Chapter Two: All the Magic In The World

A month and a half later...

The quiet melody of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata drifted through the apartment, mixing with the soft light that fell from the window and into his lap. I peeked over the top of my book watching Loki as he read. His skin glowed in the sunlight. Loki turned the last page of his book, sighing as he read the last sentence. He looked up and saw me watching. He smiled and closed the book. "This book was very good."

"Really?"

He nodded.

"Well, that's good. It's my favorite book." I shut my book, laying it on my stomach. Loki stood up and walked back to my bookshelf. He replaced the book and searched the shelves for a new book. "Have you read The Great Gatsby yet?"

"The Great Gatsby... No, I don't believe so," He mused, running his fingers over the bookbindings. "Let's see... That would be in your great American works section, am I correct?"

"You are." I turned over on my side, watching him scan through my books. "Other bookshelf, below fantasy."

"All these weeks, and I still do not understand your book ordering." Loki sat on his haunches looking over the books on the bottom shelves.

"I told you, I ordered them by author, genre, and how much I enjoyed them."

"In that case, Oliver Twist should last in American Literature." Loki picked out the Great Gatsby and stood. He picked his way through the fantasy books, pausing on my mythology books. He chuckled to himself before moving on. He had already read through most of the fantasy books, and we had spent several nights arguing about magic. "Imogen, if there were magic in this world, would you want to know of it?"

"Would you want to know if the stars are made of pixie dust?"

"Stars are not made of pixie dust. Each star in this galaxy is a soul who once lived."

"Are you sure you aren't a writer?" I asked, sitting up.

"I have a knack for deceiving the mind." He turned around, his green eyes bright, but his face was full of sadness. I wanted to know what bothered him, but Loki refused to speak. I stood up walking across the room. He ran his fingers through my hair and kissed my forehead. I smiled up at him. "Would you play more for me, love?"

"Beethoven or Debussy?" I stepped around him and paused my ipod, just as the Sonata was ending.

"Debussy." He said. I sat down at the piano and rifled through my stacks of music. Loki set his book on top of the piano. "Meanwhile, I will make us dinner. Don't come in, I want it to be a surprise."

"Making me dinner? What did you do?" I laughed as I opened to the first song of a very old piano book. The pages had yellowed over all these years, but this was my favorite collection.

Loki laughed. "Nothing. I make you dinner all the time."

"For good reason. I can't cook."

"Ah, yes, one of your many flaws." Loki joked and kissed my head. He disappeared into the kitchen, and I could hear pots clanging and doors squeaking as he opened and closed them. I sat up, placing my hands on the keys, and beginning to play. The old piano was out of tune, but I didn't have enough money to fix her up. Still, she worked well enough for now. I hit a wrong note and paused to fix my mistake before continuing on.

Loki walked out of the kitchen holding two glasses of red wine. He set one down on the coaster on top of the piano. I smiled and continued playing. He leaned against the piano, watching me sway in time to the piece. A smile played on his lips as he watch me. I finished the song and took a sip of wine. His eyes never left mine. "What is it?"

"You are exquisite." He breathed.

I blushed, "You must have done something to be treating me this way."

"No, not I." He whispered. Loki reached out, his cold hand caressed my cheek as he leaned forward. He kissed me, his lips soft against mine. He pulled away, smiling, and went back to the kitchen. I ran my finger over my lips. Even after all this time, his touch still made my skin burn.

As I played, I could hear him setting the table, the whip of my only white table cloth, the clinking of the plates and silverware. I abandoned the piano and went to search for a better set of clothes with my wine. In the back of my closet was the burgundy satin dress I had first worn to my great niece's wedding. I pulled off my blouse and unbuttoned my jeans, sliding them down my legs and stepping out. I searched my drawers for my best lingerie, my only lingerie that could hide beneath the plunging neck line of my dress. I dressed myself, taking my time, unsure if Loki was ready or not, though the noise of the kitchen had diminished. In my mirror, I fixed up my makeup and smoothed out my dress.

Music from my ipod swelled, filling the room. I looked over as Loki turned down the volume. He stood, grinning at me, and I wondered how long he had been watching me. I picked up my wine and stepped away from my mirror, not trying hard to keep the smile off my face. We met in the middle of room. Loki offered me his hand as he had the first night we met. I placed my hand into his. He bent my wrist and kissed my hand, bowing as he did. "Lady Imogen, you are ravishing tonight."

"And you, Sir Loki, are look as handsome as ever." I batted my eyes and he chucked.

"Shall we feast?" He inquired.

"We shall." I said. He lead me to the small table, set for two. On either side, tall candles burned bright. The light was dim, with only my lamp light in the corner. Two lavish meals of chicken breast baked in spices and covered in a dark sauce next to sautéd mushrooms and spinach sat upon the two place mats. A bottle of wine cooled in a bucket of ice beside one table. Loki's hand touched my back, guiding me to my seat. He pulled out the chair and I sat down. "Why, thank you."

