In Her Eyes

by LauraKathleenB

This is a Loki Laufeyson fan fiction based on Marvels depiction of Loki. It takes place after the Dark Elves failed in their attempt to bring about the end of the universe. All of the chapter titles (save chapters 8 & 9) are titles of songs by Josh Groban. They all have to do with what happens in that chapter. If you wish to listen to them, they can be found on YouTube or Spotify.

11. You Are Loved

That night, Loki led Grace by hand out of the castle past the vast colorful garden. In Loki's other hand was a basket full of fresh breads and cheeses with a light cloth over it. The night air had a slight chill to it and the stars were just beginning to shine through the curtain of black that had been drawn over the sky. There seemed to be countless more stars in the sky then Grace had ever seen before. Could it be because she was walking by Loki's side? Or could it be because she was on another planet? Or was it possible that it was both of those explanations combined?

Thor was in such a hurry to bring Grace to Asgard that he had completely forgotten to grab her cane. So, Loki had given her a golden staff which she refused to use for some reason. But Grace seemed to be getting stronger and stronger with each passing moment for as she walked beside Loki, it seemed like she did not even need the assistance of a cane after all. In fact, he noticed that she was hardly limping at all as they strolled along a stone path side by side.

Grace was wearing a long green robe and a black cape around her shoulders and her brown hair was pulled back revealing her high cheekbones. Her left hand was gripping Loki's right hand tightly with their fingers intertwined with each other as they walked in silence. Loki was wearing a large dark green shirt with brown clothe pants as well as a black cape. His soft green eyes seemed to be set on something in the distance as they strode hand in hand past the garden.

"Where are we going?" Grace asked as she looked up at Loki questioningly.

"I have a delivery that I have to make first, Grace. Then we shall head to the garden." He answered as he looked down into her eyes and smiled.

A few minutes later, both Grace and Loki came to a group of people sitting on the sidewalk leaning against a brick wall. They were all huddled close together as they tried to keep warm on this cold night. There were at least ten people there and they all appeared to be emaciated.

Once they got closer, Grace let go of Loki's hand and took her cape off and draped it around the shoulders of an elderly woman who was shivering prominently from the cold. The woman then looked up at her and smiled appreciatively as she pulled the cape tighter around her thin shoulders. Loki then presented the basket of food and they both handed the items of food that was contained within the basket out to those who were present.

One of the women came up to Grace and said, "Thank you very much, young lady. Now my children do not have to go to sleep hungry. They can stay off the streets tomorrow." She then pulled Grace into a tight grateful embrace. Loki watched as Grace received a hug from this relieved mother and a smile grew on his face as he watched her interact with all of the other people who were there.

Loki was not listening to them as they all spoke to Grace as she passed amongst them handing out nourishment. Most of them said "thank you," others said "bless you both". Then an elderly man came up to her and asked, "How do you know, Prince Loki? Are you betrothed to him?"

Grace paused for a moment as she processed what she was asked. Finally, she answered with a bright smile on her face, "We are really good friends. We have known each other for about a year and a half now. And in that time," She paused and looked back at him for a quick glance. She then looked back at the man who had questioned her and finished her statement, "I have grown to love him greatly."

The man raised his bushy white eyebrows and asked, "A year? This is the first time I see you when he has known you and loved you for a year and a half?!"

Grace was confused and asked, "How long has he been coming distributing food to you?"

"Once a week for a little over a month." Came the reply from a woman who was sitting directly behind them.

Her blue eyes opened wide with shock and she turned to Loki and asked, "Is this true?" Grace took a step closer to him and gently took his hand. "Have you really been bringing food out of the castle to them for over a month?"

Loki took a small step forward and intertwined his fingers with hers as he answered, "That is correct." His voice was low and soft as he responded to her. "You have opened my eyes, Grace. There are many who need something as simple as food while others have more than enough. I cannot just sit idly by while I can give them what they require."

