Chapter 49 –
Loki stood with his eyes transfixed on the blued steel ceiling, his feet planted firmly on the sleek marble floor. The faint draft that rippled along his long green cape signaled that the doors to the temple had been opened but the young prince made no move to turn towards his host. He remained motionless except for his dark green eyes which took in the sight of the silver and alabaster walls glittering with more gem stones than one could count in a lifetime.
"Aye, What be bringin' ye to Nidavellir? Ye an' yer mischief no welcome here." The dwarf remarked as he entered the room.
"I'm no longer a juvenile, Eitri," His voice solemn and his face set in a permanent scowl. "I have not come here for silly bets and parlor tricks."
"An' what ye be comin' here for?" the small man inquired as he rubbed his fingers against the long brown whiskers that framed his chin.
Loki raised his fingers slightly in front of him as a small chip of crystalized stone appeared in the air before him. With a flick of his wrist he sent the piece hurtling towards the dwarf who caught it in mid-motion. "Do you recognize that?"
"Ye know I do," Eitri drawled as he examined the piece in his palm. "Better question be how ye be gettin' yer hands on whit no belong to ye?"
"You are going to make me a whole one," Loki ordered forcefully. "An exact duplicate of the one you made for Malekith."
"I no be takin' orders from no one, least of all ye," the dwarf chuckled.
"I warn you, old timer," the young prince seethed as he moved closer, a flash of red thundering across his emerald eyes. "You do not want to find yourself as an obstacle in my path. Not today."
"An' whit ye'd be givin' for payment? I no work for free." Eitri insisted. "Nor do any of my kin."
Loki extended his hand in an arching motion along the air as a pile of gold materialized across the floor at the elder's feet. "Does that suffice?" the mischievous prince bit off irritably. He didn't have time to waste haggling with these pathetic creatures. He needed to get to his wife.
"Aye, that be more than enough for a normal bloke," the elder dwarf admitted with a slight twitch of his lips. "But for ye me thinkin' the price be a wee bit higher."
"Eh heh heh heh," Loki began to laugh, his mouth opened in a wide smile as his tongue slid playfully between his teeth. Then his expression became hollow, his stare as cold as ice as he continued to speak. "Do you really want to test the strength of my powers, Eitri? There is no one here to help hold me down this time."
The dwarf stared at him silently for a moment as if considering his words, his fingers pulling nervously on his beard before he finally nodded. "Aye, it will be doon within the hour."
The God of Mischief stalked through the golden halls of the Royal Castle, the sound of his boots thundering across the granite floors causing fear to surge in the hearts of every poor soul he passed along his way. His face was stern and his piercing emerald eyes held such a fierce gaze that those who were unfortunate to cross his path felt certain that the young prince had nothing short of murder on his mind. He held the portal stone tightly in his grip. He had not let go of it since the elder dwarf had placed the finished piece in his hand. He was quite certain that he knew how to reach his wife now. It was the challenge of retrieving the Infinity Gauntlet from Asgard's vaults that had him in such a sour mood. Since he had given back the Chitauri scepter and gems to Odin, the All-Father had more than tripled the defense of the treasury but failure was not an option for the young prince. He just needed to come up with the perfect plan.
"Where have you been, brother?" the sound of Thor's deep, baritone voice froze him in his tracks as he turned around slowly.
"So quick to leave your precious earth?" Loki snapped angrily. "I thought you would be celebrating with your little mortal woman over your victory or have you finally grown tired of her?"
"I came here to help you," the thunder god insisted as he moved closer. "What good does it do you to continue to push me away?"
"You are the last person whose assistance I require," the young prince replied flatly as he turned around and continued along the corridor.
"I spoke with our Father," Thor continued, ignoring his brother's foul mood as he followed behind him. "Did you learn anything useful from Amora?"
"YOUR father," the trickster bit off, his voice filled with ire. "And stay out of my business."
"I will not," the Thunder god bellowed, his voice echoing off the halls. "Have I not proven over and over that you can trust me? That there is nothing I would not do for you? You are my little brother, in every way that matters. I know how much you love her. Let me help you!" Loki turned back to his brother once more, appraising him thoughtfully. He was not so foolish to think that Thor would ever be willing to go so far as to steal from the All-Father no matter what he might say. He was far too righteous. Perhaps in his younger days but no he would never defy Odin now. He would insist that they simply beg the old man for its use and Loki knew all too well that the All-Father would never give his permission. Still maybe he could put his brother's relentless devotion to some use.
