Chapter 4
I hurried around the corridors, fixing the bow on the back of my swing skirt blue dress, silently reprimanded myself for taking so long in the shower. I was late, again. I had only ever been late for one of these dinners and it wasn't pleasant. I cursed my job again as I rounded another corner almost to the banquet halls corridor, the last time I was late the entire gathering had watched me enter, either glaring at my horrible manors or staring as I walked to my seat, causing me to feel like fresh meat at an all you could eat BBQ.
Thor was throwing yet another festivity to celebrate… something. It was good for the people, Thor had told me, giving them the time to relax and enjoy life as if nothing had changed. Thor was a great king, and he knew his people well, he was trying to make sure they did not feel like this was the end of Asgard but a new exciting beginning. And too be honest I think he enjoyed the ale.
Almost there, I though as I shook out my hair, hoping I didn't look like a wild Neanderthal. It's not like it was entirely my fault I was late. My body was still exhausted for the stupid curse or spell or whatever it was that Loki had tried on me a few days ago. I had slept for 40 hrs and severely freaked Sarah out, enough so that she had demanded some of the palace guards unlock my door to check I was still alive. What a humiliation that was. I had ended up saying that I had come down with something that made me very week, which had resulted in me sleeping for almost 2 days, strangely they bought it, and although Sarah looked sceptic she seemed more pleased I wasn't dead.
Apparently, they had just arrived when I sprang to life from my little dream, yet another reason I didn't want to be here today. But at least Loki never attended these events, so I wasn't likely to run into him. He was probably too busy thinking of ways to invade people's dreams, I though thinking of the state at which I had awoken. I still wasn't sure how I felt about the whole sex dream, death nightmare thing and I really needed some time to myself to sought through my thoughts.
As I rounded the corner to the grand hall I spotted a man pacing outside the large wooden doors. I wasn't sure who it was, but he did not look impressed or in a festive mood. He seemed agitated and almost frightened which made me slow my pace as I looked about the corridor. He adjusted his coat a little, probably nervous about the strange box shaped lump on his chest. I froze immediately, it couldn't be, I though as the man turned taking in the room. A BOMB!
Just then I felt a sickening feeling as if the air around me vanished, my visioned blurred until completely black and my body felt weightless, only to flood back instantly a second later. It felt nauseating but not at all menacing. Just as I reeled from the strange atmospheric drop I felt a large hard wrap around my waist pulling me the side. Pinning me to the wall I looked up to see those green-blue piercing eyes staring down at me with fascination.
Loki, sucking the wind from me once again, as he pressed his large towering form around me, still in the same gorgeously fitted black suit, which seemed to be his outfit of choice here on Earth. Still as large and as demanding as ever, he pulled a long finger to his lips making a small shush, noise that was barely audible by human ears. He looked across the room to the man now pacing the hall again as if waiting for someone. Then it hit me, he was waiting for Loki.
The poor sole had probably been in New York or lost someone dear to him in the events that unfolded on the invasion day that Loki has orchestrated. There was a whole faction of people not at all pleased that the Asgardian's had moved in, taking over a part of their Earth. To add insult to injury, Thor has announced that he would be bringing Loki with him, someone whom has caused so much destruction, pain and death to the human race already, and that he would not be imprisoned, well at least that's how it started.
Turning back to Loki, whom I was glade had also noticed the dangerous individual, I watched as something shimmered behind him and another image of Loki appeared and began walking towards the hall. This image did not accurately represent the man in front of me. He was decked in a black, green and gold leather ensemble with large gold horns atop of his head. His face looked mean and crewel as he moved towards the man, though he did not acknowledge his presence, as if he was as small as an ant and just as insignificant.
As the man spotted the image he walked very quickly in his direction with a hand over his coat.
"Loki, the Bo…." I tried to whisper before his cold soft hand moved over my face preventing my voice form leaving again.
"Sshh" he said again as he moved his mouth to the side of my head just milometers from my ear, "Stay" he demanded, his husky sexy tone seemed to all but force my body into submunition to obey his order.
