Althia was asleep when Bruce crawled into the bed. For a while he toyed one lock of red hair; his thoughts scattered and insistent. His conversation with Loki had left him troubled. The experiment had proven that not even separation by continents dulled her awareness of the Asgardian. Loki had only grinned once which meant Bruce had no excuse to smash him through a wall. He couldn't blame her for being vexed, she didn't understand the experiment. He regretted that particularly bad idea. Loki agreed she needed more stimulation after her time on Asgard. He'd learned that when she focused on something else her awareness of Loki dulled. Her work with Pepper helped and Loki seemed eager to free himself of her monitoring. Bruce made him an offer then. Loki would behave on earth he could take her out but he couldn't bed her. He could court her anyway he like on his planet as long as she was willing and not blinded by his emotions and desires. The shocked look on Loki's face when he changed the agreement between them told him Loki well knew of his motives.
Bruce spit coffee; which was a fitting sacrifice to Althia when she walked in on Friday night. Tony and Happy's reactions were just as gratifying. She darted a glance at Loki and found the urge to swallow a lump in her throat. She let Bruce help her slip into the warm silken weight of a borrowed fur coat. "We will talk about this dress." He said in her ear his voice had dropped to a bedroom tone as his hands slid up and down her arms. She blushed as she smiled at him.
Loki didn't bother keeping his hands to himself in the car. He tickled her through the lace and complimented almost every visible inch of her. Pepper got them reservations at a favorite restaurant for the night. A manager overheard her telling Loki about the Stark expansion in Europe; he upgraded them to a private booth. She wore the diamond pendant as jewelry a fact that didn't escape Loki's notice. When Loki asked about the pendant; she admitted that she had no other jewelry, and that it had been a special thank you. He laughed at the source and reason. She misunderstood his elation she knew he was happy and had a great deal of anticipation building, but she didn't understand why. "Do you know what today is?" Loki asked her after they ordered and she looked at him confused "I don't think you're asking me for the date. So no I'm lost." She replied, and he pulled her hand into his. "A year ago today you met Agent Romanov for the first time." He whispered "You've changed a great deal in that short window of time." He smiled at her running his thumb over her palm. Althia had blinked several times as she realized the significance of the night. The rest of the night she struggled to prevent herself from saying his title. It irritated her that few knew the truth about New York and even fewer understood the changes in him as she did.
She was dreamy eyed and snuggled up to his chest on the way home. "Thank you Loki this has been magnificent. You lost the bet but if… I'd love to see another." He kissed the top of her head and agreed to take her any time she wished. She closed her eyes to relive the ballet and missed the softness in the look he gave her.
It was two days later when an unexpected phone call came through while they were testing a prototype suit for her. A woman named Hand on official SHIELD communication lines requested Doctor Banner and the specialist Loki Odinson for a mission. They would investigate a possible alien weapon location. Banner as the science officer wouldn't be affected by any bacteria or tech they might find. Loki was to infiltrate the base, acquire the item, and exit before SHIELD sent in the clean-up team.
Pepper was off to NY and the others were busy Althia had nothing to do for the day. She brought Tony a massive and complicated lunch after which he introduced Althia to his cars and pet projects. He watched her be fascinated with the diversity of areas he could work in without hesitation. She stroked one bright orange car admiringly. "It's beautiful." She whispered making him grin. He made a great show of offering her a ride in his Saleen S7. Althia scream and laughed as they joked and sped across the California landscape. After dinner he disappeared into his playpen and she went to the balcony to get fresh air. She was struggling to be awake when Bruce and Loki got home. The night air was crisp and brisk as she leaned on the rail. After a few minutes she spotted the helicopter she stepped back smiling and stretched as it got close enough to confirm it was SHIELD. As she arched her back dizziness blurred her vision, her stomach twisted and cramped doubling her over. She swallowed against the sudden pain as her head throbbed and struggled to breath. Her power pulsed from her like a leaking dam. She collapsed in a seizure as the sound of the helicopter grew close enough she could have seen Bruce starring out the window. Alone no one heard her grunt as her eyes rolled back in her head. JARVIS was the only one aware of the rapid distress she suffered.
