Chapter 14 Thyone

The next morning. Sia deals with unexpected consequences, and having to pretend that nothing has changed, when, in fact, everything has changed.

Suggested music: "I Melt with You", The English Beat.

"My love." Loki's lips on my ear, murmuring softly. "My Sia."

"My love." I smiled as I spoke the words. "Loki, my love."

Sweet kisses on my cheek, down my neck. "The hours have flown. I must leave you now. I will be back tonight."

I opened my eyes. Oh, gods. What time is it? Sóldís will be here soon.

"I would be happy to see you at the library today, Loki." Looking into his eyes, losing myself all over again in those green pools of light.

"Sia, I can not disturb your work." Loki grinned at me. "And Odin has commanded my presence for the day." Loki sighed.

"Ah. I see." There was no ignoring that meeting request. The words stirred me from my langour.

"Is something amiss?" I sat up. This, yes, this is what it is to love a prince. Duty first. Always.

"I've no idea, Sia. The message was simply that I am to meet with him and to spend the day in Council. It could be anything. It could be nothing."

Loki kissed me, and slid out of bed.

"I know I had clothes on when I came in here last night . . . . " He smiled again. I melted. He busied himself sorting out our garments, dressing himself as he untangled his clothing from mine.

I watched his hands move lightly over his clothes, thinking of how lightly they had moved across my skin in the night. I warmed, and wrapped the covers tighter around me.

"Loki, what happens next?" I was terrified to ask, and more afraid of not asking.

"What do you mean, Sia?" Loki looked up from wrestling his doublet fasteners. I smiled, thinking of unfastening them.

I shook myself.

"This isn't exactly what was on my agenda for this trip, and I don't think it's what either Frigga or Odin had in mind when they allowed me to come here. You are a Crown Prince. There are—considerations. I don't want to say or do the wrong thing."

Why, yes, Sia, you are an idiot. What were you thinking last night? Well, you weren't thinking, were you?

"My love, there are no considerations. I love you, you love me. It's quite simple."

"Loki, I'm a mortal from Midgard. You're a prince of Asgard. This isn't an everyday occurrence in either of our worlds."

Loki sat down on the bed and took my hands.

"Sia, I love you. I haven't been this happy in centuries, if ever. Let people think what they will. It matters not to me." He sealed his words with a sweet kiss.

"But it does matter to me. I'm dependent on the good will of the rulers of Asgard to complete my work. I'm not certain that this would fall under the guidelines of good conduct for a guest."

"Sia, it is no one's business except ours. If someone asks, I will proudly tell them I love you. They can like it, or not, but it's not their business."

"Are you going to tell anyone?" My heart was racing. What have I gotten myself into?

"Sia, all that matters is that I love you, and you love me. We are adults, and make our own choices to live our lives as we wish. No, I'm not going to make an announcement. But if anyone asks, yes, I will tell them. I am proud of you, and proud to be loved by you." Loki kissed me again.

"I must go and prepare to meet with Odin." Loki's eyes were full of apology.

"I understand, Loki." Don't cry, Sia. .Cry.

"I will be back this evening, once I have attended to whatever duties the Allfather wishes to appoint to me. And every moment until then, I will be wishing I were in your arms, dear Sia." Loki took me into his arms with a full kiss.

"I hope the day goes well, Loki. I, too, am eager for the night's return."

"I will set out some more books for you, Sia. I do hope you'll be pleased."

"Thank you, Loki. I am certain I shall be."

Another kiss, and then Loki left my bed chamber. Once I heard the door to the hallway open, and then close, I threw myself back onto the pillows.

Sia, what have you done?

Moments later, I heard the door to the hallway open again, and realized Sóldís had arrived. I grabbed my robe and raced to the bathroom and closed the door, running the water in the tub to make it sound like I'd been up a while.

I was reluctant to wash the night from my skin. So lovely, Loki's scent lingering with me.

Sia, you have work to do. Get clean, get dressed, and get on with your day.

I stepped into the tub.

I made love with a God last night.

That's going to take a while to process.

I laid back in the tub and closed my eyes. For the moment, I was determined not to think about anything.

"Prince Loki did not return to his chambers until dawn."

Frigga wondered how this was news. "That's not unusual. He keeps late hours."

"He paid a call on the visitor from Midgard last night at ten o'clock."

"Ah." Frigga's expression did not change, but she sighed internally. "Thank you for the information, and for your discretion."

"I am pleased to serve my Queen in any way she requires."

Sóldís knocked on the door. "Lady Sia, have you drowned in there?"

I shook myself. "No, Sóldís, I am well. I seem to have fallen asleep in the tub. I'll be right out."

I rose, and dried off with the fabulously oversized towel. I really like this place.

I put on my chemise, and returned to the bed chamber.

