AN: So excited I'm writing the Thor chapters now! Oh and... Things are going to get... Looney... Oh and Thanks for the reviews we just broke 300!
-o-
Loki and Hermione smiled as they walked back to her bedroom. Inari had filled herself with cake all the while laughing and joking with Hermione and Loki. Loki had to admit the kid was hysterical. She had a sarcastic way about her. One he could appreciate, and one he thought was thoroughly entertaining.
"She's pretty funny huh?" Hermione asked with a smile.
"Hysterical."
"She's tough too. You should have seen her on that street. She had this look to her. Like she was ready to take on the world all by herself… Then again that's exactly what she's been doing for years."
"Same as you."
"I want to find others like her. Give them a home. A chance. A school where they can learn and better themselves." Loki smiled as he looked to her. "What is it?" she asked seeing his small smile.
"You… Have a light in your eyes… One I haven't seen in some time… You have purpose again. One that doesn't involve putting your life at risk. I'm very happy for you and truthfully for myself. I won't have to worry about you being in harms way." She smiled as they walked over to her bed and sat down.
"Enough about me…" she took his hand in hers. "Are you alright."
"I'm fine… Sitara is more brilliant now then she could have ever been in life. The gift of an Asgardian death and burial is that you become one with our sky." He said looking to it.
"Can you show me her?" She asked and he nodded with a smile before leading her out onto the balcony. They looked up at the sky and Loki pointed to a cluster of brightly twinkling stars. "She's beautiful."
"Yes she is." Loki said before they walked back into the bedroom. "I don't want to think on it anymore… Not for a while at least."
"Of course." She said kissing the back of his hand.
"Distract me."
"What kind of distraction do you want?" she asked and he gave her a devlish smile.
"The kind I want is the kind we agreed to wait for…" Hermione smiled softly and he sighed heavily knowing she wouldn't give in. "Let's go with distraction B tell me about your day."
"Well first Inari and I had breakfast with Sif. Then I started helping Inari improve her reading skills. After which your mother started giving her royal lessons in being a lady."
"Where were you?"
"With Sif finalizing the gowns for the coronation. I also learned I will be wearing two gowns one for the ceremony and one for the party after."
"A fine idea." He said and she merely shrugged.
"Oh I met your uncle Vili today. He was very kind." She said with a bright smile.
"He's a good man." Loki said. He tilted his head seeing something in her eyes.
"What is it?"
"I overheard him and your mom talking."
"About?" he asked.
"I think about my real parents…" he looked her over. "They kept saying things about telling the truth and…" she sighed heavily as she ran her fingers through her hair. "I don't know they were too far away to know for sure what they were saying…" Loki looked her over. "I'm sorry I know you said I should just leave it alone…"
"It really bothers you not knowing the full details of your past?"
"I just… How am I going to know where I'm going if I don't know where I come from? I want to know where I come from Loki…" He took on a soft expression before slowly nodding.
"Then we'll find out…" He said. "We need to give it some time though. Let Odin drop his guard. As long as he thinks you're not looking into your past then he won't be trying to hide anything."
"Right." She said with a nod.
"I just… I don't want you to be disappointed in what you find… I don't want you to get hurt Hermione."
"I know…" she said with a soft expression. "I'll try to prepare yourself." He moved and kissed her cheek.
"SO after Vili is that when Vidar came to you."
"Hey he was kind of just lurking about."
"Lurk." Loki said with a smile. "That's not usually how women describe him."
"I don't know I got a weird feeling off him."
"What kind?" he asked.
"The kind that made me uncomfortable." She said. "I don't know he said something kind of off putting."
"Off putting?"
"Well it was more of a compliment."
"An off putting compliment?" he asked slightly amused.
"He said I had soft skin."
"He was hitting on you." He said his jaw clenching.
"Yeah I kind of got that feeling… He kissed the back of my hand and kept ridiculous eye contract all while smiling at me. I don't think he wuld have willingly let go of my hand if you hadn't come along."
"Listen I know I'm the jealous type love." Loki said. "But Vidar he… He has a reputation…"
"A reputation?"
"Yes… You know how mine was before you met me?" she nodded. "He's is fifty times worse… Maybe a hundred times worse."
"Loki…"
"No listen to me carefully… Vidar… He's… Persistent."
"Persistent."
"Hermione he takes what he wants." She tilted her head. "Any woman he wants he gets."
"Loki it's not like I'll give into his advances."
"No… That's not what I mean. I'm trying to be delicate in the words I choose… Hermione he gets the women he wants because he doesn't care whether they consent or not."
"He's a rapist." She said and Loki merely shrugged.
"There have been rumors… I just, I want you to stay far away from him. Thor will be staying here in the bedroom next to yours. Your guard will be posted every night to ensure no harm comes to you. I don't think he'd sink as low as taking advantage of his future cousin and the future princess of Asgard but I just don't trust him."
"I'll be careful…" She said. "I'll set up protection charms… things like that."
"Good… Don't turn your back on him."
"I won't." she said and he nodded as he kissed her deeply.
"I'm going to try and convince father to have him moved to the palace." He said when he had pulled away.
