Chapter six- Sleeping Beauty part 2

Weeks passed and formed into endless months. She remained in a silent secluded slumber. But her life force had not left her body, but her soul had been touched by the icy grip of death. Her beauty blooming, as the day she had ran through the snowy forest. The Oracle kept her in her care and could sense this girl was no ordinary mortal. For any other mortal would have died after such an ordeal. The water was well below zero. She was exposed to the elements for far too long. But always she slept like the Princess in fairy tales. As the hands of time passed down the hours and days, her physical appearance altered slowly. Her once pink fresh skin had changed into pure snow white. Her pink blossom lips had reformed into a crimson red. Her once blonde doll like locks had faded to a jet black. She went from sleeping beauty to snow white within a few months. Her doll like style of innocence had converted to a Gothic vampire mistress.

The winter finally melted away by the time her subconscious had re-awakened, although her body did not. Her soul was slowly regaining inside her coma state flesh. Loki sat within the library and could feel her mind open up to him. Like the gates of heaven her inner soul unlocked itself to him. He was reading an old and ancient text but her energy felt too strong to ignore, and thus he ignored his readings and continued to enter the maze which was her mind. He projected his soul into the vast conscious of her.

It was different from what he had expected. A lot different. Dark, eerie and empty. A vast darkness in a void. He stood on black solid ground and realised she was standing before him. Her back was towards him as she gazed out from a blackened cliff face. There was nothing to look out upon though, just nothing. There was a sense of limbo. She was dressed in a lace white gown, like an angel amidst the dark. She seemed to glow. Her hair was as dark as the blackness surrounding them and it swayed in the non-existent breath. Her flesh was so white it was like fresh milk. But even which such alterations her blue eyes remained as sapphire as possible. They burned and smouldered through the sockets. He approached her with hast and stood by her side. "You came"? He was in shock for she did not speak to him with the respect he was entitled to. But for once he ignored it. Her changed looks and style stunned him. "Death touched you"? His words gentle but had a slight tone of spite. "Why do you think my once virginal looks have gone to dust? I look like a corpse. Yes the cold grip of death laced for a while in the waters, until I felt your flesh grace mine". Loki thought she was over reacting as all mortal woman do. She did not look like a corpse, her beauty remained undisturbed from her flesh. The alterations gave her a satanic beauty of that of Lilith. Dark, mysterious and unique. "When will you awake"? He sounded concerned and her eyes met his at this remark. She smiled and turned to walk away into the mindless void. She wondered off like a ghost, evaporating into air. Loki wanted to reach out and grab her. But felt frozen to the spot. He was confused and unnerved by her. He could not figure out what she was and it frightened him.

He returned to the mortal world and sat in thought for a while. He knew she should have died from the cold waters and yet he did not even know what had propelled him to save her. He felt drawn like a magnet to metal, a moth to the flame. All he knew was she was having her own deepening affect on him. Ever since that fateful day on the lake she had plagued his mind, he saw her in his dreams. In everything she was there haunting him like a poltergeist. Sometimes these visions turned into nightmares and he had refused to sleep. Endless nights of gazing into the midnight highlands and through the breeze he could swore he almost heard her heavenly soprano voice. Like a dove in flight so pure, so perfect it tore him into pieces. He felt she had poisoned him, had cursed him. He was lost within her. At that time the library doors slid open to reveal the Oracle. Her eyes widened in shock and her stance in stunning mode. Loki turned to respond "Well what is it"? His words cruel and sharp. "She's awake". Her words took their time to sink into Loki. He sat in silence for a minute or two. He questioned himself within and warped into his mind, with what's and whys? In all honesty she should be dead.

The Oracles prophecy had not left his mind. Everything seemed to entwine into a giant black hole of distress and confusion. He almost could not function, for the burden was too great. He did not like the unknown and this maiden was the unknown in flesh form. He nor anyone could figure out what she was, was she a mortal, a threat or something else? The unknown left a bitter taste in his mouth. After a deep cascade into his thoughts he raced to the quarters like lightning. But by the time he had reached the hall way, he saw her. She was walking towards him, her eyes slicing through the distance. Her beauty had become ever so much more greater. The guards and soldiers were locked upon her. Their eyes focused upon her, like dogs they drooled over her. Loki noticed this and inside a green flame of jealousy erupted. It did not portray through easily though. But despite this he seemed to secretly fill up with rage. She was his, his doll his sweet beautiful procession. Only he could gaze upon her. She belonged to him and only him. No other man nor mortal could claim her.

She took her stride to him and bowed her head. Her ebony locks flowed down and nestled upon her supple breasts. She was dressed in a black Tudor style dress of the same kind as before. Those rags could not hide her grace. He looked at her in coldness and spoke with all the charm of a twisting blade "return to your duties". She arose from her bow and returned to her long awaited work.

