21
The Jewel in the Box
Happiness is a warm soft kitten ~ Loki
The night nurse on duty at the desk nodded and gave him a genial smile. "Come to see your lady, My Prince?"
"I have, and I bring her good news." He said and walked calmly to her room. He paused, making sure he was presentable first.
He opened the door, she resting against the pillows and watching the stars in the dim candlelight. Her face calm turned to the door and lit up in a smile brighter than the sun and she blushed.
"Hello My Prince. Why do you smile so?" She asked him gently.
"I have news for you," he said.
"Oh?" she asked and he saw the worry in her eyes.
"It is not bad news," he said as he placed the plate with the pie on it down on the small table then sat on the stool near the bed,
"My father gave his blessing tonight to our betrothal at dinner." Loki told her happily.
"He did?!" she asked, wide eyed.
"Yes!"
"How...? How did everyone take the news?"
"Everyone was delighted, especially the children."
"I am so happy!" She said, trying to sit up and hug him, but weakness forced her back against the bed.
"Easy, darling!" he crooned.
"I'm sorry. I just get a bit dizzy." She said, rubbing her head.
She lay still, her eyes pinched shut and waited for the dizziness to pass.
"Which is why you shouldn't move so quickly. "
"Agreed." She said, folding her hands.
"I think I can help with your neck," Loki said, picking up the jar. "Stefan said your neck and spine were bruised. My green salve can heal bruises."
"I was going to ask for more of that medicine from Midgard. I ache terribly." She said, looking pained.
"I will give you some after I use the salve."
"Thank you." She said. "My head hurts terribly as well."
"I believe that's the concussion. I shall massage your temples with it."
"Will it help?" She asked, tears of pain carried on her vioce.
"Yes."
"Please. I beg you to use some then." She replied.
He opened the jar, the smell of rosemary mixed with coconut drifted out. It was a deep green color.
"It smells lovely." She said and smiled weakly.
He gently brushed her hair away from her neck as she shivered and he wondered what was wrong.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing," she said and blushed.
"It has coconut oil and rosemary in it, among other things." He scooped up some on his hands and gently rubbed it in.
"Upon gentle slipper'd foot she walks, upsetting no drop of dew. Gentle as a moonlight kiss, and sweeter than a rose's first bloom." She said softly, quoting the poem he wrote about Frigga from his book.
"That is my mother's favorite poem," he said and gently rubbed the back of her neck.
"I memorized the whole book, your words were so beautiful." She said, blushing and trying to hide her face.
The salve soothed and numbed on contact, bringing instant relief from the throbbing ache.
He moved her forward a little so he could apply the salve to her back and Rhiannon made a soft sigh.
"I feel much better. Thank you." She said from behind her hands. "Will you return that book for me?"
"Of course," he said as he moved her back against the pillows. "After I add a poem about an accidental Book Thief."
"Please don't tease, I felt such guilt about that."
He laughed, showing her the pie and she looked at it while licking her lips.
"It is the first of many poems I wish to write about my soon-to-be wife," he said, picking up the fork.
"Please, be flattering. I do not know what anyone would say about me." She said and watched his fork. "May I taste that pie?" She asked him, her voice small.
"That's why I brought it, darling. To share."
"That was most kind of you." She said and smiled, laughing a bit.
He waved his hand as a napkin appeared on her lap then he scooped some of the pie on the fork and she opened her mouth.
"This is Kara's famous strawberry pie. It's a recipe handed down for generations."
She accepted the bite, making a pleased sound and savoring it. "It is wonderful."
The taste exploded on her tongue. It was summer sweetness rolled into butter pastry and it melted in her mouth.
He handed her the fork as she scooped some of the pie onto it then he opened his mouth. She fed him as he smiled and she wiped his lips with the napkin.
"That is my favorite so far." She said and blushed.
"Mine too."
They took turns feeding each other until the pie was gone and he placed the napkin and the plate on the small table.
He grinned. "Once when we were kids, Kara and I snuck a whole pie from Grisel's window sill. We ate half of it each."
"Did your stomach hurt after that?" She asked, giggling.
"A bit but it was worth it."
"Was Grisel angry?"
"Yes," he nodded. "She gave us a swat on the behind with her spoon."
"She hit you with a spoon?" Rhiannon looked shocked.
