Loki had offered her water knowing they were both exhausted. She had turned her head away with a sniff and he realized his error. She must be too tired to change. He shook his head to himself and created a bowl, edging it next to her to make it easy. Watching, he smiled when he sensed she could not resist. Once she was settled again he looked at her paw. She needed a quick healing, nothing serious but better to be safe than sorry.

He found this half mortal interesting. She had surprised him on more than one occasion today during their spar. He had the wound on his thigh to remind him she was not to be underestimated. He had also felt her real power once he had pushed her. It flowed off of her so freely it had surprised him that she hadn't used any magical tactics. He found he was glad he had confronted her now. She had a bite to her personality that suited him.

He noticed as he took her paw in his hand she tensed and moved slightly. Her delicate paw was soft and warm, her fur silky where it wasn't matted by blood. The pad was slightly calloused from what he assumed was years of running. After his inspection he lifted his eyes to meet hers. What he saw first surprised him. Excitement had flashed through her emerald eyes and his eyebrows knitted ever so slightly. Her perceptive nature must have noted his hesitation because pain, worry and confusion quickly followed before she began to wriggle under his grasp. He wondered briefly if something had happened to make her so afraid of others or if it was just him she feared. Still holding her paw he treated her like a wild animal that had been spooked staying calm and steady.

"Hold still" he commanded as Ashera began to twitch.

He held his hand over her cut and a dim green glow emanated from it. Her paw tingled but once the light faded and he removed his hand the laceration was healed. She looked at it giving it a few licks to be sure it was gone. She tilted her head at him; he still sat next to her in the field.

"Let me guess," Loki said as he lay back in the grass, "Why would I heal you?" That is your question is it not?" He looked at her from where he lay. Closing his eyes again he answered before waiting for another gesture from the wolf. "I think we could get along quite nicely you know."

It wasn't really an answer but it told her more than she had known for sure since arriving in the field that day. She had her suspicions, but now she knew he defiantly wasn't trying to hurt her. She still wasn't sure what he wanted but at the very least she could trust he had no ill intent toward her welfare.

Ashera finally found the energy to change back; she had a few things she wanted to say. But right after she changed Loki spoke.

"I'll make you an offer," he stated, "I think you have a lot of untapped potential and I would absolutely love to assist you in finding it."

"How do you know I can do more?" Ashera questioned trying to keep the anticipation out of her voice, everything else forgotten for a brief moment. She had always felt she could do more but with no one to guide her she faltered only being able to learn the simplest of spells on her own.

"I can sense it, as I suppose you may be able to as well. I will help you learn as much as you can."

"And in return?" she questioned suspiciously.

"You must indulge me," he said now smirking, eyes still closed, "join me at the castle on occasion. I feel it could benefit me having you around."

"Cryptic" Ashera said her eyes darkening, "I am no fool Prince. What plan of yours am I to be a part of?"

Loki sighed; it looked like she was not going to be easily swayed. "As you well know I am not of high standing in this court, at least not anymore and certainly not while Thor is to gain the throne." He paused still lying in the grass he looked to her face to gather her reaction. She looked skeptical but waited patiently for more of an explanation. "There is more to the story than you may know." He admitted reluctantly, "New York was an… unfortunate series of events. Father wanted me locked away but my only crime was that I had fallen prey to another. THAT is why I am not in a dungeon. That is also why I think you could help me." His silver tongue attempted to persuade her.

"So you're trying to use me to gain favor? Or is it power and terror you seek?" Anger seeped into her words. She was feeling disappointed at her earlier eagerness and confused by his proposal. Was he asking her to be his pet?

"I don't think I can help you Loki, I am no trophy hound." She snarled a bit at the words. "Besides, this is supposed to be a secret. I don't want everyone knowing I'm a" she paused clearly hurt by her own thoughts on the subject, "a monster."

Loki suddenly snapped up to face her, "And why do you think that?" his accusing tone startled her. His eyes never wavered from hers. They held an anger she was unfamiliar with. It was so intense it worried her a little. His lips held in a thin line as he continued to stare, his rage clear behind his eyes.

"Why do you care?" she countered throwing her hands in the air. "If terror isn't what you seek what am I going to be able to do for you that no one here can? Don't you already have servants?" She attempted to shift his anger still not sure what had triggered it. "I'm still not convinced I can help you at all." She concluded cautiously. She had no idea what he was planning.

"Well for one, you are right I do not need help terrifying people. Second, I may understand more than you think." His anger eased but his eyes stayed hard and trained on hers. "Lastly, I feel you are already more understanding than most, not to mention accepting. Perhaps you can help to persuade my family…" he paused as if he was trying to find the right words.

Ashera looked away, she knew what he was after and he was right. It went against everything she should stand for but she couldn't shake the feeling that Prince Loki, God of Mischief and Lies, was not as bad as his past suggested. How Loki thought she could convince his family of that, she wasn't clear on. She sighed as a light breeze tickled her bare skin. Her eyes snapped open realizing she never changed into her clothes. She had been completely naked while arguing with a God. Her hands went to cover herself as she tried to hide. Loki, whose eyes had never strayed clearly knowing what her reaction would be simply stood up and strode over to her bag. He threw it in her direction and stared into the woods keeping his back turned so Ashera could dress in peace.

Once dressed, Ashera approached him timidly. "Umm" she cleared her throat, "Thank you, Prince Loki, for being such a umm… gentleman." She was blushing furiously, thoroughly embarrassed yet again.

Loki glanced over unperturbed, "Of course my Lady." He responded; one eyebrow rose before turning his gaze back to the woods.

"So," Ashera started, "How would this work? You never did get to the details…" It was her attempt at making amends. Besides if all he truly wanted was to be accepted by his family she couldn't fault him for it.

Loki stood still for a moment not speaking. Finally he looked over at her; his mood seemed to have changed yet again as he smiled stiffly. "I will teach you what I can." was his only response.

"You can't…" Ashera tried to argue but Loki waved his hand and she was suddenly on the sidewalk in front of Jane's lab.

Ashera cursed him silently and stamped her feet. She was drained and had very few answers. The only thing she knew for sure? That was not the last she would see of the God of Mischief.