Chapter 4

Loki was beaming as he waltzed back to Summer's chambers with haste, struggling to contain himself. He wanted to skip, to run, to let out this uncontainable energy that filled him at his success.

Summer was staying. He'd done it.

"You bring shame on this realm brother." Thor's called out from behind him, his booming voice echoing down the corridors. Loki tipped his head back and slowed his pace as his brother closed the gap. His grin hovered in place though; not even Thor could destroy his good mood now. "No mortal is worthy of Asgard. You are weak to let her beauty cloud your judgement."

The God of Mischief sighed, glad his happiness shielded him from any loss of patience that might normally have fired up in his system. He didn't want to give his father any reason to overturn his decision, and a fight with his brother would definitely risk that. Thankfully, unlike Thor, he wasn't one to let his anger consume him; Loki turned calmly to face Thor, even daring enough to clap a hand down on his brother's shoulder, as Odin had done to him. "This has nothing to do with her beauty." he said levelly, ignoring the way Thor shrugged his hand off. "This about doing the right thing. Have you no heart?"

"Have you no shame?" Thor's features were quickly contorting with his fast growing rage. "You should leave her to the mortal world and be done with her. She does not belong here."

"Nor does she belong in a place that may cause her harm."

It was a lost battle, Loki decided with a subduing touch of sadness. His eyes scoured over his brother, hopeful for even the tiniest crack in his hot headed exterior. His heart sank rapidly: Thor's gaze was as hard and blazing as ever, resolved in his own mind-set. He wasn't listening to Loki at all. He didn't care.

Loki sighed and turned, trying to return his thoughts back to Summer. He didn't want to be mad when he saw her, and the more time he spent listening to his brothers ignorant views was definitely jeopardising that. In truth, he should have anticipated it. Thor was never the most sentimental of beings. Even towards Asgardian women he acted proudly, knowing he could have any woman he wished because of his looks and status, attentive and wooing until he had what he wanted and discarded them. The fact that Summer was a mortal woman ignited two prejudices in Thor's mind.

"One day you'll understand." Loki murmured under his breath, striding down the corridor. He half expected his brother to follow him, but as a loud clatter sounded from behind him, accompanied with a feral roar, he know Thor was busy taking out his frustration in other ways.

The smile flickered back onto his face as he put more distance between him and his brother, step by step bringing him closer to the one he really wanted to see. His mind raced, trying to imagine what Summer would look like upon his return.

Even when she'd been unconscious, dressed in the sodden white nightdress, hair bedraggled and tangled, face as white as death, Loki could appreciate her beauty. Even in that state she was attractive – Thor had said it himself, and that was quite the compliment! To imagine what she must look like in fresh clothes, fed and cared for, rested, hair combed, smiling and happy to hear the good news… Loki couldn't imagine her as anything less than a star.

His lips curved in an eager smirk.

It didn't take him long to reach her chambers with those thoughts running through his head.

He knocked politely on the door, tucking his hands gentlemanly behind his back. his head held high as he was admitted. His eyes flew to his mother as he was admitted by one of the departing maids, joining his side with a sly smile on her face. "How did it go?" she whispered, stepping forward with him towards the still oblivious woman at the boudoir.

His smirk deepened. "Well."

Loki kept his eyes trained forward with discipline, not wanting to spoil the surprise of seeing Summer for the first time since he'd left. All he'd allow himself was the faint outline of her wavy hair flowing down her back.

Frigga cleared her throat beside him and Summer's eyes snapped from her reflection, startled. They soon relaxed when they fell on Loki, though. Even in the fringes of Loki's vision he could easily catch her wide smile as she rose from the boudoir, stepping forward eagerly. "Hi."

Finally, he surrendered and let his eyes travel freely. The minute they rolled over her glowing face Loki was left somewhat breathless: she was stunning! Her dark hair, her alluring green eyes, both standing out boldly against her pearly shimmering skin... she was nothing short of a Goddess herself, Loki thought! Her olive green eyes were round and glittering brightly, like two green stars. Her glossy black locks waved lengthily down her back down to her narrow waist, emphasised and hugged by the flattering dress. Her hand rose self-consciously to touch at the necklace that fell to the hollow of her neck, her red lips in a wonerfully wide smile.

