A/N: Look! An update that isn't months later! Go me! New info and new characters in this chapter. Review responses at the end. Enjoy!
"Sigyn."
I looked up from my half-empty plate at my sudden companion, blinking in surprise. "Good morning, Father," I murmured, giving him a respectful nod of my head. "I am glad to see you and Mother have returned safely. How was the journey?"
"Long," he allowed, taking the seat beside me and gesturing to one of the servants waiting near the wall. She moved instantly, hurrying towards the kitchen to retrieve a second plate of food.
"I would have thought you would still be a-bed," I mused, swallowing a bite of fruit. "You had not returned by the time I retired last night."
He smiled. "Old habits die hard," he replied. "But, your mother sleeps enough for the both of us. Your brother learned it from someone, after all." We shared a quiet chuckle as the serving girl returned with his food, eating in silence for a moment before he spoke again. "Despite our absence, I have heard the most interesting talk. Court gossip travels quickly."
A nervous, wary feeling began to gnaw at my insides as I took notice of his change of voice, his tone matching the one he used in council meetings and court. I adopted a blank expression, arching a curious eyebrow as I met his gaze. "Oh?"
"You were seen conversing with both princes at the banquet two nights ago," he stated, his eyes burning into me as I returned focus to my food.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the frustration that rose within me, the suggestion in his tone making me cringe inwardly. "I was merely being courteous, Father," I stated. "It would hardly do for me to snub the princes of our realm, now would it?"
"Either would be a good match," he continued. "Advantageous."
"For whom?" I asked, my jaw tight in aggravation as I met his gaze. "For me? Or for you?"
"My lord." A young man burst into the room and bowed, his hair disheveled and chest heaving. "My lady." He bowed. "My apologies for the interruption. This message came for you, Lady Sigyn."
He held out a small piece of parchment, the wax seal on it glaring up at me and making me tense. Loki's seal. The scene from the balcony suddenly flashed through my thoughts and my body tingled, recalling the feeling of his arm around my waist and his lips brushing against my jaw. It had been two days since that night, my lessons given a reprieve in favor of recovery from the banquet and then Loki's absence due to royal duty.
It was frustrating how much he affected me, even with having been out of his presence for two days. The suggestive thoughts that flickered through my mind made my skin heat and flush and I studiously avoided my father's inquisitive gaze while I opened the letter.
You are to report to the palace library for lessons this morning. Do not be late.
I sighed. "Thank you, Soren," I murmured. "Please have Kari readied for me." He nodded and bowed again before disappearing.
"And where has Prince Loki summoned you?" my father asked, gesturing towards the seal on the letter I still held.
"The palace," I replied dutifully. "My lessons are to take place in the palace library this morning."
He fell silent for a moment, thoughtful. "Not my first choice, but not a bad one either," he mused.
"Father, stop," I said as I stood, disgruntled. "You know as well as I that this is not a match you are allowed to make. Your word has been given and you cannot go back on it, by law." I gave him a respectful nod. "Apologies for my hasty departure, but I must not be late. Please give Mother my regards."
My fingers dug into my temples as I strode from the dining room and to my chambers, a slow, steady ache growing just underneath the skin. I knew he meant well, but his constant hunger for position wore on me.
I changed into my riding gear quickly, Kari greeting me with a soft whinny as I stepped outside. Her chestnut hair glistened in the sunlight and I stroked her affectionately before mounting, nudging her forward with my knees.
The ride to the palace was much shorter than I recalled. Or wanted. After the interaction with my father, I had little desire to face whatever the prince decided to throw at me.
Emerald eyes met mine as I stepped into the library, Loki's lips tilted in a knowing smirk as he unfolded his tall, lean frame from his chair. "I am surprised, Sigyn," he teased. "You are on time, nearly early."
"You asked that I not be late, my prince," I replied, giving him a slight bow. "I only wished to comply."
"There is a first time for everything, isn't there?" he mused. His eyes slid over me and my skin tingled traitorously beneath my riding clothes as they darkened with desire. "Shall we begin? I want to see how well you concentrate with distractions."
My brow furrowed in confusion. "Here?" I asked. "But . . . it sounds as though we are the only ones."
Loki grinned. "Very astute," he agreed. "Since you have yet to master invisibility, I want to see how well you can maintain a shield." He gave an expectant nod and I complied, a slight shimmer of silver sliding through the air between us as I conjured my magic. "Good. Now, focus."
