It's dark and gloomy when Ash enters the old weapons room. The cold, hard floor creaking under her bare feet. The darkness relaxes her. Ever since she was a child she has lived in the shadows. The ghost in the night. Moving forward she feels a cold hand grip her wrist, pulling her into a strong body. The man smells of mead. His breath comes out in short bursts and it fans her neck like a cold wind.

"You must be the asset.." The chilling voice whispers and she only hums her response. "The King wishes for you to meet him here in the morning. He has a special mission for you."

And with that said, Ash hears his heavy footsteps leave the room again. The door closes and darkness engulfs her once more.

Oh this was going to be fun.

He watches her. The woman who has captured his attention for the past few days. His piercing green eyes taking in every inch of her delightful body. Her short yellow dress highlighting all her main curves, perfectly formed curves. The material riding up her naked thighs as she reaches for another candle. Her long brown hair floating across her back as her green eyes narrow at the out of reach candle.

Loki suddenly appears beside the young woman causing her to jump. "Tia you should really ask for help the next time you can't reach something." He whispers, lifting the red candle out of it's holder and handing it to her. "You ending up in the healers ward would be all I need. Who would wash and fix my clothes after battle?"

"You'll have a wife to do that for you soon." Tia replies, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Your my chambermaid." Loki touches her chin with a cold finger, her green eyes lifting to meet his. "Maybe I don't want a wife.. maybe I just want you."

"I wish that was possible." She whispers, lowering her head before slipping away.

"Wait!" Loki calls out, his long legs carrying him down the long corridor after her. "Tia."

She stops so he can catches up. "Yes Prince Loki."

"I just want you to be careful." Loki whispers, his hand gently touching the small of her back. "You would still be my chambermaid and the Palace designer even if I get a wife."

He feels her pull away slightly. Breaking contact. "I look forward to the day." She replies, rolling her eyes. "Can I get you anything before I come to prepare your chambers for bed?"

Loki shakes his head. He smiles down at her. "No thanks, just come at your normal time."

Tia knocks the door three times before gently pushing it open. The room is filled with a golden haze from the candles. "Prince Loki?"

She sees the bathroom door slowly open revealing a naked Loki, a towel the only thing covering his lower half. "Sorry I had a bath. Could you prepare the bed?"

"Of course." Tia whispers, she sets the plate of grapes on the nearby table and begins rearranging the bedsheets. "Anything else Prince Loki?" She asks turning to face him once she is finished.

He lounges on the sofa beside the fire. "No thanks.. you could do one thing though." She can hear the break in his voice.

"What would that be?"

"Talk to me." She sees his hand motion for her to sit beside him on the green sofa.

"What would you like to talk about Prince Loki?" She asks, lifting her gaze to meet his. His green eyes focus on the fire. They shine like an emerald in a dark room. Bright. Colourful. His pale skin and sculpted face a stark contrast to the golden glow of his bedroom.

She watches his eyes slide to the side so they are now focused on her face. "Tell me about yourself." He leans back causing his towel to ride up his lean legs. "I just haven't got to talk to you since you started this position three days ago."

She can feel her face heat up. He really was gorgeous up close. "Erm.. I'm also a designer. I help organise and design the Grand Hall as well as the Palace for feasts or celebrations." She looks away from his intense gaze. She can hear him hum while she speaks. "I'm a teenager in Asgardian terms. Eighteen in Midgardian years.. your nineteen right?"

"I am nineteen. How did you get a job here?"

"My mother worked as a chambermaid for the Queen. She was considered one of the best before she died. My dad raised me until I was the right age to work here." She can't meet Loki's eyes. They draw her in and she can't allow that.

She feels Loki's hand cup her face forcing her to look up at him. His thumb caresses her cheek. "Do you know why I chose you?" Loki whispers. Tia shakes her head. "I thought you were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.. that maybe I could help you become some kind of nobleman's wife. Have a better life than this." He takes his hand away. The warmth of the fire heating the area his cold hand had rested upon. She misses the cold. "I made the mistake of talking to you."

"How is that a mistake Prince Loki?" She whispers, her hand reaching for his shoulder.

She watches him flinch away before standing. "Now I know your beautiful.. inside and out." Loki replies, he moves towards the door before opening it wide. "Your dismissed."

Loki barely slept that night. Tia flowed through his veins. Her bright green eyes imprinted into his mind. How could he be so silly as to talk to her? Obviously talking to people was a good thing but when they were as beautiful as Tia then it became a problem. He had seen her constantly clean over the past three days. She seemed to love helping others. Servants with their washing or opening doors for the elderly council members. He didn't know why this woman can seem so perfect and actually be perfect. She seemed to have no flaws.. that bothered him greatly. He was good at picking out people's flaws and using them in a mischievous way against them.. then Tia came along!

He made his way to the library thinking he would get tired reading and fall asleep then. Most people his age got drunk on a daily bases at the local tavern but Loki was more a bookworm. He would spend days reading and studying. Thor on the other hand..

Loki opened the library door to an already bright room. He scanned the room but couldn't find anyone. The fire illuminated the room in a golden yellow. The bookshelves filled with thousands of books, dictionaries and poetry from across the nine realms. The pale walls a stark contrast to the dark wooden floor and furniture. Loki always loved this room. He loved to learn, to study and to experience new places through reading. The only times he got to travel was if a war had broken out in one of the realms but even while there he wouldn't get to look around.. Thor would always have something else planned before they went home. It usually involved drinking until you forget who you are.

He settled at one of the tables with his favourite book in his hand. A book he had read as a child but occasionally it helped him fall asleep at night due to it's slow pace.

After a few minutes reading he hears the door of the library open and light shuffling before a squeak leaves the person lips. Turning he spots Tia rushing for the door again. "Sorry Prince Loki, I'll leave."

"No stay!" He calls out, Tia freezing before facing him. "Why are you here so late?"

Loki watches the brown haired woman sit on the window-seat facing his table. Her green eyes focusing between the book in her hands and tray of cheese she had been carrying. "I come here some nights after finishing my work. It's a nice space to relax with a good book."

"So you like to read?" Loki asks. Tia nods, lifting a bit of cheese then offering him the tray. "No thank you."

He watches her lift her book and begin reading. The cheese occasionally being eaten. Going back to his own book he almost forgets about her. Almost. After an hour she speaks up. "Your nicer than I thought you would be."

His tired eyes snap up to meet bright green. "Thanks. Don't be fooled by the calm exterior though."

He watches the smirk appear on her face. "Oh I'm not.. I've heard the rumours." She replies, sitting up straighter so she can fully face him. "Prince Loki the mischievous Prince. Prince Loki the trickster. Prince Loki.. the liar.."

She continues listing the many rumours, counting them on her fingers while the smirk stays on her face. "Ok yes.. I may be those things but I can be nice." Loki replies, his voice sounding husky compared to her fruity voice. "The times I help my mother with her garden or when I go to battle and stop many more deaths from happening.. I do have some good qualities."

He watches Tia stand up. She leans down so her lips gently brush against his ear. "We'll see about that Prince Loki." She whispers before shimmying across the room and out the door. Leaving him and his racing heart alone.

Feedback is always welcome :) Sorry this has taken so long but life happened. Back now though!