When Loki awoke, he felt the warmth of Ellie curled up next to him. He rolled onto his side wrapping his arm around her to pull her tighter. When her eyes opened and she looked up at him, Loki saw her eyes were red and there were the signs of dried tears on her cheeks.
"What is the matter, my love?" Loki asked moving the hair away from Ellie's face.
Ellie averted her eyes. After her talk with Odin, Ellie had walked through the gardens and thought long and hard about what he had told her. She came from a small town in New Mexico and now she finds out that she is queen of a realm that she never even knew existed until today. How could she possibly take on that responsibility? That would be something she would have to come to terms with after this ugly fight was over. For all she knew, they would not even survive.
That left her with the whole situation of being betrothed to Loki since birth. Odin had told her this information when she was alone which left her to believe that they were the only two that knew. Why? Was he letting her get used to the idea or let her decide how to tell Loki?
Ellie had found herself back in Loki's chamber. She didn't remember the walk back, but she found him still asleep. Ellie watched him sleep for a few moments realizing how she wanted to curl up next to him. Fall into the oblivion of sleep and forget her problems for a while. Stripping off her coat and boots, Ellie crawled under the covers next to Loki. She lay there and admired the peaceful look on his face as he slept.
Was it love between them or was there some sort of magic that drew them together? She had never believed in magic before, but now she definitely had proof that it existed. When they had first met on the street that day, Ellie had felt something immediately, but did not understand how she could have been so attracted to someone that fast. He had not even said a word to her. Then the first time he touched her, she felt the strong physical attraction. Was what she felt for him real love or some sort of magic due to the pact their fathers had made?
So many unanswered questions floated through her mind and the complexity of it all finally got to her. Ellie broke down in tears and buried her face in the pillow so she would not wake Loki. Her body was emotionally drained and Ellie had eventually cried herself to sleep.
"Ellie, my love, your silence is driving me mad!" Loki burst out, bringing Ellie back to the present.
Turning back to look at Loki, Ellie decided she would not discuss what she had learned with him, at least not yet. Not until she fully understood herself.
"I'm fine," she managed, trying to sound normal.
"You are not fine. I can see in your face that you are upset," he said cradling her cheek.
"I'm okay Loki, I swear. Everything just crashed down on me last night as I was trying to fall asleep. I was scared about what I had done yesterday and the battle that is coming. I was scared for all the children that are sleeping downstairs." Ellie said wiping at her eyes. "It all became a little much, but I'm good now."
"Truly?" he uttered sounding skeptical. "I know there are many things going on right now, but we will get through them together." Loki leaned in to kiss her lips. "I will do anything that is necessary to keep you out of harms way. Yet, after what I watched you do yesterday, I believe that you can protect yourself."
Ellie looked at the pendant that hung around Loki's neck. The pendant that was intended for her betrothed. Intended for Loki. Odin had said that it would bestow the powers of the elves upon its wearer. Ellie remembered how Thor mentioned that Loki had done something on the battlefield that he had never done before.
"Yesterday was just crazy. I'm not sure what that was or how I did it, but I'm glad it worked. Thor said you did the same thing yesterday," she said trying to take the focus off of her. "How did you do it?"
"I do not know. Our side was being defeated and when I saw my father fall, something inside of me snapped, as you would say. A warmth started in my chest and the magic just flowed out of me. I had never felt anything like it before. Within minutes I had reduced their army to ash." Loki ran his hand through his hair. "I enjoyed the way it made me feel."
Ellie brought her hand up to Loki's cheek. "Just remember that all the power in the world means nothing when you are alone."
Loki looked into Ellie's eyes. "I have you."
"Yes you do," Ellie said stroking his cheek. "And you have your family Loki. They love you so much. Being adopted does not make you any less their child. You don't know how lucky you are."
"Oh my love, you are one amazing woman." Loki said sliding his hand down Ellie's side and resting on her thigh. "So insightful for one so young." Grabbing her knee, he pulled her leg over his hip. "I missed you." He moaned into her ear. "I missed the feel of you in my arms. We will never be separated like that ever again."
