The dark veil of mourning covered the beautiful face of Aethiopia's last royal. Her body was covered in a long black gown that pooled at her feet and tears adorned her face. She stood next to the Queen of Asgard, the women quietly comforted by the other's presence.
The ceremony was scarce in attendance but it did not matter to Andromeda, for Loki might have fallen but he was still a prince. It was her first time seeing a proper Asgardian death ceremony and it was beautiful, albeit solemn. Usually, they would send a body out to sea in a decorated boat, but since they had no body, it was just an empty vessel.
Odin raised his bow and arrow and shot it in the air, the arrow ablaze. It landed on the boat and set fire to it. Andromeda watched with empty eyes as the boat went over the falls. She stood there for a moment more before turning around and walking away from the ceremony.
Green surrounded a beautiful princess as she sat in the middle of a clearing. It was midday and the Asgardian sun was bright, the image reflecting off the clear water of the waterfall, and all was calm in the small part of the kingdom.
Princess Andromeda was seated in the grass, her pretty white dress slightly stained, and she held a seed in her hands. Her brows were furrowed and she bit her lip in concentration as she focused all her energy on the small piece of nature.
The princess' brown eyes narrowed and after a long moment, the seed began to tremble.
"Princess!" The royal was startled out of her trance, dropping the seedling as children came running into the clearing. She stood up from the ground and smoothed down her dress, smiling as they approached her. "Hello children." She greeted formally with a bow of her head. "It is not time for a story is it?"
The group of babes shook their heads, instead presenting a band of white flowers, "We made you a crown!" Andromeda lightly touched her chest and smiled, touched by the gesture. "You have been sad for a long time so we wanted to cheer you up!"
"Oh," The princess tried to find words but she couldn't, so she bowed her head and allowed the boy to place the flower crown over her golden one. "You all are so sweet." She smiled prettily, careesing the cheeks of the children she could reach. "So kind, each and every one of you. Why don't you sit with me?"
The children cheered excitedly and did as they were told, some gathering around the princess, some running around the clearing.
Some time later, as Andromeda was getting more flowers braided into her hair, another royal appeared at the mouth of the clearing. Before the princess saw him, the children reacted, running to the prince who was carrying a satchel in his hands.
"Hello children!" Andromeda watched Thor greet them with a large smile. They were always excited to see him and it was always a spectacle when the two of them were seen together.
Rising from her place on a stump, she wiped her dress as the blue eyes landed on her figure. The chatter ceased and the crowd of little ones parted as she stepped toward the prince.
"Greetings, princess." Thor greeted formally, a large smile on his face as she held hers back. "How do you dwell on this day?"
"I am wonderful, kind prince." Andromeda replied, just as formal, "I hope you are the same?"
"My mood has significantly brightened now that I am in your presence." The prince winked and Andromeda bit back her smile as the children cooed garishly.
"Alright, alright." The beauty chimed, waving the children away, "Go play!" The babes laughed and ran from the couple, squealing as they began to play once more. Andromeda smiled tightly as she stood next to the son of Odin. "Must you excite them further?" The princess muttered, looking at the children, "There are already rumors of our engagement."
"Maybe the fault lies with you," Thor spoke through his smile, an arm falling heavy on her shoulders, "You are staring at me far too often." He pulled her in and nuzzled into her hair.
"Hush." Andromeda snapped with half a heart, not pushing him away. "No one is to know we are together, remember?"
The prince hummed with a snicker and a smirk, "And yet they all do..."
The princess shrugged his arm off of her, turning to him with a scoff, "Because of your big mouth!"
"I thought you liked my big mouth." Thor retorted suggestively, biting his thumb.
Andromeda's face flushed and she hit his arm, turning to once again look at the children. "Can I assist you in someway?" The princess questioned, "Or are you here just to be a nuisance?"
"Nuisance?" Thor mimicked her voice, reaching over and pinching her waist. He grinned when she jumped, "I would think you would like to see the heroic victor of Asgard."
The princess smiled as he inched behind her and fingered her braid. "The battle went well then?"
The blonde hummed in affirmation, moving her braid over her shoulder and running a slow finger down her bare back. "How have you been, Andromeda?" The beauty swallowed and avoided the question, instead smiling reassuringly at the children as they played. Placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, the prince stepped around her. "Alright children! The princess and I have to go back to the palace!"
