The Sweetest Rose-LokixOC

Chapter 59

Cassandra bent forward to examine Excalibur. They were sitting in the living room. Light poured in through the panoramic windows allowing her to see every single detail etched into the metal.

The sword was beautifully crafted the blade a bright rippling silver as if forged recently. "I can't believe we didn't realize the staff was an illusion sooner."

Scooting to the edge of the coffee table Loki draped Excalibur across his lap so she could reach the sword easier from the sofa. His glossy raven hair was gathered into a casual top knot He wore a simple emerald silk shirt with the collar undone and black trousers. His long narrow feet were bare on the gray Berber carpet. This was as casual as Loki ever got.

Cassandra would love to see him in a pair of ass-hugging jeans or even a t-shirt. But she wasn't the type of girlfriend to dictate her boyfriend's wardrobe. That kind of nitpicking in relationships bred only resentment.

Frankly, Loki didn't need her help. He dressed better than she did.

Cassandra gazed ruefully down at her own clothes. The NYU sweatshirt had a hole in the left cuff and her sheep-printed pajama pants were hardly sexy.

Loki's gaze roved over Excalibur, his expression sour. "The Merlin's skill in illusion surpasses mine."

"I'm sure that was a blow to your massive ego, right babe?" Cassandra joked.

Loki sighed heavily, nose scrunching up in annoyance. "No need to rub salt in the wound."

The god did not like it when someone showed more skill in magic than him. For the longest time he believed himself to be the best sorcerer until his various encounters with Strange proved otherwise.

Of course, after scouring the Ancient One's texts Strange was no longer in Loki's league which soothed his pride.

Cassandra still had much to learn about her own magic. It would be years before she could stand at Loki's side as an equal power.

Magic pulsed thickly around the blade like a cocoon, the invisible barrier preventing her from curling her hand around the hilt. "Loki, I don't think this sword is meant for me."

As soon as she said, the words rang with the sort of clarity reserved for deep truths.

Loki's forehead wrinkled. "Beg pardon?"

"There is something I learned when we visited the Merlin's vault in Norway." Cassandra explained.

At Loki's urging, Cassandra recalled the Merlin's note to her written in his personal journal. Using his foresight, Emrys grew aware Loki and Cassandra would cross paths one day.

He knew they were meant to be together back when she was a squalling infant and Loki a Trickster gallivanting around Asgard.

She found it unsettling that someone could know her life long before she lived it. Her resolve firmed to close off her foresight and never use her gift to peer into the future as Emrys did.

"That's probably a good idea." Loki agreed after she told him. "Your predecessor went mad from using his gift to further his own political agenda." He sheathed Excalibur, placing the sword gently on the coffee table beside him. "I don't suppose we'll ever fathom what Emrys intended or why he entrusted me with Excalibur."

"Better not to travel down that rabbit hole." Cassandra's leg began to throb, reminding her to refresh the pain-relieving spell. "Believe me I've tried. You'll only get a migraine in the end."

Loki cradled her calf in his hands when he noticed her face paling. "Allow me, darling." He muttered the spell and the familiar cool wave of his power washed the pain away.