Chapter Eleven

Loki kept his back turned as he heard Jane getting dressed. She'd recovered quite well despite not having anything to sustain her but they'd return to Asgard within the following morning.

And then she'd be off to find Thor...

Anger whelmed up inside him and his jaw clenched...

"Alright, I'm done." She said behind him as she walked up to him, adjusting the fur around her face. Despite his best attempt to remain impassive to her, he felt his heart warm at her appearance.

He'd been scared...

Down to his very bones...

He shook the unpleasant thought of her nearly dying out of his mind, for she didn't seem at all fazed by it, though he noticed that her mouth was lined with tension. He sensed it was not because of her near death experience. No, it had to be something much deeper. He blinked when she snapped her fingers in front of his face.

"Hello? Anyone in there?" She asked and he saw her brown eyes smiling up at him and he narrowed his gaze at her.

"I was only admiring how ridiculous you look," he quipped while stepping out into the sun. He heard her snort behind him as she followed. She sighed with delight as the sun washed over her and she stretched her arms, wiggling her body as she did so and he watched her, mesmerized.

"So you were admiring me, hmm?" She asked with a teasing glint in her eyes and she wiggled her brows at him, unfazed at the steely glare he gave her. "I admit that wearing furs isn't in my particular wardrobe but it pleases me to know that I pull it off quite well, don't you think?" She asked mockingly and he stared at her before blinking. Clamping his jaw he looked away, hating himself when he found his lips curling up into a grin.

Infuriating woman...

Without replying he walked to the edge and peered down. Jane came to stand behind him and she looked hesitantly over the edge as well. A muffled whistle of awe came from her mouth and he eyed her.

"That's a long way down." She murmured and he snorted while drawing back.

"Yes it is, so be sure to mind your step considering how clumsy you are." He retorted and though his words were icy she only smiled at him, catching him off guard.

"Thank you for reminding me," she murmured and stepped back, placing her hands behind her back as she looked out over the thick forest. "So," she huffed while looking over her shoulder at him, "how am I going to get down then?"

He snorted while stepping up beside her. He opened his mouth to reply when he felt it. He closed his mouth and narrowed his eyes, scanning the thick trees below him. Jane saw his narrowed gaze and leaned closer to him.

"What is it?" She whispered but he shook his head, narrowing his eyes further in concentration.

Then they widened...

With an oath he grasped Jane by her arm and hauled her back and against him just as the ledge they'd been standing on only moments before exploded. Jane gave a muffled scream as her arms came around his neck and Loki stumbled back into the cave.

Rocks crumbled down all around them and cursing he hauled Jane to her feet. Shielding her with his body he pushed her further into the cave as it began to collapse.

Together they raced towards their campsite but Loki looked up as the ceiling began to crumble. With another oath he grasped her about her waist and flung them into the wall as a junk of rock broke off and fell to the ground with a resounding thud.

He heard Jane gasp but he tightened his hold on her and as the cave crumbled he searched desperately for a way out.

A crack...

Without thinking Loki lunged and his shoulder connected with the wall of rock. He heard it groan underneath him and Jane screamed as it gave way. Suddenly they were sliding down a ravine. Water and mud splashed his face, got in his mouth and he choked on it as they raced down it at a dizzying speed. The cave trembled as it continued to collapse in on itself and Jane grasped him tighter. He kept his arms securely around her waist and sharpening his keen eyes they widened at what they found.

A drop...

He tightened his hold on her...

And they went over the edge...

Jane screamed as they tumbled down through the darkness and Loki shifted himself so that she was on top. She buried her face into his shoulder and he closed his eyes.

He hit with a deafening smack...

He expected hard stone underneath him...

But surprisingly he was floating...

Water...

He gave a relieved mental sigh and opened his eyes. Jane was trying to haul him to the surface, struggling and yelling his name as her hands scrambled around the armor that adorned his chest. Shaking his head to clear it, he kicked out with his strong legs and his head shot out of the water. He gasped, drawing in air and looked around. Darkness enveloped them. It was so dark his keen eyes could see nothing in the pitch blackness. He heard Jane beside him, breathing heavily as she kept herself afloat.

"Loki! Loki, are you alright?" She asked as she grasped his arm. He grunted at the iron grip but touched her hand to comfort her.

