Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
Despite a night with little sleep, Val felt surprisingly invigorated. Satisfied? Maybe even on the verge of happy? No, she couldn't quite claim that yet.
She unfurled her wings, letting them catch the warm morning light that streamed through the window.
The warmth danced across the feathers. They looked better today.
She ran her fingers over one that Loki cut, remembering how tenderly he’d cared for them and her after the fight.
She’d never expected that of him, gentleness, selflessness, caring.
The memory sent an unexpected flutter through her chest, one she tried to suppress.
Dangerous territory, letting herself feel anything for the Trickster.
Yet she couldn't deny something had shifted between them last night. Something she wasn't ready to name.
Name… her name… she’d told him her name. She had no idea why she’d done it, only that she’d suddenly wanted him to know her real name. To say her real name. To hear him call her by it… and he had.
And what about him? He’d shown her his true form. Not the one he used as a mask to blend in, but the real him. Beautiful and tall, muscular with those alluring horns.
Never once in Muspelheim had she ever been attracted to one of the fire giants. But Loki with his light blue skin and icy eyes… she had no idea why she found them even more desirable as his true self, but she did.
Her mind turned to how he’d left her hours before, wanting more… Well, if he thought that game would work on her, he was mistaken. She wouldn’t be a toy.
She tucked her wings back into place, and they disappeared into her skin.
She stretched and groaned, grabbing her ribs where they ached from her fight with Odin.
Her gaze drifted outwards again, yearning for the open sky.
Work called first, and Elle's well-being was paramount. Maybe she could return to Helheim and fly- Nope. She needed to stay on Midgard until Loki figured out who had talked to the demons and how they’d gotten into Helheim.
When Val walked down the stairs, Marek already sat at the bar. Her stomach dropped. It would be easier if he didn't come in anymore, but she couldn't throw him out because he hadn't been able to handle what she held inside. He had as much right to drink at a bar as she did to work in one.
She walked over. The other bartender nodded as Val washed her hands and scanned to see what needed refilling. She felt Marek's eyes on her back, but wasn't ready to face him. What did she say?
Oh, hey. Sorry you saw me go wackadoo on Odin last night. I'm really not that much of a freak, but you know, he ripped me from my mom when I was little and forced me to fight in his army until I was the only one left, and then I was kidnapped by a sadist. So...
Yeah, that would go over well.
For several minutes, Val did everything possible to ignore Marek, but when he called for a drink, she had no choice but to pay attention to him.
"Hi," he said.
Val nodded. "Marek. What can I get you?"
"Beer is fine."
She picked up his empty glass and turned to go, but he touched her hand.
"I'm sorry for leaving last night."
She shrugged. "No biggie."
His eyes held sadness and shame. "I... I wasn't prepared to see you... like that."
"You mean fight? That surprises me, with you being a wolf and all. I would assume you'd seen people fight a million times."
"I have, but not like that. You were... I don't know. Obsessed?"
Val blew out a breath. "I'm not for everyone. I carry more baggage than a cargo plane. Even so, I'm sorry you had to see me like that, but I'm glad you did now rather than after we started something. I’m broken inside, and even I can’t handle it a lot of times. So, no hard feelings."
He looked down at the bar and nodded. "You're probably right."
Val wanted to say something to comfort him and make him feel better, but what would do that? And why should she have to comfort him? He saw who she was, what she was, and if he couldn't handle that, that wasn't her problem. Still, he’d been nothing but a gentleman to her.
She held out her hand. "Friends?"
He looked up at her and smiled. "Friends."
He chuckled.
"What?"
"I was just thinking that I'm usually the one people go to when they need help with someone or something. I've never had anyone I could go to. But seeing you in action last night made me think that if I ever were in trouble, I'd come to you for help."
Val laughed. "Anytime."
Marek studied her.
She rolled her eyes. "What now?"
"You seem... happier today. More relaxed."
Val's cheeks heated despite her protests.
Marek nodded. "I'm glad you've found someone who makes you smile. Wish it could have been me, but if not, at least it's a Norse god. He'd better take care of you. Or Norse god or not, he will have to deal with me."
