“Long games are often the best ones.” Short games were entertaining enough, and had their place, but couldn’t have the ultimate payoff of something longer. That principle was why Loki restricted himself to admiring her body with his eyes instead of his hands: the immediate gratification passed in favor of focus on the larger aim.

He settled nearby to wait for the water to fill the tub. For all he didn’t want to be talking about Thor, curiosity asserted itself. “What did you and Thor talk about, in your talking too much?” How well had Thor done, really, at secret-keeping?