The world held a golden hue when she opened her eyes. Letting a soft moan rumble in her chest, Kaia looked around and saw gold painted walls, each corner filled with candles burning dimly and giving the room an otherworldly glow. Her eyelids felt heavy as she closed them again, her head spinning and her thoughts jumbled. Had she been drugged? It seemed like the only explanation as to why she didn't remember how she got into this room. She tried to sit up, but her bones felt as if they were made of lead and weighed her down. Panicking, she slowly took in the fact that the most she could do was move her fingers slightly. She flexed them as they lay flat on either side of her and felt the surface she was lying on top of.

Silk?

She felt a silk sheet covering her, and she realized suddenly that she was stripped of all clothing. Kaia's eyes darted this way and that, all the while trying to let out a scream that tore at her throat but was held behind her lips that were clamped shut against her will. She was helpless, speechless and naked; she had never felt more frightened in her life.

Suddenly, the unbearable silence was broken by the sound of footsteps approaching her.

"Ah, the sleeping beauty awakens," a man's voice said mockingly. "I trust you find your chambers to your liking?"

Kaia's eyes flashed with fear as she looked at the tall, powerful frame that stood at the doorway. He stood out among the gold, dressed in deep greens and blacks, his cat-like smile sending shocks of utter terror through her entire body.

"Don't panic, my dear. You're simply under an enchantment...a spell if you will. I can't have you trying to run off again like you did earlier tonight." He saw the question in her eyes and continued to speak as his smirk grew wider. "You certainly caused quite a stir at dinner; there was not a man present who was not affected by your allure, but you forget that you belong to me." He moved closer to the bed she was sprawled out on, and with each step he took Kaia thought of a drum beat that was meant for an execution. She felt his eyes roam her figure, making her think that there was no need for her to be covered at all; she felt like an animal laid out on an altar as a sacrifice. When his eyes met hers again, she trembled with fear. He stared at her as if he was trying to decide how to kill her, for he surely would, she thought. Though her memory was still unclear, she felt a strange pull to him and searched for his face within her mind, having a bizarre feeling that she knew him. "A side effect of this spell is temporary amnesia, which disappears once prompted by an action that will return your memories." He grinned again decadently as he leaned over the bed. "Allow me to refresh your memory for you, Kaia."

His lips pressed against hers and her eyes grew even wider with alarm. She felt warmth slowly spread throughout her, coursing through her veins and collecting in a pool at the pit of her stomach. This had to be another spell, for she would never react this way to a man who held her captive her like this, she thought. But try as she could to fight it, Kaia's body betrayed her to the rush of pleasure she felt from this man's kiss.

She remained even more still than before when he finally moved away from her, a breath escaping from her now open mouth as he smiled with wicked triumph. She scowled at the man before her, her eyes gleaming with rage as she remembered who he was.

"Loki."