TET39-Aftershocks
When Asrior stirred, she was on her back, covered by a silken blanket along with Loki's arm. Her body was partly turned toward him, the hand closest to him on his chest, the other stretched above her head; and as she stirred to awareness, she realized her husband was already awake. She could feel his eyes on her, watching.
And she knew he was in pain.
His breathing was labored despite an obvious effort on his part to steady it—Asrior recognized the sound and understood its meaning all too well. She rolled to her side and pushed up onto an elbow, her eyes worried as she took in the pinched look on his face.
"You need more medicine." Asrior's voice was husky from sleep, and as she swept hair from her face, she realized Loki didn't deny it. Her frown deepened. "Why didn't you wake me?"
His shoulder moved in the barest of shrugs. "You looked so peaceful lying there…"
"That is no excuse, Loki." Asrior sat up fully, and his arm slid from her.
"I was going to get up momentarily." He paused to take in a careful breath. "It was just hard to move."
"Well, if you can manage to sit up, I'll find the salve and apply more."
Asrior slid from the bed, reaching to where the robe she'd so briefly worn earlier was pooled on the floor. Not bothering to tie its sash, she thrust it on before pattering to the outer room. The basket the healers left sat on a table there, filled with jars and bandages as well as a piece of parchment with instructions.
Gathering it, she turned back to the bedchamber, and was gratified to see that Loki was sitting on the edge of the bed. When she climbed upon the mattress, he turned so that his back was to her.
Moving as carefully and swiftly as possible, Asrior lifted the bandage and wiped around the wound, which was red and uneven. Ointment followed, and when she applied a new dressing, taping over it with an adhesive strip of gauze that would hold it in place, she murmured, "I'm almost done."
Loki's breathing was still slightly ragged, and he held himself very still, as though in deep concentration. Asrior pushed the basket to the side before leaning into him, her cheek pressed to his back as her arms wrapped around his waist.
His hands found hers immediately, grasping them tightly.
"I don't know how you did this." He spoke so softly she barely heard him. "It's not even that deep according to the healer. And you… you went through this so often… How in all the realms did you survive? You must have the heart of ten kings."
Asrior shifted slightly, kissing the smooth skin of his shoulder. "It's because I am so stubborn, as you have told me more than once," she said, pressing her lips to him again. "And I told you to be careful. I knew Valtur would find a way to get a knife into your back."
A half-laugh rumbled in his chest, and she rested her cheek on him again.
"I should have known he would try it, given my own fondness for such tactics" he admitted, and she was pleased, for the rough edge in his voice had lessened. The ointment's numbing properties were beginning to work—not only did he sound more like himself, his breathing was evening out. But his back was still tense.
Leaning away slightly, she loosened her hands and slid them up to his shoulders.
"It won't be much longer before the burning eases," Asrior soothed, gently kneading. "The medicine the royal healers use for dark magic seems much more potent than I've seen before."
He simply grunted, though his shoulders relaxed.
Asrior's hands moved to his hair, her fingers combing through it. But after a moment, she noticed the streaks of dust still on his neck and realized that she felt as though grime still covered her as well. She likely smelled stale, too, for bathing had been impossible while confined to the bed at Jerrik's.
"Are you feeling well enough to move now?" she asked, pulling away from him.
Loki looked over his shoulder, curious.
"It is interesting seeing the differences between these rooms and those at Okershall, and I'm wondering how the bathing chambers compare." She pushed from the bed to stand beside it and held her hand out. Loki took it immediately and stood as well as she added, "And we are both dirty."
"In that case, I will satisfy your curiosity." Loki turned, leading her to a door on the far side of the room.
When they entered, the lights turned on with a flick of Loki's hand. Asrior's eyes moved from the impressive, muscled buttocks of her husband, which she had admired as they walked, to take in the chamber's opulence.
Three great arching windows sat at the far end of the room, overlooking the royal city below. An enormous soaking tub—one almost as large as the fishpond in Okershall's formal gardens—sat raised before it, steps of white marble leading gracefully to its edge.
The room's floors were made of marble as well, and were studded with black granite, while elegant, alabaster columns flanked the windows. Gilt-circled mirrors hung on the walls, reflecting the shimmering light from gold and crystal chandeliers that draped gracefully from the ceiling.
"This is nothing like Okershall," Asrior breathed after a moment. "Three of its bathing chambers would fit in here…"
Loki, who was pulling towels that looked soft as down from a little alcove, said, "The ones at Okershall are a old fashioned, true. But remember, the bathing chambers in the royal palace are designed for warriors who require a bit of care after battle...and I'm a prince of Asgard."
Asrior arched a brow at his superior tone, and he smiled slightly as he reached for her hand, pulling her after him.
But he led her to the side of the great room rather than to the tub, toward an enormous gold and marble recess behind another set of columns.
Long settees covered in cream-colored silk sat just outside of it, and as Loki stopped to toss the towels onto one of them, Asrior bumped into the back of him. He caught his breath at the movement.
Frowning, she let go of his hand and looked down at where her thigh had hit his—a red streak lay open him there, small but recognizable as a mark from Valtur's whip.
"Loki?" She put her hand on his hips when he tried to move, peering down at the wound. "Why didn't you allow the healers to…"
"It's nothing," he assured her, turning to reach for her hands again, and he began to move backwards into the gilded shower alcove, taking her with him. "You may apply salve to it when we're finished, if that will quiet your tongue."
"But…"
"I was not," he said, dropping her hand just as water began falling from above them as though a light rain had begun, "going to delay being alone with you over such a trifling thing. And…" he had stepped closer to her and put his mouth against her hair briefly before bending his head further against her and sniffing. "You are in dire need of cleaning. I am willing to help. As your husband, I can do no less."
She grinned. "You smell no better."
Loki moved to a long marble bench built against one of the shower's walls and spoke as he sorted through a line of crystal jars and bottles. "I am well aware, and when I have finished with you, elf, you may attend to me."
He began opening the containers and lifting them to his nose, and his frown grew deeper each time he did so. "These are entirely too masculine. I may not want to lie with you if you smell like Volstagg or… Ah! This one will work. And this one. Here, come closer."
When Asrior moved to his side, the water near the bench stopped falling, though it streamed even harder just behind them. Loki smoothed a hand over her hair, murmuring satisfaction at its dampness before reaching for one of the bottles.
"Tip your head back a little," he instructed, and she did so, watching his face as he began tending to her hair. He concentrated carefully on his task, eyes intent as he pumped an amber-colored fluid onto his palm. It smelled like bergamot and sandalwood, and Asrior's eyes drifted shut as his fingers pushed against her scalp and began massaging it.
The fragrance of the soap was slightly sweet, yet crisp and woodsy as well; the scent mixed with the gentle pressure of Loki's hands was so pleasing that Asrior was soon making purring sounds in her throat—though when he stopped his movements and reached for the bottle again, she protested.
"I need to wash the rest of it," he explained, sounding amused as he put a hand on her shoulder to turn her. Then he lifted the long fall of hair from her back and began lathering it as well.
