Cassandra bent forward to examine Excalibur. They were sitting in the living room. Light poured in through the panoramic windows allowing her to see every single detail etched into the metal.

The sword was beautifully crafted the blade a bright rippling silver as if forged recently. "I can't believe we didn't realize the staff was an illusion sooner."

Scooting to the edge of the coffee table Loki draped Excalibur across his lap so she could reach the sword easier from the sofa. His glossy raven hair was gathered into a casual top knot He wore a simple emerald silk shirt with the collar undone and black trousers. His long narrow feet were bare on the gray Berber carpet. This was as casual as Loki ever got.

Cassandra would love to see him in a pair of ass-hugging jeans or even a t-shirt. But she wasn't the type of girlfriend to dictate her boyfriend's wardrobe. That kind of nitpicking in relationships bred only resentment.

Frankly, Loki didn't need her help. He dressed better than she did.

Cassandra gazed ruefully down at her own clothes. The NYU sweatshirt had a hole in the left cuff and her sheep-printed pajama pants were hardly sexy.

Loki's gaze roved over Excalibur, his expression sour. "The Merlin's skill in illusion surpasses mine."

"I'm sure that was a blow to your massive ego, right babe?" Cassandra joked.

Loki sighed heavily, nose scrunching up in annoyance. "No need to rub salt in the wound."

The god did not like it when someone showed more skill in magic than him. For the longest time he believed himself to be the best sorcerer until his various encounters with Strange proved otherwise.

Of course, after scouring the Ancient One's texts Strange was no longer in Loki's league which soothed his pride.

Cassandra still had much to learn about her own magic. It would be years before she could stand at Loki's side as an equal power.

Magic pulsed thickly around the blade like a cocoon, the invisible barrier preventing her from curling her hand around the hilt. "Loki, I don't think this sword is meant for me."

As soon as she said, the words rang with the sort of clarity reserved for deep truths.

Loki's forehead wrinkled. "Beg pardon?"

"There is something I learned when we visited the Merlin's vault in Norway." Cassandra explained.

At Loki's urging, Cassandra recalled the Merlin's note to her written in his personal journal. Using his foresight, Emrys grew aware Loki and Cassandra would cross paths one day.

He knew they were meant to be together back when she was a squalling infant and Loki a Trickster gallivanting around Asgard.

She found it unsettling that someone could know her life long before she lived it. Her resolve firmed to close off her foresight and never use her gift to peer into the future as Emrys did.

"That's probably a good idea." Loki agreed after she told him. "Your predecessor went mad from using his gift to further his own political agenda." He sheathed Excalibur, placing the sword gently on the coffee table beside him. "I don't suppose we'll ever fathom what Emrys intended or why he entrusted me with Excalibur."

"Better not to travel down that rabbit hole." Cassandra's leg began to throb, reminding her to refresh the pain-relieving spell. "Believe me I've tried. You'll only get a migraine in the end."

Loki cradled her calf in his hands when he noticed her face paling. "Allow me, darling." He muttered the spell and the familiar cool wave of his power washed the pain away.

She sank into the deep cushions of the sofa with a relieved sigh. "Thank you."

"I know your leg is healing faster than the human norm but I do not like to see you hurting." Loki said with his usual charming flourish. A slight smile curved his lips though did not reach his worried gaze.

His concern for her comfort warmed Cassandra. Loki spent so much of his time taking care of her. She wished to do something for him in return.

Once she was better, she'd give Loki his own personal spa treatment. With a 'happy ending'.

Smirking, Loki pulled her uninjured foot into his lap. "Thinking something dirty, Little Vixen?" He said, tone knowing.

Cassandra lifted her chin, cheeks reddening. "No clue what you mean."

"Liar. When you're aroused your eyes darken and your cheeks flush an adorable pink." He countered fondly. His thumb rubbed a firm circle in her arch while his other hand massaged her heel. "I do admire your tenacity and your endless hunger for my magnificent form."

Cassandra rolled her eyes. Not one shred of modesty. Arrogance oozed from his pores as he playfully traced her sensitive arch with deliberate slowness.