"Perhaps you can help me," Loki began coyly. He placed his hand lightly against his brother's shoulder as he led him toward the large windows of the atrium and away from the prying ears of servants who were scuttling about the halls. "Odin believes that I am responsible for the theft of the casket of winters, which I am not." The thunder god cocked an eyebrow doubtfully as he listened to the trickster's words. "Believe me, Thor. If I had access to such power I would be wielding it right now. The point is that the All-Father distrusts me and there is something that I need from him but he will never give it to me with the seeds that Amora has planted in his head."
"What is this thing that you require of him?" Thor questioned.
"Gungnir," Loki lied as he dropped the level of his voice to a near whisper, his lips in a smooth line as the sun glittered off the irises of his eyes. "I need to bring it to Niflheim to enact the spell to bring me to her."
"Niflheim? Is that where he has taken her?" the thunder god puzzled.
"No. I told you, they are on an alternate plain," Loki exasperated. "I don't have time to explain everything to you. If you truly wish to assist me than speak to the All-Father on my behalf and convince him of my great need."
"I will do my best," Thor promised as he moved to leave.
"Brother," Loki continued firmly. "Do not ask this of him within the castle walls. The dark elf has many spies and I can't have him prepared for my coming. Promise me this."
"I swear it," the thunder god pledged. "I will request his presence outside the castle. You are right. It is good to be cautious. Too many have proven themselves unworthy of trust." Loki stood silently for a moment as he watched his brother saunter towards the Great Hall before he dematerialized and brought himself to his chamber. He walked out onto the balcony and gazed down below. Everything would need to be timed just so or he would be caught before he ever even entered the vault. It wasn't long before his eyes fell upon the figures of Odin and Thor as they descended the palace steps. He couldn't help but laugh at the thought of how long it would have taken him to simply get an audience with his supposed father let alone to have him follow him out of the courtyard. He had no time to waste on old sibling rivalries. Within seconds he had brought himself less than two corridors away from the vault. He began walking leisurely down the hall toward his destination. He took a glance at his reflection in the cathedral windows as he moved further down the hallway. He smiled to himself. His illusions were truly a work of art. He nodded almost imperceptibly to the servants that bowed at his presence before he finally reached the doors to the vault.
"Your Majesty," the soldier hailed as he genuflected reverently at the sight of his King.
"Make sure no one disturbs me," Loki replied regally as he listened to the sound of Odin's voice fall indubitably from his lips. He entered the chamber and stood there immobile until he heard the click of the door behind him as the guard pulled it shut. He kept the illusion in place as he walked slowly toward the Gauntlet. The mischievous prince could sense the magical traps that surrounded it easily, disarming them would be mere child's play for him. No, that wasn't his problem. The real challenge was taking it from its perch without getting annihilated by the destroyer. There was no way for him to pilfer the entire piece without awakening the metal golem. He just needed a distraction, a few seconds to delay the beast's reactions so that he could teleport to safety. The young prince raised his hands in front of the gauntlet; his fingers bent slightly as he held them over the ornate glove and began to disable the snares that Odin had set. Loki sighed as he deactivated the final obstacle that the All-Father had put in place. It was now or never.
"Guard!" he called out as he cast an invisibility spell around himself at the very same time that he created another Odin to appear a few feet away.
""Yes, your Majesty," the soldier replied as he walked into the chamber.
"What is the meaning of this?" ordered the alternate Odin as he motioned the guard to come forward while pointing at another artifact along the wall. Loki watched from his place with baited breath as the soldier moved closer so that he was directly in front of the destroyer. It stood there eyes closed and in stasis until it sensed any disturbances to the vault. "That does not belong there," the false Odin reiterated as he stared at the young guard crossly. "Pick it up."
"But, Your Majesty," the guard began nervously.
"I said pick it up," the false Odin commanded while banging Gungnir on the tiled floor. The soldier nodded in subservience as he reached to pick up the golden dagger that was lying in front of the Orb of Agamotto. Loki felt a faint pang of regret for what he knew was about to happen. But now was not the time to grow a conscience, his wife needed him. The moment the guard lifted the blade the golems eyes slid open as the rush of molten energy was hurtled towards the young soldier. The mischievous prince wasted no time as he lifted the gauntlet and generated his teleportation spell. The swirling colors encased him taking him from the chamber only mere seconds before the Destroyer's second shot raged across the very place where he had been standing.
