the door, until my pulse didn't pound and I could breathe without gasping. Leaning my forehead on the door and looking sideways down at her, I caressed her soft cheek. Shannon was such a miracle to me. Norns knew, I never wanted to let her go.

When she'd caught her breath as well, I picked her up under the ass and carried her over to the bed, still joined to me. If I could, I'd forgo dinner to pleasure her over and over. Fuck, she was dinner and dessert all rolled into one. What did I need food for when I could feast on her? 

Shannon wrapped her arms around my neck and gazed into my eyes as I walked. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips and her eyes danced with inner light. Before I'd reached the bed, we were laughing together.

Turning, I sat with her on top of me.

"My wicked, impatient god," she said.

"Always, when it comes to you, darling." How annoyed would Mother and Father be if we skipped dinner? Their disapproving expressions popped into my mind and I stifled a groan.  

Unable to resist, I kissed Shannon again, before stopping with another groan. "Now, as much as I hate to say it, and damn, I really hate to say it, I need to pull myself out of your deliciously tight, wet body." I flexed inside her, hard and ready to take her again. "We absolutely have to get dressed for dinner."

Shannon moaned and lifted herself off of me in a sensuous slide, to stand straddling my legs. Her hands were in my hair as she looked down at me. "We will be picking this up where we left off after dinner, love. I expect you to fuck me until I can't move," she commanded in a sultry tone.

So fucking perfect. "By the nine, I am a lucky damn bastard. Your wish is my command, Princess." Reaching up to hold her hips, I pulled her towards me. I needed a taste of my glorious goddess to tide me over until I could feast on her for dessert. My head bent to kiss her wet folds and I flicked my tongue over her little pearl. She was better than ambrosia or the finest Asgardian meads.

"Loki," she moaned, tugging my hair as her hips jerked towards my mouth.

I truly loved hearing her moan my name. With reluctance, I released her aroused flesh. "Just a preview, darling," I promised.

Glazed by passion, her body language was conflicted between wanting more now and duty, echoing my own conflicted state. Reluctantly, I let her go when she stepped back.

As her eyes cleared, she took note of her surroundings. It made me wonder what she saw from her perspective. My London flat had been modelled after my rooms here, with the same colour palette, space for my books, and gardens to walk, read, and enjoy. A glance outside made me realize the time, and I winced. We were going to be late.

"You should jump in the shower first, darling. If I join you, well, we'll definitely be late. I'd rather not deal with Odin in a bad mood." I gestured towards the open door so she'd know where the bathroom was. Father did not like to be kept from his meal, and I didn't want to prejudice him against Shannon by jumping on one of his pet peeves with both boots.

"Are we really that close to dinner?"

"Yes, we're pushing it."

"Okay, you can use the shower, then. I don't need to." With a brief burst of concentration, she summoned a layer of water that she rolled as a wave over her body, cleaning her. She dispersed it with hot air, drying herself.

The precise control over her seidhr was impressive. She'd come a long way since that first day. "That is some very nice magic, darling. Now do me, and I'll conjure us the appropriate clothes." I winked at my pun, and she laughed. 

Shannon ran a wave of water over my body, and my little minx teased me with it, even as she cleaned me. Norns, I absolutely loved that she wanted to tease. After dispersing the water with hot air, I was dry.

To clothe her, I conjured a fitted green and gold corset that curved up over her collar bones and around the back of her neck. Long pointed sleeves with bare shoulders, a floor-length velvet green skirt with gold stitching, and a long gold cape with green piping completed the look. After nodding approval of my choice, she asked me to conjure her a gold hair clip, which she used to pin up the sides of her hair. She left two long strands to frame her face.

My goddess was absolutely stunning.

For myself, I'd put on my usual green, black, gold, and silver Asgardian attire—black leather pants, liquid silver scale mail accented tunic with black and green leather. Since dinner with my parents required formal attire, I added the required gold chest armour with the royal crest of Yggdrasil in silver, vambraces, and high collar with its long black cape, edged with gold.

Shannon seemed surprised by the similarities in colour, but marked differences in style, with the costumes I'd worn in the movies.

"While Thor and I provided some inspiration for their Hollywood versions of our attire, this is functional armour," I replied with a smirk, gesturing to the interlocking scale weave of liquid metal protecting my torso. As I handed her golden ankle-high leather dress boots, I explained the way the metal moved and flexed with my body motion.

Although the boots added three inches to her height, my true form still towered almost a foot taller than her in my knee-high leather boots. I'd deliberately made my Midgardian form shorter. Thor and I both had, so we wouldn't stand out so much around the shorter mortals.

"Shall we, my love?" I asked, as I held out my elbow for her.

"Lead the way," she agreed, tucking her arm in mine.