All too soon, he turned her around again, saying, "Close your eyes," and a gentle spray of water began falling over her head. Loki smoothed his hands over and through her hair, again and again, rinsing the soap from it.
Then he picked up another jar and scooped something out before beginning to wash her body, bending to start at her feet and working his way to her shoulders. When he stood behind her, lifting one of her arms to slide a soapy hand along the pale skin there, Asrior leaned against him, enjoying the slippery feeling of wet skin against skin as well as the bright smell of citrus that now filled the shower.
Ripples of delight permeated her entire body at his touch, though when he moved his hands to soap her front again, she elbowed him lightly, pointing out, "You've washed my breasts several times now." Then she tilted her back head against his shoulder to look up, her brow raised as her hips pushed further against him, for she could feel his arousal hard against her back.
"What?" Loki muttered, his eyes fixed on a trail of bubbles that fell from her shoulder to skim over a rose-hued nipple. "Your father stabbed my back, he didn't cut my eyes out. Looking at you will do this to me, you know." The water began falling harder, and he moved slightly, his hand sliding over her as he rinsed foam from her skin. "I've always found you worthy to look upon. It was most annoying… I needed to stay detached, and you constantly distracted my thoughts."
"You…" she began, sputtering a little. "I thought you loathed the sight of me."
"I loathed what I thought you were… what I thought you believed in. I abhorred the fact I found any part of you desirable," he admitted. "It did not help that you were obstinate and disrespectful. Impertinent—and that I like it when you challenge me."
His hands were on her breasts again, and Asrior gave him a gentle push toward the marble bench.
"It's my turn to attend to you," she said. "You'll need to sit. I cannot reach your hair otherwise, and it needs washing."
As Loki sat as instructed, the falling water eased again. Asrior sorted through the jars and bottles much as he had earlier, finally choosing two with smooth and rich scents that sent the same shivers through her body as his voice did.
She began on his hair, fingers running along his scalp, and after a moment, Loki leaned against her shoulder, nestling his forehead there. His eyes closed as she worked the gel into a lather, and when she rubbed a thumb along his hairline, just behind his ear, his chest moved in a silent sigh.
"Is it your back?" she asked softly, pausing her ministrations. "I can…"
"No," Loki said, eyes popping open. He leaned away from her and gave her a knowing look. "I'm merely conserving my strength. I know where this is leading."
"Where this is leading?" Swallowing a laugh, Asrior reached for his hand, and when he stood, she pushed him slightly so that he moved to stand under the stream of water still falling near the bench, saying, "You need to rinse."
Loki closed his eyes, tipping his head back as the water ran over him. "You want to use my body for your pleasure again." An eye cracked open slightly as his hands moved to his hair to comb through it, pushing the lather from it. "Don't try to deny it. I know how insatiable you are, elf. All you think about is sex."
Asrior, who had picked up another jar, paused for a moment. He was clearly aroused—his erection jutted boldly upward toward his stomach, and she stared at it pointedly before raising bright blue eyes to his.
"I didn't say I minded." He reached toward the jar in her hands to scoop out a bit of the gel inside. "Or that I don't think about it either. Or that I don't want to pleasure you."
Then he began washing his torso and neck, rubbing away any lingering dust.
"Well, so long as you don't mind." She put the jar on the bench in a swift movement before sliding around him to his back and falling to her knees. Asrior began soaping along his calves and thighs, admiring the lean lines of his legs, though when her fingers slid over the hard muscles and around his hips to his front, she sighed, "It has been entirely too long since my last orgasm, and judging by the size of… oh!"
Loki had spun around and reached down, lifting Asrior up to stand as he announced, "I'm clean now."
"But you…"
"I'm clean now," he repeated, his hands moving to her back, pushing her against him. He was hard against her belly, and when Loki dipped his head a fraction as he spoke, the silk of his voice made her shiver. "And I'm ready to give you the orgasm you crave."
She looked up at him, seeing that the green of his irises were almost covered by black. Her hands slid from his chest to his shoulders, grasping them tightly, for her body suddenly felt light and heavy at once, and it was hard to stand.
"You… you are? Good." Asrior managed. Her voice sounded odd and breathless.
Loki seemed pleased by the way she spoke, for a satisfied gleam lit his eyes, and his hands moved to her waist, lifting her against him.
"Yes, very good," he rumbled, and he nipped her neck before instructing, "Wrap your legs around me."
She immediately moved, locking them around his waist as one of his hands moved to support her bottom. His palm flexed against her, fingers digging into the soft skin there. Then his mouth was on hers, brushing against it, nibbling at her lower lip so that she wriggled.
"Patience," he whispered before sliding his tongue against the seam of her mouth.
"But I want..."
Asrior felt something hard and cool against her back and realized Loki had moved so that she was against the wall of the shower.
"I know that I'm ready, but I want to make sure you're ready, too." His teeth grazed the point where her ear met her neck. "And I am determined…" Another bite followed. "...not to rush you."
He kissed her then, pressing her against the marble and plundering her mouth with his own, and she met the thrust of his tongue with an eager sound. She felt wanton, as though her entire body was flushed with pleasure, and Asrior's legs tightened and her arms wove around Loki's shoulders as she tried to get closer.
But he shifted, and she felt the hand at her waist slide up to a breast and begin teasing its nipple, tugging over and over until she pulled her mouth away from his to cry out.
The gasp turned to a keening sound when the hand supporting her bottom pushed, lifting her slightly so that his mouth took the place of his fingers. When he moved to suckle at her other breast, Asrior's hands splayed against his back, fingers raking his skin.
Something hot coiled in her stomach, and when Loki moved again to lick her neck, Asrior pushed a hand into his hair, stroking through the drenched strands. "I'm ready now," she breathed, eyes fluttering at the feel of his tongue against her throat. "You're not rushing me… I'm ready…"
"Are you?" he teased, nipping at her skin before pulling away slightly. Loki's breathing was uneven, the look in his eyes so carnal she felt a jolt between her legs, and her thighs squeezed even harder against him in response. A corner of his mouth lifted at the feeling and the hand at her breast slid, ever so slowly, down to her belly. "Are you sure you're ready, elf?"
A finger swirled around her navel, and Asrior's breath caught in her throat. "Yes," she choked. "I am. Please…"
"And how shall I give you release?" he asked, the roughness of his voice rolling over her. "With my fingers on your clit? Do you want my mouth there as well, licking and sucking?" The back of his hand grazed the soft inside of her thigh before moving lower, a finger stroking through the damp curls there. "Will you be greedy and take your pleasure alone, or will you share it with me… with my cock in you, thrusting deep and hard until your tight little cunt squeezes the life from it, soaking your…"
"Yes," Asrior moaned, pushing forcefully against his hand even as hers twisted the hair at his neck. She could feel his erection hard against the back of her thigh, and her eyes fluttered as she panted, "Yes… inside of me, please…"
Loki's hands slid to her waist, and when he lowered her so that she stood, his hair slipped from her grasp. She clutched at his shoulders, watching as his hands stroked along her hips and then up again, his touch almost rough as it slid along her sides and over her breasts until he clasped her shoulders as well.
