I woke on my own schedule, running a hot bath and slipping into the warm water, the top covered with a layer of thick bubbles that smelled of lavender and vanilla. Sinking down further into the embrace it offered. The water was growing chilled and lost the warmth; a knock resonated through the room and traveled into the bathing chambers.

"Come in!"

The door opened and I heard it shut behind the person, the loud footsteps told me it was probably Thor.

"Eira?"

"I'm in here Thor!"

"Are you appropriate to see?"

"Just get in here you big oaf."

The bubbles concealed me beneath the water, I made sure of that was Thor came in with a shit eating grin on his face.

"What do you wish to speak about Thor?"

"The terms may not actually be under the best circumstances but unrest with our relations between Jotunheim has called the threat of war and the council is taking about Loki's release."

"War?! Thor, war? That is never a good thing."

"But Loki…"

Thor's cheeks blushed pink and I began to question what could make the God of Thunder do such a thing but looking down the bubbles were disappearing, leaving the water semi-clear, my breast clearly visible. Embarrassment caused my body to heat up, shrouding the room in a thick steam.

"Thor, I'll be out in a second."

Stepping out I wrapped a big fluffy around me and walked out to see Thor sitting in the lounger in front of the fire place.

"Loki is most certainly going to have a nice view."

"THOR! BACK TO SOMETHING OTHER THAN MY BOOBS!"

He looked like a kicked puppy, but I wasn't denying that I was the slightest bit flattered.

"Right, as I was saying if we go to war Loki would be released, and this is a serious threat so your training will begin after tonight's celebration. Sif and I will train you with a sword and you will have plenty of time to practice your abilities."

"Oh joyful."

Thor rose and headed toward the door, grinning once more, he looked back at me still wrapped in a fluffy tower.

"In all honesty they are very nice."

I smirked at him while conjuring a flame in my hand, throwing a small ball of cool fire at his head. The crown prince dodged the attack, shutting the door behind him and chortling down the hall. Hours passed quickly especially when I finally made my way to library. At four one of the servants came looking for me, interrupting my reading of poetry to inform me it was time to prepare for the ball that was now being held in my honor.

A number of handmaidens scurried about my room, gathering the things they would need to tame my unruly hair and make sure I look ever bit of the royalty they claimed I would soon become. I cringed as they ran a comb through the knotty mass of brown hair, softening my curls to loose waves and back my long side swept bangs with a golden clip. I disinclined the offer of makeup, as I surprisingly was perfectly happy with my pale complexion, freckles and grey eyes. The dress was just as painful as last night the strings of the corset ever growing tighter with each breath. Each young girl stood ogling the dress and myself, complimenting the way I looked on this evening and how they wished Loki could see me, but I knew he would see me.

I walked in solitude to the ballroom, the music could be heard flowing through the air from the far end of the hall, the sounds of laughter and loud conversations, the party had started without me, not that I minded. The sentries standing at either side of the doors opened them to reveal, a sea of colorful gowns and well-dressed men. My entrance went mostly unnoticed with the exception of a few lingering stares and Fandral, who wasn't wooing a poor girl much to my surprise.

"You look lovely, Lady Eira."

"Thank you."

I kept my gazed lowered because in all reality I would rather be anywhere than here. Few people greeted me and those who did kept their discussions short as they were preoccupied with the flowing mead. As the common men grew more intoxicated I felt increasingly exposed and sighed a great relief when Thor found me. Offering a glass of wine to ease my nerves, thanking him I downed the wine in one gulp, setting the empty glass on a passing tray as he offered a short dance to which I accepted, mentally comparing the two brothers, and when he finally released me Loki's form and embraced topped Thor's everyway, but that didn't mean I did not enjoy the short dance. I was laughing heartily when Fandral came and pulled me with him, not even bothering to ask of a dance but I was happy to do so, the wine loosening my thought.

The crowd was dwindling down and I excused myself from the continuing celebration with the claim of a headache, Frigga gave me a knowing look and smiled, excusing my absence. I made the path of the dungeons, strolling down the stairs and corridors that lead to the place where they were keeping him. I gathered my thoughts and prepared to face him in whatever mood he would be in, whether it be anger or indifference, I just wanted to see him. And I wanted him to see me in this outrageous dress that was his colors, just the sight of him would ease my nerves because there was no telling what tortures and words the guards and Allfather could concoct.

The guard on duty stood posted and poised at the entrance, he did little but nod at my presence. Loki was situated in the last cell on the right, this time his cell lacked the luxuries that he had previously been provided with, but he sat on the floor a pad of paper and piece of charcoal in hand, moving his wrists in precise flicks, smudging the marks. I stood in front of the glass, this situation much like déjà vu. His eyes rose to meet mine, but not before languidly taking in the expanse of the dress I was wearing, more precisely the dress that was his colors.

"I told you I would come, and I don't break promises."

He stood, his long legs carrying him across the cell to stand before me, a panel of glass separating us.