There were some groans and cries but the prince was able to handle them, promising to return with her tomorrow. After a few kisses and hugs, Andromeda stepped into Thor's arms and he took off into the sky.
The two were silent on the walk to Thor's chambers. As soon as they were inside, Andromeda began to unravel her hair from its braid, placing the flowers onto the vanity. As she lifted the crown from her head, she caught blue eyes staring at her in the mirror and calloused palms brushed across her shoulders.
"I'm sorry." The words were muttered above her and she furrowed her brows.
"It is not your fault that I am uncontrollably sad. Besides," The princess untangled the final flower from her hair, "You are a son of Odin and that comes with numerous responsibilities-!"
"But you are my priority." Thor interjected, lowering himself to his knees, "I would give it all up if that would make you-!"
It was Andromeda's turn to interrupt, "I would never ask you to do that." She assured, turning around on the stool. She cupped his cheeks in her hands and pressed her forehead against his.
Thor gazed into her soft sapling eyes for a long moment before he pulled away, "I got you a souvenir." He chimed, digging in his satchel. He pulled out a short chain with a blue pendant, wrapping it around her wrist and tying it in a bow. He pressed his lips against her wrist and glanced up at her. "Do you like it?" The prince asked bashfully, almost making her laugh.
"It's beautiful." The princess smiled, admiring the gem, "It's the same color blue as your eyes. Thank you." She leaned down and pecked his cheek, finally letting out a giggle at how pink the prince was turning. As her laugh danced across his skin, she pressed her lips against his, the two exhaling together in relief.
Andromeda pulled away and smiled softly, brushing her thumb against his cheek. "You are too good to me, sweet prince."
Thor returned her smile with a grin of his own but said nothing, only resting his hand on top of hers. The princess could see the worry in her lover's eyes and her smile faltered. She patted his cheek and turned around to face the mirror, finishing the act of freeing her hair from its braid.
A gasp escaped from her lips as she was lifted from the bench, only to be placed in the prince's lap.
"Brute." She teased with a smirk. Thor simply hummed and brushed his beard against her neck, making her giggle.
"I missed you." The prince grinned at her in the mirror, his arms tightening around her. He buried his nose in her hair and inhaled deeply. "I do not want to be away from you for one second."
Andromeda cooed his name as she picked a flower that hid in her hair. He was like a child being reunited with his mother, he didn't want to let her go. She grabbed her golden comb from the vanity and began to take care of the tangles. She hummed an old nursery rhyme Cosima used to sing to her and Thor joined in her song, making her smile.
"How do you-!"
"You sing it in the mornings." Thor explained before singing raspily, "Come in close now it's time to tell a story."
"Long ago and so many years before we ever were, ever dreamed we even could be. There was her and her very first heartbeat." Andromeda finished, beaming at the prince. "I love you." He winked at her and stood up suddenly, sweeping her off her feet.
"There is two hours before dinner will be served." Thor informed her, his tone innocent but his eyes sparkling.
"Where is it written that we have to go to dinner?" Andromeda retorted with wide eyes before her expression melted into a beautiful smile. He beamed at her and nearly threw her on the bed, tugging at his armor.
Andromeda landed with a squeak and a bounce. As soon as she found her bearings he was leaning over her to meet their lips. It was a frantic motion and the princess pulled away, placing a finger to his mouth. "Thor," She murmured his name in a song, "Do not rush." Her beautiful amber eyes batted up at him as he nodded silently. She removed her finger from his lips and replaced it with her own, pecking the corners of his mouth before swooping in.
Thor groaned against her lips and as she rested her hands on his tense shoulders; she knew he was struggling not to grab her. "Please?" He rasped against her and she nodded, gasping as he buried a hand in her hair. He kissed her again but it was harder and his other hand gripped her thigh.
As softly as he could manage, he trailed his kisses to her cheek, her chin, and lastly her neck. He paused at her favorite spot and suckled, hearing her whimper.
"Help me out of this dress." Andromeda breathed, her mouth dropping when he shook his head. Instead, lowered himself to her clothed breasts and kneaded them in his large hands, his thumbs tracing over her nipples. Licking his lips, he covered one of her nipples and flicked his tongue against it, making the bronze beauty keen. He smiled against the cloth and repeated the motion on the other side.
"Do not rip this dress." Andromeda warned as he held himself up to kiss her lips again. The sound of fabric tearing made her scowl. "You-!"