"Loki what is his title? I mean what are any of their titles? Uncle Vili, Vidar, and-."
"That is a very complicated question." Loki said with a laugh.
"It is?" She asked.
"Yes because the order of succession comes into play." Loki said as they sat down at a table where goblets of wine and a pitcher waited.
"What is the line of succession if I can ask?" Hermione asked.
"Alright are you ready?" He asked.
"Yes." She said.
"So obviously my father the King is well King." She nodded. "Then the throne will either go to Thor or myself but probably Thor. So we'll say it's the King, then Thor, then if Thor doesn't get married or have children it goes to me, which will go to any children we have, but if we don't have children, and we pass then it goes to-."
"Never mind." She said and Loki laughed.
"As for what you call them, cousin, uncle. That will do."
"Okay." She said with a smile. Loki looked to the clock and sighed.
"I have to return to the palace soon." He said Hermione reached out and took her hand in his. "Will you come to me again tonight, as you did last night?" She smiled.
"Yes. But keep it G."
"G?" he asked. "I don't understand this term."
"Oh it's a Midgardian term. It means no funny business."
"It's just a dream love…"
"Haven't you ever heard the term absence makes the heart grow fonder?"
"No but I've heard the term touch makes the heart grow fonder." He said kissing the back of her hand.
"Loki…" She said in a warning tone.
"Fine." He said sitting back in his chair. "I can't help but feel like I'm being punished."
"You're not being punished… And you know… A little self control never hurt anyone." He sighed heavily as he looked over her hand.
"I've never been one for self control." He said thinking the way he felt burying himself deeply into her body. The way she moaned his name at the height of her ecstasy.
"You know we went months without physical contact before-."
"Yes and it was torture for me." he said and Hermione laughed softy.
"No it wasn't."
"It really was." He said and she merely smiled.
"It's not easy for myself either Loki." She said.
"Then why not give into temptation…" he said. "Come to me tonight…"
"Loki…"
"Come to me." he said getting up and walking to her. "Or I shall come to you."
"You may come to me." she stood up coming eye to chin with him. "But nothing will come of it." She said looking up at him as she backed away.
"I think something might…" he said setting a hand on her hip.
"Loki…" She said and he smiled.
"You almost pulled off looking cross with me..." he moved forward and kissed her deeply.
"Loki." She said pushing him back with a smile.
"I like a challenge."
"Do you like hexes?" she asked raising a hand and he smiled seeing magic swirling around her palm.
"Why do you wish to wait?" He asked with a smile thoroughly amused with Hermione.
"The truth?"
"Always."
"I want to respect your mother and father's wishes… More your mothers…" She said before smiling softly. "Your mother has been very kind to me… I want to repay that kindness with loyalty… To her and to any wishes she may have for me."
"Of course." He said. "But come to me tonight still so that if we cannot lie with one another we can dream with one another." She nodded with a smile.
"Okay…"
"Then I shall take my leave." Loki said bowing while kissing the back of her hand. "So that I may return to my own bed quickly as to join one of our own making in our dreams." She smiled.
"You really are a prince charming." She said and he smiled as he moved forward and kissed her deeply.
"Only for you." He said before running off. Hermione smiled softly as she watched him leave. "Oh love…" He said turning to look at her from the door.
"Yes?" she asked.
"Protection charms. For Vidar."
"Of course right when you leave." He nodded with a smile before running out. Hermione closed the doors and instantly put the protection charms in place. Loki walked next door to his brothers room and knocked. The door instantly swung open.
"Brother." Thor greeted.
"I'm taking my leave…"
"And I shall post myself outside Hermione's door along with her guard… I've informed them of Vidar and that he is not to be alone with her."
"Thank you for this."
"Of course." Thor said. Loki took a deep breath. "What is it?" Thor asked and Loki looked him over.
"Nothing… Thank you Thor."
"Of course." Thor said watching Loki leave. Thor smiled to himself before walking out his bedroom Hammer in hand. "Men." He greeted the guard. "Elves." He said to Daradye and Adriel who nodded and smiled in return to the Prince. "Take positions." Thor said.
"Mind if we join?" Volstagg asked walking up with Fandral and Hogun.
"Not at all." Thor said with a smile.
-o-
Loki walked into his bedroom quickly and shut the door. He took a deep breath as he quickly got out of the stuffiest part of his wardrobe before walking to his bed and laying down. He tried to calm himself as his eyes slowly started to drift closed. Wanting to fall asleep quickly so he could be with Hermione once again. After a long while he took a deep breath feeling something set on his chest. He looked down to see Hermione's head, her arms wrapped around his body. He slowly looked around to see they were in one of the Asgardian Meadows looking out over a stream. He smiled as he raised his hand to see a book.
"Isn't it your job to read to me on these outings?" Loki inquired with a smile.
"You must have brought that book with you." She said taking it in hand. She laughed to herself.
"Very interesting."
"What?" he asked looking down at her.
"It's my book you brought in…" she looked up at him. "Why would you bring this book in?"
"I guess I've been thinking that it's unfair that everyone knows your past but me." He said looking to her.
"I want you to find out on your own…" She said.
"I've been waiting for you to talk about it." She smiled.