The familiar tingle spread through Ellie's body. Loki's touch brought out her baser instincts. Being with him like this just made Ellie realize that it was love between them. It had to be love, not magic. No deal between kings could make her feel this way. Could it?
Not knowing what tomorrow would bring, Ellie wanted to make the most of what time they had together. Moving her hands to his shoulders, Ellie pushed Loki onto his back and sat up straddling his legs. He looked up at her with clear want in his eyes. Moving his hands to the hem of her shirt, he started to pull it up. Ellie slapped his hands away and Loki looked up at her with a questioning look. A slow smile crossed Ellie's lips. Reaching her hand up to his face, she placed her index finger on his lips to indicate he remain silent. Loki tilted his head and raised his eyebrow at her. Ellie just raised her eyebrow right back. She felt his shoulders shake as he laughed at her. Feeling a little sassy, Ellie raked her nails down his chest leaving barely a mark. A slight look of surprise flashed across his face and then was gone. Ellie then ran her palms back up massaging over his chest.
Loki couldn't help himself and grabbed Ellie by her waist. He wanted to touch her but she grabbed his hands and pulled them above his head. While holding that position, Ellie leaned in and whispered in his ear. Loki moaned and closed his eyes as she gently bit his earlobe. Loki laced his fingers together and tried to remain still. Ellie kissed her way along his jawline to his other ear and whispered again. Thinking back to the first night they spent together, Ellie placed kisses across his chest and slowly moved down toward his stomach and lingered around his belly button. Loki couldn't handle this and started to move his hands down towards her.
"Uh uh uh!" Ellie scolded and pushed his arms back up.
"You are killing me my love!" he yelled out, looking into her eyes.
"But killing you so sweetly," she whispered, placing more kisses along his hip bone.
Grabbing the edge of Loki's pants, Ellie slowly pulled them down past his hips, down his thighs and then completely off. After throwing them over her shoulder, she placed her hands on his shins and then took her time sliding her hands back up his legs and rested them on his hips. Taking a moment, Ellie looked into Loki's eyes.
"I don't believe that this is exactly fair," Loki said looking down at himself and then at Ellie who was still completely clothed.
"Well if you can stay still, I can fix that," Ellie said with a coy smile.
Loki made himself comfortable against the pillows, relaced his fingers together and put them behind his head.
"Comfortable?" Ellie asked.
"I am, yes, thank you." He replied with a smirk of his own.
Ellie slapped his thigh playfully. Giving Loki a stern look, she slid off his legs and stood next to the bed. Turning his head so he could see her better, Loki prepared himself for whatever Ellie had in store. There was a slight tinge of pink to Ellie's cheeks, but she slid her hands up into her hair and fluffed out her lengths.
"Mmmmm. I love your hair," Loki said quietly.
Ellie just smiled, slid her hands down her sides, over her hips, turned slightly as she moved them over her rear and then back to the front as she began to undo her leather pants.
"Seeing you in those pants is truly a glorious sight. The way they hug your hips is positively devilish." Loki practically moaned.
"Well then it's a good thing they are all I have to wear right now." Ellie began to slowly pull them down over her hips making sure her shirt kept covered what she did not want him to see yet.
Yet his head slowly lifted off the pillow trying to get a glimpse. When he was denied, Loki dropped his head back on the pillow and growled in frustration. Ellie smiled and kicked her pants to the side.
"Stop teasing me woman!" he bellowed as he stared her down.
Ellie gave him a slight pout and then crossed her arms in front of her to grab the hem of her shirt and slightly pulled it up. "I can stop."
"No! I will be good," he said quickly.
Ellie laughed quietly knowing he was putty in her hands. So she began to pull the shirt up and over her head at a turtles pace. Loki groaned as each inch of her skin was slowly revealed to him. Ellie then thought to herself how Loki lay naked on the bed. She realized how this was torture for her as well. All she wanted to do was join him, but she was having way too much fun listening to him try and restrain himself. Once the shirt was off and discarded, Ellie slowly turned around in front of him.