His voice was a growl. "Turn around."
Asrior began to move, stopping for a moment when his hands lowered, one grasping his erection, stroking himself as he watched her. She licked her lips, breath hitching in anticipation before she shifted to fully face the marble wall.
Water began falling again, warm droplets hitting her skin; then Loki's chest was against her back, and she could hear the smile in his voice as he spoke against her ear. "You make me blush when you look at me like that."
"You," she panted, bracing her hands against the wall and pushing her hips back so that his length was cradled against her, "need to stop teasing me."
Loki swept a hand down her back until it rested her hip, and he pulled her back further.
"Stay like this," he breathed, positioning her. "Raise your hips a little…"
She felt a tongue against a shoulder blade as she moved, and the hands on her hips constricted.
Asrior arched her back when his knee gently pushed her legs wider apart, and she shuddered at the feeling of his erection nudging against her entrance. One of Loki's hands brushed the back of her thigh as he positioned himself, then he was pushing into her, taking his time, sliding bit by bit until he was finally sheathed entirely.
"Oh…"
When Loki began moving, his pace was deliberate… unhurried, and as the water around them began falling even harder, a hand caressed her hip, while the other stroked along her spine until it reached her shoulder, grasping it.
The even rhythm of his thrusts wasn't enough, though, and Asrior mewled, rocking against him. "You said deep and hard…"
The hand at her shoulder moved to her hair, and he tugged on it even as his movements changed and became more forceful.
"Better?"
"Mmmmm…" her head tilted back, and she felt his kiss on her shoulder, and then the hand at her hips slipped around her to splay across her stomach, moving her slightly to change the angle between them. Asrior pushed her palms harder against the wall at the contact, raising her torso and arching further against him.
Loki's breathing grew faster, but his pace remained steady, and the slick sound of their joining and Asrior's pleased whimpers filled the alcove.
But when the hand in her hair pulled at it again, even as the one on her stomach slipped up to a breast, his fingers rough on her nipple, Asrior groaned. Something hot and forceful pierced her at the feeling.
"Faster," she begged, pushing her hips against him when his movements quickened. "Oh… yes…" She braced one hand harder against the wall, and put the other against the hand at her breast, encouraging him, "Harder… pull harder… like that…"
Electricity seemed to streak through her body as he responded to her demands, and the tension that coiled within Asrior's belly grew to an almost unbearable intensity. The roughness of his touch combined with the fullness of his cock as he filled her again and again felt good, and her insides rippled and clenched against him.
A wild sound tore from Loki's throat, and his hand moved from her hair to her hip again as he drove into her with even more force.
"You like it like this elf?" Loki's was hot against her ear, the fingers on her nipple pulling fiercely as the one on her hip dug into the flesh there. "You like being taken like this? Hard? Without mercy?" He bit her shoulder, demanding, "Tell me."
"This feels so good. I… I… Do not stop…"
Her voice was harsh as she gasped out the words, and his hand covered her breast, rubbing it unevenly with his palm.
"Look at me." Loki's back was against hers, his mouth against her hair, and she turned slightly. His eyes were dark and hungry, and as he watched her, his pace slowed, becoming deliberate again.
"Loki," Asrior pleaded.
"That's it… say my name." He bit and kissed the corner of her mouth at the same time.
"I am… I am so close…"
"My name," he growled. "Say it while I pour my seed into you…"
His thrusts somehow went even deeper, and something splintered inside of her. Every muscle within her seemed to convulse, and even as Asrior cried out his name, over and over, Loki answered, groaning loudly as he joined her.
She could feel his lips against her ear, his breath shaky with jumbled words of affection even as he continued to surge within her. And Asrior knew she would have fallen had Loki's arms not circled her tightly, holding her against him until the tremors left them both. Then his head moved to nuzzle against hers; his breathing was still hard, and she could feel the movement of his chest against her back while the water from above rained down upon them.
After a moment, he moved slightly, withdrawing from her body and putting his hands on her arms to turn her so that she faced him. He immediately gathered her close again, hugging her with such force that her breath near left her again, and he pressed kiss after kiss against the top of her head.
"Mmmmm," Asrior crooned in answer, her arms wrapping around his middle as though she would never let him go. She felt warm and sticky and glorious.
"Satisfied now?" he asked against her temple, breath puffing as he laughed.
She could not help the sheer sound of satisfaction in her voice. "Very." Then she tilted her head upward to gaze at him. "Thank you. I'm quite pleased you do not mind giving me orgasms."
The water stopped falling over them, and Loki smirked and turned to leave the shower, keeping an arm around her. "Yes, well… you must allow me to rest again if I am to continue to meet your demands. I have never known someone with such a voracious sexual appetite."
He moved from her as they stepped onto the cold marble of the floor, reaching toward the towels he'd thrown onto a settee earlier.
Asrior gave him a speaking look. "Out of three hundred forty-two? I find that hard to believe."
Loki lifted a downy white cloth and wrapped it around her, his look imperious. "I hope you are not jealous. It is unbecoming."
"If I am," she said sweetly as he moved to her back and began rubbing her body briskly with the towel, "you simply need to reassure me. And I know exactly how-"
White suddenly covered her head. "Sorry," he said, sounding anything but. "Your hair needs drying."
She reached up to pull the towel down, twisting to look up at him. But her retort faded on her lips, for the god that stood in front of her was no longer dripping with water. Indeed, he was not only bone dry, but he was wearing the green silk robe she'd worn earlier.
Seeing her look, Loki shrugged. "Magic," he explained, and gently lifted her hair, pressing the towel against it. "And if I magicked you dry… Well, I wouldn't be able to touch you, would I?"
Sheer happiness bubbled within her at his playfulness, and she smiled up at him. Loki blinked, looking slightly stunned; then he bent to press his mouth to hers again, lingering for a moment, and with the barest twitch of a hand, she too was dry.
The towel fell to the floor, and Loki's arm was around her back. "Let's get to bed before you grow cold."
Soon, the robe puddled on the floor again, and Asrior coaxed him to lie down and allow her to inspect the bandage on his back and tend to the cut on his leg. Once those tasks were out of the way, he rolled onto his side, pulling her so that she was spooned against him.
Loki's hand found hers, and he twined their fingers together. After a moment, he admitted, "I am tired, but I am not sleepy. Which is odd, considering how little of it I had before."
Asrior made an understanding sound. "I know. My mind is still… I don't know. I keep thinking about how happy I am to be back. I have to tell myself it's not a dream."
His arm tightened around her. "I assure you, this is very real."
Smiling a little, she nodded, then tilted her head back suddenly in an effort to look up at him. "I just remembered… Have you word of Saldis? And Gyla? She was a maid who helped me when I was captive. I told her to find Saldis when the attack started."