"Loki Just talk ask me questions and I'll tell you anything if I'm open to talk about it." She said looking up at him.
"Okay… Tell me about your first year at Hogwarts." She laughed.
"Where to begin?" she asked looking up at their projection of the night sky they had dreamed up together. Loki thought back to her second book he had stolen a peek of and smiled.
"What was the summer before it like?" He asked and she smiled.
"Easy… One of the last easy times I had… I had just found out I was a witch and my parents were so proud… I mean I could tell they were still reeling from the news but my mom just kept saying…" She laughed in a care free way that made Loki look to her. "She kept saying my girls has the magic in her, I always knew it." Loki smiled. "I remember the first trip to Diagon Alley… We were with a ministry appointed wizard. Someone to walk us through the ways of the magical world. To help not only guide my parents but myself through the ways of the magical world… Our first stop was the wand shop." She pulled it from her dress pocket and looked it over. "I saw this box way up at the top and I just knew it held my wand. I could…" Hermione smiled.
"I could feel my magics connecting with it instantly just wanting to play… Wanting release…" Loki smiled at her nostalgic look as her eyes moved over her wand. "He kept giving me different wands finally he listened to me and grabbed the box… The second my fingers touched the grain of this wand my whole world changed… For the first time in my life I felt like I was close to being whoever it was I supposed to be… I was truly happy… I didn't feel that way again for a very long time."
"Why?" He asked.
"My first year was kind of tough… the toughest."
"That's hard to believe."
"The first part of my year was pretty bad… I learned what being a muggle born meant…"
"What did it mean?"
"That I didn't belong in either the muggle or the magical world… Most the students made me very aware of it. Especially the Slytherins…"
"Didn't Harry and Ron stick up for you?"
"We weren't really friends in the beginning." He looked down at her. "Not until the end of October when there was a run in with a troll and I took the heat for it." She said. "Until then I was kind of on my own. No one really wanted to talk to me…"
"Why?"
"I brought it on myself…" Hermione said quietly. "I was a little too smart for a first year, having studied everything I could in the weeks before school, so people viewed me as a know it all… I was overly excited about this whole new world I was now a part of so people viewed me as well overly excited." Loki smiled. "Also I was kind of bossy, I had all the rules down, and you know if there are rules you should follow them… It's only fair to the other people following the rules." Loki laughed softly.
"So you were seen as a little bit bossy and a stickler for rules."
"All in all I was the perfect recipe for a person you didn't want to be friends with."
"Harry and Ron really didn't want to be your friend?"
"No… Well I don't know about Harry. He always smiled at me in the halls and was nice but Ron definitely wanted nothing to do with me… He said some hurtful things those first few months."
"So how did you all become friends?"
"The day of the Halloween feast, I let me mouth run. Properly executed a spell and in so doing made Ron look bad. He got very angry. Started bad mouthing me to the other boys. Made fun of me. I overheard and it hurt my feelings. I was a child and in so being easy to embarrass. Instead of going to the feast I stayed where I thought nowhere would find me. The girls lavatory. Crying my eyes out… It was stupid."
"He hurt your feelings, you were a young girl, of course you cried." He said. "It wasn't stupid at all." She smiled softly.
"Well I was in there preoccupied with the crying, the homesickness, and the overall feeling sorry for myself… So I didn't hear what was going on. A troll had gotten loose, well more let loose, by one of the professors in an attempt to create a diversion so they could get to the philosophers stone."
"That took a very interesting turn."
"That's why people liked the book." She said and he laughed.
"So the troll got loose?" Loki asked. "How did that make you Harry and Ron come together?"
"Well Harry had noticed I wasn't around and asked Neville where I was. Neville early that day had seen me run into the bathroom crying. Harry figured I'd still be there hiding out. So when the order for all students to return to their rooms went out Harry knew I wouldn't hear it. That I would be out in the castle alone. He felt as Rons friend that he was responsible for my safety because Ron was the reason I wasn't at the feast, and why I hadn't heard the order. While they ran to the girls lavatory to find me they saw the Troll finding me first."
"A troll came after you in the girls bathroom?" Hermione laughed.
"Yeah, but it was a baby."
"Still those are huge!" Loki said and she smiled. "What happened next?"
For the rest of the dream Hermione filled him in up to right before Christmas of her first year and then in a blink of an eye he was away from Hermione and back in his room. He sat up in bed his chest heaving from the jolt of being taken away from her. His jaw clenched as he looked to the right side of his bed. The side where Hermione usually slept and took a deep breath. Little did he know Hermione was doing the exact same thing at castle Summertide.
Hermione stared at the left side of her bed, her hand set on the pillow. It felt wrong waking up without Loki. She took a deep breath and sat up. She couldn't wait to be married, or until Frigga and Odin lifted the ban on her and Loki sharing quarters so she could feel him next to her again when she slept. She slowly got up and walked to her balcony and opened it up to view the realm of Asgard. Her eyes though were completely glued to the palace. She smiled softly hoping she'd get to see Loki soon.
