Loki grinned at the woman sleeping in his arms. She was so adorable like this. So beautiful before she'd ever woken at all. His hand on her back curled on its own. Loki traced a finger along her delicate spine, then back up to her neck. When that didn't rouse her, he brushed her hair from her cheek and stroked a thumb there. "Time to wake, love."

"Mm." Nancy smiled sleepily at the feeling of his fingers brushing lightly over her skin. She remained with her eyes closed, enjoying the sensation. "No. I like laying here with you." To emphasize her point, she snuggled closer, burying herself in his side.

Loki traced his fingers over her delicate backbones again, relishing in the feeling of finally having her in his arms. "More than you like surprises?"

"Mm-hm." Nancy cooed as a shiver traveled down her back and goosebumps prickled on the surface. But, wait… he'd said something about a surprise. She slowly opened one eye and glanced to her lover. "'Surprises'? What surprise?"

"Well if I told you," Loki laughed in the middle of his thought. She really was too eager and adorable. "It would cease to be a surprise."

Reluctantly, Nancy sat up and snuggled back into the pillows, using them to support her still-sleepy body. She stretched just as slowly, knowing full-well what he thought of her bare form. With a teasing glare, she finally looked to Loki again. "This doesn't involve another one of your snakes, does it?"

Her glare intensified but retained its playfulness as she remembered the last encounter she'd had with one of his snakes. One of the larger ones had managed to slip under the covers one night while they… enjoyed themselves. Flailing and falling out of the bed while still tangled together was the worst part. Everything ended up on the floor: Nancy, Loki, snake, sheets, and all. The scramble that ensued between Nancy trying to both get out of the sheets and away from the snake was priceless and hysterical. "I swear, Loki Odinson, if one more snake climbs in this bed, I'm out. Indefinitely."

"No. No snakes, unless you want them." Loki smirked. Oh, that was an idea. He'd have to think through that one. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Get dressed and I'll show you."

Nancy narrowed her eyes further, still suspicious, but did as she was told. She climbed out of bed, her movements slow and precise, as she realized he was still watching her.

The golden morning sunlight caught the various shades of red and orange in her hair, intensifying them and setting them ablaze. As she moved past the bed and toward her wardrobe, a gentle breeze blew through and caught her hair. Slowly, her hair swept up and slid over her shoulder, revealing her pale, smooth neck. She turned, then, and began gathering her clothes, her back to her lover. Soft, gentle curves were illuminated by the golden sunshine, every movement ringed in light.

Finally, after many minutes passed, Nancy finished dressing, clad in her new usual: golds and greens that by design brought out her best features. She turned to Loki again, smiling at him, as she ran her fingers through her amber locks in an effort to tame them. "Now, darling, what is this surprise?"

Loki leaped from the bed in a flurry of sheets and sweet anticipation. His disheveled hair smoothed as he stretched his arms and magicked his clothes onto his body. Useful when he'd much rather watch her dress than move from his spot. "Allow me to show you." Loki pulled the door open and beckoned her with one open palm to precede him into the hall.

Still wary of his intentions, Nancy made her way out the large, shining doors. She stopped in the hallway and turned to look at him, waiting for him to lead the way.

The idea of a surprise both thrilled and frightened her. What did he have planned? And why had he let her know his plans before he revealed them in their fruition? It was hardly his style. Typically, he would never reveal he had a surprise for her; he would just give it to her, as he'd done with the dress and collar. What made this surprise different?

Loki hesitated before he opened his palm again and presented it in her direction. He hardly expected her to take it, yet he waited beside her in anxious anticipation of what she might decide.

Nancy smiled at his offered hand and took it gently, twining their fingers together. As their love grew stronger and deeper, he revealed new sides of himself she'd always longed to see. To have him offer his hand, not as a show of chivalry but as an act of love, was one moment she'd longed for since her arrival on Asgard.

