CHAPTER 9
The next day was like any other. Lina awoke, readied herself for the day, went to the dining hall to get breakfast, and then joined Thor at the practice field. She noticed Loki sitting in the stands, book in hand. He was lost in it. She wondered what he was reading, but was suddenly interrupted by her walking into Thor.
"Be careful, little one," he teased. He looked up towards the stands. "I wonder why he's here."
Lina shrugged. "Doesn't matter for you, sir. I have something to show you." She pulled out her bow. Thor inspected it.
"It's very well made, just like your sword." He handed it back to her. "Show me what you can do with it.
With a smile spreading across her face, Lina placed her bag of food and water on the side and readied her bow. She started pulling back on the bowstring without an arrow and Thor laughed.
"You seem to be missing something."
Smirking, Lina continued to pull on the string until the blue arrow from before presented itself. She released, hitting directly in the center of the target Thor had prepared for her. She felt not only Thor's eyes on her but Loki's as well. In her excitement the night before she didn't get to tell him about her present.
"Impressive. Let us continue training."
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At dinner, Lina sat next to Frigga in her usual spot. She had a smile on her face the entire time, glancing at Loki every once in a while. His eyes were fixed upon her. He was happy to see her wearing the necklace he gave her, as well as happy to see her smiling so often.
There was a feeling within him that was fully awakened. He was genuinely happy.
"I see a new light in my son," Frigga commented, looking at Lina. "Do you have any idea what that's about, dear?"
Lina blushed. "He's found his 'happily ever after', my lady," she replied.
Frigga chuckled to herself. "I'm glad. I wouldn't have picked a better ending for him if I tried."
Lina's smile seemed to light up even more. She was happy the queen knew and approved. Her actions had finally gained the approval of someone other than her father. For so long she was used to getting lectures about how she wasn't doing anything right. Being in Asgard, though, had brought her to see that not everything she did was a failure.
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"Loki, can you help me with my necklace please?"
He walked over to her as she moved her braid out of the way for him to undo the clasp on her necklace. His fingers skimmed her skin as he lifted the clasp. She gasped. He smiled.
"Something wrong?" he asked.
"Your fingers are so cold," she replied, turning to face him when he had taken the necklace off.
"I'm told that quite often."
Lina frowned at the statement as she took the necklace from him. She knew who had made the comments to him, but she didn't want to think of his past actions with other women.
"Are you going to stay here while I bathe? I won't be too long."
"Or…" Loki started, an evil smirk gracing his lips. "I could join you." He walked towards her, a lusty look in his eyes.
Lina backed up towards the wall, his chest pressed against hers. She felt his hands move to her waist. Her eyes were locked in his, the green coldness melting away as the fires of passion warmed them. She looked down and shook her head.
"This is not how you court a lady," she proclaimed moving away from him.
He sighed. "I shall wait out here then?"
"Yes you will." She smiled at him warmly as if to apologize then disappeared into her washroom.
She bathed quickly and rejoined Loki. He was reading the same book she saw him with at the field today as he laid down on her bed.
"What are you reading?" she asked, bumping her head into his as she laid next to him.
"I found another Midgardian story book in the library and thought you would want to see it." He sat up and repositioned himself so that he was laying on her lap as they used to do. "Read."
Lina giggled and shook her head. She looked through the book and instead of reading, she set it aside.
"Why are you not reading?"
"We have many more nights to read together." She ran her fingers through his dark hair, his eyes closing in comfort. He observed his features as he lay there. He was wearing a green, long sleeved shirt with a v opening that exposed his collarbone and some of his chest. He wore long pants and had kicked off his boots when he climbed onto the bed. "Loki," she said.
His eyes opened gently. "Yes, my flower?"
She enjoyed her new nickname. "Are you okay with my not being as…experienced as some of your past encounters?"
Loki looked at her as lovingly as he could. "It doesn't matter what you have or haven't experienced yet," he replied. He reached up and took her face in his hands. "I want you for all that you are: your wit, your humor, your kindness."
Lina smiled, relief washing over her face. "You do realize how long you'll have to wait, right?
"I'll wait as long as I must," he replied. "Even if it'll be hell waiting for you, you're worth it."
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They spent many nights reading, laughing, and talking to each other. They spent lots of time together, Loki rarely staying in his room because he was with Lina. He never wanted to leave her side.
One day, Lina woke up next to Loki, their bodies entwined in one another. She looked up at his sleeping face, enjoying the peaceful he held as he rested.
Slowly he stirred and looked down at her wondering eyes. "Good morning," he grunted.
"Good morning," she replied. She didn't want to leave his side. She would have stayed in bed like that all day if she could have. She thought back to time when she was younger and her father described love to her. He said it would elate her, make her feel something she never had before. The amount of happiness she would gain would never be equated by another. And he was right.
Quick taps at the door caused Lina to break her hold with Loki to answer it. She opened the door to see a servant on the other side. "His majesty wishes to see you and Prince Loki." The servant looked purely terrified, her hands shaking uncontrollably.
"I shall see to it that we make it there soon. Is everything alright?" Lina asked, concern spreading across her face.
The servant nodded unconvincingly, turned away from Lina, and walked hurriedly away.
"That was odd," Lina told Loki as she shut the door. He was sitting up in bed stretching out his arms as he adjusted to the morning.
"Probably still alarmed that I'm here so often," he said.
Lina disapproved of the image he had for himself in the castle. She ignored the idea for the time being. She felt something wasn't right. Hurriedly, she dressed herself in her training outfit, grabbed her bow and sword, and put on her boots.
"Someone's in a rush today," Loki commented. He was always ready before her because he used his magic to aid his daily tasks.
"Something's wrong. I feel it."
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"Father?" Loki called out. He and Lina stood in the throne room, but no one was there to greet them. No guards, no servants, no Odin.
"My lord?" Lina's attempt also failed.
Then a cold laugh sent shivers down Lina's spine. It was a familiar laugh. Too familiar.
A woman stepped out from behind Odin's throne. She wore a black, floor-length gown and had jet black hair similar to Loki's. She wore a cloak with a hood that concealed her identity. She glided down the stairs of the throne down to where Lina and Loki stood.
Loki stood protectively in front of Lina as the woman approached. He unsheathed his sword and pointed it at her. "Reveal yourself."
The woman laughed again. "My dearest Loki. You should put that away before you hurt yourself." Her words were more icy than Loki's when he was having a bad day. "Lina, Lina, Lina…" She circled Lina and Loki. "My how you've grown."
Lina glared at her.
"Oh come now, Lina." The woman stepped towards Lina. "Is this any way to greet your sister?"
Hope you enjoy!
-sparrowlina