"Honestly, I have mud in places I care not to discus and more bruises that I care not to count." He replied and smirked when she laughed but his eyes widened when she brought him in close, wrapping her arms around his neck. She squeezed and he felt her shuddering.

"Jane?" He asked softly as he gently touched her shoulder and she gave a choked little laugh.

"Don't scare me like that, ever again." She whispered in his ear and his heart thumped painfully at the fear that was in her voice.

"I won't," he replied firmly and oddly, he meant it.

She gave a relieved sigh and gently pulled away. He felt her look around and her fingers tightened on his shoulder.

"Any idea what that was all about?" She asked and Loki snorted.

"It was Synge," he replied and taking her arm started to lead her towards what he assumed was a bank. She followed but he could feel her raise a teasing brow at him.

"She sure has a grudge." She stated as his fingers grasped rock, "You didn't leave her broken hearted did you? Cuz hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," Jane paused at her quote, frowning slightly as she thought, "or Frost Giant, whichever." Loki snorted at her amusing little joke and hauled himself up out of the warm waters. He turned and grasped her about her arms. Pulling her up he set her down and looked about before answering.

"No, leaving the trail of broken hearts was Thor's job." The words left his mouth before he could think and he stiffened, prepared to hear a retort but she did something that caught him off guard.

She laughed...

"Now why does that not surprise me?" She asked as she continued to laugh, the beautiful sound filling the cave.

He paused...

Even though he could not see her he could feel her lips pulling back in a wide grin as her soft brown eyes twinkled with mirth.

His heart thumped...

Ignoring it he turned away and raised his palm. Forcing himself to concentrate, a small ball of fire curled along his fingertips and Jane gasped. Stepping up beside him she looked over her shoulder at him.

"It's always so amazing when you do that," she whispered and he stared at her once more. She was dripping wet, her furs completely soaked once more and her cheeks were flushed from the excitement that was in her wide, deep gaze.

Beautiful...

He cleared his throat and moved away from her, raising his palm to illuminate the cavern they'd fallen into.

"Yes, well I'm afraid that won't help us out of this situation." Jane shuffled up behind him, her eyes looking out over the cavern and he felt her shiver.

Granted they'd fallen into a surprisingly warm cave, and the waters were quite hot but the air was still chilly. He saw her shivering and he straightened. Sighing he turned back to her.

"Take off your clothes," he instructed and her eyes widened. Her cheeks flushed and she stepped back from him.

"What?" She demanded and a slow smile touched his lips.

"Take. Off. Your. Clothes." He repeated firmly, but softly and even her ears turned pink. An amused smirk touched his lips and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"Why?" She demanded, anger replacing her embarrassment. He tilted his head before moving back over to the small pool's edge. He knelt down and dipped his fingers in.

Warmth...

It was a hot spring...

Perfect...

"Because you're soaking wet," he glanced over his shoulder at her, "again, and unless you want me to do it, I suggest you undress yourself and climb in. We landed in a hot spring, so the waters will keep you warm while your clothes dry." He heard her snort as he stood.

"You're wet too, you know." She chided and a slow smile touched his lips.

"That's why I'll be joining you." He turned to see her eyes widen and he couldn't resist when his grin grew. "But I am a gentleman, so I will let you undress first." His placed his hands behind his back and turned around.

"Forget it," Jane snorted as she crossed her arms over her chest, "I'm not doing it." She growled and he chuckled.

"Then freeze, but as for me," he snapped his fingers and the small ball of fire grew and ascended into the air over their heads, "I'd rather not." With that he waved his hand and his armor folded in on itself. Reaching up his fingers undid the strings of his collar as he shrugged out of his riding coat.

He could feel her watching him...

His heart quickened inside his chest...

A dark grin tugged at his lips...

Oh yes...

This was every bit apart of his plan to get revenge on her...

For saying a name that was not his...

He pulled the shirt over his head, exposing his back to her and he heard her gasp. His grin darkened. He knew that he was not the most muscular of Asgardians, but he'd trained his body to be lean, nimble and quick, not a bumbling mass of muscles that collided with one another.

His hands went for his leather boots, pulling them off one by one, but he halted when he reached his leather pants. Looking over his shoulder at her he raised a brow at her face.

