Rayeth found her in the tub crying twenty minutes later. Her smooth flawless body shivering in the cold water of the bath. She let Rayeth draw her out, dry and dress her for lunch. The woman only spoke to direct her into the clothes. When she was presentable Rayeth sat her in a chair and brought her a drink. "Drink it all down." She ordered. Althia knocked back the drink and started gasping as the alcohol burned from her lips to her belly. It broke the melancholy for a moment by giving her mind a new focus. She coughed and Rayeth held her hand as the drink spread a warmth through her body easing tired muscles. The woman touched her chin making her look into her eyes. "Good, feel a little better?" Althia looked at her "Rayeth, thank you." She sat in the chair with the warmth spread through her and waited on Loki. Rayeth sighed and left glancing at her several times. Her posture, eyes and even the small cheerfulness she'd had was different. If Althia had been paying attention she would have realized the gown she wore was the same golden hue that Jane wore often around the palace. A gather in the front at the bottom of the corset top lifted the skirt to her ankles. It was off the shoulder and had short sleeves leaving her arms bare. It was lovely and looked wonderful against her tan skin. Her hair swept back from her face was braided in a complicated layer down from the crown of her head before being twisted in a knot at the nap of her neck. The only jewelry was the diamond pendant she had received on the helicarrier and the bracelets from Bruce. She toyed with them as her thoughts wandered finally she grabbed the cushion from the chair and took it to the balcony. She sat there her hands curved in pals up letting the sun warm he as she focused on the old meditations.
She was still trying to accept the fragments of memory she had recovered. They didn't tell the whole story but she knew enough to guess at the important bits. She wasn't surprised when a guard not Loki came to get her slightly earlier than expected. She nodded politely and followed him without question her eyes stared ahead as if the palace no long held any fascination for her. They rose through the palace and she knew they moved towards the gardens not the city side of the vast complex by instinct alone. The final stretch was a long balcony over the garden. Wide enough for several to walk side by side. Spaced far apart were unique and highly ornamented doors. Lunch was in a small room that could hold no more than twenty people, the table set for five at one end seemed empty and sad.
When she entered only the All Father was within. Standing alone gazing out a window over a fountain. He beckoned her without turning and she went to him glancing out at the enormous gardens. They went on for at least two miles and she could see a wall rising between trees at the far end. Flashes of gold between the dark woods. He looked her over and nodded "The gown suits you well Lady Althia." He commented and she looked down. "Yes, thank you for the gift." He smiled "My wife, the queen was the one who taught me to gift my guests. She felt it helped build good will and show that we valued those who came to us." His face was sad for a moment. "She would have loved to meet you. Not only for healing our sons but for the great changes you have made in Loki and between him and our people." He paused there before he changed the subject.
"Tell me of your training this morning, I hear many things that disturb me." He was polite but it was a command. She liked it so she told him about Loki showing off when they arrived and her showing him up because she was in a bad mood. Odin listened to the still present accent that altered her voice and words. She was understandable but her voice held a confidence and surety only heard in those accustom to leadership. The king listened and nodded at points he already knew about. They were silent when she finished and stood together looking out the window. She had nothing to say so didn't speak. He pondered the sudden appearance of this Jibana Meye among his court and sons.
The arrival of Thor and Jane broke the silence and the king set the tone as casual. Embracing Thor and raising Jane's hand to his lips briefly. When he invited them all to sit Althia saw him looking at Jane strangely and tucked it away. Just as they were settling Loki arrived he smiled broadly and embraced his father. He looked her over carefully stopping at the full sight of her dress when she stood and his eyebrow raised a fraction. He was pleasant and the meal went well but Althia sitting next to him could feel the curiosity and suspicion rolling through his mind. It was a constant distraction and she had to struggle to focus when the king spoke to her. "How do you find our realm lady Althia?" he asked. "I think it's lovely beyond words here at the palace though I know I haven't see but a fraction of the vast halls and grounds, your majesty." He smiled with pride and nodded "Many spend lifetimes to gain an invitation to explore these ancient halls. Loki, Thor have you shown the ladies about the gardens yet?" he asked looking at his second son and when he heard no he instructed them all to spend the rest of the day in the gardens to relax after the highly exhausting days they had experienced. Thor and Jane were excited and Loki expressed a calm almost distant pleasure but he was feeling something entirely different. The prince was nearly beside himself with joy.
