"Where will the bifrost set us down?" Shannon asked, while putting on stiletto heels. We were about ready to leave for the red carpet.

"In the garden of my flat in London. There are no taller buildings around. No one can look down into my gardens. It's why I chose that flat." 

Plus, it's the most protected place for us to set down, given the safeguards I've worked around the building. Although I didn't tell her, my paranoia had gotten a thousand times worse since I'd discovered she carried our child. I couldn't save Sigyn and my unborn daughter, but by the Norns, I was not going to let anything happen to Shannon and our son.

With a hand out to help her stand, I took in the view of my beautiful goddess. Damn, I was such a lucky bastard.

Long slender limbs were shown off to perfection in royal blue chiffon. Cut high, a sexy leg peeked through the slit of the empire-waisted gown, before it curved over the swell of our child. Enraptured, I could spend hours gliding greedy hands over her soft skin and the miracle of our growing baby. Of course, that assumed I wasn't distracted by those sumptuous breasts, so nicely displayed by the square neckline of her gown.

With a groan, I fought the impulse to strip her clothes off and take her right back to bed. She was safe here, safe in Asgard. Every time I took her to Midgard, it was a risk.

Still, I'd be with her. And Thor was joining us. She was gaining skills daily.

It would be safe.

Finished with my lingering perusal, I conjured my gift behind my back. "You are absolutely ravishing, darling. It needs something, though." With a flourish, I presented the velvet box I'd been hiding, and held it for her to open.

Laying on the black lining was a platinum necklace with a large sapphire teardrop pendant, surrounded by diamonds embedded with protective spells. It was paired with a set of dangling earrings with a smaller version of the sapphire teardrop surrounded by diamonds, and an anklet of diamond and sapphires that included a tracking spell. I was not losing her again.

With Shannon wanting to join me for events on Midgard, I'd first delayed her leaving as long as possible, until I couldn't come up with a reason to deny her. Then, after panicking at the thought of her vulnerability, I'd finally strategized ways to keep her as protected as possible.

Short of tying her to my bed.

Yeah, I didn't think she'd let me get away with tying her to my bed for days on end. Especially if I wasn't there to seduce her.

Constantly, I was torn between my need to protect her, and knowing I couldn't cage her, or she'd leave me. Yggdrasil's twisty limbs, but I loved my strong-willed, independent soulmate. Yet that very independence also terrified me.

Sigyn had also been independent, and I couldn't let history repeat itself. That loss was still a hole inside me, and while I'd forever mourn the daughter I never got to know, what I'd felt for Sigyn was a pale shadow compared to the interwoven tendrils growing between Shannon and I.

Shannon's pregnancy was a blessing from the Norns, as she'd need to slow down eventually. And once our son was born, he was the perfect reason for her to stay in Asgard to care for him. With her already away from her career, it shouldn't be too difficult to convince her to pick it up again once he was older. When she was better trained and less vulnerable.

I hoped, anyway.

"Oh my god! These are absolutely gorgeous, Loki! Thank you. Will you put them on for me?" Quickly, she removed the pearl earrings and necklace, and held her long golden-red locks off her neck.

"I realized," I said, between kisses on her slender neck while I fastened the necklace over her hidden torc armour repository, and gently inserted the earrings into the holes in her ears, "that I hadn't given you any jewellery yet. I apologize, darling."

Bending down, I wrapped the anklet around her slender ankle, exposed by the slit in the dress, fastened the clasp, and slid my hands up her silky leg slowly as I stood.

"Mmmmm... wicked. Trying to get me hot and bothered before we leave?" she raised an eyebrow, even as a shiver rose the hairs on her arms.

If only I could convince her to stay here in bed with me, I'd happily seduce her all evening. "I can't help myself, darling. I can't keep my hands from you."

Shannon ran caressing fingers over my two-button, notch-lapel navy suit jacket and lighter blue shirt. In a possessive little display, she tugged my navy tie and straightened my textured pocket square. No way would I discourage her from these loving, tender touches.

"You, my love, are the one who is too sexy for words. Not sure I want your fans seeing you looking this hot. You might kill them with a single look," she teased, even as her eyes dilated and darkened with desire.

"Temptress. Keep eying me that way and we won't make it to the premiere at all! Just one more thing, love." With another surprise for her, I pressed my thumbs to the hidden torc on her neck. "Another upgrade to your armour. Tell it to give you bracelets for both arms, picturing what you want."

After thinking for a minute, delicate silver scrollwork bracelets appeared on her wrists.

When I lifted her arms to examine them, the pattern surprised me. Did she know the Asgardian words had meaning? It was a protection spell interwoven into another gift I'd given her. There was no way I'd dissuade her from using it. If I could layer more protection around her, I would.