Loki materialized along the range where his wife had stood the last time that he had seen her in the flesh. He sauntered towards the mountainside and took the portal stone from the pouch along his belt. His emerald eyes surveyed the ridge until he found the faded markings carved along the rock. He extended his arm as he began tracing along the imprint until he had completed the circle then he pressed the stone into the center of the etching. He could feel his heart beat quickening its pace in anticipation as he moved toward the spot where the dark elf and his wife had been standing. He placed the Infinity Gauntlet on his right hand as he exhaled slowly and began the incantation. With a great burst of light he was thrust forward. He felt her immediately as he stood there amidst the complete and utter darkness that surrounded him. She was twenty or thirty feet away from him at the most. A small flick of his fingers and the cavern lit up as if he had just turned on the light switch of a room. He followed the feeling of her in his mind until he could go no further. The pathway was blocked by an avalanche of rocks that covered it from top to bottom. It was then that he realized that he was still wearing the gauntlet. He took it off his hand, holding it out in front of him as he inverted weaves around it and sent it off to a magical hiding place as he once did with the Chitauri scepter. He could hear a scratching noise along the wall and he moved forward pressing both hands against it as he grinned widely.
"Natasha," he whispered in reverie as he realized how close to him she was. He raised his voice so that he could be heard on the other side of the stone pile. "Natasha, back away from the wall," he commanded. "Get as far away from it as you can." He closed his eyes and summoned his magic as the stones began to tremble and then turn to dust. His emerald eyes opened to a rush of wind as she propelled herself into his arms. He breathed her in as he squeezed her tighter. "Natasha, I love you. How I've missed you, my little spider," he murmured nuzzling her temple, kissing her hair as he held her even closer.
"I love you," she beamed as she nestled her head into his shoulder. "I can hardly believe you're here."
"I told you I would bring you home," he winked as her sapphire eyes blinked up at him curiously.
"Maybe you can work that little trick on this side," Hawkeye quipped from his place a few feet away. Loki noticed that there was another inundation of rocks and a smaller pile of stones that they had obviously managed to remove from the blockage.
"We've been trying to dig our way through for hours in the dark," Natasha remarked as she gazed up at him. "Then I felt you. The most wonderful feeling in the world when I knew you were here." She ran her hand along his cheek. Her entire expression was one of tenderness and love. He leaned down brushing his lips against hers gently before turning his attention to the archer.
"Move out of my way," he told him dryly before he placed his hands along the stones and cast his spell once more.
"Be careful. Malekith might be outside," Natasha cautioned as the rocks began to disintegrate. "He's been expecting you."
"Expecting me, yes," Loki replied as he walked through the cave opening. "But not here."
"What do you mean?" his wife inquired as she followed behind him.
"He awaits me in Muspelheim," the young prince revealed. "I doubt he has returned here since he incited that avalanche."
"And where is here?" Clint requested casually as he fingered the string of his bow and stared up at the blood red sky.
"Natasha," Loki began deliberately ignoring the archer. "The only way out of here is to go to Muspelheim, the real Muspelheim. This realm we are in is uninhabited but where we must go is the home of the fire giants and they will not appreciate us passing through."
"Fire Giants? Well, that explains the god awful heat," Hawkeye gibed as he leaned against the ridge.
"What are we waiting for?" she questioned stoically.
"I have no doubt that Malekith will have placed a barrier in Muspelheim, the way he did on Midgard when we tried to leave for home," the young prince continued. "Which means once we are there I will not be able to take us anywhere else. I'm sure he has some sort of alliance with Surtur."
"Who is that?" Natasha asked.
"The King of the Fire Giants," Loki divulged. "And there is no love lost between him and Asgard."
"So what are you saying?" Natasha probed.
"I just want to prepare you," Loki admitted. "Before we cross over." Natasha nodded knowingly as the young prince began the spell to take them back to the nine realms. When the spinning colors ceased there was barely any difference at all in their surroundings except that it felt a touch hotter than it had been a few moments before. The young prince attempted another spell immediately even though he already knew what the outcome would be, teleporting from here to another realm was not possible.
"I knew you would find your way," Malekith grated, his lips etched in a shrewd leer from his place on the edge of the rocks above them. "It's amazing what one can accomplish when given the proper motivation. So where is my prize, young one?"
"Let me send her from here and then I will give it to you," Loki decreed.
"What kind of fool do you think I am?" the dark elf rasped as he faded into a mist before reappearing on level ground only a few feet from them.
"Smart enough to know when you have no choice, I hope." The trickster sneered. "My wife is leaving this place. On this point, I will not waver."
The elven emperor took another step closer, his ears twitched as the iris of his olive green eye grew wider with impatience. His gaze passed over Natasha for a moment before he turned his attention back to the god of mischief. "I will make a small breach in my enchantment, for humans alone to pass, in case you have any ideas of breaking our bargain."