Thor changed the subject abruptly "Father, Volstagg has arranged a party to celebrate Lady Althia's rising to a bladed warrior and triumph in her first battle; will you require us for dinner?" Odin beamed at Althia and encouraged them to enjoy themselves. Loki was a wave or mortified resignation in the back of Althia's mind. She suppressed a smirk and chatted excitedly with Thor and Jane about the coming evening till the meal concluded. "Oh, I want my camera for this!" Jane said and dragged Thor off "We'll meet you down there!" Althia laughed at them as they moved away.
She took Loki's arm when he proffered it to her and he led her to a hall balcony to take a lift to the gardens. "You look lovely in that color what led you to choose it?" Loki asked as they enjoyed the view from the lift to the ground. "Honestly I didn't, Rayeth the maid who serves my rooms said something about the king sending it. I wasn't paying much attention. He said it looked good on me too." she asked focusing on the shock and suspicion she was getting off of him and the ting of joy he felt. "Should I wear the color more often?" he chewed his lip thoughtfully before he smiled slightly. "If you like, you would look ravishing in any color." He started flirting with her and she played along teasing him and gently mocking some of his compliments. They were laughing and she let the morning go when he showed he was willing to distract her from her past.
They had been sitting on a bench near the clearing where the lifts came to rest. Loki had been keeping her laughing as he told her of the terrible things he's done teasing and embarrassing the court. Almost everyone who walked by bowed to Loki as he whispered his past into her ear. She was hard pressed not to laugh in their faces with each snippet. She didn't understand how his really harmless pranks had drawn such strong reactions.
The only thing that broke the pleasant banter they exchanged was when a tall thin man in a really ugly shade of green approached and sought an introduction. Althia thought the woman on his arm probably had the brains of a common flea but she was incredibly beautiful in a rich purple trimmed in blue that only made her companion look worse. Loki rose and helped her stand. Even though the toned muscles of her body from training were more than capable of sending her, her gown, plus the man in front of her skidding across the courtyard as she rode him like a sled. Althia Sacmich the Jibana Meye wasn't a fool and she disliked him instantly he was far too sure of himself and condescending as he addressed Loki. Loki to her surprise had a mild satisfied lust for his wife that came through to Althia as clear as his extravagant introductions. The man took her hand and kissed it with wet lips his eyes roaming her body as he rose. "Lady you are a vision." He said "At least the colors are fitting for one of your grace and talents." He finished enigmatically she laughed at him. "I would wear any color to please, my lord. Though this was a gift not from Loki but the All Father." She replied in a gush. 'Yes!' She thought 'the dress meant something more than a thank you from Odin or a nod to the memory of his wife.' The man looked worried for a half second before making polite and leaving. Behind his back Loki's eyes hardened "That is a very bad, very pompous, and hideously dressed man." She spoke quietly pulling his arm gently. Which took Loki's mood from the building maliciousness she sensed to laughter and genuine amusement. "His purpose is shadowed that one? No one else bothered us but him." She asked slipping her arm in Loki's they sat back down. After a short time she felt eyes watching them and wished she had her sword with a sudden passion. She felt the tension in Loki too and his curiosity was peaked. With a sudden move he spun her into a dance without music. The golden hue of her dress concealed the gleam of the thin blade he slide up her sleeve. Blade flat against her arm without cutting her or the dress. She laughed and maintained the carefree display they were making. Relaxing in his arms when he bent his head to kiss her.
He murmured against her lips "Tell me my dear empath can you feel whoever is watching us?" She thought furiously for a second as his lips brushed against hers. She leaned back her face a mask of wonder looking up at him her lips barely moved as if she were merely breathless she replied "I can try." She leaned into him and tilted her face. He kissed her and she bit his lip hard enough to draw blood. He growled into her mouth and his arm tightened around her as her mouth opened to his. She reached out and his magic carried them to an illusion standing across the court in a cove of trees in bloom. She had to fight clear of Loki's emotions before she felt the illusion brush against someone. Jealousy, lust, hate and cunning echoed through her mind over whelming and narrowly focused.
Loki pulled away when she gasped and tucked her head under his chin. She was distracted by the lust he was feeding into her mind and struggled with it as she tried to define what she'd felt. She'd never been inside a mind without trying to heal before. Her hands wandering under his jacket to pinch him hard. He hid his face in her hair as he removed the evidence of her bite where it warmed his lip when she pinched him. She was breathing hard as she said "Jealously and lust" he chuckled at her words "Another's or perhaps mine of your doctor?" He asked, she giggled loud enough to travel though she felt she had betrayed Bruce in her little act. "Someone else; hate, and cunning, pride, and patience. They are waiting on something." She whispered against his chest inhaling the scent of him too deeply.
