After a week of hiding in his room to mourn, Loki woke up determined to get on with the business of improving himself. He attended his lessons with his governess in the mornings, and in the afternoon he would seek out Frigga to learn how to be a gentleman.
She first worked on his posture, by teaching him to play a musical instrument. Sitting on the edge of a chair with his feet planted and knees bent at a perfect 90-degree angle, Loki lifted the flute to his lips and blew. Holding up the flute forced his back perfectly straight. He hated it. He hated the flute too. It was probably why Frigga chose it for him. Everything she made him do tested his patience.
"That is enough for today. You would benefit from some form of physical activity. Though you are strong, you have spent your whole life hunched down over things while eating less than nourishing foods. You are of the age to start weapons training." Frigga said.
"Weapons training? That is laughable. I'm an omega. The alphas at the training field could crush me with just their thumbs."
"Be that as it may, you need to learn to protect yourself. You are smaller and weaker than the warriors around you, but that does not mean you are not dangerous. You have a brilliant mind Loki, and strategy is your strength. The warriors on the field will extol their might and honor, but for someone tiny like you, playing by the rules will get you killed."
"I did enjoy throwing knives when I was young. I could never really hit anything though. The knives were unbalanced and not meant for throwing."
"Throwing daggers would be a good start, and in close quarters with a single assailant, you need to know how to gut someone properly. New as you are, you already have enemies at court."
"Aye. You are right in that."
"After your morning lesson tomorrow, I want you to go there and seek out a man named Fandral. He'll be expecting you."
XxXxXxXxXxX
"Ah, there you are. Are you ready to become a great warrior?" Fandral flashed his bleach white smile at Loki, looking like a cheesy swashbuckler in his cape and too pretty mustache.
"I can't tell if you are having fun at my expense." Loki gave a bemused smile.
"Rest assured I am serious about the training. Omega you may be, but I have seen the way you move Loki. A sword would be too long for you to maintain a grip on against a much larger opponent. Likewise, a battle axe is ill suited for your small frame. You move like a dancer. You are fast, calculating even. The Queen was right when she said you should train with throwing daggers. I think I will teach you archery as well. I will also need to teach you how to wrestle, not the sportsman kind of wrestling, but the kind that will save you from a lecherous Alpha. You need to learn you to get away from men much stronger than you."
"Aye, I agree with everything you said. So on which shall we start?"
"Introductions." Fandral gestures then to a group of people that have been watching their conversation. A red bearded portly warrior, a lithe Vanir man, and a woman who was clearly an alpha. "This is the Lady Sif. She'll be the teaching you to wrestle away from an assailant."
"I can understand why. Even as an alpha I imagine a female such as you must have had to defend against a great many brutes over the course of your life." Loki said to her as he shook her hand.
"You'd be right on that count. You may be the King's companion, but there are those that wish you ill already. I wouldn't put it past anyone at court to try to smear your good name. Some might go so far to make it appear that you are unfaithful."
"I will keep that in mind." Loki said.
"This is Hogun. He will be teaching you archery." Loki and the man shook hands.
"I will be teaching you to throw daggers." Fandral said.
"What about him." Loki nodded at Volstagg.
"I am Volstagg, your opponent. Out here on the field, you will not like me very much, but I am a jovial man and I would see you learn to protect your person from the likes of me. His Majesty is a friend, and I can tell he cares a great deal about you."
"I look forward to the onslaught." Loki said. By the end of the hour, he regretted those words. They began with wrestling. Sif started out teaching Loki basic moves and holds. When the time came to do his first match of sorts, his tunic was already damp with sweat.
Sif did her best to keep a clear mind and a level head, but the scent of a fertile male omega was clouding her mind. She pinned Loki to the ground over and over again, stopping each time to ask him how he would get out of each predicament. She told him to place a hand here, and twist his body that way to escape each hold. On the last move she found her nose buried near Loki's neck and the alluring fragrance there was too much for her. She pulled off Loki suddenly as though his skin had scorched hers.
"That is enough for today." She said panting, her eyes hooded in lust. She swallowed hard, taking deep breathes of air to clear her mind. It did nothing to alleviate her pulsing desire. "I am in need of rest. I'll be in the bathhouse if you have need of me." She said, and left. Loki blushed at having such an obvious effect on her.
"You see now why this training is so necessary. Sif is one of Thor's most trusted friends, but even she finds being in your presence a trying temptation. Until Thor claims you, and has you stinking of his scent, your safety is in jeopardy."