"Loki, no!" Natasha spoke up. "I'm not leaving without you."
"Give our daughter a great big kiss for me and tell her I will be with you both shortly," Loki remarked as he extended his hand toward her and the archer. "Don't worry, my darling, there is nothing in the nine realms that will ever keep me from you."
"Don't you dare," She snapped angrily, her dark blue eyes in a fury. "You made a vow to me and I'm holding you to it. You swore I'd never feel the loss of you again, remember? I won't let you send me away. You don't have my permission. Are you listening to me? Loki, you promised."
"And you snuck away in the middle of the night leaving me to suffer the loss of you," his lips upturned in a sideways smile as he stared at his wife. He couldn't help but admire her passion and staunch insistence that she had any chance of changing his mind. He moved his long slender fingers in a flourish as he began the spell to take her to Asgard. "So I suppose now we are even, my little spider."
"I'm surprised that you sent the other along, too." Malekith drawled as they both stared at the empty space where the black widow and archer had been standing a few seconds earlier. "I was under the distinct impression that you didn't like him." His lips upturned in an eerie smile as he observed the young god.
"I have my reasons," Loki remarked quietly.
"Bring forth the Gauntlet," Malekith ordered eagerly, his fingers contracting at his sides as he continued to watch the trickster cautiously.
"Come now," The mischievous prince acknowledged with a quick grin. "You knew it wasn't going to be that easy."
"Do you think you are stronger than me, young one?" the dark elf spat out defensively. "I've been studying magic since before you were born. You won't stand a chance, not without the gauntlet."
"Thanos thought the same as you until I killed him," Loki boasted as his emerald eyes observed the world around him. "When are your friends coming out to play?"
"Anxious to meet your cousins?" the emperor needled. "It was an interesting idea that Odin had. To raise a frost giant, bred for loyalty to Asgard until the day that he could place him on the throne in Jotunheim. His own little puppet King." The dark elf stared at him intently but the young god's face was a mask of stone. "No witty remarks? No threats? You disappoint me."
Loki concentrated on the ground beneath the sorcerer's feet, his emerald eyes blazing as a sudden rumble exploded up from beneath the elf sending him hurtling high in the air before he crashed down to the dirt with a thud a few feet away. "There is a saying among my enemies," the young prince growled as he moved forward. "When the voice of Loki is still, look to your weapons for surely there is danger in the air." He extended his arm out as if throwing a ball and a bolt of mystical energy flew from his palm slamming into the dark elf before he had a chance to recover. The god of mischief instantly threw out another but Malekith raised his arms forming an energy field to block the blows before sending his own bolt of lightning careening towards the trickster.
"Is that all you've got?" Loki gibed as he deflected the strike with ease.
"A good start, young one," Malekith chuckled. "You would have been quite the adversary had it not been for your fateful trip to Midgard. All this power in your grasp and you are still just beginning to reach your potential. I've watched you closely. You were a force to be reckoned with when you had nothing to lose. It's different now. Now you have a weakness. Why do you think I let her go? Wouldn't you like to know what my allies have in store for her when she arrives?"
"You bore me," the young prince snipped as his eyes fell upon two misty clouds passing over head in the crimson sky. A whisper of a word in his mind and they began to change form until they were no longer clouds but two dragons that swooped down and descended upon the elven emperor. Malekith brought up a shield to protect himself from the fire that rushed from the creature's mouth as it pummeled toward him with great speed. Loki watched while the sorcerer struck down the winged beasts one by one with a bar of electric current that disintegrated them in mid-flight. His long ears twitching in anger, the elf focused his strange colored eyes on the trickster as he flourished his hands to conjure some magical assault but in an instant Loki had disappeared. Seconds later he and several duplicates rematerialized in various places around the large open area. Malekith's eyes darted back and forth as he surmised the situation carefully while Loki and his doubles looked on with a smirk. The young prince knew that he needed to hit him with a severe blow if he had any chance of breaking the mystical hold that the elf had over this place so that he could make his exit. Unfortunately he also realized the difficulty for him to enact a strike of such magnitude against his target. Perhaps, a few smaller swipes to his oversized ego would help distract him.
"Did Eitri tell you of the beautiful weapon that he forged for me? Even more powerful than the original and Skurge is itching to use it on your beloved?" Malekith intoned wickedly as he observed the clones around him looking for a sign of who the real one might be. "The things he is going to do to her. It is a pity that you won't be there to watch." Loki felt the rage burning through his bones as he forced himself to hold still. It took every ounce of will power he possessed but he knew that now was not the time to make his move. He must be patient. The sorcerer made his choice, dropping his defenses for a moment and shooting a blast of fire at several of the beings that stood about him. In an instant Loki had released his dagger from his place at the elf's left side.