"Will this torture ever end?!" Loki yelled to the ceiling. "My love, I can take this no longer! Get in this bed or I will come out after you!"
Ellie felt a challenge. A slow mischievous smile crossed her lips and Ellie backed a step away from the bed. Loki lifted his head off the pillow and Ellie took another step. He slowly sat up and Ellie slowly stepped away. Loki saw the challenge in her smile and he dropped his legs over the side of the bed and put his fists into the mattress ready to spring on her. Ellie kept backing away. There were not many places for her to go, but she was going to do her best.
Ellie watched Loki closely. She knew he was going to spring at any moment. Loki looked at her like she was prey to catch. He sprang off the bed and Ellie took off across the room. She giggled as she ran and managed to duck under his arm and take off in the other direction. She managed to evade him several times but she knew her luck was running out. One last lucky move on Ellie's part and Loki spun around to see her jumping up onto the bed.
Without saying a word, Ellie lifted her hand and beckoned Loki to come join her. He slowly approached the bed and stopped right next to it. Ellie slowly moved to the edge, right in front of him. He was eye level with her belly and he pressed his face to her warm skin. He placed his hands by her knees and slowly moved them up to her hips. Ellie grabbed a hold of Loki's shoulders and began to wrap her legs around his torso as he supported her weight. He slowly lowered her down until they were face to face.
"The only other games I wish to play with you involve this bed," Loki said and then covered her mouth with his.
…
"My lord, it has just been confirmed that your brother, Byleistr is dead." A Frost Giant said bowing low before Hellbindi.
Hellbindi roared. "I sent him in while the army was away and he could not even accomplish stealing her back! I should have done it myself."
Hellbindi stood and stormed over to the window and looked out over his frozen wasteland. He needed to come up with a plan. They had devastated the Asgardian army, but now Loki had some new found power. This would be difficult, but if he could get the girl back, she would solve all his problems.
"My lord, if I may ask, why is this girl so important."
"She is the one we have been waiting for. The one my father felt was hidden away. My betrothed. She will unite us with the elves and bring me unlimited power," Hellbindi said still staring out the window. "I must get her back."
…
Ellie lay on her back with Loki's arms around her and his leg draped across hers. She was wrapped in bliss as she looked at her hands. How did the magic work? Try as she might, she could not make the sparks come from her fingers like the day before. What was different about the times that it worked? The first time was when she was in the vault and she was fighting the Frost Giants. At that time she was afraid for her life and for Anson's. The second time she was protecting Frigga and Jane. Ellie remembered how afraid she was at first and then pictured Jane in the hands of the Frost Giant while Frigga lay on the floor. She had been pissed off. Anger started to seep back through her on that memory and small sparks started to flick from her fingertips.
That's it! Ellie thought to herself. She was protecting others. Rerunning the whole scenario in her head made the feelings come back. The sparks got stronger and brighter. The Frost Giant had thrown Jane towards the wall, but Ellie had caught her. Could she move other things? There was a gold plate on a pedestal across the room. Ellie pointed her fingers towards the plate and concentrated on making it rise. At first nothing happened, finally it started to wiggle and slowly rise up. Not taking her eyes off of it, she made it move closer to her. Ellie stared in awe as it just hung suspended in the middle of the room. She was really doing this.
Loki slowly started to wake. The warmth of Ellie's small body was such a pleasant sensation to wake to. Cradling her closer, he nuzzled the back of her neck and kissed that sensitive spot on the back of her neck that he loved. As expected, Ellie let out a soft moan.
However, this broke Ellie's concentration on the plate and the large piece of metal came crashing to the floor. Loki flew up and stood on the bed. He eyed the room looking for intruders as his heart raced.
"Loki! It was me! I'm sorry," Ellie said quickly.
