Chapter 14:

As she looked around the familiar room she felt her head rush. "He really needs to knock that off." She growled. Just then she felt someone crash into her and looked down to see that it was her sister. "Where the hell have you been!?" Chloe yelled. "I've was so worried that something happened to you!" Adriel started to laugh as she hugged her sister.

"Now doesn't this sound familiar?"

Chloe glared at her while she pulled away. "Where were you? You were just supposed to have a picnic with Thor and you haven't come back since then" Adriel sighed as she walked up to the armoire and pulled out some clothes. "I was with Loki." Chloe's eyes widened as she quickly rushed up to her sister.

"Wait what!? Adri did you sleep with him?"

Adriel then glared at Chloe as she walked over to the changing screen. "No! It's just a long story okay?" Chloe frowned at her sister and crossed her arms over her chest. "Adri this isn't like you! You don't just spend the night with some guy now tell me the truth! What is going on between you and Loki? And what happened with Thor?!" Adriel sighed as she pulled on a fresh pair of clothing.

"Alright I'll tell you but not a word to anyone alright? We had the picnic and then Thor began to tell me some things about my past that really upset me and he escorted me back to my room and I heard a knock on the door and I thought it was you but it was Loki so I lost it. I just started crying and begged Loki to show me everything and he did and when he showed me everything he also showed me his memories as well, his feelings, his insight in everything and it showed me that he's been in love with me for years. He's the reason why we are here because of Eric doing what he did, he begged his father to bring us here. Chloe I am so torn, he's already told me that he loves me but I don't know if I am there yet."

Chloe placed her hands over her mouth, staring at her sister in shock. "He said he's in love with you?" Adriel nodded as she fidgeted with her hands. "Yeah… Chloe this is way too fast but I can't help but fall for him. I don't know why but I connect to him so well and I feel safe and happy with him. I just don't know if I can say those words yet." Chloe smiled at her sister and hugged her.

"Adri this is so cool! I cannot believe he told you that he loves you. This is so romantic!"

Adriel smiled and shook her head. "It's crazy Chloe that's what it is." Chloe looked up at her and smirked. "Adri he's watched over you since you left Asgard and brought you back home so you could be safe! I mean come on! It's romantic and he seems to genuinely care for you." Adriel shook her head and ran her fingers through her hair. "I just don't know." Chloe was about to say something until their door opened to show Polaris coming in.

"My Lady I apologize for intruding but if you would come with me we are going to teach you the Asgardian dance."

Adriel arched her brow at Polaris, giving her a confused look. "There's a dance?" Polaris nodded. "Yes… now come with me." Adriel looked over at Chloe who shrugged her shoulders as they both followed after Polaris. "So what does this dance entail?" Adriel asked as they followed her through the numerous hallways. Polaris looked back at Adriel in complete surprise as they turned around another corner.

"It is the opening dance and since you are being escorted by the Prince then you need to learn how to do said dance."

Adriel nodded as they finally walked into what she assumed would be the grand ball room. "In order to keep up appearance it would be best if you learned the proper ways of the Asgardian people." Adriel shrugged her shoulders. "What suck up to big wigs? Impress them, listen to their boring stories? Yeah I think I go that covered." Polaris glared at her as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Amusing… but seriously since you are being escorted by the Prince it is a big deal because you are not only concerning yourself about what people make of you but you are also concerning the Prince of Asgard."

Adriel nodded as she gave Polaris a warm smile. "Well I don't want Loki to look bad so let's do this." Polaris grinned at her and placed her hand on Adriel's shoulder. "You will be definitely the talk of the ball. Your Mother and Father were dear friends with most of the people who are coming to this." Adriel smiled at Polaris and overheard a foreign voice coming towards them.

"And let's not forget that most of the Prince's prior conquests will be there and you will definitely want to prove that you are far more desirable than they are."

Adriel looked over towards where the voice came from and saw a beautiful pale woman with black hair and brown eyes. Right next to her was a tall slender man with short dark brown hair, hazel eyes and a bit of stubble upon his face. The woman noticed Adriel staring at her curiously and held out her hand and gave her a friendly smile.

"I'm Liv and this is Arrick."

Adriel smiled at her and shook her hand. "Adriel and this is my sister Chloe." Liv chuckled, giving her an endearing smile. "I already know who you are. You and I were friends when we were children." Adriel arched her brow at Liv while she continued to grin at her.

"Oh so Loki made you think that he was your only friend? I see. He was always very possessive of you, even when we were children. But look that's not important what's important is you are being escorted by one of the Princes of Asgard and you need to shine brighter than any star that is in the universe. Especially if you want to keep a certain Prince at your side." She said with a wink.