Squealing Cassandra tugged on her foot lightly. "That tickles!"

Loki wrapped his long, elegant fingers around her ankle to hold her still, the corners of his mouth curling up. "Much like when the strands of your luscious hair brush against my chest when you kiss me." He placed her foot over his groin where she could feel the hardened bulge between his legs. "See what you do to me, Little Vixen?"

Cassandra's mouth went dry, at a loss for words. She struggled to find a response to counter him, but her eyes fixed on where her foot rested. She curled her toes lightly over him and Loki shuddered at the contact.

Loki's phone buzzed on the end table beside the sofa. She ignored it. Moving to the edge of the cushion, Cassandra reached for the waistband of his pants. "Perhaps I can relieve a little of your tension."

Her fingers closed around his hard length, applying the slightest bit of pressure.

Loki's pupils exploded swallowing all the blue. The color of his eyes flickered, and they turned the crimson of his Jotun form as he lost his self-control. A faint bluish tint appeared to his skin.

Absorbed in each other they both failed to notice the elevator doors open on the far side of the penthouse until Jarvis spoke over the sound system.

"Sir, Doctor, Mr. Stark has arrived."

Hand still stuffed down Loki's pants, Cassandra turned her head to look at Tony. Humiliation flushed through her body hot and cold like a fever. "A little late on the warning, Jarvis!" She growled furiously.

"Apologies...doctor. Mr. Stark did try to contact you by cellphone."

Talk about getting caught with her hand in the cookie jar!

Several different emotions dashed across Tony Stark's face, anger, disgust, and horror. Eventually the billionaire settled on disgust, his thin lips twisting. "I can see...I'm interrupting...." He sent Loki such a fierce glare Cassandra expected the god to spontaneously combust.

"Indeed." Loki said stonily, matching the billionaire glare for glare.

Since there was no graceful way to spin this, Cassandra slipped her hand free of Loki's pants. Red as a tomato she wanted to slide beneath the sofa and curl up and die.

Tony, however, wasn't going to let her off easy.

Tucking his hand in the pocket of his dress slacks, he inhaled and exhaled rapidly as he attempted to control his temper. "Cassandra, I'd like to speak to you for a moment." He shot Loki a killing look. "Alone."

Loki smirked, taking his time to stand, placing one hand over his erection. "If you need me, darling, I'll be in the bath." He swooped down for a kiss on the cheek then shuffled in an awkward gait down the back hall.

Typical Loki. He couldn't help needling Tony.

When they were alone Cassandra almost wilted under Tony's accusing stare. She stiffened her spine. Her personal life was not his business. As an adult she could do what she wished with who she wished. "I'm not going to apologize when you did not give us any warning."

"I did." Tony dragged a hand over his face. "God, I think I might puke."

"Swallow it." Cassandra advised coldly, folding her arms across her chest.

Funny how quickly anger replaced embarrassment. As much of a whore as Tony was prior to his marriage to Pepper Potts he had no right to judge her for having a private moment with her boyfriend.

Instead of commenting on her snide retort, Tony aimed for the bar. "I'm going to need a drink for this conversation especially after walking in on you and Sideshow."

"Sounds ominous." Cassandra remarked, watching the billionaire warily as he filled a balloon wine glass to the brim with whiskey instead of the usual short glass. "Damn. It must be bad news."

Tony dumped in a handful of ice and dropped into the chair near the sofa. Deep circles ringed his eyes and his dark eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep. "I'll let you be the judge on whether the news is good or bad."

The billionaire looked old and haggard, not like his usual suave self at all.

Not one to stand on ceremony, Cassandra motioned for him to continue. "Just spit it out."

"After you left for Norway, I decided to help you out and run a DNA test to try and find your biological parents." Tony began.

Cassandra tensed. "Without my permission?"

He had the grace to wince. "I should have run things by you before making the decision." The ice in his glass clinked as he swirled the whiskey around. "Listen kid, I only had good intentions."

"Didn't you know, the road to hell is paved with good intentions." She shot the accusation at him like a missile.

Tony sighed in frustration and took another drink before continuing. "Can you stop being bull-headed for one second? I'm trying to tell you something important, Cassandra."

