**Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel or any of the original characters depicted in Marvel's movies/comics**
Chapter 28: Revenge
After splashing cold water on her face, Estiel quickly dried herself and looked up into the mirror. Back in her bedchambers, upon waking from a bad dream, she thought it was necessary to shake the images by rinsing off at the sink. Mainly, Estiel was trying to overcome the sense of doom that was gnawing at her insides. When Gynve pieced her memories together with his, he became so enraged that he had grown silent. When all she could elicit were daunting glares from him, she had bowed her head and left. Now, as she stared at herself in the mirror, Estiel worried what he would do with the knowledge of Loki's attempts on Gynve's life.
She sighed and dipped her head down in anguish. To her left on the counter, she caught sight of her ring from the dark prince. It shimmered brightly, as if it called out to her. Estiel narrowed her eyes and reared back upon the realization that she had not left it in the washroom. In fact, she distinctly recalled leaving it in her little jewelry box by her wardrobe. Hesitantly, she reached down and lifted it into her hand. As her eyes began to look back at her reflection, she gasped at the image of Loki behind her.
"Bloody Helheim! You frightened me!" She spun around and smacked him hard on the shoulder. Loki pretended to receive a terrible blow and wince before a smile spread over his slender face.
"Sorry, darling. You seem to have misplaced your engagement ring—I was only trying to be helpful." He smirked at her wickedly and leaned in to kiss her cheek. Estiel only leered at him sorely as he lingered a bit by her face.
"I did not misplace it and you know better. What do you want with me at this hour? Are you not aware of how late it is?" She spat sharply while walking out of the washroom and into her bedchamber. Loki crossed his arms behind his back and sauntered behind her.
"Ah, is it not obvious? I plan to bed you." Loki said seductively. Estiel froze, then turned to face him.
"Excuse me? That's a bit forward, even for you." She choked out, her throat feeling tight. He chuckled to himself and gracefully sat on her bed.
"Oh, silly me. I meant share the bed with you." With a wide, toothy grin, he patted the spot next to him. Unamused, she raised a brow and leaned against the bedpost instead.
"I have not forgiven you. I still consider us separated—so I do not find your presence in my room, on my bed, very appropriate at the moment." Estiel's vexed tone was rather calm, since she was so exhausted.
"I thought that by now you would realize I could never let my little bird fly away. I would be so lonely…" Loki remarked, trying to earn her sympathy. She scoffed at him.
"Oh, lonely indeed. For no woman in all the nine realms would tolerate you as I have." She quipped and suppressed the smile that was beginning to show on her face.
"Come now, any woman would be so privileged to be in my company. I would be lonely by choice." He corrected her, sounding rather honest.
"That's just preposterous. Why would anyone choose to be lonely?" Estiel tilted her head and finally smirked at him, unable to hide it now.
"Well, I would rather be left alone than in the presence of another. I do not believe there is another being in all of existence who could make me feel the way you do." Loki spoke softly and looked up to her. His bright, emerald orbs were almost hypnotizing.
"And what way would that be, exactly?" Estiel probed, her interest thoroughly piqued. Loki extended his hand to her and caressed the side of her torso.
"Loved… understood. Reason to be better than I am." Loki whispered and quickly looked down, not willing himself to feel too vulnerable again. With his gentle words, she felt herself begin to melt. She cursed herself internally—oh, you imprudent sap, how you must love this despicable man so.
"Though that is well and good, I wish you could make me feel that way, too, instead of a fool." Estiel nipped with a pout and playfully kicked his leg. He grinned and quickly reached forward to grab her. As she squealed a bit, he took her in his arms and lowered her over his lap facing him.
"I know I do, for I am the fool. Perhaps, there is no karma controlling the balance of the worlds, because I have done nothing in this life to deserve your love." Loki murmured while staring deeply into her eyes. The corners of her mouth turned upward into a smile upon hearing him speak truthfully.
"Perhaps you did in your previous life. Or maybe I had committed a treacherous crime and you are my punishment." Estiel began to giggle and watched as he wore a child-like expression of amusement.
"You do realize that you speak ill of your future husband? We must remedy that habit at once." Loki teased and started to tap his fingers into her sides. With wide-eyes, she laughed and squirmed under his touch.
"No, no! S-stop that!" Estiel quickly gripped his hands and pulled them away from her. As her gaze met Loki's, his playful laugh ceased, and slowly replaced by a sinful stare. Abruptly, he reached under her and moved her swiftly to the mattress. She rolled to her side with a huff and felt helpless as he crawled up next to her.
"Tell me, why do you love me?" He asked as he began to unbutton his armored coat. With a nervous smile, she answered him.
"Why do I love you? Hmm…" She said softly as she watched him undress. A hot, red flash of embarrassment colored her cheeks, forcing her to look away.
