Waves of Worry

Mind and lungs began screaming, fighting for their way. With one final kick, Numina broke the surface of the water, gasping for air. The water was icy cold, smothering her in a blanket that served only to numb her entirety. Waves rocked her as her legs and arms moved in tandem to keep her head above the water.

Numina was able to catch a glimpse of the cliff she had been walking along earlier between the hills of blue that surged around her. It was jagged and ugly, gray except for the peppered green of stubborn vegetation that clung to it. She did not know what had happened. One moment she was lost in thought, the sound of the waves and the wind lulling her into a trance, and then she was suddenly falling. Maybe she had lost her footing on the loose stone, or a portion of it had been unable to holder her weight, crumbling out from underneath her. Or maybe it hadn't been an accident. Maybe she was her own reason for being amongst the deadly rocks and waves. There was no way for Numina to remember.

A wave quickly caught her off guard, throwing her against one of the fangs of stone she had narrowly missed in her luck. Skin scraped as she crashed against it. Numina tried to grab ahold of it, but the current dragged her away. She sucked in a breath of air to steady the panic she started to feel, but another wave crashed on top of her, forcing her under the surface once more.

Numina struggled to make it above the angry rush of water once more, soaked clothes aiding the ocean's attempt to sink her to the bottom. Her lungs ached as she was able to make it above the water level, breathing air and salty ocean. The tide was dragging her away from the rocky shore. Panic she had tried to quell resurfaced as she was once more submerged by the onslaught of water.

Her eyes stung as she opened them. All she could see was murky blue around her and dark shadows that marked the rocks. The churning ocean propelled her forward, driving her into one of those shadows. Her head smacked against the rough edges and her vision flickered for a moment. Numina needed to get back to the surface, clinging to the rock with her hands, scraping off flesh on the sharp surface. She pulled herself as close as she could, muscles screaming against the strength of the water that yanked her backwards. With a surge of strength, Numina was able to bring her feet to the stone and push off of it.

The relief of breathing in the salty air was quickly lost on Numina as another waved crashed over her. He legs kicking furiously, she was able to keep herself close to the surface for this one. She was starting to become tired, however, legs and arms weakening with each movement against the rushing waves.

Fear rose, making her heart pound furiously. Numina struggled to keep her thoughts calm and clear as she fought to stay above the towering waves. As the wind whipped around her, stinging her already numb face, Numina wondered if this was the same fear people that knew they were going to die felt. As another wave raked her against the side of the large stone daggers, she knew that it was.

With a final surge of energy, Numina fought her way forward, trying to make it to the shore. For a moment, things were hopeful. She was able to ride the waves that pushed forward. The ocean was not willing to let her go, though. It picked her up and slammed her down on its stone teeth, driving the precious air from her lungs. Another wave then swept her back into its churning mass, sucking her under the surface with its merciless current.

Dazed and battered, Numina had run out of strength to fight with. Her lungs and body were screaming. Finally she could no longer stop herself. Icy water filled her mouth and raced into her lungs. Reflexively she coughed, gasping for air yet taking in even more of the cold and salty liquid.

It burned at first, breathing in the water. It scorched its way through her airways as it filled her lungs. Then the water numbed her, eyelids and body feeling heavy with the lack of oxygen. Above her she could see the surface, the water swirling angrily, rays of light streaming in. The murky blue began to fade to black as her vision started faltering.

Darkness swallowed her just as the ocean had.

The grey clouds that loomed overhead had brought a fierce wind with them. It tugged and pulled at the long leather coat that Loki wore. Ebony hair that he tried to keep neatly behind his ears was pulled and battered, giving him a messy look. Loki finally gave up trying to smooth it down, allowing it to fall chaotically around his face. A sudden swell from the wind smashed against him, and he had to tighten the reigns to keep his horse from spooking at the abrasiveness of it. Why Thor had picked this particularly gloomy day to run drills was beyond Loki. It would not have harmed the overenthusiastic warrior to put it off one day. But that was his brother, childishly stuck in the moment with his ideas and plans.

For a time there had been some slight interest to the scenarios Thor would have Loki, the Warriors Three, and Lady Sif run, but after the third or so one, he quickly grew bored of how simple they were. Without saying a word to them, he had mounted his horse and rode off. The howling wind through the trees was a much more pleasant sound than the sounds of battle they reenacted with one another.

The ocean had just come into view, its surface churning madly as the wind and incoming storm gave the waves much more power than they normally would. The sound the water made as it crashed against the rocky shore was hypnotizing.

I wonder if Numina would enjoy training here, he considered absent mindedly. As soon as the though crossed his mind, though, Loki recoiled at it. What a foolish thing to think or even place value in, yet Loki found himself having similar thoughts more and more often. They had started a few months ago, after she had shared her greatest fears with him. It was not often that someone would let him know such an important part of themselves with him. The instances had grown fewer over the past few decades.

