Chapter Seven:
'Asgard's going through a rough time, Lady Silva' Loki whispered quietly as he sat in Silva's room.
He leaned out of the arm chair, his elbows stationed on his knees. Silva thought he never looked as attractive as now; a menacing look on his face, the intensity of his gaze, slowly flexing his jaw.
She cleared her throat and took a seat opposite him. 'What kind of trouble is Asgard in?'
'Frost Giants' The words turned Silva cold, her expression hardening.
'Are we in danger of being under attack?' She locked gazes with Loki, he stared at her steadily. He could easily mask his feelings but looking at his eyes, Silva could see Anguish, Anger, and Resentment.
'If Thor comes back, we'll be in grave danger' He straightened and gazed at the un-lit brazier. With a flick of his wrist the brazier was glowing with flames.
'Thank you' Silva smiled, 'You were saying…' She turned serious again.
'If Thor returns then he'll rage war against Johtenheim, and that isn't very wise. Only if I could keep Thor on Midgard for a few months then I might solve this whole predicament without using our resources. Asgard is not ready for war, no trained legions, the generals turning soft from all the banquets they've been going to and the All-Father in his Odin-sleep'
Silva sat quietly as she listened to him. Loki had spoken with such determination that he had probably thought this over. After he had finished he glanced at her, his emerald eyes pierced her.
'I presume you've thought this over, your highness? What makes you think Thor will come back?' She tugged a loose strand behind her ear.
Loki's gaze rested on Silva's hands for a few heartbeats, Her breathing started to turn ragged, she was have a hard time breathing. The whole room turned too warm.
'Sire?' She pulled him out of his reverie.
'The Warriors Three' his eyes travelled up to her face.
'What about them? You don't think they're plotting against you?'
'I don't think, I know so' He got up quickly and started stalking back and forth. 'Thus comes your part'
Silva's ears perked up, 'Me? What can I possibly do?'
He stopped walking and glanced up at her from hooded eyes, 'You've got powers, and you can fight just as good as any warrior in the royal guards'
'How will that help you in stopping their plotting?'
She was really puzzled now, what could he possibly use her powers for?
'You ask too many questions' he chuckled. 'You won't stop them, I could never put you in such danger' he whispered softly, turning Silva's insides into mush.
'Then what am I to do to help you?' She asked eagerly, too eagerly.
His eyes shone for a second but he sat back in his chair, his fingers laced before his face. 'I want you to keep an eye on them'
She felt a sinking in her chest; this was what he wanted her to do.
Disappointment was written all over her face, somewhere deep down in the pits of her body she had fanaticized of something else. Loki had mistaken her disappointment for hesitation. He unlaced his fingers and placed them on her knees, she felt a jolt through her body, and he seemed affected by it too.
'You will be in no danger, I promise' he murmured, 'I couldn't bear putting you through trouble'
Why did these words turn Silva mad? Her breathing came loudly now, her chest heaving wildly. That intense cord pulling them together could be felt by both of them, Silva knew that quiet well. It was all she could think of but Loki… He gave away nothing. His face sculptured into a stoic expression.
'I can do that' she murmured quietly, averting her eyes somewhere else.
'Thank you'
She cleared her throat, 'What exactly am I keeping my eyes on?'
'I want to know whether they'll try to go to Midgard, if they do much as mention Midgard to you, You must come tell me' He said quickly, his jaws clenching. 'Understood?'
'Yes, your highness' she whispered, her eyes widening.
'You swear to obey me, now?' he relaxed in his seat, relief on his face. 'You have to promise yourself to me'
She quickly got up and fell to her knees; something strange was working inside her. This was not her; she did not just go falling to her knees for a king. She cast her eyes downward and started reciting words from an old book she read about oaths. A dark shadow started circling her wrist, and then slowly making its way to Loki's. He extended his arm and the dark cord twisted around their hands, bounding them by oath.
'Do you swear to serve me?' He asked his voice gruff.
'Yes'
'And to obey my every command?'
The cord got darker and tighter as she replied; 'yes'
'What is spoken between us will be discussed with no one' he ordered.
'Yes, my king' she couldn't bear the tightness around her wrist.
'Now, we are bound by oath' he whispered.
