***WARNING*** The following chapter contains mature content. It contains graphic depictions of sexual acts that may be inappropiate for young readers.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:Mature content warning, how have I missed thee! I get a fiendish delight everytime I write an encounter between these two. She is responsive and compliant as he is totally dark and dominating; an explosive combination. I must also let you all know that there is a strong likelihood I will not be able to post a new chapter within the next week as my area is about to receive a direct hit from hurricane Sandy. Most likely I will be without power and internet, thus disabling me from updating or answering private messages. My apologies for the upcoming inconvenience. As of now, I must prepare to brave the wrath of nature. This superstorm is looking more and more horrible as the forecasts update. Wish me luck! As always, thank you so much for the amazing feedback! Many hugs in return! Landon: My, what perception! Yes, I do receive your wonderful comments with great delight, as I hope you do mine. Being idealistically romantic is not something you should even think of trying to help as the world is suffering from a deplorable lack of it. It is quite refreshing to encounter someone that still possesses and is not afraid to show sensibility and candor. It does not surprise me to know you are from the UK, as the quality aforementioned is more often found in the great people of Britain. A beautiful country, amazing people, fascinating history and great culture! "Madness" is my favorite song by Muse. "Uprising" is great as well. They are an amazing band!
Game of Shadows
Chapter 27
Her eyelids fluttered open as she let out a groan. At first only a blur graced her vision before the hazy image slowly began to take shape. As her eyes adjusted, Barbara turned her head and saw a torch burning in the corner of the room, its flame lighting up the golden walls that surrounded her in soft, amber light. Confused, she looked to her other side and was greeted with the same view. Then it all came back. Edward, the restaurant, the cab, the man with unusual crimson eyes, the pier, the feeling of being pulled then falling, a colorful bridge, darkness. She sat up and frowned when she noticed she was laying in the middle of a large, circular room lined with more torches. The walls glowed like polished gold and she saw the double doors at the end of the room that seemed to be carved out of the same, solid metal.
Instinctively, she moved to push the covers that cloaked her body, and as she grabbed the material, she gasped and looked down. Her hand grabbed the softest of furs, white and immaculate. She ran her fingers over the plush skin, reveling in its luxurious feel when she noticed the garment that covered her body. Gone were her red dress and shoes; instead, she was clothed in a white, satin sheath nightgown that reached her now bare feet. Confused even further, she swung her feet over the plush bed. As they were about to touch the floor, the doors opened and she turned her head, startled.
A young woman dressed in a simple dress came in, carrying a stack of folded cloths. When she locked eyes with Barbara, her eyes widened in shock and she turned, running from the room.
"Wait!" Barbara called out. She sighed when the woman didn't return. She stood and looked around the room.
'You've been summoned'. Instantly, she had known that Loki had sent someone to abduct her again. She had been brought to him, but where? Was he now in some unknown world, plotting his revenge on Thor and her planet? Why had he taken her again?
Her thoughts were interrupted as the same woman came back, but this time she brought others with her. An elderly man clothed in a long, white robe walked beside her, and other men in the same garb walked behind them. Upon seeing her standing, the old man smiled. The others regarded her, a curious and inquisitive look on their faces. She had the impression that they looked at her as if she was an unknown creature they were encountering for the first time.
"Welcome back to the conscious world" the old man greeted "I am Boden, chief healer of Asgard. How do you feel?"
"Um…" was all Barbara could offer. Had he just said 'Asgard'?
Boden approached and looked her over as any doctor would. Then he took her right hand in his. She instantly felt a soft, rushing warmth course through her body. A few seconds later, he let her hand go.
"You are well" he said proudly and with a satisfactory expression on his face. Then he turned and nodded at one of the other men present. The other man returned the nod and left the room.
"What did you just do to me?" she asked as she looked at her hand.
"I checked the state of your whole being" he explained as if it were the basest of things.
"How long was I asleep for?"
"You were in deep sleep for three days. In Midgardian cycles of time, five human days"
Barbara could only look back with surprise. He continued.
"These are the healing rooms of the palace. You were brought here after you lost consciousness following your travel from your home planet. Do not worry, you were treated with the greatest care, as commanded by our king"
"King?" she inquired.
"Our king Loki. He has constantly watched over your sleep. He will be most delighted to hear you have awakened"
Barbara's mouth hung agape. The last time she had seen him, he was leaving Earth a prisoner. Now he was king. King of Asgard. He had brought her to his realm, and he had been present, watching as she was unconscious. Butterflies instantly fluttered in her stomach as she thought of being in his presence again. Her hands instinctively went to her middle as nerves began to overtake her.
"But of course, you are in need of sustenance!" Boden declared, mistaking her reaction for sudden weakness. He signaled the female, who approached Barbara and wrapped her in a velvet robe.
