The Deal

Once I acknowledged that this shape shifting wench barged her way into my current residence of Jotunheim and had already bewitched the council along with my estranged father with her fabricated tales of bravery; I was forced to reconsider the brash impression I acquired of this young woman the last time we crossed paths.

I honestly should have been cleverer about concealing my tracks last I met her. This brunette beauty with butchered locks appeared to be out for blood with her fingers clutched onto her sword's dragon handle while she graced me with a polite bow of the head.

Not a soul in attendance would suspect her to be my murderer if I'm found slaughtered in my own bed by sunrise; what a smart witch to conceal her true emotions. I could be accused of being ungentlemanly at our last encounter.

I presented her with a charming smile and requested the pleasure of kissing her hand; she in turn followed my lead and relaxed the grip on her sword. I played the part of the royal stranger to perfection and this witch made my job far easier when she cooperated.

A week passed yet we shared little to no time together which suited me rather fine. However even with our limited encounters we managed to leave a mark of intrigue and curiosity on the other that was evident to every other person present.

Naturally I did my utmost to avoid the woman whenever possible. I attempted to drag my piercing gaze away from her once she was around. I also isolated myself to one of the few studies in this forsaken realm; yet still! Still for some incomprehensible reason this self proclaimed princess Morgana had seen it fit for her to come uninvited to my bedchamber at such a scandalously late hour.

The situation was absurd. I leapt out of bed in the nude and searched in the dark for my leather trousers to be decent enough to open the door and shoo her away. She couldn't have truly believed that she, an unwedded lady, would find a sudden visit to an unmarried man's bedchamber was welcomed, could she?

To make matters even more compromising she had forgotten to don her hideous male-inspired wardrobe that fit her like a potato sack that she usually wore, or the ugly mudded boots she insisted on during her entire stay in Jotunheim.

No, she had another outfit in mind for this unexpected appearance in my private chambers. She had a lavender gown that fitted her like a well crafted glove and slid slightly off her shoulders. Her scent was intoxicating and though her hair was short it was brushed to the side.

I won't be foolish enough to claim I could deny her womanly charms or her seductive smirk. I regarded her with veiled contempt and pondered over the droplets of information I knew about the witch that stood at my doorway.

From what little the door didn't hide of my body she looked me over from head to toe and gave an approving yet subtle grin.

"I'd offer you entry to my scandalous chamber but my tainted reputation might rub off on you, princess." I said with a challenging raise of my brow.

She allowed a smirk to escape her somewhat controlled features as she walked past me and into my room. Her soft fingers lightly brushed against my cheek. The contact with her skin, though chaste in nature, excited me none the less. This should be fun for the time being, I had thought.

"I'm surprised to hear you warn me. Loki was it?" She asked as if my name was an after thought.

I crossed my arms over my chest and let an unimpressed sound leave the back of my throat. I was well aware that she had inquired about both my magical abilities and daily habits from my staff of servants. Her act now of indifference, though convincing to others, wasn't anything more than a game that cats and mice played.

"Why would my warning surprise you? I am a gentleman after all." I answered with a hint of playfulness to my tone.

She lazily crossed the small distance between us and leaned in to whisper. "My mistake then, since I concluded you were proud of your bad reputation and only wished to add to the list of villainous acts, dear mischievous Loki."

My thumb gently lifted her chin up to face me. I stared into her orbs of ice to my heart's content. I selfishly basked in her undivided attention. It had been months since a woman I deemed attractive allowed me this closeness.

"Oh, but I am. Some might say perversely so." My words a caress along the sensitive skin of her lips.

For the first time that night she beamed such a grin that it bared her teeth and I witnessed a spark in her eyes that wasn't there before.

"Do forgive me but your true name must have slipped my mind during our first meeting."

"Well, it isn't in my nature to carelessly offer my name . However since you brought up that night, I need to know. The wench appearing was your doing, was't it? You wanted to send me on a baseless hunt."

I gave a mischievous smirk.

"It did serve its purpose. Wouldn't you agree? The illusion pulled your attention away from me."

She traced a finger along my jawline then allowed herself a childish grin.

"What a clever trick."

"I take it you appreciate tricks?"

"More than you'll know." She answered, then took a step back.

"Is Morgana your honest name?" I spoke with curiosity to my voice.

"It is." She replied softly.

I closed my eyes and inhaled her scent. The exact scent that drove me mad all those months back. I suddenly pulled myself together, not permitting her to haze my mind with her charms.

"I'm well aware when my services of chaos and mischief are needed, so don't disguise your visit here to be that of pleasure. I know it is purely business that you seek."

Morgana Le Faye head flew back when she laughed at my statement. Her fingers slowly caressed up my skin and intertwined in my raven locks then twisted them gently.

"Loki, are you so blind to my intentions? I won't lie, I do need your services; however," she brushed her lips against mine to whisper, "I still want to aid you. I saw you at your most vulnerable in the woods and that left a tint on my harsh heart." She tapped where her heart rested in her chest.

I grabbed at the back of her neck and glanced into her beautifully calm orbs.

"Speak plainly witch. What is it you're after?"

She lifted her chin defiantly then lowered my hand from the back of her neck. I stood tall and gazed down at the woman.

"If our roles were reversed and I was the man you wouldn't doubt that I desire you for my own selfish want; but since I'm a woman you assume like any man that I intend to manipulate you and use you or even humiliate you." She sneered as she spoke.

"You're insulted." I said shocked.

"Of course, I am! I finally pursued my desires, not those forced upon me by my family or advisors, and you reject me!"

The raw emotion laid bare in her look and her words. She turned on her heel and took to exiting my chamber. I followed her and pulled her back to my chest and heard the faintest sound of a sob threatening to erupt from her. I kissed the temple of her head.

"I need an ally, now more than ever. What do you offer me?" I questioned her while she took a deep breath.

"I'll be your eyes and ears outside these walls. I'll report to you of the happenings in the others realms, Loki. I'll be your mistress when our bodies seek each other's company." Morgana told me her last sentence in a hesitant voice.

I placed a line of soft, velvet kisses along the side of her face and cheek, then answered."I accept all that you offer me, Princess but I won't take a mistress."

In my arms I felt her body stiffen and I chuckled against her ear.

"Does my heartbreak satisfy you, villain?" She said venomously as she tried to break free of my strong grip.

I stood behind her, cascaded the bare skin of her neck with warm kisses. My affections sent a faint shiver through her body.

"Listen to me you stubborn, witch. I won't take a mistress because I wouldn't want a bastard to my name. If you'd accept me as your husband, then we have a deal."

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