Merry meet! Sorry for the long wait, I hit writers block and my life kind of became hectic. But I made it up to you (I hope) by making the chapter longer Thank you to everyone who reviewed the story, favorite/followed it and me, I'm so grateful that you guys are enjoying.

I started watching 'Thor and Loki: Blood Brothers' and my gods it infuriates me! Not only do they pronounce the realms wrong (apparently they live in Ass-Guard now…) but apparently the great move to defeat Thor…was kicking his shin. Yeah, that's what took him down. A kick. To the. Freaking. Shin. Also Hela (who for whatever reason is no longer Loki's daughter) is dressed to look like a Mexican wrestler, Loki (who is Thor's YOUNGER brother) looks 95 while Thor looks at most 40, apparently Sigyn is called Diana and is a concubine, and ah the ending. I cried. I kind of hate Thor because of it. But…Loki's monologues were well written, and though the art didn't make sense at times, the close ups and backgrounds were very different and interesting from an artistic point of you. They have the movie at Walmart so if you feel like watching just check it out there.

I'll try harder to keep to an updating schedule so the gaps don't happen as often. And so without further ado, chapter four! :D

Chapter 4

It had been a week since she had met the mysterious man and she had never taken the necklace off since then. Every night she would clutch the snake pendant to her as she dreamed of emerald eyes. Iliya teased her saying she was in love but Sigyn shook it off. She barely knew the man. But yet, she couldn't deny that she was somehow bewitched by him. His eyes and mannerisms told everything yet nothing at all, he was like a great puzzle to solve.

Sigyn looked to the sky as Iliya helped tie off the last of her dress. The ball was tonight and if it wasn't for her promise to the mystery man Sigyn would not even be going. Of course this threw her aunt into a tizzy exclaiming that it would be impossible to find a dress that covered 'that wanton figure'. Ultimately, her aunt found her a gaudy emerald ball gown that poofed out like a puff pastry. Much to her aunt's dissatisfaction no matter how much the dress was pulled up Sigyn's chest still looked like they were melon's popping out for air. "I feel ridiculous," Sigyn complained for the tenth time that night as they climbed into the carriage. Sigyn would have much rather ridden one of the horse there considering how cramped it was with all their mounds of tool but of course it was too "unlady like".

"You look beautiful," Iliya smiled, patting her hand. Sigyn and her aunt rolled their eyes. Iliya was dressed in a lilac slim dress that set off her skin and hair perfectly. Everyone knew she was the only one out of the group that could be called beautiful.

"And there is the royal gardens," Aunt Setezunna said as they passed the familiar garden Sigyn found herself in before. 'He must be a servant here or a tutor,' Sigyn mused. "O Iliya just think with your beauty you may even win over the princes' hearts tonight!" Iliya laughed politely as Sigyn groaned. It wasn't that she wasn't happy for her sister to have this chance it was just utterly horrid to have it rubbed in though. "We're here! Sigyn stand up straight! Don't slouch like a vagabond!" her aunt snapped as they exited the carriage.

The palace was beyond beautiful and far beyond anything Sigyn ever imagined. The books and tales gave the palace no justice in its description. As they walked down the golden corridors into the massive ballroom Sigyn almost felt like maybe she was entering Valhalla. They bowed to the respectable people they passed as they gathered to the front where an older man with a golden eye patch and a sense of authority and a woman fair and welcoming sat on golden thrones. Sigyn recognized them to be Odin and Frigga, the king and queen of Asgard.

"Welcome my friends," Odin boomed as the room grew silent. "Tonight is a joyous night. Tonight we gather to feast and make merry and celebrate the bounties of this land! I have more than I could ever be grateful for a loving wife-"Figga bowed her head, "A peaceful world and two magnificent sons-" two men stepped up and Sigyn felt her heart stop. The mystery man from the garden stepped up beside a large muscular blonde. He wore a horned golden helmet and a green cape with an embroidered gold and black snake curling around itself. "Tonight is my son Loki's birthday. Today he has become a man, a strong and intelligent man," He stepped next to Odin and smiled, "-and I am proud to call him my son. Tonight celebrate our bounty in my son's name. Now let the festivities began!" Odin raised his hands and the music played as people applauded and began to dance.

