Silver and Scales
A/N: This story feels like it is going very well; I hope all of you are enjoying this as much as I enjoy writing it. If you feel like it's missing a few crucial details or if you want to see more (or less) of something that is related to Loki (or maybe even Vyperia), feel free to leave your comments in your review, if you should desire to leave one for me. I love hearing from my followers. I hope you have a wonderful day, my lovelies. Kneel.
Chapter Seventeen: Morning News
The morning rose with the sun. It graced the Asgardian kingdom with bright light and clear skies—there wasn't a cloud in the heavens. Vyperia gazed out of the colossal window of her shared chambers, quietly moved in admiration about her planet's beauty. A mesmerized smile was planted on her shining face; her avocado green eyes observed the bliss that surrounded her.
A rosy tinge flushed beneath her chin. A light handprint was implanted around her neck; though to the untrained eye, it was not noticeable. Vyperia's fingers tendered the reddened patch of skin with her fingers; she could still fits its heat, although they had slept five hours after their escapade. She did this almost absent-mindedly, wordlessly etching the imprint into her memory with fondness…and of equal delight.
Behind her poised frame, Loki's silhouette slid off their bed gracefully. His movements were cat-like—even when his long body left the mattress, the bed didn't make any noise that might have indicated otherwise. His arms stretched over his head, sore but very pleased with himself. He drew a robe from his wardrobe and pulled it over his shoulders, tying the sash; he looked over at Vyperia in reserved regard.
Loki strode up from behind her and embraced her in a gentle squeeze. Though draped in a night gown, Vyperia felt the warm pressure of his fingers interlock over the bare skin of her lower abdomen. His fingertips made a butterfly-light touch against her inner thighs. Even from this innocent embrace, she felt the stirring of arousal.
She noticed that since the escapade of last night, it was nearly unbearable to keep her hands off him. Something changed in Loki; and although she couldn't pinpoint the factor, she knew that she liked it.
He radiated a superiority that was exhilarating, almost like an alcohol to Vyperia's mind. Had she been someone less of an Asgardian, it would have been so much harder to stay away from him.
Asgardians were gods, and they held a higher…effect…over those who were not born of an Asgardian heritage. There was a vibe that surrounded their bodies—an air of sexual appeal that registered with the opposite sex. It was not just relevant to the princes Loki and Thor. Born as a goddess, Vyperia, too, held this gene in her blood. If she were to walk into a brothel, the Midgardian men would flock her like butterflies on nectar. The air was mind-altering…
It beheld the same myth that when angels were allowed to visit Earth for celebration, they would bed many women in a night because they were so well-endowed. (That was until the Midgardian god, the so-called Lord Jesus Christ, made it forbidden for angels to imbibe alcohol and negated their use of their genitals.)
Vyperia registered his warm touch with a low sigh, smoldered by his close vicinity.
"You are awake," Vyperia cooed smoothly; her hands fell upon his locked knuckles.
She angled her head to the side...
As she turned to look at him, Loki's mouth captured hers into a swift, breathless kiss. She inhaled sharply, caught in his seductive net. Vyperia's eyes closed and tightened as Loki kissed her deeply—a soft moan emitted from her.
Vyperia pulled away from him. The light smack of their lips of a kiss interrupted left silence in the bedroom.
Loki smirked at her.
"Love," said Vyperia curiously, "you seem invigorated in the last 24 hours. What has made you so…?"
"So…?" Loki invited her to finish her sentence.
She clung to the words that crossed her mind, wondering which one could accurately describe this new rise of confidence and authority.
"Demanding," she decided that was the accurate word to use.
She turned in his arms.
"Has my king decided that his purpose is to be the ruler of Asgard?" she drawled playfully. "Last night, it seemed to be very clear that you wanted me to know that."
"I decided that if my rightful place in Asgard is to be on the throne then that is nature's way." Loki replied, pulling her closer—his hands grasped her hips. Vyperia's cheeks reddened. "It requires me to be forceful, dominant…perhaps a bit rough."
"Ooh," Vyperia remarked, smirking at him. "Your queen has no quarrel with that."
"I—"
Loki's mischievous response that was sure to follow was interrupted when a soft knock was heard from the entrance of the bedroom.
Loki's face reacted from sweet tenderness to one of immediate irritation. He gave Vyperia a look before turning his head to the door.
"What?"
He was stern and relayed obvious signs of one being cock-blocked.
She quietly relished this side of him. His hands never left her hips as the bedroom door opened slowly. A guard, one of the messengers for the palace, entered hesitantly. He quickly observed the surroundings then turned in his awkward position to look at Vyperia and Loki—both glanced at the messenger inquisitively. The tell-tale sign that he realized that he had interrupted an intimate moment was easily recognized when his widened upon seeing the two of them so huddled together by the window. He lowered his gaze cautiously.