Grace smiled and responded, "I am glad to hear that you are assisting people that require help. But, is this allowed? Taking food out of the palace and distributing it." She inquired.

Loki looked up into the sky and sighed. "Not exactly, but I just cannot let the food that we do not eat go to waste. They truly need the nourishment." He protested as he gazed back into her bright blue eyes.

"Loki, you are not on trial. There is no need to get defensive." Grace responded with a large smile on her face as she wrapped her arms around him in a tight warm embrace.

Loki returned the embrace as he kissed her on the forehead. Needless to say, both Loki and Grace were oblivious of their audience. On of the woman whom had thanked Grace for the food smiled and thought, "She is obviously of a lower birth then he is. It is evident from her leg brace. Is she even Asgardian? I wonder if the king will let them be together. Will Loki disregard his father's command yet again?"

After all of the food was distributed, both Loki and Grace strode in silence towards the garden. Once again, they walked hand in hand with their fingers intertwined. Loki had given his cape to Grace so that she could stay warm and it blew in the gentle breeze as she walked gracefully over the pavement.

Grace gasped and put her hand over her mouth when they came to the garden. There were hundreds if not thousands of beautiful flowers there of every color under the sky. She let go of Loki's hand and walked over to some large dark blue blossoms and fingered them gently as if she was afraid that this was a dream. She then slowly brought it to her nose and took a gentle whiff of the fragrance. It was a light delicate fragrance that reminded her of her mother.

Grace then dropped down to her knees and wept silently. Loki was by her side in an instant as he knelt beside her and wrapped his arms warmly around her. They remained there for a few moments until Grace had finished weeping. Loki then said, "Forgive me, Grace. I did not mean to make you grieve. I thought you would enjoy seeing the garden." He was now facing her and his right hand was resting gently on the side of her face.

Grace smiled and looked into his distressed green eyes and answered, "There is no need for you to apologize, my love." Their faces were about four inches apart as they spoke in hushed tones to each other. "The fragrance of that flower just reminded me of a perfume that my mother would wear around the house often." Grace kissed him gently on the lips then and said quietly as their lips still remained close together, "Thank you for bringing me here, Loki. The past few days have been the best days of my life."

Loki then put his right hand behind her head and pulled her into a deep passionate kiss which she returned gratefully. Loki then lay back onto the soft bed of green grass and Grace followed him and lay gently on his chest as they continued to share their affection with each other. Once they their lips parted, Grace laid her head on his chest as he rested one of his hands behind his head and the other on her shoulder as they both gazed up at the stars together.

After a few moments, Grace spoke up. "Loki?" She asked with nerves clear in her shaking voice.

Hearing this, Loki grew concerned and asked, "What is wrong, Grace?"

After a few moments of silence, Grace asked as she sat up and looked into his eyes. "Do you think Beth is alright at Jane's house?"

"Of course she is. Why would she not be?" Loki answered with a smile upon his face. Grace smiled back at him and leaned over and kissed him sweetly on the cheek then returned to laying her head on his chest with her right hand over his heart. He knew that the question that she asked was not really what was troubling her but he decided to let it go for now. She would ask when she was ready to.

They remained there for a few moments and Grace fell asleep resting her head on his chest as the sound of his strong heart beat filled her dreams. Loki lay there listening to her gentle breathing as he watched the night sky above him. Since he met her, it seemed as if he was alive and could now see the all beauty that was around him constantly. Yet, while Grace was around, she was the only beauty that he could see. He could not keep her out of his mind whether she was with him or not.

As Loki lay there on the grass, a few stars began to fall overhead in a brilliant display of fiery lights. He grinned and gently roused Grace from her sleep. When she opened her eyes, she gasped in fear as she sat up and tried to scoot backwards toward the castle never taking her eyes off the fire in the sky. Loki sat up as well and put his hands comfortingly at her shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Grace," He said tenderly as she looked into his green eyes. "Everything is alright. This is what I was showing you in the sky while we were on the roof of your house a few days ago."