He smelled so good the strength in his arms around her as they stood silent for a moment kept distracting her. His body pressed tight against hers left no doubt to the effect her bite had on him. Smiling she eased away from the intimate embrace blushing at the way she was reacting to him. This was a terrible idea something in her said but a shadow crossed her mind and made her shver. He looked down at her his face calm and knowing. A slow lecherous grin spread across his lips and he traced hers with a thumb. "My dear you're blushing and your power stirs beneath your skin at my touch following it in a trail of light that is fascinating. Whatever could this mean?" She blushed harder and took a deep breath as she stepped away. This was Loki her friend, teacher, guardian, and not Bruce Banner she missed him. Bruce would understand the need to deceive an enemy. She worked hard to convince herself as Loki laughed at her 'he slept with that hideous man's wife.' She thought and it was cold water down her spine. She straighten sniffed and moved over to a bench in the shade. Closer to whoever watched them. "Oh, no you little minx." he said and she darted away laughing as he chased her. Around the courtyard he stayed just behind her and then he vanished. She stopped dead and looked around confused. "That's not good and fair Prince!" she shouted and spun when something brushed her back. His voice drifted over from a spot near the hedge behind their first seat. "Find me." It said. She knew he was a lot closer because he squeezed the hand on the side near the grove. She moved carefully not looking left or right and eased into the enclosure. She peeked around fainting a search.
Stepping up on the bench she felt a hand slide up her skirt and stroke her leg, the pervert was using their trap as an excuse to cope a feel and she couldn't give him away. She grabbed a branch above her head and peeked over the bushes in front of her as his fingers trailed up her leg to the back of her knee. She knew she'd see nothing but she acted disappointed when really she was feeling his lust and amusement. "I'm no playing this game." she muttered to herself and in a flash she was off the bench her skirt dragged across the surface in a strange bunch before settling around her legs. Something stroked the edge of her ear and she had to take a deep breath. She crossed her arms over her chest and fought the heat rising in her body telling it very sternly to behave. She saw a shadow on the court and looked up; a u shaped lift was dropping towards her. "Don't tell them." a tiny whisper brushed her ear and was gone. When Thor and Jane got off the lift she knew what had taken so long. Jane was blushing but she looked satisfied and relaxed; for half a second Althia hated her. "Althia where is my brother?" Thor asked holding Jane's hand he had the most innocent look on his face and she read him like an open book full of pictures. "He laughed and vanished on me. I've no clue what he's up too." Thor shook his head "I'm sure we will learn shortly what mischief he has gotten himself into."
Jane took some pictures of Althia and the courtyard to show Bruce and they talked for a few minutes waiting on Loki's return; Althia tucked away the strange events and Loki's suddenly aggressive behavior. The sound of hooves on the path got their attention and in a moment Loki arrived with two gigantic horses. Jane was flabbergasted and babbled about their size and beauty. Althia was more or less speechless; she'd learned about the creatures but hadn't realized they could be so massive. Loki dismounted and with a dramatic bow grinning hugely "I went to procure horses. Seeing as I doubt the ladies have ever ridden I felt it best we share a saddle. For their safety." He stood looking at Thor grinning. "Very wise of you brother." Thor's voice sounded sagely as he was fighting his grin.
After introducing the women to the horses who sniffed and nickered at the caresses they received; the men lifted them into the saddles and mounted behind them. Both men took the opportunity to pull the ladies tight against them before setting off at a gallop. Jane gasped and leaned into Thor the rough ride both thrilling and scaring her, she clung to Thor's arm and shouted "Don't let me fall!" He chuckled and kissed her cheek. Althia had never experienced a horse before and it took her a moment to adjust to the jostling gait of the beast beneath her and the curved fingers pressed against her belly were a distraction she had to fight even more. She laughed in delight and relaxed against his chest letting his confidence well inside her. She had no fear of falling between Loki's possessive hand and the pressure she maintained against his chest. Loki shouted to Thor "The fields of amaranth?" Thor smiled and encouraged his horse to a greater speed. The four thunder past couples and groups wandering in the garden. All looked up startled and smiled to see their princes once again racing through the gardens on horses. The palace was swarming with rumors of the golden gowned ladies they held in their arms long before they returned laughing at ease to the stables.
Thor took advantage of the fact that Loki had also brought wine, fruit, some very sharp cheeses and a large blanket. He spread it out on the thick grasses and stretched out with a sigh, Jane snuggled against him feeding him bites as they talked. Althia wandered around picking flowers she was restless with the effect Loki was having on her body. The time with SHIELD and the Jibana Meye were at odds. She hummed a soft tune and wasn't surprised when Loki walked up beside her. He looked across the field and smiled she could feel his contentment here. There was something wonderful about the green field with clusters of red, purple and white blooms. When Loki has said amaranth field she had thought of one flower but there were dozens of different plants scattered across the space between them and the tree line.