"It was a wooden one and it really didn't hurt much," Loki recalled. "She didn't hit hard, just enough to make us ashamed we had stolen her pie. It was for some tea my mother was hosting and then she had to make another one, so we deserved it."
"Will you tell me more of Midgard? I have never left Asgard, and have only known this realm." She asked him.
Her eyes filled with peace and she laughed slightly, feeling silly for asking about Earth.
"Well, there are buildings that are higher than the palace. They reach up so high, they nearly touch the sky," Loki said and she gasped.
"Wouldn't they fall?!"
"No," he said with a shake of his head. "The tallest building I have seen belongs to a friend of Thor's."
She saw something in his eyes as he shook his head then held up a hand.
"I'm fine."
"Tell me."
"It was a lifetime ago."
"Please."
Pressing his lips into a thin line, he told her about what happened and she placed her hand on top of his.
"I should not have pressed. I am sorry." She said and looked down. "You are not that person anymore, that is the gift The Norns give us. The ability to change and become better people." She said softly. "And you have become a better person, all that has happened has changed you and made you a good man."
"Like I told you, it was a lifetime ago. I am now friends with them and Thor's friend is the one who made the improvements for Nate's wheelchair."
"Is that the man with the suit of Iron?" She asked. "I heard Thor speak of him one time."
"Yes. His real name is Tony Stark."
"Do you think they would like me?"
"They will love you," he said and lightly kissed her lips. "Though they might tease you about getting involved with me."
"If they do, I will tell them they are being rude. And I mean to tell Thor and Balder how cruel they were to you." She said, holding up a finger.
He looked astonished. "You don't have to," he said.
"They were unfair to you as children, and that is hurtful." She argued gently. Her face turned firm, and he saw a queen in her features. "They were supposed to protect you instead they let their friends bully you. Your children would not do that."
"Never. They might quarrel sometimes but nobody hurts a Laufeyson." He told her about how Vince defended a Muslim girl and got attacked and Hunter defended him.
"He is a good man, like you." She said.
She sighed, sadness filling her eyes and she lay back against the pillows.
"I have only Father as family. All Mother's family died in Jotunheim." She said.
"How do you know that?" Loki asked.
"Father told me. He was drunk one night, and he was angry that I did not finish my chores. He told me that they were all dead and he was all I had." She said, shivering at her memory. He guessed from her expression that he had beaten her, and anger surged through him.
"What if it wasn't true? Do you know what your mother's family name was or her clan?"
She shook her head, her eyes sad.
"Now you have me and my family. We will love and protect you always."
He moved her forward a little as he stood then sat on the bed and leaned her against him.
"I like that." She said and smiled. "I hope Father is sober for the wedding."
"I will make sure he is."
Loki didn't say so but he wished the bastard didn't come.
"Do you need to care for the children?" She asked him, snuggling close to him.
"Mother is doing it for me tonight."
"She does love all the children." She said with a smile and he held her hand gently.
"Yes, she does. It doesn't matter to her who or what they are, where they came from or if they have magic or not. They are her grandchildren and the rest doesn't matter."
"She is so very kind, and giving." She said. "Who is this Jane that she does not like?
"She is Thor's mortal woman."
"She comes from Midgard?"
"Yes."
"Why does Queen Frigga dislike her?"
"She treats my brother poorly. She believes her career is what matters. And she yells at him and calls him filthy names. Throws things too. Tony says they do two things well fight and have sex."
"That sounds awful. He should be careful to not get her with child." Rhiannon said and looked up at him."Queen Frigga would die."
"He can't . She has a device in her called an IUD that prevents it. She told him she didn't want any of his brats."
"How dare she! Many woman would love to have a child with him!"
Or you, she thought and he gave her a puzzled look.
"Not her. She told him she wasn't giving him any little green men from Asgard."
"Are Asgardian babies green?" she asked and he softly laughed.
"No, they are normal color. Though I hear Jotun babies are blue," he teased.
"I am a bit nervous about some aspects of being married." She said, shifting shyly. "I have never... well... oh dear."
She covered her face, going bright scarlet and trying not to shake. You fool! What does he care about your maidenhood! She thought and beat herself mentally.