After she had told him the truth about her skills and the curse she saw them as, Numina had acted much more timidly around him, no doubt worried that he treat her differently. Yet Loki had done just the opposite intentionally, treating her as he normally would for her sake, to show that the trust she had placed unconsciously in him was not misplaced. In fact, the first day afterwards, as he tested her ability of manipulation, Loki had insulted her form, comparing it to Volstagg's. Honestly, he had not meant to be so cruel with his phrasing, but Numina had laughed grateful that he had not changed.

"Always with the insults?" she had mused, uncharacteristically playful as was becoming common in his presence. "How else am I going to get my point across?" The smile he received from her had been radiant. "You could simply remind me." Numina's smile had also been infectious, one of his own spreading across his lips. "That would be no fun," Loki had teased.

At first he did not recognize the figure standing at the edge of the cliff, merely thinking on how strange it was for someone to be there. As his horse walked forward though, there was no mistaking the starlight hair the whipped about in the breeze. For some reason, a smile touched the corner of lips, and Loki was about to call out to her.

And then he saw her fall.

"NUMINA!"

It was an agonizing cry that sang on the wind. Thor froze when he heard it, turning to the direction it came from. Horror and realization quickly spread on his features.

"What was that?" Sif asked quietly.

"It was Loki!" Thor roared, he words edged with worry and uncertainty. Without hesitation, he ran to his horse, dragging himself atop. The others followed in his wake, spurring their horses into a frenzied gallop as the rushed towards the source of Loki's shout.

Loki slid off the side of his black horse, the animal stopping in its tracks at the loss of its rider. He quickly tore off his leather coat, tossing it onto the rocky shore before diving into the monstrous waves. The cold water threatened to rip the breath out of him, but he pushed onwards, legs and arms working furiously to drive himself forward.

As he swam towards Numina, he started feel a sense of panic creep into his heart, not for himself but for her. Her magic would be useless in the water, the liquid flowing from wherever she might push or pull it to move herself, doing nothing but moving the water instead of moving herself against it. The waves started becoming larger, rocking him to and fro, but he managed to stay above them, his spells affecting his own buoyancy rather than the water around him.

He was close to the rocks when he finally stopped. Scanning the water around him, fighting to stay above the waves, his panic increased, heart racing in fear for her. Loki couldn't see Numina. She had disappeared beneath the surface once more.

"Numina!" he shouted, hoping that maybe she was behind a cluster or rocks, but there was no response.

Finally he saw her. She was bleeding from several lacerations on her face where she had been thrown against the stone that erupted from the ocean floor. His heart started to beat with hope as Loki saw her fighting forward against the current. It was short lived, as she smashed against the rocks once more. The water closed in around her for the last time.

Loki dove beneath the surface of the water, his legs propelling him forward. The gloomy blue water refused to reveal her location to him, but he continued to drive himself towards where she had disappeared beneath the waves.

Numina looked like she was floating, hair framing a halo of starlight around her head as she was suspended, motionless in the water. Loki's lungs started aching for air as he reached her, yanking her towards him before he dragged them to the surface.

Water was streaming from their bodies as Loki finally hauled himself out of the water, carrying Numina in his arms. Though he had been able to hold her on the surface, she had not breathed. Loki placed her gently on the rocky shore, taking care that her head did not take any more of a beating than it already had.

The sound of hooves reached his ears shortly after he could feel the tremors in the ground, but he did not look of from Numina, supporting her head as he began to draw the water from her lungs. She was freezing to the touch, and Loki's heart had yet to stop pounding in his chest. He held her in his arms softly as though she was as fragile as glass.

"What happened?" Thor asked in alarm as he approached.

A stream of water exited from her mouth as Loki carefully removed it from her airways. Without looking up, "She was standing on the cliff," he said breathlessly, "and then she fell." His words were rushed, the adrenaline still working its way through his system.

"What was she doing out here?" Fandral asked in dismay.

"I don't know!" Loki roared frustrated. The water was removed and he sent a surge of energy to her heart, but she had yet to draw a breath. "Damn it! She's not breathing!" he hissed. Loki placed a hand on her chest and pulsed green energy into it, trying to kick start her heart once again. Nothing. With two hands he tried to compress her heart, pounding it to see if that would work.

The others stood around shell shocked. Numina was dying before their eyes. They were unsure of what they could do. It was finally Thor he took some sort of action. "Volstagg, Hogun, ride and warn the healers of what happened. Fandral, Sif, get us skiff to transport her." They looked at him with uncertainty. "Now!" he bellowed, and they took off, climbing onto their horses quickly before spurring into haste.

"Tell me what you need brother," Thor said to Loki, kneeling on the other side of Numina.

Loki was hunched over, his clothes and hair dripping with water that fell onto Numina's still form. He was still doing all he could do the restart her heart, but he was no healer. If Thor did not know any better, he would have thought that Loki looked frightened. It was obvious that he was frantic, however. He was still working furiously to get her heart beating.

"Brother!" Thor tried again to get Loki's attention, this time reaching out for him, touching his arms. The shocking cold that stung his skin caused him to recoil at the jarring ice that stung his fingertips. "Loki you are freezing!"