"This is Aida. She serves our queen mother. She appointed her to you as your own handmaiden. She'll take you to the chambers that have been prepared for you. I wish you health and a long life" he bowed to Barbara as a silent and apprehensive Aida guided her from the room she awoke in to the one she knew was soon to be her new cell.
The throne room was filled with the voices of the High Council as they squabbled with advisors and generals over the possible threats from a new Jotun attack now that Loki was king. From high atop his seat, Loki watched them with amusement. They knew nothing, only the lies Odin had told them to guard the secrets kept by the royal family. A Jotun sat on the Asgardian throne and was silently laughing at their foolishness. His amusement disappeared the second he saw a healer stand at the doors to the throne room.
"We're done" he declared as he stood. The squabble ended and all instantly exited, leaving only Loki and the royal guards. He signaled the healer to approach as he walked down the steps to meet him. The healer reached the throne and knelt as Loki stood on the bottom step.
"What news?" he asked the healer at his feet.
"She has awakened, my lord. She is completely healed"
He dismissed him. As the healer retreated, Loki slowly raised his eyes, a satisfactory smile upon his lips.
Barbara walked mesmerized as she followed the young woman who led her. She had not said a word, nor had Barbara attempted speech as they had walked through the long corridors of the palace, guards standing on every corner and every door. She was being led down winding hallways and staircases, all the while Barbara gasping in wonder at the beauty that surrounded her. She believed the whole edifice to be built out of pure gold, from floors to ceiling. Massive marble columns supported the structure, and large terraces provided stunning views of the city around it. The sun was setting, and she could see the millions of lights beginning to sparkle around the palace.
They both remained silent as they reached two large doors protected by guards. As they approached, they opened them, and both women walked in, Barbara stopping in her tracks the second she set foot inside. She had never seen rooms like this. High walls rose to meet an intricately carved ceiling from which hung a massive golden chandelier, its many flames lighting the room. Beyond the lavishly furnished sitting room, she saw a wide entrance to what seemed like a bedroom. Aida stood there, eyeing her as she took in her surroundings. She offered her first smile and signaled Barbara to follow. She did, and was met with three other women as she walked into the large bedroom.
Instantly she was lost in a flurry of activity as they moved to and fro, laying out garments on the large bed, entering and exiting adjacent rooms that she took in to be the closet and the washroom. One laid out a large silver tray on a table. Barbara was gently coached into a divan and smiled with delight as she ate the most succulent array of fruits, breads and cheeses. Once her meal was done, she stood and was led to another adjacent room, where a large tub built into the ground stood ready, frothy, warm water filling the washroom with fragrance.
Two maids approached her and went for the bindings of her robe. They watched her with obvious curiosity as they set to their task. Once removed, they moved to pull her nightgown off her shoulders. Barbara gasped and flinched, and the two women stood back, startled at her reaction. Aida said a few words to the women in a language Barbara didn't understand, then faced her. She spoke for the first time.
"Forgive them, milady. They do not know you to be unaccustomed to this treatment, and they have never laid eyes on a mortal before"
"Oh, I'm sorry" she replied "I always take care of my needs alone. Please offer them my apologies"
"They have been assigned to take care of your every need. To refuse their help is to force them to disobey their orders, something they take great offense to. Their purpose is to obey and serve"
Barbara looked at Aida, before turning her eyes on the two women who stood with their heads lowered. With a sigh, she extended her arms out, and allowed them to remove her gown. Once she stood bare, she immediately covered her nakedness with her hands. Aida smiled at her, and guided her into the large tub.
"You speak my language" Barbara said to her as she settled into the warm water.
"I was given the gift of your speech when our queen mother assigned me to care for you" Aida answered as she sat on the edge. She took a cloth and began to rub her shoulders and arms.
"Your name is Aida?" Barbara asked as she looked up at her. She was young and very pretty. Her long, auburn hair was in a braid that almost reached her waist.
"Yes, milady. I will always be by your side to ensure your comfort and wellbeing. You are a royal guest of our king. He is expecting you once you are ready"
Barbara closed her eyes at the words. She could feel her heartbeat quickening as she realized what was soon to happen. After almost four months of being freed from her captivity, free of him, he had managed to bring her back into his grasp. She tried to still her breathing as memories she had fought hard to push to the back of her mind once again emerged to the forefront of her recollections. She shivered, and if Aida noticed, she gave no indication of it.
After the luxurious bath, Aida dismissed the other servants and set upon the task of dressing her alone. Now dressed in a cream silk, halter gown that left her back completely exposed, Aida then wrapped her in a cloak of the same color. She pulled the hood over her head and they left her chambers. Barbara mastered every iota of strength in her as she followed her handmaiden into the corridor.
Barbara stood rooted at the doors to the huge room that opened before her. She wanted to run, but she remained frozen. She turned to Aida who stood to the side of the doors.
"I shall return tomorrow morning, milady" she said quietly. With a quick curtsy, she extended her arm, signaling her to enter.
