Loki's Bargain

by Julie Mannino

Centuries ago, myths painted Loki as bisexual, gender-fluid, a trickster capable of both good and evil. But human tales twisted the truth, omitting crucial details. For ages, Loki indulged in trickery, travel, and fleeting romances, consequences be damned. His wife left him, so why change? Human lives are short amusements, distractions from Asgard. Closeness invites loss, and Loki prefers joy. A past mistake casts a long shadow, threatening the future. Yet, the trickster learns nothing. A fatal Asgardian prank forces a choice: hide and live in exile or pay a price to protect his children. Can Loki embrace selflessness for a centuries-long task demanding the very thing he avoids: repeated grief and loss? It's a steep bargain, but others have suffered for his selfishness.