"What's with you this morning?" Nancy laughed, holding his hand tighter and drawing him closer, "It must be something big."

"All my surprises are big." Loki winked saucily. She knew better than to give him an inch's worth of innuendo. His mischievous side couldn't resist it. Nor did he want to. Her blush was so pretty.

With a practiced ease borne of years inside the palace walls, Loki led Nancy through hall after hall, corridor after silent corridor. The palace was nothing if not quiet in the mornings. He stopped beside the garden door and gently pulled it open.

He couldn't bring himself to speak a word as he pulled her farther and farther along. Toward the maze. Through its corridors. What if she didn't like this surprise? What if he blundered again and pushed her away? He didn't think he could bear her fear after all he knew of the precious woman.

Nancy moved closer to Loki, holding his arm with her free hand, as they made their way through the twists and turns of the labyrinth. The last time she was here, that poor guard betrayed her into the hands of her kidnappers. These same paths had hidden her and allowed their scheme. But now… now she was safe in the care of her lover. He would never allow her to be harmed and would do all he could to protect her. Though she still had a twinge of fear about where he was taking her, Nancy knew she could trust him with her very soul.

"I'm glad you're leading me." she finally commented, glancing around at the tall walls of shrubs and trees, "I'd get lost in here by myself."

"I am glad you allow me to lead you." Loki came to an abrupt stop before the final turn. He wanted it to be a true surprise. One he could control the moment of reveal for. So he looked down at the beautiful woman on his arm, let his smile light his face, and requested one last impossible feat of confidence. "Now. Close your eyes."

Another act of trust. Nancy studied him for a moment, taking in his smile and playfulness. What did he have planned? Reluctantly, she decided to play along and closed her eyes. "I'm warning you." she laughed, "No snakes. Or birds. Or anything that would jump out at me."

"Oh, hush. And no peeking." Loki tapped a single finger against her nose to the beat of the last three syllables. It was now or never. He held her hand atop his arm and circled the very last turn into the spacious, quiet corner of the garden his mother designed for such times as this. He stopped in plain view of the grand display before them.

Nancy stopped when he did, moving ever closer to him. He would always be her strength and support. After a few moments passed, she glanced toward him, her eyes still closed. "May I look now?"

Everything seemed in order. The kitchen must have prepared all of it as he directed. Loki let out a small breath of thanks to the loyal servants and smiled. "Yes. Now you may open your eyes."

When she opened her eyes, Nancy found a grand display of breakfast foods and steaming dishes filling a large banquet table. A golden tablecloth embroidered in Asgardian symbols swished lightly in the breeze as it hung from the corners of the table. And there, in the center of it all, large white flowers intermingled with pink roses and golden branches. It was all so beautiful.

"Oh, Loki. This is wonderful! Thank you!" Nancy engulfed him in a strong, loving hug. "It all looks so beautiful. How did you know pink roses are my favorite? And what's the occasion for all this grandeur?"

"I really cannot do anything nice without being questioned about it, can I?" Loki chuckled at the incessant questions. He should have known. She, above all, would question everything. He shook his head as he surveyed it all again. It was too much. He just knew it.

"Because everything you do has a reason." After a moment, Nancy finally forced herself to pull away from him and went to sit at the table. It all looked so good. Where to start? With biscuits and jam, of course. She began serving herself immediately. "Well, come sit." she laughed, glancing to Loki.

Loki laughed again. So bossy, even when she wasn't the one in charge. He really couldn't win either way with her. He snatched an apple from the buffet and flopped back on the grass, using one arm to support him.

Nancy turned and raised an eyebrow at him. "There are other chairs, you know." She shook her head with a grin and munched on one half of the jam-covered biscuit.

Loki bit off a large chunk of the apple and sighed softly. "I much prefer this vantage point." He smirked up at her. There were reasons he enjoyed reclining against the grass beside her. Like... Loki toyed with the hem of her skirt, rolling the soft material between his fingers.