JARVIS cut the music in Tony's playpen. "Sir I am detecting signs of extreme distress and power usage from Miss Sacmich." Tony looked at the monitor JARVIS used and saw her levels max out the charts; he ran. Loki saw flashes from the balcony as the helicopter brought them home. He'd seen that light too many times to mistake it for anything but Althia's power. He reached for the part of his magic connected to her and screamed. "Althia." His voice cracked, his knees collapsed as Bruce grabbed him by the arms dragging him back up. A burning in his head the moment he connected to her and the burst of raw power as her gift found him. Gasping he mastered the wild surge and ordered the helicopter over the balcony. His eyes two beacons of white light as Bruce stared with mute horror at him. The prototype on Bruce's wrist chimed creating a duplicate of the frequency that Althia produced when she calmed the hulk. It worked he didn't have to change, he could turn it off, but he didn't. There was no joy in the discovery; the one person who he wanted to share it with was in trouble he couldn't understand. Loki jumped 60 feet to land at the outer edge of the balcony. He felt the tile give and crack beneath his feet and rolled away dissipating the last of the force. The helicopter veered away from the building the moment Loki cleared the runner. Bruce watched him roll out of the fall and scramble to her thrashing body.
Loki's voice boom over the rotors and Bruce watched him scoop her into his arms. The woman was jerking and thrashing in his arms, flashing bright as dawn against the twilight. "Heimdall open the bifrost!" Bruce turned away as the bifrost sent the helicopter skidding sideways. He hoped Loki knew what to do. Tony slide out the door just as the bifrost opened burning a chunk of the balcony with Loki and Althia in the center. "Shit." He said as the sudden and turbulent storm that occurred vanished. Tony and Bruce unknowing shared a moment as the woman that had changed the nature of their science vanished suffering into the darkness. 'Don't die on me.' They thought as the moon rose beyond the skyline.
Loki struggled as her power ran an electric current through his body seeking a vent. Heimdall watched him exit at a run. Guards in a faering waited until he was secured before zooming across the noonday Asgardian sky. He was at the healer hall in minutes while her body continued to pulse against him. It didn't hurt, but his nerves and muscles clenched. He had to fight to keep her in his arms and the additional power from turning him into a matching beacon. The healers scrambled as he landed on their balcony.
After a brief consult and examinations several healers she'd known took charge. They placed her in a cool bath as Loki slumped on a chair. The waters created streams of rainbows across the ceiling ad walls. Rolling the machine to suppress her power into the room those with magic twitched every time she pulsed the room full of power. Once he recovered from the trip Loki left her in the care of those she'd trusted the All Father would be waiting and they had a long discussion that'd waited too long.
He was halfway down the first hall when he was thrown against the wall; a loud explosion tore the door from the healer's hall behind him. He ran back into the room as the shock wave that followed moved through him. Pieces of the machine lay scattered. Two healers crumpled against the wall were shaking their heads a third moaned in the corner. The water of her bath shot up with a second concussion of her power it became a glowing rain the streamed down from the air. He grabbed the basin nearest him as it caught a splash of the water and stared down into the glowing swirling liquid. Streams of light swirled and stilled within as the agitation slowed.
Odin had just received the notice off their arrival when a boom of immense power spending itself moved through his palace. He sighed they should never have taken such a powerful being back to Midgard. The effect she'd had on Loki reached beyond imagining but her admirable loyalty still lay with the mortals. Loki had matured and grown in the esteem of the people upon his return. Thor would do well to have her influence worked on his still volatile temper. He had lore masters seeking any mention of a healer goddesses, or priestesses that used light as she did, among the Midgardian texts. Somewhere a record existed they had collected tales from all the realms. Once he knew which blood line she descended from he would decide if Loki could pursue her.
Loki ordered the tub refilled and a shield to contain any explosive reactions. He didn't need the healers to tell him that the sudden lack of usage had caused a buildup. Her power levels calmed but they would need several more immersions to reduce the levels to normal. Loki agreed to the healers wounding her to trigger her power. He placed rigid restrictions on what they could do. Swearing the healers to secrecy until he returned. He hastened to the king, a small vial clasped in his hand. A quick demonstration would be all he required.
Minutes later Odin watched the shimmering drops of liquid sealed a deep slice in Loki's palm. The sight brought Odin out of his seat. "Came it be repeated?" he demanded and Loki smiled as he spoke. "The one they call Ironman actually has a solution already available. We hadn't considered water to be a viable medium though." Odin formed a plan as Loki spoke; his searching gaze followed the man who paced as he envisaged the possibilities. Odin raised his hand stopping Loki mid-thought. "Take her and return to the Avengers. See to it they complete this project with haste." He took Loki by the arm and propelled him towards the doors. "I will not have her caged again. Word of this would have bounty hunters on her head from cross the universe." Loki stopped a wrathful pair of blue eyes turned to the All Father. "Guard her well son." Odin whispered his flinty gaze spelled doom for any who tried to take her. Loki embraced his father in shared purpose for the first time in a century. "There's something else." He hesitated as he stepped back; he repeated his orders to the healers. Odin smiled at Loki and approved the commands giving him authority over the matter. He wouldn't allow any trouble to come from Loki's action.