"Lady Sia, you really should ring for me when you are ready to retire for the night. Even if it's late. It's really much better if I can put away your things neatly."

Sóldís had tidied the room, putting away my clothes and making the bed.

"I apologize, Sóldís. I fell asleep at my writing table last night, and was too tired even to ring for you."

Sóldís gave me that "now, child" look.

"Then I shall simply come by earlier and help you prepare for bed."

"Oh, Sóldís!" Panic gripped me. That would not be helpful. "That's very kind of you. It's really not necessary."

"Very well, Lady Sia. As you wish. Now, let's get you ready for breakfast. Thor says he's looking forward to seeing you this morning."

My heart stopped. Well, time to put all that acting experience to the test, Sia. Hi, Sia, how was your night? Oh, Thor, it was great, I stayed up late making love with Loki.

No, that conversation is not going to happen.

I sat quietly with my thoughts while Sóldís did her usual magic. I was grateful she did not press me for conversation. I didn't feel I could trust myself to hold a civil conversation about nothing in particular.

"And there! You are even more beautiful today, Lady Sia!" Sóldís' pride in her work was evident in her voice.

I turned and looked in the mirror.

Yes, I was glowing.

And my eyes were green.

Oh.

I hadn't expected that.

I tried not to stare at my eyes while I put on make up.

My eyes are green. Everyone is going to notice.

I finished with the mascara, took one final look at my new eyes, and rose.

"I am ready, Sóldís."

I didn't feel ready, but that didn't matter. I would have to be ready to face the world. Welcome to being the lover of a prince, Sia. You knew it would be like this. You chose this. Live this.

"Good morning, Sia!" Thor beamed at me from across the table. "I hope you are well today!"

"Yes, Thor, thank you! I hope you are, too!" Hurrah. Acting lessons for the win.

"Sóldís, I am well here with Prince Thor. I shall see you at 1:00, please."

"Of course, my lady!" Sóldís curtsied and left the room.

"How was your evening, Sia? Were you able to do the writing you wanted to?" Thor's sudden interest in my work was—interesting.

"A bit, Thor. But I was so tired, I fell asleep at the writing table and just went to bed."

"Sia! You are working too hard. You should treat yourself with more kindness." Thor looked worried.

"I am well, Thor. I'm just keenly aware of how few days remain to me here in Asgard, and I want to do as much as possible while I'm here." Which was a true statement—I just hadn't planned on having a sudden princely distraction.

"Sia, if you are truly pressed for time, I could ask Father to grant an extension of your visit."

"Thor, that's very kind of you! I don't want to impose. Odin and Frigga have been so kind already." I would love to stay. I think.

"I'll speak with Mother about it, and she can talk to Father." Thor nodded. "I am happy to do this for you. Your work is important, and you should have all the time you need to complete it."

"Thank you, Thor. You have no idea how much that would mean to me."

Oh, my god. My life is unreal. This whole situation is unreal.

"And Loki? He is not bothering you?" Thor looked worried again.

"Oh, no! Not at all. I expect there will be another stack of books for me at the library today. But really, he doesn't intrude on my work." Which was a true statement—Loki did not come to the library while I was working.

Oh, Sia. You are an idiot.

Yes, but at the moment, a fairly happy idiot.

"I am pleased to hear this. I will be seeing him today. Father has called us both to Council." Thor's worried expression had not changed.

"Thor, is something wrong?"

"I do not know, Sia. The messenger simply informed me that I would be spending the day with Father and the Council."

Thor looked at the clock. "And, as I wish to speak with Mother first, I must go. Please excuse me, Sia."

"Of course, Thor. Duty calls. I understand."

I rose, and Thor hugged me before taking his leave.

What is going on? Why has Odin suddenly called Council? As Loki said, it could be anything, or it could be nothing.

I finished my breakfast in silence, if not peace. My mind had more thoughts than time to think them all, and the library was waiting. I refilled my coffee, and headed there to resume my work.

I carefully opened the door to the library, and took a deep breath before entering.

Yes, as he promised, Loki had left a new stack of books on the table for me.

I picked up the top book, and was pleased to see the edge of a gold-and-green bordered linen card just visible over the top edge of the book.

My Dearest Thyone ~

Shine brightly for me, today, my love.

Until this evening, when I am in your arms again, you are my only thought.

My Heart,

Loki

Last night had been real.

It wasn't a dream.

It wasn't my overactive imagination.

I am loved by a prince.

I am loved by a god.

I am loved by Loki.

I read the note again. Of course, Thyone—the mortal princess Zeus loved in secret, who asked him to reveal his divine self to her, and who was consumed and remade as an immortal by his divine fire.

I smiled from my heart.

I am loved by a man who shares myths with me.

Who is a myth, come to life.

My life was strange, indeed—but in all the best ways possible.

I sat down and began reading.