Moonlight streamed from the glass window into the blackness. A frost was in the air, chilling the guards outside the heavy door. Green and gold drapes dropped from the ceiling around the bed, concealing it from view. The interior was definitely grand, but barren with little furniture, save the bed the dresser, the bookcase, and a feathered chair.
On this dark green chair Loki sat, a gold-bound book hiding his face. Green eyes intently scanned the pages, smirking at the thought of if he played one of these pranks the trouble he would get in. He smiled fondly at the memories the book provoked.
The boy had just finished one of his pranks and quickly went up to his room to avoid accusation. Not much longer before Father comes, Loki thought.
Bang! A warm rush of air burst into the room. "LOKI!" The All-Father roared. "How many times have I told you not to mess with the Weapons Chamber?"
Five hundred eighty-six, Loki answered in his head, but knowing that that was not the answer the King sought, he meekly replied, "Many times Father,"
Seeing his son's soft, sad face, King Odin softened and crouched before him. "Son, you know that it is wrong to do so, and you still persist. Why?"
"I wanted attention," Loki answered honestly. His piercing green eyes stared at the All-Father.
"Attention? My boy, I give you and your brother plenty attention!" Odin replied, confused.
NO, you give Thor plenty attention! Loki raged, but he knew he would only get punished. "I'm sorry Father, I won't do it again."
"Good. Now get out there and have fun with your brother, you need to practice your sword-play," The King walked out swiftly, without a second glance back at his son.
"Yes Father," Loki said, and then added on quietly so the King couldn't hear, "If only you didn't punish me for the truth… That you obviously show Thor much more love than for me."
Hah! Loki smirked, shaking his head; perhaps I am called the God of Lies and Mischief because my Father has punished me into speaking them.
There was a slight knock at the door and a soft voice. "Prince Loki? The All-Father summons you."
"Is my brother to be there?" Loki answered, wondering what nonsense the king was thinking now.
"Yes, your highness," the voice replied meekly.
"I'll be along shortly," Loki stood and inspected his tunic for stray threads and smoothed his raven black hair down. Opening and shutting the door, he walked out casually and continued the length of the hall until he met Thor at the door to the Throne Room.
"Evening, Brother," Thor said, his skin crinkling at the edges of his eyes as he smiled.
"Evening," Loki replied shortly.
"The Princes have arrived!" the guard announced through the door.
Loki followed Thor into the room, and grimaced at the thought of what Odin All-Father was to announce. He almost never spoke to them at the same time.
"Come, my sons, the day has come where I have grown old and you must find wives." Odin announced. "Your Mother and I have asked that many young maidens to come tomorrow to try and win your interests."
"Father-"Loki began, unwilling to attach himself to a wife who will only cause more problems in his already messed up life.
"I think that is a wonderful idea," Thor rumbled, smiling broadly at the king. "We shall prepare for tomorrow immediately."
"Excellent, you are dismissed!" The king beamed happily.
Loki sighed before greeting the girl in front of him. It wasn't even noon yet and already fifty women have come. No doubt swooning over Thor, the mighty god of thunder. Loki thought bitterly, before handing the maiden's hand to a servant to escort away.
Thor seemed quite pleased with the young women and enjoyed smiling his famous smile at them. Of course, Thor always enjoyed everyone's presence.
"Lady Alaina!" The guard announced, leading in a young woman.
Loki decided a quick glance was in order, but when he looked over, he couldn't look away.
Lady Alaina had long, curly raven- colored hair and gorgeous cold blue eyes. Her skin was fair and her complexion smooth. The gown she was wearing was a rich emerald green with black lace and ribbons accenting her bodice and hem. The sleeves were ¾ lengths and had a trailing of lace. Overall, the lady was beautiful.
Loki smirked, bowing down to her and extending his hand. The lady took it and he kissed it gently. "Your dress is ravishing," Loki complimented, commenting about the dress colored his signature green.
"As is yours." Lady Alaina replied, her eyes flashing as if to say My dress doesn't mean I have any interest in you.
"I agree, my outfit is quite the lovely shade," Loki replied, not even hesitating after the insult. He thought he liked this girl's temper. "I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time at the ball tonight."
The lady merely nodded and turned to Thor.
"Your Highness," Out of the corner of Loki's eye, he watched with anger as Lady Alaina greeted Thor without the way she had him.
Thor said something and she laughed, a beautiful tinkling of bells. Loki could hardly focus on the girl before him for the beauty of it. This girl will be interesting.
The ballroom was decorated to perfection under Frigga's attention. Gold, red, sliver, and green streamers hung from the ceiling and the tables were clothed in the finest gold and silver cloths to be found. The hall itself was already an extravagant gold with beautifully crafted pillars from ceiling to floor and a exquisite chandelier with diamonds and rubies embedded in the sparkling gold and enchanting candles. Tables of refreshments were lined up along the walls of the room and several doors were open along the back to reveal balconies overlooking the vast sea.
