Chapter 4

A soft warm velvet muzzle pulls me from my nap and I blink in at the darkening sky. Felix stands above me, looking on in curiosity. I reach up and gently stroke his nose, not wanting to get up yet. He gives a soft whiny and nips at my fingers.

"I guess you're hungry, aren't you boy?" He snorts and bobs his head, pawing at the ground. I sit up and stretch out my cramped muscles, flexing my fingers and toes to the setting sun. I gasp as realization sets upon me; I'm late for my chores! I spring up ignoring the protest from my back and hop onto Felix, securing the fresh apples. I sharply nudge his sides and we head full tilt toward the castle. We reach the stables in record time and I quickly get Felix brushed and fed. I rush back into the palace, taking the stairs two at a time. I reach the servants quarters and kitchen and fill a pitcher with fresh water, depositing the apples into a basket of fruit. Once the pitcher is filled I hurry down the hall towards Loki's chamber. I reach the door and pause, catching my breath. I knock and the door open's, allowing me entrance to the room. I glance at the figure sitting in the window, reading a book in the dying light. I pour the water into the goblet and set the pitcher down.

"You're late." His voice is harsh and cold, drawing the heat from the room. A fire raged in the fireplace, the torches on the walls and the candles by the bed all lit, but still the room was cold.

"F-forgive me, I- I lost track of time." My words stumble over themselves and I can't find the valor to turn and face him. I stand there waiting; my hands at my sides as I hear him quietly close the book and stand. My breathing is still ragged from rushing here and it doesn't help that Loki is now inquisitive about my tardiness.

"Why were you late? A servant should know better than to be late." His voice is low and measured, like a hunter stalking its prey. I take a shaky breath and turn around, for a moment I think about lying but know that would be a major mistake. "If you even dare to lie to me, I will have your tongue." I gasp and step back, bumping into the edge of the table.

"I… I was late… because…" My voice falters and I try to find my ground. Loki stalks slowly a few feet in front me, his eyes glowing in the muted light, watching me like a hawk.

"Because why?" Loki purrs at me, his smirk hanging on the edge of his lip.

"Because, I fell asleep and did not wake in time, my lord." I bow my head, looking down at my feet. "I was out by the apple trees… and I fell asleep in the shade of one of the trees. I won't let it happen again, I swear of it, my Lord." Loki scoffs and advances on me. I jump slightly when his hand reaches under my chin and forces me to look into his cold blue/green eyes.

"Do you lie to me?" He questions softly.

"To you, my Lord? No, not this time." My voice sounds stronger than what I feel I am. His smirk grows, pulling his lip's up towards his eye. His eyebrow arches and he sets both hands on either side of me, trapping me.

"If you lie to me, ever, I don't care where we are or who is there; I will humiliate you and make sure you are not able to sit right for a week. Am I clear?" His voice is cold and dark as I tremble in fear before him. "Am. I. Clear?" He grinds out, his smirk now gone. I nod my head quickly, glancing away from him. "Good." He grabs the goblet and takes a long draw of the freshwater. "Now then," he takes another drink and sets the goblet back down on the table. "Prepare my bath." He straightens but doesn't step back. I blush as I slid against him, trying to get away from his dominant overbearing self. I manage to sneak out and scuttle away to the bathroom and turn on the water. I sit on the edge of the tub, watching the warm water slowly edge its way up the sides. I take deep breaths of the moist air, willing my racing heart to calm down. Once the tub is full, I shut the water off, set the fresh towels on the rack and walk back out into the room. Loki stands in front of the fire, the goblet of water in his hand.

"Loki?" I call out softly. He doesn't turn or show any sign that he heard me. I walk over and stand off to his left a few feet. "My lord?" I call to him again. This time he looks at me, his eyes blank.

"What?" He clips, turning back to the fire.

"Your bath is ready."

"Very well." He tosses the water onto the fire, the embers hissing and spitting with the liquid. He turns and puts the goblet on the desk and pulls his shirt off walking to the bathroom. "Stay here." He says before closing the door of the bathroom. I sigh and walk over to the windows and draw the curtains, shutting out the kingdom of Asgard. I sit on the edge of the cushions, looking into the vast room. I make a mental list of the chores that I need to do tomorrow and pick up the book that Loki was reading before I came in. I open to the first page and recognize that it's a magic book of high level spells. I flip to a random page and read over the words that look like gibberish. I read the description of the spell which tells says 'to draw the water out of the victim and make them shrivel and die. I flip to another page and read that description as well. 'To create a void around the victim, causing suffocation and death.' Were all these-

"They're death spells." Loki says, finishing my thought. I look up at him startled, the book lying open in my hands. The steam gently rolls out of the open door, the towel draped over his shoulders. The same dark silk pants hang on his hips dangerously. "Bring me water." He commands softly. I close the book and set it down then head over to the desk. I pour the water as his feet pad softly across the floor. I grab the goblet and turn, looking at his form over by the windows. I glide over to him and offer the water with an outstretched hand. He glances down at me and takes the water, his fingers brushing against mine. I blush looking down at my feet and step back then head into the bathroom to drain the bath. I pull the plug and watch as the water swirls down the drain. I dry my hands on a fresh towel then put it in the linen basket.

I sigh softly and straighten the bathroom up, finding the ointment and bowl that he used this morning. I look at it thinking about having to go through that again in a few moments. I walk out, turning the light off and head over to the bed. I fluff the pillows and turn down the bed. I look up at the form sitting once again on the window seat, engrossed in the book. I let another soft sigh and head over to the dying fire and set another log on the red embers. I kneel down and watch as the flames lick at the new fuel, greedily consuming the wood. I watch the flames dance, letting the warmth wash over me in the cold room as my mind strays to distant memories.

"Mommy! Mommy! Look, look!" A little girl holds out her tiny hand to her mother who is seated with a man in the shade of a great apple tree.

"What is it? What do you have little one?" The mother coos. The little girl smiles a face splitting grin and holds up the small bouquet of wild flowers.

"I got pwetty fowers foe you!" the girl squeals excitedly. The woman takes the flowers and strokes the petals of a purple flower tenderly.

"They are beautiful, Saphyra. I love them." The mother places a gentle kiss on her forehead as the father chuckles.

"And what about me, child?" He asks, faking hurt.

"You get a big hug!" The little girl jumps on her father, knocking him over into the grass. All three of them laugh in the warm afternoon and enjoy each other's company.

A lone tear falls slowly down my cheek, as the memory leaves me. That was the last time I was to see my father…

Authors Note: Thank you so much for all of you that have added this story and have read it so far! I can't thank you enough! Let me know what you think! I love hearing what you have to say! If you have suggestions voice them as well (I love suggestions)! Stay classy and have fun! ~BR13