***WARNING*** The following chapter contains mentions of a mature nature.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: First off, Happy Thanksgiving to those of you who also live in America! One of the things I am thankful for is all my wonderful readers. You guys have made it possible for me to enjoy this amazing journey. I have found other fellow authors whose talents are out of this world, and I have met new amazing people. Thank you so much for reading and appreciating my story! =)

Also, I have received a number of questions, both here and on my blog on Tumblr, about the characters that are soon to enter the story. I understand that some of you are not familiar with the Marvel comics, as neither am I. When I sat down to write the plot for part 2, I began an extensive research into the Marvel universe. I admit shamelessly that I have never picked up a comic book, so do not fret. Below is a brief introduction and history about the characters that are soon to become a vital part in our tale.

Malekith the Accursed: King of Svartalfheim, realm of the Dark Elves. He is an archnemesis of Thor, having been captured once and kept in a dungeon in Asgard. His abilities include superhuman intellect, strength, speed, stamina, durability, agility, and reflexes. As a dark elf, Malekith also has the ability to manipulate the forces of magic for a variety of effects, including teleportation, energy projection, physical malleability, flight (by transforming into mist), illusion casting, and the ability to change the shape and appearance of other beings or objects. He is to be featured as the main villain in the upcoming film Thor: The Dark World, along with our beloved Loki.

Skurge the Executioner: He is half Jotun and half Asgardian, though he bares no physical resemblance to his frost giant heritage. In the comics he was hopelessly in love with the goddess Amora, a name that will re-emerge in our story. In the comics he fought next to and against Thor and Loki, though he was always defeated. His abilities include superhuman visual acuity, proficiency at hand to hand combat, and mastery of most Asgardian weapons. He often fight wields his large, enchanted, double-bladed battle axe that allows him a number of abilities including cutting rifts into other dimensions and control over fire and ice that he can project at his enemies.

Surtur: King of Muspelheim, realm of the fire demons. He was an archenemy of Odin, who kept him imprisoned inside the Earth. In the comics, Loki releases Surtur, thus bringing about Ragnarok. He has invaded Asgard before, and as my story shows, he will do it again. He is an immense and malevolent elemental fire demon whose power is of apocalyptic proportions. Standing over 1,000 ft. in height, Surtur possesses strength and durability by far surpassing that of Asgardians; the ability to generate intense heat, flames or concussive force; molecular manipulation such as transforming his fingers into serpents;levitation and inter-dimensional travel. Surtur's scale of power is usually shown to equal that of Odin. He is a skilled warrior and swordsman, and has a prehensile tail. He possesses a great intellect, and has vast knowledge of ancient and arcane wisdom. He is vulnerable to intense cold, and can be imprisoned by certain magical spells or by other beings wielding cosmic energy powers equaling his own. Surtur possesses the giant sword Twilight, also known as the Sword of Doom, composed of a god-like metal known as Scabrite, which can only be found in the mines of Sutur's realm. The sword is magical, capable of manipulating vast amounts of mystical energy, such as shattering dimensional barriers and inhibiting Odin's powers.

So, there you have it! Any other questions on the upcoming characters, let me know! ;-)

Landon: You are culpable of nothing, bebe. I completely understand, as I also have those times when work completely overtakes my life! You know, it is extremely interesting that as I received your message last night I was listening to "Thinking About You" by Norah Jones while also working on the new chapter. You should listen to that song, it's yours! ;-) I really hope you are able to get some rest and much well-deserved sleep soon bebe, being exhausted is not fun. "Bella"? Aww, shucks! I really blushed at that one! You are so sweet! Definitely "my cup of tea" (if you pardon the continuing British puns). Well, my charming cavalier, until next time!

Game of Shadows

Chapter 33

Each hesitant step echoed through the ancient halls of the Asgardian palace as Barbara made her way to the royal chambers. The hood of the cloak that covered her head was efficient in hiding the distress written on her features as she kept her eyes to the ground, her face left in total shadow. Her shortness of breath bore testament to the agony that tightened her chest, the fear that pulled at her gut constricting her airway. Her hands were clutched together, cold and clammy as her throat was dry.

They moved past guards and servants, the first ignoring her while the second looked on knowingly: the human bedmate of the king was en route. Aida walked in front, two guards flanking the hooded female as they walked through the maze of corridors, alcoves, large balconies and up winding staircases. They reached the area of the palace where none were allowed to enter unless summoned: The private quarters of the king of Asgard. Ten guards on either side guarded the hall that led to the large double doors, which were swiftly opened as the party reached them. Aida stood to the side as the guards who accompanied them retreated.

Barbara swallowed the knot in her throat as she willed her shaky legs to move forward. She forced the tears that stung her eyes to recede as she crossed the threshold. Keeping her head lowered, she stopped at the middle of the intricately carved floors. She made no intention of locating him as was her habit: It had almost become a game, Loki sneaking up on her before he swept her up and took her to his bed as she drowned in a fit of giggles that promptly turned into moans.

