A/N: Oh my gosh, I apologize so profusely for the wait. Loki was a far from accommodating muse, though that isn't necessarily a surprise, now is it? :-) I'm posting this on a shaky-at-best internet connection so I'll post responses to reviews later tonight or tomorrow. I know it's short but after the multiple incarnations the scene went through, I am quite pleased with how it turned out. Hope you enjoy and feedback is welcomed!
Infuriating little wench.
Loki watched Sigyn from his perch against a pillar, her face flushed from far too much wine and a large smile broken across her features as she conversed with the two young women that had been attached to her side since her arrival. She turned, eyes catching his, and smirked before turning her back towards him in a blatant dismissal. Again. His aggravation burned deep in his chest, but he didn't look away. And any thought of leaving was far from his mind.
It was in his right, to leave. He had done his princely duty: pandered to different council members and danced with their selective daughters. His presence was not required for longer than that and he was usually off seeing to his own entertainment.
But now, instead, he stayed. Because of her.
A soft, feminine chuckle answered his frustrated sigh and he turned, meeting a familiar pair of amused dark gray eyes. "Mother," Loki murmured, straightening and giving her a respectful nod.
Frigga smiled and slipped her arm through his, turning him back towards the room. "It has been many years since I have seen you stay this long at one of your father's banquets," she mused.
"I would be quite unlike myself if I didn't keep you guessing," he replied, infusing his tone with a note of wry amusement.
She simply hummed in response, her fingers flexing on his arm as she gave him a look, making him smirk. "How is Sigyn fairing? In her lessons?" she asked, surprising him slightly with the sudden change in subject, the smug, knowing tone to her voice giving him pause. "She seems like quite the clever young woman."
Loki studied her a moment, eyes narrowed and searching, before sighing, Frigga's carefully schooled expression revealing nothing. He swung his gaze back to the witch in question, Sigyn now engaged in conversation with his brother.
"She is clever enough," he admitted, watching with a small sense of satisfaction as Sigyn fought to conceal her rather obvious frustration. He almost pitied her, watching as she glanced pleadingly at the two women behind her, Thor rambling on completely unaware. Almost pitied her.
"I like her much better than your last pupil," Frigga intoned, her voice soft and laced with clear aggravation.
Loki stiffened, his gaze still locked on Sigyn and Thor but his eyes unseeing as he fell into memory. Amora. No one spoke her name, the Allfather having forbidden it when he banished the Enchantress. It had been quite some time since Loki had even thought of her, preferring to steer clear of the mangled mess of emotions that action usually evoked. He shook himself free of his reverie, shoving the thoughts of the blonde sorceress back into the dark recesses that they had briefly escaped from and gave Frigga a slightly strained smile. "You are not alone in that, Mother," he murmured dryly.
An idea slithered through his mind as he watched Sigyn skillfully extract herself from Thor's attention and he latched onto it, grateful for the distraction. A familiar smirk painted itself across his face before he could stop it, his eyes following the witch as she disappeared through an archway across the room. "If you would excuse me, Mother," he said, turning and giving her a slight bow. "It would seem I am needed elsewhere."
Frigga smiled, returning his bow with a gracious nod, the knowing and smug gleam that lit her dark gray eyes giving him pause. "Good luck," she said, giving his arm a slight squeeze before turning away.
Loki hesitated, watching her weave her way through the crowd for a moment, eyes narrowed in suspicion. The look had unsettled him, but his mother had always been one for the enigmatic. Rolling his shoulders, he turned and returned to his previous focus, moving stealthily around the edges of the room until he stood just inside the archway Sigyn had disappeared through.
Her dark blue dress matched the sky, stars dotting the inky darkness as the second sun feel below the horizon. Loki stared as her hair seemed to burn, catching the last rays and reflecting them back in every strand. His leather breeches tightened as lust rushed through every inch of him, images of her writhing beneath him flashing through his mind.
He moved and she started, catching the sound of his clothing shifting. "I think this is the first time I've ever seen my brother turned down in favor of star-gazing," Loki crooned, his tone slightly teasing. Sigyn stiffened predictably and he grinned, stepping forward till he leaned against the railing beside her, facing her.
"I . . . I simply needed some air, my prince," she murmured, studiously avoiding his gaze. "I meant no offence."
Loki hummed, arching an amused eyebrow. "Did you not," he mused. "Your actions speak otherwise, little one." She furrowed her brow in wary confusion and he leaned close, lips brushing against her ear. "You do realize that it is a punishable offence to ignore a summons from the royal family." Her fingers tightened on the railing as a slight shudder rushed through her body, reminding him of the scene in Garen's study earlier that day. "But I may be willing to overlook it . . . on one condition." Sigyn gasped as he grabbed her arm, spinning her to face him and pulling her tight against him with a firm arm around her waist. "Grant me the next dance."
Sigyn stared up at him, eyes wide and dark . . . but she didn't immediately resist. Her hands rested lightly on his chest and he watched in pleasant surprise as her gaze flickered towards his lips before realization washed over her and she was pushing against him. "I am sorry, my prince," she stated, twisting to free herself. "But I am quite weary. I believe I shall retire."
He lowered his face, his nose sliding slowly along her cheek, nuzzling. "That is a pity," he purred, hearing her breath catch and smirking. "I shall have to claim my recompense in some other form." Loki pulled back, marveling at the flush that colored her cheeks and throat. "What would you suggest, Sigyn?" He moved back, lips grazing along her jaw, mapping a determined line towards her mouth.
With startling strength and dexterity, she pulled free of his grasp and retreated towards the archway. "My prince," she breathed, giving him a quick curtsey before turning and disappearing into the crowded hall.
Loki let her go, the image of her flushed cheeks and her heaving chest imprinted in his mind. She had reacted, and so beautifully. It was unexpected but not unwelcome. And the fact that she was clearly fighting those reactions only made him more determined. He smirked and pushed away from the railing, calling on his power to transport him back to his chambers.
A/N: Thank you, again, for sticking with me despite my long absence. :-) Your reviews, follows, and favorites mean so SO much! And now for the responses to the reviews for the last chapter!
Yasumi: What would Fandral think? You've given me great inspiration for a future scene with that thought, love. :-) Thank you for sticking with me on this story! Hopefully, it won't be MONTHS before I update again.
Gyoro and Ururun: Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it! Sorry about the absence but hoping it won't be so long next time!
Captianawesome: Working on it! :-) Thank you for staying with me! So glad you enjoy it.