Terror was plain to see in her bright blue eyes as she responded in a shaking voice, "But, this looks different. How can it be the same?" Grace hugged up to him and trebled slightly as the fiery lights shot through the sky.

As Loki wrapped his arms comfortingly around her and she hid her face in his chest, he kissed the top of her head and said, "Well, you are seeing this as it really is now. I tamed it down a bit that night." Grace tentatively looked up into the sky and was mesmerized in an instant. The vibrant reds and yellows shot through the sky constantly.

Grace then let go of Loki and turned around. She leaned back against his chest as she remained captivated by the spectacle in the sky. Loki looked down at her and watched her face as he grasped her hand tenderly. They watched the spectacle in the sky together for at least a half hour and when it began to fade Loki asked her, "Would you like to go back inside now?"

Grace let go of his hand and wrapped her arms around him and said, "Just a few more moments out here with you, please." She then kissed him on the lips tenderly and as he kissed her back he noticed something different. Was it relief? Or was it something else entirely? Putting it out of his mind, he placed his hand tenderly behind her head as they shared their love with each other.

Once they separated, Grace stayed a few centimeters away from kissing him once more as she said quietly, "I love you, Loki. It saddens my heart that I will have to leave you soon."

Loki took a deep breath and replied softly, "You can stay here if you wish." He stroked the side of her face tenderly as he gazed adoringly into her blue eyes. "But I must warn you, it will not be safe."

"I do not care if it is safe or not. I am with you. Wherever you are is where I belong." Grace answered as she rested her head on his chest once more. When he heard her say this, he felt the undeniable urge to kiss her deeply like never before. But he resisted because another worry was coming to mind.

"What about Beth? Are we just to leave her at Jane's house?" Loki asked as his hand rested warmly on her shoulder.

Grace's eyes remained closed as she answered drowsily, "Let us confront that when we come to it." She yawned then and Loki saw this.

His kissed her forehead and said, "I am going to carry you into the palace now. You need your rest." Grace nodded her head. Then Loki put one of his arms around her back and the other under her legs and picked her up and began to carry her inside.

Once they were inside his chambers, Loki set her down on his bed and walked over to lie on the couch but Grace stopped him by calling his name. He turned around and saw that she was sitting up as she said, "Why don't you come lie with me? We were to be married at a time."

Loki smiled and replied, "I would like that very much." He then walked over to the side of his bed. When he got close, Grace moved over and as he sat down she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips sweetly. He climbed under the covers and leaned back on to the bed as Grace laid her head down on his chest as her arms remanded wrapped around his waist. Loki enfolded her in a tight embrace as they slept together in each other's arms that night.

The next morning, Grace awoke alone on a vast bed with green silk and black satin sheets. She bolted upright and looked around and saw a large room with numerous books and a few pieces of furniture scattered around. She stood up and walked over to the books and carefully examined them. Some of them were very old and the binding was falling apart from constant use. Others seemed to be brand new. There were hardly any cracks in the spines of these books. She picked up one of the books that was read often and examined the cover. It was a worn red leather cover and the title was in gold script writing 'The Music of the Night'. The title was puzzling. Why would Loki have a book like this in his room? Even more disturbing was why would he read it?

At that moment, the door opened and Loki entered his chamber holding a few items of food wrapped in a white napkin in his grasp. He saw Grace examining one of his books in her hand with a confused look on her face so he said, "That was my mother's favorite book. I wanted to hold onto it because it helps me feel closer to her."

Grace looked back at him and smiled warmly. "I wish I had something from my mother as nice as a book. All I really have from her is a few hair brushes." She returned the book back onto the shelf and walked over to Loki who was setting the food on his bedside table. He poured a glass of water for her and set it beside a plate with bread, cheese, and a few pieces of ham on it.

Grace sat down on his bed and looked at the food that he had brought for her and then looked back up at him with a smile on her face. Loki looked at her questioningly and asked, "Did I forget something?"