It was flushed crimson...

And she was staring at him...

"Admiring the view?" He purred and she yelped. Turning she averted her eyes and he chuckled, though his heart was beating fiercely inside his chest.

Her eyes...

The way they were looking at him...

It nearly made him go weak at the knees...

VVVV

Jane's heart was hammering in her ears...

She hadn't meant to watch him...

But she'd been mesmerized by his back, the way his muscles had blended so perfectly together to give the striking impression of both strength and grace at once.

Then there were the scars...

They'd rippled down his back like black veins to disappear at his hips but they ran down the back of his arms and along his ribs.

She frowned, trying to wonder what could have happened to him to have scars like that when she heard his pants hit the floor. Her eyes widened and she grew still, her breath coming in short, quick gasps.

Then she heard him hit the water...

She gave a relieved sigh...

Then she realized that Loki was naked...

Loki...

Naked!

She shook the thought from her head and shivered. She told herself it was because she was cold and not because she found the idea of him being naked in the water behind her overly appealing.

But god...

He had been beautiful...

She yelped at her thoughts, her cheeks going red and she shook her head fiercely. That's when she heard a splash and hot water scalded her back. She yelped once more, jumping to the side and she glared down at a chuckling Loki.

The fireball drifted above their heads, only illuminating his slicked back hair, wet shoulders and chest but the waters turned black as they reached the middle of his torso but god...

He was good to look at...

"Are you coming in or not?" He challenged as he kept himself afloat. "It's shallow around the edge if you can't swim very well." He taunted and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"I swam all the time as a kid, my grandma said if I hadn't been born a little girl I would have been born a fish instead." He laughed at her and she blinked, caught off guard.

"Yes, I could see that, you certainly have the face for it." With that he turned around, "Now hurry up and get in before I decide playing the princely gentleman is tiring."

"I do not have a face that looks like a fish," Jane retorted and Loki snorted.

"You haven't looked in the mirror lately." His teasing tone was dark, nearly sensual and it made her quiver. She narrowed her eyes at the back of his head, ignoring how the water rippled around his shoulders.

Jane raised her chin, opening her mouth to retort when she felt herself shiver again, and this time it was because she was cold. Clamping her jaw she shifted her weight and bit her bottom lip.

This was not a good idea...

She sighed...

And began to undress...

Standing in her simple black bra and panties she decided to keep it safe and slowly dipped her toes in, her eyes never leaving the back of Loki's head. Warmth washed over her and she gave a delighted gasp. Taking her foot out, she hastily lowered herself in.

She groaned as heat enveloped her and a smile touched her lips. Her eyes looked up at the ceiling of the cavern and her breath caught in her lungs as she saw huge gemstones glittering there.

"What are those?" She asked while pointing up and Loki followed her finger.

"On Midgard I know them as diamonds but their Asgardian name is too difficult for you to understand." He quipped and she raised a brow at him.

"Oh really, hmm?" She gave him a mocking smile while raising her eyes to the ceiling once more. "How do you think they got there, then?" She teased and he smirked at her.

"The mountain is in fact perhaps an active volcano. That would explain the hot water, ravine, and diamonds." He grinned at her and she splashed him with the water.

"You're smarter than I thought." Jane replied and Loki snorted, wiping water from his face. He turned fully towards her, letting her see a full view of his chest and her eyes widened as her body tightened and coiled.

"As I have told you before, I am more than what meets the eye." He purred his gaze dark and predatory as he moved closer to her. She swallowed, her heart hammering in her ears.

Oh yes...

This had been a very bad idea...

VVVV

"I told you not to be moving around," Eir growled as she finished bandaging his wounds. Thor gave her a cheeky grin as he adjusted himself on the bed.

His eyes flicked to Sif as she checked up on some of her wounded men and his eyes filled with warmth at her graceful, strong figure.

Eir snorted, slapping him lightly, but firmly on the shoulder. He jumped at the slight pain that screamed from his old wound and he looked up at her, confused as she wagged a finger at him.

"I treated your scraped up knees when you didn't even reach my waist, mister." She narrowed her eyes slightly, "so behave yourself." She warned and he felt his cheeks flush slightly.

