Silver and Scales
Chapter Twenty-Seven: War with Jotunheim
When the sweat cooled upon their bodies, when the panting became nothing still silence; and the passion and submission that was shared between the king and queen slowly subsided, Vyperia raised her eyes to meet his with equilibrium—satisfied to at least the fullest extent that was possible. He made a small indication with his chin; Vyperia climbed off him. He pulled up his trousers and buttoned them up to return his formal composure to one of proper decency; Vyperia's naked body was sheathed as she wrapped the robe around her shoulders and tied the sash around her waist. Loki tiredly passed a hand over his face and she gazed down at him, beaming.
"There is one thing more," he said through a hoarse voice, one that ran its course after having reached the utmost capacity of gratification, "that you could do in order to secure your allegiance with me."
Vyperia merely looked upon him with shadowed eyes that conveyed neither amusement nor anger. His queen waited for his solution, wondering what should have him truly believe her that her loyalties could never shatter for another man.
"Come with me to Jotunheim."
The apathy upon her pale, sleepless face flickered with peril. Loki noticed the cascading emotion in her face as he said his final request seriously. He did not abate when he spoke of his origin's home-resting place. He didn't stutter.
"Jotunheim?" she repeated. Her brow furrowed in puzzlement. "Why would you want to return there? Of all places to visit, why does Jotunheim strike the particular fancy?"
"I'm not fond of it, pet," Loki said to her, shifting on the throne. "It is something that must be done."
"Do you intend to wheedle the Frost Giants into a false sense of security, Loki?" Vyperia questioned him calmly. "Do you intend to make good on your word about a complete act of genocide?"
While her voice was collected, Loki could clearly see distress upon her face. Her eyes glimmered in the dark, looking upon her king with a pang of concern and worry. Vyperia stilled her questioning for a brief pause before her fingers wrung together in silent dismay, troubled.
He didn't respond, but merely watched her go through her petty inflictions of right and wrong—fairness and vengeance—in order to find the right reaction to what he indirectly implied that night.
"Their home is slowly falling apart; they seek only to rebuild what Odin had destroyed a millennia ago," said Vyperia quietly. "The Jotuns never intended to break the truce—you said it yourself. Why instigate them further?"
"Oh, Darling"—Loki rose from his seat to stand in front of her with a wide smile, though it didn't meet his eyes—"Why does it matter if their race is annihilated?"
"You speak of it as if only a few shall die at your hands," Vyperia whispered. "Eliminating them will not change who you are…even if you so desperately want to change…"
"It's not that," Loki retorted roughly.
She bit the inside of her cheek as she heard the stern irritation in his voice.
"Vyperia"—his tone softened to one of honeyed magnetism—"do you not want your home to be as safe as the other seven Realms?"
His hands reached for hers. Vyperia glanced down at his gentle connection; his fingers interlocked with hers that had gone slightly numb from his contact. She felt her heart quicken its pace as he lifted her arms; his hands placed her hands around his neck. She gazed at him, entranced, as he wrapped his hands around her waist, holding her close.
Vyperia met his eyes as he searched hers briefly.
"Is it your duty to obey your King's orders, or is it your pleasure to accompany your husband on his journey to Jotunheim?" Loki asked her simply.
"What will become of me if we should be attacked on the icy tundra, My Lord?" she returned with uncertainty. "They outnumber us. They are stronger than us. I nearly died that day when Thor instigated the fight. They could kill me where I stand."
"They can try," Loki told her confidently. "What king would allow ravage beasts to slay his queen before he could sacrifice himself in her place?"
"Your words are charming, Silver Tongue," Vyperia retorted, her eyes captivated by his subtle beguiling motions.
His fingers played a little dance the small of her back; he mesmerized her with his hypnotizing smile. His eyes searched hers, and it was like he could undress her submissive soul just by doing so.
"They answer to savagery," said Vyperia quietly. "They answer to war. How will you talk yourself out of that little play when the Frost Giants that you encounter are mere barbarians on their battlefield?"
"Do you trust me?" Loki asked delicately.
Vyperia's face, once contorted with anguish and perilous worry, melted at his simple question. She nodded.
"Loki," she began faintly, in order to coax him, but he shook his head lightly. Her lips paused as he placed a delicate finger upon her objecting mouth, silencing her.
"I want to trust you unconditionally, and this is what must be done. Come with me to Jotunheim. Prove to me that you are the woman that I have always trusted; but prove to them"—sternness was emphasized upon the Frost Giants—"that you are a queen to be feared."