Pulling away slowly to see my reaction, Loki smiled as he realised I would do as he had commanded. And god did I want to slap the smug look of his face but in an instant, he was gone. Looking over I could see him reappear across the corridor behind the terrorist, whom was distracted with the much more menacing Loki that approached, but fooled we were bother. Just as the assailant slid his hand into the jacket Loki ripped his arm away, which was followed by a very loud crack and the sound of screaming. Which indeed solved my question from a few days ago on how easily he could brake bones.
I flinched at the sound and winced when the man crumbled to the floor in pain. At this time, Loki had what was undoubtedly an explosive device in his hands. Barley assessing the device Loki waved his hand around the box and it was gone, just like that, threat handled. Well he would be useful in a bomb crisis, I thought, though I don't think SHEILD or the president would agree with me.
Loki then set his menacing glare at the man on the floor "And now, for you!" he said with a face of malevolence matched with a horrible devilish smile which took over his entire face showing the strong promise of death in his eyes. He was almost unrecognisable from the man I had met and who had held me in his arms just a few days ago. Pulling the man from his feet by his broken arm, Loki all but growled into his face as the room seamed to become darker and very cold, while the stupid food screamed for help.
Shaking myself out of my horror and shock I stepped off the wall that was supporting me, I had to say something, Loki can't kill him. Not here. He'd be sent of world if he broke the agreement with SHEILD and the Avengers. And for some reason, I couldn't quit put my finger on, that scared me more than the look on Loki right now. I didn't want him to be punished any more then he already was, I didn't like the sound of that one bit.
"Loki" I stammered, moving from my hidden spot on the wall, "Well done." I stated smiling and moving slowing towards him as if he was a wild predator who would effortlessly turn on me in a second, which was essentially possibly accurate. "Marvellous capture," I continued trying to keep my voice very calm as I clapped my hands together, "Let's leave him to SHEILD now."
"But he hasn't received his punishment yet." Loki said and that smile on his face was starting to freak me out.
"Come now, surly you don't need to kill him, he's not really worth your time."
Loki looked up at me with interest in his eyes as if I had said something out of place, like he wasn't just looking at the crying man in his grip as if he could torture him for hours. "Do you know this man?" Loki asked his eyes penetration me as if daring me to answer. "You know him well enough to partition for his life, after his little device could have levelled half of the palace!" he asked still searching my face, but when he looked at me he was not nearly as threatening as he looked when his face returned to the cowering stranger in his hand.
"I do not, no. But you shouldn't be burdened with the task of punishment, you are a God, he is so below you, why dirty your hands with his blood. Leave him to SHEILD to deal with, they have rules for these kinds of things." I suggested hoping he would buy into my buttery words and not the fact I was telling him not to kill the stupid idiot.
Loki's face changed as he rolled his eyes and threw the man to the grown forcing him unconscious. "You humans and your miserable rules, ." He said in annoyance, as the unconscious assailant disappeared. "I guess I should uphold my part of the bargain since Thor is still throwing these damn banquets almost every third night. I Can not deal with them bursting into my rooms again." He mused almost to himself as he strode over to me.
So that's why Thor kept organising the banquets, to lure the assailants out in the open so Loki could effectively incapacitate them. "It's a honey trap." I said realising the objective as everything clicked into place. But just as I registered the connection I looked up to see Loki once again towering over me looking all to smug.
"Smart girl" he gleamed, smiling down from his incredible height making my meagre 5'4'' seem ant like. "and as long as the trap is up, I can keep sending these sickening rodents to your little faction" he smirked apparently referring to SHIELD.
"So, you haven't killed him?" I asked though it seemed odd to query that, after he had just confirmed otherwise but I have a strange feeling he really wanted to, and just needed to check.
"Sadly no, he even got of easier than the rest I have sent. Eye Patch will start thinking I've gone soft" he said a little annoyed. "I'll have to fix that next time" he said in a rather menacing voice as a hint of that wickedly evil smirk returned.
I shuddered to think of what state the previous hostiles had been returned to Fury in. And if some had lost limbs over the experience.
"Only one today though," he said looking about, "It seems they have noticed my absence at these proceedings." He said before his eyes lit up and his gaze returned to mine as if he had remembered something.
"And you, did not follow my order." He said glaring down at me, bending down slowly, so damn slowly. "That is quite a dangerous act, for you." He hummed into my ear as he pressed his body towards mine once again. "I believe a punishment of your own will need to be arranged."