"You scoundrel." Nancy teased, her mouth full. She swallowed and quickly crossed one leg over the other. "Come and sit at the table like a proper gentleman."

"Absolutely not." Loki only grinned wider. She had such aspirations for him. Adorable, really, to think she could change his nature. "This is also a good vantage point from which to watch your reaction when I tell you something else."

"Oh, gosh." Nancy took another bite and rolled her eyes. "I knew there had to be a reason." After she finished chewing, she swallowed and turned completely to face him. "Alright, what is it?"

"I've decided to remove the sleeping curse." Loki shrugged a shoulder and bit off another third of the apple. She might hate him, but he had to do what he felt right.

Nancy blinked, stunned, and leaned sideways against the back of her chair. "Why? I thought you liked having power over me." She quickly checked her mistake and smiled at him, lest he change his mind. "But I am grateful for it. Thank you."

"I've decided, that's all. I do enjoy having power over you, but I am quite sure I can find other ways to do so."

"Oh, I'm sure you will." Nancy laughed, grabbing her plate and standing from her chair. The table suddenly didn't seem nearly as pleasing as the spot next to him. Within moments, she was perched on the grass, leaning sideways against him. "You're right. This spot is better."

Loki flicked at her skirt once she'd settled beside him. He liked seeing her legs, and exposing them was so easy in her current attire. He smirked at the long expanse of leg. "Yes. I agree."

"Not now." Nancy blushed, pulling her skirt back down, "I'm eating." She picked up a sweet roll, then, and caused happy memories to flood back into her mind. Memories of the sweet roll he'd given her in the cell. Of him licking her fingers and the sensations she felt. Of their kiss and the nasty trick he played on her afterward.

Loki flicked the panel of her skirt away again. "Oh please. You've more than likely shown more leg than this wearing your Midgardian short trousers. Humor me."

His words and actions quickly brought her back to the present moment. "You mean shorts? I don't wear shorts." Stubbornly, Nancy pulled her dress down once more.

"Whyever not? Your legs are splendid." He immediately moved the panel aside again.

It was a lovely compliment. Fine. He could look at her legs if he wanted. Nancy allowed the dress to remain off to the side, exposing her legs to the warm Asgardian sunshine.

"Not where I come from." she continued, chewing slowly and thoughtfully, "In case you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly a twig."

"Of course not! What do trees have to do with your legs?" Loki rolled his eyes as he reached for a pheasant wing off the table. What a ridiculous thing to say.

"It's a metaphor." Nancy rubbed at her temples with her free hand. She had to remember they had different idioms here and he didn't understand hers. "It means I'm not thin. And where I come from, the thinner a woman is, the prettier she is." She took another bite of the sweet roll and licked at a drop of frosting that was slowly creeping down her wrist. "Some women choose not to eat at all to be thin."

"Well, that's ridiculous." Loki tore into the pheasant wing much too violently, but he hoped she didn't notice. He didn't like when she put herself down like this. "All women have their own form of beauty. Each are beautiful in ways the others are not." He chewed and swallowed as he thought about what he said. "Except hags, of course."

Nancy chuckled. "Of course." She smiled at him, admiring her lover and his unique outlook on life. "That's a wonderful way to view the world. I wish more people shared that opinion."

"As do I." He tossed the bones back onto the platter. "Are you going to finish your meal?"

"I'm trying. I don't scarf my food like some people." Nancy shot him a mock glare and popped a bite of bacon in her mouth. "What's the rush anyway? You have somewhere to be?"

"No. I had just noticed you stopped eating." Loki shrugged and as nonchalantly as he could snatched a roll from the tray next.

Nancy narrowed her eyes at him, studying him. How strange he was acting today. "What does it matter if I eat or not? Until recently, I survived off little more than apples."

"And now I have come to the conclusion that eating is good for you."

"How quickly you change your mind. I wonder why." She narrowed her eyes further, staring him down.

