Loki visits Sia to inquire as to her health, all very polite and princely, and makes a personal request of her. Refusal would be prudent, but agreement could prove much more interesting.

Suggested music: "In Fortune's Hand" by Clannad.

Someone wrote in, objecting that there was no Loki in the prior chapter. To which I say, "Don't be so sure of that."

I had expected to take a short nap, and then spend the afternoon reading.

I awoke just before sunset.

I rang for Sóldís — or, rather, whoever was taking care of me for the day— and opened the curtains. The fading light stained the snow with the colors of flame, as though the snow were burning. I watched the light dim, transforming the burning snow to dark blue shapes, then dim, imperceptible mounds. The moon would not be up for a while yet, and the faint starlight did little to illuminate the scenery.

A knock on the door, and it carefully opened. A pale young redheaded girl entered the room, followed by Erik, who seemed just as unnerved as he had been the prior evening.

"Lady Sia, as you requested, we have brought food and wine."

"Thank you—" I realized I did not know her name.

"Margot, Lady Sia. And this is Erik." Erik made another attempt at a bow.

"Thank you, Margot. I appreciate your care."

"Will there by anything else, Lady Sia?" Margot was clearly anxious. I attributed it to the fact that she was unnerved at having to deal with a mortal.

"This is perfect, Margot. I will ring if I need anything else. My thanks to you and Erik."

Margot made a short curtsey, and she and Erik practically fled the room.

I poured some mulled wine and plucked a piece of bread from the fresh loaf. I returned to my chair in front of the fire, and sat down to think.

Poor Berthe, indeed. A young girl looking for love and companionship, and finding herself pregnant and alone. I was disappointed in Loki. Except that was judging him by mortal standards, which most certainly did not apply. Nonetheless, I felt sorry for Berthe. I imagined the two of them in deep conversation over books in the library, her delight in their growing closeness, then her devastation at being abandoned. Her life had not been easy before this, and certainly had become no easier.

Why do I care so much about Loki's failed romance? It's not as though I harbored any illusions that he'd ever be interested in me. I was a scholar, and a mortal of Midgard, and thus useful in a way Berthe was not. I was useful, Loki was content to make use of my mortal condition, and that was that. For me to think he meant anything else he said was delusional, and I most certainly was not the kind of person prone to delusion. I had worked through all of that with the collapse of my marriage, years ago, and it was well behind me.

Wanting to clear my mind, I pulled out my Tarot cards, unwrapped them, and began to shuffle.

A knock on the door broke into my thoughts.

I was certain I'd told Margot that I would ring if I required anything further, but perhaps she felt she had to check on me, or Thor had instructed her to do so.

I rose, unlocked the door, and opened it to find Loki standing there, pale and agitated.

"Lady Sia, I apologize. I know you have been unwell, and I have been concerned."

"Thank you, Prince Loki. I am feeling better."

Loki stared at me.

"Lady Sia, may I enter? If it's not too much of an intrusion?" This was not the cool god of the banquet, or the confident prince from the picnic.

"Of course, Prince Loki. Please come in. I am sorry, I am still not quite myself."

We sat in front of the fire. "Please, help yourself to the wine, if you wish, Prince Loki."

"Thank you, Lady Sia." He absently poured some wine into his goblet, and stared into the fire.

He turned to me, and his glance fell on the cards. 'You divine, Lady Sia?"

"Yes, Prince Loki, I do. I find the cards quite helpful in gaining insight into a situation, and perspective on dealing with it so to avoid being overwhelmed."

"Are you feeling overwhelmed, Lady Sia?" Loki looked at me with concern.

"Prince Loki, this has been the most amazing week of my life. I'm conducting research in an ancient library on another planet. I had a picnic with two princes who just happen to be gods. It is rather overwhelming."

"But you are not unhappy? We have not caused you distress?" Loki seemed truly concerned.

"Not unhappy at all! Just trying to assimilate everything. There's rather a lot. I know it's old hat for you, being the great traveler of the Universe that you are, but for a mortal like me, it's a bit more to process."

Loki smiled. "As long as you are not unhappy, Sia."

"Not at all, Loki. Even catching cold hasn't been particularly bad; it's cleared up surprisingly fast."

"I am pleased you are feeling better. I felt so awful when Mother said you were ill. I wanted to check on you, but she said that disturbing your rest wouldn't help. So I waited as long a I could bear to wait."

"Thank you, Loki. You are very kind to be so worried."

"We can't have people thinking that Asgard does not take care of its guests."

"Oh—your cloak! Thank you for covering me. I hadn't expected to fall asleep, and I hadn't expected it would get cold. You were kind to let me use it. I should return it."