"I am sorry." Thor muttered, not meaning a word of it as he slid the fabric from her body. The princess huffed and shook her head at him, though her legs spread to welcome him in. He chuckled at her anger and brushed his knuckles against her cheek, the beauty closing her eyes at the act of intimacy.
"You aren't forgiven." Was murmured from her lips and her eyes opened in a molten gaze that left him paralyzed for a moment. Andromeda narrowed her eyes and pouted teasingly, her dainty hands tugging Thor close to her by his armor. "That was the tenth dressed ruined by your hand, son of Odin." Her legs crossed and she pulled him into her even more, her hand coming to rest on his cheek. "I was rather fond of that one."
"I…" Thor rasped above her, his throat dry, "I'm sorry."
Andromeda smiled tauntingly, pecking his lips. "Make it up to me." She sung lowly, honey dripping from every word.
In an instant a grin was on the prince's face and he was yanking off his armor, Andromeda giggling as he tripped over his boots to get to her. Shrugging off her tattered dress, she scooted herself back until she was against the headboard. In an instant, Thor joined her.
With one quick thrust, they were one. Andromeda breath came out in quick puffs and she held Thor closely to her. Blue eyes watched every flicker on her face fondly and a smile was shared between the two. The longing between the two made the act all the more sweet and with every touch was a twinge of electricity.
With a strike of distant lightning and a high pitched cry, it was over. The first round of it, anyway.
Andromeda rested her cheek on Thor's chest as he drew lazy circles on her back. A sheen of sweat covered the lovers and a peaceful silence had fallen over the room. The princess closed her eyes for just a moment, taking a mental note in her mind of the feeling of his warmth.
"I want to marry you."
Andromeda smiled silently, pressing her lips against his skin. "You say that every time you bed me."
"Aye," Thor nodded, a rumbling chuckle emitting from him, "But I mean it."
"I have no doubt that you are genuine in your words." The princess whispered, "That is what frightens me." The hand on her back stilled for a moment and her eyes popped open to look up at her lover.
"Marrying me frightens you?" He muttered with a deep frown.
"No my love," Andromeda murmured, sitting up, "That is not what I meant." She assured him, brushing a soft hand against his cheek, "You have nothing to do with my fear."
Thor pushed upper body up, now resting against the majestic golden headboard, "Marriage frightens you…"
The princess averted her eyes for a moment before fingers tugged at her chin. She looked back to her prince stubbornly, pouting when he began to smile. "It seems everyday I discover a new layer, Andromeda." The beauty simply bit his fingers in response; not too keen on being laughed at. It caused Thor to just snicker more, the oaf leaning forward and connecting their lips.
"I have a complicated history of marriage if you recall." Andromeda said, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I was to be married to my uncle, then when I actually do get married everyone dies. Then of course Loki-!"
"You would not have to worry about any of that with me, Andromeda." Thor assured the beauty, pressing his lips against her forehead. "I would keep you safe."
"I am sure you think you could." As soon as the word left her mouth she regretted them. She closed her eyes as she felt him move away from her. "I did not…" She tried, "I was not trying to…" A warm palm cupped her cheek and she covered it with her own.
"Look at me, Andromeda." The princess did what was asked of her and instantly felt terrible. "Do you love me?" Thor questioned in a rasp, his thumb stroking her skin.
"Of course." Andromeda breathed, pressing her lips against his hand.
"Do you trust me?" Thor then asked lowly.
The royal nodded, her brows furrowing, "More than anything in the worlds."
"Would our many children be adorable?"
A smile ticked on her face at the thought, "Yes."
Thor returned her grin before bringing his face closer to hers, "Then marry me."
Andromeda pursed her lips and pressed her forehead against his, sighing lowly. "I want to…" She breathed, closing her eyes, "I want to desperately say yes and feel all the joy and happiness that comes with marriage but I cannot. Not yet." At the end of her admission, she opened her eyes to look into his. "It's too soon."
"It has been a year." Thor muttered and Andromeda removed herself from him, shaking her head.
"You don't understand." The princess accused softly before averting her eyes, "You can't understand."
"I love you." The prince bellowed desperately, reaching for her hand. "And you love me. That is all that matters."
"It is more than that." Andromeda choked out, licking her lips, "It is always more than that. Thor I've loved him for-!"