Vyperia could tell that this guard was a new recruit; he demonstrated meekness and held a timid posture, unlike the other Elite who stood proudly and unafraid.
"Your Majesty," greeted the guard, who nodded courteously to Vyperia. He turned to Loki, for whom he obviously held the exposed fear, and lowered to one knee. "Your Highness…"
He bowed to Loki, his voice revered to one of honest reluctance and uncertainty.
Vyperia turned in Loki's arms to grab a silky blue robe from on top of the large dresser wardrobe on her side of the bedroom. Loki stepped away from her as she tied the drawstrings, concealing her see-through night gown tightly. When she was proper and decent, Loki strode toward the door to stand directly in front of the guard. Vyperia followed behind him.
"This is rather early for a morning call," Loki told him briefly.
"Your Highness, I couldn't agree with you more, Sir; but the throne remains empty. It is the king's…privileged duty…"—the guard chose his words wisely (namely, he didn't use words that would make it seem that Loki was abandoning his title in order to sleep in)—"…to take his rightful place as the ruler of Asgard…temporarily."
Ah, so close…
Vyperia's face winced appropriately as Loki uttered a soft scathing noise; though, in his facial expression, it was a light, mocking smile.
"Temporarily, you say…" Loki repeated the guard's ill-spoken word with disdain. "What does that mean, guard?"
"Sir?"
"Loki…" Vyperia began defensively, as she sensed that Loki's simmering pride and anger was ready to come forth; however, Loki turned on her and said curtly,
"Know your place, Vyperia."
While closely irritated that he would silence her so easily, she had to admit—albeit to herself—that this was exactly what she wanted from him: a demanding personality that was entitled with ambition, pride, and jealousy. Suddenly, it had come unhinged during the late hours of the night. It didn't seem to be a phase. It looked like it would be permanent.
Vyperia looked at the guard in consideration, but damned him to whatever Loki believed to be a well-deserved fate for questioning Loki's rule.
"Sir," said the guard quietly, acknowledging his wrong, "it was not my place to speak. I meant no offense, Your Highness."
"No one ever does," replied Loki. "If my rule seems to be a small joke to you, perhaps I'll have a little fun myself."
"I implore you," said the guard in a calm, but shaky voice, "to reconsider."
"On your feet," Loki ordered.
"Sir?"
"On your feet."
The guard quickly stood up, shaken by Loki's rough, low voice.
As Vyperia had a better view of the messenger's face, it was very clear that this guard was not a master of concealing his emotions. There was prominent nervousness upon his youthful visage; and it slowly became apparent that he was growing steadily frightened as Loki watched him carefully.
Vyperia feared for the guard's punishment; though, simultaneously, she relished in her husband's regard. A complicated smile was on her face as she was torn between empathy and compassion for the rookie while increasingly becoming turned on by Loki's adamant command.
"Speak clearly, guard." Loki instructed the messenger.
"You might as well," said Vyperia gently, stepping toward the guard. "Speak."
"Your Majesties," began the messenger softly, "it is the kingdom's opinion that His Highness will serve merely a few weeks, if that. They do not intend to serve you"—his frightened eyes met the piercing blue ones of his king—"because they do not believe that you are their king."
Loki looked a little stunned. However, Vyperia was not so surprised. She had expected that the citizens of Asgard would not look so respectfully upon Loki—he was always overshadowed by Thor. The people wouldn't consider Loki to be a permanent king as long as Odin was still alive and while Thor still had a chance of returning to Asgard (though, at this time, it seemed highly improbable due to Thor's arrogance). Vyperia's stomach turned at this notification, not all too pleased.
Vyperia stared at the guard, who registered immediately that now he had annoyed the queen.
"Odin All-Father rests in his bed," Vyperia reminded him sternly. "Thor is exiled. Her Majesty, Frigga, sits beside him at all hours of the day; and you mean to tell me that Asgard considers the throne to be temporarily available, despite it being occupied by Loki?"
Loki glanced at her, amused. She sounded irritated, but if she wasn't—she was mildly pierced with self-righteousness and practicality. He liked that about her: so just and fair but she could always be a bit of a shrew. After all, she welcomed the fact that he had allowed three Frost Giants into Asgard. That temper of hers was always beautiful, even if she became unhinged by the beast that dwelled in her blood.
"The people have no choice but to obey Loki." Vyperia remarked, annoyed.
"My queen, they think differently," replied the guard nervously.
"Is that right?" Loki muttered. Then, "Do you think that I am a good king?"
"I believe that every king has his strengths, Your Highness."
"That's not what I asked."
The messenger quaked quietly under pressure.