Everything turned black and Silva sank into Loki's arms, 'Sleep well, my snowy spy'
*o*O*o*
She had actually agreed to help him; she had become his spy. Loki felt thrilled, exhilarated. It was all too good to be true. She was fooled easily, why that thought made him uncomfortable, he didn't know. If she finds out the lie in his words she might never wish to speak to him again…He'll have to worry about that later.
He sat in her room, on the arm chair. He hadn't moved after resting her on the bed. She looked so serene and peaceful that by looking at her he might be as untroubled as her.
He felt horrible all of a sudden, disgusted even. She was the only thing that had caught his eyes since a long time, she stirred strange feelings in him that he had never experienced before. She doesn't deserve what he was putting her through. Loki felt guilty, it shocked him to do so. He shook his head dismissingly; He was a Frost Giant, he should not have these feelings. This thing he yearned for with her should be forgotten. He was a monster, he couldn't involve himself with her, he had seen how her face hardened at the mention of Frost Giants, she'll be enraged if she found out.
She mustn't know, he thought bitterly.
He'll just keep a distance between the both of them. Just keep it professional.
You're sitting in her room watching her sleep, you idiot. A small voice taunted him.
Blast his brains; he couldn't bring himself to leave. He didn't want to.
*o*O*o*
The sun blazed through Silva's window, sending blue crystals' shadows dancing over her face. She felt horrible and groggy, her head crowded with yesterday's encounter with Loki. She hugged herself miserably; she had agreed to spy for him. She had gone against all she believed in to please him…wait. Was she trying to please him or to bring back her sister? She had promised to do anything for Laena. Laena…
Silva wanted to blast herself out of the room into oblivion. She had been enjoying her night yesterday, fooling around and dining without ever thinking about the younger sister that was frozen and paralyzed. Hot tears threatened to fall and after much thought; she gave in to the tears and started into uncontrollable sobs. She was a horrible person, using her sister's state to enjoy the lavishness of the royal palace, using the Kingdom's problems to get closer to the king! Why couldn't she be normal? Why didn't she just let the Frost Giants kill her when they had the chance?
'Silva!' The deep voice surprised her. Wasn't it morning already, what was the king of Asgard doing in her chamber?
She didn't want him to see her like this, she never let anyone see her crying. So she did the only possible thing she could do. She masked herself with invisibility and sat quietly, wanting him to leave her alone.
*o*O*o*
Loki had dozed off by the brazier in Silva's room. The last thing his eyes saw before shutting was her small figure twisted between the bed sheets.
He had woken up to a strange, strangled noise. He shot up from his chair, feeling alarmed. His gaze fell on Silva's hunched body in the middle of the bed. She had her arms around her legs, her chin on her knees. Fresh tears streamed down her face, chocked sobs escaped her lips. Loki felt something in him twisting in agony. He wanted nothing more but to rush to her and hold her tight…What the hell was he thinking?
'Silva!' He called, barely recognizing his voice.
Her eyes widened at him, her blue eyes milky and red from crying. Her lips redder than ever. He had some trouble breathing.
Before she answered him, she disappeared.
'Damn!' he muttered as he slammed his fist against his thigh. He threw himself back on his chair.
'Loki, you're a complete idiot' he told himself.
He heard another choking sound which made him quickly turn around in his seat. There was no one on the bed but he could still hear a faint sobbing. He saw the bed sheets slightly move. She was there! Silva surprised Loki at every turn.
'Silva?' he called softly but no reply came, 'I can hear you'
'No, you can't' she sniffed, still invisible.
Loki found himself chuckling, 'Show yourself'
'I don't want to'
He frowned and crossed over to her bed and sat on the edge. 'Why are you crying?'
'I'm not crying' she replied calmly, no more choking noises and suddenly there she was, right infront of him that he could smell her jasmine scent. He inhaled sharply. She looked…beautiful.
'Really?' then these are not tears' he taunted her with a smile. He reached out and brushed a tear away from her rosy cheeks.
He froze. What has he done?
Silva stared at the hand cupping her cheeks then back at Loki's shocked expression. His will power had disappeared, leaving him yearning to lean down and kiss Silva's flushed red lips.
