Loki Read Online Free Page B

his other aunts and uncles, Alex and Maddie, and Robbie and Caralyn. Most of his younger cousins sat at a nearby table, but he had finally been given a seat at the dais, along with Alex’s eldest lads, Jamie and Jake.
    Jamie leaned over to address Loki. “Who have you chosen to warm your bed tonight, Loki?”
    Loki scowled at his cousin. “You will not speak in such a way at the same table as my mother.”
    Jake gave him a look that was probably intended to convey maturity. “Why are you so sensitive?”
    “Because ‘tis my mother. You two have the sweetest mother on the face of the earth, and you do not respect her enough. That, then, is your choice. But if you do not respect my mother, I’ll take the two of you outside and explain it to you with my fists,” he whispered.
    His mother gave him a sweet smile. Hellfire, but he would miss her. His sire Brodie wrapped an arm around Celestina’s shoulder and hugged her close. Watching the two together was much like a fist in his gut. This was what married life should be—loving and supportive. It was undeniable that the sight of their happiness often made him wonder what had happened to his true parents—sickness, an animal attack, reivers, what? What could make two parents desert their child? He knew his adoptive parents would never do such a thing.
    He scanned the room automatically, though it would only cause him pain when Bella crossed his line of vision. Shite, she was a beauty tonight. He caught her gaze once in a while, though she sat with her disapproving sire, a man with a permanent frown on his face because he was in the same room as Loki. Loki glanced at Brodie, who was laughing as he spoke to his brother, Robbie, also laughing. Aye, he had been blessed to find himself in such a family.
    He should probably tell his sire how much he appreciated him. Rolling the stem of his goblet in a circle on top of the table, he wondered why he found it so difficult to put words to his feelings for them.
    The music had started and a few of the younger clan members started to dance. His cousin, Ashlyn, soon appeared in front of him, her eyes cast downward. “Loki would you dance with me, please?”
    “Ashlyn, you are close to my age. Are you sure there is not a lad here you would rather dance with?” His cousin was the daughter of Robbie’s wife Caralyn and his uncle had adopted her.
    “Nay, you know I’ll never marry. ‘Tis not for me.”
    Loki sighed, then got to his feet and held his hand out to Ashlyn. Her face lit up, so they strolled over to the dancing area and joined the group. Ashlyn was someone he could never refuse. He and Ashlyn shared a special bond—both of them had been adopted by the Grant clan after difficult childhoods. To this day, she spent most of her time protecting her younger sister Gracie, and now she had two brothers to protect as well.
    Loki was a natural protector, too. He was completely devoted to his adoptive mother and father, his brother, Braden, and his two sisters. He loved every one of his aunts, uncles, and cousins. Bella was also on that list, though he knew he did not have any right to be her protector. He would never let aught happen to any of them. “Someday, you’ll find a lad and change your mind.”
    “Nay, I will not. And you know why. I do not trust men.” As she twirled in a circle, laughter erupted from her normally serious face and her brown hair swung in a curtain behind her.
    Loki said, “Ashlyn, you’ve become a beautiful lass. You must marry.”
    “Do I? And what about you? You’re older and not married.” She smirked as her chin jutted out another notch.
    Loki had no answer for her. He decided to let her win this argument, so he focused on dancing instead. Of course, he did not fail to notice that Bella had just moved into the dancing area. His gaze honed in on her and her partner. The lad who was chatting with her was not very big, and not very smooth either, but he was having a laugh with her.
    “Your