"I do not feel it," Loki finally replied, his words rushed from hidden panic. "Her heart won't beat on its own," he supplied in dismay. Loki looked up at Thor, emerald eyes tinged with concern meeting his gaze through strands of soaked black hair. "I may need some lighting."

Thor summoned Mjolnir unconsciously, the hammer flying to his hand. Lightning started to ripple across the metal. "How much do you need?" he asked, feeling the power from his weapon pulsing within him.

"As little as you can muster. Channel it into her hand. I will guide it to her heart."

"Will you not also receive a nasty shock?"

"If it saves her, I don't care!" Loki growled.

Thor was taken aback for a moment. He had never seen Loki respond so passionately with someone before, but he did not have time to dwell on hit. With a nod of understanding, he channeled the energy from Mjolnir and reached for Numina's hand.

"Ah!" Loki hissed in pain as the lightning hit him.

Numina's back arched forward, as she gasped for air, sucking it in until her lungs were full. As she exhaled she began to cough, water that Loki had not been able to expel from her sputtering from her lips.

Loki let out a sigh of relief, his body noticeably relaxing as the woman in his arms finally breathed on her own, as her heart finally beat on its own. Thor saw this change in Loki. He had gone from concern and worry over Numina to relief that she was alive. He saw his brother care.

"Thor, my coat," Loki said, motioning to where it lay in the rocks.

Thor retrieved it, pulling off his own cloak as he went back to Numina's side. Loki was working to make Numina more comfortable. She was conscious, but just barely so. As Thor handed his brother the cloak and coat, she finally spoke.

"Loki…?" it was soft whisper.

The God of Mischief paused in his fussing, shocked that the first thing Numina would say was his name. "Yes," he said tenderly, holding her up as he guided her arms into his coat. "You are safe now." Her skin did not feel warm to the touch as it did weeks ago when she had healed him. It in fact felt to be the same temperature as his own, and if Thor's reaction to touching his skin was any indicator, Numina must be freezing as well.

"…what…?"

"You fell," he said calmly, wrapping Thor's cloak around her. "But everything is going to be fine, Numina."

The God of Thunder is not known for his smarts, known typically as the brazen warrior, but he was no fool as his brother often called him. Thor had been watching the entire exchange with critical eyes. It was when Loki used her name that his suspicion was proven true. His brother cared for Numina whether he realized it or not.

"Forgive me brother," Thor said quietly. "I did not know."

Loki shot Thor a fleeting look, the tender expression of his features vanishing momentarily, not understanding what the older sibling meant. He was about to ask when a commotion from behind them drew the brothers' attention.

"Please tell me we are not too late," Fandral asked breathlessly as he raced towards them from the skiff.

"Loki managed to get her breathing again, but we need to get her to the healers," Thor said, rising to his feet.

Numina felt lighter than paper in Loki's arm as he lifted her gingerly off the ground, being carefully not to make any jarring movements. Her eyes fluttered open for a short moment, squinting at the dim light that filtered through the clouds. Loki carried her to the skiff, holding Numina against him tightly as he sat down. The entire time she was shivering fiercely against him.

As the skiff lifted, gliding through the air towards the glittering palace, Numina stirred. "Where…?"

"We are taking you to the healers, Lady Numina," Thor supplied. "Hang on just a little longer."

Loki felt her nod into his chest. Numina had died. Her heart had stopped beating. She had drowned after being battered by waves and against rocks. She was definitely in shock, and she could be potentially slipping into hypothermia. She was physically exhausted to the point where she couldn't even keep her eyes open. But even after all that, she had heard Thor and nodded, saying that she would indeed hold on a little longer. Loki could not help but feel a small amount of hope and relief. Numina was much stronger than any of them had expected.

"What about you Loki?" Sif asked, drawing him form the woman that lay in his arms. "Are you alright?"

"I can handle a little water and a bit of cold," he replied dryly. "Just see to it that Fandral gets us there quickly. Numina was still shuddering against him. "Damn…" he hissed quietly, and his hands lit with green magic as he enveloped her in warmth. It did not do any good, serving only the heat the surface of her skin. The chill that wracked her body pierced much deeper than anything he could muster. It was now that he wished he had not neglected his studies on healing.

Thor could see the look of concern etch back into his brother's features. While not necessarily new to him, it was still surprising. It was rare for Loki to show any kind of emotion, much less worry and concern, and Thor had never seen emotion raw like this on Loki's features. "Sif," he called, "your cloak."

Sif handed it to him readily, tearing it from her shoulders. Thor carried it to Numina, draping it across her. "Can you not heal her, brother?" he asked quietly.

"Healing is not a strong skill of mine," he replied, wincing at the truth of it.

"Then perhaps she could teach you as you teach her," Thor offered, trying to distract him from the worry he wore on his face.

"If she does not freeze to death," he grimaced.

Numina gasped as she shuddered against him harder than was normal. "So…cold…" she breathed.

"Fandral!" Loki shouted.

"We are nearly there!"

"We need to be there now!" Thor called, voice registering the desperation that Loki had managed to hide from his own.

