Loki could hardly listen to the rest of the lords. All he could think about was the servant girl.
If she could see past his illusion, how many others could? She could be a witch, he suspected, although she didn't look like an experienced, educated magician. More like a young, scared girl. Yet she had been smart. She had lied earlier and played along, pretending to see the Allfather instead of Loki. It had saved her life for the time being.
When Loki made his way to her room, he was more than eager to find out the truth about that remarkable woman.
He was disguised as a guard this time, while everyone else thought Odin was resting in his private chambers.
Loki opened the door without knocking, and found the girl sitting on her bed and staring out the window. She shrieked when the tall guard walked in and locked the door behind him.
Brown waves framed a triangular face, her skin had a warm golden tint. The girl's big, almond-shaped eyes and high cheekbones were almost catlike, while her strong brows and pouty lips lend her a defiant look.
She looked wild, Loki decided, not like a meek servant raised in the palace.
Again, she clearly didn't see a guardsman standing in front of her.
He could see tears in her eyes as she curtsied.
„My King" she said softly.
Loki smiled to himself. Now that she was safely locked up, he was not as tensed anymore. Actually, he was curious about the strange girl.
„I'm just a guard, my lady" he growled in the guard's voice. A last test, he thought.
She hesitated for a second, then shook her head.
„I don't know why, but I can see you clearly, my king… Loki" the girl said with a raspy voice.
Loki grinned, slowly turning into his true form.
„What is your name, love?" he asked, enjoying her fear and confusion.
„Ylva Akesson" she muttered.
„So tell me, Ylva Akesson, how can you see through my powerful cloaking magic when no one else can?" He asked, approaching the small woman.
„I do not know, my king."
He was now towering above her, forcing her to look up.
Ylva suppressed a shiver. She tried to appease him by calling him King, foolishly hoping he would spare her after all.
Prince Loki was taller than she had expected. She had never seen Thor before, but she could not imagine him being more impressive than Loki.
Although he was lean, Loki definitely looked muscular. What really scared her was the cold, yet mischievous look in his green eyes.
There was a rumor about him, something Kari had implied. Some people believed he was a frost giant.
„It is treason to lie to your King, Ylva, do you know that?" he asked with his smooth voice.
„I know. I am not lying" Ylva answered, this time trying to sound stronger.
„Of course not. Why would a simple servant girl like you be so stupid to provoke my rage?" Loki smiled, and this time Ylva could not suppress the shiver running down her spine.
„I did not intend to. Apologies, Prince Loki, I did simply expect to see the Allfather on the throne"
Ylva answered without thinking and instantly bit her tongue.
She had made a terrible mistake.
„Prince?" he sounded dangerously calm.
„My King, apologies. I do not care who sits of the throne of Asgard. I am from a small village, I know nothing of the world nor of the Kings and Gods who rule it" Ylva hurried to correct her mistake.
Instead of answering, Loki cupped her face and slowly stoke over her skin. His green eyes didn't leave her hazel ones. Ylva wondered if he was deliberately intimidating people with his physical presence.
„It is simple, Ylva. I am your King, and you shall obey my every command" Loki almost whispered and stroke his thumb over the corner of her lip.
Ylva swallowed hardly and cleared her throat.
„Yes my King. If I may ask something of you…" she started and Loki gestured her to continue.
„Is it possible to send a letter to my father before… he needs to know that I won't be coming back, otherwise it will break his heart, please, my King" Ylva tried to ignore the unexpected sensation of his touch on her skin
Loki raised his eyebrows in surprise. It took him a short second to understand what she was implying. Apparently, Ylva believed he had come to her room to kill her. To be truthful, it had been on his mind.
But now that she had proven to be a smart, interesting young woman, Loki was inclined to let her live.
„Ahh my dear, that all depends on you" Loki smiled to her, letting his hand slide to her neck. He could feel her fastened heartbeat under his touch. There was nothing more satisfying to a hunter to have his prey frightened in a corner, he thought satisfied.
„You can either chose to serve your true King, or you can try to spill my little secret, in which case, I shall end your life right here without any mercy"
Ylva had not realized she was holding her breath during his speech. He was offering her a choice?
That was extremely unexpected, she thought. On the other hand, nothing had prepared her for a life in the palace. Odin, Thor, Frigga, Loki - those were only names. Ylva and her father had cared for their woods, the trees and the animals, for the seasons and the moons, for the rivers and sees and for food on their plates, but never for politics or power.
Suddenly, she was confronted to the silver tongued trickster god himself, and she was acting like a fool.
„A choice, my King?" she repeated. Loki's eyes sparkled with amusement.
„Yes, dear. It is a rare gift. Serve me and live, betray me and die. Even a village girl should understand this" he said softly, releasing her neck.
The wilderness he had noticed before flamed up in her eyes.
„I want to live" she answered, raising her chin. Loki chuckled lightly.
„Of course you do" he said and seemed to turn away.
Ylva breathed out in relief when he swirled around in a swift movement. Before she could react, she was violently pushed against the wall with Loki's large hand pressed around her throat.
„Betray me in any way and I promise you and your family shall suffer immeasurable pain. Even my mercy has its limits. Do you understand that, Ylva Akesson?" he hissed into Ylva's ear, and every instinct in her screamed to run away and flee.
„I do. I swear, I will obey you, my king" she chocked. Suddenly, she was released.
Ylva coughed heavily when her lungs filled with air again.
Loki casually watched her regain composure and smiled mischievously.
„Perfect. Go back to work. I'll let Ragna Ragnasson know you are my personal servant from tomorrow on" he said casually, as if he didn't just threaten to kill her.
Ylva frowned. This was practically giving her a raise.
Loki noticed her confusion and grinned.
„I can't let my precious servant out of my sight, can I?"
Ylva shook her head. It was not a raise, she realized, it was a sentence. From now on, the King would make personally sure she would always keep her promise.
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