Chapter One - A Deal's Been Struck
Maysa struggled to swallow the bite of dinner, which scratched her throat and caught painfully in her upper chest. She coughed, reaching for the goblet as her eyes grew wet from the resulting burn. After long gulps to clear the blockage, she demanded of her parents, "How could you promise this?"
Sovereign Antus, his elven features tight with importance, explained simply, "This marriage will give us a stronger position among the royal families and new trade opportunities."
"Still, I was not consulted." The sensitive tips of Maysa's pointed ears ached with the sensed betrayal. A rush of heat invaded her face as she shifted her accusing gaze to her mother, who at least had the decency to look a little guilt-ridden. "Why me?"
"Odin and Frigga spoke with us in length about each of our eldest daughters," Lady Silva said. "They chose you to marry Loki."
Along the great table, Maysa's twelve siblings watched with wide, sympathetic eyes. They knew their father's disposition and how rarely his mind could be changed from a course once he'd set upon it.
Maysa stared at her father's cold, unrelenting expression. "I have no say at all?"
"No. All has been agreed upon. You will stay in their palace through the summer and be wed on the first day of fall."
Angry tears blurred her vision as Maysa stood. They weren't allowed to leave the table without being dismissed, but she couldn't remain. Turning away, she strode out of the dining room with as much dignity as she could manage.
A cool breeze blew through the windows, carrying wonderful smells of baked goods and flowers as their carriage moved through the immense city. Maysa peeked up from her book, frowning at the overwhelming grandeur of Asgard. She had never traveled away from the elven homeland of Alfheim, but after the unsettling trip through the bifrost, and with her resentment at its height, it was easy for her to squelch any possible excitement.
King Odin and Queen Frigga met the carriage as it pulled up to the immense, golden palace. Both looked stately and intimidating, dressed in fine golden attire. The king was taller than her father, broad-shouldered and wore an eye patch on the right side. His hard, wizened features did relax some, though, as he greeted them.
"Your city is breathtaking and the weather so pleasant," Lady Silva said, looking around with carefree exuberance. "Certainly our daughter will appreciate being away from Zanjira's withering heat this summer."
Naturally this comment led everyone to look at Maysa, who clutched her new book even tighter against her front.
"What are you reading, Maysa?" Queen Frigga inquired.
"It's about Asgardian law," the girl answered, mindful to make temporary eye contact with the queen and speak loud enough to not be muttering.
"We thought it best that she include such topics with her usual studies," Sovereign Antus said. "She insisted on bringing a full trunk of her books from home."
Odin approved, mentioning that Loki also enjoyed reading and could be quite the scholar when a topic interested him.
"We will get to meet Prince Loki today?" Lady Silva asked, making a mild show of casting her gaze about in direct reference to his nonattendance.
"Of course," Frigga said with a dismissive gesture that failed to support the implied certainty of her words.
They toured several areas of the palace, including the library, which Maysa liked best, before sitting down to dinner in the royal couple's suite.
After at least an hour of the parents speaking about important matters (and Maysa talking as little as possible) the doors opened and a slender man with dark hair and narrow features strode in. He was saying something about the guards looking for him when his attention settled on their collective and he abruptly silenced.
Maysa noted that his black and green garments were dirty as if from days of travel. He also had small bits of what looked like hay in his hair. This man stared at her for an extended moment then scowled and attempted an escape back the way he'd come.
"Loki!" Odin yelled, his powerful voice resonating through the room. "Come here."
Prince Loki froze in the doorway, his frame tensing as he turned. "I'm not dressed to entertain guests, Father."
"You should have joined us hours ago and been properly attired."
"Yes, well—" Agitation laced his features. "—something came up."
Frigga rushed to make introductions, but when Loki didn't respond or step any closer to the table, Maysa's family didn't rise from their chairs. The queen got up, pulling Loki far into the next room. From her seat, Maysa could partly see them through the doorway. Their expressions grew angry as Frigga lectured and Loki argued back, both pointing in turn toward the dining room. Then Loki strode off, leaving Frigga to return to the table looking apologetic.