Barbara took a deep breath as she willed her legs to move forward. She jumped at the sound of the doors closing behind her. She looked around the largely darkened room. The only source of light came from a few torches burning in the corners and from the light that streamed from a large balcony at the end of the chamber. She pulled her hood back as she continued to search for the man she knew was waiting for her. He was nowhere in sight. Her eyes fell on the massive bed that lay against one of the walls and she swallowed hard.
She walked further in and somehow felt drawn to the balcony. The only sound that could be heard was the rustle of her garments as she moved, the train of her cloak sweeping the floor behind her. She climbed the three steps that led to the terrace and gasped as she now stood under the night sky.
The magnificent city of Asgard opened up to her as she grasped the stone railing. She could make out its many grand buildings below as a million lights filled her vision. The sky was clustered with stars and she could see the silhouettes of planets. Beyond the city, an ocean roared, divided by a bridge that sparkled with rainbow lights. She was so caught up in the beauty unfolding before her that she did not notice the man approaching her, coming to a stop behind her as he watched her take in the beauty of the realm that was his.
Suddenly, an arm snaked around her middle and she was pulled against a firm body as a voice she thought she would never hear again whispered in her ear:
"Welcome to Asgard"
Barbara froze. Her breathing stopped as she felt him bury his nose in the crook of her neck and inhale. Her knees became weak when he ran open lips upon the delicate skin of her neck.
"Why did you bring me here?" she whispered.
"Isn't it obvious?" he whispered darkly into her skin "because I own you"
She turned in his embrace and for the first time since she had said farewell through a thick layer of glass, she looked into his eyes. She almost went mad with need as she gazed upon him again.
"You're king"
"Yes"
"How?"
He smiled. That same, mischievous smile she had seen when there was something else than what met the eye. Instead of answering, he pulled her against him and tilted her chin up. He studied her every feature, lingering at her two plump, rosy lips. They were slightly parted. He looked back into her eyes and what he saw therein shattered all control he had struggled to maintain since their separation on Earth.
Desire, fear and need: The three toxic elements that had bound her to him. He entangled his hand in her hair as his lips came crashing down upon hers. She whimpered at the force with which he claimed her mouth. His kiss was desperate and bruising, like a ravenous wolf devouring his prey. She felt herself being pushed back against a column at the entrance to the balcony. He broke the kiss and he pulled her hair back, exposing her throat to him. He nipped and suckled at her flesh as his other hand hoisted her gown and he lifted her leg, wrapping around his waist. She let out a loud moan as she ran her hands into his hair.
The sound he elicited from her throat drove him over the edge. Now mad with need, he let her leg fall as he desperately pulled the bindings of her cloak. As the material fell, he groaned in disapproval at the second layer of clothing that covered her body from him. Grabbing the gown at the base of her cleavage, he tore it from her. Barbara gasped as she was suddenly exposed completely to him. His eyes suddenly became dark, and she saw the fire in his irises that rivaled the ones in the flames that lit the room.
"Tell me, why did you not let that pathetic human fool touch you as I do now?" he ran a hand over her hot sex and she whimpered at his touch "hmm? Oh yes, I was told of him. No other man, mortal or otherwise will so much as set his eyes upon what belongs to me. You are mine and mine alone. It seems you need a reminder of that fact"
He shed his long emerald green robe and she marveled at his form. Without warning, he lifted her legs as he pressed her against the column once again. She cried out as she was suddenly filled, he having entered her in one swift thrust. She took hold of his arms as she gasped and panted in reaction to his strong movements. She let her head fall back against the marble as he sped up his thrusts into the core of her heat.
"Why didn't you?" he rasped into her throat.
"Ah! He… wasn't… you" she moaned in response.
He smiled.
"Look at me" he ordered as he began moving deeper within her. She brought her head down and looked into his eyes through heavy eyelids. Her breath was coming out in gasps and her face was flushed, the soft sheen of sweat beginning to be evident on her olive skin. She was most beautiful this way.
"Who owns you, mortal?" he asked through his own ragged breathing.
"You" her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Say it" he demanded, his movements now becoming manic as he felt himself nearing release.
"I belong… to you… Loki… my king… my god"
There it was. She had proclaimed it again. Burying his face into her neck, he met his end. His groans of completion mixed with her loud moans as he felt her walls clench rhythmically around him. Her legs tightened around his waist, and her hands became entangled in his hair as she rode the waves of pleasure that rushed through her.
They remained in that position until their breathing normalized. With her legs still wrapped around him he carried her to the large bed and set her down upon it. He laid on top of her body as she lazily drew her fingers up and down his back.
"I meant it" she whispered.
"Hmm?" came the reply.
"He wasn't you"
He chuckled as he raised his head and rested his weight on his hands.
"It would be daft to think any other can accomplish what only I can" he leered at her. She laughed and wrapped her legs around him, coaching him to her entrance again.
"Voracious girl" he chastised, and set once again upon the task of satiating their mutual appetite.
End of Chapter 27
