Though Anthony had turned his face away for shame, goblets in his hands but undelivered, what Thor said next had him startled and afraid. “Do not cross me, brother.”

The princes could not go to war. Anthony felt immediately to blame and his cheeks reddened and he struggled to keep his mouth shut. Nothing could come of the use of his tongue, he almost heard Brice murmur that in his ear as if he stood behind him now. His shoulders rolled back and he watched Loki, stealthily setting the burden down so he had use of his hands if called upon.

“You know that I love Asgard and you know I am committed to all of the realms beneath her. I am fearful of nearly nothing, but to lose a single person in an avoidable war—. That does frighten me. I can not thrust our Realm into this conflict, as much as I enjoy a battle. Please open your eyes and see, Loki. You have the greater mind here.”

Or perhaps Thor did, Anthony thought, stroking Loki’s sizeable ego.