Cassandra did not view herself as mulish. "I've had my fill of bad news of late. I'm entitled to be on my guard especially when discussing my parentage."

Why should she care about people who threw her away like trash? She owed those assholes nothing. Yet, Tony had her curiosity piqued. Did she run him off before learning the truth or face things head on?

Cassandra liked to think she was strong enough to endure the truth. "Who were they?"

Gaze darting around nervously, Tony looked at anywhere but her. He rubbed his chin, hand trembling. "Your mother remains unknown. However, when I ran your test, I learned something unexpected." The billionaire took a deep breath and focused on her. "I'm your father."

A bomb could have gone off in the deafening silence and not roused Cassandra from her state of shock. She stared at Tony blankly.

Tony Stark was her father?

Tony's throat bobbed with emotion. "Kid, it came as a huge surprise to me. I had no idea that you...existed."

Her mind froze solid, his voice coming from far off.

"If I had, I never would have allowed you to be thrown away." Tony's eyes reddened. "I know this is a lot to process. Cassandra you're a grown woman. I don't have a right to claim being your father, but I hope you will allow me to be a part of your life in whatever way feels comfortable."

She said nothing.

Tony finished his drink and rose. "Don't feel you have to rush into anything. You can stay here as long as you want."

He patted her on the shoulder and departed.

Only when the elevator doors closed behind him did Cassandra rouse from her stupor. Her hands balled into fists, her temperature rising.

That bastard. How dare he come here and dump this shit on her? He was her father? Did he think he could just tell her that and she would be happy?

Life wasn't a fairytale.

Tony's empty glass levitated into the air and then exploded against the wall. Every single alcohol bottle shattered behind the bar, spraying glass everywhere.

The noise alerted Loki. Dripping wet and only in a towel, he sprinted barefoot into the penthouse.

A lamp sailed at Loki's head. He ducked and staggered over to her. "Darling, are you alright?" Loki gripped her by the shoulders, shaking her slightly. "Cassandra!" He shouted when more projectiles zoomed through the air. "Get a hold of yourself, your power is out of control!"

When she didn't respond, Loki slashed green runes into the air and they slammed into her body, knocking the wind out of her.

Gasping, she collapsed over her knees and crashed to the floor. Pain rattled through her bad leg, breaking her fury.

Cassandra cried out and clasped her leg. "Son of a bitch!" She slammed her fist into the floor. "That fucking jerk!"

She hadn't lost control of her power like this in months.

Loki crouched carefully and smoothed the tangle of hair out of her eyes. "I guess Stark told you the truth about him."

Suddenly furious, Cassandra snapped her head up. "Did you know?"

"Darling, he found out shortly before Thor captured you. After you were taken, finding you became the top priority." Once he examined Cassandra's leg and recast the pain-relieving spell, Loki settled cross-legged by her and rested his back against the sofa. "Besides, it was not my place to tell you Stark was your father. It had to come from him."

"I hate when you make sense." Cassandra pulled herself up to sit beside him, stretching out her legs. "All that ruckus probably woke mom up."

"Probably." Loki agreed, lifting his arm so she could snuggle against him.

"I'm so angry with Tony." Cassandra tucked her head beneath his chin, placing a hand over his heart. His skin was damp and warm from the bath. "I'm not sure what I'm going to do."

Loki threaded his fingers through her hair and clutched the nape of her neck. "My support and loyalty are yours, Little Vixen. Never doubt that. As for Tony Stark, take as much time as you need to figure things out."

"Argh!" Cassandra smacked her forehead. "I just realized I got caught in a sexual act by my father!"

Could anything be more humiliating?

"Don't fret." Loki soothed. "I've been caught in many compromising positions by Frigga and Odin."

She peered up at him hopefully. "Really?"

"Yes, really." Loki assured her, keeping his face carefully blank.

No. Not really. Loki just wanted her to feel better. Imagine getting caught by her own father! Talk about Hel's own luck.

A/N: The truth has been revealed. What will happen next? I think the story only has a few chapters left to go. I can't believe I'm almost at the end!