-o-
Hermione smiled as she walked down the hallway. She looked over her shoulder to see Adriel and Daradye following close behind. She smiled more before looking forward. They always followed behind her. For once she'd like them to walk at her side. So she came to a stop. Hoping they would rest at her side but instead they stopped right in their tracks a good ten paces behind. Hermione smirked to herself before turning and looking to them. Before she could ask to walk with her and not behind her they suddenly moved forward their arms on their swords as they moved to her side.
"Oh… It's like you read my mind…" Hermione said before turning. Her eyes snapped with realization seeing Vidar. "Oh…" She rocked back onto her heels. "Never mind…"
"My lady." Vidar greeted bowing his head.
"Good morning." Hermione said as she moved together with her body guards. It seemed they were on edge around her soon to be cousin, which made Hermione wonder if Loki had talked to her guard about his exploits."
"Off to breakfast?"
"I am indeed." Hermione said.
"May I walk with you?"
"Of course Vidar." She said with a smile.
"I'm sure my little brother will be there as well." Hermione tilted her head. "What?" Vidar asked.
"I don't know you said it with such a sigh…"
"My little brother is the golden child because... Well…" His jaw clenched. "He's… He has a title." She looked to him. "Just because his mom is my fathers wife."
"I'm sorry." He looked to her. "It must be hard." He tilted his head.
"You're the first ever person to say so."
"I know what it's like to not be completely belong…" He nodded.
"I imagine you do…" He said. "Listen if you're not doing anything later. Maybe you'd like to take a walk on the beach with me?" He asked quietly and Hermione eyed him. "We could ditch your guard."
"I like them where they are thanks." She said and he tilted his head as he grabbed her arm making her stop. Hermione put her hand out before Daradye and Adriel could make a move to cut down Vidar.
"You don't think you're better than me do you?" he asked with a smile but his tone of voice was less than genial. "You're not trying to avoid me are you… Princess?"
"Of course not… Cousin." She said with a smile. "And I'm not a princess yet."
"Nor am I your cousin yet…" He said. "So take a walk with me."
"I'm just so busy with the coronation. There's so much I have to learn. So much tradition. Figga won't let me away even for enough time for a walk." His expression softened. "I'm sorry Vidar."
"Not at all… Maybe I'll pay you visit later tonight."
"Tonight?" she asked.
"After everyone goes to bed. I'm sure you'll be free then…" She shifted on her feet as her jaw clenched and he smiled. "You can tell me how my cousin got his hands on a woman like you… Or maybe… Maybe you can tell me…" he moved his mouth to her ear. "How you got your hands on a man like my cousin… Or…" he pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Show me." Her jaw clenched.
"My lady…" Adriel said his jaw clenching. Elves had particular good hearing, and he didn't like anything he had just heard.
"It's fine Adriel…" Hermione said
"Off to breakfast?" Vidar asked before turning and walking off. Her jaw clenched her hand set on her stomach.
"My lady?" Daradye asked quietly setting a hand on her arm.
"Keep him away from my room tonight…" She said quietly.
"On our honor." Adriel said.
"Thank you… Oh and will you do me one more kindness?"
"Anything." They said.
"Walk at my side, not behind me…" She said. "Having you walk behind me makes me feel… I don't know… Like… You're beneath me or something… You two are my guards but I also view as my friends… Friends walk at one another's sides not behind them."
"Yes my lady." Daradye said with a smile.
"And enough with then my lady stuff, Hermione yeah?"
"Yes My lady Hermione." They said and she couldn't help but laugh as they walked into the dining room. She smiled instantly seeing Loki. He stood up and walked from the table to kiss her cheek.
"Morning love."
"Morning." She said with a bright smile as she kissed him back.
"You know it never gets old seeing you two all over each other like that." Fandral said and Hermione smiled.
"Shut it your jealous." Sif said with a smile as the two sat down.
"Oh Hermione." Frigga said.
"Yes?" she asked.
"We have the jewels for the coronation coming in, along with your tiara, they need approval and fitting." Frigga said. "Oh and also your dress."
"Mother I wanted to take Hermione possibly to the beach."
"You can do that later." Frigga said. "Also we have wedding planning. Seeing as the wedding will be a month after the coronation. Your father maybe wanted to-."
"Wait I thought you guys were waiting two years to be married…" Vidar said.
"After the war on Midgard Hermione and I decided we didn't want to wait." Loki said his eyes connecting with his cousin.
"I see… How splendid." He said dryly. The doors opened up and Hermione looked to see a young man with braided blonde hair. He had crystal blue eyes, and jutted out jaw. He smiled at the room as Thor stood.
"Cousin Vindi." Thor said with a boisterous laugh.
"Thor." He said embracing him.
"Everyone is hugging how splendid…" Vidar muttered making Hermione look to him.
"Cousin Loki." Vindi said and Loki smiled as he stood.
"Vindi how much you've grown you come up to my chin now." He said hugging the young man. Hermione stood and Vindi instantly smiled.
"Cousin is this the bride I've heard so much about?" he asked.
"Yes this is my Hermione…"
"It's wonderful to meet you Vindi."
"The wonder and pleasure is all mine." He said with a smile as he took her hand and kissed the back. "I've heard rumors of your beauty but they have not done you justice. Don't you agree brother?" he asked.
"I do indeed." Vidar said and Loki tried not to glare at him.