"You are not very good at this game are you?" the young prince quipped as he watched the blade hit its mark. In a fit of rage, Malekith pulled the dagger from his gut and hurtled it back towards the young god as the blade picked up speed it grew larger and became surrounded by flames. The heat whipped against Loki's energy field but he held on, keeping the flames at bay then a shockwave of electricity came rippling towards him. The young prince braced himself for the impact, knowing full well that it was too much for him stop as it knocked him backward and smashed him against the mountainside.
"You are wrong, she is not my weakness," Loki seethed as he picked himself up from the ground. "She makes me stronger. It is because of her that I will never let you win."
"I think it's time to teach you a lesson on real strength," Malekith grated as he sent a flash of light across the scarlet heavens. A signal, Loki presumed, as he awaited the fire giant's arrival. "You will have no choice but to bring it forth and the moment that you do, it is mine. Had you been more cooperative I might have let your family live as it stands I'm going to take great pleasure in making them suffer."
Their footsteps rattled the terrain beneath him as he watched several monstrous beasts appear over the horizon. More than tripling him in height, their crimson skin practically glowing and large horns protruding from their foreheads. As the horde of demons approached he noticed that one wielded a magical blade. Loki took a deep breath as he ran through his options in his mind. He needed the power of the gauntlet but dare he employ it? He was still too new to its inner workings. If either one of these creatures or the dark elf managed to take it from him than he would lose his only bargaining chip. He didn't feel desperate enough to take such a risk just yet. He needed to think of another way.
"Is this puny little thing what gives you so much trouble," the demon laughed as he towered over the young prince.
"He is quite stubborn." Malekith grated as he faded in a mist before reappearing on the top of the ridge where he had been standing when Loki first arrived.
The young prince began to sweat simply from the heat that was radiating off their skin. The temperature around him seemed to be rising by the minute. The gigantic monster reached towered him. His touch would surely burn him. His body flinching at the thought before the idea came to him suddenly. These things might be fire but he was ice perhaps he could do some damage of his own. A blade of ice sliced across the fire giants arm as Loki's skin turned blue. The Fire Giant hissed in pain. The trickster conjured up a chill in the air, a frosty whirlwind that began to surround them, in the hopes of dropping the temperature to some degree. The beast lunged forward with his blade, a large bolt careened from the point sending Loki crashing back into the mountainside once more, the force of which nearly knocked the wind out of him as the blue hue faded from his body.
"You are a pesky little bug but your little tricks are no match for me," Surtur howled. A large roll of thunder pounded through the air as a lightning bolt crashed down from the heavens. Loki smirked at the sight knowing full well what would follow. The thunder god was the first to appear but he was not alone as the rest of the Asgardian army appeared along the skyline.
"Do not dare touch my brother again!" Thor bellowed as he neared the beast, jumping down from his horse as he raised mjolnir in the air in warning.
"And why should we listen to you," Surtur snorted as his crimson eyes appraised the Aesir soldiers that surrounded them. Loki gazed at Malekith as the dark elf still stood upon his perch, his ears twitching and his fingers tapping lightly against his sides. He saw the beginnings of a mist begin to form and cursed under his breath that the sorcerer was going to flee. He extended his hand in an attempt to strike but the dark elf froze suddenly as he was lifted into the air.
"I do insist you stay, old friend," Odin's voice resonated along the air as he made his way to the forefront of his army. He held gungnir in his hands. It was pointed toward the elven emperor as a glowing light flew from its point and encompassed the sorcerer completely. The All-Father turned his attention toward the Fire Giant. "Are you really prepared for a battle of this size, Surtur? It is not precisely the easy win that Malekith promised you, I'm sure. In the interests of both our people, I'm willing to leave here with nothing more than my son and our prisoner. It is up to you." The red demon waited for a moment before he snarled in agreement.
The moment that Loki arrived back in Asgard, his eyes locked with Natasha as she moved towards him. He couldn't help but notice the archer who trailed behind her but when her arms went around him that minor annoyance ceased to matter. He pressed his mouth to hers as he enjoyed the sensation of her in his arms. "I'm surprised you didn't come yourself." He whispered against her ear as he squeezed her tighter.
"Thor refused to let Heimdall send me," the black widow remarked, the irritation plain in her voice. "I'm not exactly sure what he threatened but the oaf wouldn't budge no matter how hard I pressed him." She leaned into him once more and kissed him softly. "I'm just glad you're okay."