Loki found himself smiling as well as he admired her. "I think, mother, your talents have been neglected. You have done a marvelous job." He didn't quite trust himself to speak to Summer yet, more than aware of the slight thump in his chest as his gaze scoured. He made sure none of it showed in his face though, allowing only a sparkle in his eye and a pleasant grin to break his mask.

A shy smile blossomed over Summer's face.

"It helps when the subject is naturally beautiful already." his mother crooned, wondering forward from his side to Summer's, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I think my son has some news for you."

Loki's mind was going blank. He had to give his brother credit for something: he could most definitely spot a beautiful woman. It wasn't often that Loki was stunned by a woman's mere outward appearance but he simply could stop staring; Summer was dazzling. Every inch of her drew his attention so demandingly he didn't know where to look! His gaze ended up just scouring over her form subtly, reminding himself to draw back to her eyes and face so she didn't get too uncomfortable.

He cleared his throat awkwardly as he remembered what he was actually there for, returning his gaze to her glittering green eyes: "My father has granted you permission to stay in Asgard." He finally forced out, his voice sounding somewhat stiff as he fought to keep it calm and level. He hoped the sparkle in his eye would make up for it.

Summer's hands rose from the necklace to cover her mouth, a quiet gasp escaping her hidden lips.

"Are you serious?" Her hands dropped down just long enough for Loki to catch her smile, her gaze darting brightly between the prince and Frigga, smiling at her side.

Loki allowed himself a little chuckle. "I am serious."

An adorable squeal left her lips as Summer gave a little hop on the spot and Frigga pulled her into a motherly hug. Loki chuckled again, glad to see he wasn't the only one brimming with joy at the decision.

"My father has also requested that you dine with us tonight as our guest." he went on as the women ended their embrace, wearing matching smiles. "He wishes to meet Asgard's latest citizen."

A modest blush had settled adorably on Summer's cheeks, and Loki found himself smiling all over again. She was so very interesting to him. Perhaps it was her mortality, he reasoned in his head. Maybe her mortality fascinated him more than the Asgardian women he was used to. Here Summer was; young and beautiful, yet as fragile as glass to him. He would live beside her and watch her die, and he would live on and on for centuries beyond that, not even aging in the same way that she did. Not a day of her company was to be wasted. He was all too sharply aware of how delicate her life was.

The proof had been in their first meeting.

It would be hard to remind himself though, that while time was short, he still had plenty of it. There was no need to drown Summer in his constant presence. He'd have to remind himself to back away occasionally, to give her her own space.

He had a feeling that would be rather difficult.

Loki's attention was sharply drawn back to the present as Summer materialised in front of him, her gleaming green orbs glittering irresistably. He couldn't find a single flaw as he scoured her face; every inch of her was perfect.

She seemed innocently oblivious to the thoughts running through the prince's head. "Thank you." she beamed up at him. Loki suddenly became aware of the height difference. She wasn't that short, but it was still enough for him to have to angle his head down slightly when she was as close as she was. He didn't mind - he found it endearing. "You don't know how much his means to me."

Loki's lips curved up in a sly grin. She was gracing Asgard and himself with her incomparable company and yet she was thanking him? It was laughable! Of course, Loki realised, staring down at her intriguing green eyes, so very deeper and darker a shade to his own, she doesn't know how much this means to me either.

"Perhaps I should invite the warriors to tonight's meal as well." Frigga suggested as she swept graciously past the pair, hovering in the doorway for Loki's answer. "I'm sure they would also like to meet our guest."

Loki caught the glint of nervousness in Summer's eyes before he turned to face his mother. "No," he declined politely. She was already facing a meal with the king, queen and princes of Asgard. He thought was intimidating enough for one evening. "I think tonight should be a family occasion. The warriors will have another opperunity to meet Miss Martin's in all due time. I will see to it myself."

Frigga gave a smiling nod before she slipped from the room, leaving Loki free to turn his attention freely back to Summer. Her beaming expression had been replaced - although Loki was having a tough time deciding which one he prefered!

While Summer's smile had been mesmerizing, this new look simply had his heart tugging in his chest: her round, doe eyes, the way her luscious red lips parted ever so slightly... it was the most adorable thing Loki had ever seen! She looked so innocent, so naive. Loki couldn't hold back a laugh, and was even happier when it teased a small, sweet smile from Summer's lips as she blushed.

Oh yes - he would most definitely enjoy their time together!