Loki did not move. He felt a little disoriented and was still looking for any sign of danger.
"Loki," Ellie said again. She gently reached out and touched his calf. "It was me."
There was still no answer. So Ellie slowly moved her hand up his leg to the back of his thigh. Getting up onto her knees, she moved around so she was in front of him.
"My love," she whispered.
Ellie placed her other hand on the back of his other thigh and then slowly moved them up.
"Are you in there?" she asked.
Loki took a deep breath and his heart began to slow. Ellie moved her hands up over his rear and then rested them on his hips.
"Asgard to Loki. Are you in there Loki?" Ellie said with a hint of teasing in her voice.
A smile spread across his face and he looked down at Ellie. "What?"
"Never mind," she said. "I'm just glad your back."
"I'm sorry for whatever that was. I am feeling very protective of you right now." Loki said as he kneeled down with her. "I know the Frost Giants want you back and they will try, but I will never let them lay their hands on you again."
Ellie leaned her head into his chest. "I'm here now and I'm not going anywhere."
Loki lifted her chin up to face him and kissed her. "I love you."
"I love you too." Ellie smiled as he pulled her into his arms.
"What was that noise?" Loki asked looking around the room again.
"That was just me trying to practicing my magic. You distracted me and I dropped that large gold plate," Ellie said nonchalantly.
Loki looked down at her. "Already so confident are we?"
"No. I can't just do it," Ellie said a little bummed. "I had to really concentrate on my feelings to get it."
"Well, let us see what we can do about that." Loki turned her back to face the room. "Show me what you were doing and we will figure this out."
Loki knelt behind Ellie and pulled her in between his legs resting his hands on her hips. Ellie sat up straight and looked down at the plate on the floor. She was so excited to be practicing magic with Loki. He had amazed her just by simply filling a tub with water. Holding out her hands, Ellie concentrated on the plate once again. She did not want to go back to reliving those feelings again. There had to be a way for the magic to work without all the emotion.
For what felt like forever, Ellie concentrated on moving the plate. She thought she saw it move, but it was just a flicker of the torch light. Ellie threw her hands up into the air and then put her head on her knees.
"I don't know how you do this," Ellie mumbled.
Loki looked down at Ellie folded up. He could sense that she was going to get frustrated with herself and that would make her learning this all the more difficult.
"Ellie sit up," Loki said.
All he heard was Ellie's sigh from between her knees.
"Ellie sit up," he said again sternly.
Ellie tensed a bit, but sat up straight.
"What are you feeling when the magic works?" Loki asks.
Ellie noticed the change in Loki's voice. He was being serious.
"The first time I was afraid. The second time I was mad," Ellie replied quietly.
"Both are strong emotions and can trigger the flow of magic. We need for you to be able to tap into your magic at any time. I want you to focus on the plate again."
Ellie thought to herself how Loki was sounding like her old college professors. All serious and stern. She smiled to herself, but raised her hands and focused on the plate.
"Now close your eyes and look into yourself."
Ellie closed her eyes and saw the back of her eyelids. There was nothing but she didn't want to admit that to Loki.
"Open your mind and relax your body. You can find the magic in yourself," Loki said.
Ellie stared at the back of her lids. She never believed in meditating or yoga so this was really hard for her to do. How does one open their mind? So she thought that she would think of her mind as a black void. An area that could be full of possibilities.
"Look for the magic within," Loki whispered into her ear.
Ellie looked around in the blackness.
"Look deep within."
The tickle of Loki's breath in her ear caused Ellie to start feeling warmth in her heart. The warmth flowed out and prickled across her skin like goose bumps. Then in the blackness of her mind, a faint light began to appear. It was not just any light, it was the slow progression of purple light getting brighter and brighter. It almost became unbearable to look at, but she could not look away. The purple glow enveloped her and she began to see flashes of images from another time. Images of her mother. Once she realized what she was being shown, everything began to make sense.
Ellie now understood.