Loki didn't know how much longer he could hold up the pretense that nothing was wrong. "Darling, I change my mind almost hourly. The hour has simply come for me to change my mind on these subjects."

"Then I'd better eat now before you change it back again." She quickly finished her piece of bacon and started in on some roast meat. After a moment, she looked at him again. "Will you ever change your mind about me?"

"I have set my decision on that. Once you are mine, I do not let you go."

Nancy frowned and looked down at her plate again, her appetite suddenly gone. "You let Maija go." Her words were nearly inaudible as she set her plate off to the side.

Loki waved a hand dismissively. A completely different subject. A completely different woman. "She was never meant to be mine forever."

"Oh, and I am?" Nancy looked at him again, desperate to know his answer. "Your lover forever?"

"Yes." Loki dropped his smile at her tone. He hated seeing her upset like this. "And do not ever forget it." He sat up abruptly, remembering part of his reasons for bringing her here. "Oh, I almost forgot. This is for you. I've modified it." Loki flicked a wrist and produced a gold cuff bracelet.

Nancy frowned and studied the golden metal. She had promised him she would wear another token in exchange for the collar being removed. Her eyes lifted to his again. "Will it shock me if I try to take it off?"

"No. It will not. If you try to take it off, it will simply immobilize you and summon my attention. The same as if you wander too far."

Nancy gave a small sigh of relief. At least it wouldn't shock her again. "Fine. If I must." She sat up and pushed the sleeve of her left arm up to her elbow, revealing a large, dark patch of skin about three inches above her wrist. The discoloration was a deep shade of red with wrinkles and hard edges, the nerves dead and all feeling gone. Despite her new healing abilities, her skin in this area never returned to normal. The damage was done long before she was turned Asgardian. "Just no more scars, okay?"

"I assure you, there will be no scars. The same as before, you will feel your limbs held fast, as though they are made of something heavy, and you will not be able to move or proceed. That is all." Not only that but it would shield her if anyone tried to attack her again. He couldn't bear the thought of leaving her defenseless.

Nancy gave a humorless laugh. "All the better in case more guards try to kidnap me. They'll take me away like I'm just a plank of wood."

"They will not. Not ever." Loki finished the roll with a flourish and smiled at her again.

Nancy glanced down to the metal again, resigning herself to her fate. "Am I still confined to the palace?"

"For now. Until I find Skaldi." She was upset. He could tell. Loki traced a finger from her elbow to her fingertips in an attempt to cheer her up or calm her down. "If I thought it safe elsewhere..."

"I know. It's fine." She forced a smile and reached up to caress his cheek with her free hand. "I'd rather have the bracelet than the collar."

Loki's heart hurt at the way she looked at him. As though he put her back in that cell and sicced her transgressor on her all over again. "But you still do not like it."

Nancy sighed heavily and dropped her hand down to his shoulder, then his arm. "No. I don't. I'm just not a fan of being confined. Or having some sort of monitor on me." She reached out and folded his hands in hers. "But I know it's only so you can protect me."

"Would it help your conscience if I place a similar device on Maija?"

His words genuinely surprised her. Why would he put his lovely Maija through this torture? Nancy couldn't hide her shocked expression. "Why would you put one on her?"

Why wouldn't he? Weren't they both in trouble? Perhaps it would make her feel more secure to have Maija under the same surveillance. "To make you feel better, as I said. Because she is in danger as well. I would, of course, make hers summon Fandral as well."

"Would hers cause her to become paralyzed if she wanders too far, as well?"

"Unless I spend time thinking on another way to immobilize her."

Nancy frowned deeply. "No. I don't want her to have to go through that." This was her punishment, not Maija's. Maija was shy and obedient. If they asked her to stay put, she would. Nancy, however, knew she would not. "Maija is free; she doesn't need to be confined." With a deep breath to gather her courage, Nancy held her wrist out for the bracelet again.

