Chapter 8

Serene stood in front of her full-length mirror twirling the dress she was wearing.

It was a gold floor-length dress with an open back and a long scoop in the front.

She wore a crown the resembled her helm on top of her head.

The band was made of the black metal that made up her armor.

The metal was only that made from the remains of a star.

Her band had two dark blue dragon wings sticking up from the base.

She chuckled when she thought of the two princes wearing their crowns as well.

Thor's was more like hers only having being made of silver with eagle wings on the side.

Loki's though, this reminded her of a cow or a ram.

He would get a little annoyed with telling the story of how he beat a dragon in order to create his helm and placed the horns into his helm to intimidate.

Unfortunately it drew another type of attention, which brought on a more furious Loki.

A knock broke her out of her thoughts.

"Lady Serene are you ready for departure?" Thor asked as he stepped through the doors.

Thor stopped short when his gaze fell on her.

Thor gulped when he saw Serene.

She was wearing a very beautiful dress that hugged her curves and showed of her figure.

Thor felt his mouth go dry when he tried to speak.

He felt like a little boy with a crush, though it was something more than some petty crush.

"You, um look very beautiful Serene," Thor stuttered out.

Serene laughed a little as she approached the Golden Prince.

"And you, my Prince are very handsome," Serene said as she went past Thor to collect her bag and her weapon.

Leviathan hissed a hello from the bed as he tried to crawl up her wrist.

You cannot come today, the Vanir have hatred towards snakes and I don't want you getting hurt.

Serene spoke as she brushed his head with her fingers.

Leviathan looked dejected as he went back to the covers and coiled up.

Thor shivered when Serene spoke to the snake.

Knowing All-peak he could make out some of the words but it only pertained to more human-like races then animals.

Thor smiled at Serene when she walked over and took his arm when he offered it up.

The pair walked down the hall and saw Loki standing at the very end.

Loki lost his breath when he saw Serene.

He has had some trouble as of lately trying to get her out of his mind.

He would lay awake at night thinking of her, her smile always taunting him to play.

He smiled as they approached and slid his arm out and Serene put hers on top and was led by both princes to the entranceway.

Frigga stood at the end closest to the door.

Loki broke away from the group to lead his mother towards the horses.

Serene then broke away from Thor to mount the horse waiting for them.

Her horse was a young appaloosa mare.

The mare was mostly white with the signature black spots along her coat and body.

Thor sat on top of a white Clydesdale stallion.

Loki was sitting up on a black Arabian stallion and the Queen sat on top of the mare that was a twin to Loki's.

Thor led the party to the Bifrost and soon they were transported to Vanaheim.

Line Break

The party arrived at the entrance to the city of Vanaheim.

Markets like in Asgard, surrounded the city, the heart of the city sat the large palace.

Many towers surrounded the main part of the palace.

Though the palace was as grand as the Asgardian one, it still had its charm due to the nature that surrounded it.

Magical ivy was carefully growing around the towers and were shimmering with a magic aura.

King Frey stood proudly at the entrance along with Freya.

The King was smiling at the company as stable hands helped them dismount.

"Welcome home Frigga and nephews," King Frey smiled as the company walked up the steps.

"Hello Father, hello Aunt Freya," Queen Frigga announced as she kissed her father's cheek.

The two princes bowed their heads in respect.

Serene curtsied in respect as she stood next to the princes.

"And who are you my dear," King Frey said as he picked up Serene's hand and kissed it.

Serene blushed before pulling her hand back.

"My name is Lady Serene, King Frey," Serene answered.

"Mmm I remember you, you were just a babe at the time of my last visit to Asgard," King Frey said as he offered his arm to his daughter to take.

Thor offered up his arm to Lady Freya as Loki offered his to Serene.

Freya smiled flirtatiously at Thor and gave him a wink.

Loki rolled his eyes at her obvious flirting.

People within in the Nine Realms knew off her escapades.

Loki, being one of her pursuits for his magic title, paid more attention to the woman attached to his arms.

She was staring around at the palace as they passed through the halls.

"Frigga, I expect you and your sons will be staying in your wing of the palace?" King Frey asked as he stood at the fork of two wings.

"Of course, Father," Queen Frigga answered.

" Good, I will see you later for the festivities then, I'm sure you and Lady Serene would like to freshen up hmm?" King Frey said as he smirked at Serene.

Serene cringed at the thought of King Frey advances on her.

He wasn't bad looking; on the contrary, he was very handsome and was highly sought after like his sister.

He lost his wife after Frigga was born and had gone through many consorts but never settling down.

He had blonde hair and a neatly shaved goatee.

He reminded her of Fandral but with sharper features and of course he had magic.

She was a little hesitant at his advances; he seemed to be setting off signals within her senses.

The King bowed his head and left them in the corridor.

Freya kissed Thor's cheek and left as well, her hips swaying as she followed her brother.

"I would be careful with my aunt Thor, she is relentless when it comes to men," Queen Frigga said smiling as she guided her stepsons down the wing.

"Of course Mother, though I think it is Loki who has to be more worried," Thor said as he clapped a hand on Loki's shoulder.

Loki winced at the impact as Serene gave him a sympathetic look.

"Oh no brother, I would be careful if I were you, I wouldn't want to turn pink with a maiden in my chambers," Loki smirked as he led Serene away to the guest room next to the one he is always assigned.

Serene waved a good bye to the Queen and Thor.

Loki opened the door and held it open for her.

She stepped through the door and was welcomed to the sight of a wide-open room that had a balcony that stretched along the third wall of the room.

The bed was a large circle that had green and gold sheets.

"Hmm, they seem to have your colors Loki," Serene said she spun around the room her arms out wide.

She took of her weapon and placed it on the holder near the bed.

The double agent sword shone in the afternoon sun, glinting with a known viciousness.

( )

Serene then took of her outer gauntlet.

( )

Loki smiled at her childish antics before catching her wrist in his long fingers.

He carefully spun her so she was facing him.

"Serene I was wondering if you would allow me to escort to the feast tonight?" Loki asked as he looked into her eyes.

Serene's breath caught in her throat.

This was the first time Loki had asked her to join him.

Most of time it was Thor that would ask her, but she guessed Loki finally got the chance before him.

"Why of course Loki," She said as she stared back into his striking eyes.

Loki was beaming at her answer. He had finally gotten the courage to ask her.

He had always fallen short at finding the words to ask her, that and Thor always knew what to say to her.

Loki leaned in and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"I will come collect you in two hours," Loki said before teleporting.

Serene held her cheek with her hand and gasped.

Loki was never this affectionate towards her.

What is he up to?