Now my entire body appeared to yearn to be touched, although practically on top of me, Loki had yet to essentially make any physical contact. And that damn pules was beating loudly again, I was sure that the sound was audible from across the room. "I… I don't… um, ah… I don't answer to you" was that my voice, I though, because it didn't sound like me, it was all scratchy and vague as if I wasn't convinced of my own words.
"There you would be wrong," Loki said running a cool long finger down my neck, pushing back a few of my light brown locks, "I will have to convert you and your ignorance." He rasped in my ear and although I knew it was meant to sound menacing or threatening, it felt more like a promise of future sinful endeavours.
Reaching up Loki placed his hand on what looked to be empty air, most likely an invisible barrier or wall, and pushed me back into said wall with the pressure of his lean cut body. There was now scarcely any space between us as his body held mine to the barrier behind me. Trapped and unable to run I pushed on his chest vying for space to breath, needing air to think clearly, which only cause him to laugh, a sound so sinfully elegant it made all my senses swirl with joy just to hear such a beautiful hum. Lowering his head to mine, his lips less than an inch from my own, he wrapped his hand around the side of my neck pushing his fingers through the back of my hair, his green eyes penetration my sole with the fire of unmasked desire.
Just then as I felt my body betray me and move closer to his sinful lips, his smirk growing with the knowledge of his triumph over my resistance, the banquet doors opened resulting in Loki practically repelling from me and releasing the invisible wall holding me up.
Realising his obvious miss calculation Loki swooped down and collected me from my sore rump spinning me behind a nearby column covering my mouth as he lift his fingers again in a shushing manner, for the third time today, and boy was it getting old.
I watched as Sam Wilson stomped down the hall looking extremely displeased, most likely looking for Loki. Popular today, isn't he. Pissed at being dropped, annoyed at the fact I was again pinned to a pillar, and a little displeased with myself for caving in to Loki's seductions, I glared at the sorcerer in question as he released my mouth and held one strong hand on my right hip as his right holding my left wrist above my head. He was hiding from Falcon, which in its own right was the strangest thing ever, but I didn't care why, all I wanted was some personal space and maybe a little revenge. Just then a wicked smirk of my own slid across my face, Loki glanced back at me just in time to see this evil smirk I was sending his way as I opened my mouth bringing in enough air for a rather large scream.
"FA…" I tried to scream, until all sense and air left my body. All reason was lost, and all thought escaped me as Loki crushed my mouth with his cool sweet lips. Forcing his kiss upon me I tried pushing back with my right hand only to instantly forget the reason I would ever try to do such a thing, as it fisted into his silk shirt. Loki then released my hip, instead pinning it with his own as he trailed his hand to my neck once again driving my body mad as one of its more sensitive parts was teased. My mind reeled from the coolness of his lips and craved more as my fingers found his dark black locks pulling him in even closer.
Surprised or confused Loki stopped for a split second before releasing my hand and sliding his down my side, pawing at my left hip as he moved around to cares my check and thy. A small moan escaped me then as he pulled up my leg up, giving him access to grind his hips into mine, causing my centre to go wild as heat erupted all over my body cooling only where his skin contacted with mine.
"Loki, I…" I rasped, but was stopped dead in my tracks as my hand collided with my face. "Aww" I said as every trace of Loki disappeared, and my body flushed uncontrollable from the heat left without his cool skin to balance out the flames.
"What the hell?" I stammered unsure what had just transpired. Looking around I noticed a small note on the floor. Sliding down to pick it up off the smooth ground.
I turned it over to read… 'Who's the best sorcerer now' in beautiful immaculate hand writing.
"Strange" I said slightly annoyed at the wannabe mage, who thinks taking on a God is a good idea.
What am I saying? Loki probably deserved it, I thought to myself, damn show pony.
I was annoyed at myself for the fact I had not only caved in to the seductive Trickster, but I was now craving his touch like a school girl on heat. Ah, what is he doing to me?
Sighing I pocketed the note as I ponded what to do. Annoyed or not I probably should inform Thor that his brother had been taken, again. Apparently, there was a misunderstand between the two, bloody children!