When she had uttered no response, he continued his brilliant ovation of melodious charisma.
"Has it not been your insecurity to feel less than a goddess compared to the women that come in and out of this castle?"
"Yes, but—"
"Have you not told me repeatedly that you know what the others females say behind your back, that they antagonize and beat you down to feel less than the powerful woman that you are?"
"Yes—"
Loki shook his head and strode away from her. She watched him stand beside his throne.
"Darling, this is how they control you—how they keep you in check to make certain that you do not show the capacity for ruling Asgard! Vyperia, show them that you are a goddess to be feared! Show all of them that you are worthy to stand by my side!"
"What will that prove, Loki?" remarked Vyperia, striding forward. "Will it show the rest of the women that I am kind and tender and to be loved rather than side-stepped like a plague? Will it show the other Realms that I am a merciful queen who would take into consideration the horrible plights that they, too, have seen? You speak of self-righteousness but your honeyed words are laced with poison!"
Loki looked at her.
"You cannot kill an entire race," said Vyperia sympathetically.
Loki's eyes penetrated hers. The warmth and wholesome charisma that was bright in his gaze was replaced by a shallow glimmer of resentment and displeasure.
"Why not?" he whispered in the silence of the chambers.
She stared at him, taken aback by such a nonchalant reply.
"Loki, you must hate them; but, Darling, why should their lives pay for the lie that you were fed your entire life?"
"They tried to kill you in Jotunheim—"
"Thor sought out battle and he was triumphant in that regard," Vyperia strained, standing before him, "We instigated the entire fight. It was in Jotunheim's right to defend—!"
"Stop defending them!" Loki cried out angrily.
Vyperia looked upon his frustration. She wasn't furious. She was sad.
"They tried to kill us—all of us—and they will try again if they intend to take back what is theirs."
"You speak of the good of Asgard, but I know your true intentions," Vyperia remarked. "I know that you despise them all; but why should their lives bear recompense for your anger and jealousy toward your family? Why should they suffer at your hands?"
He clenched his jaw, exasperated.
"Loki, I told you that I wouldn't question you. I promised that I would comply; but I whole-heartedly did not think that you would consider this as an option. You would take the throne as a reward; risk the balance of Asgard, in order to prove to your father that you are a worthy son? Is it not enough that Frigga handed to you Gungnir in full confidence that you would rule Asgard in Odin's stead? Is it enough that you are not questioned by your subjects? Is it?"
"It's not!" Loki said furiously. "Why should you question me? Why should anyone?"
"It is madness!" Vyperia snapped at him.
They stood upon the steps of the chamber hold, mere inches from each other. Loki sighed slowly to regain some proper composure. She stepped away from him. Vyperia crossed her arms.
Her words uttered in renewed sympathy,
"We have never fought so hard until your father fell into the Odinsleep," she muttered.
"It is a burden to be royalty."
"Royalty is not the burden that is weighed upon your shoulders, My Lord," Vyperia said softly. She met his glowering eyes momentarily before she continued. "You are blinded by hate. Loki, Darling, why is it so important for you to go to Jotunheim? Why press this war into existence?"
"It will be done, whether or not you accompany me." Loki said decisively.
"So you will have me abandon all that I know in order to appease your resenting heart, is that it?" Vyperia questioned bitterly. "All that I know, all that I have to understand—to have it shattered and cast out? I am begging you, as a wife and your queen…"
She unfolded her arms to take his hands in hers…
"Do. Not. Do. This…" Vyperia implored him.
Vyperia and Loki looked at one another in silent regard.
He inhaled slowly.
"Why are you afraid?" he asked her contently. "Why are you so frightened?"
She shook her head.
"Do not appeal to my security blanket; I know that is what you're trying to do—"
"You are frightened," he told her seriously.
Her argument was folly. He had read her thoughts. He had heard her desperate cries. Vyperia exhaled in small defeat.
"They are much stronger than me." Vyperia whispered. "They could kill me. Why should I not be so terrified?"
"On my life," Loki said softly, holding her hands tightly in his, "I swear that they will not touch you."
She searched his face for deceit. When she found no deception, Vyperia recanted.
"I will accompany you to Jotunheim, my King, as your wife. As queen, I absolutely cannot approve."
Loki smiled at her.
He leaned forward and planted a sincere kiss upon her lips.
She returned it dotingly.