Note - This chapter is rated MA.
Chapter Thirty-Five - Ties That Bind Us
When Cami asked Jorn and Mahlora to explain the extensive procedure they intended to perform on her, Loki knew he should have discouraged it. Cami was already in a poor state of mind, having spied Mahlora's blood blade when they arrived. Through the preliminary examination, Cami stayed close to Loki's side, tightly clenching his hand. He also noticed she bit on her lip hard enough to cause red marks to appear. So, he repeatedly had to whisper in her ear to encourage her to stop.
No matter what Loki tried to calm her, Cami's breathing progressively quickened and she started to rub at her sternum. Dr. Lloyd sat her down, pulling out his cuff to take her blood pressure while Jorn, Mahlora and Loki stepped out of the hut.
Mahlora said in a soft, mindful tone, "She is scared."
"She was attacked and badly hurt with a blood blade before," Loki disclosed in Elven so Cami couldn't possibly understand if she overheard him.
Jorn said with urgency, "Tell me about this woman that put the curses on her."
Loki hesitated, needing a moment to comprehend. "Curses? You mean she has more than one?"
"The bad luck is bound to her soul," Jorn said. "The other is a controlling curse that is bound to her flesh."
"What kind of controlling curse?"
"We do not know." Jorn promised, "We will remove both before we work on her magic. Please, who is this Jotun woman with such power?"
"Her name is Jahla. She is only half Jotun. Her mother was a Light Elf slave."
"You know the slave's name?" Mahlora asked, her expression tightening with expectation.
"No, I don't," Loki admitted.
Also looking anxious and a little sick, Jorn told Loki, "We sense familiar energy in these curses that make us think we could be connected to this Jahla woman. I believe her mother was our eldest daughter Lorna. We lost her in a raid by the Jotun many years ago. She had both blood and spirit magics."
"I'm sorry," Loki sympathized. "Jahla told me that her mother died in the hunters' village a long time ago."
Loki left Jorn and Mahlora to speak between themselves and stepped back into the hut.
Cami had pulled her knees up to her chest. "I can't do this," she said, her eyes wet and pleading.
Loki moved to her, asking Dr. Lloyd, "Can you give her something to help calm her?"
"We shouldn't expect Cami to make it through this procedure awake," the doctor said. "I suggest we put her out and closely monitor her vitals."
Feeling that Dr. Lloyd did offer the safest option, Loki agreed.
When the couple returned, a younger man and woman with similar features entered the hut with them. Loki noted that Cami focused on the younger man as he also had a blood blade.
Jorn explained in Common, "Our children, Eje and Esmi, will help. The task will go faster."
"We need much blood," Mahlora said next. "Your people will help?"
Dr. Lloyd looked up from the med kit and the syringes he'd prepared. "How much blood?"
Cami started to shake, tears flooded her eyes and a quiet sob escaped her lips. Loki hated having her in this situation. If only they knew of a better way to help her. He asked the group, "Can we have a few minutes please?"
Jorn moved his family out again. Dr. Lloyd stayed only long enough to give Cami some injections, one of which would help ease her to sleep.
Cami leaned heavily against him as Loki sat beside her. She asked, "Don't tell anyone that I freaked out like this, okay?"
It bothered Loki that she cared so much about what others thought—especially over such an unimportant thing—like it wasn't acceptable for her to react emotionally to a life-threatening situation. Of course, lecturing her wasn't going to help. He made the promise, holding and rocking her until she slept.
When the collective returned, filling the small space, Loki knew he had to leave. With Cami unconscious, he was the least necessary person there. He exchanged a meaningful look with Dr. Lloyd before he stepped out. Then he sat on a stump around the side of the structure to wait.
Trained as a secondary field medic, Agent Stott made the rounds for Dr. Lloyd, collecting blood from their teammates. After Gary delivered the vials into the hut, he reported that Cami was doing well and tried to get Loki to come over with the rest of the team.
Natasha had authorized Kotter and Stott to lead a scouting party into the Jotunheim in the early morning hours to collect some intel on the Jotun village where Rosner was being held. The twins, Hogun and Trawick had accompanied them.
"We're talking mission options and going over the video footage we captured," Stott said.
Loki shook his head. "I feel I should be here for Cami."
Gary understood and didn't press, just headed off to rejoin the others.
