Lilith awoke slowly. The throbbing agony in her head had subsided, but she still felt weak and woozy. Thankful the pain had gone she turned her head and stretched; A tangle of black hair lay on a pillow next to her. She froze mid-stretch. Loki.
What was it he said?
That's right, this was his room.
He had carried her here.
Another thought crossed her mind. She had passed out within seconds of her head hitting the pillow. He could of have done anything to her while she was unconscious. Hesitantly, she reached down under the furs, and breathed a sigh of relief. She was still clothed. She stared at the man lying next to her. Laying on his side facing her. His eyes were closed, and his shoulders moved slowly and rhythmically as he breathed. Her eyes drifted down. The furs lay halfway down his chest and her heart sank. His chest was bare. shit she mouthed as she watched him. Glancing from Loki to the door, and back again she wondered if the guards would still be outside and what her chances would be if she made a run for it.
His eyes opened. "Hello, pet." Lilith sat bolt upright in surprise clutching the furs to her chest.
"Has the pain passed?"
"it has, thank you." She answered nervously.
"Good," Loki said flatly. "It would seam that portal travel does not agree with you."
"Where am I?" Lilith asked.
"My quarters," he answered bluntly as he rose to a sitting position. The furs slipped from his chest and pooled around his waist. Lilith swallowed nervously. "Before we go any further, I require you to bathe."
"Excuse me?" Lilith responded.
"The smell of dried vomit and old sweat isn't an attractive scent."
"Oh," she said quietly. Suddenly realising how bad she must smell, she hadn't washed for two days, or was it three? She had no idea how long she had been asleep wearing vomit stained clothing.
"You will find everything you need though there." He motioned to a door. Lilith hesitated.
"Go, bathe." His voice was firm, still a little husky from sleep. "leave your clothes by the door, I will have someone bring you fresh ones."
Lilith nodded and stumbled from the bed. Almost tripping as she did so. His eyes followed her every movement as she made her way for the door.
Once inside Lilith searched the walls for a window, anything big enough for her to squeeze through. Last time she had climbed out of window she was a teenager sneaking out when she was grounded. But she was out of luck. There was no window. In fact, there was nothing but the door she had come through. She sighed, defeated. She took in the room. The word bathroom failed miserably to describe this place. It was lavishly decorated in green and white tiles. Elaborate designs decorated each one. Black intertwining snakes decorated the dark pipes underneath the white sink. the taps themselves shaped into a single black scaled snake head, green stones for their eyes glittered in the candlelight. She suddenly realised she hadn't lit any of the candles that burned brightly from a tall candelabra in the corner of the room. Again, that seemed to be made of black intertwining snakes, their jaws holding each candle, again green gems represented their eyes. The candles had lit themselves, almost by magic, but there was no such thing as magic. Right? Well, that's what any sane person would have thought.
Lilith, however, was beginning to think otherwise, she had been dragged through a strange portal and taken to another part of her world, and unknown to her at this particular moment in time. she was on another world altogether. The toilet was pretty much the same as the sink, white with black snake detailing. She sighed and her eyes turned to the bath, and then widened. the word bath failed to describe was greeted her. Three steps led down into a huge sunken bath which was tiled in white. A black snake with green eyes decorated the sides of the bath. Two coiled snakes, black as obsidian served as taps. This Loki really had a thing for snakes she thought. A row of ornate cut glass bottles lined the floor next to the snakes. The candlelight casting strange reflections in their uneven surfaces. A tall mirror stood in one corner. Gingerly Lilith touched one of the snakes. She stepped back in surprise as the head slowly rose from its coils, dripping water from its mouth into the bath. The other snake repeated the same motion. Lilith sighed and opened one of the bottles smelling its contents, a faint scent she couldn't place. She poured a little into the bath, scented oil she deduced. Lilith opened another and sniffed that to. This one smelt familiar to her, Vanilla and cinnamon, she poured that into the bath. Almost instantly, a layer bubbles begun to form on the surface of the water. Lilith returned the bottles to their places and shed her smelly clothes. Loki was right, they did stink. Pretty badly to. She left them on them on the floor by the door, she untied her hair and stepped into the bath. The water was warm and felt wonderful on her skin. She moved to the back of the bath, for some reason uncomfortable with her back to the door. It didn't take long for the bath to fill. Lilith found herself standing and touching the snakes again to the stop the rise of the water. Returning to her spot at the back of the room Lilith reclined against the wall, closing her eyes, enjoying the aroma of the oils and the sensation of the warm water as it lapped over her shoulders.
"Good."
her eyes shot open as Loki spoke. "you smell better already." He stood at the edge of the bath completely naked. "I will have breakfast sent up soon."
Lilith's eyes widened as he stepped into the suds. She instantly scooped up some bubbles and covered herself, and averted her eyes, trying to hide her crimson face. "Not accustomed to bathing with another I see," he stated dryly
"Not really, no."