"That is normal. I still am sometimes. Boda was . . . she liked to humiliate me. She told me the reason she cheated on me was because I was half a man. And she wanted a whole one." He looked away.
She turned his face toward her and she gently stroked his cheek.
"She was a fool. You are whole. I mean . . . I am still a maiden." She blurted out and yelped, embarrassment creeping into her body.
"I am glad. It shows that you have pride to save yourself for one you love. I am honored."
"You don't think me silly?" She asked him, surprised he was not teasing her.
"No, I don't," he said with a shake of his head.
"I am nervous... because I was told by a Healer that it hurts terribly... the first time. Like you are being ripped open." She said and blushed
"If . . . ahem . . . the man does not prepare you then yes it could." Loki coughed.
"And you...? You would prepare me for it?"
"Of course. I would never forgive myself if I hurt you in any way."
"I love you." She said, her eyes shining.
"As I do you."
She snuggled closer when her head came to rest on his chest and his heart thumped softly in her ear.
She rested her head on his chest, her fingers playing with a bit of her hair and she relaxed. The rhythm lulling her and making her feel safe, her eyes closed gently and she drifted.
Soon, her breathing found a rhythm, and Loki realized that she had fallen asleep. He gently stroked her hair, and she dreamt of a sunny day in a warm field of wildflowers.
They were sitting on a blanket while the children played among the flowers and Loki was holding her.
He loved holding her, she made him feel complete, two halves of a whole.
She smiled as they ran, chasing butterflies and her heart soared as he kissed the top of her head.
"My Prince," the nurse whispered from the doorway and he looked at her. "Is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine. Thank you," he said and she nodded.
"There sir, do you need help standing?" She asked and he looked down at Rhiannon.
He looked at Rhiannon then at the nurse when he nodded and she walked to the bed. She helped him gently move out from under Rhiannon then he tucked the blankets around his betrothed and kissed the top of her head.
"I will send someone if she wakes," the nurse said and he nodded.
"Please." Loki said and moved Rhiannon's arm gently. The nurse shifted her gently, tucking her in on her side and smiling.
Loki sighed reluctantly. "I don't want to but I suppose I ought to get some sleep."
He paused, return g to the bed and tracing a thumb across her forehead, casting a spell to give her pleasant dreams. He sealed the spell with a kiss, standing and not wanting to leave.
"Pleasant dreams, sir."
"She will have them." He said, and gave the woman a silver coin for her help. "Good night Madam."
He walked down the hallway when he went to check on the children then headed for his bedchambers.
The guards saluted him as he went by.
Back to my empty bed. He thought, lamenting that he did not stay, but he feared that the gossip would cause trouble for her.
He entered the room and shut the door.
He sighed, picking up his pajamas and smelling a fragrant bloom of a rose. He smiled, shaking his head as he changed.
He walked to the bed and stopped.
"What?!"
Laying on his pillow was a shimmering pink rose, the ever blooming flower left neatly and he smiled.
He picked up the rose, holding it so he could smell it and the sweet scent reminded him of Rhiannon.
Under it was a handkerchief, embroidered with a "R" and he held it to his chest.
"My love is like a red red rose," he murmured. "Norns protect that woman." He said, putting the rose beside him on a second pillow.
He got under the covers, relaxing against the pillows. Reaching over, he picked up the rose and looked at it.
The soft pink petals reminded him of Rhiannon's cheeks when she blushed.
He moved a finger over the petals and the softness of the petals reminded him of her skin.
"So delicate," he whispered when he placed the rose on the night table then picked up the handkerchief.
The soft shimmer along the petals reminded him of the stars in her eyes when she smiled, his fingers playing with the lace on the edge of the handkerchief. He soft perfume drifted up to him from it and he brought it to his nose, breathing deeply of her scent.
He felt himself start to drift off with the handkerchief over his face.
His eyes closed, and he tucked the cloth under his pillow. Keeping it safe and as his thoughts drifted to her as he fell asleep, he said another prayer that she would be happy with him and never feel harm come to her again.
He woke to tiny claws kneading his leg. He opened his eyes to see a pretty calico kitten lying on the bed.
"Hello ," he said in felinese. "What's your name?"
"I am Jewel. Who are you?"
"I am Loki."
He reached out to pet her and she climbed on him. "Do you belong to any one?"
