Chapter 10
Serene stared out at the morning sun of Vanaheim.
She felt fairies flutter in her stomach when she thought of last night.
After the longest time, Serene had been given a kiss from the Dark Prince.
Serene heard a knock at her door and stood to greet her guest.
Serene was in a gold and white airy dress that billowed in the breeze as she approached the door.
Loki stood behind the door, one of his hands held a small bouquet of fire lilies in it while the other was at his side as he waited for the door to open.
Loki felt his stomach squirm like a snake at the thought of any rejection from Serene.
Out of all his past pursuits this one was one of the most challenging moments in his life.
Angrboda had been his first love; she was a jotun but not a frost giant.
She hailed from the mountains and was a beautiful as she was cunning.
Loki was young when he pursued her and suffered at her ministrations.
Boda was a very controlling lover and had shaped Loki to her needs.
She dominated him and controlled his very thoughts.
She had given him three children, though due to their magic and her Jotun race, their children were monsters.
His eldest son Fenrir was a giant black wolf that was prophesized to bring the death of Odin.
Jörmungandr was Loki's middle child, he was a large magical serpent that grew so big he had to leave his son to Midguard to grow and hold the Middle Earth together after the wars from the Midguardians.
The great ice had started to drift apart and cause the seas to swell.
Odin had suggested Loki to let his son protect the earth from further crumbling.
Loki had reluctantly allowed his son to go with a promise to visit.
Jörmungandr had a better life then his other siblings though.
Fenrir was stuck within the bowels of the dungeons to rot and his little daughter was the ruler of Helheim.
Hel was born with one side with the beauty of a dark princess and the other the side of a Jotun.
A horn grew from her forehead and her cheek was decorated with ridges that swirled and curled down her Jotun half.
Loki still loved his little all the same.
The others though had shunned her, well except for Serene who could not hate any being or creature.
She had welcomed the small bundle when Loki brought her to the Palace.
Serene cooed over the little girl with a bright smile on her face.
After Hel's birth though, Boda had left him for another being who would submit completely to her.
Loki had always hated to be controlled by her.
She would demand he submit instead of earning the position.
Serene had helped him raise his little girl to a young woman before Odin had put the burden of the dead on her shoulders.
Loki had a hard time letting his little girl go to rule the Dead but since he had no say against the All-Father he held his tongue.
Serene had soothed his wounds when he felt the tear of the separation.
His next wife, Sigyn had been a rare find. She was petite little Asgardian, with a small frame and long flowing gold hair.
She had been a more political marriage that did not last long due to Loki's slaying of his brother, Baldur.
His one of his sons was killed and Loki was sentenced to torture of venom dripping on him from a snake over his head.
Sigyn had stayed for the first few weeks of the torture to hold the bowl for the venom to drip in but her heart took its toll and she had broken it off to go find love.
His son Vali had been transformed into a wolf and devoured Narfi.
After Narfi was no more Vali was put in the same cell as Fenrir to rot.
Serene had made sure his two sons got along as he endured the venom dripping over him.
It took years for Loki to gain his sight back from the venom but he felt the hatred towards Odin for the punishment.
Loki knew that Baldur would not be the heir to throne and had tricked his twin to kill him by using a mistletoe arrow.
Loki was broken out of his musings by the opening of the door.
Serene opened her door to see Loki on the other side.
He was dressed in an airy dark green tunic with his gold chest plate.
His dark leather trousers that were tucked into his matching black boots encased his legs.
"Hello Serene, theses are for you, though they do not dare compare to your beauty," Loki said smoothly as he held out his hand that held bright fire lilies.
"Oh Loki, they are beautiful," Serene said as she brought them closer to examine them.
They were as vibrant as a roaring fire, the yellows faded to oranges and finally blood red at the petals.
" I was hoping you would care to take a stroll with me?" Loki asked as he extended his arm out.
"Of course, just let me put these in a vase," Serene said as she twirled around in search for a vase to fill with water.
Once the flowers were taken care of Serene returned to Loki and held onto his arm with hers.
Loki walked them towards the private garden that was apart of the guest wing of the Palace.
The gardens were more exotic then the ones on Asgard due to the new foliage Serene saw.
She brushed her fingertips over the different petals of flowers as they strolled on through the gardens to a maze.
"Catch me if you can," Serene said as she bolted towards the entrance.
She had abandoned her shoes before she said those words and was running barefoot.
She ran towards what felt like the center and she could hear Loki trailing behind her.
"And what if I catch you?" A voice spoke into her ear.
"I will reward you, but you are going to have to better than that," Serene smirked as she took off again.
Loki chuckled at her antics and pursued her with earnest.
Serene came upon a dead end as Loki closed in on her.
"It's seems I have caught you," Loki said as a smirk pulled at his lips.
"The maze did all the work," Serene huffed out.
"Mmm but I still caught you," Loki said as he captured her in his long arms.
Serene was tugged so she was flushed with Loki.
She felt the thrum of their magic meet and she gasped softly.
"What is my prize, fair maiden?" Loki asked as he brought up a hand to cup her cheek.
Serene blushed as she glanced down to his lips, which were slightly parted.
She unconsciously licked her lips as she looked back up into his eyes.
Loki watched as her tongue wetted her lips and she took a second to gaze into his eyes.
He saw a little hesitation before she leaned in and kissed him.
Their lips met with a crackle of magic that surged from both sides.