"Father, her behavior during her visit may not have always been by her own choice." Loki was nervous as Odin waited. "Her power somehow is linked to me now." He explained the empathic link as Odin's cheek twitched. With an explosive expulsion of breath Odin shook his head. "What effect does this link have on you?" Loki grinned "She has occasionally with effort drawn my attention but not strong enough for true communication. Merely a tug on my magic and an impression of her thoughts." Odin nodded "What is your intentions now that you know of this invasion?" Loki chuckled "First I have to make sure I can have a conversation with her without overwhelming her. Then, well, it has possibilities." He let the sentence trail off and Odin laughed. Loki was sure he alone would court her as he watched the humor fill Odin's face. It was an odd position; he was required to inform not deceive to achieve his desired ends. It was easier though not nearly as entertaining. He smiled to himself as he strolled back to the healers' hall.
Loki walked into the healing chamber and froze by the door. Voices raised in an argument between the elder healer and those he had tasked with Althia's care. Just as pompous and troublesome as before apparently the high healer had learned little else. The old fool sought to obtain a sample of the liquid from Althia's bath and pushed to have her moved to Vanaheim. That was the end of Loki's patience. "I find your disregard to my instruction quite troubling." He said revealing himself. "I gave the order that not a word be spoken of this matter till the king's wisdom had been sought." He crossed his arms over his chest to keep him from striking the man. "Prince Loki, the woman is of Vanir blood. She should be with her people, her gifts explored not wasted away. Her mixed blood may limit her life span to that of those of Midgard." The elder said.
"Her people? She is titled the Jibana Meye from her birth by those who raised and cared for her." He moved into the room as the healer scoffed at the mortal title. "My daughter knew her value long before the Vanir," His eyes were distant a moment before switching to his prey. "and rose to her aid in battle. The mightiest of Midgard rose to guard her and honored her with their lives without knowing her Vanir bloodline." He circled till he stood between the elder and the rest of the healers. He was surprised when they stood with him at the center of the group. "As for her life span you have not been paying attention, she is already over two hundred years old and still shows no sign of aging." He moved forward his arms dropped loose at his sides; the healers at his back shifted with him. "She is under the king's protection, and a sworn ally of Asgard." Fear made his prey sweat. "How does she not serve the nine realms when she serves any and all with her gift freely?" They backed the elder against the door. Subdued and frightened the elder flung the door open and ran. Loki called the ever present Einherjr, and they stopped the man at the end of the hall. Loki turned to the healer who had stood with him, "You honor your calling this day. Disclose to the All Father what has occurred here. You'll have my gratitude for this service." A man stepped forward and bowed to Loki as the guards brought back the blustering healer. "I will go my Prince, for the Lady. Though I am glad to find myself in your favor. I know much that she has suffered and much that she has given freely." Loki nodded, "Take him before the king." and the healer followed the guards to face the All Father. A woman spoke. "She speaks your name my Prince." Loki nodded at the same time he went through to Althia.
The water swirled around her of its own volition. "Drain it, store all." He commanded. "Loki." She said his name as if the name were a comfort to her. "I am here little queen." He brushed the hair from the sides of her face. "Will you accompany me to dinner; a dance would do my spirit well?" He watched her face as a smirk turned her lips. She took a deep breath and blinked slowly up at him. His touch trailed down her cheek; something between them changed. "A warm bath should set you right." He whispered into her hair as she leaned on his arm trembling. She nodded and tried to walk to the door only to crumple her strained muscles still not fully recovered. He scooped her up and she gasped "I can walk." he chuckled, his arms tightening possessively, as they left the hall for his suite.