"Yes." Grace answered plainly. Loki just looked at her and as he waited for her to tell what he hand forgot, and a smile grew on his pale face as he got a sneaking suspicion what it was. "I have not gotten my morning kiss from you." Loki smiled and leaned forward and kissed her tenderly on the lips. She kissed him back and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Grace lay back onto the bed and Loki followed her down. His torso rested on top of her lightly as they kiss and she griped his hand tenderly and brought it up to her hip. Her hand then moved to his wrist as she moved his hand under her shirt and placed it onto the bare skin of her side. Loki then pulled out of the kiss and asked her, "What are you doing?" His hand was still resting on her side under her shirt as he remained close to her.

"I think it is about time we made love to each other, do you not agree?" Grace answered.

"Yes." Loki answered as he leaned back down and kissed her all the more passionately. He kissed her neck a few times traveling down towards her chest and Grace closed her eyes and moaned softly as she relished the feel of his soft cold lips against her skin. She reached down and began to slowly pull his shirt up over his head when he pulled away once again and said, "Wait." He backed up a few steps and Grace sat up and bit her bottom lip as she watched him pace back and forth slightly. "We should not do this."

Grace stood and walked rather gracefully up to him and answered by saying, "If you are worried about your scars, I do not care. I love you. I want to be with you."

Loki smiled and placed his hand on the right side of her face lovingly and responded softly, "I love you more then you know. You have completely turned my life around. I want to make love to you so badly. But, I know, my mother would not be proud of me if I did. We are not married yet."

Grace then grasped his hand gently and asked, "We love each other. Why does that matter?" She desperately searched his green eyes for an answer to her question.

Loki pulled her in closer to himself as he looked into her blue eyes, "It matters to me." He paused for a moment and kissed her sweetly on the lips which she responded by throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him passionately. Once their lips parted, Loki said, "My mother had told my brother and I that it is not right for a man to make love to a woman that he cares greatly for unless they are married to each other. Even though she is gone, I would still like to honor her wishes."

Grace smiled and replied, "Alright, my love. I will honor your wishes."

Loki smiled and brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it as he looked into her blue eyes appreciatively. Grace parted her lips and asked, "Will you at least sit with me while I eat? Maybe even eat some of the food that you brought as well so it does not go to waste."

Loki smiled and answered, "Of course." He sat down beside her on the bed and grabbed a piece of bread and ate it as Grace ate a piece of cheese.

Later, Loki was sitting with the warriors of Asgard silently as he stared into space. Thoughts of Grace filled his mind as the warriors spoke to each other. Suddenly, he could feel the bench he was sitting on shift as someone sat beside him. He looked up and saw that it was Thor. He wore a smile on his rough face as he asked quietly, "How is everything going with Grace here, brother?"

"Father searched my chambers for her yesterday. Sif came in and warned us so Grace had time to hide in the chest at the end of my bed." Loki answered as he return his gaze to some unseen object on the floor. "He did not find her, but it got me thinking."

Thor looked over at the fellow warriors for a moment and saw that they were content to just swap war stories amongst each other. He then looked back at Loki and asked, "What did you determine?"

"She has to go back to Midgard. Even though I love having her here with me, it is not safe for her to remain. Besides, she is needed there much more then I need her here." Loki answered as he fingered the empty goblet he was holding in his pale grasp.

Thor looked down at the ground and put his hand on his brothers back comfortingly, "I will see if I can convince father to let you visit her."

"No," Loki protested. "Father will never allow that. He probably would be happy to know that I am miserable. I know what has to be done and I would gladly do it for her."

Thor grinned slightly and responded quietly, "That is very honorable, brother."

Loki looked up at him and smiled weakly as put his hand on Thor's shoulder warmly. He then stood up as he casually walked out of the room. Loki walked back to his chamber with a heavy heart as he contemplated what he would say to Grace.