"Where are they taking him?" Hawkeye probed as the dark elf was moved along the pathway.
"To the dungeons," Odin responded as he came up to stand next to them. "To await his trial and sentencing in the morning. Loki, we need to speak of the gauntlet."
"What is there to talk about?" the mischievous prince remarked coyly as he moved his fingers in a slight flourish through the air. "It is in your vault where it belongs, go see for yourself."
"And the Casket of Winters?" the All-Father questioned heatedly.
"How many times must I tell you? I know nothing about that." Loki lied, his green eyes narrowing in resentment. "Go search Jotunheim if it is worth so much to you."
"I'm glad you are safe, my son," Odin remarked solemnly. "But if you ever go near the vault again, I will have no choice but to punish you to the full extent of the law." The All-father moved away swiftly as he ascended the palace steps.
"I'll be right back," Natasha stated as her eyes fell upon Thor who was standing a few feet away talking to Heimdall. "I have a few words that I would like to give to your brother." Clint chuckled as he reached out and placed his hand along her shoulder. The young prince could literally feel his blood begin to boil at the sight.
"Don't be too hard on him, Tasha," Barton winked as she nodded before turning to walk away. Loki's eyes followed her every movement as she strolled towards Thor, never turning even slightly from her direction as he started to speak. "I believe I warned you what would happen the next time you touched my wife." His voice was slow and deliberate as he continued to gaze at her conversing with his brother.
"Yeah, go ahead I dare you," Hawkeye snickered at his side. "We both know if you hurt me that she'll never forgive you." Loki turned toward him then, his emerald eyes overflowing with abhorrence. He wanted to strangle the pitiful life form in front of him but he knew that the archer was right. He would have to settle for ruffling the smug mortal's feathers. The young prince smiled an eerily wicked smile as he took a slight step closer, leering over the smaller man.
"Eh heh heh heh," The trickster laughed mirthfully. "No, on second thought I won't lay a finger on you."
"I kind of figured you wouldn't," Clint smirked as his eyes trailed over to where the Black Widow stood.
"I want you to live a long, long life," the god of mischief seethed, his voice a scraping whisper as a flash of red flickered through his eyes. "And every morning when you wake up missing her, you will know that she is with me and our daughter. And every night when you go to sleep you can dream of her while you know in the depths of your pathetic little heart that she is in my bed, begging for my touch and screaming out my name."
"Enjoy it while it lasts," Barton bit back as he turned to face the demigod once more. The edge to his voice and the twinge in his eyes were more than enough proof for Loki that he had finally broken through some of the archer's calm exterior. As rewarding as it was, he was far from through.
"Oh, I will, little birdman," Loki continued as his smile grew wider. "Even more than I enjoyed taking your will from you and watching you betray your own people at my command. And we both know how much I relished that. How many did you kill? You were such a good little lap dog." The young god watched as anger spread over Hawkeye's features, his body near shaking with loathing. He leaned back in satisfaction, his lips in a sideways smile as he spoke. "I bet you wouldn't mind taking a swing at me right about now but I don't think my wife would appreciate it, would she? How that must burn you? After everything I did to you and she still picked me."
"She thinks you've changed. It's the only reason she's with you," Clint divulged, his voice still shaking with fury as his lips curled up in a snarl. "But we both know you are still the same psychotic power hungry bastard that popped out of the Tesseract and you always will be."
"I don't care what you think of me," Loki remarked. "But I have enjoyed our little chat." The young prince strutted towards his wife and brother. He wrapped his arms around the black widow from behind as he placed a soft kiss against her temple. Natasha eyed him suspiciously for a moment before she shook her head and smiled. "I'm sure you have offered my brother sufficient thanks for his help by now," the trickster observed as he captured a long red curl between his fingers while his other arm continued to hold onto her possessively. "If you don't mind, my little spider, I would like for us to be reunited with our daughter."
Natasha sat cross-legged on the fur skin rug arrayed along the floor of the sitting room as she watched Rowan pushing the wooden rocking horse back and forth. Their little girl squealed in delight as the tiny horses legs swung to and fro. "Ah ga...ga..ba...ba...ba..." she mumbled as she attempted to vocalize her joy to her parents.