"No, this seemed like a nice place to rest." She said and rubbed her head in his hand.
He purred at her, something only a cat shifter could do in human form.
"Why don't you climb onto the pillow then and rest," he said and Jewel purred. She climbed off of him as she went to lay on the pillow and curled into a ball, folding her tail around her.
"It is nice and soft here." She said, snuggling down and kneading at the cushion.
He noticed she had a set of markings on her neck like a necklace.
"Is this marking why you are called Jewel?" He asked her, and she regarded him as cats usually do.
"Yes," she said with a flick of her tail.
He smiled at the kitten, wondering why and how she had come to his room. She was a mystery, and he watched her for a long moment.
"Why are you here little cat?" He asked her and she blinked at him, resting her chin on her paws.
"You felt lonely," Jewel mewed. "The Eldermews said you are the Prince who likes cats. So I came to you."
"I am lonely because my bed is empty without my dear love in it with me." He replied and the cat regarded him.
"Your mate is not here?"
"No, because we are not properly wed." He sighed, thinking of how badly he missed her. It was as if a knot tightened around his heart and threatened to strangle it.
"That is sad," she said and made a sad mewing sound.
"I will go to her soon." He said and an idea crossed his mind. "How would you like to be a gift for her?"
"A companion? Will she treat me nicely? Rub my tummy and feed me tuna? My mother's companion does that."
"I think she would do that," he said and Jewel purred, her tail swishing happily back and forth.
"She does not have a cruel bone in her body, and I believe she would do all that and more." He replied, petting the tiny head.
"Then I choose her for my companion. What name did her mother call her?"
"Her name is Rhiannon."
"It is pretty." The kitten said, purring loudly.
Loki smiled. "I love it when a plan comes together."
He summoned three items from his vault and used his magic to set one of them in a white gold setting.
"When will I meet her?" The kitten inquired, cleaning her fur to look presentable.
"In the morning," Loki said.
He strung one and then summoned a pretty empty box Frigga had let Aleta play with. He placed silver tissue inside it.
"Oooh!" The kitten spied the box and jumped in it.
"Too soon Little Jewel." He laughed and picked the kitten up. "In the morning, we will need you in there."
The kitten licked him.
"We sleep now then?" The kitten asked and stretched her paw out.
"Yes," he said and she closed her eyes.
In the infirmary:
Rhiannon didn't know why she woke, but she opened her eyes and felt something under the covers with her. She looked down to see Max sleeping on the bed beside her and she blinked.
"Where did he come from?" she thought and Max sighed, snuggled closer.
"Max?" she whispered and he made a little moan.
"Wha'?" he asked, only waking slightly.
"How did you get in my bed?"
"I dunno."
"Did you have a bad dream?"
"Yeah."
"What was it about?"
"There was this bad man and he was hurting you."
"He was hurting me?"
"Yeah. I didn't like it and wanted to protect you."
"You did?"
"Yeah. No one hurts my mama," he said then drifted back to sleep and Rhiannon felt the tears in her eyes. She kissed the top of his head as she moved the top blanket over him, closed her eyes and went back to sleep.
Loki's chambers:
He woke the next morning with the calico on his chest, in a multi-colored ball of fur, her jewel-bright green eyes peering at him.
"Hello." The kitten said. "Do I get to meet her now?"
"Yes, but I need to get dressed and feed you first." He removed Jewel from his chest and set her on the bed.
After dressing, he reached in his backpack, which could hold an infinite amount of things due to the spell upon it, and pulled out a package of tuna. He opened it and placed it in a dish he summoned from the kitchens.
Jewel meowed happily and jumped on the table to devour it. He poured water in another smaller bowl he summoned and set it beside the dish. Then he went to comb his hair, which was sticking up like he had been electrocuted by Mjolnir.
"May I have more?" The kitten asked, climbing his pants leg. Loki jerked and yelped in pain, tiny kitten claws pricking his skin. He removed the feline from him.
He looked down, amused. "What, does no one feed you around here?"
"I am fed, but Mama has little time for kittens anymore." Jewel said, waving her paws. "I really liked that food."
"Okay, I will get you more. But do not climb me, I'm not a tree." He placed her back on the table and got another package of tuna.
She meowed happily, purring and dancing around his feet. The kitten nearly tripped him once, and she gazed up at the man with the food in adoration.