Sigyn could only stand there and stare at Loki in shock. He was a prince! She had talked and made a fool out of herself in front a prince! She wanted nothing more than for the ground to swallow her up when he looked to her and smiled. He was enjoying her shock! O prince or not she'd get him back. He swiftly made his way over, smiling proud. "Good evening," he smirked, "I'm gladdened to see that you came."

"Why didn't you tell me you were a prince?" Sigyn asked, frustrated. "I wouldn't have been so casual had I known."

Loki smirked and nodded, "That's exactly why. Besides it would simply take the fun out of it." He looked behind her and smirked wider, "It seems your aunt is quite shocked by our casualties. She looks as if she is attempting to catch insects with her mouth so wide." Sigyn looked back and covered her laugh behind her hand as her aunt indeed gaped at them. "Would you care to seal the deal?" he asked, his emerald eyes twinkling, "dance with me." It was not a question or a suggestion but rather a knowing command. At her look he laughed, "It is my birthday, humor me." Sigyn smiled and complied, placing her hand in his as he whisked her away to the dance floor.

The crowd parted and Loki spun her to the middle of the floor, everyone watching them as he twirled her. "You look beautiful," he said softly so only she could hear.

Sigyn rolled her eyes as they danced. "I look like an over frosted cupcake," she remarked though she blushed at his comment.

"But a very pretty one," he teased, spinning her out and back to him. Sigyn felt her skin crawl as everyone stared at them. She never had so many people watch her before. She felt like a puppet performing for the crowd. Loki noticed her discomfort and whispered into her ear, "just ignore them. It's just me and you."

Sigyn smiled and laughed, "Is that supposed to make feel better?"

At her tease he shrugged, a smirk tugging on his lips, "It was worth a try." Loki noticed the song ended but did not let go of her hand. Sigyn gave him a questioning look as he gently pulled her from the dance floor but not back to her aunt. He took her down the hall and opened the door to a massive library and motioned for her to walk in. She looked around and smiled at him.

"It's beautiful!" she exclaimed, running her hand along a shelf next to her, "I've never seen so many books at one time." She turned to smile at Loki like a child opening presents for the first time, "what I would give to stay and read in here everyday…"

Loki walked up beside her, pulling out a book, "Do you plan on leaving soon?" Sigyn shook her head, "than why ever can you not?"

Sigyn looked up at him wide eyed, "Do you mean that?" Never in all her life had she been given a gift so great save for her music which at this point was playing a soothing melody.

Loki nodded, "I thought it might help make your stay a little easier." Sigyn smiled and suddenly hugged his tightly, shocking both of them.

"Thank you," she said happily, pulling away, "I am truly grateful." Loki barely needed a second to recover though Sigyn's eyes caught the momentary flustered look on his face before it was replaced with a calm one.

"Think nothing of it," he said simply, a smirk tugging at his lips. Sigyn couldn't help but feel her heart flutter, o that smirk.

"I suppose I should head back now, sir." Sigyn sighed, she knew she had to be back lest scandal spread but at the same time she would rather risk it and stay in here.

Loki lifted a brow at her, "'sir?' I share with you my personal library and you are going to call me 'sir'?" Sigyn blushed, "No, you will address me as Loki. We are all comrades here." Sigyn bit her lip, she noticed he didn't just say 'friends'…

Sigyn nodded and smirked, "Well than Loki I should get back before the entire party believes you are ravishing me." Loki lifted a brow at this.

"Mmm and if I did?" he asked, snaking out one hand to capture a lock of her hair.

"Did w-what?" she asked blushing as he played with her lock.

"Ravished you," he said simply, his eyes sparkling with mischief as his face stayed serious.

"I might just break your nose…," she said gathering her will power to smirk, "I've only just found out your name. I have three day greeting period prior to ravishing." At this he laughed, obviously finding my comment appropriate. "Now I really must go." She smiled –still blushing- and bowed before leaving the room, heading back to Iliya's side. Iliya spun around to her, eyes wide and excited.

