If someone had told Lìa a week ago that she would be lying in the bed in Loki's cell, wrapped in the strong embrace of the god of mischief himself no less, she would have laughed hysterically at the prospect. And yet here she was.

The last few days after he had taken her wordlessly and ardently against the wall of her cell had been nothing short of incredible. That night seemed to have awoken something within the both of them, a hunger that no matter how much they tried to sate, only seemed to worsen with each attempt. Not that she was complaining.

Who knew she would enjoy her imprisonment so much?

He was a very domineering lover, which was hardly surprising, and although she certainly didn't mind, there was something deeply satisfying about destroying all his arrogance and rendering him entirely speechless by her touch. She quickly learnt the most efficient ways to do so and also how to provoke absolutely sensational reactions from him. For example, a well timed nibble of the porcelain skin between his strong jaw and his ear would draw the most remarkable, animalistic growl from his chest. His resultant retaliation would then proceed to make thinking clearly, and to be honest thinking altogether, very difficult for a blissfully long time afterwards.

That morning had been particularly glorious. Closing her eyes, she indulged herself, her memories transporting her back to a few hours previous.


Loki had her in a rather precarious position against one of the golden walls of his corner cell, her entirely naked body only inches from the guard stood on duty on the other side. He couldn't hear or see anything that was occurring, Loki's illusions made sure of that, but the act of defiance was still decadently thrilling. He had been right, as he annoyingly always seemed to be: she did thrive off danger.

Loki was also in a similar state of undress and once again Lìa marvelled at his naked form, unabashedly drinking in every inch of his skin. The vast majority of Asgardian women would swoon over the sight of Thor but she just didn't get it. Loki was slighter, yes, but his tall frame was perfectly chiselled with defined muscles and besides, he could still sweep her from the ground with only one hand.

He had been kissing her fiercely, pinning both hands above her head with a single of his but he soon let go of them and began to descend slowly, savouring the skin of her neck, her breasts and finally her stomach, ending up on his knees at her feet, his eyes gazing hungrily between her thighs.

Lìa suddenly couldn't help herself. "Hmm...look who's kneeling now."

Loki's parted lips had just been about to brush her skin but he stopped abruptly at her words, shock flashing across his green eyes as they flicked up to meet hers.

"Excuse me?" he demanded, a smile threatening to burst across his face as he gathered her meaning.

Lìa was determined to push him further. "Oh don't let me stop you, I wouldn't want to interfere with your glorious purpose."

Loki's eyes narrowed, the mixture of irritation and disbelief in his expression simply delicious.

"Where did you hear that?"

Lìa smiled sweetly at him. "The very walls gossip in this place. And besides, Thor's obnoxious voice carries far. Very far."

Gripping her thighs tightly, a growl rumbled in Loki's throat and the vibrations stimulated the extremely sensitive area between her legs, causing her entire body to shudder. "You would be wise to avoid speaking my brother's name when I have you in such a position," he threatened darkly.

Lìa took a long, shaky breath, trying desperately to retain her composure. "Those Midgardians were fools. I would unquestionably have knelt for you. There's something very compelling and captivating about you in your full armour."

Loki smirked at her playfully then, his eyebrow arching at it always did when her daring words impressed him. "Even the helmet?"

"Especially the helmet."

Loki was grinning from ear to ear now and he closed his eyes momentarily. His full armour suddenly materialised over his body, a complex array of black and green leather adorned with intricate golden armoured plates, as the deep emerald of his cape spread out across the floor. Lìa gasped as the cool gold of his horned helmet pressed against her skin and Loki chuckled at the desire that now flooded the silver of her eyes.

"You never fail to intrigue me, my dear," he murmured before setting his skilled mouth to her painfully aroused centre.

She could not suppress the moan of pleasure that burst from her lips and Loki responded with a groan of approval as she grasped the two horns of his helmet tightly, forcing him even deeper between her legs.

And just as the heat boiling in her body was ready to explode, Lìa felt Loki's touch disappear entirely. A fierce cry of frustration ripped from her at the cruel denial of her pleasure and her eyes flew open, ready to glare furiously at Loki.

But he was nowhere to be seen. Lìa stared around his tiny cell incredulously. Where could he have possibly gone?

With shaking legs she stepped forward. "Loki?" she called warily.

His deep, velvet voice sounded behind her. "Yes?"