Standing and gathering my thoughts I tried to right my hair and dress, thankful the smooth blue material could live through any fiasco, and hopping that my face didn't look to flushed I stepped out from behind the pillar. Only to stop as I realised I would need to explain to Thor what I was doing with Loki before he vanished "Oh God," I mumbled "How do explain that?". Even if I said we wear merely talking after the bomb escapade I would need to say what about! I'm so screwed, I though as a flash of light swept through the hall and a loud thud sounded from behind the pillar I had just come out from.
"Damn HACK of a wizard. I'm not falling for that again, you insufferable fake!" Yelled a harsh, husk voice as Loki emerged righting his suit as well.
Thank God, he was back. Now I didn't have to tell Thor anything, I thought relived I would still have a job tomorrow.
Loki, after deciding his suit was acceptable again, looked up to see my stunted expression, which was also most likely still flushed with swollen lips. His devilish smirk returned as he moved in closer "Now, where were we?" he demanded as the heat began to rise again.
But just as he was in arms reach the banquet doors opened again revealing Steve Rogers, or Captain America when in official uniform, walk down the hall towards us. Loki completely changed demeaner, as he seemed to stand taller and coil ready to strike, as if Steve needed to be reminded of Loki's impossible height and resilience.
"Loki" he said calmly as he arrived not really stopping but slowing. "Ingrid" he said questionably before he stopped looking confused at the two of us. "What are you doing out here?" with him, I believe he wanted to add but I was very grateful that he didn't.
"That would be none of your concern" Loki dismissively said at the same time I answered.
"We just arrived at the same time." And almost felt like face palming my forehead, if that didn't scream conspicuous I don't know what would.
"Right." Steve said awkwardly, "Well Thor is looking for… well both of you," he said still sceptical of the strange paring, "but before you head in, have you seen Sam? He left rather mad a few minutes ago."
"Yes" I said trying to sound calm, "he went towards the guest rooms, I think" I was proud of myself for sounding normal.
"And you just arrived?" Steve asked again looking from me to Loki.
Holly SHIT. I stuffed that up. "Yes, I passed him on the way hear, he didn't seem to notice me though" I tried to recover as apparently Loki wasn't going to help.
"Ok, thanks." He said still looking confused but taking the explanation anyway. "Do you need me to escort you in?" Steve asked, ever the gentleman, as he glanced again at Loki whom was glaring daggers at him.
"She is perfectly fine Rogers, do go locate your pidgin." Loki said dismissively as if Steve was just a simple annoyance.
Steve turned back to me and I nodded making sure he knew I was fine, he probably thought Loki was harassing me, which I think he kind of was. "Very well, good night" he said as he wandered off to find Sam, whom was probably annoyed at the realisation that he had been replaced on Loki watch.
"Good night." I replied as I watched him leave.
Loki waited until Steve had completely left the hall to move closer and pear down at me "How is it" he asked with annoyance, "that you appear to be familiar with a great deal of the individuals in that bothersome resilience group?"
"I work for SHEILD." I said, and in saying so I also reminded myself I had a duty to be somewhere right now. Shaking off the fuzz in my head, I headed for the hall entrance before Loki appeared in front of me again.
"I have to go in now Loki. I can't have any more delays." I said almost convincingly, "I have a job to do, and it is my duty to attend these things."
Loki smirked at the last part, not sure why it was so funny that I had a job, but it only annoyed me more. "Yes, well it seems I am required to attend todays event as well. It would be better for the, honey trap," he said gleaming at me again, "if the would-be assassins believed that I indeed attended these affairs." But even as he said this with cool demeaner, he looked at the banquets door as if he really did not wish to enter.
"Perhaps?" he said returning his blue green gaze to mine. "Ingrid, I have decided I will escort you in." He said extending his long arm in my direction with his hand open waiting for me to take it.
Knowing it was meant as an invitation, did not stop to feeling that it was more of an order, with no chance of rejection. I guess we are bother heading into the lion's den anyway, might as well be meat together.
"As you wish" I said taking his hand as his suit shimmered into the green and black leathers his copy had been in earlier only without the head piece. Stunned he turned me around pulling me in and wrapping my arm around his right elbow. His leather's felt so amazingly soft and cool to the touch but thick, in case of an attack.
"Shall we." He said gliding us towards the entrance as he used his magic to open the two large wood and gold doors.