The shield wavered as a spell collided with it, but only just. Loki bombarded me with spell after spell, my magic successfully blocking them every time. Until I felt a gentle brush of fingers along the back of my neck.
I spun, yelping as Loki's next spell slammed into the back of my thighs. "Concentrate, Sigyn," Loki ordered as I turned back. His face held the familiar consternated expression he seemed to wear during our lessons but his eyes twinkled. "Do not let your shield drop. No. Matter. What."
We resumed, falling into a rhythm again. And I was ready for the caress when it came, my barrier holding with only a slight shudder. Loki's lips twitched. Moments later, I felt warm breath on my neck and then a tongue lapping gently. "Oof!" I stumbled backwards as a spell hit my stomach, running into a very solid form.
"Steady, little one," Loki crooned in my ear, his strong arms wrapping firmly around my waist. "We wouldn't want to cause a mess, now would we?"
My heart was racing, my fingers digging into the woven leather on his forearms as his entire being surrounded me. "Loki . . ."
"Mmmm," he hummed, his face pressing against my skin. "You still owe me, little one." He settled his hands on my hips and nudged me around until we stood in a perfect mimicry of our stance on the balcony two nights before. "Shall I take my payment?"
It was as though I was rooted to the spot, my brain screaming for me to move away but my body far from obeying. Two long fingers pressed the underside of my chin, tilting my face upward, his face extremely close.
His thumb rubbed against my jaw teasingly, a barely-there touch that sent my pulse jumping. My gaze flickered away from his piercing, disconcerting green eyes to his mouth. Loki chuckled and pushed forward, closing the last few inches between us until his lips brushed over mine with a feather-light touch.
The door creaked open behind me and reason returned to my mind with a rush, my body reacting instantly. I pushed against Loki's chest, all but careening free of his grasp as our solitude was intruded on. "Sigyn?"
The timid note in the familiar voice struck me as odd but gratitude pulsed through my veins and I grinned broadly as the newcomer stepped through the door. "Theoric!" I exclaimed, hurrying towards him. A gentle laugh escaped me as he scooped me into his arms and embraced me tightly. "How are you here?"
"My commander granted me leave until after the ceremony," he explained, his deep brown eyes dancing. "So I am at your mercy until then."
"At my mother's mercy," I corrected as he returned me to my feet. "She is the one doing all the planning, after all. My input has been limited to final, tie-breaking decisions when she has trouble choosing." He laughed, a deep, warm sound that sounded surprisingly hollow to my ears when it would have soothed me before. Before . . . Loki. The thought discomforted me to no end.
A soft but insistent throat clearing sounded from the room and we turned as one, finding Loki watching with an unreadable mask. Theoric straitened almost instantly, his military training taking over in the presence of royalty. "You know that interruptions are not allowed, Sigyn," he chastised.
"Lay blame with me, my prince," Theoric championed, bowing. "It has been some time since I have last seen my betrothed and I was directed here when asked her location."
Loki's gaze flickered towards me, his reaction unknown behind his mask. My cheeks flushed and I looked away, suddenly and deeply embarrassed. "I see," he mused. A smile painted itself across his features after a moment, his mask shifting into one of companionable warmth. "Far be it from me to keep you apart longer. We shall continue our lessons on the morrow, Sigyn. Please report back here in the morning."
"Yes, my prince," I agreed, dipping shallowly into a curtsy. "Thank you." His reaction gave me pause and I watched him warily, but Theoric's fingers wrapped around mine and tugged gently, prompting me to turn and follow him into the hall.
Loki watched them go, his frustration burning deep within him as he let his friendly expression drop. She was betrothed. That made things a bit more of a challenge.
But it did explain her reluctance, her fight against the desire she clearly harbored. He smiled. It only added a new element to the game and he was more than able to adapt.
A/N 2: Yes, yes. I know. The section from Loki's POV is ridiculously short. Bordering on pointless. BUT. I really just wanted his immediate take on Sigyn's betrothal and the short little bite just seemed to fit. :-) Thanks for all your favorites and follows and reviews! They mean so so SO much!
Yasumi: It definitely does. But, I think I've found my muse again, so hopefully no more months-long stretches between updates. :-) I'm glad you're enjoying the tension. I hope this chapter didn't kill you. :-)
88dragon06: Thank you! I'm glad you're still with me. :-) The next chapter shouldn't be nearly as long in coming.
Captianawesome: Thank you, sweetie! So glad you're enjoying it!