Lìa whipped round to see him leaning against the table, his arms crossed and a smug glint in his eyes. She scowled at him and began marching over to him. "You devious little..." But before she could finish, the hand that had been about to grab Loki's leather-bound arm passed straight through it and his illusion disappeared from existence, grinning as it went.

Lìa's whole body trembled with anticipation, a combination of arousal and apprehension. She was certain he was toying with her, punishing her after she had ridiculed him earlier. Staggering backwards, she suddenly froze as she felt a cool finger sweep the copper curls from her shoulder, his lips finding the exposed skin of her neck. He whispered in her ear, his tone magnificently dangerous.

"I think mischievous is a far better description, my dear."

Lìa rolled her eyes and flew round, only for her fingers to find thin air again. She breathed deeply as she glanced all around her, searching desperately for a flash of green. Her breath hitched in her throat however as she felt something delicately brush between her legs, the mere, unexpected touch nearly enough to send her rocketing over the edge. His skilled teasing was enough to drive any woman mad but the presence of the Aether in her blood seemed to heighten every feeling, making it positively torturous.

"That's not fair..." she gasped through gritted teeth, her brow pulled into a frown.

Loki's touch vanished again and his deep voice rumbled behind her.

"My sincerest apologies."

She glanced over her shoulder to see him leant against the far wall, looking infuriatingly pleased with himself. Throwing a glare at him, Lìa turned her attention to the other Loki that had appeared before her, perched again on the edge of the table. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of falling for his tricks again; he'd had enough fun for one day. Taking a deep breath, she fixed her grey eyes on the Loki in front of her and pounced.

But she was wrong again.

She passed straight through the illusion and the real Loki, the one that been leant against the wall the entire time, threw her onto the table from behind. She yelped in shock only for the noise to get caught in her throat and escape as gasps of pleasure instead as he thrust within her and didn't stop until she was absolutely exhausted. So exhausted in fact, that he had to carry her to his bed as her legs just wouldn't comply, much to his amusement.

And it was in his bed that she had drifted in and out of sleep ever since, trying desperately to curb her searing infatuation of the man next to her that was threatening to completely consume her.

Stupid, arrogant prince.


Loki had been watching Lìa sleep for a little while now and his thoughts refused to stop racing. She fascinated him but he was starting to feel a little concerned at just how easily and intensely she had totally captivated him. Perhaps he should try and distance himself from her for a little while.

No. Even the thought of it was utterly abhorrent.

Sighing deeply, he cast his gaze over her sleeping form again, noticing with a pang of concern that her bones were looking just a little more prominent then they had been the other day. She was undeniably strong but the Aether was still taking its toll on her and he seriously doubted that the guards would be feeding her a lot after her altercation with Odin, if at all. He would have to ensure that she got some of his food although trying to keep her healthy seemed like a double edged sword. She would just wither away if he did nothing but the Aether would also thrive off any nourishment given to her, as if it were some sinister unborn child.

Loki suddenly felt a rush of horror. Why hadn't he considered it earlier? Three days earlier to be precise. Reaching over, he shook Lìa's shoulder firmly.

"Lìa wake up."

She stirred, turning her head to scowl sleepily at him. "I don't know whether to hate you or to despise you after what you've done to me."

Loki laughed but only briefly, still very much gripped by his concern. "Lìa, please tell me you'd taken suitable...precautions in light of our recent activities."

Lìa frowned at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Loki sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Midgard's strange depictions of Asgard contain tales where I father multiple illegitimate children. I would rather like that not to be the case."

He watched Lìa's eyes widen as she finally got his meaning. He was a little taken aback when she scoffed; it didn't seem like a wholly unreasonable question.

"You needn't worry about that, Loki," she finally replied, her voice just a touch bitter. "I was told a long time ago that it would be extremely unlikely I would ever be able to conceive."

"How come?" The words had come out of his mouth before he could even consider if they were appropriate. That didn't worry him, of course, but the fact that he had even bothered to ask at all. Burying his conflicting thoughts, he waited for her response.

Lìa seemed like she could be barely bothered to voice her reply. "Just the usual story. Mother dies young, father can't cope so drowns his grief in alcohol and descends into a fit of rage if his children even so much as breathe at the wrong time." Her eyes darkened and her voice became monotonous, losing all of its emotion. "They say after his worst episode I didn't wake for nearly a week. The wounds on the surface faded over time but I was left with some lasting scars."

