Author's Note: it's been a long while but I've had huge personal issues lately. Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers. I will try to get the next chapter out as soon as possible!!

Dinner arrived courtesy of The Grandmaster with an invitation to brunch the next morning. Loki sent their acceptance while servants delivered tray after tray to the dining room table.

As soon as the servants had left their chambers, Jane converged on the trays, lifting the domed covers to discover the elaborate dishes beneath.

"I still have no idea what I can eat and what I can't," Jane's stomach growled while her mouth watered as the aromatic herbs and spices filled the air, "I hope I can eat whatever it is that smells so good though."

"Smells like a roast pheasant of some variety," Loki peered over her shoulder, "You should be able to eat anything here."

"Oh good because I'm kind of starving," Jane shrugged a bit bashfully.

"Please. Sit. Eat," He smiled at her as he pulled a chair from the table for her.

Jane smiled brightly as she took the offered seat. Loki sat beside her and began pouring wine from a large carafe.

"The smell..." Jane licked her lips, "It's heavenly."

"You'll like this. The Grandmaster serves it regularly. There must be an abundance of them on Sakaar, or they are cheap in trade," Loki served her a roasted poultry leg from the tray. He stopped as he sensed her confusion, "What?"

"You're serving me," She shook her head with a wry smile, "It's not what I would expect."

Loki searched her thoughts for her expectations and saw Thor breaking glassware in a diner. He rolled his eyes, "At least one of us was paying attention when Mother defined the princely graces."

Jane chuckled openly, "I take it Frigga would not have approved."

"Definitely not," Loki declared certainly while lifting a lid off of another tray and serving Jane a portion of roasted vegetables, "For one thing, on Asgard, a husband serves his wife the wedding meal as a token that he will always provide for her."

"I'm kind of independent in that way," She replied firmly.

"I said it was a token," He repeated, sensing her sudden apprehension, "You can do anything you want to do, Jane. If you wish to continue your work on Earth, I won't love it but I'll live with it. If you decide you want to explore the cosmos, we can do that too. I would never try to stifle your passion for knowledge."

Jane knew she was beaming from his reassurance as she picked up a knife and fork. She started poking at the poultry leg clumsily.

"Darling, I may be a prince but even we find there are some foods best eaten with your hands," Loki demonstrated by lifting a leg to his mouth.

She laughed softly before taking a bite herself. The poultry was similar to duck in texture and closer to turkey in taste.

"It's odd that I know exactly what that tastes like just by your musings on the subject," Loki cast a smile towards his bride.

Jane broke apart a roll of bread and dipped it in a butter like substance, "That is so good."

"We have very similar tastes I think," He agreed as he repeated her actions.

"What is your favorite food?" Jane inquired as she continued to sample various dishes.

"A roasted gourd of Vanaheim. Mother would have them imported and prepare them herself. She said no Asgardian chef would ever prepare it correctly. I looked forward to the days she would cook them," He recalled fondly while filling their wine glasses, "And yours?"

"I'm not nearly as decisive as you are. There are different categories. It's hardly fair to compare my favorite poultry dish with a perfectly cooked steak. And then there things like snacks. You can't really compare them. I have favorites for each category."

Jane stopped rambling as she sensed Loki's amusement at her complicated answer to his simple question. She licked her lips from the last bite of food before speaking aloud, "I told you I ramble."

"It's oddly endearing," He affirmed before offering his wine glass in a toast, "Here's to finally having someone to understand."

"To being understood," Jane agreed. Just before their glasses could touch, she withdrew hers slightly, "To belonging..."

"To belonging," Loki searched her eyes as he continued, "To love."

"To our love."

They both knew they should touch glasses and finish the toast. They also both knew their draw to one another was undeniable.

Loki brushed his lips against hers and was delighted when she deepened their kiss.

"We are supposed to be drinking to our love," Jane thought casually while sucking gently on her husband's lip.

"We'll get to the wine," He replied in his thoughts as he darted his tongue along hers, "Eventually."

She hummed against his mouth which only served to encourage him. She fumbled until she was sure her goblet was upon the table. The moment her hands were free, she threaded her fingers through his hair as she luxuriated in his kiss.

Loki placed his goblet upon the table and immediately wrapped his arms around his wife. How this mortal woman had become his entire world in the space of a day remained a magical mystery, but it was one he was thrilled to enjoy.

