Chapter Ten

"My darling, wake up…"

Kalah breathed deeply, and stretched her arms and legs in opposite directions, letting the silky sheet glide against her bare skin. The deep whisper that woke her was accompanied by slender fingers lightly moving her hair from her face, before a cool pair of lips pressed against hers. After a moment, the lips disappeared and Kalah slowly opened her eyes to see a fully clothed, raven-haired god perched on the edge of the bed.

"Mmm, my sweet girl. You are stunning in the morning light." Loki's hand crept down her side, over her ribcage, and further down to her bare hip, giving the soft flesh there a gentle squeeze. "How I wish I could stay here with you… in this warm bed… with my hips nestled in between your delicious thighs."

A smirk graced Kalah's lips. "Well, why don't you then? I'd like that very much, Loki."

He smiled as he looked down upon his long, leather-armor clad body. "I've got duties to attend to today, little one."

The past couple of days had been wonderful with Loki— they had spent their time eating divine food, getting to know each other, and making frenzied, passionate love as often as they could. Being with a god was certainly addicting, as he immersed her body in pleasure that she never knew existed. He knew exactly how to touch her… what to say… and how to kiss her, to make her literally beg for more— and she had loved every minute of it.

As all good things do, their time alone together was coming to an end. This morning, Loki had to rise early and maintain his position as King, while Odin was in his Odinsleep. She didn't know what time it was, but it had to be early, judging from the amount of light that filtered through the balcony curtains.

"I must go. I just wanted to bid you farewell. Go back to sleep." He leaned forward placing a soft kiss on her forehead before exiting the room. She loved being here with him, and had almost reconsidered her plan of leaving Asgard, and Loki, behind. Kalah turned onto her side and grinned sheepishly, easily drifting back into a deep, comfortable sleep.

Two hours later, she was startled awake when a knock fell onto the chamber door. She squinted her eyes and looked around, finding that her robe was draped over the chair by the fireplace, and she stumbled toward it in her still half-asleep state. She didn't have enough time between the knock and the opening of the door, however, to get herself covered up, and was soon faced with Queen Frigga.

In her years of hunting, Kalah had learned that when you are threatened, you freeze in place— and that's exactly what she did. Here she was, standing beside Loki's grand bed, hair tousled— exposing her completely naked body, and all of Loki's dark love-bites that laid against her nearly translucent skin, to the Queen. 'What a lovely way to wake up.' Kalah thought to herself as she snapped out of her shock and reached back to wrap her fingers around the bedsheet, quickly pulling it off the bed and around her body.

It took Frigga a moment to gather her thoughts as she gazed at her son's nude Elven companion. "Oh… I'm… I'm sorry. I was looking for my son."

"I'm sorry too, My Queen. I wasn't expecting you, or I would have been dressed! Loki left early to hold court in the Throne Room… he said he needed to catch up on some business."

"Yes, he certainly does. Business he couldn't attend to from the comfort of his bed. I'm sure he would much rather spend his time here with you, but he is the acting King. He has important responsibilities, Kalah, and it seems like he has become addicted to you, young lady." Frigga sighed, her tone resonating of disappointment. "Thor is to return this morning, and I wanted to alert Loki. I will find him in the Throne Room. Thank you."

With that, the Queen turned and made her regal way back through the door, slamming it behind her. Kalah's head began to spin, and at that moment, she wished that the floor would just open and swallow her up. That interaction was enough to re-affirm her decision to leave… and she would have to do it today.

A different, heavier knock fell on the door, but this person was waiting to be invited in. Thank goodness. A sweet voice drifted through the dark wood. "Kalah, it's Astrid. I have your breakfast, dear."

"Oh! Come in, Astrid!"

The older lady came through the door, balancing the silver breakfast tray on top of a large white box. She closed the door with her backside, and placed the breakfast tray on the small table between Loki's chairs, and the box on the end of the bed.

"Dear, whatever is wrong? You have tears in your eyes."

Kalah sighed as she reclaimed her spot on the bed. "The Queen just stopped by, looking for Loki. She made it abundantly clear that she was disappointed that he had been spending so much time with me in his chambers. I embarrassed myself because I exposed my nakedness to her, Astrid. The Queen! How could I do that? Ed' i'ear ar' elenea! I'm so ashamed!"

"Oh no, that's awkward… I'm sorry, dear."

"Astrid, why are elves so hated around here? I have been wanting to ask, but I've been too scared to ask Loki. Everyone here looks at me, either with pity, or utter hatred."

Astrid patted Kalah's leg, motioning for her to move over, and took a seat beside her on the bed.

"Many years ago, a large group of Elves breached the walls of Asgard in the middle of the night, slaughtering a great number of our people. The attack caught the All-Father off guard, and their leader almost killed the Queen— he would have, if Thor and Loki hadn't stopped him. The boys were much younger then. The attack was devastating. Ever since, everyone in Asgard is a bit leery of Elves, no matter how harmless they seem to be."

"Oh… that's horrible. Were they Elves… like me?"

She shook her head. "No, dear. You are what Asgardians call a Silver Elf, and we don't really know much about Silver Elves. These were Dark Elves… nasty dark grey skin… came all the way from Svartalfheim to kill us."

"Well, I suppose it's natural for people to be disgusted by me… especially the Queen." She sighed. "I can't stay here, Astrid. I can't disgrace Loki's name by being with him."

"Kalah, my master has never cared about what others thought of his actions. I can tell that he feels strongly about you… break his heart if you leave, it would."

