Chapter 23: A Promise Uncertain
Isbiter stormed through the servants' hallway like a woman on a mission.
"That trickster," she muttered to herself, barely paying attention to where she was going. "I have to find him…"
CRASH. Isbiter wheeled backwards, toppling over.
"Odin's beard!" a male voice squawked. "I do apologize, my lady!I did not see you there!"
Looking up, she saw what had happened - she had collided with Loki's man servant, Stakker. He had his hand outstretched to help her up. "It's quite alright, Stakker," she accepted his hand. "I do believe you can help me. Have you seen your Master? I want to give him a piece of my mind."
"Oh no," the man turned panic stricken, backing away from her as though he was in danger. "No no no no no. Do not say it," he muttered, turning violent and striking himself hard across the face. Isbiter's eyebrows rose at his odd behaviour. "Do not say it - be quiet!" he hit himself again.
"Stakker...what on Asgard are you doing? I will ask you again. Where is your Master?" Isbiter was suspicious now.
"My Master is with the princess, committing adultery," he blurted out, as if unable to contain himself. "Please do not ask me anymore questions!"
Isbiter gasped as her old jaw nearly dropped to the floor. "He's WHAT?" she demanded, hoping she'd heard him wrong.
"Committing adultery," Stakker repeated. "And right at this very moment, if my assumptions are correct."
That cannot be. Iskalla is furious with Loki. She promised me she wanted nothing more to do with him. Perhaps Stakker is mistaken. The man did look unwell...Isbiter inspected Stakker's sickly state. "What is wrong with you? You are sweating profusely and trembling. Do you require the healers?"
"I do not. I am merely under the influence of a potion. My lord forced me to take truth serum to worm his way back into Iskalla's good graces."
"Truth serum?" Isbiter was astounded by Loki's determination. That slippery dog. Weaseling his way back into my sweet Iskalla's arms. Do I barge in on them? Does Iskalla even want me to 'save' her? Perhaps she is truly in love with the Trickster. He better not hurt her. We Jotunn do not fall in love so easily. A Jotunn did not often give their heart, but when they did, it was forever. "We must stop speaking of this out in the open. Why are you foolishly roaming the halls?"
"I was on my way to my chambers when I crashed into you. Normally, I would be pleased to run into you, my lady, as I find you very enchanting, but I am a bit...uh...compromised at the moment." Stakker's face turned a furious shade of red as he realized he'd accidentally admitted his attraction to Isbiter. "Oh Norns, please shut me up."
Isbiter's red eyes widened. "I will pretend you did not say that," she said primly, "as you are far too young for me. Not to mention the wrong species."
"The heart wants what the heart wants, my lady. I am 400 years old-young, yes,-but age is but a number." He took Isbiter's hand and brushed a gentle kiss across her work worn knuckles. "You are lovely when you blush."
Slightly flustered, Isbiter snatched her hand back. "We mustn't speak of this further. Go to your chambers as your Master ordered."
"As you wish, my lady."
Unable to help herself, she took a long look at Stakker's behind as he walked away. Not bad for an old Jotunn broad. I still got it. She smiled to herself.
Iskalla's eyelids fluttered. Gentle fingers traced up her arms towards her shoulders, pulling her back to consciousness.
"Ah, you're awake," a smooth voice greeted her.
Her eyes flew open instantly. The peace and relaxation she felt disappeared as she was shocked back to reality. "Oh, Valhalla." She looked down at where a smug, naked Loki was wrapped around her. What have I done?
"Oh, Valhalla, indeed. I must say...I have not been this satisfied in centuries," he purred as he pressed himself closer into her back.
The proof of his arousal was pushing into the back of her thighs. He was ready to go another round. Her chest tightened with panic - she suddenly felt like she was going to hyperventilate. "Release me at once!" she demanded, only to be met with Loki's strong arms pulling her closer into his embrace.
"What is the matter, Iskalla?" His face fell in confusion. "Are you still angry with me? I thought all was forgiven? I thought that I had proved to you that you can trust me. Iskalla, please do not push me away again. Have I not made it clear how much I need you?"
She ignored how his pleading tone made a pang of guilt tug at her. "No...no…" she began to pull away. "This was a mistake! What about Thor? We cannot be together! It's impossible!"
"Iskalla...you must calm yourself. Thor is a simpleton, he will never catch on to us," he brushed his lips against her ear. "You needn't worry about a thing. I will always protect you," he whispered.