Jane felt enraptured by his emotions and his awe of their bond. She felt the same emotions of her own. And yet, it was all amplified. She began to wonder which were her feelings and which were his. Would it always be this enrapturing? Or would this amplification of emotions last forever?

He broke away from her lips as they caught their breath questioning her in his thoughts, "Must you try to understand everything?"

"Have you met me?" Jane bashfully smiled.

They chuckled together before Loki offered a goblet to her. He gathered his own as he spoke aloud, "To our love."

"To our love," She replied. They touched glasses, the lovely chime of glass resounding through the air. They each drank of their wine before looking to each other again.

"Since this is our wedding celebration, we should observe a tradition or two," Loki spoke as he placed his goblet back upon the table.

"What's traditional on Asgard?" Jane spoke then thought, "Or should we discuss Jotunheim?"

"I wasn't referring to either one. I was referring to Midgardian traditions for you," He replied pointedly to her thoughts.

"Loki, this is OUR wedding day. And we do kind of owe this bond to Jotunheim," She started as she took his hand in hers and laced their fingers together, "At least the Imprinting part any way. Shouldn't we be grateful for that?"

"You have a rather remarkable talent for logical reasoning," He squeezed her fingers with his gently, "The truth is I know very little about Jotunheim and their customs."

Jane saddened at his thought before she brightened, "Something for us to explore together."

"Perhaps," His noncommittal evident though Jane sensed a spark of curiosity on his part, "I'm sure there will plenty to explore as you learn the intricacies of magic."

She thought carefully for a moment, "You mean I can use magic like you do?"

"It's a possibility. We are bonded blood to blood, and since you have access to all my knowledge as a master sorcerer, it stands to reason you could learn quickly," He offered as they continued the meal, "After we finish eating, maybe I'll give you a magic lesson."

"If I can pull your memories from your mind, doesn't that mean I shouldn't need lessons?" Her thoughts questioned him as she finished the poultry leg. She used a napkin to dab about her mouth with a bit of embarrassment, feeling suddenly self conscious.

Loki appreciated her beauty as he used his own napkin, "Think of it like muscle memory. You may know a movement but until it is practiced and perfected, it may not be entirely accurate."

"No shortcuts, huh?" Jane placed her napkin upon the table beside her plate.

"No shortcuts. What traditions of Earth would you like to observe?" He questioned while sipping his wine.

"No, you first," She flashed a stubborn smile at him, "What is a tradition of Asgard you would want to observe?"

"None of them to be honest," Loki thought quickly before a quick memory of his mother came to him, "Oh my, I hadn't thought of that in centuries."

"Tell me about it," She urged, feeling his joyfulness within his memory.

"Mother taught us about the traditions of her people, the Vanir. There is a magical tea ceremony a groom performs for his bride."

"Can we do that? Here?" She bounced excitedly in her seat.

"Of course we can," Loki declared, waving a hand over the table. In a wave of green mist, the meal disappeared and was replaced by a white table linen with a silver tea cup and a crystal bowl resting in the middle.

"What do I do?" Jane questioned with an eagerness to learn.

"Allow me to perform the ceremony," He thought to her while winking, beginning a basic history lesson, "The Vanir are a very magically inclined and nature based people. They preside over matters of sex, fertility, love, and precognition."

"Wait. I just had a flash of a temple where a naked lady was presiding over an orgy?" She questioned in amused confusion.

"Frejya," Loki answered with a fond smile, "Goddess of love and fertility."

"And..." Jane prodded him questioningly, a spark of mischief welling within her.

"And I told you I had no problem with public consummation."

"You really need to fill in the details," She declared as she sat back in her seat and crossed her arms.

"I was very young. Barely into manhood," Loki recalled the memory, "Thor said it would be a good time. It was...for a while."

"What made it no longer fun?"

The briefest of glimpses of the memory crossed Loki's thoughts, and Jane saw a young Loki with several bodies of women and men writhing against him.

Loki suddenly felt the temperature of the room shift to a cold reminiscent of Jotunheim. Casting his eyes towards his bride, he could practically feel the rage of jealousy radiating from Jane, "Well, well, feeling possessive, are we?"

Jane's thoughts echoed within his mind, "I will never share you with anyone."

Loki smiled as he met her eyes, sharing his thoughts with her, "I will never share you with anyone either."

"I'm serious," She declared, forcing him to allow her a seat on his lap, "I feel this...no, it's not a feeling. I KNOW," The word echoed within her mind in assurance, "That you are mine and I am yours. No one, and I mean, NO ONE, gets between us. Do you understand?"