"Yes, Lady Eir." He quickly said while standing and donning the soft gray shirt he wore. She nodded, still eyeing him, as she moved on to her next patient. Sif turned slightly towards him, allowing him to see her face and he saw her brow knotted with tension.

She gave a small smile to a man lying on a cot whose torso was bandaged and his left eye was missing. She grasped his hand and gently patted it, her lips moving as she spoke to him. The man laughed and he saw him squeeze her hand before she nodded and giving it another final pat gently laid it back down onto the cot.

He continued to watch her quietly as she moved from patient to patient, always smiling and being cheerful but he could see in the way she moved, in how her eyes always dimmed, that she was in pain. As she reached the last patient she straightened and cast her eyes out over the cots and he saw unmistakable pain wash over her face before she turned away.

He crossed the room and lightly put his hand on the small of her back. She smiled up at him before sighing.

It was so sad...

"Sif," he whispered as they went to leave and she glanced up at him, "what is wrong?" He asked and she sighed again.

Pushing open the doors they entered the halls that had nearly been restored and she crossed her arms, stepping away from him to look out over Asgard.

"There's so many. So many that have already lost so much in the defense of Asgard while I stay here and do nothing." Her words were angry and she clamped her jaw. "Malkeith is sending in more troops and the rest of our men haven't had the time to recover in order to put up a strong defense against him." Her words were hard and bitter and Thor gently touched her shoulder.

"Are there any new recruits?" He asked while looking out over the city as well, keeping his hand lightly, but firmly on her shoulder. She nodded and her eyes narrowed.

"Yes, but they haven't had the proper training to deal with the Dark Elves considering most of our generals are on the battlefront." She reached up and pinched the bridge of her nose. Thor gently rubbed her shoulder and he felt her relax slightly. "I've dispatched Vandral to help with the training and I'll be joining him shortly, I just hope that it'll be enough." She whispered and her eyes narrowed again as she concentrated.

Wordlessly Thor stepped behind her and settled his arms around her waist. He squeezed and rested his chin on the top of her head. He heard her chuckle and sigh, her body relaxing into his. They stood there, gazing out over the city until they heard rushed footsteps speeding along the corridor.

Thor raised his head as Sif turned hers and a servant boy stood there, his cheeks flushed as he fought to breathe properly.

His face was covered partially in soot and his tunic...

It was splattered with blood...

"What is it?" Sif demanded as she stepped from Thor's arms to cross over to the boy. He only looked to be no more than eight and stood only at her hip. Kneeling down she reached out and lightly touched his arm, massaging it to try and calm his sputtering breaths. Thor saw her eyes running over him, calculating if there was any damage and he saw her shoulders relax when she found none.

"The All-Father...wished to speak...with Prince Thor." The little boy gasped out, his eyes wide with fear and Sif glanced over her shoulder at Thor. He stepped up beside her and kneeled down as well.

"Why? What is happening?" The words had no sooner left his mouth when the palace shook. Sif grabbed onto the boy, shielding him as debris fell from the ceiling and Thor wrapped his arms around her as well. When the quakes had subsided the boy was shivering with fear.

"They're here," he whispered in fear and Sif gently smoothed his blonde locks back.

"Who? Who is here?" She asked softly but firmly. The boy looked up at her, his hazel gaze wide as tears misted over them.

"The Dark Evles." He whimpered and Thor stiffened. Sif stared at him, her eyes wide before she blinked. Standing swiftly, she turned him back towards the medical chamber.

"Go through those doors, there will be a woman on the other side that is called Lady Eir, she will take care of you but she will also need your aide," Sif gently stroked the top of the boy's head. "Can you be brave and help her?" Sif asked and the boy slowly nodded. Sif nodded, pleased, and gently ushered him towards it.

She watched him struggle to push open the doors and a small smile touched her lips. Then she straightened, set her jaw and spread her feet.

Ever the warrior...

Turning she looked up at him and he nodded. Together they strode quickly down the hall and towards the Armory.

This was going to be one hell of a fight...

AUTHOR NOTE: Chapter Eleven! So sorry I didn't post it yesterday! I wanted to make sure everything was perfect before I submitted it! Thank you all for your reviews so far! Please keep reviewing!