Distracted with his troubles, Loki didn't notice the passing of time or when a dark-haired girl of five or six years of age approached him. "Prince Loki," she said, drawing him out of his reverie. Her dark brown eyes were hopeful as she asked in Elven, "Can I give blood for your princess?"
"Dear one," Loki replied, his already heavy heart swelling, "you are most kind; but I do not think your parents would approve."
Disappointment dimmed her features as she cast her gaze over to a large group of children peeking out from behind a tall woodpile and shook her head. Their anxious and hopeful expressions fell, which further stirred the emotion within Loki's chest.
"Come here, children," he called out; and they rushed from their cover to stand humbly before him, fidgeting under his inspection. "Lady Camille will be touched to hear you wanted to help. She likes children very much."
The first girl to approach told him, "The fire-hair woman said the Jotun witch stole the princess's beauty and now she is sad and wants to hide away forever."
Loki didn't know what to say to this. The children appeared so brokenhearted.
Eje stepped out of the hut, turning to address the children. "Come with me to see Saizon."
The children scurried off on Eje's heels to visit with the village leader, leaving Loki once again with his own thoughts. When Jorn's son returned, he walked alone and carried a large satchel. He gave Loki a respectful nod before slipping back into the hut.
Clint wandered over a bit later to check in. "I thought they'd be done by now," He said with a look of concern. Then he added, "We've been going over the rescue plan."
"I assume I'm driving," Loki said. Even though he'd been training with Natasha, he didn't feel so confident about the possibility of getting into a fight with a Jotun since he only had human strength and speed now.
"Yeah. I'm thinking about leaving Cami here tonight?"
"She's a skilled driver," Loki reminded him. "If she feels up to it, this could be a real opportunity for her to contribute."
With a nod, Clint said, "That's what I thought you'd say. I haven't made up my mind yet."
Jorn stepped out of the hut first, followed by Eje and Dr. Lloyd.
Loki jumped up, eager for news on Cami. "How is she?"
Dr. Lloyd answered, "There were a few tense moments, but overall Cami did really well, especially during the last leg of the procedure. She actually woke quicker than I expected."
Jorn admitted, "We do not understand the full nature of her magic. It is strong and willful, but we did finally contain it."
"Any side effects that you foresee?" Clint asked, looking uneasy.
Jorn shook his head. "Find her a good teacher," he advised.
Cami soon emerged from the hut, hidden beneath her cloak. To Loki's surprise, she was walking without assistance.
"The cure isn't supposed to be worse than the disease, right?" Clint said as he drew up beside her, ready to offer support. "How are you feeling?" Cami raised her head, pushing back the hood to show them scar-free and healthy features. "Wow," Clint said, a bit bewildered.
Loki moved close to caress Cami's cheek and inspect her skin. He said to the mages in Elven, "You said you wouldn't be able to heal the scars with everything else."
Eje replied with a proud smile, "The children convinced the elders to give the needed blood. They said every princess should be beautiful for her wedding day."
Jorn translated this into Common for the Midgardians' benefit, then added cheerfully, "May you have a blessed union."
Loki didn't dare admit there was no wedding in the works after all they had done for them. Cami thanked the family, getting a little teary-eyed as Loki embraced her and pressed a light kiss onto her forehead.
"Incoming," Clint warned with amusement as a herd of children ran around the woodpile toward them.
Cami's eyes lit up. "They're adorable!" Stepping away from Clint and Loki to get to them, she eased onto her knees then sat back on her heels. This put her a little bit shorter than the children as they crowded in to look and touch her face, much like Loki had been compelled to do.
"Forgive their excitement. They have never met a prince and princess before," Jorn explained. "They only hear about them in old stories of faraway lands."
Cami showered each child with affection, brightening their smiles and making it hard for Loki to try to tear her away. "Lady Camille must rest," he said in both Elven and Common then apologized when the little ones grew sad.
"I don't feel that tired," Cami told him, her eyes and expression alive with a vibrant energy.
Loki turned to confer with Dr. Lloyd, who seemed exhausted in comparison. "She looks good to me," the doctor said with a slight shrug.
Clint urged, "Let her play if she feels up to it."
Loki helped Cami stand then stepped back from the group of admirers. The children deserved her attention; so he asked them to get Cami some food and show her off. "Have fun," he said as the little ones took her by the hands and edges of her cloak and guided her deeper into the village.
