Loki thought that he had surely not done anything so terrible (yet) as to deserve such punishment. Odin had insisted that the entire royal family stay with him today as he listened to the petitions of his subjects, as he sometimes did. He looked to his right and saw Thor stifle a yawn; some future king. Frigga stood faithfully behind Odin, looking sympathetic towards each matter. Loki rolled his eyes when the guard announced the next petitioner, wishing for the day to finally end.
But his interest was suddenly piqued when a girl was brought into the throne room, following a stout nobleman of Asgard.
"My King," the nobleman said with a bow. "I bring a gift from my household to show my enduring adherence to you." He moved away and led the girl forward.
She was most certainly a beauty; tall with voluptuous curves and dark hair that flowed down her back. She was draped in a deep blue velvet dress that seemed like a second skin, leaving very little to the imagination. Her head hung in modesty; ironic, considering her attire. Jewels covered her ears and neck and the gold bangles that hung around her wrists made a slight clinging sound when she moved. The nobleman, Loki thought, obviously dressed her that way to entice and tempt. And it seemed to work, for he looked to Thor and saw a hungry grin on his face. Even Loki had to admit to himself that she was stunning.
"Come closer, my dear," Odin said softly. The girl stepped forward slowly. "Your name?"
She looked to her master for permission and then back to the floor. "Kaia."
"She is a servant in my home, but I offer her to you. I no longer have need of her."
"What talents does she bring to the house of Odin?"
"She can-"
"I sing as well play, your majesty. My parents were gypsies, as am I, but both were revered for their musical talents. They performed in many courts of the noble class," she said with her head still bowed. Odin looked her over, unsure.
"Your majesty, please," the nobleman interjected. "She is a fast learner and can surely be of some use to you. She is prepared to offer any service to which you have need of." His eyes flickered briefly to the princes, whose eyes had widened as they registered his meaning. "Accept her, along with my unwavering loyalty to you."
"I do not have any need for more musicians..."
"But I am sure I can find a place for you with my ladies," Frigga said with a smile. Loki was surprised at his mother; she rarely spoke up once Odin made a decision, but he saw how she looked at Kaia. She looked at Sif the same way; motherly, tenderly and he noticed Kaia was at once relieved. Odin hit the staff against the floor, immediately summoning two guards.
"See that this young lady is taken to the chambers of the Queen's ladies," he ordered them. Loki watched as Kaia turned away from her master, and he couldn't help but notice a smile of liberation appearing on her face. The Lord was ushered out and the royal family was alone once more.
"I can never deny you, my love," Odin said as he reached for Frigga's hand that rested on his shoulder. After another hour or so of petitions, Loki thought he was finally able to spend the day doing what he wished, when Thor strode over to him and clapped him on the back.
"I cannot tell you how glad I am now that we are free from that tedious task of listening to the peasants," he twirled his hammer in the air and caught it with ease. "That gypsy-girl was the only exciting thing to happen."
"She is pretty," Loki said, feigning indifference.
"Pretty? Why, brother, you do her such an injustice by declaring she is merely 'pretty'. She is divine! An exquisite creature. I've never had a gypsy to warm my bed before."
"And you never shall," Loki mocked his elder brother. "She is to be one of mother's ladies, and I hardly think you are her type."
"What? All women fall at the feet of the mighty Thor!" Thor joked as he flexed his muscles. "I suppose you are more 'her type'?"
"Maybe not, but I am certain that I could attract her attention far better than you can, despite my not being built like a Bilgesnipe."
"Ho, ho! You actually believe that she would rather bed you than I?"
"My dear brother," Loki said as he smiled to himself, mischievous green eyes glistening. "You will someday learn that it is not only brawn that can seduce a woman, but cunning."
"Care to make a wager, then?" Thor bellowed. Loki knew he had hit a sensitive spot with Thor, who took pride in his ability to make nearly every woman he met fall in love with him and challenged anyone who questioned otherwise."Let us see whose charms she falls for first."
"How will we determine the victor?"
"Whomever she kisses of her own free shall be the victor. And it must not be a chaste kiss; It must be a kiss of total submission to desire," Loki was amazed as Thor's clear blue eyes darkened with obvious lust at the thought of the gypsy girl. Even Loki felt something tighten in his stomach at the picture of Kaia pressed against his form.
"What is the prize?" He asked, disguising his own craving.
"Why, the prize is the maiden, of course. Surely there can be no better reward?" Thor turned on his heel and strode down the hall. "Good luck, dear brother!"
"You are the one who shall need it!" Loki shouted after him. He smiled as he heard Thor's merry laugh echo in the large corridor.
Let the game begin.