"You are intoxicating like this," His mind declaring the response of both his heart and his body.

Jane flashed a seductive smile at him before leaning forward and gently flicking her tongue over her marking at his neck.

Loki growled as he swept the table clear with a wave of magical energy, and covered her body with his as he lay her on the table, "Is this what you desire, Wife?"

Jane tugged at his leathers, "Too many clothes!"

He smiled coolly, "Anticipation, My dear," He abruptly pulled away from her.

Jane groaned in frustration as she slammed her fists down on the table, "Where are you going?"

"You wish to see if you can use magic?" He asked as he stepped into the bedroom and secured the door. His thoughts seduced her, "Teleport to me, My Lovely Jane, and you can have whatever you desire."

Jane focused on Loki, searched his mind for his knowledge and concentrated on the magic. She felt the stir of magic rise within her and willed herself to move towards Loki. Her vision blurred in a haze of colors. When it cleared, she stood in the bedroom.

"Holy shit! I used magic!!" Jane squealed in delight as Loki wrapped his arms around her.

"Yes, you did," He chuckled fondly, "I remember what the first time feels like."

Memories of Loki as a boy giggling with delight as Frigga hugged him tightly flooded Jane's mind. She felt his happiness envelope her in waves.

Jane smiled happily as she turned to face him, "I want to do some more!"

Loki chuckled, "I remember what that's like too," He showed her memories of his enthusiasm for learning and practicing magic.

She sighed contentedly into his arms, "Teach me."

"You wish to dance. We need a dance floor and music," He pressed his forehead to hers lightly, "I want you to cast an illusion. I will have to help stabilize the illusion to begin with."

"Why?" Jane's curiosity for knowledge evident even without her question.

"An illusion is only as strong as you believe it to be. Until you believe in yourself and your ability to do this on your own, my belief in the magic and illusion will have to help reenforce your own."

"This is what you meant by practice," Jane concluded, "Ok, I got it."

"Cast the illusion. Imagine what you want to appear and believe it into being," Loki urged her with his thoughts.

Jane quickly imagined a dance floor. Tapping into Loki's magical knowledge, she began casting the illusion. A white marble floor appeared before her, white candelabras with pearl adornments flickered bright yellow light into the otherwise dimly lit room. White drapery hung in billowing folds.

"Very nicely done," Loki complimented her efforts, "And music?"

"Hmm, there are some tough choices. Can we dance to two songs?"

He smiled, "Of course."

"Then, the first song has to be As the World Falls Down," Jane announced, "That's where all of this came from. David Bowie sang a song in a movie when I was a kid, and when I was young, I thought it was romantic. As an adult, it creeps me out a bit, but I still thought it was a beautiful scene."

Loki searched her memories for the memory she was discussing.

"No sir. You don't get to see the movie through me. You have to experience it for yourself," Jane chided him as she glanced to their still Sakaaran clothes, "Why did the clothes not change too?"

"I told you...no shortcuts," He explained before changing her dress to match the elegant ballroom gown from her movie memory. He changed his own to match the gentleman's suit but with a green flourish instead of blue.

"I like it," She announced happily as she took his hand to pull him onto the dance floor.

Not that it took a lot of effort. Loki fell into step before her and pulled her into a dancer's embrace.

Jane giggled as she followed him in the dance, "This is the strangest thing. I feel like I'm in a fairy tale."

"Now, I'm intrigued. Just what kind of strange stories do your people tell about fairies?" He teased as he led her in the dance, his hand slowly slithering around her waist to draw her closer.

She cast him a sarcastic smile before she explained, "I'm married to a Prince from another world. I've learned magic truly exists. And in all of this chaos, the most insane thing of all, is how much this feels right."

Loki smiled in response as he spun them around the dance floor, "You don't know how happy I am to hear you say that."

"Yes, I do," Jane's smile brought a glow to her features.

Which Loki appreciated. His eyes carressed every feature as if memorizing her in the moment.

She, in turn, rolled her eyes at her resulting rush of adoration for her husband, her smile never fading, "We are hopeless, you know?"

"I know," He agreed warmly to her thoughts as he continued leading her in the dance.

As the music played and the newlyweds swayed perfectly to the rythym, silence in word and thought took hold. Jane and Loki held each other's eyes just as solidly as their grasp on one another.

This moment was about experiencing emotions, and they both understood. A sense of belonging. A flicker of humor. A mutual respect for intelligence. An awe inspired by their connection.