Dr. Lloyd and Jorn's family followed, ready to eat and relax.
Clint stepped closer, frowning as he said, "So much for being completely honest. This rumor is getting out of control."
Loki had hoped to avoid this discussion, but knew it was in Clint's nature to be direct about issues that worried him. "What do you want me to say? I didn't start this lie; and I realize that I should have put a stop to it earlier. Really, in light of everything, the rumor has benefited us."
"Yeah, but what happens if Cami gets too comfortable with the idea?"
It took a great force of will for Loki not to lose his temper. "We are not getting married."
Clint's frame stiffened, perhaps reacting to Loki's tone. "You better make sure Cami understands that in the nicest way possible. My sister does not need the centuries of baggage you come with, my friend."
He used the word friend, but everything else Clint said cut swift and deep, wounding Loki's pride. The archer basically admitted that there would always be something about Loki unworthy of Cami.
"Yes, I have lived a long time and made many mistakes," Loki conceded. "I shouldn't have to spend the rest of my short, mortal life apologizing for the past."
"You haven't apologized for anything," Clint said, also escalating his tone. His eyes grew hard and piercing.
"Is that what this is about? Can I not be judged by my current actions? Have I not worked hard and shown loyalty to you and my teammates?"
This argument only ruffled Clint's feathers more. "I'm not talking about your service to S.H.I.E.L.D."
Since Clint so easily disregarded his point, Loki decided the discussion needed to end before he did or said something he would regret. "Permission to be excused?"
The question threw Clint off so much his tone mellowed. "This is just a talk between two guys. I'm not your superior right now."
"It doesn't feel like 'just a talk' to me," Loki replied. Then instead of walking away as he first intended, he stepped right up to Clint. Since he only had a few inches height on him to put to use, Loki tried to make it up with his expression. "I will only say this nicely once more. Your sister and I have made no promises to marry. So, you can abort your preemptive strike."
Clint looked a little embarrassed by Loki's insinuation. He glared, saying nothing more as Loki turned and walked away.
When Loki reached the center of the village, he found the Zovodna had gathered for another elaborate meal. He intended only to check in on Cami and the rest of the team then perhaps continue down to the river to hide out. Then Dan Kotter snagged his arm as he passed by, using the element of surprise to pull Loki off his feet and into a clumsy landing in the grass between him and Fandral.
"Oops," Kotter said, his tone revealing his amusement at the intentional move.
"I think you could use a drink," Fandral stated, slipping a cup of some unknown beverage into his hand.
Loki leered at Kotter, but it became clear to him that Dan and Fandral were attempting to be lighthearted to ease his poor mood.
"Hey, we're gonna have some challenges between the two groups," Kotter told him. "Kind of a pre-mission competition. Stick around. It could be fun."
Loki wasn't enthusiastic with the interference in his own plans to be alone, but realized his absence from the gathering could cause Cami unneeded stress. "Very well—for a little while."
"Clint giving you a hard time about Cami?" Kotter asked in such a manner to show that he already knew the response.
"When doesn't he? He creates conflict where there needn't be." It felt strangely freeing for Loki to finally say this out loud to someone.
Fandral lifted his own drink, gesturing across the gathering to where Cami, Sif and the twins were seated and surrounded by little girls. Cami meticulously parted and tied up the Elflings' long hair in her maddening piggy tails.
"She is a fine woman," Fandral said, "but is it worth constantly fighting Clint to possess her?"
Loki took some offense to the idea that anyone could own Cami, like she was a mere object. The crime lord Victor Drago had confessed to wanting to collect her, and though Loki had taken particular satisfaction in injuring him, it unsettled him to realize that his old self wasn't that different. Loki knew he had often been attracted to intelligent women who were difficult to charm and bend to his will, but it had been the challenge that fed his need more than collecting the prize. His connection with Cami had proved very different than past relationships, which were marked by constant disagreements, lies and power games.
"Clint is just being protective. She's all the family he has left," Kotter said.
He understood Dan's point, but it was never Loki's intention to take Cami from Clint.
The competition began shortly with a wrestling match between Volstagg and four of the larger Zovodna males.
"Four against one. How is this fair?" Kotter asked with a hint of indignation.