Loki still didn't understand why she was being so very odd. He only wanted her safe. Why must she make it seem as though he made her prisoner all over again. "Very well, then."

Nancy glanced down to the metal, noting the red patches that peeked out here and there from under the jewelry. Gilded or not, it would still confine her. Still keep her from going where she wished or doing what she wanted. "No. Maija doesn't need one of these. If you want to put a tracker on her, that's your business, but don't immobilize her." Maija was too sweet and beautiful to have something so horrible placed on her. Once again, Nancy was reminded she was not, truly, Asgardian. She was not noble or brilliant or graceful. She wasn't a goddess. Nowhere near it. She was only… herself. And that's all she would ever be.

"As my lady wishes." He ruined everything. He could tell. She never wanted this, but for the life of him he couldn't decipher what was so wrong with wishing her safe and well.

Nancy looked up at Loki, noting his choice of term. 'My lady'. A term of endearment, yes, and an expression of his love… but still showing possession. She was still his. Nancy forced another smile. "I, myself, on the other hand, belong to you. You may track every footstep as you desire."

This wasn't how he anticipated the day ending. He wanted to hold her and remind her how he loved her, but she looked at him as though she barely knew him. "If the rebels had no power, I would not put you through this."

He wouldn't put her through this. Right. She had the bracelet long before the rebels attacked. He gave it to her on their trip to the library, to ensure she did not stray. Rebels or not, she would always be bound to this bracelet, the same as she'd now always be bound to him.

"It's fine. Probably for the best, anyway. Wouldn't want me straying away." Nancy nearly spat at him, her words laced with bitterness. "We have things like this on earth. For criminals. They help keep the crooks bound to their homes. Because that's the worst kind of prison. False freedom."

"I did not want... I do not mean..." Loki pursed his lips and shook his head. This was not the same woman he woke up next to this morning. This woman was cold and detached, resigned to fate instead of enjoying a lover beside her. He didn't like it when she did this.

"It's fine, Loki. Humans crave subjugation anyway, right?" It was then that Nancy noticed a deep feeling of pain and sadness, deeper than her own. She looked up at him and saw the pain in his eyes. The same pain she now felt in his heart. He was truly only trying to protect her. Because he loved her. "I'm sorry. That was mean. I know you're only trying to protect me, darling. Forgive me."

Nancy wrapped her arms around him and kissed him slowly, silently begging for his forgiveness. It would take her time to learn to fully submit to him. Perhaps she never would. But now… now she wanted to. She wanted to please him and make him happy. She'd do whatever she could to make things right.

With a smile, Nancy slowly pulled away and stood, holding her hand out to him. "Come here, my love. Let's go for a walk."

But she didn't mean any of it. She felt as caged as he had been for years. She wanted freedom he could not afford to give her right now. Loki sighed, nodded, and stood to his feet. There was no way to explain it to her that would make it better. Perhaps she would never fully trust him.

Noting his still-sad mood, Nancy lifted his hand to her lips and softly kissed the backs of his fingers. "This is a beautiful morning." she whispered against his skin, then slowly lowered their hands back down to her side. "And breakfast was delicious. Thank you."

Loki chuckled halfheartedly. "I feel as though I ate ten times what you consumed, but you are quite welcome."

Nancy's smile was genuine this time. "With the way you eat, you might have. I've never seen someone finish an entire pheasant in under two minutes until today."

"Child's play!" Her playful demeanor lightened his mood somewhat. Loki laughed softly and ventured a solicitous glance over her face. "You truly enjoyed it?"

Needing to be closer to him, Nancy did a small twirl until his arm was draped over her shoulders. She leaned against him, not caring if it made her walk a bit sideways. "Yes. It was a wonderful surprise." As they walked, she looked up at the ancient, winding tress and the beautiful birds scattered throughout. "What else do you have planned? I recall you said 'surprises'. Plural."

