Chapter Nine
"Stay." Loki pleaded with his eyes as he let out a long, exasperated sigh. He knew Kalah wasn't going anywhere, and quite frankly, he was too exhausted at all they had been through during the last two days, to keep trying to contain her. Her small nod reassured him that it was now safe to release the tight grip he had on her wrists, and he did just that as he crawled off of her and slid to the edge of the bed.
"Loki… I'm waiting. Tell me… what are you? Really? I have a right to know." Kalah asked as she moved to a seated position, while rubbing her now-sore wrists.
His eyes were ashamed and resentful as he looked back at her, and she swore that she saw a small, timid, scared little boy, instead of a King.
"I am what he said. I have Jotun blood running cold through my veins, Kalah… just like ice. You have a right to hate me, apparently hating the likes of me was engrained into you as a child." Loki could see the wetness begin to build in her grey eyes as her small body shirked away from him.
"… but how? You look nothing like the giants… I touched you…" A pink blush spread across her cheeks. "… you were inside of me, Loki. How could I not have known?"
"My father was the Jotun King Lau-"
"Laufey? Your father was Laufey? That's terrifying! The All-Father killed him, right?" She asked as she began to move a little closer to him.
"Yes, Odin killed him… during the war. Odin found me… I was abandoned… left to die by my father. He used his Odinforce to change my appearance into something a little more… acceptable… before he brought me to Asgard. Frigga wanted to keep me, so they did. She taught me the spell to change back into my true form… but that form is hideous." Loki sighed. "Sometimes I wish Odin would have just left me to die. It would have made things easier for everyone, possibly."
He watched as a tear rolled down Kalah's cheek before reaching out to wipe it away with his thumb. He couldn't help but notice the way she tensed at his touch, and realized that now, with his secret in the open, things might be very different between them.
"You have to realize, little mouse, that I am nothing like them… I'm not a savage. Please understand… I know that you could never love me, Kalah. You have fire running through your veins… your heart pumps lovely, mortal, warm blood throughout your body. We could never be together… not truly… could we?"
"I can't say that it's not frightening…" Kalah mentioned as she watched his hand snake it's way into her lap to wrap those long fingers around hers.
"I will not harm you, you must believe that. I will protect you with everything I have… Will you agree to stay here with me?"
Kalah's unsure eyes slowly made their way back up to meet Loki's, and a smirk crept across her lips. "Fire melts ice, right?"
He snickered. "Yes, little one. It most certainly does." The fingers of his free hand moved to toy with the tendrils of silver hair that had fallen to rest on her shoulder, before drifting to place his palm flat over her heart. "The hottest fire I have ever felt was when we were together last night in that cold, snowy shelter. You, little mouse, can definitely melt this icy heart. Now, will you do me the honor of staying in the palace? This could be your home." He could see the emptiness and pain ease across her face as he spoke those words.
"I suppose I have no other home now, do I? I mean, you heard what my… husband said. I can't believe that I had a husband… or have. I don't know, am I still married? Elves tend to only mate with one person for life. We only have relations with one other elf, and they are our life partners. That's it."
"Kalah, you live in Asgard now… I am the King, and I decree that your marriage is null and void. No matter what happened in your village… whatever binds you had to Aearion are dismissed. You shouldn't feel guilty, after all, you are the victim here."
Kalah began to slowly nod her head, but he could tell that she was still hesitant. "You're sure, Loki?"
"Let me say it like this, Kalah. I want you… so now, you will be mine. I am taking you for myself. I'm the King here, I do what I want, and I dare any other man to test that promise. Understand?"
"Yes, Loki."
He smiled as he ducked his head, and placed his lips softly against hers, squeezing her hand tightly. Suddenly, a loud knock startled them out of their reverie.
"Loki! Son, you open this door right now! What is going on?" Frigga's normally beautiful singsong voice came from the other side of the door — only now it was loud and worried.
Loki huffed as he pulled his lips from Kalah's. "I suppose I must answer to my mother. Can you believe it? A god who is a King… still pandering to his mother."
They both chuckled as he made his way to the door, turning the knob to allow a nervous Frigga into his chambers. She was dressed in a long, flowing blue and gold gown that was the most beautiful thing Kalah had ever seen. She tried to keep her mouth from gaping open as she watched Frigga hurry into the room, twisting and wringing her hands.
"Loki, what is happening? I found you missing, and Heimdall told me that you had gone to Jotunheim. Why did you not tell me? Then, one of my girls was getting my dinner and told me that she saw you carrying a screaming woman over your shoulder."
"Yes, mother." Loki sighed. "Where do I start?" He slowly made his way back to his bed before reaching his hand out, prompting her to wrap her fingers around his. "That screaming woman was Kalah, here. We were having a bit of a disagreement… all is well now. She had begun to regain some of her memory, and remembered that she hailed from Jotunheim."
The shocked expression that graced Frigga's face matched Loki's when he found out about Kalah's heritage.
"Jotunheim? But she's an Elf, son… not a giantess!"
"Yes, mother, I am well aware of what she is. Apparently, there are villages of Elves high in the mountains. We were able to find out who she is… and how she ended up here in Asgard. She has had a bit of a painful past… she was treated like an animal, and abandoned to die. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? I've asked her to stay in Asgard."
