AUTHOR NOTE - this is a sequel to Visions of You

There he sat, Loki, King of Midgard. With the Avengers and SHEILD all but wiped out and Thor forced back to Asgard, he had not much to worry about. The Chitauri Army was doing a wonderful job of cleaning up the pocket armies and rebel groups that remained. Of course there would always be insurgence and terrorists, but they would be dealt with in a similar fashion.

He had taken up residence in Germany, using one of its many castles as a base. It suited him well, the smug grin seemed to seldom leave his face.

After several months the dust started to settle and he was able to better grasp all that was his at last. Right now, his main concern was gathering allies that could take control of different areas. Keeping counties in tacked for now and building structure at a measured pace was his strategy, for the time being.

let these weak minded humans have some time to adjust to their new way of life…

That afternoon he was meeting with several men and women of power, not just political but financial as well. Their willingness and supposed loyalties would be tested.

The sun's glow spread out over the immaculate gardens. As he walked through the outdoor court yard he could feel its warmth on his light skin, that put a smile in his eyes. This was his, and even though it's beauty paled in comparison to Asgard, it still held it's own charms.

There were crowds of people outside the main gates. All supporters of course, anyone fool enough to show contempt or question his rulership was "escorted" off the property, usually arrested. Unfortunately some were violent enough they had to be eliminated as a threat. It was all rather unpleasant business and Loki did not like to think of those who would challenge his crown.

Late that evening, as the moon light crept though his windows, there was a soft knock on his door. "Come" his eyes narrowing at the intrusion.

Jamison, his personal assistant came into the room, being very quiet and bowing respectfully. "Your Grace, usually I would never bother you with such a thing. I had a feeling though that perhaps this maybe of some interest to you."

With his right brow raised, "go on."

Jamison's voice was slow and uneven as he spoke. "We found someone wondering outside main gate. They were obviously trying to stay out of sight but made a poor job of it. Being well past curfew, normally they would be arrested and that would be that. However, she insists she knows you. Again You Grace, if this is incorrect, she doesn't know you, then I can only ask for your forgiveness at this intrusion."

He'd had a problem before with a woman he'd taken one night not long after his triumph in New York. She had followed him to Germany and kept pleading for him to take her back. There had been a few others who had tried to find their way to his bed or stay in it. pathetic mortals… He would not be at all surprised to see one of the many women he'd taken to his bed since that time. He never kept them for more then a night and never allowed them to sleep in his room. He took them and then dismissed them.

He replied with a sigh and wave of his hand, "I will deal with this tomorrow, I have no patience for such drama tonight."

"Very well Your Grace. Should I put her in a cell or someplace more… comfortable?"

"Treat her as any other trespasser, again I will deal with this tomorrow." He felt his patience being tested, perhaps he would find a new assistant.

The night's quiet brought him no comfort, he was listless, unable to concentrate. He refused to think of Keira, her abandonment wounded him deeper than either one of them would ever know. He'd allowed her to make him weak, he hated her for that.

Keira found herself pacing back and forth in her cell. The castle had its own prison. how quaint… It had been kept in working order, as had the rest of the castle, for tourists. Until now, no one had actually lived there in over 100 years.

They had brought her in by a side tunnel with a heavily gated door that lead under the castle. It had made her ill when she was forced past the Chitauri guards. They had a foul odor and made unrecognizable sounds as they'd watched her pass. Thankfully, it was a human hand on her arm, escorting her to the cell.

Not long after what she guessed was early morning she was yanked from her cell and brought an interrogation room. They questioned her, forcefully. At one point, when she'd made an offhanded remark towards one of then, he backhanded her across the face. She fell out of her chair, crying out in pain and shock.

They left her alone in the room soon after that. Sitting in a hard metal chair, her hands were cuffed behind her back, they had taken her jacket , the room had a daunting chill to it. One light was strung above her head, every so often it would dim for a moment. The only other thing in the room was a large looking glass in the wall. She guessed it must be a double mirror to watch those being "questioned."

great Keira what the hell did you get yourself into… I should never have come… a quiet sort of panic stated inside her. what if he doesn't come, what if they keep her here or worse... she'd heard horrible stories of those taken prisoner by Loki's new regime.

Hours seemed to have passed, her hands were numb and her knees hurt from bending against the roughness of the chair.

Then he was there, not in the room with her, but she knew he was close. That familiar feeling washed all over her, she felt relief and fear. There was noise in the room next to her's, she could feel him looking at her though the double sided mirror. Tears stated to build up in her eyes but she managed to keep them under control.

Loki looked at the woman through the glass. Then she turned to look at him with wide brown eyes. It seemed she was looking right into his own eyes, even though he knew she could not see him. It reminded him of their encounter that first night when he'd followed her to the library.

He noticed, as she had turned his way, the swelling on her right cheek.

"Jamison, who hit her?" His voice sounded more concerned than he had meant.

Walking over to stand next to Loki, he addressed him cautiously, "one of the guards, Your Highness, Fredrickson I believe."

Turning towards his assistant he stayed claim, despite a rage building in him. "Then have… Fredrickson punished, severally, make an example of him." Turning back to the glass widow, "No one is to touch her again unless under My personal order. Do you understand?"

"Yes of course, and what should I tell the people about Fredrickson's punishment?"

Loki's reply was flat as he turned from the window, looking Jamison in the eyes. "Tell them, this is what happens to those who would harm the property the king."