Chapter 36

The end of the month arrived so quickly it felt like a simple blink of an eye. It was the day of the wedding and everyone was on edge. The entire throne room had been decorated as had the ballroom and larger dining hall. Many people had shown up for the strange event. Word spread quickly about Loki's true heritage once the talks with the Jotuns had begun. Not everyone was happy to have this kind of alliance with the frost giants, but they were not stupid enough to say so out-loud.

They showed their respect by showing up to see Loki's son marry Shiva. Anyone was allowed to view the nuptials, but only honoured guests were invited to the feasts and afterward anyone could come to the party. Devian wasn't sure how Shiva would feel about the party and all the people who would be there. All the attention would be kept on them through random toasts from the drunks. He could only hope she had a little fun and didn't get too freaked out. She was shy and it had surprised him. He was ashamed that he assumed all Jotuns would be fearless and strong willed.

He stood now in a sharp outfit befitting a nobleman to be newly wed. Mako was stood off to the side glaring at the gathered crowd. Loki was stood next to Devian with Odin and Frigga and Cephera were with his sister just down from Mako. His mother and sister wore matching colors of Gold and green to match his father and himself. "You look beautiful." He told his mother and sister when he had passed by them to stand at the top of the stairs to the throne.

He waited anxiously for his bride to appear. His grandmother had a dress of woven white and blue that faded into each other, melding perfectly. He had only heard of it and was anxious to see Shiva in it. He was not disappointed as she was walked in by Thor. He had offered seeing as the Jotuns knew and cared nothing for their customs. Her hair released of the braids and coiffed up high atop her head in many loops and intricate weaves among the flowers. The dress was amazing as the white faded into lite blues and then darker as it reached the bottom.

It fit her willowy figure nicely and Devian no longer felt nervous, but proud. He made the right choice. He knew he did. He had been worried like everyone else, but now in this moment he felt no regrets. As she was brought upon the dias to join hands with him he had completely drowned out the fact that they were surrounded by people -who were gasping as he turned Jotun- and he barely listened to Odin. Devian said his words on cue and she said them softly in return. Before long they were exchanging rings and Devian leaned in for his kiss. The kiss was clipped short when Shiva pulled back in surprise and her cheeks lit up in a blush. Devian couldn't help but smile.

He took her hand and together he led her to the dining hall with his family in tow and the guests entered last. Shiva had already expressed her enjoyment of the food served in Asgard and so Devian knew she would enjoy the feast. He did most of the talking and she politely would smile and nod. He would point out people and whisper to her things he could tell about them. Some things made her laugh and others made her blush.

Mako was watching the two of them and Devian wished she'd just go away. She was due to leave early morning and visit once a month to check in on the development of their heir. As annoying as that was it was a small price to pay to keep the peace. Devian hoped that once Mako was gone he could get Shiva to open up to him. As bad as it sounded he needed to figure out if there was some kind of plan in place against them, but he also had to watch it as he didn't want to offend his new wife. He wanted to trust her. Trust was important to a relationship. He supposed the same could be said for her with him. He needed to gain her trust as well. She could think he's the bad guy.

Devian gave most of his attentions to his new wife while only stopping to thank those who came to congratulate them. Moving her to the party was the part he was worried for. She stuck close to his side unsure how to proceed. It took quite a few drinks before anyone began to ask her to dance. It seemed they were still wary of her kind, but Devian encouraged her to go ahead. He watched her closely, as did Mako, as she was directed into a dance here and there with a few noblemen. At one point his father danced with her and he was much better at instructing. She actually smiled at him for his guidance.

Devian took the chance to take a dance with his mother. "She's trying hard to fit in." His mother said to him. "You'll need to be patient and help her." She added.

"I will. You know I will." He replied sighing, but smiling down at her. As always she wore flat shoes.

"I cannot wait to see her true self once she is free to show it," Cephera said not needing to explain what she meant.

"You and me both. I feel like I've only scratched the surface with her so far." He admitted. "Do you like her?"

"So far she hasn't given me a reason to dislike her, but we know so very little. You know me, I hardly find hate in my heart for anyone." Devian grinned. His mother had a kind heart to a fault. She tried to see the good in just about everyone which sometimes made her trust the wrong people. She was naive in thinking everyone had good in them.

"You and father seem to be getting along lately." Devian changed the subject.

"We have no reason not to." Cephera replied looking over at Loki twirling Devian's wife.

"I'm glad." Devian wanted to say more. Wanted to encourage his mother to pursue his father in a romantic way, but he would not interfere. "Diana is talking to him again. They've been training together this past week."

"I noticed. I've been there for a few, but honestly I can't watch. They are hard on each other and I'm sure they are out for blood sometimes. He doesn't take it easy on her, but then again she doesn't take it easy on him." His mother shivered at the thought.

