Muriel walked to the door of the marble building and stopped. She inspected the door handle, pure silver, imagining how cold it would feel in her hand. She stepped back, turned around and walked off. Then stopped abruptly. She sighed deeply, took a long drawn-out breath and turned, her heels dragging in the gravel. She stalked back towards the door and before she could stop herself, she reached out and grabbed the silver handle, cold, as expected. As she went to knock the door flew open, causing her to lurch forward into the doorway. "Shhhhiiittt!" she cried out in surprise, catching herself before she fell to the floor. "Why, what a dirty mouth you have my dear…" a voice exclaimed. I righted myself and looked up. There stood Loki, God of Mischief, Odin's Son and Prince of Asgard. He stared at me with amusement. He was a tall man, thin but still muscular and had shoulder length black hair that had a slight curl to it. The fire crackled behind him, illuminating him in a golden glow. I swallowed, pushed back my shoulders and said in my loveliest voice usually reserved for royalty, "I am Lady Muriel. I have been sent by your Mother to check that all is well and too your liking?", I tilt my head, as the other maidens have taught me and look at him. He stares back, as if confused, for a second, I wonder if he believes me. Then he relaxes and shows me into his room.
Inside its warm and bright. A huge bed is set up near the window, a fireplace, small kitchen, and lounge is visible, and the books…I have never seen such a collection of books before. They lay covering nearly every surface, some stacked high in precarious piles. My wonder must have been evident on my face as I scanned the room, for as I turned back to him, he chuckled and answered, "What can I say…I like to read." I smile in response. "So, my Mother sent you to…check in on me? Is that right?" he says, circling me as I stand in the middle of the room. I nod in response. "Strange." He says, "She usually comes here herself." I swallow, hard. "She is indisposed…" I explain, holding my hands behind my back and spinning with him as he paces around, following his gaze. "Your Majesty, is everything to your liking?" I ask. Loki stops walking and strolls the few steps to stand in front of me, mirroring my stance. "Oh yes child…it pleases me very much…". His voice basically purrs out of his mouth, making the hair on the back of my neck dance.
I hold my chin high, challenging his stare. We stay there for a few moments, watching each other. Loki laughs, loudly and claps his hands together. I stand perfectly still and raise an eyebrow. "My dear girl, I am the God of Mischief himself, and you think you could come into my quarters and trick me? My sweet thing…sweet naïve thing…" his voice trails off as he moves even closer. You can smell him now, woody, musky and surprisingly sweet. You grit your teeth. Damn. "I am Muriel. I was not sent by the Queen, instead I came on my own volition. I was…. Intrigued. By you. I saw you at the palace. Everyday. Then one day, you were gone. I assumed you had left Asgard, but I soon noticed your Mother, I mean, her majesty, sneaking off. She would come here, once a week, every week. So I put two and two together ". I breathed in finally, looking at him, expecting anger, but he laughs once again. "Well, you found me." He says before flopping down onto the couch by the fireplace. Loki conjures two glasses and a bottle of wine, crosses his leg over his knee and waves me over. I pause, only for a second then accept his invitation, sitting by him on the soft couch. I watch the fire flicker for a few moments before he hands me a full glass of red wine. I take the glass, watching his blue eyes, he smiles at me and we clink our glasses together. "Cheers my dear." Loki says and take a small sip. I watch his mouth. He licks a drop off your lips, all the while watching me back. I swallow, then take a sip too. I almost sigh with pleasure, the wine is beautiful and warm, I taste cherries, sweet but also tart, the perfect combination. I realise I have closed my eyes and snap them back open. He is leant back into the cushions, watching me still, a smile sits on his face.
I straighten my back and place my glass on my knee. No more of that, I think to myself. "So, Loki, I found you. My curiosity has been sated.". I stand, placing my glass on the table in front of me. "I am glad you are well and wish you a good evening." I say determinedly. A frown crosses the Prince's face. I ignore it. I spin my heels and walk to the door. As I am about to grab the door handle his hand intercepts mine and locks it. I stop. Fear wells inside my belly. I dare not move, nor look at him. I look only at his hand holding the doorknob. "Excuse me my Lord, I will take my leave." I say, not looking up, "You must be tired.". I got to grab the doorknob again, but his hand remains in place. Suddenly irritation overtakes my fear. I look up at him. "Loki, please let me go." I say, attempting to sound tough, not quite sure if I am pulling it off. He tilts his head looking at me, "And why would you want to leave so soon Dear…. you searched for me for so long, surely it was for more than a hello and sip of wine?". Loki's hand moves from the door to my face, pushing a stray red hair away from my eyes. I feel his cold fingers on my cheek and flinch. Loki notices. His frown comes back. "I would like to go now…please." I say weakly, courage dwindling now, as I notice our size difference, and remember his…abilities, of which I am definitely lacking. "I will let you go, if that's really what you wish….but you and I both know….its not….", he says I swallow again, and notice his tongue lick his lips. Momentarily distracted, I allow him to guide me back to the couch. I sit and Loki hands me my glass. I take a big sip, relishing the flavour once again. He is right of course; I do not really want to leave. I want to know more. Curiosity killed the cat, or so they say, but maybe the cat just could not read the situation? I know he will not harm me; I do not know how I know, but I do.