"Good lad! You've got guts!"
Thor's competitive spirit flared in full. He grabbed the wine jar and filled Lucian's cup again, ready to keep going head-to-head with him, but his movements suddenly froze.
Thor's ears twitched slightly, and his gaze instinctively flicked toward the seat of honor on the dais.
Lucian keenly caught that detail.
It was a faint fluctuation of magical voice transmission. Clearly, Queen Frigga on the dais was privately assigning her dear son certain tasks.
Some of the wild abandon faded from Thor's face, replaced by an exceedingly strange expression.
He straightened the clasp at the collar of his armor, set down his wine jar, and leaned forward. Lowering his voice, he wore a teasing smile any man would understand.
"Ahem... say, Lucian."
Thor waggled his eyebrows and tipped his chin toward the gallery on the left side of the banquet hall. "My mother just asked me to tell you that the Asgardian girls sitting over there all come from the finest noble bloodlines in Asgard."
Thor grinned wickedly and patted Lucian's arm, lowering his voice to a near whisper.
"Be honest. After looking around all this time, has anyone caught your eye?"
The moment Thor finished, every man and woman at the table turned to look at Lucian's face.
Chewing roast meat, Volstagg laughed indistinctly. "Thor, don't scare him. Asgardian girls are far fiercer than the ones in Midgard. Pick one with a temper, and she'll kick him out of bed at night."
"What do you know? That's called valor." Fandral swirled his cup beside them and winked at Lucian. "I saw several earls' daughters practically glue their eyes to you earlier. Don't be shy, Lucian. Just say who you fancy, and I'll pass the word along."
Lucian felt a headache coming on.
These Asgardians risked