The Sweetest Rose-LokixOC

Chapter 31

Using his sorcerer's ring, Loki formed a portal, fiery orange sparks lighting up the twilit courtyard. Through the center Cassandra glimpsed a city street. "Now, I'm curious."

"Good. I want you curious." Placing a hand against her lower back, Loki nudged her forward into the portal. "You know the mortal saying, the cat killed curiosity."

Cassandra snorted at his obvious butchery of the metaphor but said nothing. Loki was amazingly adaptable and had fit seamlessly into Earthen life. However, occasionally he made the most adorable cultural blunders.

Loki closed the portal and laced his fingers with hers, holding her hand close to his side. He led them across the street toward a concert hall. A red carpet had been unfurled for the VIPs ejecting themselves from the line of limousines idling in the circular drive. Cameras flashed to catch their plastic smiles as they glided inside.

Cassandra and Loki were the only ones to arrive by foot. One of the security guards made to stop them but Loki flashed a pair of tickets in the guard's direction and the man subsided, gesturing them toward the entrance.

They entered a great rotunda, the white marble floor flanked by a circle of caramel-colored columns. A mezzanine decorated with a white marble frieze circled the room.

Looking around at the couture gowns and glittering jewels Cassandra was glad she bought a formal dress for their date.

Operation Woo Cassandra was officially underway. She vaguely wondered how Loki had arranged this on short notice. Gala events were organized months in advance.

A server offered Loki a tray of champagne and the god snagged two glasses for them. "Here you are, darling."

Cassandra clinked her glass against his and took a small sip. The bubbles tickled pleasantly on her tongue. She placed a hand to her mouth with an abashed smile. "This is the best champagne I've ever tasted."

"Of course, it is. I only want the best for you." Loki declared with a charming wink that had her burst into giggles.

She gestured her champagne flute at the elite crowd. "Do you want to mingle?"

Loki wrinkled his nose. "Asgard, no! I despise mortals, you being the exception, my sweet."

Cassandra nearly rolled her eyes. Still as snobbish as ever.

Straining her ears, she tuned into a nearby couple, hoping for a clue as to their whereabouts. They spoke in a blunt sounding language she was pretty sure was German.

Loki tucked her arm through his and moved them to the edge of the room away from the bulk of the crowd. "Let's find our seats."

They climbed a set of marble stairs to the mezzanine. An usher led them to a private box, the red drapes pulled back with gold tassel ropes to provide a superior view of the stage.

Loki helped her into her seat and settled in the one beside her. Twining his fingers with hers, he raised her hand to his lips.

A shiver of desire jangled down her spine like a pinball, heat pooling in her core at the hot look he gave her from under long lashes. Cassandra swallowed hard as he kissed the tip of each of her fingers.

The box attendant offered them both programs then spoke softly in German.

Loki answered the man sharply in the same language, obviously irritated by the interruption. The attendant shuffled out of the box to do whatever Loki had asked.

In this instance Cassandra was frustrated with herself for only studying ancient languages in college. Ancient Greek and Latin were perfect for scholarly pursuits but useless in conversation. "What did you ask him?"