"Perfect," I said. "Just as with the rest of your armour, these are stronger than any metal on Midgard. They expand to vambraces faster than you can call the rest of your armour, to block a weapon strike, or provide a shield if needed." Pausing my words, it took me a minute to speak past the lump in my throat. "Maybe you think I'm overly protective, but I just can't lose you, Shannon. I wouldn't survive." Even the idea had my body tensing, muscles primed to fight.

Shannon smiled and cupped my cheeks. With slow thoroughness, she kissed me. When she pulled back, those gorgeous hazel eyes locked with mine. "Loki, I love you. If it makes you feel better to give me more protection, I'm okay with that."

Almost dizzy, I held her for a few minutes. The tension gradually receded, and my pulse returned to normal. "Okay, we'd better go. I'm going to teleport us to the bifrost, so you don't have to walk far in those sexy heels," I told her with a smile.

"Deal!" she agreed. An instant later, we were in the golden chamber.

"Set us down at my flat in London, please," I asked Heimdall.

The rainbow of lights swirled around us, and when they dissipated, we were in the garden by the infinity pool.

"What happened to all the damage from my transition?" Shannon asked, looking around.

"I repaired it all with my seidhr." She still forgot how easily I dealt with that kind of chaos. Something happening to her or our son, well, that was a different story. The swath of destruction I would cause would be planet changing. "Sam arranged a car service, so I don't have to drive. We're expected to make the rounds of after parties," I said, guiding her through the flat and out into the foyer to take the elevator.

"Of course, love. I'm looking forward to spending some time talking with your friends like Harry that I haven't really gotten to know yet. Is Roskva bringing a date? Will I finally get to meet Thor's wife?" she asked as the elevator descended.

"Like my brother, Ros has a Midgardian spouse at present. They were married last year, a few months before we met. I don't know if either of them are bringing their significant others, but if they do, of course you'll get to meet them."

When the doors opened, we walked out to the black town car waiting at the curb. After helping Shannon in, I closed her door and took the seat on the other side of the car, letting the driver close my door. We set off for the red carpet and theatre at Leicester Square, a short drive away.

"Although it requires more energy to maintain, can you make the illusion to hide our baby allow me to hug your mortal friends without them feeling the baby bump?" 

"Yes, darling. I'd already planned to do so since they're a huggy bunch. With all the filming I've been doing, as well as the dancing I expect we will get up to at some point this evening, I have no shortage of energy. I won't notice the energy use tonight." 

Even if it did cause a drain on me, I would have done so. Shannon was going to be protected at all costs. There was nothing I wouldn't do to protect her.

Shannon reached over to give my hand a squeeze. 

"Thank you. I'm relieved I won't have to think about accidentally giving my pregnancy away. You haven't told any of them, right?"

"No, love. Not even Sam knows yet. How would I explain a pregnancy that takes far more than nine months on Midgard, when you are spending so much time on Asgard?" 

Nevermind that the longer we went without letting anyone but Asgardians know about her pregnancy, the better.

As my consort, Shannon was a potential target, but as my pregnant consort, she was an irresistible prize to so many enemies like Isis, the Shen dragon gods, dark elves, fire demons... Yggdrasil's roots! Even the dwarven sons of Ivaldi, or thrice-cursed Hreidmar and Fafnir. 

 Despite my best efforts, an image of Sigyn's ravaged body, broken and bloody, flashed into my mind. Fists clenched, I shoved the memory away, locking it behind walls.

Deliberately, I tried to slow my breathing. Stop thinking about your past and all your enemies, idiot! Focus on Shannon!

"Oh true! I hadn't even considered that aspect. How are we going to handle it when our child doesn't age at the rate your mortal friends and my family will expect?"

Fortunately, her words helped distract me, pulling me back to the present. "I haven't thought that far ahead yet, but we'll work it out. Don't worry." Ha! I need to take my own damn advice.

She smiled and squeezed my hand again. "Nope, no worries for me. I'm not going to think about that tonight. Tonight is all about fun! I've been looking forward to this."

Her tone had me smiling. "Sorry to disappoint, but I'm turning your wine and shots to juice, love. No getting our baby drunk."

Shannon frowned. "As if I would! Of course you are turning my alcohol into juice. I could probably do that myself, couldn't I?"

"Yes, you have the ability to, but you should practice first before trying in a room full of Midgardians. Some of the things you've tried so far have a tendency to.... explode," I said with a straight face, but remembering some of her misfires had me struggling not to give away my amusement. When she didn't learn as quickly as she wanted, she got frustrated and impatient. Yet really, she was making incredible progress.

With a laugh, she nodded ruefully. "Okay, that's fair."