"I've just finished your book actually." Vindi said with a smile.
"Did you, how did you like it?"
"Well I'm waiting until the next one if that tells you anything."
"You and the rest of the realms." Sif said with a smile.
"I particularly enjoyed the chess match." Hermione laughed.
"I did not enjoy it at the time, but looking back it was quite exciting." Hermione said with a smile.
"You must tell us of some of your adventures first hand. Tonight at dinner." Vindi said.
"I'd love to." Hermione said.
"Fantastic." He said taking a seat.
"I know I look forward to your tales…" Vidar said and Hermione took a deep breath as she sat down next to Loki. She looked across the table to see Vidar smirking at her. She shifted and nodded at him before looking down at her plate. Loki hadn't missed the smirk or Hermione's reaction to it.
-o-
All day Loki wanted nothing more than to steal Hermione away from his mother. But the pressures of the coronation, and the planning for it kept her far away. It wasn't until hours had passed, and dinner had come did he get to at least see her again. Hermione, Sif, and Inari walked into the dining room and Hermione smiled seeing Loki. He stood as she walked to him.
"Hi…" she said with a sympathetic smile. She had felt his longing for her all day just as he had felt her longing for him.
"Hello love." He kissed the back of her hand before pulling the chair out for her so they could sit.
"Hermione?" she looked to Odin who sat at the head of the table with his wife and brother.
"Yes Sire?" she asked.
"How goes the preparation for the coronation?" He asked.
"Very well." She said with a smile.
"Hermione had her fittings for her dresses." Frigga said with a gushing look. "She looked beautiful. She always does though." Hermione smiled.
"Imagine after your coronation songs will be written of how you looked on that day… Songs that will be sung for generations to come." Odin said and Hermione smiled.
"Thank you, it's very kind to say."
"So Hermione tell us some stories." Volstagg said.
"Vindi the girl has had a long day." Vili said.
"I don't mind." Hermione said. "What would you like to know?"
"What happens next?" he asked. "What happened your next year at Hogwarts." She smiled at his enthusiastic look.
"That year was a scary one… That year was the year of the chamber of secrets."
"See it already sounds addicting." Fandral said sitting forward in his seat.
"Where to begin?" She asked.
"At the beginning. Please." Vindi said.
"Don't be so wide eyed Vindi." Vidar said.
"Oh hush he's talking to a war hero." Vili said to his oldest son.
"I am not a war hero." Hermione said with a soft expression.
"Oh no?" Vidar asked. "What would you call yourself?"
"A soldier." She said and Vili smiled.
"An educated girl indeed." He said to his brother who smiled. "A warrior through and through."
"I know." Odin said and Frigga smiled at the pride that was held in his expression.
"I knew about ten minutes into my train ride back to Hogwarts my second year that we, Harry, Ron and Myself weren't going to have the same sort of educational experience like our fellow students were that year." Hermione said launching into her story.
"How did you know?" Vindi asked.
"Because Harry and Ron weren't on the train with me… They had missed it or more so they were kept away." Hermione said and Vindi smiled as he sat at the edge of his seat. "In fact half way through my train ride I looked out the window and saw them in a flying car, a midgardian form of transportation. Ron looked so pleased with himself as he drove this magical contraption of his dads." Everyone laughed and Hermione launched into her story.
-o-
"What I saw upon the wall made me halt imdietley. I felt as though ice raced through my veins as I stared up at the words scrolled in blood."
"In blood?" Inari asked wide eyed.
"In blood." Hermione confirmed.
"What was scrolled" Vostagg asked as he nervously chewed at a chicken leg.
"Enemy's of the heir… Beware." Hermione said.
"What does it mean!?" Vindi asked.
"You'll have to read the book to find out."
"Oh!" many said with a laugh to their tone but also a hint of disappoint them.
"Keep them wanting always keep them wanting my dear!" Vili said with a laugh.
"And with that note I shall steal my Hermione away for a much needed walk on the beach." Loki said.
"You have fun you two." Frigga said keeping her husband from saying anything to top the two.
"Have fun…" Vidar said with a suggestive tone.
"Adriel Daradye… I'm very safe with Loki there's no need to follow? Look after my room for me? Make sure no one sneaks in?" she asked and they nodded. With that Loki and Hermione headed off for some much needed alone time.
"What was that about?" Loki asked.
"Vidar made a comment to me before breakfast, it has myself, Daradye, and Adriel on edge."
"What did he say?"
"Nothing to worry about." Hermione said holding his hand as they walked. "Everything is fine."
"I could tell this morning something had happened. You seemed distracted by Vidar."
"No." Hermione said. "No I wasn't distracted. I was just keeping an eye out."
"Why?" he asked as they headed outside the castle.
"Because of what you told me." he came to a stop making her do so as well.
"Why else?" he asked.
"Loki…"
"Tell me." He said.
"It's not that big a deal, I just don't want you getting in trouble with your father, and getting in a fight with his brothers son-."
"Illegitimate."
"Still his son." Hermione said. "Won't do you any favors in his eyes." She said continuing what she had been saying before Loki interjected.
"What did he say?"