When Loki reached his chamber and opened the door, he found Grace lying asleep on his bed with his mother's favorite book lying open on her chest. She must have fallen asleep while reading it. He smiled and walked over to the side of the bed and picked up the book and put it on his nightstand. He then looked back at her and sat down beside Grace and gently brushed the hair away from her face.

Grace opened her eyes and saw Loki leaning over her with a calm grin on his face. She smiled brightly and tenderly stroked his face as she whispered, "Hello, darling."

Loki smiled and answered quietly, "Do you want to go out again tonight? Or do you just want to remain in here?" As he spoke, he ran his hand through her short brown hair.

Grace thought for a few moments as she gazed into his loving green eyes. She then put her right hand on his chest over his heart and responded, "It does not matter to me. As long as I am with you, I am content." She smiled up at him and he took her hand off of his chest and kissed the palm of her hand tenderly. She knew that there was something troubling him but she did not have to ask for she already knew what it was. She would have to return to earth soon and he would not be able to come with her.

Loki just sat there and gazed into her eyes for a few moments as he held her hand tightly close to his chest. Grace looked up into his gentle green eyes as she ran her free hand through his black hair. She was wearing a long black skirt and one of Loki's green shirts and it was too big for her. It was shifted slightly and her shoulder was hanging out of the large V line neck hole. They remained like this for a few moments when eventually, Grace sat up and said, "I hope you do not mind that I wore one of your shirts as I slept." He smiled and thought to himself that maybe she should keep it. If she took it with her back to Midgard, she would have something physical to remember him by.

"Not at all, sweetheart." Loki said as he carefully fixed the large shirt on her. "It looks really nice on you. In fact, you can keep it if you like."

Grace thanked him by pulling him into a warm embrace in an attempt to hide her tears. Loki knew that she was crying for he could feel her body trembling slightly as his arms wrapped around her fondly. "What can I do to cheer you up, Grace?" Loki whispered lovingly in her ear.

"Just hold me close and do not let go." Grace answered with distress clear in her sweet voice. In response, Loki wrapped his arms tighter around her in a warm embrace as she rested her head on his shoulder.

They remained in this position for quite a while as their arms remained around each other in a warm comforting embrace. Grace would not have to leave for two days, but she was already starting to feel the pain of being separated from him. After a few minutes, Loki pulled away slightly and put his hand gently under her chin and pulled her in to a soft kiss. She kissed him back and they shared one of their most affectionate kisses yet.

Once the kiss ended, they lay down and just rested at each other's side and held the other close with their eyes closed just breathing in the other person's presence. Loki was the one to break the silence when he whispered as his eyes remained closed, "You know what I think, Grace?"

Grace smiled and answered, "What?" Her eyes were closed as well as she responded to him.

Loki's voice was trembling slightly as he spoke to her in hushed tones. "I think that, besides my mother, you and Beth are the only ones who will ever love me for me. I have really enjoyed having you here with me. Now, some bitter twist of fate is pulling us apart once again."

Grace's eyes shot open and she sat up quickly as she looked down at him. Loki had opened his eyes as well and was gazing up at her questioningly. Grace shook her head and smiled as she answered, "Listen to me, Loki. You are loved more than you can possibly imagine. When I returned to my house after Beth and I visited you in the prison, there were ten, if not more, bouquets of flowers all with cards stating in one way or another that you would be greatly missed. Everyone that we visited, everyone that we helped, grew to love you almost as much as I do." Grace paused for a moment then she added, "Thor loves you as well. You are aware of that, correct?"

As Loki listened to her speak, small tears had begun to form in his eyes. He could not believe his ears. The people of New York had forgiven him and loved him. When he heard her say that Thor shared in these feelings, he sat up and looked Grace in the eye and answered, "That is a comforting though. But I doubt it."

Grace smiled and looked down at the bed as she answered, "You know, I was originally not going to come up and see you. I was so hurt by what had transpired that I was not even going to glance at the letter that you sent Thor to deliver to me." She then looked up into his eager green eyes and continued by saying, "He changed my mind. He practically begged me to at least read the letter. There was so much passion and truth in his words that I knew I was being selfish by refusing."

