Light in the Frost

Prologue

Loki

 

Loki sat against the wall of his cell, even his powers were rendered useless by the high security standards of the prison that resided deep under Asgard’s streets.

 

Boredom and the ever present rage co-incided inside the man as he drew his finger lazily through the air, carrying his chair back and forth across the room.

 

His cell was the size of a small bedroom but furnished to his needs, a bed with a stand, a chair and a table, on top of which rested his empty plate from the morning’s breakfast. Next to him sat the book he had finished in a few short hours.

 

Three of the four walls were clear, as if windows, but Loki knew if he merely brushed against golden outlined forcefield, he would receive a shock.

 

Thinking back to his adoptive mother’s visit the day before, he remembered some of the quibble she had engaged him in, bits and pieces of gossip and news in Asgard. Specifically, he remembered a piece of information that had bored him at the time, but now  told hold of his mind. Odin had decreed that for Thor to prove himself worthy of being king, he must first find a bride.

 

Frigga had told him that Thor was on Earth, searching for Jane, but he had only to the end of the moon before the All-Father called him back.

 

Loki remembered this Jane his brother was so fond of, but could not quite put a face to the name. In his mind, he pictured some puny human, unworthy of a god-like being, even if it was just Thor. He did remember she had some interest in the stars, something or other like that but Loki could not have been bothered to know exactly what it was.

 

When he asked what would come of Thor when the All-Father calls him back Frigga had informed him that he would choose a bride for Thor, someone he found worthy, it would no longer be Thor’s choice.

 

Loki suspected that Odin would choose a bride based on where the kingdom needed connections. He believed this would be very useful in the long run, why marry for love when you could gain power, that’s what he had always said.

Loki smirked, knowing how much grief it would cause is brother when he did not find Jane. And indeed, the mischievous god believed he would not.