I jumped up to retrieve it, and stopped. I realized I hadn't seen it since Saturday night, when Thor helped me down from my horse. The cloak had caught on the pommel, and Thor unhooked it so I could step free.

"I—I'm sorry, Loki. I don't actually know where it is. I remember Thor helping me to dismount, but I don't remember much after. I hope it's not lost."

"Sóldís returned it to me Saturday night, Sia. Do not worry." Loki smiled. "I'm glad it kept you warm. I'm sorry it could not keep you well. I should have put some magic on it for you."

Wait. Sóldís didn't know that Loki had let me use his cloak. She'd have known that if she returned it to him.

Maybe she hadn't realized it was his until after I'd said something, and she took it upon herself to return it.

"What was that, Sia? I'm sorry, it was a bit indistinct."

"Just reminding myself to thank Sóldís for taking care of it, Loki. I was afraid it was lost."

Shields up, Sia! Silver Tongue can read your mind.

I breathed, and surrounded myself with white light.

"Not to worry, Sia. Even if it were lost, it's only a cloak. I could have another made. Fortunately, it has been returned to me, and bears not another moment of thought."

Relieved, I sat down in the chair again, and picked up my goblet.

Loki gestured to the cards. "May I?"

"If you wish. Do you read Tarot?" Another topic I felt comfortable discussing. I started to relax.

"Read? Me?" Loki laughed. "No, Sia, I am not a diviner with cards. I have other methods to foretell the future."

"So I have heard. The legends are full of such tales."

"I must say, I"m surprised to find you with them. Fortune telling isn't very—academic, from what I understand."

I bristled. "I'm not a fortune teller, Loki. I told you—the cards are a tool. I divine to find ways to solve problems and move forward. It's not about predicting the future, it's about how to create the future you want."

"So you use the cards to tell the gods what to do?" Loki stared at me, incredulity on his face. "Brave mortal!"

"It's not like that, either, Loki!" I made no attempt to hide the exasperation in my voice. "The cards provide insight into what is really going on in the situation, and offer an opportunity to explore different paths forward, so you can make better choices about how to move towards your goals."

"I beg your pardon, Sia. I've never heard of anyone working with an oracle in such a way. We're much more into predestination, and how to bear it gracefully—or dramatically. It must be one of those Asgard/Midgard things."

"I don't do predictions, Loki. I don't believe in predestination. We all have the power to choose. The cards can help you make a good choice."

"But as an archetype, Sia, am I not bound to behave in accordance with my nature, regardless of what else I might wish to choose?" Loki turned my argument from Thursday night around to me.

"Loki, I read for humans, not gods. It's different."

"Read for me, Sia." Loki looked me in the eyes. This was not a request.

"Loki, you just told me why I can't read for you."

"Read for me as though I were a mortal, Sia. I am curious." His eyes remained locked on mine.

This feels dangerous. Why is he here?

"Please, Sia. I should like it very much if you would read for me." His eyes softened. "You can pretend I am one of your mortal friends, looking to you for advice."

Why not? Saying "no" would gain me nothing; saying "yes" might gain me some answers to my own questions.

"Alright, Loki, I will read for you. But, you have to promise not to manipulate the cards. And you have to promise not to become angry at anything I might say. The cards speak quite plainly at times, and I see no reason to sugarcoat their message. So if it's unpleasant, remember you asked for it."

Loki nodded. "Tell me what to do."

"First, focus on your question or situation. The more specific you can be about it, the more useful the answer from the cards will be."

He nodded.

"Pick up the cards, and shuffle them any way you like, still thinking about your situation or question. Shuffle until you feel the cards are completely mixed, and then we'll pull a few and see what they have to say."

Loki held the cards, and began shuffling. A flick of his wrist, and they all floated upwards, continuing to shuffle themselves.

I've never had anyone shuffle quite that way before. I watched the cards swirl in the air.

You've never read for a god before. Loki smiled at me.

The cards floated back down to the table, and assembled themselves into a tidy pile in front of me.

"Like that?" Loki inquired, grinning.

"Perfect, thank you." I couldn't resist smiling back.

I fanned the cards across the table.

"You can tell me your question, or not, as you wish. I don't have to know the question to do the reading, but it can help."

"I'll withhold the question for now, Sia."

I took a deep breath. "Then, pull a card from anywhere in the deck. This represents you, where you are right now. That's the only place we can start."

Loki drew a card, and set it in front of me. I turned it over.

The Magician.

The cards have a sense of humor tonight.

"The Magician is a Major Arcana card, an archetype. He is about creativity, possibility, potential. He has the tools necessary to do what must be done, but sometimes there is a question as to whether he knows that that is."

Loki nodded. "Go on."

"It suggests the need for focus on the ultimate goal, so that you are clear about what you are working toward. You have what you need to reach that goal, but you have to be clear about what it is you really want."