She continued to argue with him as he pushed open the door. His stride paused only long enough to kick the door closed. "Loki I can take a bath by myself." She said when he moved to carry her into the bath. "I do not doubt your capacity to do so. I only wish to assist." She laughed weakly and struggled to make him set her on her feet. He was there to catch her when she stumbled and refused to listen to her again. She blushed furiously when he stripped and pulled the soaked clothes from her body. "I have seen you in every state of dress, you did not blush then. Why do you find it now?" he asked teasing her. "It doesn't count when you use magic to spy on me in the shower. You aren't there." he kept tight control on himself as he bantered with her; nothing could ruin the moment faster than a sudden burst of emotion from him. He laughed as he lifted her from her perch and carried her into the water. When he finished scrubbing her she took the soap and pushed him against the wall. She brushed a stray lock from his brow; straddling his lap she kissed him as she played in his hair. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her tight against his body before rising to his knees. Water spilled to the floor his mouth was a hungry thing against hers as she moaned against his lips. He dragged her from the warm water and lifted her into his arms.
A stream of water trailed from them to flow across the floor and under the balcony doors. Giving in to the desires he'd been fighting to control, Loki lay her on top of the heavy quilt of his bed. Bending back he watched the lust fill her. Till her breath coming in gasps she reached for him. Her energy filled the room with brilliance that cascaded across the walls making the afternoon sun seem faded. Neither had slightest hesitation as they held each other.
She curled into his chest her legs draped over his. He stroked her hair as she purred, her eyes hooded, and her mouth curled in a content smile. He finally found the will to stretch his body shifting her as he curved away and then folded around her. She fell asleep in his arms as she had before safe and warm. Time enough later to put his plan into action.
Loki lay for a while enjoying the presence and scent that was uniquely her. Something wild blended with the sweet fragrance that always made him want to bury his face in her hair. He slipped from the bed it was still hours till Asgard would be bathed in sunsets unlike those any in the realms. He slipped the wet bedding from beneath her and wrapped her drying form in a warm blanket leaving the soaked cloth piled on the floor. He dressed and pulled a gift he had for this day from its hiding place. The large box had not been easy to secret away while she stayed in his rooms but now he would see her in its contents. He sent a servant to find her maid and inform her that the Lady was resting well and would need help to dress for dinner. Thor would show up soon if he wasn't already here. He wrote a brief note and left it on the box; he left nothing to chance with her. Her reactions to his disappearance would create irksome drama.
He returned before she woke and with pleasure he slid onto the bed and kissed her lips his hand busy under the blanket remembering her smooth, soft, skin. "Awaken my queen the hour grows late." He kissed her again that purr vibrated against his chest. 'She could drive a man to his grave with desire for that sound' he thought as he watched her stir. She covered a yawn and stretched reaching up above her head the covers slipping from her body as she rolled. "If you don't stop we will not be attending dinner with the king." He said his eyes roaming over her exposed flesh. She laughed high and happy. "We haven't danced enough to sate you?" she asked with an impish smile. He shook his head "Nowhere near enough. I brought you a gift. Wear it for me tonight?" he asked quietly. Her eyes lit up "You got me a gift! Where?" she threw off the cover and scampered naked off the bed. Loki was not above watching her move; she wasn't blushing now he noticed. So easily distracted it was almost childlike. She opened the box and drew out a small one shallow and square shaped. She opened it first.
Althia stared into the box. A black lace collar set with diamonds framed in drapes of gold chain. She stared at it in awe it was one of several small boxed nested on top of a large one. "At this rate we will be here tomorrow night." Loki teased her. She looked at him with wide eyes. "It's fantastic!" she beamed at him before setting it on the table and pulling a long rectangle from the box. Within were two arm bands designed to match the choker these in solid gold with the black lace draped to flow down her arms to just past her elbows. She was sorely tempted to put them on but only held one up to see the light through it. Settling them beside the choker before she pulled a flat long rectangle from the box. Inside were two hair combs, each in gold, that were an exact match to the arm bands. Chains hung down with diamonds sparkling from the ends. She held one up mesmerized by the flicker of light through the diamonds. Loki chuckled, please with her reactions. She lifted the largest box knowing by weight what it was and pulled a golden gown trimmed in black lace. Crystals scattered in a v down the bodice. She was crying her smile wide with pure joy. Loki rose from the bed and went to her. "This gown signifies you accept my courtship. It means that no man may court you on Asgard. Until you decide if it should proceed to a wedding or be ended for whatever reason you find."