Loki then kissed her lightly on the lips as a tear ran down the right side of his face. He whispered to her, "Thank you, Grace. I am glad that you told me."

Grace smiled weakly and gently wiped the tear off of his face. As Loki gazed into her tender blue eyes he wanted to lean forward and kiss her on the lips again, but he knew that it would just make the separation harder. So, he just pulled her into a tight embrace which lasted for only a few moments.

Loki pulled away and said, "I am going to go get dinner. I will be right back. I promise." Before he left, he kissed her on the forehead. Then he stood and walked towards the door of his chamber and turned around to look back at Grace who was still seated on his bed watching him with grief in her blue eyes. He smiled warmly at her and began to leave the room.

As soon as he turned his back, Grace suddenly called out his name loudly. Loki turned around quickly expecting to see her in danger but instead she was running up to him with her arms outstretched. He opened his arms and when she ran into them she wrapped her arms around his neck as she kissed him desperately on the lips. He returned the kiss and put his hand warmly behind her head. When they separated, Loki asked, "What was that about?"

"I am sorry. It is just that the last few times you said that, something terrible happened and my heart broke." Grace answered with sorrow clear in her sweet voice as she looked down at the floor.

Loki pulled her into a tight embrace and she rested her head on his chest as tears streamed down her face. He then said, "It is I who should apologize, Grace. I never meant to cause you heartache. I turns out that grief is all that can I bring to people. Grief and disappointment."

Grace pulled away and looked up at him as she said sternly as her arms remained wrapped around his waist, "That is not true! You brought so much joy to my house in the short time that you were with us! Joy and love!"

Loki then kissed Grace on the forehead and picked her up in his arms. He tenderly and lovingly carried her farther into his room and set her down on the edge of his bed. He knelt down at her feet and looked up at her as she sat there and pushed a strand of his black hair behind his ear as they gazed into each other's eyes adoringly. Loki then tenderly took her hand and raised it to his lips and he kissed it as said to her, "You know I love you, Grace. More than anything." He took both of her hands in his then and looked down at them. She was wearing the bracelet that he had given to her on her right wrist and the ring made out of his own hair on her left hand. He smiled brightly and looked back up into her eyes and said, "I cannot believe you are still wearing that ring." He chuckled and stood up slowly and kissed her on the lips. "I will be right back." He then walked to the door and looked back at her and smiled before he closed the door.

The next morning, Loki awoke on his bed under the covers. He was lying on his side as his arms were wound tightly around someone and their arms were around him lovingly. He knew who it was and he did not want to disturb her so he just lay there quietly. She was wearing Sif's white night dress as her head was resting on his chest once again as she slept peacefully with a grin on her face knowing that she was wrapped in his arms. Loki watched Grace sleep and remarked at how beautiful she was. Not just in body, but in spirit as well.

Grace then opened her eyes and looked up at him and smiled drowsily. "How are you this morning, Loki? Are you feeling alright?" She asked.

Loki smiled and responded sweetly, "How can I ever feel any less then alright when I have you to gaze upon?"

Grace blushed and looked down for a moment and then she looked back up at him and asked as she ran her right hand up his cold bare chest and hooked it around his neck, "May I ask what happened last night? Was it another nightmare?"

Loki winced and asked sheepishly, "Was I screaming again?"

"No. You were not screaming." Grace answered. She looked deep into his eyes and answered with a hint of sorrow in her voice, "At one point during the night I woke up shivering and when I cuddled up to you to warm myself, I noticed that you were colder then I was. I looked at you and your skin was blue with deeper blue swirls on it. What happened during the night?" She searched his eyes with desperation in her bright blue eyes.

Loki sighed and responded by saying sadly, "I must have slipped into my Jotun form during the night. Did I frighten you?"

Grace smiled slightly and replied, "I will admit, it was shocking at first. But, I was never once afraid, for I knew it was you."