"Hogun is still at Jerrik's, and he was tasked with finding Saldis." Loki pressed a kiss to her hair again. "And the fight at there was either outside the palace or in the main hall. If they kept to the servant's quarters, they'll have stayed safe. We'll know more soon."
Snuggling her back against him again, Asrior sighed softly and closed her eyes. She could feel the rise and fall of Loki's chest, and though it was comforting, sleep eluded her. After a moment, she asked, "Will you tell me about your tattoo now?"
She released his hand and slid away from him, rolling over so they were lying face to face.
"What do you want to know?" Loki's arm was still on her waist, and he moved it to her hair, sliding his fingers through the glowing red strands.
"Everything."
And so he began talking, telling her how Kagoq found the tie between the dark elves and otherworld fairies that hid on Midgard, and how he and the others ventured to their island. He spoke of their giving him the tattoo as a test and explained how the fairies used it as a key to his thoughts. And though he told her how they'd turned it into a tool to use with their magic, she sensed he did not delve into the whole of the story.
Then he spoke of Cadeyrn.
"He's the rightful king of the otherworlders." Loki sounded almost impressed as he explained, "He gave up rule of Avalon when his brother claimed the throne. Gave up all of it."
"Without a fight?" she asked, surprised.
Loki's eyes turned thoughtful. "No… he made it sound as though… well, as though he just walked away. But thinking back on other things he and his sister said, no, I think he fought for the throne. And I think it was messy. Beyond so, which is why he hides now."
Asrior moved, turning so that her back was to his chest again, and Loki's arm wrapped around her immediately.
"Well, even if he is as profane and uncivilized as you claim, the two of you must yet get along quite well," she mused, "given that you have other things in common. You're the rightful King of Jotunheim, he's the hidden King of Avalon. Surely there is a kinship there."
He grunted and bit her shoulder. "I am near sleep now, elf, so be quiet, if you please."
Grinning, she took his hand again and sighed dramatically. "Very well. I hope you rest, husband, for I expect another orgasm in the morning."
…
The morning, however, had other plans.
When Loki stirred, the sun behind the curtains that half-shielded the bed was bright, and he grimaced. Asrior lay beside him, her back pushed against his chest still, and her head half covered by a pillow as though she sought to block the glare.
He lifted himself onto an elbow, gazing at the small figure next to him. Asrior's hair flowed around her in an untidy, glowing pile, and the silken sheet she covered with fell to expose her breasts. She looked warm and content, and very much in need of cuddling, and so he slid closer to her…
But a sound from the other room intruded on his thoughts, and Loki frowned at it before slipping an arm around Asrior as he tried to ignore the incessant knocking. But it grew louder, and with a muttered expletive, he pushed away from his wife and slid from the bed.
Stalking to the outer room as he magicked on a pair of leather pants and tunic, Loki's scowl was truly fierce as waved a hand so that the great golden doors flew open.
"What?"
Hlin stood in the hall, and to his credit, he smirked at the god in front of him instead of flinching.
"My lord," the lad said, dipping his head briefly before looking up and staring at Loki, clearly amused. "I bring messages—from King Thor and from Hogun. I also bring gifts from our queen… as well as Asrior's pets. And tea and sweet rolls."
As he spoke Hlin waved a hand toward two servants dressed in royal livery; they stood just to his side and looked nervously at Loki over the items piled in their arms. One balanced a silver breakfast tray on top of a large basket, while the other carried a birdcage and several metal crates—one of which echoed with the unmistakable yowl of a very angry feline.
Grunting, Loki muttered, "Very well. You may enter."
Hlin nodded and waved the servants forward, smothering a grin as he walked behind them into Loki's chambers.
Spinning on his heel, Loki followed, waving a hand to shut the door to the inner room when he saw one of the servants eyeing the bed speculatively.
Everything was unloaded in quick order. The basket held an array of clothing from Jane, along with a note urging Asrior to make use of the contents until other items could be procured. The breakfast tray was placed on a table near the door to the bed chamber, and Hlin arranged the crates on the ground but refrained from opening them until he escorted the servants from the room.
And as the outer door closed behind them, Hlin turned to Loki, pulling a piece of parchment from a pocket as he said, "Thor's message. But I can guess what it says."
Loki eyed the paper, muttering, "What does it say?"
"Queen Alflyse arrived in Asgard this morning. I saw her myself when I spoke to Thor, just before coming here," Hlin explained. "They will want a conference with those involved in the raid on Jerrik's and the battle on Svartalfheim as quickly as possible."
A quick scan of his brother's message proved the boy correct, and Loki raised his eyes, saying, "Very good, Hlin. What of Hogun? You said you had word from him."
Nodding, Hlin explained, "Men from one of the king's regiments rode from Nornheim overnight. They brought much news, including word from Hogun that Saldis was found safe. He will escort her back here himself as soon as the situation there is secure. And apparently, she will bring others with her…"
"Yes, a girl who helped Asrior when she was captive there," Loki explained. "She will be very pleased to hear this."
Hlin had moved and was opening the crates, and as two black cats streaked from one of them, he threw a glance at his master. "You really should not dawdle. Thor seemed stressed when I saw him—and Queen Alflyse is frightful in person."
Loki grunted, though a corner of his mouth lifted when Hlin opened another crate and an indignant looking Sazur poked his head out. A wave of delight filled him at the sight, and he opened his mouth to greet the creature, though he stopped when he remembered he was not alone.
"But Sazur is your pet," he said instead, avoiding Hlin's look.
"He belongs to himself," Hlin scoffed, watching as the gray cat slowly walked from the confines of the crate. "And he seems to like you, the gods know why. I am simply saving myself the work of trying to contain him in my quarters."
"Very well." Loki bent to open the last crate, watching as Gnissa bounded from it. "Put the birdcage by my desk, and then you may go. Let Thor know we'll be there soon."
He watched as Hlin did as instructed, then picked up the basket of clothing and moved to the bedchamber.
Asrior was still asleep. She'd rolled over and was lying on the spot Loki had recently occupied, the pillow now clutched in her arms. Loki moved to place the basket on a chair and was about to turn to retrieve the breakfast tray when he felt a bump against his ankle.
Sazur was there, butting his head against him, and Loki bent to scratch behind the cat's ears.
"Hello there. Happy to be out of that cage?" he whispered, smiling.
The cat jumped onto the chair in answer and began scratching at the basket; and Loki, looking at it, smirked before picking the creature up and carefully spilling the clothing onto the chair.
"Sorry, my friend." Loki moved back toward the bed. "But this is for Asrior."
Within seconds, Sazur was settled in the basket, which had been magicked so that it was bedecked with dark green ribbons trimmed in gold, and Loki was slipping into the outer chamber.
When he returned, breakfast tray in hand, he found Asrior sitting up in bed. Odd and Orr had apparently jumped onto her, waking her. She was stroking their backs and eying the basket that sat at her feet, a sleepy grin lighting her face. Her hair flowed over her shoulders in a tangle, and her eyes were heavy-lidded and drowsy, though her smile widened even further when she saw him.
"Good morning, husband."