He was seated in a large chair on the opposite side of the room. Beside him was a large desk with open books scattered atop it, with topics ranging from magic, to the makeup of humans, to military strategy, to the right and power of kings. Her startled jump was evident as he spoke from his position.

"Remove the hood and look at me"

Her shaky fingers pulled back the cloth as she turned in the direction of his voice. The hood fell around her shoulders and she brought her gaze no higher than his chest. He raised one eyebrow at her refusal to meet his eyes.

"I said look at me"

This time she complied and lifted her eyes to his. The expression within her brown irises was one he did not expect. He saw no joy, no fear, no rage, no lust… there was nothing. He kept his expression emotionless as he stood and made his way over to her. When he reached her she brought her hands to the laces of her cloak. She untied them, letting the cover fall before he caught it in midair.

"What are you doing?" he inquired, his eyes boring into hers.

"Fulfilling my duty" she replied meekly, speaking for the first time as she lowered her eyes to the floor. Her hands then went to the clasps of her halter gown.

"Desist" he ordered, her movements immediately stilled as she removed her hands from her neck.

"Continue no longer in this foolish charade. You know the reasons for my actions of last night" he said as he gently took her chin and tilted her face upwards, bringing her eyes to his again, "you pushed me past the point of fury. You leave the protection of the palace to enter a city that holds great dangers for one of your kind, throw yourself to the mercy of the riffraff, only to return and obstinately challenge my ire at your little escapade. What do you think would have happened had the guards been unable to find you, or brought you back in a state of great injury?"

Her eyes filled with tears that she no longer had the strength to restrain. "It wouldn't have mattered"

He let go of her chin. He looked to the side in the direction of the balcony as he remembered the inexplicable terror he felt upon learning of her disappearance. He could face the greatest enemy without a single drop of fear, yet the mere thought of something happening to fragile Barbara had turned his blood cold. Did she not realize that he would have left no stone unturned, no punishment withheld, no house sacked and torn down until he found her? The realization of the great lengths he was willing to go to keep her near him had left him befuddled and perplexed.

"Asgard being turned upside down because of a human… wouldn't that be a sight" he chuckled darkly as he turned back to Barbara who now stood with her hand to her mouth, making great efforts not to break down in front of the man who had placed her in the position she was in at present. She flinched when his knuckles brushed against the soft skin of the cheek he had injured the previous night, and held her breath as he brought his forehead to hers.

"My fury went past the breaking point, which should not have been so. I do not wish you to tremble in my presence for any reason other than lust. So unless you wish me to bed you at this very moment, still your trembling, for my desire is swiftly incensed at your nearness"

She braved to look up at him in confusion as he pulled her towards him, the arm that still held her cloak wrapping around her waist. She had not expected him to act this way as she had entered his chambers. She had expected his usual demands upon her body, skillfully drawing from her the desired effect he wished to see as he reminded her of the hold he had on her being. Instead she had been met with cryptic words that spoke of regret and further confused her already muddled mind.

"Why did you escape?" he whispered, eyes closed and forehead still pressed to hers as he reveled in the feel of her body against his.

"I didn't" she whispered in return "I went to see the city. I was tired of being kept strictly in my rooms. I felt caged up"

He pulled back and looked down at her. He saw the sadness she had been hiding behind her deep brown eyes. Her sadness gave way to surprise and confusion as he suddenly wrapped the cloak around her frame, and re-tied it at her chest, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Come with me" he said as he took her hand and moved to the doors "Guards!"

They walked out into the hallway as the doors opened, royal guards instantly bringing their spears to their sides as they passed through.

"Prepare my mount" Loki ordered, and one of the guards bowed, then took off down the hall. He led her down towards a large room in the middle of the corridor, which proved to be a study. With a flick of his hand, a large bookshelf opened, revealing a hidden stone corridor. They entered the dimly lit hallway, making their way through its winding path, down staircases that snaked their way to the lower levels. They exited through another secret entrance, hidden behind a large tapestry, no sign of a door carved into the polished gold. Barbara gasped as she found herself inside another hall, massive columns supporting arches that lined two high floors, an open ceiling offering a clear view of the night sky.

He retook her hand and led her through an archway, exiting the palace and reaching one of the large gates adjacent to the stables. Guards stood watch as the most magnificent black stallion Barbara had ever seen was brought to them. Loki mounted and reached down to take her arm, then swooped her up effortlessly and placed her behind him on the saddle, her legs swept over one side. She almost chuckled as she noticed that he positioned her in the typical way a lady was expected to ride.

"Hold on" he instructed, and her hands instantly wrapped around his waist. The beast took off in a quick trot, exiting the palace when it suddenly began to gallop at full speed as they sprinted across a bridge that gave way to another made of glass that sparkled in multicolor lights. Barbara gasped in delight as they almost flew off the ground, the wind invading her hair as she looked back in wonder at the palace behind her, rising proudly above the skyline of the city to the stars above.