"I told you she would love it," she smiled, her dark blue eyes gazing up at her husband who was seated in the chair along the wall. Loki nodded absently. His mind was a jumble of thoughts. Why had the archer requested a room for the night? He had claimed that he wanted to see Malekith sentenced before he returned to Earth but he highly doubted that. No, his reasons involved the black widow of that he was certain. But that wasn't the only thing that plagued him. It was this bond that he and his wife shared. Should he tell her what he had learned? He had intended to the moment that they had first entered their rooms but the words had gotten stuck in his throat. He couldn't help but remember how she had accused him of casting a spell on her when he had first returned to Midgard. What if she didn't believe him when he told her that it was impossible to bond someone against their will? He hadn't even known that he had initiated it. What if she didn't believe that either? He knew he needed to tell her, if she discovered the truth of its origins from someone else than she would never trust him. He felt a sudden tug against his leg and a loud squeak filled the air which startled him from his musings. Loki looked down to find his daughter trying to pull herself up, her tiny fingers grabbing at the fabric of his pants. She pulled as hard as her little fists could to no avail. She babbled in frustration as she hit him in the shin as if it was somehow his fault.
"Dada… Dada…" Rowan pouted. Loki grinned broadly as he lifted her up from the floor and placed her in his lap.
"I'm sorry, little one," he whispered sincerely as he kissed the tip of her nose and watched her giggle. "I wasn't paying attention was I? You are getting so big, crawling all over the place. You will be walking soon no doubt." Rowan let out a huge yawn as she leaned her head against her father and began playing with the collar of his jacket.
"You have been in another world all evening," Natasha replied as she stood of up from the floor and moved into the bedroom. Loki followed her through the room as he held their daughter softly before placing her gently in her crib. He laid her favorite blanket over her as he watched her cuddle with her small plush lamb. "Is it the talk of the casket that has you in such deep thought? Perhaps, if he knew…"
"I could care less about Odin's suspicions. Let him ponder what became of the blasted casket for the rest of his days." Loki snipped. "I'm sorry, my little spider, I seem to be in a foul mood tonight."
"Are you worried about what Malekith might say before his sentencing tomorrow?" she inquired thoughtfully as she moved casually towards the dresser.
"What could he possibly say that would have any consequence to me?" he gaped in confusion as he watched her pull open one of the drawers and peer inside.
"I don't know," she answered honestly. "I'm just trying to understand why you seem so preoccupied. It seems like all the craziness is finally over to me. The scepter is back where it belongs and the gauntlet is safe. I would have thought we'd be celebrating."
"I'm sure Odin is celebrating," the young prince stated blandly.
"Is that what bothers you? Did you not want to give it back?" Natasha probed before turning her attention back to the drawer. "Never mind, enough serious talk for one night," she said suddenly. "Close your eyes, Loki."
"Whatever for?" her husband mused as he gazed at her curiously.
"No questions. Just do it." She ordered. He chuckled slightly as he did as she requested. "Don't open them until I tell you to." He heard the drawer close and then her footsteps as she walked towards the other room.
"Can I open them now?" he asked innocently as he peeked slightly, knowing full well that she was no longer in the bedroom.
"No! No cheating, Loki." She commanded from the sitting chamber. "Or you'll regret it."
The mischievous prince exhaled slowly as he shut his eyes tightly once more. He felt her return although her footsteps were too light to make out any noise.
"Alright," she said brightly. "You can open your eyes." She was wearing a black lace corset, embroidered with green that accentuated her brazenly exposed breasts. His smile grew into a grin as his eyes trailed down along her legs adorned in thigh high stockings and strappy black high heels. "Happy Valentine's Day."
"Happy what?" He moved forward, unable to stop staring. His hands trembling with desire as he reached out to touch her.
"It's a holiday on Earth," she divulged as he glided his slender finger along her bare shoulder. "Where lover's celebrate being in love. A sappy, silly holiday with flowers and cards and candy, I've never actually celebrated it before. I never had a reason to, until you. Do you want to be my valentine?" Her voice was low and breathy, almost musical as she smiled up at him seductively.
"Oh, yes." He glided his fingers along her honey soft flesh before skimming the tiny hooks that fastened the front of her garment.
"So how are you going to unwrap your present?" She winked while she turned around provocatively, showing him the laced up back of her negligee, her head tilted over her shoulder as her sapphire eyes glittered at him. He reached for the green laced bow at her waist but she turned again quickly. "Ah, ah… I was just asking a question. I didn't say you could," she teased playfully. "You are wearing too many clothes." She moved back the curtain of their bed, settling herself among the pillows like a sensual cat. "That's not very fair is it?"
"I suppose it isn't," he conceded. "But that can be remedied quickly enough."
"No cheating, "she chided. "No magic."
"Are you planning on torturing me?" he quipped, eyeing her lustfully as he began to undo the clasps of his uniform.