The skiff stopped harshly. Loki picked Numina up effortlessly, rushing forward to the balcony where Volstagg, Hogun, and the healers waited. As he stepped off the skiff, he was ushered inside, the healers asking a flurry of questions. Though he did not remember half of what was asked, Loki had supplied then with the answers, before placing Numina on the soul forge.

Their job done, the assistants quickly shooed the others out of the room, where they now stood waiting by the door. Thor had begun pacing back and forth in the hallway. Volstagg and Hogun sat down on a nearby railing. Fandral was looking off in the distance by one of the hallway arches, concern engraved on his face. Sif stood in the middle of the hallway, forcing Thor to sometimes go around her if he lengthened his stride. And Loki stood beside the door, leaning against the wall. He looked grim and wild, his hair falling chaotically in front of his face. He wore a sleeveless green shirt and black leather pants. Loki looked dangerous in his disheveled state. He had dried his clothing with magic, but he had not bothered to replace them with something more befitting of a prince.

Loki's emerald eyes were fixed on a space in the air just above the marble floors. His mind wandering of its own will, often thinking and worrying about Numina. He was cursing himself for failing to learn healing magic beyond sealing wounds. If he had the skill, she would not have slipped so closely to death after he brought her back, she would not have lingered in death as he had fought to restart her heart.

"What happened?" the Queen asked in alarm. Loki had not noticed her arrival nor did he know that she had been sent for, but Numina was her lady-in-waiting so it did make sense for Frigga to be there.

"Numina fell from cliff into the ocean," Thor supplied. "Loki went in after her, managed to pull her out, and save her life."

Frigga's turned to her youngest son, who met her gaze. There was pride swelling in her, reflected by her gentle and warm eyes. "Are you alright, my son?"

The doors to the healing room interrupted Loki before could give his mother an answer. One of the assistants emerged, hands clasped in front of her. Everyone in the hallway immediately faced the assistant, rising to their feet or standing rigidly, waiting for the woman to speak.

"Lady Numina will be fine," she said curtly, offering a small curtsey to the Queen and her sons. "She is awake, in fact, if anyone would like to speak with her."

"I would like to," the Queen said, stepping forward towards the door. "I believe Lady Numina might also like to speak with the one who saved her life." Frigga's eyes went back to Loki, who only offered her a small nod in agreement before fallowing her inside.

They had transferred Numina from the soul forge to one of the beds in the room. She looked so small and frail, outlined by the stark white sheets. As Loki and the Queen approached, she offered them a small smile. Her fair skin was still ghostly white, but there was life in her eyes. And that was all Loki cared about, that she was alive.

"How are you feeling, my dear?" Frigga asked warmly, her voice soothingly smooth.

"I still feel a bit water-logged and cold," Numina said, her voice quiet, "but I'm alright, your majesty."

"I am delighted to hear it," Frigga said, an elegant smile gracing her lips. "You should know that you have the better part of an army waiting outside those doors to make sure you are going to be fine."

The smile on Numina's lips faded a little. "I am sorry for making you all worry over me."

"You and your apologies," Loki sighed teasingly.

When Numina's turned to the trickster, concern etched a pattern in her pale blue eyes. "Loki, what happened?"

He chuckled quietly. "Interesting story actually-"

"My Queen?" a voice interrupted. It was Lady Eir. She was the most skilled of the healers that worked in the palace. "I apologize for interrupting, but may I speak with you privately?"

Frigga nodded before turning back to Numina, "I am glad that you are going to be alright, Numina." Lady Eir walked with the Queen to a secluded section of the room.

Numina's gaze stayed on Loki as she tilted her head curiously. He pulled up a chair and sat beside her. "I was the one who saw you fall," he started, his lighthearted manner vanishing. Loki was unable to meet her eyes. "I dove in after you and brought you to shore. You…weren't breathing. I managed to get the water out of your lungs, but you heart wouldn't start." He shook his head at the unpleasant memory, not wishing to remember the sense of panic that had choked him at the time. "It was only with Thor's lightning that I was able to get you heart beating again."

"Then…I owe you my life, Loki…"

She saw him flinch. "I'm just glad I was able to get to you in time," it was a whisper. His emerald eyes finally turned back to her. "What were you doing out there, Numina?"

"I find it the ocean very soothing," she explained. "I don't really remember what happened though…I must have been too distracted by my own thoughts and lost my footing."

"Please be more careful," Loki said gravely, sounding as though he were begging her. "I may not be there next time to save you."

Numina was exhausted, her whole body ached with weariness, yet she dug deep to find some strength, pulling her arm from the blankets that enveloped her and placed a hand on Loki's. He tensed at the motion, but could not hide his relief that her skin was starting to regain its natural warmth. "I will be, Loki," she vowed, offering him a smile. Then a mischievous gleam entered her eyes. "Though I was just thinking how I should throw myself off cliffs more often if you look like this afterwards."

"Oh?" he asked, allowing her to tease him.

"Mhm," she hummed with a small little nod. "This look suits you. You look wild, feral even…" she began to blush. "It's- um- quite attractive."