A frown had passed over Loki's face at her words. "And that's why you decided to train as a warrior?"

Lìa nodded, still not meeting his gaze. "How very perceptive of you. The long training hours provided an adequate distraction with the eventual prospect of relocation to the palace or some distant battlefield. Oh, and they actively encouraged hacking things to pieces with a blade."

Reaching across to her, Loki placed two fingers under her chin, raising her head gently so she was looking him in the eye. "You never cease to amaze me, Lìa."

She finally smiled then. "My upbringing may also be the reason why I am so fiercely intolerant of fathers who blame the reasons for their children's messed up lives on anyone but themselves."

Loki stared at her, feeling something stir within him. It wasn't desire, it was something unfathomably deeper than that. All he knew was that he had to kiss her...

His lips had been inches from hers when the sound of distant footsteps began to grow louder as they descended into the depths.

Loki snarled in irritation. "Could they have picked a more inconvenient time to inspect the prisons?"

Lìa rolled her eyes at Loki's overreaction. "It doesn't matter. If they look into either of our cells they'll just see your illusions."

"Lìa," Loki sighed impatiently. "You were that exhausted earlier that you could barely walk and that was only after enduring what I gave to you. I on the other hand have had to maintain two separate illusions, not counting the one that you saw. And that doesn't even take into account the toll of my own exertions." He broke off to glare at Lìa who was biting her lip, looking very much like she was trying not to giggle. "I don't know if I even have enough energy left to get you back to your cell but I guess we'll soon find out. Now, as much as I loathe saying it, will you please put your clothes back on."

Lìa gave up trying not to laugh then but she did comply and once they were both suitably dressed, Loki took hold of her arm and vanished them back into her bare cell.

Looking around in disgust, Lìa sighed. "Is this what it looks like? I'd almost forgotten."

Loki towered over her, staring at her intensely as he swept some curls behind her ear. "Give me a few hours of sleep and then, I promise, I'll come and get you."

"Don't keep me waiting too long," she teased, stretching up to kiss him. Loki growled as she tried to deepen the kiss and he broke it forcefully.

"I swear you'll be the end of me woman." His eyes snatched to the sound of the imminently arriving guards and by the time she had blinked he had already gone.


Lìa had just been drifting off to sleep herself when the most horrendous roar ripped through the prison, quickly followed by a deafening explosion that shook the very walls of her cell. A tense silence flooded back, only to be shattered by the horrifying scream of a man. A cacophony of cries then broke out, some guttural, some panicked and within a matter of minutes the corridor outside of her cell had descended into mayhem as it filled with prisoners who had somehow broken out of their cells.

Only a pitiful number of guards responded to the disaster and the reason soon became glaringly obvious as several, far more severe explosions sounded above her head. It wasn't just the prisons that were under attack.

Lìa threw herself to her feet, storming over to the golden wall of her cell and craning her neck to try and see what had allowed all the prisoners to suddenly break free. The answer sent ice shooting down her spine.

An impossibly huge creature came to stand before her, its scale-like armour seemingly fused with its skin. Eight horns adorned its head and its unsettling, white eyes were fixed intently on her. Panic flooded her as it balled one hand into a fist and raised it, as if it was going to try and smash through the wall of her cell. It didn't get very far before Loki's voice sounded over the bedlam, its tone harsh and yet somehow still velvety.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

The creature tore its gaze from Lìa and turned to look at Loki instead. "The girl comes with me," it snarled.

Lìa felt her stomach clench at the thought but Loki didn't seem as concerned. "Debatable. But either way, if you smash through that wall, the energy that it releases will have a rather profound effect on the woman you seek and it won't work out in your favour."

Loki's words confused Lìa. If what he was saying was true, that the energy that would be freed would empower her enough to subdue the repulsive creature before her, then why was he discouraging it? And then it struck her. The reality was most likely the complete opposite. Such a surge in energy could be too much for her to take and with her dead, the Aether would enter the next available and suitable host, undeniably being this armoured creature. Either way, it was too much of a risk to take.

Squaring her shoulders, she addressed the monster before her. "I will go with you." She flinched, almost feeling the heat of Loki's glare through the wall that connected their cells.