"Maybe," her grin grew wicked as she batted her long eyelashes in his direction. "Just a little. Do you like my shoes?" she asked innocently as she raised her leg and glided her hands along the silken material that decorated it, giving him a more intimate view of her inner thigh. His mouth opened wide at the sight. He threw his shirt on the floor, pulled off his boots and quickly began working the buckle of his pants.
"You look amazing," he practically panted as he licked his lips in anticipation. He pulled off the last of his clothes and stood there enjoying the hunger in her eyes as she gazed at his naked form brazenly. "Now I'm at the disadvantage."
"What would you like to do about it?" Natasha prodded. He knelt down at the foot of the bed, resting his hands on her ankles and started stroking upward, enjoying the feel of the silk beneath his fingertips. He kissed his way up her leg, along her thigh until he reached the place where he wanted to kiss her the most. "You can take off my shoes," she gasped as he pressed his lips against her black laced panties. "But nothing else."
He indulged her gladly as he undid the strap of the first shoe and dropped it to the floor but he was never one to follow directions to the letter. He hooked his fingers along the edge of her stocking and slid it down her leg leisurely as his fingertips brushed tantalizingly over bare skin. He felt her body tremble at his touch and heard the soft moan escape her lips as he repeated the action along her other leg. He leaned over her, gazing down at her with love and then he kissed her. It was tender and sweet at first as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. But the kisses quickly escalated in their unquenchable thirst for each other. He plunged his tongue deep, tasting her, stealing her breath then with a quick push she rolled them over so that she was on top of him. He gathered her close, stroking her hair as he felt her full breasts crushed against the muscles of his chest. She pushed away from him for a moment as she arched backward giving him an incredible view of her body as she reached behind her. When she leaned forward again he noticed that she was holding her stockings in her hands. He gripped her hips as she rubbed against him teasingly.
"I said just the shoes," She reproved lightheartedly. She took his wrists and maneuvered them above his head as she began to tie the silken material around one and then the other before tying it to the headboard of their bed.
"Eh heh heh heh, really, Natasha?" he laughed heartily, his dimples in full force as his tongue danced playfully along his teeth. "Is that flimsy material supposed to hold me here?"
"It's just a friendly reminder," she smirked. "You are not allowed to touch me until I've had my way with you." She flicked her tongue along his nipple as she slid her hand between their bodies and cupped his growing arousal. His breathing hitched as he grunted audibly at the contact. "Unless you don't want me to have my way with you?" she taunted, sliding her tongue along his chest as she made her way down his body. Licking and caressing every inch of him as her lips took him in. Long, slow strokes that nearly sent him over the edge as he arched into her movements.
"Valhalla," he moaned as he fought the urge to move his arms from where she had placed them. Torn between wanting to please her and his longing to claim her in one fell swoop. He closed his eyes in an attempt to clear his mind, trying to forestall the orgasm that was approaching like a wildfire. "Please…Natasha," he gasped between ragged breaths. "I need to touch you."
"Well, since you asked so sweetly," she breathed deeply as she moved back up his body, sitting astride his pelvis as she brushed against him temptingly. Her red curls in disarray, her face flushed as she gazed at him through hooded eyes. He growled low in his throat as he pounced flipping their bodies so she was beneath him. Ridding her of her clothes with nothing more than a quick thought as his mouth descended upon her skin. He pushed inside of her. She was so tight and so perfect, he thought as a shudder jolted through his body. He took her with long, drugging strokes, relishing ever second. He could feel her pleasure building within her which magnified his own. He had never experienced such closeness with anyone before he met her. He plunged and withdrew, over and over, deeper with every thrust until she cried out as they reached their pinnacle as one. He collapsed on his back as he pulled her onto his chest, her hand resting along his abdomen as she closed her eyes. He gazed at her contentedly as he ran his fingers along her thick red curls. She took a deep breath as she snuggled closer before her eyes darted open. She sat up scrutinizing the room. Loki grinned as he tugged her back so that she was flush against him once more.
"You don't like them?" he jested. "I distinctly remember you mentioning flowers."
"They are beautiful, Loki," she murmured against his chest as her eyes took in the sight once more of the bouquets of flowers that surrounded the bed and ran across her dresser and night stand. "Thank you." He closed his eyes and held her tighter. He would tell her everything as soon as the archer was gone, he decided. As long as that mortal was on Asgard he would be circling them like a vulture. He wasn't going to give him an opportunity to dive in and make her distrust him. No, he would wait until he returned to Midgard and then he would tell her everything that he had learned from Amora.