"More wine, love?" Loki fetched the bottle. I nodded and he took my nearly dry glass. He refilled his own and replaced the bottle. He sat down across from me, the light from the fires made his skin glow. I took a sip of my wine and pushed a rogue strand of hair from my face. Loki chuckled again. "Why so wide-eyed?"

"I just can't believe you made all of this. This... is amazing." I gestured at the food, the candles. "I've never had anyone do this for me."

"I would do anything for you, Imogen." His words made me blush again. Already, I could feel the wine slipping through my veins, and I wondered where the night would lead. Loki picked up his fork, "Shall we?"

"We shall. I am famished." I started with the spinach and the mushrooms, chewing each bite slowly, just to make the flavor last.

"How is it?" Loki slipped a piece of chicken in his mouth, chewing as slowly as I did.

"Fantastic. Where did you learn to cook?"

With a glint in his eyes and a grin on his face, he said, "My mother."

"Frigga?"

Loki nodded. "Indeed."

"You must love her, you speak of her a lot." I washed down the sautéd side with a sip of wine.

"I do. She taught me almost everything I know. She was there for me when others were not."

"And Thor and Odin?"

"Odin is my father and Thor is my brother. I must love them, and I do. But, both of them are stubborn, and unwise at times." Loki pushed a push room around before stabbing it and placing the fungus in his mouth.

Memories of my father banging on my door in a drunken rage as my sister hugged me against her, filled my mind. "I know better than most that not all fathers are worthy of being loved."

Loki's eyes darkened, "Your father..."

"He died a few years ago in a car crash." I looked up from my food and into his eyes. I smiled softly. "He wasn't always like he was, but he never got over the death of my mother."

Loki reached across the table and took my hand. "I am so sorry, Imogen."

"That was years ago. I'm fine now." As I looked into his green eyes, I felt that there was something he wasn't telling me. Something, he was dying to tell me. I slid my hand out of his and picked up my wine again. Sipping until the knot in the back of my throat untied itself. I set down the glass and picked up a knife for the chicken. The meat steamed as I cut it open. I stabbed a piece with my fork and placed it in my mouth. I chewed savoring the juiciness and the sweet sauce Loki had made. He saw the pleasure on my face and smiled.

"Where did you learn to play piano?" He swallowed his bite of chicken and washed it down with wine.

"I started in middle school after my mother died, just as a way to cope, and I guess I just stuck with it. My father never liked it, he called it senseless banging, so I practiced at school mostly. I was in band, I played flute. So, I just taught myself. Never a lesson in my life." I smiled, thinking over those hours I spent at the school's pianos, struggling to work through the notes and melodies. It was one of my biggest accomplishments.

"That is quite impressive."

"Better be. I worked my ass off."

"And, I can tell. You play beautifully." The worlds slipped off his tongue like boiling silver into a cast.

"Quit trying to butter me up. You know it won't work." I raised my eyebrows in a sort of challenge to him.

"We will see about that. It's worked every other time on you."

"Uh, huh. Is that what you think." I playfully smiled as I put on my flirty side. Loki licked his lips as he swallowed the last of his chicken.

Loki laughed. "Love, it's what I know."

"Fine then. I'm going to slip into my pajamas and you can leave."

Loki's face saddened, "We haven't even gotten to dessert yet."

"And what's that?"

"You'll see if you stay." He winked. I laughed and took another sip of my wine. Loki stood and picked up our plates. He disappeared into the kitchen and came back with two places of chocolate cheesecake. "Chocolate cheesecake from the Piccadilly."

I laughed. "How'd you know?"

Loki kissed my lips as he set my piece down. "I overheard you and... Mary... Anne talking about it on the phone the other day. You were raving about it."

I kissed him again. "You win this time."

"Victory at last." He straightened and sat back down in his chair. I dug into the cold cheesecake, adding another burst of flavor to my mind. I practically moaned. Loki chortled before digging in himself.

I helped clean up the remained of the dishes, washing while he dried. But, halfway through he took the dishes from me and pushed me against the counter. I let out a sigh as he brushed his fingers against my skin, running them up and down my arms, his body pressed against me as his hands worked their way up my neck, pushing through my hair, only to settle on my cheeks. I took a deep breath, completely lost in his eyes, closing mine as he came closer. His warm breath touched my lips. His lips grazed over mine, burning like fire. He kissed my lower lip, brushing his tongue against my skin, sending shivers down my spine. He pleaded for entrance again, and I gladly parted my lips for him. I slid my hands to his firm back, pressing him closer, breathing in his rich cologne. He parted, resting his forehead against mine. He whispered, "I love you."

My heart jumped, but I couldn't find the air to say it back, so I smiled and kissed his lips. When I pulled away, he was smiling, too.