Frigga's delicate hand went to cover her mouth, as a bit of the tension she was holding in her body was released. "Oh, my darling. I am sorry. You can rest assured that you will be treated fairly here, if you choose to stay, that is." Her eyes drifted up to her son. "Loki, may I see you outside for a moment? Kalah, I am glad you are safe."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
A squeeze from Loki's hand was her cue to release it, and he followed his regal mother out of the room. Kalah began to get nervous, as the Queen didn't look happy when she left. She hoped that she wouldn't convince Loki to send her away, as she didn't know where she would go… she wanted to stay in Asgard— with him. While he was gone, she made herself useful when she spotted a small stack of firewood resting beside the large, grey stone fireplace. With a small strip of kindling, she successfully lit a lovely fire in the fireplace that rivaled any bonfire she had ever seen.
Watching the orange and red flames flicker and lick at the sides of the fireplace seemed to put her in a trance. She hadn't had time since they arrived back in Asgard to think about what had happened in Jotunheim. The thought of having such a life as what Aearion had described shocked her. She didn't know what she would find there, but that certainly wasn't it. Now, she could feel the pain of the loss of her sons. She remembered the heartbreak she endured at seeing their lifeless bodies being carried away from her… and suddenly, she remembered the soreness that resided in her throat from mourning for her tiny babies. Maybe that was too much for Aearion? Why did he not fight for her? Why had he not defended her in front of his father? Those questions would never be answered now. She laid down on the rug before the fire— she was exhausted and devastated, and before she knew it, her wet and reddened eyes had drifted closed.
"Kalah? Wake up, little mouse."
She stirred as she heard the soothing male voice she was growing to love, radiating into her ear. Slowly, her eyes opened and she realized that she must have fallen asleep in front of the fire… only now, she was in Loki's bed and no longer in her armor. The beautiful, thin, silk green gown she wore now was immaculate. The intricate lacework around her breasts was something that she had never seen before. Certainly much different than the tough armor she was used to wearing. She looked over to Loki, who laid beside her naked underneath the sheet, questioning what had happened.
"When I returned from speaking with my mother, you had built a fire and were sleeping on the floor before it. I changed your clothes and slid you into bed, and you've been asleep ever since. It's morning now, little one. Breakfast will be here shortly, and you need to eat."
"I've been asleep all this time?"
"Yes, you were exhausted."
"What about you? Have you been sleeping as well?" Kalah asked as she pulled the sheet back up to cover herself.
"I'm a god, my darling… we don't need much sleep." He winked at her. Truth be known, he had spent most of the night watching her as she slept. He was having a hard time coming to terms with their Jotunheim visit, and as he watched her, he wondered how other beings could treat someone so beautiful and innocent so horribly. She could easily be dead right now, but luckily she rested warmly next to him in his bed. He thanked the norns for that.
"Does your mother not like me, Loki?"
After a moment he answered her. "She likes you, darling… She wants you to be safe and remain in the palace— I told her more about your past, and she feels terrible for you…" He sighed as his long fingers trailed over her shoulder and down her arm. "… I also told her that I like you very much, and that will take some getting used to for her. She didn't know that I felt that strongly for you. She did warn me, however, that my brother will be returning to Asgard soon, and he might not agree with my decision of taking you into my home… and my bed."
The familiar unwelcome feeling of sadness slithered into her mind. "Oh… You don't think he'll like me?"
"It's not that, Kalah. It will just take some time for him to get used to an… Elf… being around. Once he gets to know you, he'll love you… just as I do. Besides, I don't really care about what my dim-witted brother thinks about you. All that matters are my feelings. Don't you agree?"
"I suppose so, Loki." Kalah still didn't understand what was so wrong with being an Elf. Her kind was absolutely revered in some places. They were almost gods in a sense, themselves. It seemed like being an Elf in Asgard was something altogether different, though.
"My King? I've got your breakfast!" A voice came from the other side of the door.
"Coming, Astrid!" Loki swept his feet off the side of the bed and into his green silk bedpants, before hurrying to unlock his chamber door, allowing the older lady in.
"Your Majesty… Kalah, I am glad to see you here, dear." Astrid said as she placed the large tray on the table.
"Thank you, Astrid. I am glad to be here."
"Well, I will leave you both to eat." She said with a bow, before scurrying out and closing the door behind her.
Loki removed the lid, fixed Kalah a plate and took it to her, before making himself one and taking his place on the bed next to her. She was so hungry, that she finished her whole plate before Loki even got started. He could tell that something was on her mind, as she stared at her empty plate with a thoughtful expression.
"Kalah? What's wrong? Your mood has changed dramatically over the last few minutes."
"I just… I don't want to be a bother to anyone. If I am not wanted here, then I can leave. Loki, I'll survive… even if I'm not meant to be here."
"What makes you say that? I think I have made it very clear that I want you here."
"I know. Although, you and Astrid may be the only ones."
"Anyone that disagrees with me can go to Hel, my dear."
Suddenly, she couldn't help but feel self-conscious. She didn't want to be the center of the gossip in Asgard… the Elf-girl on the arm of the King. She didn't want to be looked down upon, nor did she want to disgrace Loki. He wanted her, sure… but she knew that most of the time people wanted things that were bad for them.
Maybe Asgard wasn't the place for her… she didn't know where her place was anymore. Maybe she should do the right thing and save Loki the embarrassment of being seen with her… the only way to do that would be to leave Asgard. It wouldn't be easy, after all, her first attempt failed.
This one would have to be planned much, much better, and she hoped her feelings wouldn't get in the way…
