It took Loki only an hour to purloin a new home. This one surrounded by water, even with its regality. It would be easier to defend if a boat were the only way to get there. With that done, he teleported back to the hotel room and waited patiently in the middle of the parlor. Paige would show herself soon enough, and he would be ready and waiting to whisk her away. He could not get her behind his shields fast enough.
Paige sat on the bed and continued to stare at her reflection. This time, however, her image was reflected back to her a thousand different times by the broken shards of the dresser mirror. She sat twirling a strand of her hair around her right index finger, her eyes never leaving those hundreds that stared back.
Perhaps this was all a dream. That would make sense. Everything she'd been through could be easily explained away as a dream. But, she didn't want it to be a dream. She desperately wanted all of this to be real.
Paige stood from the bed and limped over to the dresser. She raised her hand and hovered it in front of the broken glass. Larger pieces began to crack, while smaller pieces crumbled away into dust. She turned her head and looked at the lamp next to her. It flickered, grew brighter, and then faded to dim. She was so powerful. So... inhuman. What was she? The question repeated itself over and over again in her mind.
She remembered all the times she was made fun of in school. All the times she was forced to work in the back at the library. All the times her mother and Drake frowned on her using her powers. No one could possibly understand. No. This was all a dream. This couldn't possibly be real. It was all too perfect. Yes, she was hurt, but that didn't matter. She'd gotten hurt on the island many times, yet it was still a paradise. No... this was all a dream. She was still trapped in paradise.
Loki felt the unease in the air and released his hands from behind his back. Something was wrong. Very wrong. In an instant, he was invisible, and he prowled in the first direction instinct took him. To the bedroom.
He couldn't see her face because of the shattered mirror, but he could sense something was wrong. He didn't know what it was. Something had changed since he left. Something horrible. She looked otherwise unhurt. Loki dropped the field of invisibility and studied her again. One look at her damp hair told him she had tried to do something with it and failed miserably. He reached a finger to stroke the silky strands back from her face. "What have you done here?" He allowed his hand to linger as he tucked a strand behind her ear.
Something behind her steel eyes had softened. Something had indeed changed in his absence. He couldn't help but glance to her lips. She shouldn't have teased him as she had. Something inside him so desperately wanted her to accept him as more than her captor. To open up to him. Those lush lips beckoned as nothing he'd ever known.
Loki dropped his hand to cup her head around her ear and pulled her to him, pressing his lips against hers in a moment of pure instinct. And he was right. She was perfect.
Paige gave a soft gasp as she was pulled into the kiss. She tried to push away from him at first, but then relaxed in his arms. His kiss was unlike any she'd ever felt before. Drake's kisses had always been soft and playful. But, this kiss was full of passion and desire. It was gentle, yet strong, and pulled her in for more. She slid one hand up the back of his neck and into his hair, pulling him closer to her, as she accepted his kiss and attempted to return it.
After a few moments, she pulled away, panting softly, and leaned her forehead against his. Don't you think we're rushing this? I only met you a few days ago. She smiled mischievously and gave him a few more soft kisses, not quite ready to stop kissing him. Yes, I think we should stop... lest we go too far.
Loki wished she hadn't asked that, but as it was he had previously decided to grant her wishes. He backed away, snaked a hand down to lift her hand, and kissed the tops of her fingers lightly. "As my lady wishes." He straightened, shoving his hands behind his back again. "If you are quite ready, I have found a new fortress. I rather think you'll enjoy it." He smiled, his perfect teeth glistening in the light.
Paige smiled back at him, blushing slightly, and wrapped her arms loosely around his shoulders. Yes. I'm ready. Take me wherever you wish. She buried her face in the side of his neck and gave a happy sigh. This can't possibly be real. You're far too wonderful. She stood that way with him for a moment, then suddenly turned serious. When we get to our new home, I have something I want to show you.
Loki smiled down at her, shrugged once, and focused on the grounds where he wished to appear. Sure enough, they ended up near the wading pool, and he could see the 120-room mansion behind her. He nudged her to let go of him. "This, my dear, is Boldt Castle."
Boldt Castle, his palace on an island. They could hide here, and no one would know. He had ensured it with a bit of trickery. Tours were now closed due to... renovations. And the old power-house would serve a new purpose soon enough. He grinned and looked down again to see how Paige would react.
Paige turned and gazed at the beautiful castle. She covered her mouth with her hands, muffling an airy laugh. This palace was far more beautiful than the last. She could hardly take it all in. she turned back toward Loki and hugged him. A strong, sincere, loving hug. If I am dreaming, never wake me. Perhaps I've died... and now live among the gods myself. Oh, I can't believe this. Thank you.
Loki smoothed a hand over the back of her soft, silky hair and smiled with her. "Believe me, the palace in Asgard is ten times more beautiful. One day I will take you there." He nudged her forward. "Go on. I've brought your things, as well. Up the stairs and to your left. The room in the middle."
Paige nodded and made her way over to the stairs, but then stopped and stared up at them as she leaned against the railing. So many stairs.
Um... my prince? She tried not to sound as small as she felt. Perhaps a bit more teleportation is in order. At least, until my leg heals. It's going to take me all day to get up these stairs otherwise. And, I did have something to show you. It's with my things, in my room.
Loki wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close, probably closer than necessary for the required task. He hoped she didn't notice. A split second later, they had arrived in the spacious bedchamber, her things settled in a line across the mattress. "Is this better?" Loki purred mischievously.