Loki was dressed in his usual attire, minus the armor and plus the manly jewelry his mother insisted on. He lounged on a seat that was provided for him beside Odin's throne and scanned the room with his icy green eyes. Most of the women wore gowns of silver and red with a few golds and greens dotted here and there. And even gold did not symbolize they wanted Loki, it just meant they preferred to stay neutral and snatch whichever prince they could get. Greens were the ones who longed for him and he didn't like his choices very much.
One girl had waist-length black hair and disturbing gray eyes. She wore a pale green with swirls of darker greens, more like his color, with long drooping sleeves and gold jewelry. When she caught his eye, she smiled like a Cheshire cat with all sharp teeth and sadistic amusement. No, she would not do. Loki shifted his gaze to another green island.
This one had pale gold hair and blue eyes; much like Thor's, and wore an extravagant dress of what seemed like silk and lacy accents. She seemed much too bubble-headed even from here and her pealing shouts of laughter were not amusing to his ears.
The third was a short, stout young girl, VERY young from the looks of her. She was small compared to nearly everyone and had innocent brown eyes and dirty blonde hair. Her dark green dress seemed far too large on her and baggy at the shoulders and waist. Her chest and lips had not filled out yet and had nothing about her that suggested womanly behavior. Loki almost felt sorry for the poor thing to be brought before the two princes at court. Although, wearing the green color probably saved her from many snarky women looking to snag the elder prince.
After scanning a few more green-clad girls, his eyes landed on a brunette with sharp blue eyes wearing a lacy, almost see-through, green dress with womanly curves and a soft smile on her face. When moments of watching her proved to be unable of finding a flaw, Loki got up to ask her to dance.
When he approached, the people around them fell silent and the girl turned and found herself face to face with the sly prince.
"Care for a dance, Lady….?" Loki bowed, extending his hand in an offering and looking up at her with his piercing gaze.
"Brianna." She answered. "Lady Brianna. And I would love to Prince Loki." She took his hand and together they stepped into the middle of the dance floor. Their hands took their places and they began moving to the sway of the music.
"So, Brianna, how are you enjoying your stay?" Loki asked, continuing the dance.
"Oh, it's been wonderful! The palace really is beautiful and Asgard seems like such a lovely place." Lady Brianna answered, smiling shyly and glancing up the prince before adding on. "And the library, so full of wonderful ancient books! I wish I could stay in there forever and just read everything."
Loki smiled. "Yes. The library is quite an extraordinary place." He pulled the girl closer to his body in a swift execution of the dance moves. He noticed she was only slightly uncomfortable, unlike a girl who had not had much contact with males. "So pray tell, who is the lucky boy?"
The girl looked surprised and looked up at the prince in alarm. "Pardon me?"
"The boy. The one who has caught your attention. You certainly can't mean that you don't have a beau back home?"
"Oh, Prince…" Lady Brianna looked away, embarrassed and checking for eavesdroppers. She whispered the next words softly. "If you must know, I really am not here of my own free will. I sincerely apologize, My Lord, I do in fact have a lover back home. Someone I would never dream of leaving." She glanced up at Loki in hesitance. "It would certainly be a great favor if you could look over me and allow me to return to my beau."
Loki looked down in amusement. "Of course. Although I may keep you around for a little while longer for a visit to the library."
The girl's eyes brightened and she beamed. "Thank you my Prince! I would very much enjoy staying for a visit to that grand library again."
The music ended and Loki let the lady's hand go after kissing it to say goodbye. He made his way through the crowd, acknowledging the people who greeted him with a nod or a short bow. At last he saw what he was looking for. A flash of raven-black hair and striking blue eyes.
He stepped forward and grabbed her elbow. She spun around, indignant, until she saw his face and smirked. Loki was disappointed to see her only in gold and not the green gown from earlier.
"Hello, Prince, I was wondering how long it would take you to find me. But now I don't feel like being in your presence." Lady Alaina spat, moving her arm away. Loki gripped it harder. Her eyes flashed in anger.
"Ah, now Lady Alaina, one shouldn't speak to their prince that way." He leaned into her ear. "It could result in… punishment." She shivered despite her dislike of the prince and she stepped away smirking.
"I'd like to see you try."
"However much I love a good challenge, I would like to get dancing with a certain beautiful lady in front of me." Loki replied, tugging her closer. "Can I have this dance milady?"
"I don't see how I have a choice," Came her answer and he swept them into the dance floor to the music.
The dance ended very quickly and Loki leaned over to kiss Alaina's hand in goodbye. "I'll see you tomorrow, my dear Lady Alaina, and the fun will begin."