Hi everyone. Sorry this took so long but I got caught up in some original work and they took Thor off Netflix. Now I have to get up and put the disk in when I need inspiration, which is somewhat of a hassle when I have my writing nest(Laptop, snacks, water, controllers, and blankets) all set up. I also then have to take out my workout disk. And I'm lazy. I cannot wait until Thor 2 comes out on disk so I can play that on loop for more inspiration.
###################To love is to risk not being loved in return#########################
In the darkness, the water of the lake broke into ripples, barely visible in the moonlight. A masculine body had slipped into the water, waist deep, it beckoned to someone on shore. A curvy body, female, was silhouetted through a gauzy fabric. She approached the edge of the water, but still didn't go further than her ankles.
"Loki!" Sigyn's whisper was harsh as it floated on the water. "If we get caught I'm going to tell your mother it was all your idea... That you enchanted me."
He laughed. Climbing out of the water a few feet, clad only in a dripping wet loincloth, he held out his hand again. Meeting her eyes, he coaxed her with only a look. She sighed with a trusting smile, putting her hand in his, the back star-sapphire and diamonds of her betrothal ring catching the moonlight.
He backed into the water, holding her hand in his, his wicked smile firmly in place. Once they were waist deep, he pulled her into his arms. Kissing her softly on the nose, he crouched, wetting them both to the neck while Sigyn hissed at the sudden cool water.
"Loki," His name was a sigh across her lips, and he nuzzled her cheek in response. "Why have you brought me here?
Pressing his forehead to hers, cupping a cheek in his hand, he met her eyes from only inches away. It was an unspoken rule that Loki used when he wanted to assure her that he was not using any trickery. He always told her the truth, but he was still mischievous, and would use his words and magic without thought. He had to concentrate on honesty, so he met her eyes to prove his seriousness. "I have missed you."
Brushing a soft kiss over his mouth, she grinned. "I have seen you every day for the past month."
"Not alone." He kissed her again, softly, the cool water letting him hide his ardor in favor of gentleness. "You have been too busy since the betrothal. Too many nosy courtiers."
Brushing a strand of wet hair off his forehead, she laughed. "What did you think would happen when we announced that we would wed?"
Shortly after his display at the feast, claiming her dances for the foreseeable future, he gave her the ring. Sigyn had agreed and almost instantly a whirl wind of royal wedding planning and announcements and parties had begun.
His smirk was devilish as he squeezed her to him. "I thought we would be able to touch in public, wed swiftly, and bed slowly."
"Slowly?" Her eyes twinkled up at him. Their past secret meetings had not led her to believe he would have patience when taking her to his bed. He always seemed frantic despite their agreement to wait for completion until after they were wed.
"Yes." His hand traveled down her body, the wet fabric like nothing between them. "Once you are mine, I have no reason to rush. I could keep you in my bed for days and no one would deny it as my right." Slipping her thigh over his hip, he pulled her against his arousal. "I hate that we must hurry to not be caught, quickly return before anyone notices our absence, always be careful of where we touch and the clothes we remove."
He kissed her, stifling a groan as she flexed to settle herself more securely against him. "Perhaps we can go slowly AFTER I have had you once."
Her laugh echoed over the lake. He released her for fear of taking her to the shore and having her then and there. "Come, I would show you another portal."
She laughed, wiping water from her face. "How do you find these places?"
His bare shoulder rose from the water in a shrug. "My endless curiosity and willingness to break rules, with perhaps a little magic to guide the way."
"Where does this one lead?"
"I do not know. One of the nine realms I imagine."
#############################################
Loki woke slowly, the soft sheet wrapped over his naked waist, tangled from sleep. Rubbing a hand over his brow he wondered why he had dreamed of that night, only to be distracted by a glint above him. Bringing it into focus he was surprised to find a hard bracelet circling his wrist. When he tried to remove it there was no clasp and it didn't fit over his hand.
Brow creasing in confusion, he tugged at it harder, then with a sound of frustration, used his magic. Only to have shocks tingle his fingers. Loki now glared at the offending band. Wielding stronger magic, he forced spell work to coil around the band, only to be shocked so hard his entire arm went numb, the magic dissipating. Hissing in anger, he slid out of bed and quickly pulled on his clothing, shouting for the servants.
After questioning all of the regular servants, he came to the conclusion that none of them had seen anyone enter or exit his quarters. He told no one about the bracelet, only questioning them on what they had seen that evening. Which left one person. His wife. The perfidious witch.
He sent them away, waiting until he was sure they were gone before stalking to the door connecting the king and queen's chambers. Wrenching the doors open with enough force to partially pull the handles from their place, he jerked the blankets off of her sleeping form.
Watching as the sudden movement and cold air struck her, making her gasp and shiver, sitting up suddenly, he ignored the urge to climb into the bed with her. She was dressed in a silk and lace nightgown that had hitched itself up to her thighs, looking completely innocent of any treachery.
But he steeled himself. It was becoming clear that she had learned much while he was away, and not just of deception. If she was responsible for this magic, then her power had grown extensivly.