Her voice was still rough with sleep, too. Loki distracted himself by settling the tray onto a bedside table and pouring tea, for it was tempting to get back into bed with her.
"Good morning," he answered after a moment, turning to hand her a mug. "Your breakfast awaits. Would you like a roll? They're sweet, as you like them."
Their fingers brushed as she took the tea from him. Asrior nodded and gave him a sultry look, patting the spot on the mattress beside her. "Get into bed and share with me."
Loki took a small step backwards. "As much as I'd love to, I can't… you're entirely too enticing, and Thor has sent us a summons. So eat." He picked up a roll and tucked it into a napkin, handing it to her before moving back again quickly. "I also have news from Hogun… Saldis is safe, and your maid too. They'll be escorted here soon."
Relief filled Arior's eyes, and she gamely took a bite of the roll. Loki poured tea for himself, looking over at her after a moment, for she'd pulled the basket closer and was telling a highly annoyed looking Sazur that he could get out if he wished.
The cat immediately jumped over the wicker rim, tossing a glare at Loki before putting his head against Arior's leg and rubbing.
"He missed you, as you can see. I told you, he is a highly intelligent creature."
Loki watched as Asrior finished her roll and downed her drink, then settled Sazur onto her lap. He moved to take her mug, and she frowned slightly as she gave it to him. "You said Thor has summoned us?"
"Yes," he answered, puzzled at her look, and she looked down at her torso.
"Are you to magic clothing for me?"
"Ah, no." He moved to the chair, where the items Asgard's queen had sent over were tumbled. "Jane sent things for you to wear. I… well, I needed the basket they were in…"
A glance over his shoulder found Asrior sliding from the bed with a smirk. And as she placed Sazur onto the floor, she picked up the robe there, tossing it over her shoulders before padding over to join him.
When she reached his side, she peered at the gowns, reaching out to touch the blue and gold one Loki was trying to fold.
"These are very grand." She chewed on her bottom lip as she moved to sort through the items, and when her hand fell on a satin-covered box, she muttered, "She sent jewelry as well? This is too much."
"Mmmm." Loki picked up a dress made of a pale green and yellow gauze-like material that seemed to shimmer. "Jane is queen, so her clothing will be equal to her status."
She still looked uncertain, so he dropped the iridescent fabric back onto the chair and put his hand on the back of Asrior's neck, fingers pushing into her hair. "Come now, my love, find a gown you like, and remember—you are a member of Thor's house, and you will be meeting the Queen of Svartalfheim, who is an official guest of our king. As soon as we're away from court, you know you're free to dress however you please."
She looked up at him. "Or not dress."
Loki pressed a kiss to her bright red hair. "Insatiable. I do not know what I am to do with you." He made a face when her eyes began to glitter. "Yes, I know what you want me to do. Now, please, elf, put some clothing on."
With a small sigh, Asrior picked up the gown he'd just held. "I suppose this one will do. And you will need to let me redo your bandages before we leave."
Within short order, Loki's wounds were tended to and Asrior was dressed, and as she brushed her hair, he sorted through the jewelry chest. He found necklaces to drape over her, and in another, larger box, a thin, intricately woven coronet of gold that he placed onto her hair despite her protestations.
"It is so formal!" she exclaimed, peering into a mirror. "It is not like we are going to a banquet, or-"
"Actually, we are… as soon as our audience is over, there is to be a feast welcoming Alflyse. Trust me, you will not feel out of place, dressed as you are," Loki assured her, turning to pick up a cape that matched the gown and placing it on her shoulders. "Jane would not have sent anything inappropriate. She… well, at times she is kind, like you."
Asrior bent closer to the mirror, for she was carefully placing something colorful on her lips—Thor's wife, it seemed, had sent cosmetics, too. When she stood and turned to look at her husband, her blue eyes widened as she took in the formal clothing he now wore.
"Come," he said, taking her hand in his. He had her bracelet in his hands, and he wrapped it around her wrist. "The quicker we get this over with, the sooner we can leave the city."
Her eyes brightened, both at the leather wrapped around her wrist and at his reminder, and as they left Loki's chambers, Asrior clung to his hand. She chattered happily as they walked along the column-lined hall that led to the public area of the palace, asking about Kagoq again and speaking of the future. But her voice trailed off when Loki neared the entrance to the great hall. A great rumble of voices could be heard through the massive golden doors, and her steps faltered at the sound.
Loki paused, turning to face her. "What is it?"
"I do not have fond memories of court," she admitted, lifting her troubled gaze to him.
His eyes flickered. "Neither do I, actually. But at least we can face the nattering horde together."
"What do they know? I mean… about how our marriage came about? About my being taken by Valtur? I want to know what I will face."
Her words were soft, and Loki bent closer, his hand pressing hers in reassurance. "The only people I told of our marriage were Thor and the Warriors Three… and the mortals. If anyone else knows, they do not know the truth of how it began. And news of your capture was kept as quiet as possible. Rumors may have spread, though, for Jerrik was aware of it all, and his men knew that you were held at his palace, and well…in the wake of the raid there… We can only hope gossip will be at a minimum."
Straightening her shoulders, Asrior nodded. "I will be brave, then."
"And so," he vowed, lifting her hand and pressing his lips to it, "will I."
Holding onto her still, Loki turned to the doors, giving the soldier who stood guard a signal to open them.
The babbling sound turned to a roar as the doors were pushed open, and Asrior moved closer to Loki when they entered. It seemed that all of Asgard had turned out for the occasion, and the massive room was packed with bodies dressed in their most glittering attire.
The crowd parted as they wove through it, heading toward a door that led to Thor's private meeting rooms. The crush was such that Asrior moved to trail just behind Loki, her hand still clutching his tightly. There were stares directed at them as they made their way across the room, and he could hear snatches of surprised words and smothered gasps as Asgard's subjects recognized him.
Loki did not know if the guests were simply curious as to his presence, or if they realized the woman with him was Valtur's daughter—nor did he care, for his sole focus was on getting away from the press of bodies.
Their target was almost within reach when a tall female, dressed in a dark gold that almost matched the curls piled artfully onto her head, stepped in front of him. Loki skidded to a halt, for the crowd made it impossible to move around her, and he automatically pulled Asrior to his front, his hand loosening from hers so it could rest on her waist and hold her against him.
"Loki," Lorelei breathed, her eyes fixated on his face. She moved one hand to the considerable cleavage her gown revealed, while the other reached out to lightly touch the velvet of his tunic. "It has been ages since I last saw you, my prince."
Asrior stiffened, her back rigid against Loki's chest. His heart jumped into his throat even as his hand splayed across her belly to press her even closer. She did not react to his touch, however—instead, her brow arched, and her eyes slid over the goddess before stopping to stare pointedly at the painted nails that rested against his chest.
"Why," she began, each word encased in ice, "do you presume to touch my husband?"
Someone in the crowd squeaked, and a look of such shock crossed Lorelei's face that it would have been comical had Loki not been so discomfited. She obviously had not noticed that Asrior was with him, and was only just realizing that not only did he hold the red-headed female against him, she'd referred to him as husband.
