"The only way to leave that prison was ultimately a planned escape," Loki said quietly. "Your husband made that clear as well, since death was off the table. "Kind of him to keep me for our lovely little talks."

He sat back a little as if slapped. Him, similar to Odin? He refused. "No," he said. "No. I'm not like him at all." For all his nasty jokes, that he'd learned to lie from the best, he hated Odin. He did not want to think the man had put any mark on him at all.

Loki opened his mouth to argue, but the last thing she said struck him. Simple words were the most important. He frowned. "Out of compassion for you?"