"Sounds like Diana takes after him for that." Devian grinned wider. "I've noticed they're a lot more alike than they realize."

"I've noticed that too." The dance ended and another began. Devian had been doing a very simple dance with his mother. One he spent all month learning just so he could dance on this day. Cephera had led him along slowly to keep him from tripping over his own feet. Devian was afraid to dance with Shiva in case he tread on her, but his father passed Shiva to him and took Cephera in his arms instead.

Devian took his time looking down often only to bump heads with her as she did the same. Together they both giggled at their own insecurity over dancing. "I'm sorry." He apologized. "I'm not good at dancing." He told her. She smiled.

"We can be bad at it together." She suggested and so they both continued to try and not trip each other on the dance floor.

XxX

The most intense and awkward part of the evening was when the new couple were escorted to their new chambers. Devian's mother lit the candles inside the room while Mako brought Shiva to stand at the foot of the large four-poster mahogany bed. His mother politely left sharing good wishes to the new couple while Mako stayed behind. It was custom for one lady to stay behind to help the bride out of her dress and Mako had insisted if she were to be part of anything she would do this.

Devian couldn't wait for Mako to finally leave the room, but she seemed determined to prepare Shiva for her wedding night. Devian watched as Mako helped de-robe his new wife down to nothing. Her skin flickered different blues in the soft candlelight. Mako put the clothing aside and whispered something to Shiva that made the girl nod and look to the floor uncertainly and almost afraid. Afterward, Mako left the room giving Devian a hard look as she passed by him.

Devian waited for the door to close before turning back to Shiva who was no longer standing near the bed, but had settled upon it on her hands and knees her head bent down. Her hair was the only thing still pinned up. Devian felt nervous, but he walked to the bed, shedding his own clothes along the way, and moved at an angle so that when he joined her on it he was beside her.

He placed one hand to her lower back and realized she was trembling. "What are you doing?" He asked her softly.

"I am presenting myself for you to best penetrate me," She said and he noticed her eyes were closed.

"You don't have to do that. Sit back." He pushed on her lower back to urge her to sit. This felt too awkward for him to properly be into it. In fact, he wasn't even remotely hard with how forced this moment felt.

"I don't understand?" She said. "This is what's meant to happen right?" She asked sitting back and finally looking up at him her eyes slightly glossy. She was afraid.

"Yes, but not unless you want it and you're comfortable. Those things are important to me." Devian told her touching his fingers to her cheek and caressing it softly.

"Things are so different here. I don't know what to expect." She admitted looking down from his face. Devian moved her face back to look at him once more by gripping her chin firmly, but not harshly.

"Trust me, I have no plans to harm you." He assured her and leaned in turning his head and kissing her. He firmly planted his lips along hers making it very different from the simple kiss they shared at the ceremony. She seemed unsure about the action, but went with the flow.

Devian wanted this to work and it just wouldn't do to have her afraid of him or his touch. He kissed her until she was finally relaxed enough to allow him to put his hands on her shoulders. He would work her slowly and show her that what would happened between them was not something that was quick or painful. It was not mandatory to get it done and over with. It was something they both could enjoy and learn as they went.

She continued to quiver as he took his time across her skin. Noting all the marking as he touched her gently. At one point she twitched to the side with a giggle. She was ticklish. Devian smiled and gave her a second tickle in hopes to lighten her tension. It seemed to work. She was looking at him more in wonder now instead of fear. "Do you trust me?" He asked her.

"Yes." She answered. He gave her another kiss before looking into her eyes.

"Lie back, I promise you this will not be something you will ever want to go without again." He grinned and even though she looked apprehensive she also looked curious. She led back against the pillows and watched him as he carefully spread her legs and led on his stomach his face between her thighs.

Thank You's

- Short Haired Me: oh there is still plenty of story to come.

- Twifan 1987: she's a bag of emotions that's for sure.

- Akera Writer of the Night: haha. Not too sweet I hope. :P

- Doctor Loki Love: the bonding between Diana and Loki had been complicated most likely because they are so much alike. Lol

- Loki's Dreamer: they are bonding. :) he did use her, but he didn't know who she was and Diana is slowly forgiving him for it or at least forgetting it.

- Melpomeme of Tragic Olympus: thanks a bunch for the compliment! Happy you like this fic!

- Benfan1: I try to be. Hehe

- Gfor098: lazy! Lol. I have not yet decided what will happen with Diana and a love life. After all realistically love comes to people at different ages of life so she doesn't need to find anyone yet just because everyone else is.

- 88 Dragon 06: I thought it might be nice to touch down in Diana and Loki again.