For Better or For Worse (Loki x Reader)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Well, hello there! You would think with quarantine and everything I would be able to write more, I thought so too, but we were both obviously wrong😂 But I'm back with a new chapter, and I hope you all like it!

(Y/N)'s POV

As we made our slow way down to the pasture, Loki kept his arm wrapped around my waist, seemingly pulling me as close as possible. Thankfully, Loki didn't say anything as we made our way down to the pasture. I didn't want to talk right now. I didn't want to talk about anything at all. Really, I would have just been content to go back to our bedroom and bury myself under the covers, never to be seen again. I didn't want to face my family; in truth, I hoped to never see them again. Unfortunately, that was not an option. I could not avoid them. Avoiding them would only make things worse.

Loki's hand moved to lay on the small of my back, and I flinched hard. He either didn't notice or chose not to say a word. Soon enough, we were finally down at the stables. I breathed a small sigh of relief, thankful for something to distract me from our current predicament. I turned to my husband and grabbed at his sleeve.

"What is it, darling?" he asked softly, a hand gently rubbing at my side.

"Do you think we can just ride Mischief today? Bareback?" I suggested. A strange look passed over my husband's face, but it was quickly replaced with a kind smile.

"Of course, darling. Whatever you wish is my command," he declared. He swiftly reached down and planted a kiss on my check, ignoring the looks we were getting from the stable hands and recruiters who were walking the palace grounds. "Go get Mischief, and I'll grab his bridle," he offered, and I nodded. He smiled once more before leaving to gather the small amount of tack required.

I was quick to move away from prying eyes to gather Mischief from the pasture. All I had to do was click my tongue for him to come running over. "Hey, pretty boy," I greeted as he followed him along the fence to the gate. I opened the gate and grabbed his halter as I led him out of the pasture, quick to close the gate behind his large body.

Seemingly sensing my internal unease, the large horse shoved his muzzle into my hands, and I couldn't resist laughing at his antics. For such a large, powerful animal, he was as gentle as a mouse. Loki was quick to rejoin us, bridle in hand. He handed it over as I silently undid his halter before hanging it on the fence post.

"Are you sure he will allow me?" Loki questioned, looking at the horse apprehensively. Because Mischief was so friendly with me, it was hard to remember his rough past. As if he read the man's mind, the large, black stallion nuzzled Loki's face, nipping at the man's cheek with his hairy lips. A smile spread across both of our faces at the animal's actions. "Are you ready?" Loki asked as I buckled the last strap under the horse's chin.

"Yeah," I confirmed. "And I'll just have to ride like we did that other time," I said, referring to the time where I had escaped into the forest a few months ago. This caused Loki to smirk.

"So may I assist you, my lady? You told me to warn you next time," he teased, a glint in his eyes. I couldn't hold back a giggle before I nodded. Gently, he took me by the waist and hoisted me onto the horse's wide back. Then, once he was sure I was secure, he stepped on the fence and lifted himself to sit in front of me. I wrapped my arms around the man's waist, and we were off. I snuggled close to him and laid the side of my face on the flat of his back. "Are you alright back there, dove?" Loki questioned, his voice soft and gentle as he looked over his shoulder at me.

"I'm okay," I answered, using my pointer finger to draw nonsense patterns on Loki's back.

"Okay," he said softly. "Just relax, darling," he suggested kindly. I nodded and snuggled closer to the man, if that was even possible. The wind and the soft rhythm that was created when Mischief walked was quickly making me tired. I was not sure if it was just those two things, the stress of the day, or everything combined, but I was quickly drifting off. I guessed it was the latter. My eyes slipped shut, and when I opened them again, I saw the looming palace in the distance, the pasture straight ahead of us.