"No." The amount of ferocity in the one word was incredible. She waited for him to appear, to restrain her, but seconds passed and she remained alone. She could only imagine the maddening infuriation he had to have been feeling, especially since the loss of his power was purely his own doing.

The creature had turned back to face her now and Lìa swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice steady. "But please, spare the architecture and press the panel to your right." After a moment's consideration, it did as she asked and the iridescent, golden wall flickered before disappearing altogether. Jumping out of her cell, Lìa began to walk forward, deeply aware of her monstrous captor beside her. As she passed Loki's cell, she risked a glance in his direction.

"Lìa..." he growled, his eyes desperate, every muscle tensed.

Not even a drop of fear leaked into her voice. "I will give your father your regards."

Despite the danger of the situation, a smile threatened at Loki's pursed lips as he suddenly understood her intent. "Might I suggest the stairs to the left then."

With that she was violently shoved forward and escorted up the left-hand staircase until they emerged above ground and were thrown into the battlefield that had once been Asgard's palace. Her captor quickly got distracted by the torrent of golden warriors that launched themselves at it and Lìa ceased her opportunity, running and ducking through the mass of fighting bodies that filled the palace's airy chambers.

The army that had descended on Asgard wasn't particularly grotesque, not like the creature that had stolen her from the prisons, but was rather more unnerving. White masks covered their faces and their eyes just looked like bottomless, empty abysses. The weapons they fought with also made the Asgardian warriors look like they were carrying no more than twigs. One threw a grenade into the air only for anything and anyone who got caught in its blast radius to be sucked into its implosion and erased from existence a few seconds later.

Lìa forced herself to keep moving; she had to find somewhere quiet to gather her thoughts and formulate a plan, if that was possible. She hadn't got much further before someone grabbed her arm and pulled at it. She had been about to scream when she realised the touch wasn't aggressive but soft, albeit with an undeniable urgency. Whipping round, her eyes bulged in shock as she caught sight of the queen who was frantically trying to direct her through a doorway and into a corridor that was thankfully devoid of any enemies. Lìa knew she had little choice but to follow and, slamming the door shut behind her, she started down the corridor after Frigga, almost struggling to keep up with her.

"You are not to question anything I tell you, you are only to do it immediately." Her voice was firm and yet still kind and Lìa nodded her head sharply; now was not the time to complicate matters.

And so, following the queen's orders exactly, Lìa found herself hiding behind a pillar in what she presumed one of the many rooms of the royal quarters, anxiously waiting for the inevitable arrival of Malekith, the Dark Elf whom she had presumed dead, as the stories had told. She was hardly surprised, however, that he was alive what with the fact that the same stories had claimed that the Aether had been destroyed. It was simmering under her skin currently and Lìa tried to keep calm for Frigga had warned her that Malekith could sense its presence, hence why he had bothered coming to Asgard in the first place.

She strained her hearing as Frigga's voice sounded in the next room, followed by a deeper, more hostile voice. A battle raged in her mind; the queen had told her under no circumstances was she to leave this room but at the same time she couldn't just leave her in the hands of Malekith. Gritting her teeth, she grabbed the folds of her dress and began to sprint towards the door but the piercing scream of agony that ripped through the air told her she was too late.

Bursting into the room, she sagged against the pillar beside her at the sight of the queen's limp and bloody body lay on the floor. Thor had already caused Malekith to flee and Odin was knelt by Frigga, cradling the corpse of his wife and muttering softly. He raised his head at the sound of Lìa's entrance and for once, she faltered under his tear-filled gaze.

She let herself be escorted back to the prisons without struggling, utterly devoid of any desire or energy to do so. Bodies littered the corridors, the torches on the walls casting sinister reflections in the pools of blood that seeped from them. Horror shredded through her as she caught sight of a guard outside of Loki's cell, presumably informing him of Frigga's murder. Loki must have dismissed the guard for he bowed his head and left, bringing Loki into sight. He froze as he caught sight of Lìa and she felt almost sick as she stared into the hate-filled chasms of despair that had replaced his eyes. He only looked at her for a few seconds before snatching his head away and Lìa could barely breathe. She was shoved into her original cell, since it was the only one beside Loki's that hadn't been destroyed, and the golden wall ebbed back into life, trapping her once more.

Throwing her head into her hands, Lìa sank down onto the floor, not even bothering to attempt to hold back the ocean of tears that burst from her.

What had she done?