Down below

Chapter 64. xx

Loki was annoyed when he saw Thor closing in on him on the corridor.

'Brother! Congratulations on the treaty! I knew you had it in you.' his brother roared warmly, slapping him on the shoulder.

'I'm glad I finally managed to prove myself to you, brother. It was all I ever wanted.' Loki replied, full of sarcasm, annoyed that it only made Thor laugh harder.

'Ah, you grouch! Come, give me a hug.'

'Stay away unless you want to lose a limb.' Loki warned him grimly.

'Ooh, touchy! What's crawled up your ass? You should be excited that Father wants to celebrate your achievement! It's been a while since we had been merry together as a family.'

'Somehow I don't miss to see you and Father getting inebriated, boasting about past glories that we heard a thousand times.'

'Well, perhaps it's your turn to boast at last, little brother and I will make sure your cup is never empty tonight.'

Thor was teasing him all the way to the dining hall, chortling obnoxiously loud. When the guards announced them and they entered the room, Loki realized that they were the last to arrive. He immediately spotted Lestat sitting in between his father and Sif. The Marquis looked at him and nodded. Loki returned the gesture. He seemed almost human, his skin coloured by a healthy glow that usually graced his appearance after he fed.

'My sons! Come, sit! The starters are about to arrive.' waving towards the two remaining empty seats around the round table.

Loki sat next to his mother while his brother took a seat by Sif's side who was in deep conversation with Lestat and let out a light giggle at something the Marquis said, prompting Thor to comment on her exceptionally cheery mood. Loki couldn't hear Sif's response, because his mother distracted him.

'Congratulations on the successful mission, sweetheart.'

'Mother, please! Don't call me that, I'm not a child anymore.' Loki sighed.

Frigga smiled at him and poured a glass of wine into his glass.

'We have staff to do that.'

'Well, allow me to serve you with a lovely glass of wine to celebrate your diplomatic victory. In fact, I shall make a toast later.'

'Mother, are you drunk already?' Loki asked her, feigning shock.

'Don't be cheeky!' Frigga smiled, wagging her finger.

As the courses went on, Loki realized the reason of Lestat's elevated mood. He was drinking blood. He frowned, surprised that his parents would go to such great lengths to please him, but he was even more curious what exactly was in his glass. He took a deep sip from his wine before turning to his mother.

'I can see our guest is in high spirits.' he told her, trying to seem nonchalant.

'Ah, yes! I managed to come up with a recipe just for him. Your Father and I wanted him to feel welcome and I always enjoy a challenge.' Frigga said proudly. 'I bet you want to know what's in it.'

'Pray tell.'

'Bulls blood with moonflower extract.'

'Mother!' Loki gasped, unable to contain his surprise.

'It was the only ingredient that kept the blood warm long enough. In fact, I'm pretty sure the dear Marquis is curious about the ingredients as well.'

Before Loki could object, his mother asked Lestat to join them. Sif and Thor moved, so he could sit next closer.