"I hadn't really thought that far." Loki shrugged. It wouldn't end the way he originally planned, but he had plenty of time to tell her.

With a grin, Nancy stood on the ends of her toes and whispered in his ear, "I can think of something we could do." She smiled at him, then continued on, letting him think on it a while. "So, have you had any luck finding the rebel leader? The sooner we find him, the sooner we can focus solely on us."

"Sadly, no. I had hoped to find something, but no."

"Oh." She looked up at him again, needing his full attention. "I wish you'd let me work. I want to help with this. I feel so... useless just sitting around in your room."

"I must find him myself. It is something I feel I must do... Do you understand why?" The last thing he wanted was to upset her again, but he feared his desire to bring the man to justice would do just that.

Nancy scoffed. "Because you're ticked he stole your tricks and used them against you."

"No." Loki shook his head and looked away from her. It was so much more than that. It was so much deeper a need than she realized. "That is not why at all. But, you were saying something, and I interrupted. What was it?"

This time her sarcasm had gone too far. She could feel it. Nancy, in disregarding his need, caused him to shut down and change the subject on purpose. Her guilt strangled her, but it was too late. He'd changed the topic and buried his emotions deep inside. She longed to apologize, but the time had passed. Instead, all she could do was move closer and lean against him again, holding his hand tighter in an effort to show her love. Perhaps he could feel her emotions and could tell how guilty she felt for casting his need aside.

"It's just… sometimes I feel like I can't be myself here." Nancy whispered, still sorrowful, "Do you remember how I was on earth? Bold, courageous, witty... it's all gone now."

"You are very bold. Courageous. And witty. Even now. It is not gone. You've simply hidden it."

"And why do you think that is?" How could he not tell what his rules and commands had done to her? "Every time I try to do something I love, for some strange reason it's forbidden."

"May I remind you of the multiple times you've decided to take over my conversations and make decisions for me?" Somehow, it amused him that she couldn't see what she constantly attempted. She always needed to be in charge, and though he tried to subtly teach her it could be pleasurable to follow once in a while, she would not yet buy it.

"I've never... name one!" Nancy stepped away from him, a bit agitated by his new mood. She crossed her arms defiantly across her chest. "I've never done that."

Loki folded his own arms in an exaggerated modification of the move she made. "The sheet the morning Maija and Fandral came. The conversation directly thereafter... I believe that is two instances, no?"

"Uh… well, I… But, you see…" He did have a point. She was beginning to take charge again. "Well, a king should not receive company in his birthday suit!" she huffed, pouting at the fact he was right once again.

"I still do not understand your sayings..." Loki stretched out an arm to wrap it around her. She was too adorable to ignore, really. His lips brushed against her forehead. "But you are quite adorable when you stick your lip out as such."

Nancy chuckled and finally relaxed. He was so sweet and kind. How could she stay angry with him? "Oh, fine. I guess you win. I'll leave you be and let you find him yourself. But, if I might make a request, I want my library privileges restored. At least give me that."

Loki sighed dramatically, finally coming back to the playful mood of earlier. At least she didn't seem angry with him anymore. "If you insist. But I cannot promise to always be in a good mood when I find you there."

"I know; it's your escape, too." Nancy tucked her arm through his and leaned against him again. "I'll try to keep my papers contained to one or two tables, if I can. And maybe… if you'd like… one of these days you can help me with my translations." She smiled up at him, her face illuminated by the sun peeking through the shade of the leaves. Ever since she began her translations, she'd sincerely hoped he would help her. It was one activity she'd always wanted to do with him but was too shy to ask.

"I do not know if I should take you up on that offer. I so adore watching you attempt to translate on your own."

"Attempt? All this time and I'm still getting it wrong?" She sighed heavily. "I'd appreciate your help. It's very rare I ever ask for it."

Loki shook his head and grinned at her. She really had no idea, and she'd been trying so hard, too. "You've misplaced five of the letters in your alphabet translation."