"How? I must have looked drastically different." Loki commented.

Grace nodded her head and said, "At first I was not sure it was you. But after a few moments, I noticed that you still possessed the kindly gentle look to your face. After I recognized you, I cuddled up to you nonetheless. I knew it would be cold, but I had to try to warm you somehow."

Loki smiled and kissed her tenderly on the lips and as she kissed him back he placed his hands on her warm back as he pulled her in closer to him. They shared their passionate kiss with each other for about two minutes. After their lips parted, Loki rolled onto his back and Grace lay her head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her once more. She grabbed his hand and began to play with it in the dim light of the dawn that was creeping in through the heavy drapes over the window.

Loki smiled and looked down at her and was caught off guard when he saw his arm. He was still in his Jotun form! Grace was lying on his blue scared chest as if nothing was different! She had seen his true form and had not run away! She had even kissed his cold blue lips!

As Grace lay on his chest, his skin began to turn white and his eyes turned green once again. Grace looked up at Loki and said, "I love you."

Loki looked down at her and replied with a loving voice, "I love you as well, Grace. Why did you not tell me that I was still in my Jotun form?"

Grace got a confused look on her face as she answered, "You were? I did not notice."

Loki put his hand under her chin and raised her lips to meet his. Grace's hand rested over his heart as it beat wildly for her. His arm was wrapped around her back as he began to slip back into his Jotun form. When he was in his full Jotun form, Grace could tell instantly, for his lips turned ice cold. But she did not care. She loved him.

Loki slowly sat up and Grace followed him. Once their lips parted, Grace looked into the red eyes of Loki in his Jotun form and fingered his cold lips gently with her pale delicate fingers as she affectionately examined his face. "You really are not afraid, are you?" he asked quietly.

Grace smiled and cocked her head slightly as she answered softly, "Should I be?"

Loki smiled back and leaned forward and kissed her again. Grace smiled and kissed him back. "I guess not." Loki said with a smile as they were still kissing. She then started to giggle as he kissed her on the lips and ran his cold hand over her face in a soft caress.

Later that day, Loki was walking around in the market place and his bright green eyes scanned the shops for the jeweler that he had obtained the bracelet from. He was going to get a proper ring for Grace. He walked for a few minutes in the bright sun light as children ran around and chased after each other laughing the whole time. Loki smiled as he listened to them laughing and watched as they ran circles around him. The street was packed with people as Loki walked along the path with a deep blue shirt and brown trousers on. Some of the people recognized him and bowed politely to him and he responded in kind to them.

As Loki approached the jeweler, thoughts of Grace filled his mind. He was going to have to find her something very extraordinary. She had seen him in his Jotun form and loved him the same. She was not afraid of his cold blue skin or his bright red eyes. He smiled as he advanced towards the jeweler.

A short plump lady with long black hair and dark brown eyes smiled brightly when she saw him coming. "Ah… Loki…" She waddled up to him and preformed a low bow to him. "Did your lady friend like your last gift to her?"

"She did. She never takes it off. Thank you very much for your help with picking it out, Madame Zella." Loki answered with a smile after he had bowed back to her. "Now I need your help finding something else, if you have time."

Madame Zella clapped her hands once and began walking back to her shop with Loki in tow. Once they were inside, there were many pieces of exquisite jewelry on tables and in bowels. There were gold and silver pieces and some that were a combination of both. There were some with rhinestones and gemstones in them as well as some without any. Madame Zella turned to him and asked, "What can I help you find today?"

Loki lowered his voice and said, "I would like you to help me pick out," He paused a moment and looked into Madame Zella's eager brown eyes. "A ring. I am going to ask Grace to marry me."

Madame Zella practically squealed. She rushed up to Loki and gave him a tight embrace. "You are going to propose to her, and you come to me for a ring? This is so wonderful!"

Loki found himself telling her more then he planned to when he said, "Well, I cannot really go to the royal jeweler because my father does not exactly approve of my relationship with her."