"I see. What's next?"

"Pull a card to represent the obstacle in the situation. It may be something you're aware of, or something unexpected."

Loki drew a second card, and handed it to me.

The Knight of Swords.

"The Knight is a minor arcana card, so more likely an actual person or an element of yourself. Swords represent the element of air, and the qualities of logic, intellect, and reason. The Knights are the element of fire, so this card is fire in the suit of air. A lot of thinking, a lot of mental energy, perhaps even a lot of activity—but again, a need for clarity, for focus, for being clear on what you are working towards. This is the fastest card in the deck, so it's an encouragement towards action, and at the same time, a caution against rash and reckless behavior."

Loki smiled. "Oh, that's never a concern for me! I am the soul of reason!"

"Of course you are, Loki." I gave him my sweetest smile, knowing he would see right through it. "Now, draw another card, and this represents who or what can help you overcome the obstacle."

Loki handed me the third card.

The Empress. Another Major Arcana card. Interesting.

"What does this suggest to you, Loki?"

"There can be no doubt—she represents my mother, of course. Who else could it possibly be?"

"Very likely, given the card. But think like a man, not a prince. Your mother wouldn't be a queen. Who else might this be?"

"She's the card of motherhood, so I'd still say it's Frigga."

I decided to push a bit. "What if this was Laufey, your birth mother? What might she have to say to you?"

Loki sat back, and looked at me. "Laufey would likely agree with whatever Frigga has to say to me. Having two mothers is—complicated."

I nodded. "As this card represents a mother figure, I'd say that, whatever the question is, you would do well to consult with one or both of your mothers before taking action."

"Well, that's not exactly news, is it? The cards are saying that I might not be on track, and that I should ask my mother for advice." He seemed bitter.

"We're not done, yet, Loki. Pull another card. This is the way forward—not a prediction, but a suggestion about how to move forward in the direction that's right for you. It's often a new idea or way of looking at things you hadn't considered before."

Loki chose a final card, and I turned it over.

The Star.

"The Star is a Major Arcana card, just like the Magician and the Empress. It, too, is an archetype. The Star speaks of hope, inspiration, peace, and healing."

Loki looked at me. "As if I knew how to find any peace!"

"The card suggests that you do, Loki. That you have someone or something that embodies this for you, and that you can absorb those lessons and incorporate those qualities into yourself."

"I admire the card's confidence in me. Would that it were so." The bitterness in his voice pierced his calm facade.

"Is that all?" He was clearly disappointed in the reading, dissatisfied with the cards' message.

"Usually, yes. But go ahead and pull a clarification card— a card to help you find out how to identify this person or develop this quality for yourself."

Queen of Wands. I wondered if Berthe matched the fiery-haired figure on this card.

"Another person, likely a woman. A woman of great power, strong creativity, quick wit. Someone you may underestimate, who will surprise you in the ways she can help you."

Loki looked at the card, and said nothing.

"Think of a powerful woman in your life. This could simply be a reiteration of the previous advice to consult with your mother, or it could suggest someone else—an aunt, a teacher, someone like that. Someone who has wisdom you can learn from, and who will teach you—if you allow yourself to be taught."

"I don't think it's Frigga or Laufey, since we already have the Empress card. But I can't think of who else it might be."

"Maybe one of your wives, or a lover, even." I focused on the card, avoiding his eyes.

"I've not seen Angrboda in a while. Skadi and I did not marry. There's no one else. I need no complications in my life."

I exhaled. He really has cut Berthe entirely from his reality. I also wondered about Sigyn, but that was a conversation for another time.

"It might not occur to you right away. Give it some time, let it process at the back of your mind. It will come to you. If not, we can pull more cards after some time has passed."

Loki stared at the cards, as if willing them to speak.

"Anything else about these cards, Loki?"

"No, Lady Sia. Thank you for the reading."

I picked up on the sudden return of his formal tone.

He stood. "I didn't mean to stay, or to tax your energy. I should go, and let you rest."

"Reading for you was my pleasure, Prince Loki. I am sorry you did not find it more helpful."

"The reading was fine, Lady Sia. The real problem is that you are reading for a god, not a man, so the same rules do not apply. I do appreciate your time, and hope you know that my gratitude is genuine."

"You are most welcome, my Prince."

"Goodnight, Lady Sia."

"Goodnight, Prince Loki." I reverenced.

Loki made a small bow in return, and saw himself out.

I locked the door. I was exhausted. Leaving the rest of the food untouched, I took the candle and retired to the bedchamber. Monday would start soon enough, and I wanted to be well enough to resume my work in the library. Tomorrow would be the halfway point of my visit, and I was nowhere near halfway through the library.