Loki Read Online Free Page A

the kiss, he leaned his head against her forehead and whispered, “You’re mine, my Bella. We belong together.”
    Bella fussed with her skirts and mumbled, “‘Tis no use, Loki. My sire would never allow us to marry. No matter how I reason with him, he stays the same, saying my mother insisted I marry someone born into the Grant clan. He wants me to help Morna get ready for her marriage. You know how I feel, do you not?”
    “Aye, I know you love me, lass, as I love you.” She’d snagged his attention with that comment. “What? And exactly what does he expect you to do to help Morna?”
    “I do not know, nor do I care.” She rubbed her hands up and down his arm, squeezing his biceps.
    Loki tugged on her hair, lifting the fine strands that had escaped her plait. “Is your hair golden or red? Sometimes I cannot tell. It seems to depend on the light.”
    She shoved at his hands, forcing him to release her hair and bring his gaze back to hers. “Why can we not marry as we wish? Is that not what you wish?”
    The failure of his recent venture found its way back to the forefront of his mind. “Aye,” Loki sighed. “Say no more. I know I will never be good enough for your father. I’ll leave you be. My thanks for the meal.”
    Sounds of wee feet in the passageway brought Loki back to his senses enough to set her away from him. The door flew open and Catriona and Alison ran in and stopped in front of Loki, wee Alison staring at him wide-eyed. “Look, Aunt Madeline sent two sweet tarts for you. May we share one with you?”
    Loki smiled at them, then glanced over his shoulder as Bella walked out the door, unable to tear his gaze from the enticement of her bottom. “You can eat them all, lassies. I’ll eat the stew. My taste for something sweet is leaving me.”
    Bella turned to grin at him, and Loki winked at her.
    He ate the food Bella had brought, trying to figure out a way to convince her father that he was a fit husband for his daughter. At the moment, he could think of naught that he hadn’t already tried.
    Just for a moment, he imagined what it would be like to tell Bella’s father that he, Loki Grant, truly did have noble blood in him. Being of noble birth would change everything. If he could just find his true sire, he’d know. What had his father been like? Was his mother as sweet as Celestina? How had he ended up living alone behind an inn in the royal burgh of Ayr? He’d tried so hard, but now he would never have the answer to his questions. Perhaps it was better to just leave it all alone.
    He’d also understood he could discover the complete opposite to be the truth. Was his father a thief or a murderer who had been condemned or sent away? He’d never know, and perhaps it would prove a blessing.
    Nay, coming home had been the right thing to do. Unfortunately, Bella could soon leave Grant land to assist her sister. This news told him he was doing the right thing. He’d never have a chance with her, so his decision to leave with his aunt and uncle was the right decision. Everything here would merely remind him of his love and his loss.
    He loved Bella, but some things just could never be.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    Loki paced in the great hall after dinner. Alex and Madeline had insisted on a special meal for the clan once a week, with everyone invited inside for meat pies, bread, cheese, and fruit tarts. The men would hunt boar, deer, or wild pigs for the meal—even a pheasant if they could. They’d had a good summer this year, so the food stores were well-stocked with apples, pears, beans, and peas. They had music and dancing as well, and the minstrels stopped in whenever they came this far into the mountains. Two were here tonight, but once heavy winter set in, they would be gone.
    Highland weather was another reason he needed to leave soon. Once the heavy snows came, there would be no departing Grant land. Loki sat at the dais with his mother and sire, along with