"That many?!" Nancy's eyes widened. She'd never misplaced so many before. "Oh," she groaned, "It'll take years for me to figure out which ones on my own. And just when I was moving on to full words, too."

"Yes, well... I thought perhaps I ought to tell you before you mispronounce something horribly and insult – Valhalla forbid – a nobleman or some such person."

"Oh, like you?" Nancy laughed, pushing him gently. "Who would I ever speak to anyway? You're the only person I ever talk to."

Loki grinned at her, the gleam in his eyes sparkling brighter. "There are always the feasts."

"Yes. The feasts. Where I'm up at the throne, sitting at your feet, still only talking to you."

"You do know how to dance now." He shrugged nonchalantly. "What if someone requests a dance?"

"Would you let whoever asks dance with me?"

"I don't know. I might."

"Fine. But, who would? They all know I belong to you."

Loki smiled tenderly at her. She was so insecure sometimes. Whether she belonged to him or not—and there was little doubt she did anymore—any noblemen could surely see the treasure hidden inside her. The beauty both inside and out. She defied comparison. "Any man would be lucky to have you as a partner."

His words were so sweet, so sincere. Nancy glanced away, smiling brightly, as a blush rose to her cheeks. In an instant, she looked back at him, a new idea forming and causing a mischievous glint to rise to her eyes. "Well... who said I would let him dance with me? I won't dance with just anyone." Her smile widened into a grin.

Loki's grin spread. He liked the direction this conversation was taking. "Oh? Who would have to ask for you to dance with him?"

"A man who captures my attention. Who is brilliant beyond all others." She gazed lovingly into his eyes, holding his gaze with her own. "Who sweeps me away before anyone knows what happened and always comes back for me."

Loki chuckled to himself and stared thoughtfully off into the space over her shoulder. He might as well toy with her while she was in a good mood. "Hm... I shall have to keep my eyes open for such a person at the next feast."

Nancy's grin widened, and she leaned closer, dropping her voice to a whisper. "Oh, and he must be handsome, too. Very handsome. And love words just as much as I do."

"I cannot imagine what such a specimen would look like..." Loki clucked his tongue. "Surely he would be a fearsome specimen to behold. Perhaps somewhat intimidating to those who do not know him..."

Her lips neared his, and Nancy could feel his breath on her cheeks. "There is only one man I will ever dance with." She kissed him softly, teasingly. If he wanted more, he'd have to come get it himself.

In a second, Loki locked his arm around her waist and tugged her flush against his chest. He loved holding her this close now that she'd allow it. "A shame, too. What a waste of natural talent."

Nancy pulled away playfully, her laughter ringing through the ancient trees and winding branches. "Oh. Well, then. I suppose I'll just have to dance with every man except you at the next feast. Would you like that better?"

"That has yet to be seen. Perhaps I would allow it..." Loki pulled her back and wrapped his other arm around her so she could not escape this time. "Perhaps."

"Fine. Then it's decided." Nancy buried her face in the side of his neck, content to stand that way with him forever. "I shall dance with every man at the next feast. Every man who asks me."

Loki arched a brow in acquiescence, knowing in the long run, she would be his forever. Today may not be the day to tell her of what he had learned, but the day would come soon. He only hoped she forgave him once the truth came out.

Nancy smiled and snuggled down into his shoulder, savoring the feeling of his arms around her. How far they'd come… together. "I love you, so very much." she whispered, pulling back just enough to gaze into his eyes once again. After everything they'd been through, she'd never had a chance to thank him for saving her. Or bringing her here and loving her so intensely. "Thank you, Loki, for all you've done for me. Not just for breakfast this morning, but for everything. I know I haven't always deserved it, but I appreciate it… you… all the same."

She hugged him again, holding him to her, and refusing to let go. Let the rebels come. Let them try to take him from her. Nancy was bound to him now, her soul tied to his. And they could never, ever be separated again.