"Our training session will be short today," Loki informs me as we walk from the trucks to our usual spot near the abandoned warehouse. We have been training every day for four days now, and I am quickly learning the basics of magic. My weapons skills have improved under Loki's tutelage as well, but I still very much a beginner.

I look up at him. "Why is that?"

Loki looks down at me with his signature smirk. "We have a date, remember?"

I smirk back, concealing my annoyance at my suddenly increased heart rate. What the heck is wrong with me lately?! "Right." Suddenly I frown. "Wait, so is that tonight?"

We stop at the chestnut oak we always practice under, and Loki shakes his head. "No, it's tomorrow night. But we only have two hours until we must leave, so let's begin."

I raise my eyebrows, and flick my wrist, summoning a knife. "Ok."

We spend almost the entire two hours focusing on weapons training, which is tiring, but rewarding. I am honestly surprised at how much I've been able to learn in the past four days. Maybe being Asgardian has something to do with it? I'm slowly starting to accept my apparent Asgardian heritage, but it's still a foreign concept to me. I can't deny that I like the idea, though. Before I stepped into this world, Asgardians were my favorite people group in the MCU. Which is one reason why I hated the end of Thor: Ragnarok and the beginning of Avengers: Infinity War so much.

After the two hours are up, Clint comes to get us, and we return to the underground facility. I can't help feeling disappointed. I had wanted to learn much more from the god of mischief, but I knew I wouldn't be able to now. What little training I had received from him would have to suffice for now. At least I can more easily control my ability to disappear.

I learn from Clint that we will be traveling to Germany via private jet, so I quickly change into a comfortable black and white striped shirt and a pair of black jean capris for the journey. Loki informed me earlier that my outfit for the gala has already been chosen and placed on the jet so that I can change into it when we arrive, so I don't have to worry about that. I am, however, concerned about what was chosen. I hope it's not too revealing.

A few minutes later, a couple of Loki's men come to get me, and I follow them to the room full of vehicles. This time, I am told to get into a large, black SUV that reminds me of what Fury drove in The Winter Soldier. Climbing in, I see Loki already inside, wearing a very "Midgardian" outfit, as he would put it. The black jacket and dark grey slacks look very nice on him, and I can't help but think of how much he reminds me of Tom Hiddleston.

The ride to the airport is quiet as usual, but to my surprise, I am allowed to take off the blindfold around twenty minutes into the ride. Most likely because they'd rather avoid looking like they're kidnapping me. Looking around, I realize we are on a highway, and by reading the signs I figure that we are on the outskirts of the state of New York. My suspicions are confirmed a few minutes later when we pass a "Welcome to New Jersey" sign. I smile at the sight. I've never been this far north in the country before. After a while, we pull into Teterboro airport on the outskirts of New York City and park, then walk inside. I am pleased to bypass the normal outrageous airport security, since it's unnecessary for a private jet, and we are led through the terminal and out to the waiting jet.

I can't help the gasp that escapes my lips at the sight of a gorgeous, sleek Falcon 7X awaiting departure. It's a beautiful jet, even if it's not the newest model. The interior is even better, however. It has three sections for the passengers- one with multiple tan colored seats and a few polished wooden tables, one with two couches, and the last one equipped with a shower. It has all the latest bells and whistles, and the seats are very comfortable, to my surprise. I can't keep the grin off my face, feeling like a rich VIP about to take a trip. I can tell Loki likes it too, though his face is neutral as usual. He and I take seats across from each other, and I make sure I have a good view through the window next to my seat. It's been years since I last flew, and I can hardly wait for takeoff. The crew and Loki's men board with their equipment, stashing it in the cargo hold, and within a few minutes we are ready for takeoff.

I start fidgeting with excitement as the pilots start the engines, and we begin to move. Loki gives me an odd glance, but I pay him no mind and instead look out the window as we taxi to the runway. I've always loved flying, but I've never been in a business jet before, so I am quiet, taking everything in. The pilots make sure we are cleared for takeoff, and then we enter the runway and the jet begins to gather speed. I watch as the surroundings begin to pass by more and more quickly, and my grin resurfaces. Then I feel us leave the ground, and I watch with awe as the runway seems to fall away from us, becoming smaller and smaller as we angle upward into the atmosphere. After a few moments, I manage to tear my eyes away from the window, and look across at Loki to see him just as enthralled with with the view as I am. I smile to myself and turn my attention back to the window.

Once we've leveled off over the Atlantic Ocean, I decide to explore the three passenger areas. I don't press every button I find or open every door/drawer I see, I'm not that much of a child. But I do a fair amount of exploring, at least visually. I am pleased to discover several stashes of snacks, so I bring some of them back to my seat and set them on the table between Loki and I with a grin. Loki looks up at me, and raises an eyebrow at my collection of snacks. I raise my eyebrows when I realize he's holding a book. He didn't have one earlier. "Where did you get that?" I ask, pointing at it. Wordlessly, he raises one hand and barely flicks his wrist, and with a flash of green and gold a book appears in his hand. My eyes widen.

"Oh my gosh! You have to teach me how to do that!"

Loki frowns slightly, flicks his wrist again, and makes the book vanish. I smile sheepishly. "Please?"

Loki sighs in annoyance, dog ears his page, and sets his book aside. I gasp again when I see the title of the book. "Lord of the Rings?!"

Loki looks at me again, this time with a flicker of interest in his eyes. "Yes. Have you read it?"

I nod excitedly. "Yes! Those books are absolutely amazing! What do you think of them?" I ask, sliding into my seat.

"It is very interesting, though his descriptions of Elves and Dwarves are incorrect," Loki replies. A look of confusion crosses his face. "And I have never heard of the creatures he refers to as 'Hobbits'."

I laugh. "They don't exist."

"Oh."

I grin, amused, and Loki frowns again. I quickly change the subject. "So can you teach me how to make a book appear out of nowhere?"

"It does not 'appear out of nowhere', as I have told you before," Loki begins with an annoyed look.

"I know, I know, you summon it from its original spot. Sorry."

"Correct," Loki responds, a little less irritated, to my relief. "The book is summoned in the same way you summon your knife."

I furrow my brows. "Really? Can I just summon anything to my hand then?"

Loki shakes his head. "No. Your distance from the desired object, the size of the object, and the amount of energy you possess are all determining factors that decide what you can and cannot summon to your hand. You need to start small, since you are a beginner."

I nod. "So...can I try?" Loki nods in answer. "Can I summon one of your books?"

"Yes."

I smile my thanks, then close my eyes and think of the book I want, flicking my wrist like Loki taught me. A copy of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice appears in my hand, and I open my eyes with a triumphant smile. "Yes! It worked!" I exclaim. Loki raises an eyebrow, looking slightly amused.

"It appears so." He picks up his book and flips back to the page he was on. I grin and open mine, grabbing a pack of Oreo minis from my pile of snacks. Time to read the next six and a half hours away.

Author's Note: Hello everyone! I hope this finds you warm and well, because it's 0 Fahrenheit where I live.

Anyway, I have reached a milestone in this book! I first published Timeless exactly two years and five days ago, and yesterday I finished the 72nd chapter. I now have written over 150 thousand words in this story. You guys have a lot to look forward to!

Thank you for reading!

Signing off, AuthorsDream.