Loki smiled warmly at her, chuckling softly. The relief that she was going to be fine was affecting his mood. "Then I shall look disheveled more often…for you, if you would like."

Numina giggled, the blush in her cheeks growing rosier. "I would, but I think that would only serve to distract me from…everything."

"We wouldn't want that now, would we?" The way he said it was a lustful growl, matching his untamed look.

"Perhaps…" Numina said, her eyes turning thoughtful. "You should let you hair fall like this more often," she mused. Loki pondered this. He did have to admit that he liked the feel of his bangs falling in front of his eyes in sharp black strands instead of neatly tucked back. "Or you could grow it out longer," Numina continued.

"Why the sudden interest in my looks?" Loki played, his smile turning into a smirk.

"I think they gave me something…" Numina whispered, giggling quietly as she said it.

Loki found himself laughing softly again. Her mirth was refreshing and endearing. "You should be like this more often," he said, mimicking her.

"A drowned rat?" her smirk was alluring.

"No," he said, the playful tone becoming tenderly serious, his smirk fading into a warm smile. "Carefree."

He eyes softened as she looked at him. "Alright," she said sincerely. "For you."

It was Loki's turn to blush faintly as he quickly gazed away from the intensity of her blue crystal eyes. Numina had been stroking his hand with her thumb. He hadn't even realized until he averted his gaze and found himself looking at it. At the sounds of footsteps he hastily withdrew his hand, lamenting the loss of her touch and warmth.

Frigga was as talented of a trickster as Loki was. He had learned most of what he knew now from herself. She had seen Loki withdraw his hand from Numina's, and had seen him allow her to give him such affection for a while beforehand. The Queen had seen her son smile fondly at Numina, saw the shimmer of kindness and caring in his eyes. It had been a long time since she had seen so much light within Loki. But she was an excellent trickster and played ignorance, tricking her son into thinking that she had seen nothing.

"Come now, my son," Frigga said. "Numina has other guests that hope to see her before she rests."

Loki nodded, rising to his feet. "I hope to see you tomorrow at our usual time, if you are able…" his hand reached for her own, fingers gently caressing it as he leaned down, bringing his lips to her knuckles. "…my lady," he breathed, sending shivers down Numina's spine.

As they turned to leave, Frigga shot her son a questioning look. "What?" Loki asked her after noticing his mother's eyes boring into him.

"That was rather…intimate," she smiled, becoming mischievous in her own polite way.

"You should see what Thor attempts around her," Loki scoffed. "And that was me being polite, nothing more."

"Of course, Loki," the Queen said in a tone that showed she meant the opposite. "I did not mean to insinuate anything otherwise."

"You are a terrible liar, mother," he said in jest.

"As are you…when you wish to be."

"What did Eir want to speak with you about?" Loki asked, driving the conversation off of its current topic.

"Nothing of importance, just a detailed report of what they had to do to heal Lady Numina," she lied, it was much more convincing than the last.

But Loki saw through it. "And she could not inform you in front of us?"

"She's more at ease when you around her, Loki," Frigga said, touching the topic she knew her son would want to avoid. "Numina would relax more in your presence than if I were there." Loki conceded her point readily, eager to get the discussion off of himself and Numina.

The Queen and Loki were all but lunged at when they exited the healing room, each of the warriors outside asking a myriad of questions. Frigga had to raise her voice to quell the onslaught of words. "Lady Numina is doing well," she said, her volume lowering as the others quieted. "Though I believe it would be for the best if only a few of you speak with her today, and only one or two at a time. She needs her rest."

Frigga departed soon afterwards, as did Loki, disappeared suddenly enough to startle the guards nearby. He reappeared in his rooms, lighting the area with his magic. As he strode towards his wardrobe, something in the corner of his vision caught his attention. It was a mirror.

As he approached it, Loki could see what Numina meant when he looked feral. His arms were bare and lean with muscle, the green shirt he wore was also tight, showing his thin, but strong form well. Raven black hair falling across his eyes, Loki could not help but smirk at his reflection. Numina must have been understating what she truly thought with the word "attractive," he thought. He looked darker than usual, more like he belonged in shadow. Loki could see the sex appeal that Numina may have been alluding to. Wild, feral, untamed, he found himself liking the look as well, if only it were normal for a prince to look so unkempt.

~~.O.~~

Thor finally entered the healing room, footsteps landing loudly against the floor under him. The room was dimly lit, the windows covered. Numina lay in a bed of white, her fair skin nearly matching the ivory of the sheets. As she turned to face her final visitor, Thor could see the weariness in her shimmering eyes. He vowed to make this a short visit.

"My lord," she greeted him, and for the first time, he noticed that she tensed up at his approach.

"I swear that you call me that simply to confound me," he joked lightly, voice calm and gentle from his normally abrasive nature. Thor was much different now than he had been around her. Numina noticed it when he entered the room. His demeanor was much quieter, much stiller than he usually was. Thor's smile was also different, it was not lustful or eager, but tender. It was strange but not unwelcomed. Numina allowed herself to relax a little as he took a seat in the chair beside her.