She smiled. She hadn’t felt like anyone had her back since she’d been with her sisters.
“Thanks.”
Take care of her? Did she want Loki to take care of her? She liked being self-reliant. But then again, it would be nice to have someone looking out for her for a change. She had no idea what that would feel like, and if she could even give up control long enough to let him.
"I gotta go," said Marek. "I just stopped by to apologize."
"What about your beer?"
He shook his head. "I gotta get back to work. I'll see ya around Valkyrie."
“You know, there is a bottom side to this bar. Down… below. You should get a drink there sometime. Talk to Lady Frigg, she’s the owner, and ask her about her monthly masquerade. Maybe you’ll meet someone.”
Marek stared at her for a moment. “I might just do that. Thanks.”
She watched him go. "Marek," she called. "What do you do for work?"
Marek smiled. "I'm a veterinarian."
Could he be sweeter? Kind. Gentle. And cares for animals?
Why couldn't she fall for a guy like that instead of the god of mischief?
The answer was simple- nice, sweet, guys could never handle her.
She would chew them up and leave them in a puddle.
What she really needed was a man like Loki, whether she wanted him or not.
Only a man like Loki, sharp, annoying, endearing, and as broken as she was, would do.
A man who kept her on her feet but satisfied her while on her back.
Her cheeks heated again as Marek waved and walked out the door.
What the hell did she mean she was falling for Loki?
She hadn't fallen for Loki. She'd have fun with Loki.
Used Loki for release, but- She stopped.
Who was she kidding? She'd told Loki things she'd not told another person.
That wasn't something you did with someone you used for great sex.
Her heart thundered. Loki. She was falling for Loki.
.. She couldn't let that happen. She couldn't. Falling in love with Loki was bound to lead her to the one thing she'd avoided for a thousand years. A broken heart.
"Hi, Val." Elle approached the bar.
"Elle." Val poured two drinks and put them on a tray.
"How... how are you?"
Val looked up. Elle was trying. It was written all over Elle's face that she didn't want Val to be mad at her.
She never could handle people being angry with her.
It was one of the things she'd been working on with Elle before they'd left.
She'd tried so hard to please everyone, and yet there was no way she was going to be able to do that.
"I'm great. How are you?"
Elle blinked several times. "Great? I've never heard you say that word before."
Val shrugged. "I've never felt great before."
"What makes you feel so great? Did something good happen? Did you meet someone? The werewolf guy who was just here. Is it him?" Elle beamed from ear to ear.
"No. Marek and I are friends. I..." She what? She got laid several times for the first time in a hundred years, and she felt more relaxed than she had in forever. She couldn’t say that. "I went to Odin's fight club last night and let off some steam. And then I stretched my wings for a bit."
"You got in a fight? Were you hurt?" Elle's eyes filled with concern.
"I won." Though that was only because Odin let her.
"Oh. Well, I'm glad then."
Val pushed the tray of drinks to Elle. "You should take these to your table before they get upset."
Elle nodded and took the tray.
Val got the feeling that Elle wanted her to ask how it had gone with Thor, but she couldn't. To be honest, she didn't want to know. Didn't want to know it had gone well and that Elle would be seeing more of Thor.
Loki had told her Thor truly cared for Elle, so in the end, she guessed it really wasn't her business.
At least Elle had made that clear with the way she'd acted a couple of days prior.
And as much as it bothered Val that Elle had talked to her that way and stuck up for Thor, it had also made Val proud.
She'd never seen nor heard Elle be that assertive before.
Val looked at the clock. She'd only been at work thirty minutes, and already she wanted to leave.
She wanted nothing more than to go back up to her apartment and take a nap.
Something she'd not done, ever as far as she could remember.
Though she wouldn't mind sharing a nap with Loki- even though they wouldn't get much sleep. Again.
Loki walked into the topside of the Raven Weaver uneasily. He'd found out who had been in contact with Surtr, but he wasn't going to be as easy to deal with as Loki had hoped. And he'd been forced into making a deal with the demon that Val was going to kill him for.