Althia thought about his words "no man on Asgard,". She considered Bruce who couldn't travel to Asgard. She looked at him "How long do I have to decide on the court ships conclusion?" Loki grinned "My mother refused to decide for over a hundred years. Terminating one is as easy as a statement to the court. You weren't advised of the; I was conflicted." Loki rose and put everything in the box and closed it. "Bath, Rayeth will be here soon." He turned his hands restless against his cloths. "I will leave you to consider my offer without the pressure of my presence." She looked at him he was… afraid, resigned, Loki doubted.
"I have a request first before you go." He looked at her his eyebrow so eloquently asked his questions for him. "When we fought the worm, I saw a king in my mind. It was and wasn't you. The man who poisoned us said you weren't Aesir. Was the king in my mind you?" Loki tensed he debated a lie but she would know; she was focused on him. If she knew now it would save him considerable embarrassment should she see later and not handle it well. He reached over her chair and pulled up her robe. "In case we have company." He said she looked down and blushed 'such a strange creature' he mused as she stood and turned letting him slide the robe up her arms. His hands were so cold against her skin. She reached up and touched one it was different. She studied the change. It was blue and had a curved design in it like Pepper's vases. She traced the design on the back of his hand, pushing the sleeve up her eyes following the pattern in his blue skin. Unhesitatingly opened his shirt and followed the curves and raise marks across his chest up the column of his neck and along his hair line. "My Prince" she whispered breathlessly she swallowed several times. "You are not as you perceived yourself. The design is close but skewed" she ran her fingers through his hair dropping them to his chest. "You should wear more silver." She said tilting her head looking up at him. He burst out laughing and hugged her his skin was like silken ice. "I remember this, like chilled silk. Do you realize this form has better skin for the touch?" She ran her hands up and down his sides under his shirt. He threw his head back and laughed.
Loki jumped the laugh cut off when he felt her lips and tongue trace the design on his chest and draw away. "This has possibilities." He looked at her sharply. She had the most lascivious look he had ever seen her wear. She ran her hand down his chest and up again; concentrating on the sensation a moment as she smiled at him. "You are beautiful." She said earnestly. She turned to the bathroom. "Please be so kind as to lay out my dress I don't want it wrinkled when my Prince comes for me." She walked into the bath and closed the door. Loki let his Aesir form rise staring at the door "This has possibilities" she said what in the nine realms is she thinking he wondered. Quickly he adjusted his shirt and lay the dress on the bed along with the smaller boxes and the slippers she hadn't gotten too. She may change her mind but he hadn't seen her do so about anything.
Rayeth passed Loki as he wandered the palace. As she entered his room her eyes gravitated to the mess on the floor. She approached the stripped bed and saw the gown all gold with touches of black and gems. Unsteady fingers lifted the garment in awe. No Prince had ever given such an exquisite gown. "My Lady, is this the gown you have chosen?" she asked. Althia entered smiling. "My Prince had much to tell me about that gown. I should like to wear it with pride tonight will you assist me?" Rayeth screamed and danced around. "You, my dear will make the gown pale and faint when compared to your beauty!" She gathered the undergarments to suit the gown, and the two set to work.
Loki hesitated at the door he knocked. "One moment if you please." the maid called. He could hear a lot of shuffling and giggling. The plump and blushing maid opened the door. "My Prince please come sit. She will only be a moment." She nearly danced into the bath. He moved a chair to sit facing the door his head cocked to the side. The maid peeked out the door and he chuckled at such melodramatics. It was a moment more before the door opened and the maid stood pointing Althia's phone at him. He lost all thought then because his queen walked into the room. She was regal as any crowned queen. Her hair was twisted in such a way that the red was a ribbon wrapping it. The combs fell over her ears the collar was merely a decoration to draw the eye down the neck to the dress.
"Well, say something!" The maid exclaimed in exasperation. "Hush Rayeth his silence speaks volumes as it comes from one known for his silver tongue that if rumors are true has never failed him... until just now." Althia said. Loki took the challenge and rose to walk to her. Dramatically he fell at her feet. "Let me but bask in the glory of your beauty and my heart would be content. Were you to grace me with even a simple smile I would gladly slay armies for you. That you take my hand means that the moons and stars of the sky must be yours; gifts fitting to grace your brow." He said staring at her face. She thought his words were sweet and smooth warming her like caramels. They were so poetic and made her melt a little. "What would you give for a kiss then sir?" she asked archly. He smiled "My life to see your every desire fulfilled, and this poor lost heart to comfort you in any way you so choose." He replied.
