CHAPTER 8

The following morning found Darcy in the garden she and Loki had originally become betrothed in. Looking around, she realized that it had not changed much. She sat on a bench and proceeded to look at the book she had procured from the royal library. It was a book on the Frost Giants of Jotunheim. She figured that since Loki was not going to tell her anything about them she may as well do some of her own research so she knew what it was she was getting herself into.

Delving into the book, she came across a passage marked as Mating Ritual. Curious, she began to read and nearly dropped the book in shock afterwards. She wondered if Loki knew any of this and then if so, could she entice him into doing it. A wicked grin formed as she set off to find her beloved.

She stood outside his room after searching for an hour for him with no luck. Knocking, she waited for him to acknowledge her and allow her into his private domain. She only waited a few moments when the door opened to reveal a slightly irritated Loki. Before she could ask what was wrong, he pulled her into his room and then into his arms kissing her like he was never going to see her again. She was too shocked to return the ardent kiss at first but as soon as the shock wore off she returned his kiss with the same fervor as he was showing. She felt her back hit the door as he pressed up against her. He kissed her like a starving man as his hands began roaming. She knew she should stop him but it had been so long since she had felt his arms around her, forever since she had felt his passion for her, that she allowed him to touch her as they both desperately wanted him too.

The kiss continued until she felt the chill in the air and felt his bare skin against her own. She didn't remember him removing her dress but at that point in time she didn't care; just as long as he could get as close to her as possible. She felt his hand caressing her upper left leg before he hitched it around his slim waist to bring them even closer together. He broke their kiss only to slide his lips down her neck to her clavicle where he place a small love bite before continuing downward. He slid the hand that was on her leg towards her center before testing her aroused state, clearing needing her to be ready.

"Please," was the only thing she could make out, as he continued to heighten her arousal. The plea coming out as a high, thin, breathless wail.

She felt his smirk against her breast moments before he took a swipe of one aching nipple with that wicked tongue of his. The moan she let out was just as breathless as the plea had been. Darcy was so aroused she was almost delirious with need and let out another moan of pure want when his own arousal brushed against her burning core. "Loki, please…..I need you now."

He wasted no time in aligning their bodies before thrusting up into her. They both let out a sigh of pleasure as they were once again joined together. He stayed still for a moment to let her adjust before slowly rocking against her keeping the rhythm slow and drawing out both of their pleasure. It didn't take long for them both to reach the apex of their shared pleasure. Both climaxing at the same moment before collapsing into the others waiting arms.

Loki pulled away first but immediately pulled her up into his arms and laid her on his bed before joining her shortly thereafter.

"Loki, what brought that on? Not that I am complaining but I thought we were going to wait to resume this until after we got to know each other again?"

He looked at her then said, "It was a dream I had."

"What was this dream about Loki?" she asked softly, caressing his check with her hand as she looked into his face questioningly.

"I lost you," was all he said and it was all she needed to hear, as he pulled her closer and held her to him in a comforting embrace.

She understood then that he would never be able to handle losing her for it would completely break him.

Later that day, they awoke in each other's arms and he dressed them both with his magic. "Can I ask why you were seeking me out my dear?" he asked.

"Oh, yes, there was but I ….that is you're not going to like it," she returned hesitantly as she crossed to the door and picked up the book that she had been reading earlier. She turned and held out the book to him. "I know that you don't like this part of yourself but you are not a monster Loki. No man can make love to a woman the way you just did and be considered a monster," she told him as he took the book from her.

"Darcy, it's not that… it's just... I have read this book. It was one of many I read while father had me imprisoned in the dungeons below the armory those 1000 years. I have a feeling I know what's going on in that lovely head of yours, but you can forget it. I will not be taking you ever in my Jotun form. Never, Darcy. Do you understand me? I could hurt you in that form and that's the last thing I would ever do, is hurt you. You are more precious to me than my own life and I would die before I would see you harmed."

She knew that he would never hurt her, but she wanted him in his other form. Why could he not see that? Why could he not see that she loved everything about him, including his Jotun side (which she found to be very sexy).

"Very well, Loki, I will not ask it of you then since its making you this upset," she finally told him, abate (take out abate)a bit downheartedly. She wanted him in every way possible but she was going to have to wait for him to be comfortable with her before it would happen and she knew that it would. She wasn't sure how she knew only that she knew.

He was surprised that she wasn't fighting him on the subject like she would have before and realized that she had changed a bit in that regard. He knew that she wanted him in his Jotun form. She had basically told him so the day before. He knew that she found him highly attractive in that form but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Oh, he wanted to there was no doubt in his mind at all that he wanted to claim her as a Jotun male claims chosen mate, yet he knew that if he did he could possibly hurt her and that was the last thing he wanted to do. He would never forgive himself if he hurt her even if it was in the throes of passion, he just wouldn't be able to bare it.

Knowing that the subject needed to be dropped, she chose right then to tell him what her Elven name was. "Loki, I know that you know my name at least the equivalent to what my name truly is…" she began. He looked at her like she had grown another head and she tried hard not to burst out laughing. "Well, my Elven name is Gilraen Amandil. My name in Elvish mean Light."

He was surprised by this and commented on it, "You do realize I now have three names I have to keep up with for you, right?"

She giggled then nodded. "Would you like to know what your Elven name would be Loki?"

At this he nodded curious as to what his name would be in Elvish. "Findaráto Elensar, it means Noble One," she told him softly. "It's a literal translation of your name."

"I like it," he grinned.

"Well, I shall see you later then Loki. I have a meeting with the Allfather soon and I cannot miss it. No, you can't come it's a private meeting. But I will tell you about it later alright." At his nod she pecked him quickly on his check then hurried out the door to meet with Odin in the Great Hall.

Odin was awaiting her when she arrived and she apologized to him for being late as it was not her intention to keep him waiting. He merely smiled knowing that she had been with his son.

"I have a request to ask of you and I know that you may say no if only to spare Loki any pain, " he began and immediately she was curious as to what he wanted to ask of her.

"I would like you and Jane to travel to Jotunheim for diplomatic purposes, of course. I would send Thor and Loki but the last time they went they nearly caused a war. I figured that by sending you and Jane as both the goddesses of truth, compassion, reason and intellect, you two should be able to secure a new truce with the Frost Giants and it would be an act of goodwill on Asgard's part as well. I only ask that you do not let Loki know about this until you have returned."

She was shocked that he would send two defenseless women to the Frost Giants territory without any protection whatsoever. However, she couldn't find it in herself to refuse the request. She would be able to learn more about Loki's Frost Giant side while there and it would help her understand him better. "I understand, Your Majesty. Have you talked about this to Jane yet?"

'Yes, I met with her earlier this morning. She was opposed to going but she couldn't refuse."

Darcy knew that Jane would know that Asgard needed to secure the new treaty with the Frost Giants as much as she did. Especially since they had been essentially leaderless since Loki had killed their king and she knew that only a royal could take the throne. She knew that Loki was the last remaining royal Jotun and he wasn't about to take the throne of the Frost Giants so they were going to have their work cut out for them.

She gave a small curtsy after assuring the king that she would not tell Loki what she was going to have to do upon finding out that she and Jane would be leaving at first light.

As soon as the light appeared in the sky the next morning Jane and Darcy made their way to the Bifrost Dome dressed as warmly as they could. Both were terrified of what lay ahead and it had been hard on both of them not to tell their lover's what was going on. They only hoped that they wouldn't be too angry with them for this slight. Holding hands, they stepped into the dome and Heimdall opened the Bifrost and promised to be watching them closely for any trouble. They nodded in thanks and stepped into the portal leading to Jotunheim.