He laughed and picked her up so she could eat it. Afterwards he placed the delicate gold chain with the Frost Opal upon it around her neck. "This is for my mate, but I need you to wear it for now. The gem, I mean. The collar is yours to keep."
She preened happily. "Bastet's Eyes, I look like a Queen!"
He scratched beneath her chin. "All cats are queens and kings."
She paraded in front of the mirror, swishing her tail back and forth. She raised one paw delicately, posing and purring.
He snapped a picture with his phone, chuckling.
"All right, little goddess, into the box with you. Just be quiet until she opens it. You're supposed to be a surprise."
The infirmary:
Rhiannon opened her eyes, all the pain gone and tried to stretch. She felt something against her and peered under the covers, smiling at the sleeping child.
"Prince Max? What are you doing here?" She asked, gently waking the child.
"I had a bad dream, and I thought really hard about you." Max said, hugging against her and snuggling close. "It scared me, and I wanted to protect you."
"Protect me? From what, Prince Max?" She asked, arranging the covers around him so he would not smother.
"The bad man," he whimpered. It was all he could remember.
"So you walked all the way here?" Rhiannon asked, blinking back tears.
He shook his head. "No-o-o. I wished myself here."
"Wished? You can move yourself about like your father?"
"Umm . . . I guess so," the little boy said. "I did it before when I dreamed about me and Daddy playing hide-and -seek. I woke up in his bed on him."
"Oh. Why did you want to protect me so much, My Prince?" She asked him, smoothing his hair.
"Cause I love you an' that's what you do when you love someone," he replied honestly. "Like Daddy does."
"I see." She said, hugging the child close and blinking back more tears. "I will protect you as well then."
The child and she fell back into sleep, her arms around him and both dreaming peacefully. "So much like his father, there has to be a connection." She thought as she fell deep asleep.
Jewel sprang into the box and curled up in the silver tissue. Loki put the lid on loosely after making sure there was enough air inside for the kitten to breathe. Then he teleported to the infirmary.
This time Stefan's new Head Nurse, Gretta, was on duty at the desk. "Hello, Prince Loki." She greeted him with a twinkle in her eyes. "I see you come bearing gifts."
The other nurses giggled, whispering and pointing at the box. All of them wondering what was inside it, their guesses wrong of course.
"Yes, is Rhee awake?" he asked, looking hopeful.
"She was still sleeping, last I checked, and she has a visitor." Gretta said, pointing to Rurik who was sitting on a chair. He was passed out, his chin nodding and his clothes a mess.
"We thought it best not to let him in, he is rather drunk." She said.
A nurse walked around him, carrying a tray and giving him plenty of room.
Loki looked appalled. "By the Nine! Please keep him away until he sobers up." He was concerned what Rurik might do before the contract was signed. He concentrated and sent the drunken sot into a deeper sleep, ensuring he would not wake until Loki wished.
"Yes, My Prince." Gretta said, smiling at him and letting him pass.
One of the assistants passed by Rurik, she was buxom and scowled at the snoring man. "Rude lout! He pinched my bottom!" she huffed. "Healer Stefan will have something to say about that!"
"He is very . . . uncouth," Loki coughed. "But he is asleep now, so you are safe from his attentions, miss."
"He will, and he looks like he will be keeping his hands to himself now." Gretta sighed. "Continue with your work."
"I will see you ladies later," Loki said, and waved a hand. A box of chocolate popped up on the desk. "Enjoy that. You need it after putting up with that one."
"Thank you, sir." Gretta said and the Nurses hurries over to taste the treats.
Loki bowed and continued down the hall to Rhee's room.
Before entering, he stopped and checked himself in the mirror, making sure he looked presentable again and smiled at his own reflection. He straightened his belt, smoothing his hair back and entered the room quietly to be greeted by a sweet angel cradling a small boy in her arms. Her cheek rested on the top of his head, and he curled against her. The scene made his heart ache suddenly, the soft bed keeping them both in comfort.
He fished his phone out and took another picture, wanting to preserve this moment.
The two slept on, Max clinging to Rhiannon in trust and Rhiannon shifting to hold him tighter. She sighed in her sleep, her face pinching and she trembled in fear.
Loki suspected his spell had worn off and he approached her, touching her lightly. "Wake up, darling."