"Well, you best get used to it,"
"Excuse me?"
"Because little pet. This is now your home. I brought you here to be my little toy and I am not accustomed to bathing alone."
Lilith started at him in shock.
He leaned against the wall and regarded her with a smirk.
They sat in silence for a while Loki slowly washing himself while he motioned for Lilith to do the same. Lilith finally found her voice,
"Why did you take me?" She quavered. "There were loads of women prettier than me, why me?"
Loki chuckled.
"I have my pick of pretty women. there are women in Asgard so beautiful, they can bewitch a Mortals very mind," he tapped the side of his head as he spoke. his lips formed an arrogant smile. "And those very women fall at my feet whenever I give the word. I did not come to Midgard searching for a trophy. Nor did I come to Midgard looking for a willing servant to dangle of my arm."
"where is Midgard?" she asked confused.
"It's what we call the realm of mortals... Your realm."
"My realm? I don't understand."
"Your world. Your world is Midgard and my realm, the realm of god's is Asgard."
"I see."
Loki leaned backward into the water, washing his hair. She watched him and waited for him to finish.
"What were you looking for?"
"You."
"I don't understand,"
"You will," he winked. Now dry yourself. There will be clothes brought for you." Lilith waited for Loki to step out of the bath and leave the room, before doing the same and drying herself. Wrapping a towel around her body Before leaving the room.
Thankfully Loki was now partially dressed. Bare chested but Sporting Loose grey trousers. He motioned to an ornate chaise lounge. Upon which was draped something green. "your clothes." he stated. "I hope they... ahem... are to your taste." Lilith investigated the garments and sighed. It was a dress. A long, pale green, silk dress. Reluctantly she returned to the bathroom and slipped the dress on. Unaccustomed to wearing items as opulent as this, she turned to the mirror and gaped. She looked like some kind of medieval princess The garment was almost medieval in its design, simple pale green silk that pulled in at her waist, secured with a leather forest green belt. It was sleeveless, with a sweetheart neckline. The hem brushed the floor as she moved. Feeling out of place in this garment Lilith emerged and loki nodded his approval.
"Very good." He smiled. He took in her hair, long damp strands framed her face. "You could almost pass for an Asgardian."
A light knock at the door, interrupted them.
"come." Stated Loki.
The door opened and a young woman entered carrying a tray. She was dressed in a tan and gold peasants dress, her shoulder length hair hung in neat plats either side of her head. She looked like a medieval serving wench.
"Breakfast, my lord." She kept her head low, avoiding his gaze and placed the tray down on a table, and promptly left, closing the door behind her.
"Come," Loki said flatly. "eat with me."
Lilith stared at him and briefly contemplated refusing him, but her stomach had other ideas, gurgling loudly. Loki gestured to a high backed chair opposite him. Upon the tray were three plates. The larger of them loaded with what looked like bread rolls. Steam drifted lazily from a tall lidded jug. Loki poured some into a tall green cup. Lilith couldn't help but inhale the familiar scent. "I believe you mortals call this coffee." He placed the cup in front of her as she sat. "thank you?" her attention turned to the Small buns the size of her first, coated in what she could only guess was some kind of Coloured icing. Loki grabbed a bun coated in blue and took a large bite. He noticed her confused expression and spoke "I've been told they taste like your cinnamon buns." He took another large bite.
She reached for a bun, dripping with pink icing. She placed it delicately on one of the plates. Loki's green eyes watched her as she took an unsure bite. She chewed slowly licking the sweet confection from her lips. Loki was right, it tasted exactly like a cinnamon bun, but with the warning sensation of mixed spice. Loki smirked as she took another bite.
"Good, aren't they?"
She nodded, "I don't recall them tasting spicy though."
Loki shrugged. And grabbed another bun. They ate in silence for a few minutes. Lilith quietly taking in her surroundings. Loki's 'quarters' were pure opulence. A large window draped in green and black velvet let in what she assumed was daylight. The first thing that pulled her attention was his bed. It was huge. Green sheets draped with grey and white furs, now rucked up into a heap, unmade from the night before. The table she sat at with loki made from black wood and carved with snakes and vines. A wooden wardrobe stood near the window, the window itself a large alcove in the wall, a wooden seat scattered with green and black cushions beneath it. The perfect reading nook for the heavily laden bookcase next to it. Lilith sipped at her coffee and closed her eyes savouring the taste. Loki cocked his head to one side and made a repulsed face. "I do not understand why you mortals enjoy something so bitter."
Lilith shrugged. "I like it."
"with no cream or sugar?" he gestured to her cup. Lilith shrugged again.
"lots of us start the day like this," she offered, "helps to wake you up. Besides," she drank From the cup. "it helps to counteract the sweetness." She gestured to the sweet buns.
"you don't like them?"