The Elves rushed at Volstagg, only to bounce off his massive torso and stumble around before he toppled three of them with one mighty shove with his broad shoulder.
"You're right," Fandral agreed with a grin. "They need twice as many men if they're to have any chance."
Kotter had a good, long laugh at this while Volstagg easily put his opponents in their place.
After a few more wrestling matches with Natasha, Sif and Kotter winning theirs and Fandral doing pretty well for being mainly a swordsman, the focus switched to archery and nearly everyone had to move to make room for the positioning of the targets.
"Go easy on them," Loki heard Natasha tell a silent, joyless Clint as he joined Hogun, Trawick and several others at the firing line. Clint switched off his bow's laser sight in the spirit of fairness, but was just as impressive without it, earning admiration from the Zovodna as he outshot his opponents through each round. Unfortunately, he didn't appear to be enjoying himself at all.
In the final, Clint competed against Trawick on some pretty advanced shots while the crowd roared. Cami and Sif led a group of enthusiastic children in a chant of "Hawkeye! Hawkeye!" What a tremendous ruckus it was, and when Clint won, the Zovodna were noticeably in awe of him.
A knife throwing competition followed next. Loki had no intention of participating; but Natasha dragged him out with her while Kotter made a mad dash to retrieve his blades for him.
"Come on, Loki," Natasha insisted. "Help represent the team."
"I really do not want to do this," he said, feeling overwhelmed by the crowd.
"Don't be a stick in the mud. The kids are already cheering for you. Look."
The mass of children seated on the sidelines were indeed calling out his name as Cami winked and smiled encouragingly at him.
Perfect, he thought. Now he had no choice but to compete.
Kotter returned, handing off Loki's knives and joining the rest of the team to watch.
Even with his attention divided, Loki still managed to progress through multiple rounds before Natasha edged him out by the tiniest margin to continue to the final. Natasha lost against Trawick, who was a nearly flawless knife thrower. Natasha did handle the defeat with great poise and sportsmanship though.
During the break from the events, the musicians began to play and the Elves got up to dance. The Zovodna had a diverse style of dancing that looked savage with sharp quick motions one moment then transitioned into smoother, fluid movements the next to match the dynamics of the music. Like many cultures in the nine realms, dance was just another form of storytelling and this particular dance appeared to be a clan favorite.
Fandral leaned close to Loki to suggest, "You might want to go over there. Cami has been looking your direction."
Loki didn't understand to what urgency Fandral eluded. Cami was watching the dancers with fascination and cuddling the armload of children piled into her lap. Why would she want or need him?
"Oh," Kotter said after a few moments of observation. He grinned, sounding insightful as he said, "Yeah, you should definitely go over there."
Cami did flash Loki a grin when he focused his gaze on her again. Perhaps it was because she was surrounded by distracting little ones that he had such a hard time interpreting what his companions claimed to see in her look.
Fandral's grin widened at Loki's confusion. "Surely with all your experience with women, you must see that look she is giving you."
"What look?" Loki demanded. He wondered if they were back to teasing him.
Dan explained, "Most women have this natural maternal instinct, which is great for kids, but it also has a flip side that benefits us guys too. She might look all content sitting over there, but I bet her hormones are whipping into a frenzy, and those little looks she keeps giving you are like distress calls."
Loki finally caught on and started laughing before Kotter even finished explaining his theory.
"I'm serious," Dan insisted, but chuckled as well.
"Quite right," Fandral said. He nudged Loki with his shoulder. "You are her prince. You must rush to her rescue."
"In the mood he's in right now, Clint would likely shoot me if he found out I'd spirited her away for such activities," Loki argued.
"Don't worry about Clint," Dan said. "The whole team's got your back on this. We'll keep him occupied."
Fandral was nodding and added, "If he does find out and tries to start trouble, we'll just have Volstagg sit on him."
That image made all three of them laugh.
Loki let Fandral steal back his now empty cup so he could climb to his feet. "You two are bad influences."
"You're welcome," Kotter called after him.
Making his way through the crowd, Loki stepped into a free space behind Cami, crouching down to whisper in her ear, "Mind if I interrupt?"
She cleared her lap, sending the children off to dance before turning his direction. "Nope, I don't mind at all. My work here is done," she said, gesturing to the many children sporting her hairdo handiwork.