"Why would I do such a thing as that, Thor?" she asked, faint smile playing on her lips.

His smile broadened. "Perhaps my brother is beginning to rub off on you," he teased, "or he put you up to it."

"I assure you," she said sincerely, though laughter danced in her eyes, "he has done no such thing."

Thor hummed in amusement. Yes, Numina was much different than any other time he had spoken with her. She was less tense, more willing to speak and meet his eyes. It had taken him longer than most, but Thor now saw that it was his own actions that had caused her to retreat away from him, his own boldness and desire. Forgive me brother, I did not know, he had told Loki. He doubted that his brother knew what he had meant with it, but Thor had realized that Numina would be one of his cherished friends, for he did not wish to take her away from his brother if that was who she desired.

"How are you, my lady?" he asked.

Her small smile faded as she sighed loudly. "I am tired, Thor, but do not think you can use it as an excuse to leave so quickly."

"I wouldn't dream of it, my lady." Thor smiled, genuinely.

"Numina," she corrected him.

"Numina," he echoed. It was then that his eyes darkened as he looked off to the distance.

"Is something wrong?" Numina asked him, concern lacing her words.

He forced himself to smile. "No." Numina did not look as though she fully believed him. "Tell me," he continued, changings topics, "has anyone told you what happened after your fall?"

She frowned at him, curious as to where he was going. "The others have told me the events," she answered. "Loki went in after me. Sif and Fandral retrieved the skiff. Volstagg and Hogun informed the healers. You stayed and helped Loki jumpstart my heart."

"Yes, that is the general idea of it, but there is also a bit more," Thor said, his voice trailing off. His bright eyes finally went back to her own. "My brother is many things, but he is not uncaring," he started. Numina looked at him with a confused expression, causing Thor to look away again, unable to meet such an intense stare. "We had been training about less than a mile away from that cliff. Loki had grown bored and had rode off, wandering as he usually does in free time when he is not reading." Thor paused for a second. "When he saw you fall…he screamed your name Numina. All of us could hear it even over the sound of our fighting. The others might not have recognized it, but there was agony and fear in his cry. When we got to the shore, he was already carrying you out of the water, holding you tightly against him." Thor met her eyes, and for the first time she found them unreadable. And Thor saw sorrow and pain etched in her own eyes for the first time. "I know my brother quite well, but I have never seen him as panicked, as frightened as he was over you…"

"Why are you telling me this?"

"I love my brother," Thor said. "I did not realize it before… I apologize for my actions towards you, for my advances. I hope that you can forgive me for my shameful behavior."

"Thor, you do not need to ask for my forgiveness," Numina said with a smile. "I give that away willingly, but what are you talking about? What did you realize?"

Thor could not help but laugh, "And Loki calls me the fool." He rose to his feet and offered Numina a bow before starting to head for the door.

"Thor!" Numina called after him. When he turned back to her fully she continued. "Tomorrow evening I should be free, if you would still like me to join you for a walk in the gardens."

Thor smiled at her warmly. "I would very much enjoy that." He gave her a final bow, "Until tomorrow," he said.

The doors to the room were closed, and Numina was left alone. She did not have time to think on what had happened between her and Loki, nor did she have time to ponder what Thor had said and his change in behavior. Numina was exhausted, and her eyes fell readily. Sleep enveloped her in its black and dreamless trance.

~~.O.~~

"Is there something wrong Lady Eir?"

"Yes and no, my Queen. It is something…strange that I came across."

"And?"

"Did Lady Falare ever mention who her daughter's father was to you?"

Frigga had frowned at the question. "No. Falare was very adamant that he would not be a problem and that he did not matter. She would not even disclose his location with me." The healer had nodded her head. "Why are you asking me this?"

"When we were healing Numina, I found it strange that she had been weakened and chilled so greatly from the drop into the ocean… I did some tests on her blood."

"What did you find Lady Eir?"

The healer hesitated for a moment. "Lady Numina's father is not Asgardian, nor is he even closely related to the Aesir."

The Queen's expression turned harsh, "You will tell me what you have found and you will not speak of it to another soul. You will destroy all evidence of what you looked for and what you found. Am I clear?"

"Yes, my Queen," Eir bowed.

"Tell me everything."

~~.O.~~

"Thank you kindly for the offer, but I would prefer not to dance this evening," Numina repeated in a politely aloof tone, a small smile on her lips that didn't reach her eyes. The man she had spoken to did not look discouraged, merely offering her the same emotionless smile in return before retreating back into the crowd of dancers and conversers. When he left, Numina allowed herself to sigh in frustration, something considered a rude gesture in court.

The young man who had approached her for a dance was at the very least, the seventh to do so. And while Numina enjoyed the thrill and grace of a dance, she did not care for a partner who merely asked her because of trivial things such as looks or station or availability. Numina was looking for the right partner. One she wouldn't have to worry about stepping on her toes, and who enjoyed the dance just as much as she did. So far though, ever man and his eager friends had been the ones to ask her simply because she was new to court as a lady-in-waiting and that meant that she was clueless and innocent to the scene.