"Your mystery man is the prince!" she squealed, more excited by the prospect than Sigyn herself. "O you will be royalty!" Sigyn blushed.

"Iliya nothing has happened," 'other than him suggesting that he ravish her in his personal library…' She sighed, "we are friends Iliya, nothing else." Though she wished it was something more…

Iliya huffed, "I don't believe that for a second. He gives you a necklace to mark you as his at the ball-" she gestured to the neck around Sigyn's neck. She hadn't thought of it that… "-than whisks you away as his first dance in front of everyone. The man is obviously under your spell of charm." Sigyn blushed and went to open her mouth to argue but snapped it closed when she couldn't think of a comeback. Soon it was time for the feast and Sigyn and them were shuffled to the furthest end of the table due to class. Just as she was about to sit Sigyn stopped by a servant, "Excuse me but the prince requests that you sit with him tonight." Iliya grinned like a chesire cat as her aunt nearly choked on her own air. Before she could protest she was whisked away to the head of the table, pulling out a seat next to Loki who grinned at her coyly.

"I….I," she sat down the chair and was pushed in, "I really should go sit with my family…"

Loki raised a brow at her, "are you refusing a Prince's a generosity?" Sigyn huffed and shook her head.

"No of course not," she grumbled as he grinned in triumph. O she was going to get him for that later… Suddenly vast amount of food appeared before them. Sigyn's mouth watered at the site. Never before in her life had she seen so much food in one place! Loki smirked, obviously pleased by Sigyn's reaction. As the feast commenced Sigyn ate the food happily. O even if she hated the rest of her time here she would never regret it if not for this meal. The people around her talked and laughed loudly, banging on the table as they egged each other on. Sigyn would have been startled by such a manner of the royal had she not seen the men in her family do the same. It actually kind of warmed her heart to see how even the royalty were a normal family too.

Thor in particular was the loudest slamming the table with his fist as he laughed boisterously. Out of the corner of her eye Sigyn noticed Loki grimace at the noise. In his emerald eyes swirled a mixture of love and disdain. "Come now brother introduce to the fair maiden you have brought to join us!" Thor cheered.

"My name is Sigyn," she smiled softly. Thor was kind of adorable in a goofy way, like an animal that was… 'special' but lovable nonetheless. Thor grinned at her, "a beautiful name for a beautiful woman." At this the women around him scoffed. "Tell me how do you know my brother? I have never seen you around here before," Thor questioned. Sigyn faltered. What was she to say? I ran into your private gardens, fell into your fountain, and ranted about my life?

"I am schooling her in more advanced magic," Loki said simply, sipping his ale. Sigyn blinked at him. O by Odin's beard did she pray he meant that.

Thor laughed, "well it seems your studies of magic tricks has brought you use for once." The table laughed and jeered as Sigyn blushed and Loki sat in silent anger. She could feel the tension rising through him.

"I find magic to be the noblest of studies," Sigyn smiled, silencing the table. "Anyone can swing a hammer or parry a sword but a rare few can conjure the secrets of magic." She didn't need to look at Loki to know he was smirking proudly. She smiled sweetly at the stunned table, feigning an innocence like Iliya's.

"Well to each his own than," Thor smiled, recovering. "Loki, hold fast to this one. I fear not many like her pass through these doors. If you don't I made be tempted to take her myself." Sigyn blushed immensely and stared at her cup.

Loki stayed poker face and simply drink his ale as he replied, "I intend to brother." She blushed worse. They had only just met!

The feast ended much to Sigyn's disappointment and Loki walked her back to her aunt and Iliya who stood waiting at the carriage. He nodded to Setezunna and Iliya before pulling Sigyn close, embracing her. She was so startled by the movement she almost missed him whispering in her ear.

"Meet me in the gardens at noon tomorrow. I'll be waiting." He pulled away, a polite smile, before heading back into the palace. Sigyn stood there, stunned. It took her aunt tugging on her hair to snap her out of it and remind her to climb into the carriage. As they rode off she could have sworn she saw someone watching them from a high window.