"There are never enough piggy tails." Loki noticed Sif's attention on them. He said to her with a mischievous grin, "Wouldn't you agree, Sif?"
The warrior took in Loki's playful expression then shook her head at him with mild exasperation. "I still haven't forgiven you completely," she admitted, making it clear that she knew exactly what he was thinking.
"Oh, but you're a stunning brunette," he told her.
Cami asked, "What are you two talking about?"
Loki waited to see if Sif wanted him to explain.
"When we were children," Sif began, self-consciously pulling at her dark tresses, "I often wore my hair in a similar fashion to these pig-e-tails, as you call them. Loki chose to cut them off once while I was sleeping."
"What?!" Cami said, looking horrified.
"Sif had beautiful golden hair then," Loki continued to explain. "My parents made me go to Nidavellir to have magical hair forged for her from our purest gold; but when the Dwarves found out that the jewels I gave them for payment were only rocks with an illusion on them, they tainted the magic and the hair turned dark upon her head, never to grow back any fairer."
Though Sif's expression appeared amused as Loki shared this tale, Cami was frowning. "Did you really do that to her?" she asked as if she couldn't quite believe it.
"I did," Loki admitted, though he subdued his smile and replaced it with a look of regretful repentance.
"It's alright," Sif told Cami. "We were children, and it was long ago."
Cami was still somewhat upset. "So that is why you think piggy tails are funny?" She touched her own short hair, sadly reminiscing.
Loki stood, offering her a hand up, which he was glad she accepted because she did look somewhat vexed and disappointed in him. He swiftly drew her away from the crowds.
Cami asked softly, "Why did you cut Sif's hair?"
Their tent was in sight, but Loki slowed his pace, aware that her mood wasn't right for them to arrive at his intended destination yet.
"She doesn't know this, but I was jealous," he admitted. "I fancied her, but she favored Thor, of course."
"Oh. First crush?" Now she appeared to understand, and as he hoped, her expression turned more sympathetic. "Frigga told me you were a sensitive kid."
For a moment, he wasn't sure how to feel about this confession. She hadn't asked him many questions about himself, and had seemed willing to wait until he was ready to disclose such details. Now, for reasons that he did not know, she was taking a more active interest in all aspects of his life.
"Have you been meddling again, my dear?"
When she dropped her gaze and muttered a soft, "Maybe," Loki realized she'd taken him too seriously.
"I have to tell you something," he said, using a poignant tone lacking critical undertones because he needed to get her off edge if this was going to work out like he hoped.
"Yeah?" Cami looked up at him with uncertain eyes.
She was a gorgeous, compassionate and intelligent young woman with more insight and talent going for her than most Asgardians many centuries her senior. It shouldn't have been difficult to say three little words to her, but when Loki opened his mouth, nothing escaped past the unexpected tightening in his throat.
Cami's gaze moved over his features and silent, conflicted stare. "What is it?" she asked with gentle encouragement.
"I..."
Curses! Why can't I speak? Loki raged internally and cast his gaze about seeking inspiration and courage, but losing hope. As an acclaimed connoisseur of words and masterful weaver of intricate lies and schemes. He should not have been rendered speechless by such a simplistic declaration as 'I love you.'
Cami grabbed the lapels of his jacket, tugging him down and pressed her lips eagerly to his. "You're so cute when you think too much," Cami whispered. Then she pulled him toward their tent.
Upon entering, they found the hot, humid and stagnant air in the tent taxing to breathe. So, as Cami and Loki wiggled out of and tossed aside their clothes, they were panting and sweating.
"Ugh, this heat is unbearable," Loki uttered, settling on the air mattress.
"This might have to be a quickie," Cami said, agreeing with him as she searched her pack. "I don't think I can stand it in here for long."
She grabbed a condom packet from the box, crawled forward and anxiously straddled him, flattening his awakening arousal under her weight. She ground down then rocked forward, sliding his length along her labia.
"Now that is a dangerous game you play," Loki warned her with a grin. He sat up just enough to reach her throat with his mouth and began to lick at her hot, salty flesh.
She leaned back, offering her breasts to him. Her nipples were already hard as he grabbed her by the butt, lifting her up so he could press his mouth to the nubs, flicking and swirling over and around each in turn with his tongue.