"Promise you won't do anything." His jaw clenched and Hermione crossed her arms over her chest. "Loki…" she said in a warning tone.
"I promise I won't physically do anything to him… But he may get a stern talking to." He said.
"I guess I can live with that." She said.
"So tell me." he said.
"Basically as I was walking to breakfast Vidar, I think might have been waiting for me. He had a very formal good morning greeting and he said he wished to get to know me better. Said he wanted to have some alone time with me. Without the guards. I said I couldn't and he grabbed my arm."
"He grabbed you?" Loki asked his anger flying.
"It didn't even hurt…" Hermione said with a soft expression. "I swear."
"What else?" he asked.
"I said I would be too busy and he asked me if I thought I were better than him and I said of course not it was just that I was truly busy with the coronation… He said he would maybe drop by my room later in the night. After everyone had gone to bed. He said he wanted me to tell him how I got my hands on a man like you or rather I show him how I got my hands on you…" Lokis jaw clenched. "He made me feel uneasy… I get the same vibes from him as I did with Tesla as I did with-."
"Dradye. Adriel. Take Hermione back to her room."
"Loki." Hermione said.
"Guards!" Loki called.
"Loki this isn't needed."
"Yes your highness?" One of the guards asked.
"Escort Hermione and her Elvin guards back to her room. Fine my brother and get him on point."
"Loki this is ridiculous." Hermione said.
"Take her now it's an order."
"Loki!" Hermione said as she was wheeled away.
"I'll see you shortly!" He called.
"No you won't!" She said and from her tone of voice he could tell she was cross. Still he had more important things on his mind.
"Brother what is the commotion?" Thor said seeing Hermione being wheeled off. "Is Hermione in trouble?" he asked.
"No…" He said his eyes full of rage. "But somebody is."
"Thor stop him!" Hermione yelled.
"What little sister wants..." Thor said grabbing his brother by the arm and wheeling him into the nearest room. "Little sister gets. What seems to be the problem?"
"The problem is that he put his hands on her!" Loki yelled and Thor tilted his head.
"Brother you seem enraged."
"Do I Thor?" He asked with as much sass as possible.
"Brother explain to me what has happened." A loud pop sounded and Hermione landed into the room. Before the guards could run in Hermione put her hand out and the doors slammed keeping the guards away. "You really think mere orders could subdue me?" She asked Loki.
"He put his hands on you."
"Hand."
"He grabbed you."
"He grasped onto my arm it didn't hurt it was more to get my attention."
"Why are you defending someone who clearly has intentions towards you?"
"See what I mean when I say Jealous?" Hermione asked Thor who nodded with a smile.
"It's a bit amusing." Thor said.
"I don't like this, you two… Conspiring." Loki said pointing.
"We're not conspiring I told you we talked." Thor said. "But brother you do seem to be paranoid."
"You would be two if the bastard son of our uncle had placed his forceful eyes upon your fiancé. He wanted her to show him how she got her hands on me…"
"It was a sexual innuendo." Hermione said.
"He has intentions towards her and you know that's never good Thor."
"And we're handling it by stationing ourselves outside her room. He won't come near her."
"Thor-."
"Loki is this about Ranali?"
"Ranali who's Ranali?" Hermione asked seeing Loki instantly go rigid.
"It has nothing to do with Ranali."
"Who's Ranali?" Hermione asked.
"She's who was betrothed to Loki before you." Thor said like it was obvious and Hermione instantly Looked to Loki. "Who I'm now guessing you never told her about brother…"
"How much I'm finding out about you these past few days…" She said with a soft expression.
"Hermione…"
"Do what you want to Vidar, if you get in trouble it's no skin off my nose." She as she stormed off.
"Hermione…" Loki said going after her and Thor smiled. Though many people thought him dull, and lacking in wits. Thor had just seen right through what Hermione had just pulled. It was something he saw his mother do every day with his father. Whenever his anger rage she would find something to get mad at him about and it would shift his fathers rage into remorse mode. Making him do whatever he could to set things right with Frigga. Thor gave a hearty laugh.
"She is a lot like mother…" he said with a smile before walking off.
"Hermione." Loki said as the door to her room slammed in his face. "Hermione open the door!" She didn't say anything instead walked away from it. In truth she used her anger at his lying to throw his anger off of Vidar. After all she didn't want Loki to get in further trouble with his father. But the truth was Hermione was hurt that once again she had been lied to.
"Hermione you look upset..." She turned quickly while gasping to see Vidar smiling as he sat on her bed.
"How did you get in here?"
"The guards are only posted when you're inside so… I snuck in when you weren't…"
"Hermione open the door!" Loki called. Hermione went to call that it was open when Vidar moved forward quickly and put his hand over her mouth while smiling.
"Oh don't spoil the fun." He said his hand wrapped tightly around her waist. Her jaw clenched and he tilted his head. Hermione felt as if ice were rushing through her veins. She couldn't think in that moment, and that scared her more than anything.
"Are you afraid? No need to be little princess I just wanted to see you…" He slowly let his hand remove from her mouth. "No screaming…" He said.
"Why would I scream when you just came to see me?"
"Exactly." He said pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "What do you think of me Hermione?" he asked as he took a hold of her chin lightly.