Madame Zella smiled all the brighter and said, "Well, if you ask me, I think forbidden love is the best. Can you tell me about her?"

Loki took a deep breath and answered quietly, "Grace is the most beautiful person I have ever met. I fell in love with her the first day that I was with her. I tried so hard to resist her because I knew that it could not end well, but her gentle tender nature forbid it. I could not help myself." Again, he told her more then he intended to.

Madame Zella clapped her hands and rubbed them together as she said, "Then we are going to have to find something spectacular for her." She then walked behind a curtain for a moment and when she came back she was carrying a tray with a hundred lovely rings on it. "Here are the most beautiful rings that I have now. Whenever a new shipment comes in, I go through it and take the most beautiful items out and keep it in the back for whenever my more exclusive clients come in."

Loki smiled and looked down at all of the rings on the tray that Madame Zella had set down. There were so many lovely rings there that it almost took his breath away. Yet, there was one in particular that reminded him greatly of Grace. It was a simple yellow gold, black gold, and white gold bands loosely braided together with a four small diamonds on the line between them. It was like the light was shared evenly between the three colors in the ring.

Madame Zella watched as Loki examined the ring in his hand closely and a smile formed on her face. "You like that one?" She asked.

Loki looked up at her and answered, "I love this one. It reminds me so much of her." He paused for a moment as he thought of Grace. "Is it alright if I get two rings? One for her and one for myself? My father is not going to allow her to stay here."

Madame Zella answered with a hint of sympathy in her voice, "Buy one get one free. For my best customer only." Loki then smiled and bowed to her slightly and she giggled in response. After he paid for the first ring and took a second one for him to keep, he thanked Madame Zella and left her tent of jewelry and walked casually back to the castle.

Grace was in his room sitting on the bed with a book in her hand when Loki came waltzing in with a large bright smile on his face. She smiled and jumped up off of the bed and ran the short distance over to him with her arms outstretched. Loki saw her running up to him so he quickly closed the door to his chamber and opened his arms for her to run into.

Once she was in his arm, Loki lifted her off the ground and kissed Grace sweetly on the lips. Today was her last day here with him; he had to make it special. He had a few ideas of how to do that. But first, there was a more pressing matter that can to mind.

Once they separated, Loki asked, "Hey Grace, where my eyes just deceiving me, or did you just run up to me?" He was seated on the couch and Grace sat by his side as her legs where draped over his lap with her head resting on his chest.

"I did run, Loki. In these past few days, being here with you, I believe I have been recovering. I will even go as far as to say that your love helped me get better." Grace looked up at him after she answered and saw a warm loving look on his pale face. She then reached up and kissed him warmly on the cheek. In response, Loki kissed her back on the lips.

Suddenly, the door swung open and King Odin came stomping into the room pointing a threatening finger at them shouting, "I thought this was over, Loki!"

Loki and Grace then stood up and Loki began by saying, "Father, let me explain…" But he got cut off by the king as he continued to scream at them.

The All Father continued to shout at them for about five minutes before Loki shouted loudly, "I love her! Whether you like it or not, we will find a way to be together. If not in body then in spirit."

As soon as Loki had begun shouting at his father, Odin stopped shouting and listened to him. You could tell that the wheels were turning in his head as he devised a way to shame Grace and force her to leave Asgard. A slight devious smile formed on his face when he thought of an idea. "Alright, Loki. Have it your way. Bring her to the dance tonight. Show your weak little human off to the rest of Asgard."

Loki smiled brightly and thanked his father. But then, once his father had left, he realized what he was trying to do. He turned to Grace and said, "We should not go. He is trying to humiliate you."

Grace kissed him on the cheek and replied, "Well, I have a thick skin. It is hard to humiliate me." She then walked over behind the couch and looked back at him as she finished her statement, "Besides, I do not need my brace on anymore. And…" She paused and looked down at her feet then back up at him as she smiled brightly. "I have been practicing."