She opened her eyes, looking up at him and smiling as she fully woke. He looked down at the child and then at the cup of water, she licked her lips and slowly came alive.
"Good morning. May I have water, My Prince?" She asked, her voice dry.
"Of course." He handed her it. "What's Max doing here?"
"I woke and he said he had a bad dream. He moved here the way you do, and he told me he wanted to protect me from a bad man." She said, looking nervous. "He has gifts so much like yours, sir." She finished, her voice sad.
Loki smiled down at the boy. "That must have been some nightmare, to trigger latent teleportation ability this young. I didn't learn how to blink until I was ten." He gently carded his son's hair. "I think I need to teach him how to consciously blink himself places. With a strong Gift like that it's best."
"If you think that is best." She said, her eyes falling on the box.
He noticed and removed a lovely gold chain from his pocket. "I brought you a get-well gift. May I put it on you?"
She smiled and nodded, sitting up the best that she could with the child in her arms.
"I have never been given gifts before. I know they are pleasant things."
He waved a hand and Max was now sleeping beside her. Then he placed the chain around her neck. "But wait, there's more!" He looked very excited. "The jewel that goes with it is in this box." He put the box upon her lap.
She smiled brightly at the box, touching the ribbon and bringing it closer to her. She went very quiet, her dreams of getting such a pretty box as a child coming true.
"Thank you, My Prince." She said and blinked at it.
Loki grinned. "Go on, open it." He urged.
Suddenly Max sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Ooh, Daddy brung you a present!"
"Brought not brung." Loki corrected.
"He did. It is so pretty." She said and untied the ribbon, lifting off the lid and setting it aside. She began to reach into the box, but a small head popped out and blinked at her. The kitten scrambled over the box, purring and rubbing against Rhiannon.
"Oh, how sweet!" Rhiannon giggled, and picked up the small calico. "She is for me?"
"Yes! Her name is Jewel." He indicated her collar. "And the jewel on her collar is for you."
She touched the pendant, her eyes going wide in shock.
"It... it is the same stone as Mother's bracelet." She said and blinked back tears.
"But I want something pretty on my collar." Jewel mewed.
"I know. That's why I picked it." Loki smiled. Then he meowed at the kitten, "Fear not, little one. I will give you a new jewel to replace it." He conjured a pretty teardrop shaped emerald and on the back of the setting was the kitten's name and his phone number.
"Pretty." The kitten said, batting at the stone.
"I do not know what I did to deserve such nice gifts." She said and smiled at him. Max petted the kitten nicely, and dangled the ribbon to play with her.
"You don't need to do anything. I like giving people presents. This little kitten wanted a friend and I thought you would be perfect for each other. She is very sweet and likes to be petted and given lots of tuna to eat."
"I will make sure she is well cared for." She said, watching Max play with her.
The kitten wiggled her backside, pouncing on the ribbon and tangling herself in it.
"Help!" Jewel wailed, wiggling about to get herself free.
"Easy!" Loki said. He touched the ribbon and it untangled.
"I thought I was trapped forever!" She pouted, shaking out her fur.
"Is she well?" Rhiannon asked, picking up the kitten and taking the collar off to remove the pendant.
"She's fine. Just a bit annoyed," he laughed.
The kitten reached for her collar, Rhiannon accidentally dropping it and a tug of war breaking out.
A nurse entered with a tray, the contents of it not smelling appetizing at all and everyone in the room cringed.
The kitten wrinkled her nose. "Smells like week old dead rat!" She ran and hid under the covers, forgetting the jeweled collar.
"I must speak with my father about getting better food served here," Loki grimaced. "This is unacceptable."
"Gross!" Max cried.
"I agree." Rhiannon said, grimacing at the cold porridge and the browning apple slices.
Loki snapped his fingers and the food was transformed into fresh apple slices with peanut butter and steaming oatmeal with cinnamon, brown sugar, and raisins with a touch of honey. "That is my oatmeal. I make a whole pan of it on cold days for my kids for breakfast."
"It looks delicious." Rhiannon said, fishing the kitten out from under the blankets. She set her on the bed and Jewel pawed at her collar, giving a mournful mew.
"What's wrong, kit?" Loki asked her.
"My collar. It has no jewel, and she did not put it back on me." She meowed back.