Adriel started to laugh and shake her head. "We're just friends." Liv rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Who are you fooling!? You're blushing right now just thinking of him. Adri you may not remember me well but we were best friends when we were children which means I know some of your traits." Adriel chuckled as she ran her fingers through her hair. "I feel like everyone knows me better than I know myself or anyone else for that matter." Arrick then grinned at her as he kept his hands in his pockets.

"It's because you don't remember, once you do it'll all come back to you."

Adriel grinned and then pointed at the both of them. "So… Are you guy friends, siblings, partners?" Arrick and Liv looked over at one another and smiled. "As a matter of fact we are to be bounded in the coming months." Adriel grinned as she waved her hands excitedly. "Well congratulations!" Liv grinned as Arrick wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her temple.

"Thank you we're very happy and have waiting a very long time for this. But enough about us! We are here to help you learn the dances for the ball."

Chloe then crossed her arms and shrugged her shoulders.

"Are the dances really that hard to pick up?"

Liv then shook her head.

"No but they are very important to know, especially if you are being shown with Royalty like I said earlier."

Chloe nodded while Arrick walked up to Adriel. "Now first thing we're going to do is have you place your left hand on my shoulder and allow me to place my hand on your waist while your right hand holds my left hand in the air." Adriel furrowed her brows and smiled at him. "Oh! Like this?" She asked as she mimicked everything he just said. Arrick nodded as he pulled her a little closer to him.

"Yes just like that."

He then looked over at Polaris and nodded. "Music please?" Polaris then quickly rushed over to the piano and started to play some music while Arrick looked back over at Adriel. "Perfect, now follow my lead." Adriel nodded as she followed his every move, not stumbling whatsoever. Adriel giggled as Arrick twirled her around and moved her across the floor.

Meanwhile as they were practicing Odin and his group of men were taking a shortcut through the ball room as they were discussing their next move against one of the enemy realms.

"Sire I do believe that this plan would be most fundamental for us."

Odin nodded as Loki and Thor followed behind him with the other men. "Yes, but I suggest we wait until we know for sure that they are a threat. We do not want to rush into this." Just then, one of the men looked over at the young girl who was dancing around the floor.

"Odin… is that Rodmar's daughter?"

Odin looked over and smiled once he saw her. "Yes… beautiful young girl isn't she?" The man nodded as he smiled. "She looks very much like her mother." Odin nodded.

"Yes, she is quite the beauty and she will be escorted to the ball by one of my sons."

He said with a small smile on his lips. It's not that Odin didn't want Loki to be with Adriel. He just feared that their relationship would go southward once she found out his son's true origin. And by seeing how his son before him was glaring daggers upon the dancing couple made Odin very much aware that he has already planned to stake his claim on her and that he was not going to allow anyone to have her but him and this concerned Odin thoroughly considering that she was originally to belong to Thor. He supposed however that time would only tell.

The man then smiled over at Thor and placed his hand on his shoulder. "I can imagine that you are most excited to be escorting that lovely young lady." Thor looked over at him and was about to respond until Loki spoke up. "Actually Gunar I am escorting her." Gunar looked over at Loki and then Odin, completely surprised. "Oh my apologies my Prince." Loki glared at him while Volstagg looked over at the dancing couple.

"Adriel is quite the dancer."

Loki immediately looked over at her and noticed how close she and Arrick were. They were dancing as if they were intimate and that thoroughly angered him. Arrick and Adriel were laughing as he twirled her around playfully, he then lead her across the ball room and stopped once he heard the King clear his throat.

They both looked over to see Odin, Thor, Loki, the Warrior's three, Sif and a bunch of other men standing there before them. Odin smirked at the two of them as they separated from one another. "Adriel I see that Arrick here is teaching you the dance for the Asgardian ball." Adriel nodded as she grinned over at Arrick.

"Yes and he's an amazing teacher."

Arrick grinned over at her while Liv and Chloe walked up behind them. Odin chuckled as he placed his hands behind his back. "Well that is wonderful to hear my dear." Adriel smiled and then noticed the penetrating stare she was getting from Loki.

Just then a large man with dark brown hair walked up to her and started to examine her. Adriel gave him a curious look as he stopped his analyzing and smiled at her. "You look so much like your mother it's actually very uncanny." Adriel blushed and started to laugh.

"Thank you. You really have no idea how much that means to me."

The man chuckled and then looked over at the young girl. "I take it that this lovely young lady is your sister? She resembles you very much." Adriel nodded and wrapped her arm around her sister's shoulder. "Yup this is my little mini me!" Chloe rolled her eyes while Adriel squeezed her shoulder.

The man before them began to laugh as he shook his head. "Well it is truly a pleasure to meet Rodmar and Cassandra's daughters." Chloe edged closer to Adriel while Adriel gave the man a small smile. "Well thank you. I'm sorry I didn't catch your name." The man chuckled and gently bowed.