It was truly impressive how deeply the goddess' face flushed, and how carefully she moved her hand away from him. The surrounding crowd, he noted, grew quiet too as curious eyes turned in their direction, blatantly watching the scene before them.
"I… I did not realize…" Lorelei began, sounding mortified as her hand fell slowly to her side. "My liege, please forgive me…"
"It is obvious, my love, that news of our marriage has not yet reached court." Loki's free hand moved to Asrior's shoulder, and he smoothed the hair that fell over it before coughing a little. "Lorelei, may I present my wife? This is Asrior…" His fingers slid from her shoulder along an arm until he grasped her hand. "Princess of Asgard."
An excited murmur rose from those within earshot, and Lorelei's mouth opened and closed before she remembered herself and dipped into a graceful curtsey.
"Your highness. My lady." To her credit, the godess spoke normally, though Lorelei kept her eyes veiled when she rose to stand again. "I offer you my most sincere congratulations on your union."
"Thank you," Asrior said, and though her voice was much less frigid, it was still tight. "I believe you know my father very well. You left a hair piece in our living quarters during one of your visits. I have kept it safe in my possession. I will ensure it is returned to you as soon as possible."
It was clear that Lorelei realized just then exactly who the red-haired woman with Loki was. Her eyes flew up, staring at Asrior's hair where it fell over her ears.
Even as she muttered a choked response, Loki slid his hand to rest at Asrior's lower back. "If you will excuse us, my wife and I have an audience with the king."
Everyone parted then, though their chatter grew more animated. As Loki propelled Asrior forward, he realized the muscles under his palm were tense, and her shoulders were set; and as they neared the doors to the private rooms, he frowned, wondering if she knew exactly what his relationship with the other goddess had entailed.
He'd admitted to lying with someone after their marriage, and at the time of the actual joining, he'd felt not a jot of guilt—not when he had considered his tie to his wife merely a means of revenge. But Asrior had entered their union with sincerity, and even if she had not loved him then, she had expected… well, she had not expected to be used so painfully by him. And the knowledge that he'd left her alone after inflicting such hurt, had sought other women, filled him with a familiar remorse that was excruciating.
Loki knew he'd tell her everything, admit to it all, though he'd hoped to postpone that particular discussion until they'd more time alone.
But as he pushed open the door and allowed it to close behind them, Asrior pulled away from him.
"It is said that the goddess we just met has the sexual tastes of a…a bonobo on Midgard. That she has little discretion regarding those she chooses to lift her skirts for."
She wore a look of detachment, and her comment held only the merest hint of curiosity. But her hands twisted together in agitation. Loki's eyes squeezed shut briefly, and he steeled himself, for he understood then that Asrior had put the pieces together.
Still, he could not help himself as he slowly repeated, "Bonobo?"
"It's a chimpanzee… a Midgardian monkey. Did you pay no attention to the menagerie Tony took us to?" she asked, scoffing at his silence. "Bonobos lie with each other constantly. They choose partners randomly whenever it pleases them. Lie with each other during meals… have sex as a way of saying good morning…"
He refrained from pointing out that she seemed to be fond of greeting the sun's rise with such behavior.
But she had given up pretending and was glaring at him as her voice rose. "…and I cannot stop thinking about… about… you, touching that…that…"
"Asrior, listen to me," Loki urged, moving toward her, catching her hand when she tried to move away from him. "I did not consider myself truly married the one time I consorted with her in that manner."
"I know that," she hissed. "But I cannot help it if-"
"No, listen, please," he begged. "You know how I feel about you. I would no more lie with another now than I would willingly exile myself upon Midgard."
She stamped her foot and yanked her hand away, frustrated. "I know that, and I have forgiven you for how you fooled me and all that happened after. Yet I cannot help how I felt when I saw her touch you as though it was her right." She paused, taking in a deep, shaking breath before turning an earnest question to him. "Tell me, how would you feel if you knew I had taken comfort with someone else during that time? If I'd lain with Bruce, or kissed him, or even touched him in a manner…"
Her voice trailed off as she watched him, and he wondered at the expression on his face—for rage consumed him so quickly that he growled more than spoke. "Please tell me that you didn't."
"No. I didn't. But do you understand my sentiment on the subject?" She spoke softly now, though her voice was thin. "I know it is unreasonable… and it is not that I begrudge you the pleasure you had before, or the partners she has had. Not… not when I try to be logical. You know my opinions as to the worthiness of sexual activity. If I had been raised at court, I'd probably have had even more partners than either of you…"
"Asior," he began, reaching for her again.
But she shook her head. "I think I am most angry because…because she consorted with Valtur. You knew what he was like… you knew he was evil. And she was indifferent about his wickedness when she rutted with him. You still chose to lie with her, knowing that." She blinked, then twisted her hands into her skirts. "Was she so tempting and desirable to you that you could pardon such choices?"
It was as though someone punched him in the chest, and Loki sought desperately for words, to try to explain.
"Asrior… my love… It was not like that. You must try to understand a few things—things I am not proud of." She frowned but did not move, and he continued, "You do not know, but Lorelei helped me by keeping an eye on your father when he was at court. This is why she did what she did with him. And, yes, she did this to please me. She had tried to seduce me on many occasions, and I knew of her interest and used it to my advantage. I had long avoided such attempts. Quite happily, for she does not appeal to my tastes."
She scoffed but did not pull back when he stepped closer.
"But my mindset then… I took you to my bed but once, and the memory of it would not go away. I have already admitted how I hated my attraction to you—and I know it is a pitiable excuse—but it was my frustration over you that led me to her." Loki shifted, uncomfortable as he admitted, "I was supposed to be set upon revenge, and instead, I found myself lusting over Valtur's daughter. I could not allow myself to give in to that, and then she was there, and I'd strung her along for so long…"
Disdain oozed from her. "So you owed her a favor? How many others are you so indebted to?"
"I think," a silky voice from behind them interrupted, "that I have heard enough."
Both Loki and Asrior turned startled eyes to the person who spoke.
Queen Alflyse, magnificent in shimmering black robes dotted with onyx and diamonds, peered down her nose at the pair before her. A jet-black crown sat upon braids that twisted around her head, and her eyes, equally dark, glittered.
Loki's breath caught as he realized the woman had entered the room through a side alcove, and he wondered exactly how much she'd heard; then he noticed Thor standing beside her. Taking in his brother's murderous glare, he knew they had been there for most of it.
"My king," Asrior managed, dipping into a curtsey, though when she turned to do the same for the queen, Loki grasped her arm to stop her from moving.
Pursing her lips at the movement, Alflyse tilted her head regally in his direction before turning her gaze to Asrior. "Your husband has the right of it. You are, unfortunately, an Asgardian princess now. Or so it would seem. You should not bend to anyone, save your own king."
She moved then, sweeping majestically toward a larger door on the other side of the room.
"Loki," Thor said through gritted teeth. "If you and Asrior will come with us."