"Not in the mood to dance tonight, Lady Numina?" came a teasing voice.

She knew it was Loki and could not help but smile at his appearance beside her. "Not in the mood to dance with any of those that have asked me so far," Numina then turned to face him, giving him a small curtsey, "my prince."

Before they could carry on a conversation, another eager warrior approached. "Lady Numina," he said bowing before her, "would you honor me with a dance."

"Dancing with you would be a dishonor to her reputation," Loki said in cold silk. "I recommend asking someone who is not so far above your station."

"O-of course, Prince Loki," the man stuttered. "I-I meant no disrespect to the lady." He bowed once more before leaving quickly.

Beside him, Numina started to laugh quietly. "I figured you would disapprove of my cruel method of getting rid of him," Loki said, smirk dancing on his lips.

She shook her head. "If I had known you would be so effective at scaring off those that ask me to dance, I would have sought you out much, much earlier." Her voice was more pleasing than the music that was playing in the hall.

"Happy to be of service, my Lady," Loki replied, bowing to her in jest. He earned himself more light laughter, causing him to smile.

Loki found his time with her to be more and more wonderful. True to her word, Numina had been more carefree around him, opening up slightly; and he found himself doing the same thing unconsciously, though he did not mind. For the first time in a very long time, he finally found someone he could consider a friend, someone who did not mind starting a bit of mischief herself. It was enjoyable, and growing ever more so with each new day it seemed.

"Loki…" Numina hummed condescendingly. Her new carefree attitude with him insisted that he only use her name.

He smiled at her, a knowing smirk hidden within the curve of his lips. "How are you this evening, Numina?"

The way he said her name made Numina shiver. She did not understand how someone could make a name sound so seductive. "I am still a little weary from my swim two days ago, but otherwise, I am fine. If not a little frustrated with how the nobles treat me."

"I understand your frustration, though I am glad to hear that you are doing well for the most part," Loki said, his playful demeanor becoming serious for a moment, before his mischievous nature came back. "Tell me, how adventurous are you feeling tonight."

Icy blue eyes met his emerald gems. There was kindness and warmth in her gaze, a hint of curiosity, a splash of spirit, and a dash of something Loki could not quite place: desire. "That depends on what game you are going to insist I join you in," she replied, her voice in melodic song.

"It is something that will send quite a few tongues wagging, no doubt," Loki said, his voice washing over her in cool, seductive waves. "After all, many eyes have been on you tonight and your curious behavior." He turned to her, "It is not a game I ask you to join me in, but a dance." The song the musicians had been playing finally came to an end. Perfect timing. "You have denied every man that has come before you the privilege of your company, and instead you dance with the Dark Prince? An even more curious thing, indeed. What, perhaps, is he teaching you aside from magic? What tricks does he share with you? Is his bed being kept warm by this new apprentice?" Numina kept his eyes on Loki through his entire speech, enjoying the way he strung his words together in perfect harmony, laced with silver. A silver tongue. "The question is not only how adventurous you are, but how much do you care about the people's good opinion, or how little you care?"

With subtle grace, Loki moved to stand before with calculated steps, enticing in how controlled his movements were. He bowed before her, extending his hand much as the other men had. "Will you honor me with a dance, my Lady Numina?" he asked, silky voice gliding over her.

No one had asked her to dance in the manner that Loki just had. His eyes were sincere and friendly. The smile he wore was honest in its subtlety. To him, she was not just another pretty face to add to an ever growing list. With him, she could be Numina as her days with him proved more and more.

"I would love to," she sang, accepting his offer and placing her hand gently in his.

His fingers closed on her own, soft in their firmness. The warmth of her touch was pleasing, and Loki found himself holding her hand more intimately than was necessary for leading a lady to the dance floor; but her response and use of the word love was also not necessary on her part. It was characteristic to Numina and how she felt about the prospect of dancing with him, not a Prince of Asgard. And Loki felt himself feel the same way about the idea of dancing with her.

Loki's hand softly caressed her waist as Numina placed a hand gingerly on his shoulder. The musicians began playing a feathery beat, soft and slow, but not lacking the whimsical sound of happiness in the tune. With an honest smile, Loki began to lead Numina in the dance, his gentle grace matched by her own.

Bystanders looked upon the sight, eyes turning from their partners and from those they held conversation with. Their voices softened as they watched a curious sight unfold around them. The Dark Prince whose cold bite was unbiased and the soft spoken lady-in-waiting who worked at avoiding the spotlight were dancing together. Words spoken about menial things quickly turned to the topic that graced the hall with flowing movements.

Loki and Numina's movements were fluid as the glided around the gilded floor, steps landing in perfect elegant tandem. They were in harmony with one another, matching each other's grace as if they were reflections of the other. Loki and Numina were flawless compliments of one another as they danced.

She was having fun. Her smile was bright and full of laughter that burned within her heart. Pale blue eyes shone with the starlight her blond hair matched in color. Numina was dancing with Loki, Prince Loki. The thrill of it was still sinking in.