"You look stunning, absolutely breathtaking; no doubt the most beautiful woman in attendance."

"I wish you could have been there with me, no one can dance like you, and I mean that, Fandral is preoccupied and your brother stumbles because of overindulging on the drinks."

That earned a light chuckle from Loki; I had to find a way inside without breaking so many laws and without possibly being kicked out of the realm. I told Loki that I would be right back, picking up the skirt of my ridiculous dress I walked over to the guard on duty, ignoring the whistles and crude comments from the other prisoners.

"Good evening sir, I was wondering if you would be so kind as to let me in the cell with Loki."

"I'm sorry but I cannot let anyone into the cells."

I laughed, it was deranged and sadistic which frightened me for seconds before I used the power that came with this new confidence.

"I think I can persuade you to change your mind." That got his attention and as soon as he turned to face me completely I took his arm twisting it behind him and slammed him face first into the stone wall.

"You are going to let me in with him, and you are not going to tell a single damn soul about this, is that understood?" Just for added drama I twisted his hand a little more, just a hair from breaking and allowed my skin to heat up. I smirked in triumph as he nodded in agreement to the terms I had laid out. I followed him to the stand before Loki's cell where the guard pulled out a strange looking key and tapped it to the glass, allowing the barrier to be let down for a few seconds giving me time to step in.

"Just call when you are ready My Lady."

I nodded and turned to Loki, his eyes still roaming over my body as he prowled closer resting his hands on my hips.

"Would you give me this dance Eira?"

"I would be an honor."

I wrapped me arms around his neck, lacing my fingers together at its nape underneath the black hair that had a slight curl to it. Slowly we treaded over the area of the cell's floor, swaying back and forth to no music whatsoever but not complaining about it in the slightest. The gazes from the other prisoners didn't bother us in the slightest as all we focused on was each other and the way our bodies fit perfectly together. His lips brushed the shell of my ear sending shivers down my spine as he murmured a condescending question in my ear.

"You're wearing my colors; do you know what that means?"

"Tell me Loki, what does it mean?"

Once more only his voice sent shivers down my back. "It means you are mine."

The dancing had come to a close as Loki bent down, claiming my lips zealously, and before I knew it I kissing him back just as enthusiastically, my fingers wound into his hair and his calloused hands cradled my head as our lips moved in sync. Feeling myself become lightheaded with ecstasy and lack of breath, the corset sure as hell was not helping, I pulled away regaining my breath as Loki pulled me to the floor with him.

"You look uncomfortable darling."

I placed my hand on my stomach. "It's this damn corset, I can barely breathe."

A devious smirk flashed across his face and eyes twinkled with mischief as he pinned me below him. "I can fix that."

He ran his finger across my collarbones and down the valley of my breasts, where I could immediately feel the constricting material disappearing and reappearing in its place was one of Loki's silk black shirts that hung mid-thigh. I sighed and laced my fingers through his, still held down above my head, his breath hitting my neck. He released my hands and they went straight to his face, cupping his cheeks, tracing the contours of his perfect face, wanting to memorize every angle and line. He watched me intently, his weight supported by his hands that were splayed out next to my head.

"So if I am yours does that mean you are mine?"

"Say it again darling." Loki closed his eyes and leaned his hand further into my touch.

"I am yours Loki."

He leaned in, trailing precisely placed kisses along my jawline and finally coming to meet my lips; involuntarily my back arched towards him. When we pulled away breathless, foreheads resting against each other's he finally answered my question, in a low and hushed voice.

"Yes, yes Eira; I am yours."

Part of me wondered where this relationship would go, engagement? Marriage? But the majority of my being was content in this very moment, trapped beneath him, the comfort of his weight just barely pressing into me. I pressed my lips to the junction of his jaw, running my hands down the lapels of his outer vest.

"Have you heard the news?"

He shook his head while I began tracing designs on the part of his chest that the green shirt failed to cover. "We could be going to war with Jotunheim."

The shrewd comments of prisoners in bordering cells drew us up from the position we were in, when I straightened up to a sitting position Loki placed his hands on either side of my face, gently running his thumbs across my rosy cheeks.

"My training begins tomorrow; I will be expected to fight."

Loki shook his head and inched closer to me. "Be safe and stay strong, love. I cannot stand to lose you."

"I'm not going anywhere, I promise."

At some point during the night I had fell asleep, my head resting on Loki's thigh while he leaned against the wall. A rapping on the glass woke us both as the same guard who had let me in stood knocking.

"I am terribly sorry my Lord and Lady, but the shift is about to change and she cannot be seen within your cell."

Loki stood pulling me to my feet with him, a quickly kiss on the lips promised my return, as he held my hand until I was out of reach, the rune transcribed glass forming once more, trapping Loki within. Quickly I made my way through the halls, my bare feet making only the slightest of sound as the stone floor transitioned into smooth marble. The sun was just now peaking up on the horizon and dull glow forming in the halls. I slipped into my room and back into my bed for the few hours that I had left to rest before the exhausting process of training would begin.