Sighing, Loki watched as his brother stalked past him, though the feel of his wife's hand wrapping against his calmed his anxiety.
She inched closer to him as she wound their fingers together and lifted dismayed eyes to his. "I should have kept hold of my temper. I have gotten us into trouble."
The way she said 'us' lifted his heart more than her touch, and he lifted her hand to press his lips to it.
"Hey, Caligula." Stark was at the door to the inner chamber, snapping his fingers. "I'd come now, unless your plan all along was for Thor to have a heart attack."
With a determined look, Asrior moved forward, pulling Loki in her wake. And as they walked past the mortal, he pulled the door closed behind them, muttering, "What in the hell happened out there? You should have seen the look on Thor's face when…"
"I did see it," Loki grunted as he moved further into the room.
Thor was sitting at the head of a large table, still glowering. A nervous looking Jane sat on his right, while Alflyse sat on his left with Ortu the Quick on her other side. The others were standing before it—Fandral and Sif, who peeped at Loki and Asrior with undisguised curiosity, as well as the Midgardians. Cadeyrn was there too, in his mortal form, standing next to Hlin.
"Now that you have deigned to join us," Thor bit out, "we can begin. Queen Alflyse has many questions as to the battle in Svartalfheim, and-"
"Actually," the female in question interrupted, her smooth voice echoing over the Asgardian king's, "I have more questions as to the nature of the God of Mischief's marriage to the daughter of one of Svartalfheim's royal houses. I was led to believe that the union was not another of his tricks, yet the conversation I just heard painted a different picture."
"Overheard," Loki snapped.
Thor's face turned an impressive shade of puce, and Alflyse's eyes were like daggers as they bore into the god before her.
"You overheard a conversation that was meant to be private." Loki could not help the ire that filled him. "What happens in my marriage matters to no one except me and my wife."
Alflyse's fist hit the table with such force that the dark elf sitting beside her jumped, and leaning forward, she sneered, "Do not disassemble with me, Laufeyson. You are a prince of Asgard who is bound to the daughter of a high-ranking lord of Svartalfheim, so your marriage is my concern. Especially when that same lord ends up dead at your hands, and your interference threatens my throne."
Loki hardened his stance, returning her glare even as he ignored the pleased look on Thor's face at his obvious discomfiture.
"Tell me," the elf queen continued, nostrils flaring. "Is this marriage one of your tricks?"
Asrior's hand tightened on his as though to offer encouragement, and taking in a deep breath, he admitted, "It began that way. But it is not that way now."
Though the others around them had been quiet before, they seemed to freeze as they watched the scene before them.
"Explain yourself," Alflyse ordered, leaning back slightly. "And do not lie."
"You know of my accusations against Valtur, and that I had long sought to seek vengeance for his crimes." Loki began. "When he brought his daughter to court, I saw a means of achieving my goal."
The crown on Alflyse's head glittered as she murmured for him to continue.
It was beyond awkward to admit to his sins with so many present, it was worse to expose Asrior's pain to all and sundry. But even as Loki hesitated, his wife leaned into him, whispering, "Go on… it's best to tell her all."
So he took a bracing breath, continuing, "You know that Asrior disappeared from court. She fled her father—though at the time I thought it was a ruse on his behalf—and I followed her to a village in one of our lower countries. I knew that Valtur had put much of his wealth into her name as part of his bargain with Jerrik, and while she was there I… I tricked her. I befriended her and convinced her to marry. I told her it would be a political union that would unite our realms."
"You lied."
"Yes." Loki's voice was grim. "I lied."
"You did this for Valtur's money?"
"I wanted to weaken him, so taking his fortune was certainly a bonus. But I knew he would try to get his daughter back. I hoped to lure him to the lands I rule in the lower countries. I wanted to kill him."
"And your wife knew none of these plans?"
Alflyse spoke softly as she questioned him, but with each word, more steel filled her voice.
Loki pressed onward, bolstered by Asrior's presence beside him. "She believed the union was to be a real one."
"When did she learn otherwise?"
"The day after our joining ceremony."
"I am guessing it was after you consummated the marriage."
"Yes. After."
The frown that had grown on Alflyse's face deepened.
"The legalities had to be met for me to take Valtur's fortune, and I wanted Asrior at my castle in Ringsfjord, where I could control her movements. As soon as we were there, I told her the truth. And I left her there under the charge of my ward and came to court, where I plotted to lure Valtur to my lands."
The Queen of Svartalfheim took in a deep breath, and she appeared disturbed by all he'd told her.
"And you consorted with other women?"
"With one woman, once."
"And once you had your revenge, if you killed Valtur, what did you expect to happen to your wife?"
"I meant to divorce her."
"Knowing what such abandonment would mean? After taking her fortune?" Alflyse turned her stare to Thor, agitated. "Did you know any of this, King of Asgard? Your assurance after the marriage was discovered by my emissaries mentioned nothing-"
"My assurance was truthful," Thor defended. "I did not know of the marriage until you knew of it, for Loki told no one of his plans beforehand. And once discovered, I forbade him from divorcing her or giving her anything less than the respect a member of my house deserves."
"Is this why they remain married?" Alflyse's eyes narrowed, "Because you decreed it?"
"No!"
All eyes turned in Asrior's direction, for the outburst had been hers. And though she looked embarrassed, she kept her eyes fixed on Svartalheim's queen as she explained, "That was once true, but that is not why we remain married now."
"Explain."
Asrior opened her mouth, but Alflyse waved a hand imperiously. "Not you. I want to hear more from your husband."
Loki pressed his wife's hand against his side. "We stay married now because we chose to do so. Because we love each other."
"You went from using their enemy's daughter to loving her?" Alflyse looked incredulous. "You? Really? You forget that your reputation is widespread as it is, trickster."
"My reputation is not undeserved," Loki admitted gruffly. "But if you knew anything of Asrior, or understood what a miracle she is, you would not be so astounded."
The elf queen looked as though she were to speak again, but Loki pushed forward. "When I tricked Asrior, I assumed that she was no better than her father, a man she appeared to be entirely dedicated to. But I learned later, much to my horror, how wrong I was. About her…about everything. Asrior was more his victim than anyone. Valtur, you see, abused her; he used dark magic upon her, and he used a specific kind of magic that made it impossible for Asrior to tell anyone. And so she ran from him…"
"And you followed her and tricked her."
"And so I followed her and tricked her," Loki agreed. "But while she was in Ringsfjord, she was attacked…struck by a cursed arrow, and it was only after tending to the wound that I saw for myself what had happened to her at Valtur's hand. And I found myself bound by the same curse… I could not tell Thor, I could not tell anyone who did see the scars themselves."
Alflyse had appeared unmoved by his words of Asrior's abuse, but her voice hitched when she said, "Scars?"
"Yes," Asrior spoke again, explaining, "Hidden under my clothing. Valtur used a cursed whip most often, and he kept it trained on my back and legs. There are hundreds of them."