His expression was unlike any Numina had seen. Loki was enjoying himself, maybe even having the same amount of fun that she was. He was also smiling, though much quieter than herself, his emerald eyes shining with warmth as they twirled across the floor, their steps falling instinctively, the mirth washing over them like waves.

They trusted each other to be this close, to dance without worrying about the other. It was more intimate for them than any of the people that watched them could imagine. Loki was not trusting and often viewed as untrustworthy; Numina was afraid to trust and not often seen as someone strong enough to trust. But that night, as the music swirled around them, guiding their graceful steps, was more passionate between the two of them than a night shared between two lovers could ever hope to be.

As the song ended, Loki bowed to her as Numina curtseyed to him, such was the Asgardian custom. There was some light applause as the left the floor, Loki playing the escort, though seemingly enjoying it this time unlike the first. They made their way through the crowds, avoiding the busier area that surrounded the dance hall and trailing back towards the tables.

"Did you feel all their eyes turn on us?" Loki asked in a soft growl of amusement.

Numina looked at him. The passion they both exhibited as they danced with one another remaining. "I was too caught up in the moment to noticed," she admitted.

Loki smiled at her tenderly. "I distracted you?"

The teasing tone of his voice was not lost on her. "I believe you already know the answer to that, Loki," she said her voice soft like a trail of kisses.

There was a small huff of amusement before Loki's smile slowly faded. "Has anyone told you that you look remarkably beautiful tonight?" Numina was speechless, rose petals of blush blooming on her cheeks. He smirked at how much his question had caught her off guard. "You look absolutely radiant tonight."

Numina averted her eyes from his passionate gaze, allowing them fall to the side. "Your words…have left me speechless…you highness," she managed, the nervousness and shyness she tried to leave behind in his presence returning.

A flicker of sadness entered his verdant eyes at her use of a title. Loki reached for her arm, thumb stroking her fair skin lightly. "Numina…" he breathed soothingly, drawing her eyes back to him. "I did not compliment you out of etiquette."

"I know," she said, her icy eyes melting beneath his tender emeralds. "I am getting used to…seeing you, Loki." Numina gave him a small smile. "You still surprise me often."

The corners of his lips turned upwards into a smile once more at her words. Loki extended his arm to her. "Allow me to escort you to your chambers, Lady Numina?" he asked innocently.

"Of course," she replied with a relaxing sigh.

Numina's arm laced through Loki's as he led her once more, though the steps for this dance were much more relaxed and carefree; and instead of music, there was polite conversation to guide them along. They spoke on the food and the people they encountered that evening. Loki was mostly chastising someone or something while Numina would pay small compliments about one particular aspect that was done well. Both of them readily agreed that you could only handle the nobility and court for so long, however.

When they reached Numina's chambers, Loki moved away from her, and both of them longed to stay as close as they had been. With a bow mimicking the grace of their earlier dance, Loki bade Numina a good night, before retreating to his own chambers.

Both of them were left to think on that evening's events. Both were left with a strange sense of emptiness at their parting, and a sense of longing for the next encounter as well. The adoration and attachment they felt for one another was questioned, often criticized for being foolish, but neither Loki nor Numina would do anything other acknowledge that whatever it was budding between them should not continue.

They remembered the dance and how wonderful it felt to be so close to one another, boundaries melted away with the music. Numina longed for Loki to look at her in the same manner again, with passion and tender longing. Loki longed for the way she felt in his arms, relaxed and trusting. Perhaps they would dance together once more. Perhaps they would not need a dance to feel so close.

~~.O.~~

The subtle grin that the Queen wore grew until it was warm upon her lips. Her knowing eyes followed them as they glided across the dance floor, completely at ease with one another as they danced together. It had been ages since she had seen her son enjoying himself so completely, and she had never seen Numina look as confident in herself as she did in Loki's arms.

Frigga nudged Odin with an elbow, drawing him from his conversation with a gesture that would normally been seen as rude in court, were it not his wife, the Queen of Asgard. "Yes, my Queen?" he asked as he turned his attention to Frigga.

"Look," she whispered, nodding in the direction her eyes had not strayed from.

Odin's gaze fell on the dance floor, a flash of confusion running through his eye before he spotted them. Loki and Numina dancing with elegant grace that none of the other pairs could hope to match. "They look to be enjoying themselves," he said, understating what was obvious before him.

The Queen nodded. "Just as you have your reasons behind every decision you make, I have mine."

Odin could not help but smile at the cleverness and wisdom his wife always wielded together. "Then tell me, my love," he spoke lovingly. "What is it that you see?"

Frigga's gentle, motherly eyes flashed to him before returning to Loki and Numina. Her smile became warm and tender. "I see beauty draped in white."

~~.O.~~

Author's Note:

Boom! Another chapter down.

Please tell me what you think about the pacing and spacing of time between and during chapters, I'm worried that it might be too weird.

Also feel free to drop a review to let me know what you think. I love feedback. :)

Anyways, thank you for reading. I hope you are enjoying it so far.