Loki rose early one day, several weeks into training with Aislinn. He struggled to fall asleep at night, and even then his dreams were troubled by his hopes and fears about her. It was as if her midnight blue eyes gazed endlessly into the dark corners of his mind and stirred his thoughts to frenzy. Unable to find any solace in his chambers, he went instead for a walk.
It was an oppressively hot day in summer, the sun beating down on the gardens so fiercely even the trees seemed to wilt. Instead of going outside, he went down to the massive open hall on the ground floor of the palace. It was such a large covered space of stone that it was damp and cool like a cave. Loki remembered playing games with his older brother here among the massive grove of pillars that reached so high they fell out of sight in the darkness of the cavernous hall.
Loki liked to come to this dark place, so often empty of other people, in order to be alone with his thoughts. The constant careful observation of the guards made him chafe wherever they could be found.
When he saw his brother leading Aislinn by the hand into a corner of the vast room, he could not help but follow invisible and silent.
He watched their combat again, and was surprised at the progress of both. They completed the steps of their deadly dance with grace and skill, blindingly fast and with ease. He was also surprised to find that Aislinn no longer was forced to dodge endlessly away from Thor in their combat. She wove a cage of steel around herself with her flashing blades, and scored many needling hits on Thor, even without the aid of magic. Thor had also improved as a fighter over those short weeks: he moved with greater speed, if with less confidence. Even when Aislinn used magic to try to gain the advantage, he now seemed to know what to expect and be able to counter her movements.
Her body was graceful and feline, and he could not wrest his eyes from her shape as she weaved her way through the difficult combat. He watched them battle until they were both exhausted, Thor slumped and panting against a pillar and Aislinn bent half over, breathing heavily and laughing. Thor began to laugh too, a big bellied good natured sound. He dropped Mjolnir on the ground with a deafening boom, and sauntered up to Aislinn.
She stood up and smiled, tossing her braided hair aside and made a joke that Loki could not quite hear. Thor reached up with one hand to touch her face, and Loki's whole world seemed to slow down.
He saw his brother catch Aislinn around the waist with one arm, and cup her face with the other. He saw their lips press together, and he could feel ice in his veins, in his heart. He felt suddenly cold all over, and thought he might be sick. His heart ache was so intense he could feel literal pain in his chest and gasped as though he'd been struck.
He could see it all now, map out their every move. He had seen his brother's dance with the young women of the court times enough to know all the steps by wrote. Aislinn would pull back for a moment; look down as though shy and embarrassed. She'd look up at him through her long dark eyelashes, and he would kiss her again, more passionately this time. He'd see Thor scoop her up to take her off somewhere, to… to… Loki couldn't think about it without rage and jealousy bursting out of him like a hurricane.
And then he saw her do it. She put both hands on Thor's chest and pushed him away gently. He saw her look at her shoes, flushed and surprised. He saw her bit her lip coyly and was thinking of a thousand terrible things to do to them both, when the scene changed in the blink of an eye.
Aislinn hauled her arm back and struck Thor on the nose with a closed fist so hard he stumbled backward and howled, bleeding. Loki stood frozen on the spot with shock, and wished he could hear what they would say.
In the end, they yelled so loud in the cavernous room that he could hear every word.
"What in all the hells was that for?!" Thor shouted like a wounded beast.
"How DARE you touch me in that way without my consent!?" Aislinn screamed in return.
"What do you mean?" Shouted Thor in response, "It was just a kiss, I thought you attracted to me!"
"Whatever I have done to make you think that, I am sorry for it." Retorted Aislinn with venom, "I never consciously gave you any such sign, and you know perfectly well you have not directly expressed any sentiment to me either."
"I am the Prince of Asgard, warrior and hero! Why would you spurn me?" Demanded Thor obviously in a rage.
Loki looked on, emotions a jumble of shock, relief, and unrepentant glee, until Aislinn spoke again.
"Because my heart belongs to another." She said, loud and clear. Both Loki and Thor's faces sunk at exactly the same time.
Thor asked the question that Loki longed to: "Who is this person, that you would choose him above the man that would be King?"
"That is none of your concern!" Shouted Aislinn again, gathering up the few things she had brought with her and sheathing her blades. She began to stalk off into the dark when Thor grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him.
"Where are you going?" He demanded, "We are not finished here."
"I am finished." Spat Aislinn, "And take your hand off me before I decide that I will not forgive you for this incident. I am late to meet Loki."
Thor dropped his hand sullenly and watched her jog off into the dark, and when she disappeared through a door in the side of the chamber, he gave a shout of rage loud enough to shatter metal, and punched the corner of the nearby pillar so hard it gave way beneath is hand and a chunk of rock was blown loose and crashed into the ground.
Loki wished to do the same, but instead used his magic to return to the library before Aislinn could arrive. He paced the floor of the library agitatedly, unsure of what to make of the situation. My heart belongs to another.
Who? Loki fretted over this. Who was her lover? How had Loki not seen it happen? He had been attentive and watchful, and he imagined Thor his only competition. Could it be Fandral, or just some guard out in the hall of the royal residence wing? He stewed in his insecurity as the minutes ticked by, but still Aislinn did not appear. Minutes stretched into hours, and Aislinn still did not come. He twisted and writhed inside.
She must have run to HIM. He thought bitterly. She must be in his arms right now, taking solace. His mind teased at him.
I will know. I will know once and for all what she feels for me. Loki plotted, and readied himself for a trick that would reveal the truth.