After dinner, Maysa wiped at her tears as she said goodbye to her parents on the steps of the palace. "Must you go so soon?"
"Everything will be alright," her mother said, offering too brief of an embrace to be comforting.
Her father said nothing, only leaned in to place a soft kiss on her forehead like he always did when his obligations to the sovereignty would be keeping him away from the family a while.
Though she desperately wanted to beg her parents to take her home, Maysa knew they wouldn't. She averted her gaze, staying silent as they boarded the carriage and it pulled away.
Frigga escorted Maysa to the family wing of the palace, indicating the entry into Loki's rooms in passing as they were to be neighbors. Two servants approached when the women cleared the entry of what was to be Maysa's suite. The girl, Sari, was young and merry, giving a bright smile as she was introduced. Igus was an elderly, distinguished gentleman who exuded competence and decorum. He greeted the elf with a respectful bow.
"Igus is Loki's servant," Frigga said. "I have asked him to assist Sari and yourself when needed."
Maysa nodded, but chose to say nothing.
She ventured in to explore the suite, which had been decorated in her favorite colors of black, white and silver. In the bedroom there was a large canopy bed, a decorative vanity and a study table beside an immense bookshelf and doors out to her private balcony.
"Sari will unpack those," Frigga commented upon entering the bedroom and finding Maysa eyeing her trunks to the side. "Is there anything more you will need?"
"No. The rooms are beautiful and adequate." Maysa turned away from the queen's probing gaze, prompting Frigga to take her leave.
Maysa spent a quiet night arranging her books. Sari tried to fill the time with friendly conversation, hinting that her mistress could confide her troubles. It was improper to speak ill of one's parents. So, Maysa sent the girl away, then climbed onto her bed to cry.
As requested, Maysa joined the queen for breakfast. Loki had been invited too, but chose not to appear. "Loki has a rebellious spirit," Frigga told her. "You should not take to heart his antics."
Maysa nibbled at her food despite the ache in her stomach.
"Though you might feel that we are all being callous," the queen continued, "we do believe that you two have much to offer each other."
Worried that her response would be inappropriate if she spoke from her heart, Maysa gave only a polite nod.
For days, Loki ditched every planned event together that his parents threw at him, and since Maysa wasn't searching him out, he easily avoided her as well.
At breakfast one morning, Loki's older brother, Thor, strode in, having arrived back from a campaign to free several villages of tyranny in some distant realm. Big and loud, but also friendly, Thor made quite a nuisance of himself asking Maysa questions about herself and her family.
In a moment of weakness brought on by his interest and attention, Maysa mentioned to him that she'd never learned to ride a horse and would appreciate the opportunity. Until her betrothal, not being allowed to take riding lessons had been the most vexing of her father's decisions.
"Loki often hides out in the stables," Thor confided out of earshot of his parents. "We will seek him out. Perhaps even go for a ride after breakfast before it gets too warm."
When Thor and Maysa arrived in the stables, they found Loki perched on a shelf at the back of one of the stalls, reading a small book nestled into his hand.
"Brother," Thor called out, "I am home!"
Loki looked up from the book to roll his eyes.
Thor chuckled at this reaction. "I return after months away, and bring you the most charming young woman, yet you will not even smile. Have you truly been so terribly treated in my absence?"
"You have no idea." Loki jumped down from the shelf, kicking his feet through the hay and muck as he approached. "If this alliance with Alfheim was that important, Father would have chosen her to be your wife. Then you could listen to her sob for hours into the night."
Thor gave Maysa an apologetic look then frowned at Loki. "She is your intended. If Maysa is missing her home, you should be near to offer her comfort and distraction."
"She is my punishment." He glared at Thor and Maysa in turn. "What have I to gain from this marriage?"
Feeling the burn of his words deep in her chest, Maysa looked away from his piercing blue eyes, which, if not for the intensity of his anger, could have been beautiful.