"No one will ever accept me here. The Queen said that Thor was coming home today, and that's going to be even worse. Loki said that he didn't know if Thor would ever accept me… I just can't take those chances."

"I can't make you stay here, dear. I wish you would. I have seen a change in the King since you arrived… Never has someone gone from complete hatred to absolute love so quickly."

Kalah laughed as a tear rolled down her cheek. "You think he loves me? Really?"

"Really. You're melting his icy heart. Don't tell him I said that icy heart bit! Have my head, he would!" Astrid laughed. "Please take some time and think about this."

"I will."

Astrid nodded and smiled as she patted Kalah's leg one more time before standing up and walking toward the door. "Oh, that box is from the King. There's a note on the top."

"Thank you."

Kalah studied the box as Astrid quietly left the room. The smooth white box was perfect, complete with something very interesting on top. A large black seal adorned the top of the box that consisted of two hissing snakes intertwined with a dagger in the middle. The picture made her shiver… she was not fond of snakes. Underneath the picture, were the words "Created especially for The King of Asgard by the Royal Tailor." She marveled, and ran her fingers over the shimmering ink for a moment before deciding to look at the note that was tucked into the edge of the box. She recognized Loki's handwriting immediately, and even though she wasn't used to reading Loki's language, she made out the words easily:

My Darling Kalah,

You looked so peaceful and beautiful this morning as you slumbered, I almost didn't have the heart to wake you. This day is drawing out long and tedious for me, no doubt, and I cannot wait until I can see you again. I have a special dinner planned for us this night. I want you to wear what is in this box as I parade you around the palace for all of Asgard to see. Have no fear, little one, you belong to me.

Sincerely,

Loki

Oh no. He wanted to parade her around the palace? In front of everyone? Kalah knew that this couldn't happen— it would ruin Loki. His stubborn-ness knew no bounds, and even though he wanted her now, Kalah knew he wasn't thinking about his future. She would have to protect him…

She folded the note and tucked it back into the corner of the box, without even taking the lid off. She didn't want to see what extravagant item rested in there, because sure enough, it would make her want to stay… that wasn't happening. She needed to ignore the temptation.

Loki had made a space for her in his closet, and the only thing that hung in her section so far was the new armor he had made for her. She yanked it off the hanger, making the piece of wood fly wildly across the closet. It didn't take long for Kalah to shimmy into the layers of black and green leather armor, and soon she was kneeling to retrieve her bow and quiver of arrows from underneath the bed. Quickly, she braided her hair around her head, not caring that this time her pale, pointed ears stood proudly away from her head. There was no disguising what she was, and from now on, she wouldn't try.

Kalah wondered if she was making a mistake by leaving. Her heart would always ache for Loki… but she had to do right by him. She knew she could make it to Vanaheim or Alfheim by the time dusk enveloped her, safely getting her away from Asgard. That was her plan… run. She just had to be smarter about it this time.

Taking a seat at Loki's desk, she tore a piece of parchment from his notebook, and composed a few words in pretty lettering… at least she would leave him with that. She threw her bow over her shoulder, opened the door to Loki's chamber, and peeked out. The corridor was completely clear! She stepped over the threshold of the door, quietly turning around to close it, but when she turned back toward the hall, she was face to face with Astrid.

"I was coming to get your breakfast tray… but I see that you have been too busy to eat. Where are you going, Kalah, my dear?" Her voice quickly turning worried.

"I can't stay, Astrid… I told you-"

"I know what you told me. I won't be able to lie for you this time, dear."

"I don't expect you to. I'm sorry… I have to go. Please don't tell him immediately."

"You're going to break his heart…"

"I… I'm sorry. Tell him that."

Astrid nodded and watched as Kalah continued down the hall, finally turning down a corridor to the right.

'Damn it, this is becoming harder than it needs to be.' Kalah thought as she wiped the wetness from her grey eyes. The tears were coming too quickly to be able to see clearly, but she ran as fast as she could until she was safely in the northern tree line. Stopping for a moment to catch her breath, she took one last look at the enormous golden Asgardian Palace. 'Get ahold of yourself, girl… you can't love him that much.'

The cover of the trees made disappearing a breeze, and as long as she didn't get hurt it should be easy to get away for good. She passed the hollow tree where she hid from Loki the last time she tried to escape— the owls were still there and 'whoo-oed' loudly at her as she passed.

"Goodbye, beautiful owls. Sorry for scaring you last time… I promise it won't happen again."

Kalah walked until the dusk threatened to fall. She didn't know how far she had gotten, but it wasn't far enough. She knew she hadn't reached Vanaheim, but she would have to stop for the night. She was adept at constructing shelters in the forest, and quickly built a small lean-to that was just big enough for her. She backed away and looked at it, finally deciding that it was perfectly camouflaged against the brush and trees… no one would find her here. She would have to wait until tomorrow to eat, as she didn't want to hunt anything here and draw attention to herself.

Climbing into her tiny structure, she curled herself into a ball, immediately letting her mind drift to Loki. Surely, by now, he would know that she was gone— again. She hoped he was okay, and she hoped that he wouldn't take it out on Astrid.

She loosened the laces on her chest piece, and as her eyes drifted closed, she could almost feel his hand lightly run up her side, finally stopping on the back of her neck to pull her close for a sweet kiss. She missed him with every inch of her being, and wished for some more of that forgetful potion that placed her in Asgard in the first place. It would be so nice to just forget… but for now, sleep would help.