Chapter Seven-Rumours for the lips

By the time spring had returned and it was the end of May they had moved to Hampton court. A huge Tudor palace of great power and beauty on a magnificent scale. Loki enjoyed this palace its rich history and glorious construction appealed to him. It was a hot day too hot for the Kings liking but mortals found the summer fulfilling. There was human festivals and holidays. They danced and drunk till they were merry. However the god king found this repulsive and pointless. The blaring sun gazed down upon the earth and left the land drowning in a heat wave. Lucrezia was washing the banquet hall floor with a sponge and bucket. It would take ages until the task would be completed. She huffed and groaned, she rather be out bathing in the cool rivers and streams. But alas she was now a slave. She whipped the sweat from her forehand and carried on with task at hand. Silently cursing and scrubbing with intense annoyance in her actions.

Footsteps emerged into the hall and startled her. She looked up and foresaw a close friend. Another servant girl known as Baby. She was the same age as Lucrezia but did not possess the same beauty nor talents. She was a plain Jane. Sweet and kind though she was. Her brown hair was thin and lank against her anorexic frame. She barely ate as she spent most of her free time drinking in pubs and taverns. It was her comfort and escape from this world. She wore brown rags stained by mud and drink, the scent of rum was upon her. Her gaunt face left her warm hazel eyes lifeless. She knelt at Lucrezia's level and sniggered with all the glee of a teenage girl. Lucrezia returned a bewildered gaze and halted her chore. "What"? Baby composed herself and looked around her to see that they were alone, away from prying eyes and spying ears. "I have heard something". Her voice was high pitched and squealed through out the hall. "And"? Lucrezia seem frustrated and and carried on with her work. "There is talk of a mistress". Lucrezia ignored this and carried on working, humming to herself to keep out Baby's immature words. "A mistress, who cares. Rich men love whores". Lucrezia refused to listen to anyone's mouth but hers, and her words were almost as sharp as the God kings. Baby grabbed her friend by the shoulders and pulled her to her feet. Lucrezia was stunned by the frail girls strength. Baby's eyes widened and zoomed in on Lucrezia's blue flames. "Talk says, it is you". Lucrezia remained confused and wanted to push Baby off but felt sorry for her. She puttied the poor girl. She was ever so slightly backwards. Years on the booze had left its toll. "And whom is my master who's bed I share", Lucrezia gave a sarcastic reply. Her face wrapped in a comedic stance. She wanted to laugh and giggle the childish lies off. The kings court were rife with rumours and cheap gossip. Baby's expression changed from one of a child to concern and fear for her friend. "The God kings". The words hit Lucrezia with the force of a punch and she pulled back from Baby's grip. "No, no its not true", she snapped with a sliver tongue.

Baby returned to her friends side and grew sympathy for her dear friend. Rumours were common and spread like wild fire within the mortal court. Mortals often spread rumours about one another, but never about the God king himself, it was dangerous. For playing with wild fire can get your burnt. "But he calls you you to his bed chamber often? He forbids men to gaze upon you. He looks at you like a wolf upon its mate". Yes that was true he called for her often. Only so she could sing for him, for had missed her nightingale vocals. He'd often command her to sing into the late hours of the night, until she collapse into sleep on the floor. She had never noticed his wolf like gaze upon her, or maybe she did not want to? And as for forbidding men to gaze upon her, she thought that was made up to enhance the essence of the story. Mortals lives were so boring. Although she had noticed her treatment by her fellow mortals had changed. They cursed her under their breath and cut her evil looks as she passed them. Lucrezia fell into a state of shock and felt ashamed, for she was not a common whore. She left the hall and Baby tried to call her back in. "Lucrezia! Where are you going".

She ran into the great kitchen and could feel their eyes against her skin. Cruel, cold and evil glances. She felt a great surge of anger and she stood her ground. An old woman walking through with a basket of apples shoved Lucrezia to the stone ground. She got to her feet and her eyes en-flamed. "You haggard old harlot", Lucrezia's word caused the entire room to cease in function. The old woman placed her basket to the table to her left and she looked like a bull. "I know what you are, you are a filthy witch, a tart and whore. Your the kings whore". The one woman's finger pointing and directing all guilt and shame to Lucrezia. The crowd ganged up upon her like a pack of hungry wolves. Sickening words and insults sprang from one mouth to the other. "Slut, whore, bitch, tart, harlot, vile quim, slag" They filled her ears like a demonic chant and caused her mind to quiver in complete agony. The old woman was in a state of laughter, her spit flaying from her wrinkled lips. The cruelty of the situation fuelled Lucrezia actions. Her blue sapphire's were fixed on the old crone. The burning rage engulfed her like a corpse at the stake. And within a flash the old woman was ablaze in roaring bloodred flames. She howled in pain and ran into the courtyard. The entire kitchen was in havoc and the servants ran in a rush of fear. She just stood there, grinning. The crone collapsed into a ball of black ashes and the smell of burning flesh consumed the summer air. In no time the King's guard were by Lucrezia's side and at the scene. They themselves were scared to approached her and in shock at the sight. Either way with their throats locked in fear they escorted her to the Kings quarters.