"If we weren't in Lady Maysa's presence, I would rightly teach you a lesson in manners," Thor threatened. "We are off for her first riding lesson. Put away your book and come be helpful."
Loki continued to glare.
"Come on," Thor coaxed. "You've been out here more than I as of late. Tell me which of the horses is best tempered." Starting down the aisle, Thor didn't notice the way Loki's features brightened just then and the edges of his thin mouth curled up ever-so-slightly.
"Sundancer," Loki suggested, stealing a glance at Maysa before following after his brother.
Thor saddled and bridled the muscled white stallion then led him out of the stables. Maysa followed with Loki lurking behind, narrowing his eyes every time she cast her gaze back at him. Maysa didn't trust Loki and wondered if Thor had any suspicions.
"Umm, Thor," Maysa expressed, "maybe I could watch someone ride him first? He's awfully big."
With a soft chuckle, Thor agreed. He climbed into the saddle, trotting Sundancer around a bit. "See. There is nothing to fear."
Again Maysa looked over at Loki, but he pretended not to notice her gaze.
Thor climbed down to give her a boost onto the saddle. "I'll walk him around," Thor said as he handed her the reins. "Try to get used to his movements."
Though Maysa was obviously very nervous, everything seemed to be going well, until she realized she couldn't see the younger brother.
"Where's Loki?"
Thor released the bridle as he turned in search.
A loud hiss arose in front of Sundancer, causing the stallion to rear up and Maysa to tumble out of the saddle. The horse bolted, leaving the stunned girl a half-dozen feet away from a thick black snake slithering forward through the grass.
Maysa screamed, fighting with her battered body and tangled skirts to scoot away from the serpent.
"Loki!" Thor yelled, grabbing the snake by the back of the head. "How could you?!" He tossed the snake several feet away and rushed to Maysa's side, telling her not to move while he checked her over. Thor's examination, though necessary, was more hands-on than Maysa was accustomed to and made her blush all the way up to her ear tips.
"Nothing is broken," Thor decided, his inquisitive touches having reached her toes, "but let us have my mother look you over a bit closer." As he carried her toward the palace, there was no sign of Loki or the snake.
Tucked into bed with medicine on her bumps and bruises, Maysa tried to study, but had a terrible headache, which soon forced her to give up. "I want to go home," Maysa confessed to Sari with a sigh soon followed by a sniffle. "Prince Loki wants to kill me."
Sari rearranged her pillows in an attempt to get Maysa more comfortable, but was drawn away by a knock on the suite door.
Thor's voice carried in from the corridor. "Loki would like to apologize to Lady Maysa."
Loki didn't appear willing to do any such thing. Thor grasped Loki by the back of the neck as they entered. He pushed the younger brother toward the bed then followed behind to keep him in line with his threatening eyes.
Preferring that Loki not see her in that moment of weakness, Maysa wiped at her eyes and tried to sit up, which was a big mistake because the pain in her back and neck flared, causing her to wince.
With Thor prompting him with hostile looks, Loki made only a mild effort to stop his spreading grin. He said to her, "It is regrettable that you were injured by my inopportune shift in form."
Thor cuffed him up the back of the head. "Try some sincerity. You purposely put her in danger."
Loki leered and bit back his words, replacing them with, "It was cruel of me to take my anger out on you. I'm sorry."
Maysa felt unsure on how to take his apology. She doubted he'd offer anything truly heartfelt on the matter. "I am being forced to marry you," she said, using a harsher tone than was her nature, but conveyed her current feelings. "Unless you can determine a way for us to get out of this mess, kindly keep your devious ways to yourself."
Her assertive words surprised both Thor and Sari. Even Maysa was impressed and enlivened from standing up for herself.
Loki nodded, keeping his gaze low. He tried to turn away, but Thor blocked his path.
"That sounded like an invitation to leave to me," Loki said, attempting to be witty.
Thor shook his head, his eyes narrowing.