Serene let out a little whimper at the flow of energy passing through her.
She held onto Loki's shoulders as she leaned in closer to get more contact, if that was even possible.
Loki cradled her head with one hand and wound the other one in her hair.
He nibbled on her lip and licked the pressure. Serene opened her mouth to grant entrance.
Loki's tongue entered and coaxed her tongue into a battle.
He searched every crevice with that Silvertongue before they broke away for air.
Loki leaned down and started placing nips along her chin and soon traveled down her neck to the sweet spot along her shoulder and neck.
Serene gasped as he gave a quick bite to the junction.
Serene fisted his raven locks in her fingers and Loki let out a low growl.
He soothed the bite with his tongue.
"You are mine and I am yours," Loki said as he pulled away to stare at her.
"I wouldn't have it any other way, though I thought it was going to happen sooner," Serene teased.
"I was a fool to not pursue you sooner and for that I am sorry," Loki said as he leaned down again to capture her sweet lips in a bruising kiss.
Serene moaned as another surge ravished her body.
Serene broke away again to whisper out a moan filled 'Loki' on her lips.
Loki growled again and placed another love bite along her junction.
Someone cleared their throat, in which the couple jumped apart.
"Master Frey has sent for you two to meet him in the private meeting chamber," a servant squeaked out as they ran away from Loki's murderous glare.
Serene blushed as she attempted to smooth her dress out.
Loki grasped her hands with his own and brought them to his lips.
He placed kisses along her fingertips before releasing them.
Loki offered up his arm which Serene took.
Serene smiled sweetly at Loki before she vanished.
"Let's see if you can keep up Dark Prince," Serene whispered into Loki's ear.
Loki shivered at the warm breath before smirking.
"Oh my love, you don't know what you got yourself into," Loki said as he to chased after her shadow form.
~In the meeting room~
Frey sat in one of the lounge chair conversing with his daughter.
He watched as his sister tried to woo Thor.
Thor had somehow taken on a pink hue though and the poor Asgardian was disgruntled.
Apparently his brother had played a wonderful prank on him.
The door opened with a bang as Serene walked in with a grin plastered on her face.
Loki came in a few paces behind a little out of breath.
"King Frey, you requested our audience?" Serene spoke to the King.
Loki was miffed that the minx had beaten him in shadow running.
" Ah yes, I wanted your opinion on the tonight's theme, I was hoping for a more animalistic party to have the guest dress up as animals to get more in touch with their animal side," Frey said with his wolfish grin.
Serene did not like this smile though; she glanced at Loki before speaking her mind.
"I would think that would be a splendid idea though most people would have to seek out sorcerers to complete their costumes," Serene said.
"This should not be a problem, I had the invitation enchanted to change the party goers into the creature that represents their inner spirit," Frey said as he stroked his chin.
Loki raised an eyebrow and glanced at Serene.
"Wouldn't that be a problem though, I don't think others would enjoy the body of an animal" Loki spoke.
"The card shall create costumes that represent the animals they are most like and create a persona of that animal that includes a mask for those who want to hide their face," Freya spoke as she smiled at the pair.
Loki smirked at the thought of Thor's animal. "So have offered my brother his invitation yet?" Loki asked innocently.
"Not yet brother," Thor said as he glanced at his brother.
"I bet it would be magnificent eagle, to go with those wings," Serene snickered.
Loki also smiled at this at the thought of Thor being a bird.
"Oh no, I think he would be a Midguardian bear, those brown ones, he does seem to have the temperament and the appetite of them," Loki said
. "Have care in how you speak," Thor said angrily.
"You just proved Loki right Thor," Serene said as she sat in the offered chair closest tot the other loungers.
Loki preened at the agreement Serene had said.
"And I suppose my brother would be a serpent then, he is as vicious and moody as an angry cobra," Thor teased back.
Loki smirked before waving a hand.
His face transformed into a black and green cobra and he lunged at Thor in a mocking hiss.
Serene smiled as Thor flinched at the lunge.
"I think it suits you very well Loki," Frigga said from her seat.
"I agree completely Frigga," Serene said as she stroked the open hood with her fingertips.
The scales were very smooth under her fingers and were very glossy.
Loki flickered his tongue out to taste Serene' sweet scent.
The scent was a mixture of eucalyptus and mint.
Loki's slited eyes watched as Serene saw the invitation.
"Well why don't we see what you will be going as Thor," Serene said as she passed over the paper.
Thor hesitantly grabbed the parchment before letting out a gasp.
Serene smiled as she watched Thor turn into a golden bear.
"I guess your observation was right Loki, though I think we might have to change his helmet to bear ears," Serene laughed.
Thor let out a loud growl and a huff.
Frigga grabbed the invite next and they watched as she transformed into a fox.
"Well that is a fitting form daughter," Frey said as he was handed the paper next.
Serene tried to keep in her laughter as the king turned into a peacock.
"Oh brother I think the card got you alright," Freya laughed.
The king let out a call before handing the paper over to Freya.
Now Serene was shocked when she saw a midguardian hyena.
" Well you sure do know how to laugh sister," Frey said as his sister let out laughter.
Serene didn't need the card to till her what to be.
She was going to have her mood create her costume at the party.
She passed the card to Loki and wasn't all to surprised when he didn't change.
"Serves you right brother, a snake is what you truly are," Thor said.