"Your cat wants this jewel on her collar." Loki said, handing Rhee the jewel name tag.
Rhiannon looked at the kitten, noticing the necklace marking. "How lovely! I see why she has that name." She took the emerald and put it on the collar and slid the collar over the kitten's neck. "Don't lose it now."
"I am a Queen!" Jewel purred, lifting her paw daintily and posing.
"Look at her! She is so darling!" Rhiannon said and gave the kitten some cream from her nearly empty bowl.
"Adorable little scamp," Loki chuckled, petting her back. Jewel arched into his hand, her tail coming up.
"She gave me cream! I do like her!" Jewel said, purring.
Frigga entered, followed by two of her maids. She smiled at the trio on the bed, petting the kitten.
"I see I am not the only one to spoil Rhiannon." Frigga said and the maids giggled that the kitten.
Loki looked up at her mischievously. "That's my prerogative as her betrothed."
"Well, I bring good news. I saw Stefan and he said she may leave today, but is to relax foe the time being. I brought my ladies to help her dress." Frigga said and Rhiannon blushed.
"I think that means we have to wait outside, Daddy." Max said.
"I think you're right, scamp. Shall I take Jewel with me?"
"If it pleases you, My Prince. Prince Max seems to enjoy playing with her." Rhiannon said and smiled at the boy.
Loki made a smooching noise and held out the box and Jewel ran and jumped in it. "Come on, Max. Let's leave so the ladies can help Rhee."
Max took his hand and they left the room.
"Daddy, why does she need help getting dressed?" Max asked, playing with the kitten in the box.
"Because she hurt her head," Loki explained.
Several nurses and assistants saw the kitten in the box and went over to pet her, exclaiming over how adorable she was.
Stefan came down the hallway with a clipboard under his arm. "Causing a commotion again, Loki?" he teased. Then he saw the kitten and smiled. "What a pretty calico."
"She's not for you, Stef," Loki told him.
"And here I thought you liked me," the Healer made a face.
"I do, but I love my betrothed more," he shot back.
Stefan picked up Jewel. "Now you're a sweetheart."
"This petticoat is a luxury." Loki heard Rhiannon say through the door.
"Yes dear, it is the finest silk." Frigga replied. "Made by the Elves themselves."
Jewel purred in Stefan's arms. "Where did you find her, Loki?"
"She found me." Loki answered. "Do you have any siblings?" he asked the kitten.
The maids giggled, and he heard them all shuffle about. The sound of clothes being changed and more giggles.
"Interesting birthmark, dear." Frigga said and he heard Rhiannon giggle.
"I wish I did not have it." Rhiannon said, and he heard Frigga laugh.
"It is endearing dear, and very sweet." The Queen replied, Loki feeling a blush creep across his face.
"I do, they are in the garden with the statue of a Golden Lady." Jewel replied. "All six of them."
"Hey, Stef. Jewel told me she has six siblings and they all need homes. They are in the garden near the Golden Lady statue. You could go see them."
"I shall, maybe two of them will allow me to adopt them." He said and smiled.
"Can I hold the box, Daddy?" Max asked, reaching up for it.
Loki handed him the box.
The door opened slowly, and Frigga stepped out. Behind her stood Rhiannon in the blue silk gown, and she was gorgeous. Her graceful neck and shoulders bare, the soft curls of her hair laying over one of those perfect shoulders. The gown flattered her, accepting her curves perfectly. A touch of pink shimmer dusted her full lips, and she blushed as Loki stared.
He felt his knees buckle, the angelic vision of beauty fading to black and he heard gasps.
"Norns, Loki!" Stefan cried and went to catch his friend.
His eyes opened moments later, Rhiannon looking down at him in worry as she touched his cheek. He put his own over hers and savored the warm softness. I think this is how all those ladies felt when I made them faint he thought, staring into her clear sky colored eyes.
"My Prince?" She asked, worried and she lifted his head gently.
"Should I find him a bed?" Stefan asked, handing her a cool cloth and she pressed it to his forehead.
"I'm fine," he muttered, sitting up.
"Are you sure? You collapsed!" Rhiannon said, her beauty drawing his attention again.
"I forgot to eat today," he said, then whispered, "And breathe."