"I think you're… Driven." He smiled.
"How driven do you think I am?" he asked.
"I don't know… Let's ask Loki." Before he could do anything she put her hand out and the door swung open. Loki walked in and instantly stopped seeing Vidar with his arm wrapped around her waist. Hermione's face his other hand holding her chin.
"Tricky… Little… Witch…" Vidar said his jaw clenching.
"Loki your cousin has paid a visit…" Hermione said.
"Vidar?"
"Yes Cousin?" he asked his eyes still locked on Hermione's as he dragged his knuckles down across her cheek.
"Get your bastard hands off of my Fiancé…"
"But she's probably just a bastard herself…" Hermione's jaw clenched. "That's the rumor isn't it? That the lost children were either Bastards, children of criminals, or orphans…" He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "If you were to ask me she is more much fitting for someone like myself rather than a prince." Vidar was violently pushed away from Hermione.
"No one did ask you." Loki said his anger flying.
"Cousin, are you cross?" He asked with a smirk.
"Of course not." He said. "But listen to me now… Come into my fiances room again without her knowledge and without accompaniment again and I swear I'll-."
"What?" Vidar asked. "Roll over like you did with Renali?" He asked with a smirk. "Oh wait that's what she did for me…" He said walking past them. "On no wait…" he said stopping at his side. "I bent her over a table…"
"What is wrong with you?" Hermione asked and Vidar smiled as he looked to her.
"You'll find out soon enough." With that he walked out of the room. "Boys." He greeted the guards with a smirk.
"Are you alright?" Loki asked.
"He covered my mouth…" Hermione said. "I didn't know what to do. I've never not known what to do."
"Vidar has that effect on people." Loki said turning to look her over.
"Loki who is Renali?"
"Who was Renali actually… As Thor said she was my betrothed. A forced marriage. Though to be honest I wouldn't have minded marrying her. She was a friend. She was very sweet."
"Did you love her?"
"I was too young to know what that was… I was only fourteen when it happened."
"When what happened?"
"It's not pleasant to talk about…"
"I need to know who I'm up against."
"I told you he could be forceful Hermione…"
"Did he rape her?" Hermione asked softly and Loki set his hands on her shoulders.
"In the eyes of many he also killed her."
"What?" she asked.
"She killed herself two nights after he raped her… She couldn't live with herself after being defiled by him. So she went to the highest tower of Asgard and leapt off."
"Did anyone know what he had done to her?" Hermione asked.
"No… No one knew why she had jumped… Not for two months until her mother found a note… Inside the note was a broach she had ripped from Vidars armor in the struggle..."
"My god…" She said softy. "Why was he never punished?"
"In the realms the victim has to bring charges against her attacker to my father or nothing happens to the attacker… She killed herself instead of bringing charges against Vidar so… They let it slide."
"They let it slide!?"
"I'm not saying it's right, but I'm saying it's how it's done…"
"That's horrible." Hermione said.
"I know…" He said.
"Oh my god Inari would he try anything with her?" Hermione asked wide eyed.
"No… No love." He said. "She's too young for him. Even he has standards."
"A man like that has no such things as standards…" Hermione said. "He's not a man at all he's a rapist… I can't believe your father lets him walk around knowing he did what he did. If I were the protector of the realms I'd do some protecting and throw him into the darkest cell and throw away the key…"
"It was one time, take some comfort."
"I take no comfort in that. He raped a woman. Even if it was just once doesn't make it better…" Loki tilted his head as he looked her over.
"You seem very disturbed."
"He's a rapist of course I'm disturbed…" She said her jaw clenching.
"No I see something in you." He said setting his hand on her hip. "Why were you so struck when he touched you?"
"What?" she asked. "Loki don't be jealous he-."
"No I'm not jealous I'm worried… You are the fiercest warrior I have ever met… Yet my cousin set his hands on you, and you… Froze?" Her jaw clenched.
"I'd say I was just taken aback by his advancement but… That would be a lie. And I promised you when you came back that I'd be honest with you."
"So be honest… What was it?"
"He looked at me… Like…"
"Like Tesla you said."
"Not just like Tesla… He looked at me as all the men did those weeks during my interrogation and torture… They gave me the exact same look when they ripped the clothes from my body…" He set his hand on her cheek and she took a deep breath. "Loki they didn't rip my clothes off to burn me… Not at first… Those men were going to have their way with me… Bellatrix stopped it. Said that not only was my blood full of mud but my body was as well." Her jaw clenched and Loki moved forward and wrapped his arms around her. "His eyes took on that same look that all those men did when they ripped the clothes from my body… It… It made ice run through my veins when Vidar looked at me like that… It was like I was right back in that room…"
"You're not though." He said pulling back and pushing a strand of hair away from her eyes to tuck it behind her ear. "You're here with me…"
"Sometimes…"
"I know... You worry you're still in that room… But you're not… You're here with me." He said kissing the back of her hand.
"I wish you could stay with me tonight." She said softly.
"Let me talk to my mother I'm sure she'd understand…"
"No… She won't…"
"I know, I'll leave one of my projections with you."