All scattered around growing up from thin soft grasses in bushes and little clusters. She picked a large branch of a plant Loki called Love Lies Bleeding and looked at the long trailing limbs covered in small blooms. It looked like a broom in a way and she had a mischievous thought of her own. She spun and smack Loki across the face before running off laughing as he stared after her in shock. 'No woman had ever been so impish as to smack him with anything, ever.' It was absurd that she had chosen flowers to do so and he laughed giving chase to the golden form fleeing his retribution. Thor and Jane looked up as Althia ran by and she dropped the branch in Jane's lap "Gotta run!" she said without stopping. The pair stood up; Jane slightly apart from Thor holding the branch.
Something in her had caught Althia's idea as the woman fled. She swatted Thor between the eyes and laughed at the odd look on his face before darting off herself. Seeing his bother chasing one woman in one direction Thor turned to see Jane staring over her shoulder at him grinning as the space between them grew. "Oh, think you can escape me do you." He hollered and chased after her. His powerful long legs eating up the distance as she slowed to extricate he dress from a bush. He enjoyed catching her and sweeping her laughing over his shoulder. She had made it as far as the edge of the field where tall old trees made dark cool patches of shade over a soft moss. He sat down and settled his lover in his arms. "I love you Jane." He said laughing as they heard Althia squeal and Loki shout in frustration. "Get back here you minx!" Jane kissed Thor and they forgot the odd chase going on in the field for a while.
Althia was fast enough Loki had to work to catch her. The changes in her weren't just her voice. She didn't move the same anymore either. Still agile on her feet she was faster. As if she suddenly remembered what her body could do and wasn't afraid to use it. She squealed once when he nearly caught her dodging around a large brush covered in white and red blooms. He doubled back and she slammed into him on the other side taking them both down in the grass. She knocked the wind out of him as they landed but his arms locked around her and held her till he had caught his breath. "That was incredibly rude!" he said scowling at her. "As rude as you sliding your hand up my skirt when you were supposed to be catching the one who was spying on us?" she retorted unremorsefully. "Oh, they were gone by the time I disappear. I was just opportunistic." He smiled at her roguishly as she struggled to get away. "I've noticed you being opportunistic a lot lately. Specifically this afternoon." She stared at him accusingly. "What are you up to Loki Odinson?" she asked. "He pushed a lock of her hair back. "I'm the god of mischief when am I not up to something." He grinned and rolled them over so he was on top of her. She wiggled and tried to get her leg bent for leverage but Loki just grinned "ooh my, do that some more it feels delightful!" he commented and she pushed on his chest giving up on her legs for a moment his emotions rolled into her mind like a wave of heat and kept her mind in conflict. He grabbed first one wrist and stretched it just over her head then moved the other to join it; her hands were so much smaller than his, he easily held both. She's stopped fighting him and was taking deep breaths her eyes stared into his. Seeing the hunger in them surprised him for a moment. He leaned down and captured her mouth with his suddenly. The kiss began soft and she relaxed into it after a moment of shock, moaning slightly and sucking his lip between hers as his hand caressed her side.
He relaxed into the kiss enjoying the taste of wine and laughter on her mouth till a low hungry moan startled him. Something wasn't quite right his mind shifted gears. She shouldn't be this pliant. He felt her shift a second before she bit him again harder and he growled but didn't pull away. Instead he pressed himself against her as she ran one leg up the side of his body her hips pressing them together he paused she was being very welcoming; too much so. She stiffened a moment but it was a flash of a grin at his mouth that warned him before she flipped them over and allowing her to roll away.
Loki lay there a moment and savored the feel of her beneath him eager at his lips. That hadn't been a ploy and he couldn't decide if it was only a certain sniveling, anger filled doctor that stood between him and accepting the offer of the golden gown or some other. Something about her mood changes nagged at him. She had responded to him perfectly; almost too perfectly. He was frowning but it suddenly shifted to a smile shaking off the moment's confusion as he stood and brushed himself off. The two were sitting drinking wine and eating when Thor and a slightly mussed Jane returned. Loki had kept his hands to himself since she'd escaped and she seemed strangely hesitant to touch him. It wasn't entirely guilt, he could see a fear in her eyes when he caught her glancing at him. Althia held up a glass to Jane with a wicked grin, she was hiding the emotions he'd seen only moments before not a skill she'd had before her memory returned. Jane didn't even bother to blush. They sat and quietly enjoyed the afternoon before they had to return. There was more in store for the evening than flowers and field games.