"Forgive me my Lady. I am Gunar the Allfather's captain and an old friend of your father's."

Adriel smiled and nodded. "Well it's really nice to meet you as well." Liv then placed her hands on Adriel's shoulders and smirked over at Loki. "Your escort here is a fantastic dancer. I imagine that you two will have an amazing time at the ball." Loki curtly nodded as he gave Adriel a penetrating glare. "Yes I imagine that we will." Adriel gave him a closed mouth smile; she had a feeling that he wasn't very thrilled with her at the moment and figured that he will address it eventually. Gunar looked over at Loki and smiled at him.

"You are a lucky man to take such a beautiful lady."

Loki nodded giving him a tight smile.

"Yes I am."

Odin then gestured for the men to follow him. "Well how about we let the girls get back to their practice and we continue on with our negotiation plan." The men nodded while Thor gave Adriel a small smile. "Goodbye my Lady." Adriel smiled at Thor and nodded. "Goodbye my Prince." She said softly, feeling Loki's dark glare penetrate her. She then looked over at him and gave him a shy smile. "My Prince." Loki then nodded. "My Lady." He whispered and walked off with the rest of the group.

Adriel sighed and placed her hands upon her face while Liv gave her a questioning look. "Are you sure you chosen the right Prince to be escorted with?" Adriel gently nodded as she moved her hands away from her face. "Yes I'm sure." Liv then shrugged her shoulders as she looked over at Arrick.

"Alright then, well let's continue practicing then."

They practiced for majority of the day and when they finally finished Chloe went back to her room to read while Adriel scoured the kitchen. The servants were currently off duty so she decided that she could make something. She then sifted through the cupboards until she felt someone place their hand on her shoulder, causing her to yelp. She then quickly whirled around to see Loki standing there before her. She quickly placed her hand over her chest and started to breath heavily.

"Loki you scared me!"

Loki gave her an inquisitive look as he moved his hand away from her. "What are you doing in here?" Adriel shrugged, giving him a shy smile. "I was hungry so I figured I would come here and make myself something." Loki tilted his head to the side as he crossed his arms behind his back. "We have servants for that." He said as he walked away from her.

Adriel couldn't tell by his expression whether he was irritated or bored with her. She then gently walked up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Loki are you ok?" Loki whirled around and glared at her. "What matter is it of yours?" Adriel frowned and gently shrugged her shoulders. "Because I care… you just seem like you are upset with me." Loki sneered at her as he stomped right up to her cornering her against a wall.

"How astute of you to figure that out, I thought I made it clear that you are mine and mine alone and then I see you in the arms of another man! Do you know how much of a fool I looked like in front of my comrades, my family, and my friends!? It's bad enough that I am a laughing joke you have to humiliate me as well!?"

Adriel sighed and slowly shook her head.

"Loki, I'm sorry that you feel like I have embarrassed you however Arrick was just trying to help me learn these dances so I wouldn't make you look like an idiot at the ball. Liv and Arrick are engaged to be married and I have no feelings towards him other than friendship. I'm sorry… I'm just so out of my element here and I don't know how to act or behave here. And I just need time to mend this, I need time to get past all of this and you are the only thing in my life right now that makes complete and total sense. I'm scared Loki… I have a sister that I've been neglecting for the past couple of days, I have this whole new life that I didn't even know about until your brother decided to tell me. I have people who don't like me because I'm from Earth, then I have people who hate me because I'm going with you to a damn dance, I have to do these stupid etiquette classes tomorrow to act like a proper lady and have to be made up tomorrow like I'm going to be prepared to be sent out to the slaughter house! Then there's you! I have all these feelings new and old and I don't know how to figure this out. Loki I know you love me but I don't know if I am there yet."

Tears started to well up in her eyes as she ran her fingers through her hair.

"I just wish my mom was here. I wish she could tell me what to do, how to get past this. How to finally be over Eric and allow my heart to be completely yours. I just don't know what to do Loki. I love who you are, I love the kind of man you are but there is still this huge gaping hole in my heart that needs to be mended and I'm sorry I'm just not there yet. All I can say is that I am falling for you, that my heart literally skips a beat every time I see you, that there is a possibility that I could love you one day. All I am asking is if you could just be patient, just give me some time." She pleaded.

Loki stared at her with such intensity, not budging, not giving her any indication of whether he was still angry with her or not. His expression was so emotionless and so inexpressible. She then wiped her eyes and shook her head. "Look I should go… I won't keep you any longer." She said brokenly as she began to walk past him.

Loki then immediately grabbed her arm and yanked her towards him. Adriel looked up into his green eyes as he cupped her cheek. He then rested his forehead against hers and sighed.