"It's not the same." He smiled. She was the first to ever say so. "I don't love your projections I love you."
"How about I stay with you until you fall asleep then, I'll leave go back to the palace and join you shortly in your dream?" he asked leading her over to the bed.
"Okay." She said and he smiled as he instantly pulled her into his arms as they lay down in bed. He ran his fingers through her hair soothingly.
"Go to sleep love, I'll be with you soon…" she smiled softly as she let her eyes drift closed. As her chest rose and fell Loki became aware that she had long fallen asleep. He slowly got out of bed as to not rouse her and instantly set up protection charms over room before apperating away. When he got to the palace he instantly ran to his room and laid down in bed. The second he closed his eyes he was taken away. Far away. Into the dreams of Hermione.
"Loki!" He heard Hermione scream and he instantly looked around to see he was standing in a dark hallway. "Loki!"
"Hermione!" he called starting to run in the direction of her scream. "Hermione where are you!"
"Loki Please!" He rounded a corner and stared into two double doors to see Hermione being thrown to the ground by a group of men. "Stop it!" she yelled.
"Tell me where you got the sword!" A mad looking woman yelled at Hermione before pointing a wand at her. "Crucio!" Hermione screamed at the top of her lungs and instantly Loki rushed past the woman and gathered Hermione in his arms.
"Hermione it's a dream!" he said as she continued to scream. "Hermione it's a dream change your dream!"
"That sword was in my vault how did you get it!?" The woman yelled. "Did you steal it?"
"I didn't steal it! I didn't take anything!" Hermione yelled tears running down her face as cuts and burns began to spread across her skin. She started to scream in such a way it turned Lokis blood into ice.
"How did you get your mudblood hands on it!?" She yelled and Hermione screamed more.
"Hermione…" Loki said whispering in her ear. "Hermione this is a dream. You can change your dream. Change it."
"I can't…" she said tears rolling down her cheeks. "I can't… Loki!" she cried out as agony racked through her body. Hermione heard a loud crack and felt her head get whipped to the side.
"Wake up!" She jolted up out of Lokis arms to stare out into the darkness of her room. "Hermione?" she gasped violently as her magic flared out defensively.
"Protego!" Frigga said quickly protecting herself from the hex. Hermione stared wide eyed at the queen for a long moment. Frigga watched as the pure horror in Hermione's face softened into remorse.
"Oh my god… I'm… I'm so sorry." Hermione said. "I'm so sorry-."
"Never mind it." She said coming to her side instantly. "Are you alright?" Hermione looked over her shoulder to see her guard, and Sif looking in worriedly. She slowly looked down at her arms to see her scars standing out angry and red on her skin. Her jaw clenched as she stared down at them before slowly letting her magic take the marks away. "Hermione?" she asked.
"Was I screaming?" Hermione asked quietly.
"In agony… Your body was contorting…" Frigga said her hand over her heart.
"I'm… I'm so embarrassed." Hermione said her voice barely above a whisper.
"What are you all looking at?" Loki asked walking from the crowd of her guards. "She is your Lady, one you are to protect not gawk at!" They instantly scurried away. "I'm staying with her tonight." Loki said to his mother.
"Of course. Your father can deal with me…"
"I'm so sorry about my Magics."
"No harm no foul." She said with a nod before walking off. When she had left Loki moved forward and wrapped his arms around her.
"That hasn't happened in so long…"
"It's okay love."
"They were staring at me like-."
"No don't." he said. "Don't think on it." He said.
"Everyone must have heard it."
"No." he said. "Come let's go to bed." He said brushing her stray tears away and she nodded with a smile. They laid down in bed and Loki smiled.
"Can we go into your dreams?" she asked.
"Of course." He said with a smile.
"Maybe dream of a library."
"I'll try my best." He said with a smirk. As he held her he couldn't help but smile. She bounced back far faster than she did in the very beginning.
"Loki I'm sorry-."
"Don't worry. I don't want you to think on it. If you think on it you'll take it with you as you sleep…" She nodded as she laid her head on his chest.
-o-
Odin paced his room his jaw clenching as he did. Loki was staying the night with Hermione. He was enraged, but he also knew it was for good reason. He had gotten word of the screaming. The door to his bedroom opened and he turned to see his wife.
"How is she?" Odin asked and Frigga walked up to him. "Is she alright-." He was cut off by a great force slamming into the side of his face. He blinked realizing Frigga had just struck him. "Frigga…"
"You told me when we agreed to send her to Midgard that she would be safe!" she yelled. "That she would be happy! That it would be easy! That she would just learn how it was like to be midgardian and then she would return to help us understand how to connect with that realm better! You promised Odin you said-."
"What is this about?"
"You didn't hear it…" Frigga said her eyes wide. "Her screams…"
"Frigga."
"She was tortured Odin!" Frigga yelled. "Our daughter was tortured!"
"Keep your voice down." Odin said quickly.
"You promised she'd be safe." Frigga said pain evident in her voice. "Odin… You promised me…"
"Frigga I'm sorry."
"You should be saying that to Hermione…" With that she turned and stormed off.
"Frigga!"
"You will make this right!" Odins jaw clenched before looking out the window to see Castle Summertide in the distance.