Loki turned back with a sigh. "Is there anything you require? Something I can help you with, my lady?"
"Actually," she told him, coming to a quick decision, "I am unable to read my books."
Thor offered, "Then he will read to you."
Loki rolled his eyes, but picked up the discarded book on the blankets for inspection. "You choose to read this?"
"Well, if I'm to live here now, shouldn't I learn about your customs and such?"
He flipped through the pages, choosing not to answer.
Thor gestured to his brother before strolling out. "I'll be back for you in an hour."
Loki found the marked page and sat in the bedside chair. He started to read, using the most bored tone he could muster, but after a while he seemed to forget to be grumpy and put some feeling into the task.
Maysa admired how smooth and wonderfully melodic his voice could be and recognized that he was obviously well educated because he didn't stumble over the bigger words at all.
In no time, Thor returned to collect his brother.
Loki marked the new page and dropped the book on the bed, acting agitated and eager to leave. In fact, he was already out her door when Maysa thanked him, and possibly didn't hear her at all.
In a few days, Maysa was well enough to be out of bed and moving about the palace. She joined the family for breakfast, feeling a tinge of regret when Loki didn't attend. So, after eating, she decided to stroll down to the stables to see if he was hiding out there. She didn't see him, but took the opportunity to visit Sundancer for a little while and make nice. Climbing up on his gate, Maysa reached out to pat his head.
"That's surprising," Loki said as he approached, carrying a book.
"Why?" Maysa asked. "You think I'm holding a grudge?"
"Not for the horse, I see."
Maysa considered him, unsure what to make of the comment. "You apologized. I forgave you days ago," she said in earnest.
"Oh." He looked down at the book in his hand then slowly held it out to her. "Here. I thought you could use some reading material that was a bit more lighthearted." He watched her closely as Maysa climbed off the gate and took the volume. "It's just a collection of children's stories," he said. "For some reason, it was still in my private library."
"Thank you. When I finish it, I promise to return it to you."
"No. No. You can keep it or give it away. I don't care." Loki fidgeted, avoiding her gaze, then turned and started away.
"Loki?" Maysa called, and to her surprise, he halted, looking back. "I still want to learn to ride the horses. Will you help me?"
He made a disbelieving face which morphed into annoyance. "You are serious?"
"Yeah. Why? Am I not supposed to ride?"
Loki chose not to respond, promptly leaving her presence.
"He hates me!" Maysa complained to Thor the next day when Loki didn't come to the family breakfast again. She was feeling confused because he gave her a lovely book with fables to read, but was back to hiding from her.
"He has his moods," Thor tried to explain. "We can only force so much out of him. Our parents want him to marry you. So, of course, he must protest."
"Is it going to help change the king's mind?"
"Not at all."
"Then I'm doomed."
Thor offered a reassuring smile.
With some contemplation, Maysa admitted with a sigh, "I want to like Loki, though — sometimes."
Days later, on a whim, she took her storybook out to the stables to spend hours reading on the shelf where Loki so often sat. It was both a warm spot, but with a nice breeze to help with the smell of the place, which was probably why Loki liked it so much.
"Waiting for me?" Loki asked, startling her as he peeked up from behind the gate.
"Uh, no... actually." She held up the book so he could see the cover. "Just reading."
He hesitated, thinking something over then strolled away.
Choosing to seize the moment, Maysa jumped down and chased after him. "Wait! Please?" she begged, struggling to keep up with his long strides.
"What do you want, girl?" he snapped, halting as she neared.
She skirted around to block his path. "Spend time with me."
"I'm not your nursemaid. Have I wrongly assumed that you can take care of yourself?"
His harsh words stung and Maysa fumbled over her response so long that he growled and sidestepped to continue across the grounds.
"Stop blaming me for this!" she pleaded, continuing to chase him. "We're getting married in the fall, and I know nothing about you."