The queen sat back in her chair, eyes narrowing. "So you feel sorry for her? This is pity, not love."
"I do not pity her," Loki scoffed. "I admired certain aspects of Asrior—reluctantly, I might add—long before I knew the truth. And after knowing what she endured, I came to admire her strength and bravery. But I came to love her after seeing the unbelievable beauty within her heart. She is everything that I am not. She refuses to give in to hate and has more warmth and affection and joy in her than anyone I have ever known. I am in no way worthy, but I do love her, and somehow, she loves me in return."
"I do! I love him," Asrior spoke again, chin lifting. "And he deserves it…"
"I did not ask you, child," Alflyse began, words clipped. "And after what he has admitted to…"
But Cadeyrn stepped forward with an impatient huff. "He's proven that he loves the lass, and your continuing harping is doing nothing but keeping me from the meal waiting outside."
Asrior blinked in astonishment as she turned to stare at the other man.
Alflyse, however, pushed to stand, slapping hands on the table and leaning forward. "I did not invite you to speak, Cadeyrn of Avalon."
Loki heard his wife's gasp when she realized who the muddy haired man challenging Svartalfheim's queen was.
Cadeyrn, however, snorted and dared to roll his eyes. "Do I look like I fucking care?" Then he pointed at Loki. "Look, when Mischief here was on Midgard, we gave him a series of tests, and he passed them all. He doesn't feel pity for her, and it's not infatuation or lust. I've seen into his head, and he's in deep—and if that didn't make me a believer, seeing him take all of the pain from the beatings…"
"What do you mean, take the pain?"
It was Thor who spoke, and though the question was aimed at the otherworlder, his eyes were on his brother.
Cadeyrn lifted a shoulder. "What I said. We used a spell that…well, he said he would have taken all of the pain for her if he could, and so we allowed him to do just that. Every lash, every strike his wife had ever borne. He felt all of it, all at once."
"Every…" Asrior looked up at Loki, shocked. "Why?"
The fairie king spoke instead, directing his words to Alflyse. "He'd have done it again if we'd asked. I keep repeating myself, but he loves her, and any tricks he played on her are over and done with."
The Queen of Svartalfheim shifted, slowly moving to sit down again, her gaze sliding from Cadeyrn to Loki, and then to Asrior.
With an impatient grunt, the fairie scratched his stomach. "Can we finish this and fucking eat?"
Thor was watching Queen Alflyse. "What can we do to make this right? Loki has admitted to his trickery, but as terrible as it was, the person most impacted has forgiven him."
Alflyse's shoulders stiffened. "Valtur was most impacted, I would say."
"Valtur deserved to die for what he did to his daughter," Loki interjected. "I will not apologize for ridding our realms of his presence."
With a nod and a sigh, Alflyse turned somber. "No, I cannot defend him. But there are members of my court that I must appease, and the tricks which set these events in motion undermines any claim to legitimacy on your part." She drew in another long breath before swiveling to look at Thor, her eyes thoughtful. "This began with their marriage…if it had been arranged through our courts, what would have happened? I have not yet had to arrange such a union, so I am unfamiliar with the protocols."
Thor seemed to understand the direction of her thoughts, for he smiled slightly. "The marriage contract would have been negotiated between our two houses, though only Loki and Asrior would have signed it. Her father would have paid a bride price, but we would have offered a contribution of some sort to demonstrate Asgard's good faith in agreeing to the union."
"And the ceremony itself?"
"It would not be carried out in a backwater mining village and in secrecy," Thor said with slight edge as he eyed Loki again. "There would be celebrations leading up to the wedding in both realms, and the ceremony itself would be conducted in one of our palaces, with high-ranking members of both houses witnessing the union. And though Valtur had royal blood, Asrior is of a lower standing than Loki—so the ceremony would happen here."
"Well, given the fact that Loki recently murdered his father-in-law, I believe we can dispense with any celebrations in Svartalfheim," the queen mused, tapping a finger to her chin. "But I believe we can still start over. Beginning with the marriage contract."
"Do you mean…" Loki looked from the elf queen to his brother. "We are to divorce? And remarry?"
"No, not that," Alflyse smirked, waving a hand. "That would take entirely too long for my purposes. No… but the marriage contract can be amended so that Valtur's fortune stays on Svartalfheim, which will go a long way in appeasing the lords under my rule. There must be a public ceremony of some sort to sanctify your private vows. Tensions are high after Valtur's death, which was on our soil I might add…but he was feared more than admired, and I can avoid war if there is a legitimate marriage to unite our realms."
Jane, who had sat silently throughout the discussion, made a sputtering sound before asking, "A wedding? Arranging a wedding is difficult, but a royal one… It will take ages."
Asgard's king shrugged dismissively. "It needs to happen within the month, and if I order it, it will be done. Ortu can act on Svartalfheim's behalf in the initial contract negotiations, and we'll appoint a minister to work with Loki. Asrior can stay in his palace outside of the city while she waits…"
"Wait?" Asrior blurted, aghast. "What of Loki? Are we to stay apart for a month because of some charade you will force us to partake in?" She tore her hand free and stepped forward, fists on her hips. "We are already married, and I refuse to be parted from my husband for so long."
Cadeyrn snickered, while Loki coughed and put a hand on her shoulder to draw her back.
Thor, thankfully, looked amused. "I am tempted to keep you apart, if only to punish my brother. We have to take these actions because of him, you know. But I will allow Loki to visit you. From time to time."
Asrior muttered something rude under her breath.
Loki bent closer to her, rubbing her back as he realized he welcomed what Thor and Alflyse proposed. He loathed how their marriage had begun, and while this would not turn back time, it would allow him to make some amends.
"Come, elf, it won't be so bad. You have time to make up with Kagoq, and I… well, I would like to wed you properly, as you deserve, with all of Asgard as witnesses. Our marriage may be real, but the wedding was a farce."
She looked up at him, and the argument in her eyes faded when he whispered, "Please allow me to make this one thing right."
"Very well," Asrior agreed. And though she sounded reluctant, her blue eyes turned slightly mawkish, which pleased him more than she would ever know. "I will do it for you."
Notes:
I'm posting this a bit hastily (ie, I'm not sure if I've made all edits). But please know that all my thanks goes to labellafigura for taking time to my beta. We're both working around work and holidays and just life, and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the time she has given to helping with this fic.
Another quick note for now. There is one substantial chapter left (maybe two) and a quick wrap up. So two to three updates before this is officially concluded (though I may very well have one offs posted after). My goal is to have this complete between Christmas and the new year. I think I'm on track. The next update is almost ready to go to beta, and the rest is not very complicated at all. I don't know if everything from here on out is necessarily fluff, but I've put Loki and Asrior through the wringer, so I'm giving them a lot of happiness as we end this. Of course, Asrior and Kagoq, and Asrior and Sif, have a few moments ahead, but for the most part, there's sunshine and kittens and rainbows instead of cursed whips and pain.
Now, I'm not making promises on any one offs that arise. There's a lot of unexplored emotions, so we'll see.