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for it. Loki had no intention of being that man.

Chapter Six
     
    The halls of Valhalla echoed with laughter, and Vivi looked around in awe. Instead of spending Christmas in New York, she had begged Loki to take her to his realm and she was not disappointed. Traveling there was like a pop through time that left her breathless. She could look outside the massive windows and see the unblemished snow of the North Pole. It was a blanket of white across the landscape and though you could freeze to death outside, in the great halls there was not a cold corner.
    Massive hearths seemed to grace every room and the stone floors seemed to radiate heat. The smell of pine and fresh garland filled the air. Christmas trees with all handmade ornaments lent a hand to the picturesque scene. If Vivi didn’t know better, she would say she was dreaming. But she had pinched herself quite a few times since their arrival, so the sore spot on her arm told her she was awake.
    “The family is in the room of souls, where homage is paid to those lost in honorable battle,” Loki said. “We’ll first go there, and then I have a surprise for you.”
    “What kind of surprise?” Vivi asked. She tucked her hand through the crook of his arm as they walked.
    Loki leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “Have patience, Vivienne. My family may be a bit distant, but don’t be offended. My past is not quite forgotten here.”
    Hearing that irritated her to no end and she spoke stiffly. “If people can’t let go of something that happened thousands of years ago, then they have their own issues, not you.”
    Loki chuckled. “This should be interesting.”
    They stopped walking when they came to a set of massive stone doors. Carved scenes of war throughout the years were etched on either side—a tribute to those who died in glorious battle. Loki pushed open the doors and they moved easily, belying their monumental weight. The scene inside was just as festive as everything else she’d seen, but it was the people who stood or sat close by that caught her attention.
    A man bigger than anyone she’d ever seen sat in a chair that she was sure had to have been handmade. He was at least seven feet tall and his beard was white and neatly combed. He didn’t have to say a word; Vivi knew he had to be Odin. Sitting on the arm of the chair was a stunning woman with long hair the color of a raven’s wing. Vivi looked at her and Odin’s wife. She smiled at them both as they stood in the doorway.
    “Loki, you came home after all.” She got up, smiling widely, and walked toward them. “And you’ve brought a guest. Is this the lovely Vivienne?”
    Loki bent to kiss her cheek. “Yes, Mother, meet Vivienne.”
    “It’s wonderful to meet you.” Vivi held out her hand and it was ignored. Instead, Joko pulled her into an embrace.
    “It is more than an honor to meet you,” Joko whispered close to her ear. “Thank you.”
    Vivi didn’t have to ask why she said thank you. She could see the honest and pure love the woman who Loki called mother had for him. She wanted his happiness as much as Vivi did.
    “Come meet the rest of the family,” Joko said warmly. “Everyone, this is Vivienne and she is with Loptr.”
    “She does understand who he is, right?” a man with hair as white as frost said drily.
    Beside him, his wife slapped his hand and rolled her eyes. Her round tummy showed that there was an addition to the family on the way. “Pay him no attention. My name is Lucy and this is Jack.”
    Jack’s words stuck like a bone in her throat, and Vivi couldn’t help but respond. “Pleasure to meet you both, and, yes, I do know who he is. Just like I also know some weather issues we had a few years back was not just a blizzard of the century. You were a little punchy with the snow that year, weren’t you?”
    “Right hook and Jack goes down.” A tall, handsome man with black hair roared with laughter and stood. He was wearing red pants and a coat to