Chapter Three

The sun rose on the third day, waking Lilah from her dreams. Her eyes fluttered opened delicately, and she stretched her muscles like a cat. It was then she remembered she had had company last night as she had dozed off. Sitting up in her bed, she gazed around the room. Indeed her company was still in her presence. But this time, he was not conscious. Looking quite uncomfortable in her armchair, the secretive man was sleeping.

Silently, Lilah rose from her bed and tip-toed over towards him. He looked so different when he was asleep. There were no lines marking his forehead, no scowl or sneer upon his lips. He was undeniably handsome. Sudden impulse moved her hand from her side to touch his cheek. His skin was cold, yet it warmed her. She wanted to touch more of him, but it was not to be. Awake from his slumber, he grabbed her hand that was touching his face.

"Forgive me," Lilah whispered, hoping she had not angered him. Loki didn't say anything as he held her hand in his. He searched her face, looking for something. She wished he would say something. "Who are you?"

"My name is Loki," his voice makes her heart pound and her skin tingle. Lilah had expected him not to answer her at all. It was definitely an improvement. Loki. A strange name, but she liked it. It seemed to suit him. Now she just needed him to tell her how he had come here, and why. But he did not reveal anything more to her. Loki pushed her away and left her presence.

Lilah could still fell where her fingers had touched his skin. Something was building up inside her, an emotion she'd never experienced before. Could this be attraction? But how? She didn't know this strange man, if he in fact was a man. Even though he seemed not to have a high opinion of her, she felt compelled to get to know him, to get him to open up to her. Her heart was reaching out to him.

Even with Lilah nowhere near Loki, he could still feel her. His face burned where she had touched him. No one had ever touched him so freely, without his permission, except perhaps his 'Mother'. It stirred something inside him. He hated to admit it, but he had thoroughly enjoyed her touch. It felt like a soothing balm, making him feel content for the first time in a long while. Would she touch him again, he wondered … and hoped.

Loki could not seem to stop himself from watching Lilah for the rest of the day. He wondered if she knew how much she captivated him. Perhaps, but she did not show it. All manner of animals seemed drawn to her existence, following her sometimes as she wandered around the trees and meadows. Loki felt bewitched by this earthen beauty. He did not know why, but he wanted Lilah to hold him … to love him. Yet these wants and needs only left him bitter and frustrated. Loki felt he was never meant to have what he wanted, and it left a sour taste in his mouth. However, it did not stop him from watching this exquisite female.

For the next few days, Loki seemed to hover around Lilah. Staying close, yet still far enough away. This behaviour made Lilah cheerful, noticing the change in him. In these small number of days, he had changed from the hostile and destructive man to something more calm and curious. Was her company seemed to be having a positive effect on him, pleasing Lilah beyond belief.

The next day, Lilah was sitting in one of her favourite meadows, idly picking flowers and arranging them in her hair. She hummed to herself, enjoying a relaxing moment in the sun. She had not seen Loki about this day, and that had put a dampen on her spirits. It was silly how she enjoyed him being around, watching her. Hoping to bring his whereabouts known to her, she began to sing. Lilah let her voice carry over the realm, echoing across the vast fields, the lush forest, and the fresh lakes. Her song brought peace, serenity.

Lost in her song, she closed her eyes, letting her magic take over. And as she sang, she did not notice that Loki was approaching her slowly. It was not until he was standing before her that she sensed him. Stopping her crooning, her eyes opened and she stared up at him. "Loki?"

"Continue." Was that a request or a command? Wanting to appease him, she resumed her singing. Loki knelt in the grass beside her, entranced by her voice. She closed her eyes, not wanting to scare him off. Lilah let her voice take over, her heart going into her humming.

When her eyes opened again, Loki was lying in the grass beside her. She continued to sing, hoping to entice him closer. Slowly, he brought his head to her lap, and Lilah was overjoyed. Trusting her instincts, she let her fingers thread through his hair, her nails lightly tickling his scalp. His eyes closed and he permitted her to continue to touch him. Lilah could feel her healing melody wash over him, its sound softening him from within. Pain was in his past, terrible pain. She could feel it, yet could not determine why. She wished she could ask him, but she knew he would neither tell her nor welcome her questions.

When her song had ended, Loki laid on her lap for quite some time. Lilah enjoyed him being so close, and able to touch him so intimately. For a while, he did not seem to mind. But, too soon for her liking, he lifted himself from her lap, staring into space.

"Your voice is hypnotising," his voice sounded rough. Lilah tried to calm the thrill within her at hearing those words.

"It is a song of healing," she managed to tell him.

"It was … pleasant," somehow she knew this was the most that she would get out of him today. At least it was a start.

"Thank you," she replied, hoping she sounded gracious. Lilah continued to pick flowers around her, hoping to hide her blush from his gaze. But Loki did not get up and leave. For a while he sat there beside her, both of them lost to their own thoughts. It was a comfortable silence between them, neither awkward nor unwanted. Lilah felt that this moment was the start of something quite wonderful between them. Loki had opened up to her in his own silent way. Yes, this was just the beginning.