"Loki," said Vyperia gently, "perhaps he spoke out of turn because his news might be potentially upsetting." Loki looked at her. "Dear, he is a new recruit—tasked with the duty to inform you of a potentially problematic situation."
He considered her briefly.
In Vyperia's peripheral vision, the guard sighed in relief.
"Very well," Loki resigned. He turned his attention to the guard. "You should spread the word that your queen is more merciful than me. Given my way—if I did not value her opinion—you might have been exiled for your cheek."
"I beg for your forgiveness, my liege."
"You are forgiven," Loki said apathetically. "What is your news?"
"Your Majesties, the Warriors Three and Lady Sif request a meeting with the All-Father."
"Do they?" inquired Loki curiously.
Vyperia bit her lip.
"Yes, Sir."
"Then they shall have it. You may leave."
"Sir, they—"
"You're dismissed," Loki told him sternly.
The guard glanced at Vyperia hesitantly. She shook her head in resignation; then the guard bowed briefly and left the room gratefully. Loki looked at Vyperia.
"Well, he's a darling, isn't he?" he remarked in a dull voice.
"Loki, he's a nervous rookie. The boy was given a task from his elite superiors. They know that the one who delivers the message is either praised or criticized for the news that he bears, love. He spoke in ill-fated uncertainty."
"That doesn't excuse what he did," Loki told her seriously.
"A slip of the tongue," Vyperia excused gently.
"The kingdom laughs in my face!"
Vyperia's weak smile vanished as Loki's eyes glinted angrily.
"Loki…"
"My father isn't dead, Vyperia. He's in a coma. It could last weeks, months, years—and will Asgard still consider me to be a simple substitute while it is under my rule?"
Vyperia's stomach dropped unpleasantly. Loki stared at her in resentment. She met his eyes, searching them for brief minutes. Vyperia fidgeted with her hands. His face was lit up with fury. The guard's attitude toward Loki had triggered this new side of him. While she silently took pleasure in seeing him so furious, her stomach churned—sick—as she saw such annoyance and stirred emotion on Loki's face.
"My lord," Vyperia appealed to him softly, "do you intend to murder your father in order to claim the throne, to be king?"
"I am a king!"
Vyperia winced; his voice rose loudly to a volume that frightened her.
"I know, I know," Vyperia said quietly. She cleared her throat and stepped toward him. "Loki, you can enforce your rule upon Asgard—make them know that you are their ruler."
Loki listened to her, though his blue eyes penetrated her, exasperated.
"Loki, you must know something before you speak to the Warriors Three…and Lady Sif."
"What, more secrets?" scoffed Loki.
His indifferent mockery affected Vyperia. Her scared expression hardened to one of unsympathetic clarity.
"That was unnecessary."
He and Vyperia stared down the other in silence, both waiting for the other to snap. Vyperia's cheeks reddened as Loki glared at her. When he didn't shy from her, Vyperia lowered her gaze and shook her head, stepping away from him. Loki reached for her and grabbed her wrist to pull her back.
"Don't walk away from me—"
Vyperia jerked her hand from his grasp,
"I am not one of your guards!" she snapped at him. "You are my king, Loki, but you are still my husband."
He was quiet for a minute.
Then he stepped toward her silently. He raised a hand to caress the underside of her chin. His stern glare upon her melted to one of placid courtesy. Vyperia closed her eyes and felt his hand brush against her cheek. The hurt on her face was self-evident; she needn't say so. Loki placed an apologetic kiss upon her other cheek. They remained silent momentarily.
"Vyperia…" His voice broke the tension.
"I know," she stopped him from apologizing. Then soothingly, "You must listen to me…"
"All right, I'll hear you."
Vyperia nodded.
"The Warriors Three and Sif anticipate betrayal…from you."
Loki stared at her.
"What?" A brief chuckle was upon his voice as he looked at her with a smile.
"I'm serious, dear. They suspect that you are behind the Jotuns' intrusion into Asgard. They think that you intended to have Thor exiled. They intend to speak to your father about this."
"You heard them say this?"
"With my own ears," Vyperia vowed, nodding.
Loki hesitated. She waited for his reply.
"I doubted you once," he said with contemplation, "and you were right. I won't make that mistake again."
"Then you will not speak with them?" Vyperia asked hopefully.
"I must."
"Loki…"
"It is my duty as king to solve the problems of those who come to ask."
"They will suspect you further if you refuse to help them."
Loki smirked.
"What have I to fear if I am the man sitting on that throne?"
Vyperia considered his words.
"I suppose that you are right."
"Of course, I am," Loki returned.
He tipped the underside of her jaw with his index finger.
"Get dressed, pet," he told her. "I have a meeting this morning."