OK, so I watched. Is that so bad? Besides, it was a Hel of a show. I knew that Freyja was shallow, but until that moment I hadn’t been sure how far she would go for the sake of personal adornment. Well, folks, she went all the way, every way – and not just once, but four times, with four uncouth and demanding men who hadn’t had a woman in years. Still, she got what she wanted, and I watched as the Sons of Ivaldi fastened the necklace around her neck, leering and smirking and touching her all over with their horny hands. I followed her as she fled back home to Asgard and a long bath – and then I made for Odin’s hall and told him everything I’d seen.

They say ‘never trust a one-eyed man’. But some might say that where women are concerned, all men are one-eyed, and even that eye doesn’t see much. Odin’s one eye narrowed in rage when I told him the sordid details, but he couldn’t seem to stop listening. I know. I’m a good narrator. And the story I was telling him was almost irresistible.

When I had finished, he vented his rage, flinging his goblet of wine to the floor. ‘Why did you tell me all this?’ he said.

‘Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. I thought you might want to know, that’s all. That Freyja, our beautiful Freyja, sold herself to the Maggots. I didn’t sanction it. I didn’t encourage her. She’s a responsible adult, and I guess she knew what she was doing. Still, some people might say that her actions could have endangered all of us. Or that she had a duty to inform you if she was leaving Asgard. I said some people. I don’t judge. Still, I thought you ought to know.’

Odin gave a low growl. ‘Get me the necklace,’ he told me.

‘What, me?’

‘You know how to do it,’ he said. ‘Don’t think I don’t know what this is. This is payback for Brokk, and that awl.’

I feigned innocence. ‘Payback?’ I said. ‘Why would I need payback? You’re my brother. We swore a pact. And as for that silly business with Brokk . . .’ I smiled. My mouth was almost healed by then. ‘You know, I’d almost forgotten that. You really don’t need to feel guilty. Although, some might say that the things we do sometimes come back to haunt us. There should be a word for that, don’t you think? Something poetic. I’ll think of one.’

Odin’s growl grew more menacing. ‘Get me the necklace, Loki,’ he said.

I put up my hands. ‘I’ll give it a try.’