"Maybe he hit his head, he seems to have lost his senses." Stefan teased and Rhiannon threw the cloth at him.
"Don't tease!" Frigga said, helping Rhiannon to stand.
"You should eat My Prince, your health is important." Rhiannon said, her smile gentle.
"Were you spellcasting again on an empty stomach, Loki?" Frigga queried with a mock-frown.
"Only a little," he admitted.
Smooth Laufeyson, very smooth. he thought, standing up and his eyes falling on Rhiannon again. He saw the delicate lace along her neckline, his eyes lingering as he followed it to her heart.
She was wearing the Frost Opal pendant, it went perfectly with the gown.
"The gown is made from Elvish Silk. Isn't it lovely?" Frigga said and got his attention off Rhiannon.
"It is gorgeous!" he replied.
"I told you it would be a vision." Frigga said and smiled at Rhiannon.
"You did My Queen." Rhiannon agreed.
"Sir?" A nurse said, peering around the corner. "Her father is snoring loudly."
Rhiannon froze, panic on her face.
"Father?" She said, her voice a whisper.
"He's passed out in the waiting room," Loki sighed.
"I will take Rhiannon to my chambers." Frigga said. "We can look at fabrics and have tea."
"Thank you, Mother," Loki said.
"Here is your kitten." Max said, handing over the box.
"Thank you, Prince Max." She said, looking at Loki. "I don't know what he wants."
"I will ask him when he wakes up," Loki said and she nodded.
Frigga led her away, he watched her walk. He worried about the fear she showed, and hated the man more.
"Daddy, is her Daddy mean to her?" Max asked.
Loki nodded. "Yes. Like your old mommy."
"Are you going to make him go away, Daddy?" Max asked, looking up at his father.
"I might."
"Good. No one hurts my mama and gets away with it."
"You like the idea of her being your mama, imp?"
"Yep!"
"He fell out of the chair." The nurse sighed, staring down the hall.
"Norns," Loki sighed while rolling his eyes.
"I will go get dressed Daddy, then I can go see Mommy some more with Bestamor." Max said, running away.
"This way, sir," the nurse said as Loki followed her and tried hard not to ball his hands into fists.
Loki stood next to the nurse while he looked at Rurik lying on the floor and Rurik snored loudly.
"He is disrupting the other patients and healers," the nurse said.
He walked behind the nurse, looking at Gretta.
"Have the guards come and take him to the dungeons, he may go after he sleeps off his stupor." Loki said and Gretta nodded.
"Yes, My Prince." She said and ran her errand.
"Stay far away from Rhiannon you shiftless bastard." He hissed, smelling vomit on the man's clothes. He scowled, pitying Rhiannon for her childhood.
"Stupid whore...," Rurik mumbled and Loki knelt down next to him. "Should have let her mother's family have her."
What? Loki scowled, wondering about the man's rambling.
"Sweet hands... so very sweet... my Rhiannon." He continued, making Loki's stomach churn.
"You lowly worm," Loki whispered while Rurik rolled over into the vomit and Loki sighed.
"Come here... Rhiannon... I'll tell ye... a story." He muttered, and started to vomit again.
"What does that mean?" Loki said, something about his words making him feel ill.
The guards arrived, one of them cringing at the mess, a nurse brought over a bucket to clean it up, her eyes rolling as they lifted that man off the ground and dragged him unceremoniously away.
"I just cleaned that floor too." The girl said, wringing her mop. "Disgusting man."
"Thank you, My Prince." Gretta said, indicating to the empty candy box.
"You're quite welcome," Loki replied, giving them a quiet smile.
The words the drunken man spoke made his trouble radar buzz. He recalled another man who had done that. Mr. Grimes, the orphanage manager, who had been running a child slavery ring through the orphanage and also targeting young girls for his sick pleasure. Loki had assisted undercover office Frank LaRusso in bringing Grimes in and sending him to Riker's-after he beat the spit out of the pedophile.
Where evil walks, you shall feel it in your bones. He remembered one of the Powers telling him that before he had been sent to Midgard after his rebirth. It was one of their gifts to him-like his ability to detect lies and speak only truth.
He knew without being told that the man he had hauled off was one of those evil things. And he vowed Rhiannon would suffer no more at his hands.
His lip curling in revulsion, he headed back to the palace.