"Do I have that effect on you?" Loki asked him.
"Aye, which is why I'll be fucking the brains out of some young beta as soon as training is over."
"And what of you two?"
"Hogun here is a beta, and is not as tortured by your smell as Fandral is. As for me, I already have an omega at home waiting for me. As pretty as you smell, you don't hold a candle to my darling Hilda. Which is why I was selected to be your adversary." Volstagg said.
"Do you love her?"
"Aye. She is my beloved wife going on 500 years now. The nobles at court do not understand the treasure they keep in their households. The bond between an Alpha and their Omega is a sacred one and needs to be treated as such."
"I can see why Thor keeps all of you as friends. You are good people."
"Aye, and we can see what he finds so appealing about you. It's not just your pretty looks or maddening scent that attracts him. Your personality is a perfect counterbalance."
"Well, his Majesty does have good taste." Loki said with a naughty smile.
"Come on, we'll focus on throwing daggers next."
XxXxXxXx
Two weeks went by and Thor and his guardsmen were no closer to catching the murderer. Loki did his best during the day to distract his mind with learning all manner of things. He threw himself into his education and paid close attention to even the most boring of details while he sat at court and listened to Thor give audience. After a month of being in the palace, his presence was mostly forgotten. The courtiers had moved on to the newest bit of juicy gossip, which was that Lady Sigyn's illustrious family was bankrupt. The next omega auction would not be held for several months and her family needed money now. Her father was working the crowd of nobles at court to come to a more dignified marriage arrangement that included a hefty dowry to the bridal family. However, the other nobles sensed the family's desperation and were only offering 50 gold coins at most. It was a sad thing to watch unfold before his eyes. Now more than ever, Loki counted his blessings.
That night Loki dreamed of his mother and of Sigyn. He woke up in a cold sweat and couldn't bear being alone in that moment. He got out of bed and entered a secret side hall, creating strictly for use by the royal family and knocked on Thor's door. He heard rustling from the inner chambers, followed by sleepy uneven steps. Thor answer the hidden door, looking concerned.
"I had a bad dream." Loki said, looking put at Thor with his big emerald eyes. Thor gave a gentle smile and stepped to the side to let Loki in.
XxXxXxXx
"Ouch!" Frigga gasped.
"Sorry." Loki said.
"You just need to step back not forward on the-Ouch!" Frigga stopped the dancing tutorial. Her toes were being massacred. "You seem distracted." She said when she bid the servant to stop playing the piano.
"You would be too if you were as frustrated as I. Honestly, I think Thor is completely oblivious to how he makes me suffer." Loki said. Frigga chuckled.
"Loki dear, I think you are completely oblivious to how much you torture Thor. My poor son is at his wits end trying to resist your charms."
"Well, at least we are miserable together."
"Loki dear heart, you make everyone around you miserable."
"Is there not some magical brew or potion that could expedite my development?"
"There is, and you already took it. It is the reason for your current misery."
"There are other things Thor and I can do together, have done together, but lately he has been distancing from me."
"He does that for your sake. Do not take it as a rejection. Thor no longer trusts his willpower when he is alone with you. Last night's cuddling will be the last you'll get from him for a very long time. I'm sorry Loki."
"Well, at least I get to take my frustrations out on your feet. Come, let us have another turn." Loki said with a smile. Frigga looked pensively but she took up position again. As a male omega Loki must learn both how to lead and be led. The music resumed and Loki concentrated on their feet.
"I suppose I do take great comfort in knowing that Thor desires me so. But is it only lust, or does he like me?"
"He likes you, though I think it will be necessary for him to forget you for a while. His time is precious these days and you have taken up a great deal of it since your arrival. What I want to see, is for you to transform into a gentleman right under my son's nose. He'll see glimpses of you on a day to day basis, but his schedule being what it is, will cause him to not notice the subtle changes. Then one day, several years from now, on the eve of your first true heat, you dazzle him with a display of your grace, wit, and intellect."
"Do all prospective mother-in-laws have such fantasies about the future spouses of their children?"
"In some form or fashion. Thor will have to take a queen at some point Loki. I think you are exactly what Thor needs."
"What of other contenders? Thor said he might not mate me if he is forced into a political marriage alliance. What then would be my fate?"
"You would be given the option to mate with an Alpha of your choosing. No auction."
"I don't want another Alpha. I want Thor."
"Then you best work on your footwork. It is much to be desired."