Lady Serena stared dumbfounded out of the castle windows at the beautiful view. Asgard truly was a sight to behold. She had heard so from her father, a diplomat of Vanaheim, but she never once imagined it could be anything like this.

The castle gardens beneath her shone gloriously in the morning sunlight. The trees and bushes flushed healthy and green while the array of flowers had finally begun to bloom, fresh and so full of life. A cool breeze blew through the open window and she could hear the faint giggles of ladies in the garden along with a roar of deep laughter.

Serena heaved a deep sigh and chuckled to herself. Prince Thor. He was a kind man who since her arrival in Asgard had treated her well. But he was a gargantuan flirt, a lady's man to the ends of the earth. He had tried to charm her at a welcoming banquet for her hosted by the All-Father himself, but she showed him no interest, which despite his reputations he took in his stride. Despite Serena's affections for Thor, they were all but platonic.

She tucked a wayward strand of her chestnut curls behind her ear and took a deep, cleansing breath of the fresh air. The weather was far too lovely to stay indoors, she thought. Picking up the book she had brought with her from Vanaheim, Serena decided she'd go out to the gardens.

The fresh air refreshed Serena's senses, gently blowing the soft silk of her dress across her skin in the breeze as she settled herself under a large cherry blossom tree. Opening her book, the words on the pages brought back the familiar warmth in her belly as she thought of home. Before long, she was lost in the legends of brave knights and beautiful princesses, oblivious to all around her.

"Hello…"

The voice was so faint Serena thought her mind was playing tricks on her. She peaked up from her book, curiously looking round at the now empty gardens to see where it had come from, but there was nothing but the sound of the leaves rustling in the breeze. She shook her head and turn her thoughts back to her book, when she heard the voice again.

"Lady Serena…"

It was louder this time, whispering right in her ear. She could feel the whisper's cool breath against her skin when she jumped up, holding her book close to her chest. Her eyes darted around desperately to look for the culprit trying to scare her, but she saw nothing. She searched behind the cherry blossom tree, eyes scanning the length of the gardens but there was nothing. Serena let out a shaky breath while she stared in the direction of the voice by the tree.

The last few days since her arrival had been eventful. Parties, banquets, customary gatherings with Asgardian ladies of the court. Her thoughts scattered in her mind. Was she overtired and just not realised? Whatever it was, she thought, she wasn't going to stay in the gardens a moment longer. She turned to go, when she was faced with the sight of a tall figure in black mere inches from her.

Serena yelped, only to find her startled senses met with the sound of a boyish laughter. Her eyes narrowed at the tall gentleman before her and let out an irritated breath.

"Damn you, Loki!" She scolded, "You scared me half to death!"

Still laughing, Loki ran a hand through his sweep of jet black hair.

"I'm very sorry, my Lady," he joked, taking a step closer to her with a charming smile, "I had no intention of startling you at all..."

"Don't lie to me, trickster." Serena bit back, swatting his arm with her book, "You knew exactly what you were doing!"

But he merely laughed despite her anger. Serena had noticed when she first arrived in Asgard that Prince Loki was nothing like Thor, both in looks and personality. Tall and graceful with black garments and pale skin, Loki carried himself with an almost poetic grace that made him stand out from all the other Asgardians. As she tried to pass him, Loki placed his arm out in front of her.

"Please, Lady Serena," he said, "I would like to speak with you."

Whatever it was, Serena thought, he could wait. It was probably another prank and she did not have the patience for it. She glared up in to his piercing blue eyes completely unmoved.

"You may speak with me later, my Lord," she replied cuttingly, "Now please let me pass."

Serena stood firmly rooted to the spot, her glare completely unflinching as the corners of his lips turned up and his blue eyes glazed with amusement at her. A moment of silence passed between them before he finally lowered his arm with a small chuckle.

"As you wish, my Lady…"

Loki made an obvious melodramatic bow, even more amused by her Serena's flustered, rosy cheeks and heavy, agitated sigh as she stormed away from him. By the time Serena got back to her room, she didn't let it slip her mind that she Loki's stare burned in to her back with every step she made out of the gardens.