A/N: I know it's short. It's a bit of a continuation of the last chapter, Loki's POV. Longer note at the bottom.
Loki allowed a smile to cross his face as he appeared in his chambers. The little witch intrigued him. He couldn't decide if she was brave or foolish, but he did know that she was talented. Garen had said she'd only been taking lessons from him for three years and she had already mastered teleportation. It had taken him nearly that long just to create the spell. Another year before he'd been able to do it without inflicting injury on himself.
The dark prince moved across the room and plucked a book from his extensive library and sat at the small reading table nearby, but he couldn't concentrate. Loki let his mind wander. He'd been hidden in an alcove when he'd overheard her brother bragging about her accomplishments to the Lady Sif. Then, he'd believed her to be just another of Fandral's many female conquests. The man never seemed to be satisfied without something warm between his legs. Therefore, it was a truly pleasant surprise when he discovered her to be the fool's sister. It was nearly unbelievable, the differences between the two when it came to intellect glaringly obvious. But then, the same could be said for his own brother.
His thoughts turned to the moment she'd recognized him in the sorcerer's study, and Loki smirked again. Her face was so extraordinarily expressive. Fear and wariness had battled across her features right up until the moment he'd insulted her brother. He let his smirk slide into a grin. She had lit up like the palace during second sunset, her gray-blue eyes burning. It had been a long time since someone had thought to challenge him.
A knock sounded on his door and he turned towards it, sighing slightly. "Enter," he called needlessly as the door swung open.
"Brother!" a tall blonde man exclaimed, his muscles rippling under his armor as he strode across the room towards Loki. "You spend far too much time sitting in this gloom, reading." There was a slight sarcastic emphasis on the last word, a teasing light in the blonde's blue eyes. "No wonder you are as pale as a Hel-spawn."
The dark prince sighed again, but his lips twitched at his brother's jab, the only sign of amusement he allowed to show in his otherwise frustrated expression. "What can I do for you, Thor?" Loki asked. The man grinned at him, a wary feeling instantly appearing in the pit of his stomach. He shook his head. "No. I am not in the mood to join you on another of your . . . adventures."
"Please, brother," Thor insisted, his voice taking on the air of a whining child. "We cannot do it without you."
The younger prince pushed to his feet, moving to return the book to its place on the shelf. Even if he did not accompany Thor, he knew he wasn't going to be getting much reading done today. "What, exactly, would we be doing?" he asked, sliding the book into place.
Thor hesitated, making the God of Mischief glance at him warily. "Just say you'll come," he pressed.
Loki narrowed his green eyes at the God of Thunder, folding his arms across his chest. "Very well," he agreed after a long moment. The delight that lit his brother's face made him smile indulgently. "But if I am bitten again by a dire wolf, it will be upon your head."
Thor laughed heartily, clapping his arm onto Loki's shoulders as the two of them stepped into the hall. "Do your worst, brother," the blonde taunted.
A/N 2: Wow. Over 120 views! And followers! And reviews! Bit mind-boggled over here.
I cannot promise regular updates. I work with a flexible schedule and it can change at a moments notice. Also, I have a lot of other stories flitting around in my head and I can get distracted easily. But I do have quite a bit of this story already written so that tilts things in your favor.
Diane: You know you're the reason I posted! :-) Thanks!
Yasumi: Thank you! I hope you keep being intrigued as the story goes on.
Figg: I hope she never comes across as too ridiculous. Continue, I shall. Thanks so much!
Crede Biron: You are so kind! Keeping Loki in character was/is one of the things I'm terrified of messing up. Hopefully, I won't disappoint as the story continues. As for suburb smut, we'll have to see. :-) I'm glad I have a Sigyn story that interests you. :-) Thank you so very much!