"It's quite safe to look at me, darling. As godly as I may be, you will not faint, I assure you. In any regard, continue… you love me because…?" Loki teased her and finished undressing to his underclothes. He heard her chuckle a bit to herself.
"Because you are so unrivaled in wit and intelligence. You stimulate me endlessly with your ideas and opinions…even arguing with you makes me feel alive. Though I would like to hypothetically stab you at times." Estiel whispered playfully to him, surprised to see a pout form on his face.
"And what of my looks? Do you even find me attractive?" Loki inquired bluntly.
"I find you quite beautiful for a man." Estiel replied with a smirk.
"Well, I find you quite beautiful for a woman." He retorted as she rolled her eyes and laughed.
"Touché…" She said, obviously in better spirits than before. Loki touched his fingertips to her chin and held it there for a moment as he looked at her.
"I love you…" he breathed, sounding like he could hardly utter the words. Estiel simply nodded and leaned close to him, grazing his lips with hers.
"I know…" she whispered back sarcastically, causing him to scoff and press himself into a hard kiss with her. Her hand reached into his raven-black hair and he wrapped his arms around her firmly. As their embrace grew more intense, the pace of their kiss sped up as well. Soon, Loki was on top of her and moved against her in ways that she could only have imagined.
She kissed him boldly, feeling a desire, a warmth build for him. However, as that very yearning sparked into a flame and then into a fire, her chest began to feel tight. Loki slowed his lust-fueled pursuit when he noticed that she looked pained.
"Is something wrong?" He asked, half-panting. As his eyes focused on her face, he took in her fearful expression. She looked up to meet his gaze and tried to still herself.
"Loki…" She whispered so quietly, almost only mouthing his name. He kissed her forehead and smoothed her hair back from her face.
"Yes, my love?" He answered with heavy concern. She blinked back tears that were on the verge of spilling. Her thoughts raced between the huge step forward they were about to take and her bad dreams. In them, she witnesses a battle between Gynve and Loki, which brought her back to what took place hours ago. The impending sense of dread coupled with her powerful desire to be with Loki was too much to bear.
"I am afraid…" Estiel confessed with a trembling voice as tears streamed from the corners of her eyes. Loki, feeling immensely guilty, quickly wiped them away with his fingers.
"Shh, shh. There, there now. Do not weep, my little bird, there is nothing to fear. Come, let us sleep now." He moved off of her and rested at her side. She quickly buried her face into his chest and hugged him tight. For the first time, Loki truly could not, and did not, want to be selfish. This was far too important to him to press the matter, even if he was more than ready to share a passionate night with her. He gently stroked her shoulder and placed delicate kisses in her hair. If there was one thing he would not spoil, it would be the first time they shared one another. At least in that area, he would be certain it was right by Estiel.
"There is something I must tell you." She whispered into the crook of his neck. Without stopping his tender caressing, he listened patiently for what she wanted to say.
"I saw Gynve earlier." His body tensed in the slightest at her comment—had she been unfaithful? He wondered as his thoughts became turbid.
"How is the brute? I heard that his costly education over the last few decades was now a waste." Loki said with disdain, though he was trying to be lighthearted. Estiel shifted and looked up to him.
"He knows everything now…" she said timidly, trying to gauge his reaction. Loki's nostrils flared slightly as he raised a brow at her.
"By everything, do you mean everything?" He asked with a hint of anger in his voice. She swallowed hard before nodding.
"Yes, he requested my help in restoring his memories. We created a bridge and—"
"You gave him your aural energy? Are you a lunatic? He could have drained you! And with your energy, he now possesses your memories, your secrets, everything!" Loki spoke with a sharp tongue, but quickly shook his head. Estiel looked down sadly, feeling how disappointed he was in her.
"I was only trying to right what was wrong. If I had known it would have led to this, I obviously would have declined aid." She said in a low voice. Loki cupped her face in his hand and sighed.
"Let us discuss it in the morning. Tonight, I want to rest beside you, and not be riddled with nightmares." He said and kissed her sweetly. Estiel smiled into the gesture and nodded.
"Okay…" She said cheerfully, though hushed. Loki pulled her into him and immediately began to relax himself. As the first waves of sleep lapped over him, he felt a warm moisture carry him to slumber.
"Loki?" Estiel called out, sounding alarmed.
"What?" He asked and sat up slightly. As his eyes opened again, she let out a loud gasp.
"Loki! Your eyes are bleeding!"
*Every time I begin to write out the scene where they are getting intimate, I have to stop! If I ever do, it will a one-shot on its own somewhere. What do you think? ^_^''' But anyway, this was fun to write because I feel like Loki was trying to let his defenses down a bit while she was putting some up. We shall see how this goes~ thank you for all your wonderful support and feedback. I adore you for brightening my day!
