Loki sat underneath the only willow in the private Royal gardens.
He sat with his back touching the cool bark of the tree and watched as the branches waved in the Asgardian breeze.
Loki had brought a hand to his side where the blow from Serene was.
Not only was the wound a bruise but also a cracked rib.
He winced as he slightly prodded the injury. Loki closed his eyes with a pained sigh as he tried to ignore the throbbing.
A musical trill filled the air as a familiar sound of wings beat through the silence.
Loki felt a weight on his leg and the sting of talons as the phoenix landed on his leg.
"Great, the song bird," Loki groaned as the bird clicked her beak at him.
Serene gave him a pointed look, 'If you only knew,' Serene thought as she leaned in and bit at the clothing of Loki's injured side.
"What are you doing, you stupid bird," Loki said as he tried to shoo the bird.
Serene prodded at the wound in his side and nudged his hand out of the way.
"Ugh fine, just be careful," Loki grumbled as he pulled his tunic away from his side.
There was a giant angry bruise that had formed on his side.
Serene crooned lowly as she leaned in and examined the wound closer.
There was a slight tension in the muscles as though they showed the crack on the rib.
Serene blinked her eyes as a few tears dripped down her cheek onto the wound.
Loki watched as the bird looked closely at the wound and then started to cry.
"Great, I don't need a crying bird," Loki said as he turned his eyes to the wound.
He let out a gasp as the black bruise faded to a pale yellow and he softly prodded the rib and felt the mended bone.
"Tears heal all wounds, huh?" Loki said as he pulled his tunic back down.
He stroked the bird's head in affection and appreciation.
Serene closed her eyes at the feeling of Loki's fingers brushing her feathers.
His hands were a cool temperature compared to her body heat.
"Thank you song bird, I appreciate the thought of you healing me," Loki said as he leaned down and pressed a kiss to Serene's head.
The cool lips brushed the crown of her head before she felt nothing but the breeze.
She opened her eyes and saw that he was gone.
Serene craned her neck to see if anyone was in the vicinity.
No one but the guards stationed at the entrance were there.
With a deep breath, Serene transformed back into her main form.
Unbeknownst to her, a pair of emerald eyes watched from the branches of a far away tree.
That evening
The royal family sat in their private dinning area along with the warrior three and lady Sif at a separate table.
Serene sat next to Thor and across from Loki at the head table.
"So Lady Serene how do your studies come?" Queen Frigga asked as she stared at the young woman.
"They are coming along very well my Queen," Serene answered with a polite smile.
"Good, good no mishaps with the transformations yet, I fear some of the young apprentices struggle with those the most," Queen Frigga said with a smirk of mischief.
'Ah so she must know,' Serene said knowing that smile.
'My Galaxian I think now is the time to tell, my son has seen you transform' Queen Frigga said in mind speak.
'Don't worry my Queen I had my suspicions, especially since he can't keep his eyes to himself tonight.' Serene said back to the Queen.
Frigga looked down and saw the questioning gaze Loki kept on Serene.
She smiled as she saw the slightest hint of curiosity sweep across Loki's mask of indifference.
"My dear I hope it isn't too much for a demonstration to see the mastery," Frigga said in a hopeful voice.
"Of course my Queen, maybe once the desert has been eaten I feel that would be the best time," Serene said with a returning smile.
The Queen nodded her head and the family continued dinner.
"Prince Loki it is rude to stare," Serene said taking a sip of the summer wine.
"Ah forgive me, I'm still trying to comprehend how such a young creature such as yourself could have mastered shapeshifting," Loki said in a teasing manner.
" Hmm, but my Prince you are the same age, yet you mastered most sorcery, how is that so surprising?" Serene said with a playful smirk.
"Aye, she's got you there brother," Thor said with a bellow of laughter.
Loki shook his head and a small mischievous smirk crossed over his face.
Serene knew better then to lift her drink to her lips.
She had seen that smirk on the Trickster's face and the hand movement.
After the desert was brought out and consumed in gusto by the Warriors and Thor, the family waited on the young Galaxian.
The Queen raised her head as Serene stood.
She walked passed the dark Prince, "Might want to be a little more subtle with your parlor tricks, are you a child with mischief on the mind, Prince Loki?" Serene whispered as she passed by him.
Loki held in his annoyance at Serene's knowledge of the small prank that was placed in the chalice, a small black snake raised its head out of the goblet before disappearing.
Loki let out an annoyed huff before turning his gaze to watch Serene's performance.
'Do you think this is wise mother?' Serene thought as she stood in front of the royal family and the most trusted Warrior Three.
'Frigga must have seen something that must allow you to trust them with one of your abilities, you know she can see the future,' A dark shadow said from beneath Serene's feet.
"Any suggestions Queen Frigga?" Serene asked with hands tucked behind her back.
"What ever makes you most comfortable dear," Queen Frigga responded.
The room was silent, a cup was placed on the table as the Asgardians waited.
Taking a deep breath, Serene brought forth the image of her phoenix form to the front of her mind.
She felt the shift in her body as she shrank down towards the floor.
Her bones became as light as air as her arms extended outwards into icy blue wings.
Feathers sprouted out of her skin and covered her body as her eyes sharpened on the face of the Trickster.
Loki watched the transformation of Serene in complete awe.
This transformation was very different to his own shapeshifting.
He watched as her body morphed to fit the image she must have thought of.
His suspicions were confirmed as she let out a musical trill that reverberated around the chamber.
She flew up into the air and flew a circle around the family before landing on Loki's shoulder.
The Prince held up his fingers and gently rubbed his fingers along the breast of the bird.
Serene let out low musical whistle in return for the contact.