"Did you place this on me?" Loki's voice was hard, sharp, and angry as he held up his wrist, the white metal glinting in the light from the rising sun that streamed through her windows. He watched her face closely as her anger at being woken so suddenly transformed; her expression changing from confusion, shame, fear, and worry. Finally she settled on composed, as if she was resigned to what she had done and was now unflappable.
He caught sight of a matching bracelet on her own left wrist and he glared at her. When she said nothing, a icy feeling washed over him, a small pit of fear settling in his chest. His voice was cold now. "What have you done?!"
"You know what I have done. I can see it on your face." Sigyn slithered out of bed, and Loki's anger kept him from acting on the way her soft skin slid over the silk sheets. She walked a few steps picking up a robe that she draped around her and slid her feet into embroidered slippers.
"You have bound our life force!" Loki's skin shivered, not from the cool air, but from the implication of what she had done. When she nodded at his words, confirming his worst fear, he roared in outrage, nearly spitting as he spun away from her. He brought his hands down on a wooden side table, cracking it in half and sending it and the items on it crashing to the floor. He turned again, murderous intent on his face, and suddenly a yawning pit opened inside of him, fear spilling out.
He was feeling her fear. It was so startling, so sudden, that he staggered. She had bound them, body and soul. What happened to one would happen to the other, including any intense emotions. His hand clenched and unclenched, knowing now that he could do nothing to her. Any physical harm that came to her would be inflicted on him as well... Hell, he couldn't even make her cry without making himself do the same.
His shoulders slumped as suddenly as his anger had risen. "Why?"
She turned away from him, the fear subsiding in them both and he felt a hint of guilt echo through him. Her guilt. "I couldn't do anything else. It was the only thing I could think of to make you realize what you have done."
"My high and might wife thinks to punish me?" His tone was bitter, snotty even, as he taunted her. "Let me remind you who is your husband and king!" Loki stormed to the doors leading to the hall, calling for the guards.
When they arrived, he met her eyes, a wicked smile curving his lips as he held her gaze. And ordered the guards to arrest her. She would be placed in the dungeon, where he had stayed,and he would visit her as often as she had visited him.
####################################################
Sif sat in her cell, awake despite the early hour. A warrior rose with the sun, even if there was no sun to be seen in this dark place. It seemed that Loki had forgotten her, and Sigyn had arranged for her to be released, though she knew not when. Her excitement another reason for her early rise. The warriors three would be coming for her soon.
When there was a commotion, Sif stood, watching the entrance. Guards were escorting someone in, Volstagg, Hogun, and Fandral following behind. They seemed to be the source of the commotion, all of them jockeying for positions talking to the guards. Shouting really. And then she saw why.
Flanked by guards, Sigyn was being marched down the long cold hall of criminals. She was in her nightgown and barefoot, obviously having been pulled from bed. The guards stopped in front of her cell and lowered the magical field keeping her in place.
"Lady Sif, you are released." The guard motioned for her to exit the cell and Volstagg's voice rose, standing out from the general din that was being created by the inmates.
"What is the meaning of this? Why is the queen being locked up down here?" The warriors three had visited her enough that she was able to tell them that Sigyn had some sort of plan, something that would help. Volstagg had a special connection to Sigyn as well. He had wanted to court her, but then Loki had stepped in, before he even had a chance.
"The king's orders. Step aside." The guard forced the big man back, and Fandral whispered furtivly in his ear. With a disgruntled expression, Volstagg finally stood down.
Sif walked slowly down the white stone steps, her eyes meeting Sigyn's. Reaching out, despite the guards trying to stop her, she laid a hand on the other woman's forearm. "Will you be alright?"
It was a loaded question; should Sif try to save Sigyn, what had happened to cause this, and was Loki going to kill his wife were the top three rolling around their heads. Sign shook her head with a small smile. "I will be fine. Thank you for your concern Lady Sif. Be well in your freedom."
Sigyn straightened her spine, shaking off the guards hands with the imperious motion, and walked freely into the cell. She turned as the light barrier formed, and Sif waited on the lowest step. "Shall I bring you some clothing, My Lady?"
Sif voice was respectful towards Sigyn for the first time. She had spoken the truth when she said she had a plan, and it appeared that Loki had caught her in it. Sigyn nodded. "Yes, thank you." She paused, then added, "Do not worry, Sif, I knew what I was doing and am prepared to face the consequences."
Sif nodded and allowed her friends to take her away. When she came back to drop off clothes, the guards wouldn't let them see the queen, only promising to take the items to her.
###########################################
Loki prowled his chamber like a caged animal. He was unfit for company and had been turning away royal meetings and councils, eschewing the parties and court activities. He was tormented by his own feelings of guilt at locking Sigyn away in the dungeon, and her feelings of despair and loss pounded at him as well.
His quarters had suffered, his magic lashing out as often as he did physically. Many of the decorations had broken and been removed, the walls bore the marks of his anger.
He had called on every healer and magic user within the city, none knew of the spell she had used or how to undo it. Most barely spoke to him, and even if they knew something he wondered if they would have told him.
But he had learned more about bonding than he had ever known. Any physical harm done to the caster would result in the same injury to the victim, and if the victim was the one who inflicted the injury, it would rebound with ten times the force.
His face contorted in a snarl, vowing to be free of this new shackle, and when he was, Sigyn would pay.