The driver opened the door when we pulled up at the start of the red carpet. The fans roared as they spotted me coming around the car to open Shannon's door. After helping her out and tucking her hand securely into my elbow, I waved to the press and fans. Their support and appreciation made my alter-ego so much fun.

Although I wasn't scheduled for any interviews, I couldn't resist stopping to talk to the press. Reluctantly, I introduced Shannon as my girlfriend. Every time I said it, my back tightened and I fought not to scowl. It annoyed me to no end that I couldn't just claim her as mine, and only mine.

Occasionally, they wanted a photo of me alone. That didn't thrill me. I had no desire to let go of Shannon for even a minute, and I was much happier with those who wanted photos of us together. When Sam, my publicity manager, tried to move her further down the carpet away from me, I barked a sharp "No." I probably glared at him as well, but he needed to know that there would be no separating us.

When we came across movie executives, various directors, producers, and fellow actors, I introduced Shannon. We were like a slow-moving boat, with the faster flow of people going around us, but it was my fault for catering to the fans. Still, I kept a sharp eye out for any danger to Shannon, as I signed autographs and posed. I really did enjoy interacting with my fans.

We hadn't come across any of my closer mortal friends until Basil O'Keefe bounced up and gave me a hug.

"Hey old man!" he yelled in his enthusiasm, while thumping me on the back.

Amused, I snorted and rolled my eyes. Seriously, he had no idea how true that statement was, especially compared to his young self. "Hey puppy. How's it going in nursery school?"

Basil laughed and punched me in the arm. "When are they going to give us some scenes together? You have more clout than I. Can't you torture them into it?"

"I'm an assassin, not a bad guy. Get your facts right, relic raider."

"Bad guy, misunderstood, yadda yadda yadda. Whatever, man. Get it done, your dark deadliness!" Basil laughed and turned to Shannon. "I'm sorry your boyfriend is so rude that he can't introduce you. I'm Basil O'Keefe."

Basil held out his hand, and when Shannon went to shake it, he tugged her away from me and into a hug.

"I'm... oof... I'm Shannon Murphy."

With a grin, Basil turned her to face me with his arm wrapped around her.

"I'm stealing your girl, Tod. She's clearly far too good for you."

I quirked an amused eyebrow at him. "All right there, love?" I asked her.

"He's funny and a bit chaotic," Shannon reassured me. "I see why he's your friend."

"And how does Serena feel about you two-timing her?" I asked while nodding to Basil's girlfriend and fellow actor, talking to the press a few feet away.

Basil shrugged, his grin widening.

Shannon laughed when she looked over at Serena, who'd also rolled her eyes at Basil's antics, and then gave Shannon a grin.

Thor fist-bumped me when he arrived and saw Basil with his arm around Shannon. "Unhand my sister, thief, before I squash you," my brother said as he strolled up.

Shannon smiled at Thor, who then frowned down at Basil. The look of alarm on Basil's face had me holding back a laugh. Thor wasn't even really scowling.

"Okay, okay! I'll give her back! No need to squash me, Tempest!" Basil released Shannon before leaping at Thor to hug him.

Shannon and I stepped back, out of range of Basil's flailing enthusiasm and boundless energy. Thor hugged him, and then almost picked him up by the scruff of the neck, scolding him for being too rough with her. It was hilarious how small Basil looked next to my big brother, even in our shorter Midgardian forms.

"Sorry Shannon," Basil said, somewhat abashed after Thor was through. "It's very nice to meet you. You are a bit crazy to get involved in this bunch. Just saying!" He yelled the last when Thor cuffed him lightly on the head.

"Out of the way, squirt. Let me greet Shannon," Thor told Basil, as he picked Basil up and moved him, making Shannon laugh.

Thor gently folded Shannon into a hug. "Loki has a good illusion on you to hide the baby. Are you okay after that puppy's rough handing? I can still wring his neck for you," he breathed into her ear in a voice so quiet, only she and I could hear him.

She smiled into Thor's chest as she hugged him back. "I'm good. No worries, Thor. I appreciate it," she whispered.

An affectionate smile was paired with gentleness when he released her. "Let's get her out of this madhouse, Brother," Thor suggested.

"Right there with you, Brother," I agreed, as we moved to either side of Shannon and tucked her hands into our elbows.

We started walking, and Shannon laughed as we watched Serena bop Basil on his forehead, scolding him, before he smiled and kissed her, shutting her up. They were a cute couple.

With me on one side and Thor on the other, the press wanted even more photos, but fortunately, we weren't far from the theatre entrance and end of the red carpet. In relatively short order, we had Shannon through security and into the theatre, where we could get drinks, mingle, and chat before we needed to find our seats.