"I knew I shouldn't have given you that book," he said with a low growl. "I don't need you following me around like a heartsick puppy." He turned on the spot, causing her to run into him. He grabbed her arms, leaning close and looking enraged. "Listen well, little elf. I might have no choice about marrying you and fathering your children, but no law can ever make me love you."
Maysa pushed him away as a flood of hot emotion overtook her, stunning her sensibilities and hindering her thoughts. She threw the storybook at his feet as if to punish it for beguiling her into thinking Loki could be any less a monster to her. She ran for the forest, not wishing to see or talk to anyone right then. As she suspected, Loki didn't follow.
For hours, she wandered and contemplated, trying to cheer herself with the tranquil surroundings. Only when night loomed did Maysa decide to head back to the palace. She hurried along until a short, wide form stepped out of the trees at the bend to stand in the path. The bulky, black-skinned fellow had a long and bushy, smoke-gray beard and fiery-orange eyes. When he grinned at her with rotting, pointy teeth, Maysa realized in horror that he was a Dark Dwarf and, according to the fables she'd read in Loki's book, they had a tendency toward evil acts.
He started toward her, his large hands clenched into fists and hunching forward as he picked up speed. Maysa bolted to the left through the trees, haphazardly navigating the uneven terrain while trying to sneak peeks over her shoulder to gauge his position. He was surprisingly quick and agile for his shape, but Maysa had the advantage with longer legs and fear flooding her system. Yet, with each passing minute of the pursuit, daylight and her endurance waned.
She jumped the low river in one leap, managing to land on the upper bank and avoid what would have been a tiring, muddy climb. Then something heavy dropped down to cover and tangle around her body, causing her to stumble amid the exposed roots of the adjacent tree. Maysa screamed and flailed within the net as the dwarf sauntered up, looking pleased that she'd fallen into his trap. He gathered the ends of the net and dragged her deeper into the forest.
After a while, they came upon a cave in the hillside where he met up with two other Dark Dwarves. "We will get a handsome price for this one," he told them in the dialect known as Under Common, which was a variation of the ancient tongue. "She is a Light Elf. So rare in the Nightmare Realm."
One of the other dwarves peeked through the net at Maysa, examining her with his penetrating eyes. He traced her cheek with his cold, dirt-caked fingers then raised them to his bulbous nose to sniff.
"She smells young and virtuous," he declared and licked at his thick lips with a black tongue. "What a grand prize indeed."
They carried Maysa farther into the cave and through a shimmering wall of energy, which turned out to be a portal or doorway of sorts. The group emerged atop a tall mountain of jagged, dark stone with few trees. There the night had progressed to its blackest and the temperature felt much colder than expected for the summer season.
"Where are we?" Maysa demanded, but got no answer.
The dwarves flung the net over their backs and descended along the rocky trail. They entered another cave, making what proved to be a long trek down into the mountain. In the torch-lit tunnels, their group encountered various unusual and spine-chilling creatures also traveling into the mountain's depths. Finally they entered a vast cavern where a grand city of hodgepodge dwellings had been built. Monstrous passersby gawked and glared at Maysa with malevolent and sometimes hungry eyes as she was carried through the tight, twisty streets. Nauseating smells attacked her delicate senses as well as a mixture of languages. She held her nose, yet tried to take in as much detail of her surroundings as she could.
The dwarves took her to a large building near the center of the city where grotesque, armored creatures blocked their passing. A few coins changed hands before they were admitted beyond the doors. They turned onto a wooden ramp that led down into the bowels of the structure. There amid the gloom of low-burning lanterns, Maysa saw rows and rows of occupied cages. Desperate beings of all sorts stared with hopeless gazes as her captors lugged past.
Outside one empty cage, Maysa was dropped and dumped from the net. She scrambled to her feet only to be grabbed and tossed into confinement.
"Be careful!" the Dark Dwarf who'd captured her barked, pushing his face against the bars to give her one last look-over as the door swung shut and the key twisted in the lock. Then with a satisfied leer, he headed off, waving his companions to follow.