"Loki…I don't think this is a good idea."
"Shh….this is a great idea." He kissed the back of her neck. "The best idea...I could be with you all day...perhaps I need to do more to convince you that you need me, too...inside you." His hands began to roam her body and ended up cupping her breasts.
"Oh..." Iskalla moaned as her body began to respond to him. She desired him so much. Being with Loki this way was so different, so real, compared to their shared dreams. Unfortunately, being with him in reality also had very real consequences. She was committing a sin against her marriage. She was risking life and limb and an eternity of punishment in the dungeons. Her eyes popped open as an even scarier thought hit her. What if I'm pregnant?
It hadn't even occurred to her to use a tonic to prevent conception. She'd been too overcome with lust.
Loki, unaware of her mounting horror, was now looming over her and placing a trail of kisses down her body. "Get off me!" she exclaimed in a panic, pushing him off of her with all her strength. She scrambled away from him and pulled the covers over herself.
Sighing exasperatedly, Loki sat up on his knees. "What is the matter? What is it now? I have told you, you have no need to worry about Thor. Do you not believe me when I say that I will not let the oaf harm you?"
"We didn't use any tonic! I could be pregnant!"
Understanding washed over Loki's face, followed by a grin. "What is so wrong with that? You should consider yourself lucky to be carrying my child. And if you are not pregnant, we will try again until you are."
"You're insane! We would never get away with that! ...Oh, we are doomed!" She could feel her stomach getting queasy with fear. "This should never have happened! You don't understand - I...There was a fertility ceremony before I married Thor…" she swallowed hard. "I'm probably already...oh, Norns…"
"Good." His green eyes flashed with satisfaction. "The thought of you carrying my child pleases me. Please don't panic, sweetling. It is not nearly as bad as you think." He reached for her.
Unconvinced, she pulled away again. "If I am pregnant, we will never be able to raise it! The baby would be pure Jotunn - not Asgardian at all. Thor and your father will know what we have done! Our baby could be taken away!"
"It will never get that far," he said harshly. "I will find a way to get you out of this sham of a marriage to my brother. You will not spend the rest of your life beside that ungrateful oaf and he will not spend one moment with our child. I will make certain of it," he vowed. Reaching out for her hand, he pried it away from the blanket she was gripping close to her, and held it to his heart. "You will be safe. Both you and our child."
"I want to believe you..." Iskalla shook her head sadly. She desperately wanted the future he was promising her. "But I do not see how it is possible."
"You underestimate me, Iskalla. You underestimate the lengths that I will go to to protect what is mine. I would do anything for you." He pulled her into his embrace, his voice going hard. "Anything."
In that moment, his tone sounded truly chilling - she almost feared for what he would do. It reminded her of how volatile Loki could truly be. How powerful and calculating.
She pulled back from his embrace to meet his gaze. "What will you do? What can we do? This situation is too dangerous...there's so much risk. If we were smart, we would stay away from each other. We should stay away from each other."
"I cannot stay away from you, and be honest with yourself, princess, you cannot stay away from me either. I am unwilling to let you go. We will continue on as we are now. We will keep our affair a secret, and you will allow me to visit you in your dreams as you did before. No one will ever catch on. No harm will come to you."
"You are making a lot of assumptions. What if I refuse to do as you say?"
"If you refuse...then I believe a spanking would be in order," he laughed.
"A what?!" she sputtered.
"Don't look so shocked. You must accept the situation, princess. You may be pregnant with my child, and you are stuck in a marriage with a god that you loathe. I am your only salvation. I alone can save you from Thor. Do you really wish to push me away?"
"You know that I don't. You know that I would choose to be with you if I could. I am so torn, Loki. My sense of duty is pulling me in one direction and my feelings for you are pulling me in another."
"You mustn't think that way. Thor has never had any sense of duty towards you. Neither has your own family, for that matter. I am the only one who truly cares for you, Iskalla. Surely, you must see that. I will give you the family you truly deserve if you let me." He cupped her face gently and rubbed his thumb against her cheek. "I can be all that you need," he promised, sealing his lips over hers in a kiss.
Iskalla melted into him, praying that he was right.
AN: Been a long time since I updated this story...been a long time since my muse spoke to me. I've recently found myself thinking about this story again and am inspired to finish it.
I don't know if anyone is still reading, but would love to hear if you are.