"Adriel, no word could ever describe what I felt when I saw you with Arrick today. I was angry, furious, and humiliated. On top of that I didn't want to prove my brother and his friend's right on the fact that you would never have feelings for me. My comrades all think that they rank superior to me however they want my input on battle strategies. They don't take me seriously, especially my father. I always lived in the shadows Adriel and the one thing that makes me feel like a true man was dancing intimately with another. All I want is you and respect from my father, brother, friends and comrades. All I want is to be accepted."

Adriel cupped his cheek and gently kissed him. "Don't you see that you don't need them? That you are amazing by just being who you are? I however do understand what you mean and perhaps we can help each other. Perhaps we can make one another better and get us past these road blocks. Just know Loki that there is no other man that I want to be with. I want be with you ok? Just you." Loki smiled down at her as he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her passionately.

Adriel giggled against his lips as she kissed him. She then wrapped her arms around his neck to deepen the kiss as his hands started to roam her body. Adriel softly sighed as he started to kiss down her neck, she gently bit her bottom lip as he nipped and kissed her soft skin. "Loki…" She whispered as he pulled her even closer to him. Loki then started to kiss up her neck to her lips. Adriel then softly bit his lip causing him to groan against her. "Adriel… do you know how mad you make me?" Adriel smirked as she continued to peck his lips. "The feeling is mutual I assure you." Loki snickered as he broke away from her and kissed her forehead.

He then heard her stomach growl and began to laugh. "Looks like we need to put some sustenance in that belly of yours." Adriel gave him a shy smile while Loki led her to one of the seats and had her sit down. "What would you like to eat?" Adriel arched her brow at him and smirked.

"You're going to make me something?"

Loki then smirked back at her as he sat down beside her. "Something like that." He then took her hands into his and smiled. "Close your eyes and imagine what you would like to eat." Adriel sighed and rolled her eyes. "I thought you are going to cook me something." Loki scoffed as he placed their hands on the table.

"That is something my dear you do not want trust me."

Adriel giggled while he smiled at her. "Alright now close your eyes and think of what you want to eat." Adriel did as she was told and imagined her favorite meal. She could see it, and smell it. Loki then whispered to open her eyes and as soon as she did she saw before her two plates of spaghetti in front of her. Adriel immediately grinned while Loki looked over at the two plates before him. "This is what you wanted?" He asked, completely surprised. Adriel immediately nodded as she looked over at him.

"I love spaghetti. It's my favorite, especially how my mother made it."

Loki chuckled as he took her hand kissed her soft skin. "Whatever you want milady." Adriel leaned over towards him and kissed him softly. "I don't know if I have said this to you yet but you are such an amazing boyfriend and I love every minute I get to spend with you." Loki then gave her a genuine grin and kissed her deeply. "Your words mean very much to me." He whispered, Adriel scooted her seat next to his and rested her head on his shoulder while he wrapped his arm around her.

"So I take it that this is our first official date."

Loki arched his brow at her while she looked up at him. "You know a form of courtship consisting of social activities done by two people with the aim of each assessing the other's suitability as a partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse." Loki then nodded finally understanding. "Ah yes, dating I suppose this is then." Adriel smiled at him and took her fork and wrapped the pasta around it with ease and held it up to Loki. "Try it." Loki looked over at her hesitantly but took a bite anyways.

Once he started to chew the soft pasta he slowly started to smile. "This is really good." Adriel then beamed at him as she placed her fork down. "I told you!" Loki then took his fork and started to take bites out of his plate. "I can see why you like this meal." Adriel chuckled as she watched him eat.

"I wish you could see Midgard. See what an amazing place it could be." She said softly.

Loki looked back at her while she took a bite from her own plate. "I would like that one day very much so." Adriel sighed and gently shook her head. "What's bothering you my love?" He asked as he smoothed her hair. Adriel shrugged giving him a small smile.

"I miss home. I know it's silly and all but I just feel like I have so much unfinished business there, I just wish I could've tied everything up before coming here."

Loki then gave her a small smile and kissed her temple. "Perhaps after the ball we could do such a thing." Adriel then grinned up at him. "I would love that! I would love for you to meet my friends, see what I do, see how Chloe and I lived. See what life is like down there. I know you would love it." Loki grinned, amused by the fact that this woman before him was so excited for him to see her home.

Sure, he was by far more superior than Midgardians however knowing the woman he loved grew up there and lived there majority of her life he was more than determined to see what life was like in her world. "I would thoroughly like that." Adriel grinned at him and pecked him on the lips. "Loki thank you for everything." Loki smirked at her and kissed her forehead. "Thank you for allowing your heart to open up to me." Adriel smiled as she continued to eat, enjoying the time they were spending together.

Thank you for all the adds and reviews! That means so much to me, more than you can imagine! :) I really hope you have enjoyed this story so far and I really hope that you have enjoyed this chapter as well. I promise more is on it's way! Don't forget to review, if you have ideas I'm always up for them. :)