"its not that I don't like them," she answered quickly, the last thing she needed to do was insult her captor. "I do like them. I just prefer more savoury foods." She licked her lips nervously, aware of the pink icing still upon them. His myrtle eyes showing amusement at the movement. "would you require a Napkin perhaps?"
Lilith nodded. "please." His intense gaze unnerved her.
He extended his hand, a nearly folded cloth appeared in his upturned palm.
"Thank you." She hesitantly took the offered napkin.
"how do you that?" she asked.
"Magic."
"but..." she began than closed her mouth.
"But?" Loki quirked an eyebrow in question.
"But what?" he pushed the question.
"Magic doesn't ... It isn't..." she trailed off.
"Isn't real? Surely you know better?" he opened his hand. Green light danced around his fingers. Her eyes widened as she watched. She sat back in her chair, scared but curious at the same time. The light evaporated and was replaced by a small glowing snake that coiled around his thumb.
"I am a god." he stated. I can assure you that magic is very real." The snake reared up, hissed and disappeared. Lilith junped at the sudden movement and dabbed at her mouth, attempting to hide her fear.
Loki picked up another bun, this one coated in yellow icing.
"Your afraid of me, aren't you?"
Lilith nodded. "A little."
He chuckled. "i won't hurt you." He winked. "much."
Lilith swallowed. She did not miss the innuendo in his words.
Loki leaned back in his chair, an arm causally draped on the table. He finished his pastry before turning to Lilith again. "so, Pet. Do you have a name?"
"Lilith."
"Lilith." Her name rolled of his tongue as he repeated it. "Lilith, The first woman. The first wife to Adam. A she demon. The wife of the devil himself."
Lilith cringed. It sounded so cheesy coming from his lips.
"The first witch." he added. "according to your Midgardian religion's. At least."
Before Lilith could respond another loud knock sounded at the door.
"Loki! Your presence in required!" a loud masculine voice could be clearly heard from the other side. Loki sighed loudly and rolled his eyes.
"loki!" the voice again. Louder this time. "wake up!" followed by more loud knocking.
"I am awake Thor," Loki growled.
"Then put down your wench and answer the door!"
"Thor?" Lilith asked. Distant recollections of Norse mythology returning to her.
"hold your tongue brother!" Loki snapped suddenly. Lilith started in response.
Loki rose and made his way to the door.
"What is so important that you have to come banging on my door so loudly?" he grumbled opening the door.
"Farther requests your presence. Have you forgotten what today is?"
"I have not."
"Then put down your doxy. And attend our farther."
"I will come brother, but choose your words wisely." He warned. "i will arrive shortly." With that Loki closed the door.
"Was that... Thor? The god of... Thunder?" Lilith asked slightly confused.
Loki nodded. "yes. I apologise for his rudeness."
Lilith stared blankly at him. "he called you a doxy. You are certainly not one of those. I'm afraid I need to leave for a while. I will be back soon. Please don't try to escape." He warned. "my guards will still be posted outside. In the meantime, I will ensure that you are taken care of." She couldn't help but shudder at those last words. Loki shimmered green for a fraction of a second and his attire had changed. Gone were his casual trousers. Now he wore dark leather trousers, leather boots and a long green tunic. Lilith stared open mouthed.
"magic," he said. "now I must leave you."
Lilith watched him leave.
She waited. Then tried the door.
Locked.
Just as she had expected. Standing on the window seat she studied the window. No luck there either. She was well and truly trapped inside this room.
Sighing she resigned herself to her fate. She searched the bookshelf for something to read. Choosing a thick book with a leather spine she flicked through the pages and sighed in, it was writte disappointment n in a language she did not know. She returned the book and picked another. Again the strange writing upon its pages. Fast loosing hope of something to break up the boredom Lilith's fingers skimmed over another book, this one with a golden spine. Upon the cover a large wolf chasing a human, she idly flicked to the centre of the book and was relieved to see the words in English. Written in an old style of writing but still eligible. The title inside the page read fairy tales and legends. Lifting her legs beneath her she perched on the window seat and opened the gold backed book.
Captivated by the story, Lilith lost track of time. She deduced she had dosed off at one point as she awoke to find the plate of sweet buns had been replaced with a platter of meats and breads. A pitcher of sweet smelling liquid and a crystal glass next to it. Lilith ate her fill, still entranced by the book. She returned to her seat by the window and continued to read.
Loki smiled when he saw her. Curled up on the window seat. A heavy grey fur from his bed wrapped around her shoulders. Liliths head rested on one hand, Her eyes closed as she dosed. The glass placed on the floor and One of his favourite books lay open on wooden seat in front of her.
Loki watched his 'guest' as she napped. He suspected she was putting on an act. That there was something she was hiding. In fact he knew she was hiding something. The twin daggers he had found on her when he had brought her to Asgard seamed so out of place for a woman who acted the way she did. A mischievous grin crept across his features as he watched her.
He would set a trap.