Thor grimaced and nodded his head, "And now the true reason presents itself." The princess kept her head turned away. "You think he's alive."
"Do not twist my words." The beauty whispered, swallowing hardly, "I simply mean that I should be allowed to mourn. We were not married but he was mine for centuries-!"
"He was not faithful to you!" The prince exclaimed, his voice echoing through the bedroom, "Not as I have been and will continue to be! Why are you fixating on a promise that was never true when he was alive and may never be?"
Andromeda's lips parted and her eyes became glossy. It took a year but she was glad that she finally knew how he felt. Saying nothing in return, she raised herself from the bed. She grabbed his robe from the post and wrapped it around herself, storming out of the room in a river of red satin. She needed to be alone, so she went to her special place in the palace; the garden.
After Loki's death, she had scrapped the courtyard and had her own flowers planted. She watered them herself every day and she was rewarded with beautiful color and a place to hide.
Andromeda closed the double doors behind herself and leaned against them, looking up at the night sky. "Mother…" She called to the stars, before huffing, "Don't look at me that way; I could not say yes yet."
The princess rolled her eyes and walked into her garden, her barefeet against the soil. It seemed as if the flowers strained to reach her fingertips and she dragged them along the plants.
Andromeda looked down to see a mutated daisy brushing against her palm like an animal. Tilting her head, she bent down and examined the flower with furrowed brows.
It was a secret she had been keeping for a month, not uttering it to a soul; Andromeda had developed the power to manipulate plants. At first, it was little things like the plants would caress her or greet her when she walked past. Then it slowly turned into her healing starving plants, and just this afternoon she had finally been able to crack a seed.
She did not know where it came from, but she had a suspicion. It wasn't worth worrying anyone until she knew for sure, until then it would be her little secret.
Andromeda had always been a child of nature. Even when she was younger she felt the plants drawing her to them. Hiding in the high sunflower stalks, she would look up and wander if she would ever grow to be as beautiful.
The princess laid back on the grass and closed her eyes, the moonlight dancing on her skin. Flowers brushed their petals against her cheeks and she sighed lowly, trying to calm her mind enough to sleep.
As she began to drift off, a drop of rain hit her nose, then her lips, and finally her cheeks before a full out shower rained down on her. She opened her eyes and glared at the clouds in the once clear sky.
It was the con of having a elemental god as a lover.
With another sigh, she began to lift herself up, feeling the call of her plants. "I must go." She whispered to them calmingly, standing fully. She was drenched from head to toe and all she really wanted was a hot bath.
Andromeda made her way back to her quarters, her feet dragging along the way. She opened the door and let it slam close behind her, unwittingly alerting the prince of her arrival. Padding all the way to the bathroom, her frown deepened when she found her lover in a steaming hot bath with a smile on his face.
"You're back." Thor greeted and she wanted to slap him. It was all part of a grand scheme that she couldn't say no to. They would get into a disagreement, she would wander off, he would cause a freezing shower, then lure her into a tub. So predictable, yet it was still sweet.
"You made it rain." The princess accused, dropping her wet robe. "Scoot over." He does not and she sits in his lap like she always does. A moment later, her hair is being washed for her and her pout has melted into a mouth open in ecstasy.
"You do not have to marry me." Thor rasped behind her, his meaty fingers scratching her scalp just how she likes it.
"Oh be quiet." Andromeda snapped softly, patting his thick thigh, "You know I will-!"
"Eventually." The prince finished for her, gently rinsing the suds from her curls.
The beauty hummed and turned around, straddling his lap. She searched his eyes, the blue being so crystal clear it took her breath away every time, and smiled softly. "You are so good," She breathed on his lips, "And loyal, and wonderful, and sweet, and I do not deserve you."
"It is I who do not deserve you, Andromeda." Thor retorted, caressing her back. "I just never want to be without you. Is that too much to ask?" His smile was small and his cheeks were pink.
Andromeda shook her head, "No." She muttered, "It is not because I want the same. I just…"
Thor smiled tightly at her, "I know."
"Do you trust me?" She whispered, searching his eyes. "Truly?"
The prince echoed her early words, "More than anything in the worlds."
"Then prove it." Andromeda breathed, silent desperation dripping from her words. Keeping his eye for a moment more, she got out of the tub and wrapped a towel around herself. Without looking back, she sauntered out of the bathroom, sadness and guilt running through her.