Althia couldn't play, he won she leaned down and kissed him gently on the lip her hands cupping his face. "Come, the All Father awaits." She said before stepping back so he could get off his knees. She turned and took her phone from Rayeth. "Thank you my friend. That was perfect yes?" she asked the blushing beaming woman. "Oh, my Lady it was beautiful." The maid laughed. "Please lay fresh bedding while we attend the king. I dread the thought of sleeping in wet blankets." Althia gave Loki a sidelong glance as she tucked her phone into the bed side table. Rayeth bowed as the two left. Pausing as a grin spread her lips when she realized the bed covers were soaked. "Well, finally!" she laughed and continued her work.
Althia watched Loki as they rode the lift to the garden. "I'm not sure I want the answer but, Loki, what changed?" She was very serious as she studied his face. "Bruce actually, he has been almost as surprising as you these last weeks. I am under threat to never make you cry in misery again or he would... make two of me without benefit of magic." Loki grinned slightly as he recalled the conversation. "I've never seen a man in love who thought the lady's divided heart as anything other than a challenge." Loki shook his head. "I think he's gone mad." Althia rolled the information over in her head. He'd been unnervingly jealous of anyone makes even a remote suggestion she leaves him. He had been different since she had returned. "Think of your mortal lover later, tonight you are mined." Loki's arm snaked around her.
Just before they arrived in sight he stopped her. "Are you certain this is what you wish?" he asked her. She looked at him the sharp lines of his face; so familiar yet still capable of being a complete mystery. No doubt the room would be packed tonight Loki loved to put on a show. A shadow of a memory darkened her thoughts for a moment making her cling to his arm before responding. "Yes, I'm sure." She hooked her arms around his neck tangling her fingers in the softness of his hair and drew him down to her lips. It was a chaste kiss she was wearing lip stick. She looked perfect Rayeth had polished her appearance from every hair to each hidden toe. The manicure made even her fingers go from hard lines of a fighter to a lady's hands. Sword callouses something she had developed weren't a negative on Asgard. Loki stared at her she could feel his pleasure at her acceptance like a warm fur rubbing in her mind. 'Oh yeah Loki went all out on this didn't he' she thought to herself. 'So he listened finally' Althia burst out laughing suddenly. Loki looked at her surprised by the sudden exclamation. She leaned into him. "Hela." She said, and he smiled warmly. The servant entered the room as Loki held her there returning her smile.
Odin rose as the servant entered causing the hall settle into attentive quiet. The speculations were wildly varied from a change of law or maybe even Odin would seek a new queen. They waited "My son has returned. His mind freed of influences that cause him to commit acts of conquest. His punishment was to serve a mortal or serve his life at the feet of the Queen of Jutonhelm." Thee hall stirred as his words drifted among them. "Great changes occurred; welcome changes. In him and through his actions since his arrival on Midgard. The mortal was no mortal, but a lost descendant of the Vanir. Her father's blood mixed with mortal blood and again with that of another race and produced a remarkable healing magic that has drawn wide attention. In search of sanctuary from those that would stripe her magic she returned to the home of her blood. She has served this realm with her sword and magic. Befriending many without regard to station or rank. I am most pleased to announce Loki, second son of Asgard, has begun his formal courtship of the Jibana Meye of Midgard." Odin beckoned. Odin grinned and when Loki bought Althia into the room he continued. "As of this night I hereby return all rights, responsibilities, and privileges to Prince Loki Odinson." Loki and the court were stunned silent. Althia alone knew he was dumbfounded as he smiled and led her into the room to thunderous cheers. She hadn't known, but it made sense. Loki led her to the dais, and they bowed to the king. "Rise my son, I am proud of you for all you have accomplished in so short a time." Loki helped Althia rise. As they neared the king she released his arm and hugged Odin. Shock quickly turned into his arms gently squeezing her. Loki stood waiting or a chance to sit when Odin turned and took his elbow leading him a step forward.
Servants rushed forward and took his coat before encasing him in his armor and handing him the staff that was emblem of his station on the council. Loki bowed to the hall and turned to drop to his knee to the All Father. The king clasped his arm before returning to his seat. Loki sat at Althia's side and she knew his iron self-control held back the exuberant ecstasy in him. It court was buzzing with the news. Everyone was talking and Althia enjoyed the meal filled with Loki's excitement. She danced for him and he reveled in her affections and loyalty to him. In all of Asgard no one could claim anywhere near the level of her dedication to his person. A fact he'd never felt so confident of before and his suspicious mind began planning ways to ensure its future.