Paige grinned back at him, unconcerned with how close they were. Yes. Much better.
After a few moments, she finally stepped away from him and turned toward her violins. She carefully moved them off of the bed, sat down on the edge of the bed, pulled one of her violin cases into her lap, and motioned for her prince to sit next to her.
What I'm about to show you means the world to me. More than my violins or books. She opened the case, removed the cloth from the inside of the lid, and took an object in her hand. In one motion, she set her case off to the side and hid the prized possession between her hands. Six months after the death of my father, I visited the building where he died. They had finished remodeling it, but it wasn't the same. Not without him. As I sat on the sidewalk outside the building, I noticed something in the gutter. Something shining. I wasn't a telepath back then, so I had to go into the store across the street to ask for a metal hanger... one of those hooks to hang clothes from. I returned to the gutter and used the hook to pull the object out. It was filthy, but I knew exactly what it was when I saw it. I took it home, cleaned it up, polished the metal, and kept it ever since.
Paige glanced down at her hands and shifted the object a bit, causing the tip of a golden hilt to become visible. I knew it was an Asgardian weapon. The Chitauri didn't have weapons as beautiful as this. Handcrafted out of the finest silver and gold the universe has to offer. I don't know how it ended up in that gutter, or why the rain never washed it away. Maybe I was supposed to find it.
She shrugged and slowly moved her hands to reveal one of his daggers, kept in pristine condition. Ever since that day, I've kept this blade as a reminder of what happened to my father. I've held on to this, letting my hatred for you fester like an open wound. But then... Paige lifted a hand to her eyes and desperately tried to wipe away the tears that were forming. Then I met you. I'd always hoped to meet you, but I figured things would be so different. I thought I'd have to sneak into SHIELD if they captured you again. I thought that'd be the only way I'd ever have a chance of speaking with you. I had planned to say all these horrible things... She sniffled. The day we met, when I began to cry, I saw the hurt in your eyes. The guilt that drove you from the room. I knew I'd horribly misjudged you. And I'm sorry.
Paige looked up at him and studied his eyes, searching for some form of forgiveness. You are the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me. And I don't hate you, darling, far from it! Yes, there are times when I'm fearful of you, of your rage, but I could never hate you. Never again. Paige lifted the dagger to her lips and softly kissed the shining hilt, an action that would have disgusted her previously. My prince, Loki... I believe this is yours.
She held the dagger out to him, waiting for him to take it.
Loki lifted the throwing knife from her palm and weighed it in his own. The balance was still intact. He smiled wanly. He had missed this knife. The one he usually used on Thor when they fought. Long enough to do damage, short enough to ensure the victim lived. Because that was what hurt the worst, the living with the betrayal.
In a moment of impulse, Loki pressed his lips to her palm where the knife had lain and settled it gently back on the spot. "This is yours, as much as it is mine," he decreed. "This is the memory of your father, and the hatred that has now turned. You keep it, I have plenty others."
Paige smiled and looked back down at the knife, turning it over slowly in her hand. Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me. She carefully tucked it back away in her violin case, and then leaned her head against his shoulder. So, tell me more about this castle. Is there a library?
"There is indeed," Loki was proud to admit. "I thought it over before I confiscated the property. The library is one of my favorite rooms in a palace, as I presume it is yours. Would you care for a visit? It is on the floor below, but that has never been a predicament for one such as myself." He cleared his throat. "You could stay there whilst I run about and complete my business for the day. I could purloin this staff you spoke of while I am out."
Paige nodded. Yes, it's been days since I've been to a library. She stopped to consider his other offer. Alright, but I must warn you of one thing before you go.
She grabbed the collar of his armor and pulled him towards her. She leaned her forehead against his and held his gaze. Do not, and I repeat, do not hurt my friends. The Avrils have done a great deal to help me, despite their reputation, and I care deeply about them. If I find out that you've done any sort of damage to them, physically or otherwise, you and I shall no longer get along. Do you understand me, Loki?
Loki smirked, stood straighter, and shrugged his shoulders. "I understand the sentiment. Lady Sif and the Idiots Three have tossed their fair share of threats in my general direction. I cannot promise that I will not protect myself if they seek to harm me." He bobbled his head, considering another option. "And occasionally my dark side gets the better of me. But I shall try."
He swept her up into his arms this time, careful to avoid her injured leg, and easily carried her down the stairs, through a hallway, and into the library. A simple library, not a two-story wonder, but still. Books. It contained books, and that was what mattered. Two overstuffed chairs sat facing the fireplace, with a table between them. Whoever had done the decorating had indeed done it nicely.
Loki settled her gently into one of the chairs and did a 180, perusing what was available. She could pick up anything from there, given her telekinesis. He stroked her hair, buried his face in it as though it would be the last time, and exhaled. He regretted anything he might do to get her what she wished for. He regretted that he might do something she would never forgive him for. So, in case that very thing happened, Loki tilted her chin up and dropped a long, sweet, passionate kiss to her lips. Just in case it was the last time.
Paige wrapped her arms around him and returned the kiss, savoring the feeling of his lips caressing her own. As she kissed him, she sensed something was bothering him. She tried to search his mind, but his veil was still up. If only he trusted her enough to let her in. She slowly pulled away and gazed into his eyes, lightly brushing her fingertips down the side of his face as she did so.
Be safe, my prince. I trust you. I wouldn't ask you for this if I didn't trust the good you still have inside of you. She wrapped her arms around him again, giving him another loving hug, and then pulled away. Go on. You have work to do.