Forbidden

Chapter 4 – "Unexpected Morning"

The bruise on Gala's arm was turning purple; Loki's fingers had dug deep into her flesh. She rubs over the sore spot until she falls asleep. Her dreams are of her parents, her mother weeping over her father's dead body. The battle of the Ice Giants was so long ago but it lived fresh in her memories.

The swirling night sky soon gives way to the golden heavens of morning, her brown eyes taking in the hues of pale yellow and crimson red as the clouds pass by.

"Morning Gala." A very cheerful Sif greets her dressed in her battle gear.

"Off to spare with Thor again?" The words fall lazily from her lips, sleep still clouding Gala's mind.

"No, not his morning. Fandral has challenged me but what my over confident friend doesn't know is Thor has shown me a few of his tricks. You have to come watch." Sif's eyes light up with excitement, her face more angelic than usual.

"I cannot, I must tend to the horses, see to the Queen's needs and go to the meadow. Odin expects a report from the ravens daily." She tosses her riding clothes and boots on, braiding her long silky brown hair over her shoulder.

"The Queen has many handmaids and I'm sure if you asked she would excuse you from her side." Sif gives her a quick smile before leaving.

Walking out to the stables the horses greet Gala a good day, Thor's horse tossing his mane about. "I see your hoof is healed nicely. Would you like to go for a ride?"

With a loud neigh, the horse stomps at the ground. Gala tries to lift Thor's saddle from the fence, the weight of it crushing against her. "You must have a strong back to support this my friend."

Lifting upwards she finds herself falling backwards. Her feet stumble as the saddle comes crashing down on her. A loud chuckle comes from the stall door, a large manly hand reaching down to pull the cumbersome saddle from her.

"Perhaps you should let me saddle and ride him." Thor stood before her with only his trousers and boots about him. His sculpted chest looked like that of the marble statues in the golden hall. She watches a bead of sweat trickle from his collar bone, creasing around the well-formed muscles of his chest. The trickle of sweat rolls faster as it ripples over each tight abdomen muscle. Her eyes take in the smattering of hair under his navel as the sweat clings to it. A small moan escapes her mouth as she licks her parted lips.

Blushing as if her face had been set on fire she turns away from him, collecting the silver bridle. "Do you mind if I saddle a horse and ride with you. I need to make sure he's not favoring that right hoof."

Thor takes the bridle from her, never answering her question. She knew from the smirk on his face he heard her moan and was determined to use it against her.

Gala leans against the stall door, a flutter of emotions tingling in her lower regions. Crossing her legs over, she tries to ebb the tide of sexual desire crashing into her as she watches him saddle his mighty steed. Her fingers randomly twitch, wanting so badly to touch the golden skin of his back. If she could only feel those broad shoulders that bunch and tighten with each movement.

Shaking the thoughts away she's soon brought back to herself as Thor turns to face her. "Bring him to the meadow, lead him not ride him. I'll meet you there."

Gala leads the horse to the meadow, the horse stopping to graze on the way. "We mustn't dally, Thor will be waiting."

Lifting his majestic head, he rubs his nose against Gala's arm. She ties him to the Raven Tree, letting him graze a bit more. Hunin and Munin are gone from their usual perch, the song birds singing about the beautiful day.

Without notice Thor mounts his steed, calling down to the daydreaming Gala. "Give me your hand."

Gala looks up at the glorious sight of Thor on his steed, his armor shining brightly. The morning sun was filtering through his golden locks making his blue eyes shimmer like still pools of frozen sea.

She reaches her hand up to him, the soreness from her bruise making her winch. As he lifts her up on the horse he looks curiously over his shoulder at her. "Are you well?"

"Yes, fine." She answers him back quickly.

Thor turns to her, taking her hand again. Pushing the sleeve of her shirt up his eyebrows crease when he sees the purple traces of fingers on her upper arm. "Who … did … this?" His voice is low but commanding.

"Your brother, my Lord. I was too free with my tongue." The feel of his fingers stroking her skin was so heavenly. Tiny goose bumps rise up on her skin, her stomach tightening.

"I shall have a talk with my brother when we return. You are in my Father's service now; you should be treated with respect." Thor releases her arm, taking the reigns.

Treated with respect, she thinks to herself. Could Thor really care for her or is he merely being an obedient son and protecting her for All-Father.

Placing her hands around his waist, Thor nudges the horse forward. The neighing of the horse causes her to giggle, Thor looks back at her. "I'm not sure if I like this, you having this secret with my horse."

"He said you ride like an old man, he wants to run." Before Gala can enjoy the amusing moment Thor burs the side of the horse and it takes off in a flash.

Gala tightens her grip around the thunder god; her body almost flush against his. In that one moment she felt as if she were soaring, her body and soul both humming with exuberant electricity.

As they ride along the meadow, Thor steers the horse towards the beach. The ocean was roaring, its tide washing up on the sandy white shore. A spray of water splashed upon them both as the steed gallops through the salty water. It was as if she was dreaming, her head becoming dizzy with the horses blazing speed.

Here she was on a horse with her arms wrapped around the most beautiful man her eyes had ever beheld and she never wanted it to end. Pressing her cheek against his broad back she lets herself enjoy the moment, a moment that was in her mind fleeting.

When Thor pulls the horse up, she loosens her embrace on him. He slides off the horse, taking Gala by the waist. Her face becomes hot as if she was hit by a blast from a furnace. Thor lifts her from the horse, their bodies gliding against one another. As she stands so close to this statue of sexual frustration she gazes into his eyes, the two of them locked in each other's gaze.

Thor moves closer to her, his lips so close to hers she can feel the warmth of his skin. "Thor, there you are brother." Thor jerks his head up, his hands dropping to his side.

"Loki." He nods to his brother, his jaw clenching tight.

"I see your horse is healed and quickly too. You do good work Gala." Loki gives her a bow but Gala knows he does it to mock her.

"Why have you come for me brother?" Thor mounts his steed again, Loki pulling to his horse's reigns.

"Father has news from Heimdall; he saw a disturbance in the nine worlds. Svartalfheim has grown darker and Father fears the Dark Elves are gathering a great army. He sends for his sons." Thor looks over to Gala, her brown eye smiling back at him.

"Go, I will walk back to the meadow." She watches as Thor and Loki ride away, her heart still pounding in her chest.

Walking back to the Raven Tree she waits for Hunin and Munin to return. The almost kiss lingers over her lips and she drowns herself in that moment.