The horse deviated off the bridge as it reached a long, empty street lined with enormous edifices along the seashore. Soon they were reaching higher ground, and they finally came to a stop as they came to a large high cliff, its surfaced adorned with rich grass and trees, gazebos and fountains. A stone railing lined the edge, the waves of the ocean crashing furiously against the jagged rocks beneath.

Loki dismounted, then reached for her and brought her down to stand with him. His hands remained at her waist as he moved to nuzzle her neck before he raised his lips to her ear.

"You wished to see Asgard, well, there you have it" He whispered, before he turned her around.

Her mouth dropped open as she was met with the most amazing sight her eyes had ever beheld. From their current position they were close enough to make out the architectural marvel that was the Realm Eternal, while being high and far enough to go unnoticed. She could see the bustling of people as they went to and fro, undoubtedly lost in merrymaking, entertainment and drink as the night advanced. Barbara could almost hear their chatter and laughter, but the only sound that resounded in her ears was of the waves below. Part of her wished she could join them and taste the delights of the nightlife offered by the greatest realm in the universe.

"Out of the question" came his voice from behind as if reading her mind. He wrapped his arms around her waist as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Did you ever join them?" she asked.

"In my youth" he replied "when Thor's thoughts were governed simply by the pleasures of debauchery and senseless indulgence. For centuries my task mainly consisted of dragging the oaf onto his horse after nights spent in mead and quim. I always found such diversities pointless and dull"

Her eyes turned from the sight before her as she turned to face him. "Centuries?"

"Yes"

She looked at him with surprise as she studied his exquisite features. "Loki, how long have you been living?"

"Why the desire to know?"

"You said you spent centuries of your youth looking after your brother as he wasted his life away. I can only imagine the amount of time you have lived"

"Three millennia and two centuries" he stated matter-of-factly.

Her mouth dropped. At her current age of thirty years she believed she had already seen and lived a great deal, but her entire lifespan did not even amount to one day of his. Not only was he a powerful being, a master of magic and many other powers she had yet to discover, but an ancient who looked no older than she did. He truly was a god.

"That's three thousand, two hundred years!" she exclaimed. Then her amazement turned to sorrow as she disengaged herself from his embrace and moved to stand at the railing, gazing out towards the sea and the great expanse of space.

He watched her as he came to stand beside her. Her shoulders were sagged and she now stood with her head lowered, looking at her hands as she fiddled with her fingers.

"No wonder you look upon me and the rest of my race as if we are nothing. We humans are weak, insignificant creatures that are here today and gone tomorrow. When I'm old and withered, you will have hardly aged a day. I will die, and you will still be as you are now…" her voice broke, leaving her message unsaid.

It did not, however, go missed. He took her chin and brought her eyes to his.

"I will not have it so" he replied, his tone final and stern. Barbara frowned in confusion as for a third time that night, he spoke to her in a way that she could not decipher. She could almost sense longing as he brought his face to hers, their noses nuzzling as his lips brushed softly against hers. Without realizing it, she threw her arms around his neck as she deepened the kiss, eliciting a moan from his throat as their bodies and lips collided.

He tasted the sweetness of her mouth as she eagerly parted her lips, their tongues teasing as he moved her backwards, till her back made contact with the wall of a gazebo. She immediately raised her body and wrapped her legs around him. His hands reached under her cloak to lift her gown, then a hand dipped into her undergarments. She broke the kiss and let out a loud, wanton moan as his finger flicked her already swollen clit.

He wanted nothing more than to take her there, on top of that cliff and under the stars as she lay on the plush grass. He wanted her to scream his name to the heavens, a declaration to the Nine Realms that only he could bring her the ecstasy she proclaimed. But even though darkness and the roar of the ocean would shroud them from the populace below, they were too close to the ever-watchful gaze of Ragnar for Loki to veil them from his view. With a groan and immense effort, he removed his hand from the center of her pleasure and brought her down to stand on her feet. Disappointment and sexual frustration were written all over her face as she looked up at him.

"Let us return" he whispered, their hands clasped together and his forehead against hers "and bring to completion the business started here in a more ideal setting"

She allowed herself to smile at him. "Only if it is in my room. I wish to erase what happened there last night and replace it with a much more pleasant memory"

"And so it will be"

He sealed their new agreement with a kiss that was short-lived though not lacking in the intensity of the upcoming events it promised.

"No more escapades" he warned, narrowing his eyes at her, a wicked glint within them.

"Not unless I'm allowed to leave the palace and see the city"

"Arrangements have been made to facilitate it. But only under the most specific and strict circumstances if it is not with me"

She sighed in exasperation even though her eyes matched the mischief contained in his.

"Yes, your majesty" she put her hands out and curtsied, a devilish grin upon her lips.

"Do not try to beguile your king with shows of ultimate submission and compliance, my pet" he quipped as he remounted his horse "for said sovereign may order you to prove the extent of such loyalty"

He placed her once again behind him and she rested her head on his shoulder as her arms encircled him.

"I look forward to it"

End of Chapter 33