Cami leaned forward again to capture his mouth in an urgent kiss that grew in intensity as she confessed with her lips and tongue a raw, animalistic desire. Then, as soon as Loki lowered her back onto his lap, Cami ground down on him again, making him very aware that she was wet and waiting. Her hungry, blue-green eyes beckoned and teased as she bucked her pelvis so that his hardening member touched right up against her opening.
He saw the threat in her eyes and knew he must take action before they lost control. Plucking the condom packet out of her hand, he turned them over. Then, pushing back onto his knees, Loki tore open the packet, cast it aside and rolled the condom on.
"Intimidated by a girl on top?" Cami asked with a sultry tone meant to illicit a response.
He took hold of her legs, further parting and lifting them as he pressed the head of his penis to her entrance. With a devious smile, he said, "Try to take it back if you want it so badly," and pushed into her warm womb.
She tensed but returned his look with a determination that thrilled him.
Cami clenched his sides with her thighs and planted her feet on the backs of his calves. She pushed up, grabbing him by the back of the neck and pulling him down as their bodies started to fall to her right.
Loki put out his hand, stopping the fall and attempted roll and steadied himself with his knees. "Nice try," he taunted, ravaging her mouth and making an awkward thrust into her that had the desired effect as she growled lustily and dug her fingernails into his neck.
Snatching her hands, Loki secured them above her head. Then he met her fiery gaze again and started a rhythm of rough, jabbing thrusts that rocked her frame and jiggled her beautiful, full breasts. "Do you need a reprieve, my dear?" he asked, daring her to admit any sort of weakness as he pounded her. The fervent actions made Cami moan and buck her hips up to meet him.
"Give me something I've never experienced before and we'll talk," she countered between small pants and muffling another moan. "At this rate, I'll pass out from heat stroke first."
There was a rush of cold, frost-kissed air as Loki shifted into his Jotun form. Cami startled, releasing her hold on him with her legs as her sweat-drenched body shivered.
"How's that?" Loki asked with a sly grin.
She winced and threw back her head. "Ow! Frostbite," she managed to say.
Loki stopped thrusting because she felt so hot. He regulated his own temperature, going as warm as he dared to balance them out. "Tell me if I get too cold again."
Cami nodded, looking unsettled but trusting. "My insides are tightening up."
"I can switch back," he offered, still being playful.
"No way. You don't win that easily."
Only barely inside, Loki gripped her hips to ease in deeper with slow, steady force. "You feel so… tight and... hot."
Cami continued to shiver with hints of pain on her features as he started into a new, more forceful rhythm. She chose not to admit her discomfort. Then she surprised him by grabbing a hold and executing a roll that nearly sent them into the wall of the tent.
Now back on top, she gave him a bragging smirk. "Thought you had me, huh?"
Loki loved her tenacity, sense of adventure and willingness to play this game with him. "Obviously I underestimated you." He sat up, allowing the radiating chill off his face to skim hers, then moved lower to stimulate her neck and throat the same way, watching small bumps appear on her tensing flesh.
She guided him back inside her then put her arms around his neck. When she began to move, Loki let her set the speed and angle of the penetration then did his best to assist her. After starting and stopping so many times, he was ready to see this through to the end. He didn't hold back or try to regulate his own desire as Cami bounced and bucked, riding him with a desperate, overwhelming need that surpassed anything as trivial as decorum or pain.
As the sensations grew stronger, Loki and Cami got more verbal, but tried to muffle their outbursts. "How close are you?" Loki asked through his panting, feeling his own release quickening.
Cami was slow to answer and didn't open her eyes. "I'm too cold. Just can't get there," she admitted with a sad shiver. "Finish without me."
Never would Loki accept such a suggestion from her. He shifted out of his Jotun form mid-stroke, shocking her womb with his unexpected heat and pushing her over the edge. She buried her face against his neck to help squelch her scream as he came too with a loud, guttural moan.
The stifling heat had returned with his change, but Loki and Cami maintained their embrace through her post-orgasm shudders and retreating shivers.
"Are you alright?" Loki inquired after she'd settled. Her head still rested on his shoulder and he touched the side of his head to hers. "Did I hurt you?"
Cami took in deep breaths, kissing softly at his ear before admitting in a fearful whisper, "I think the condom broke."