Jane felt needed and wanted and loved more than she'd ever felt before. Loki felt a peace within him unlike anything he'd ever known.

As the song ended, Loki slowly brought them to a stop. Jane took a step back and laced her fingers with his.

Loki smiled, "One more dance?"

"One more."

"Tell me. Why this particular song? You think it's corny," He chuckled slightly at the description, "And yet, you want to dance to it anyway."

"It is corny," Jane laughed, "But it is also fitting."

"Yes, it does seem so," He agreed as he cast a spell, the music filling the room.

"I knew I loved you before I met you," She sang happily as she wrapped her arms around his neck, "Hold me close."

"As close as I can get you," He squeezed her close as they began to dance again.

Jane held him close, relishing the comfort of his embrace. She moved her palm to his cheek, drawing him into a kiss.

Loki swayed with her to the music as he worshipped her mouth with his. His hand flattened upon her back, pressing her body to his. They moved as one body to the music.

Jane melted against her husband, tender adoration for him flooding her senses. She felt him stop swaying to the music as their kiss demanded all their attention.

Loki lifted her against him while Jane casually draped her arms over his shoulders. She felt the magic recede from the space around them as he walked towards their bed.

Jane held tightly to him as he lowered her to the bed. He held his weight above her as he gently broke their kiss. She lazily opened her eyes and smiled, "If you think you are going to get out of participating in traditions, you are sadly mistaken."

"So much for distracting you, hmm?" Loki asked in his thoughts without moving.

"The Vanir Tea Ceremony, Loki," Jane demanded softly with a smile.

"Yes, My Love," He drolled as he withdrew from her and sat on the edge of the bed. He waved his hand before him producing a green mist. When the mist dispersed, a small alter appeared with the same crystal bowl and silver tea cup from the dining room.

Jane sat up beside him as he lifted the crystal bowl and cupped it in his hands. She watched as he blew across the opening of the empty bowl and blinked as water began spiraling forth from the bottom.

When the bowl was half full, Loki stopped and smiled, "Make a wish for our future, Jane."

"Spoken or silently? If I'm supposed to make a wish to myself about our future, this really isn't going to work," She spoke before thinking, "Since we have no secrets between us..."

"Aloud. This is for you to express your intentions for our future," He explained, "Speak your wish into the bowl."

"What do I wish for?" Jane looked to him for clarification.

"That's entirely up to you, My Dear," He answered simply.

Jane looked at the bowl and considered the future with her husband. She leaned forward and gently whispered, "I wish for our continued love and happiness," She met his eyes with a hopeful smile, "Wherever it takes us."

The second the words had left her lips, Jane felt the rise of a different kind of magic within her. A heat began to build deep within her bones, tingling at first and then burning hotter.

"Loki?" Jane questioned as she began to tug at her clothing in discomfort.

He placed the bowl upon the table and took her hands, "I believe you are becoming Aesir now."

"Why does it hurt?" Jane gritted her teeth as she groaned in pain.

"I would imagine your mortal self must die to become reborn as one of the long lived. It's been over a millennia since an apple of Idunn has been granted to a mortal. I've never actually seen the transformation myself," Loki explained as he gathered her in his arms, "I can help with the pain, but I doubt I can stop it."

Jane buried her face in his throat as held her close. She could only feel fire within her, burning in every nerve.

Loki soothed her as best he could, drastically cooling the air around them. Jane writhed against him as the searing pain overwhelmed her.

"Jane..." Loki held her as her body convulsed against the pain, "Don't fight the magic. Embrace it. Let the magic do it's work."

Jane attempted to relax against the pain, feeling Loki's soothing attentions as he held her. She focused on the fire within, saw its source and reached for it within her mind. The blinding white light engulfed her and robbed her of her consciousness.

"Jane?!" Loki held Jane against him as she went limp in his arms. He loosened his grip on her ever so slightly and caught a glimpse of her face, "Jane!"

Jane gasped as she sat up stiffly in his arms. She took a slow steadying breath as she met her husband's eyes.

"Jane?" He tentatively touched her cheek, "How do you feel?"

StrongerShe declared before thinking, "Why are you frightened?"

"Not frightened. Confused." He clarified, "Jane, you've definitely changed."

"Into an Aesir?" Jane asked happily with a hopeful smile.

"Not exactly," Loki replied with trepidation as he took her face in his hands, "Jane, you're Jotun blue."