Chapter 2

Thor searched for weeks.

His time with his father took up a great deal of his days, but every spare minute he could snatch, the prince was leafing through the servants wherever he might find them. He wanted to find Imogen. He wanted to find the blacksmith's daughter.

He knew in his heart it was not proper. Princes did not seek servants. Not specific ones at least. It - they - was below his concern.

Yet he was concerned. Very much concerned. He feared he would search every inch of the palace if that was what it took to find her. He knew he could simply go to her house to seek her, knowing who her father was... but at the same time he couldn't. The unwritten law wasn't that a prince should not pursue a servant: it was that a prince should not get caught pursuing a servant. And walking through such a stretch of town, when he had the palace blacksmith to tend to his needs, would definitely draw suspicion.

Still, Thor was almost at wit's end. He was almost considering asking the maids if they knew her name and duties!

That would certainly have the matter resolved - by Odin, when word reached him. Thor would never see Imogen again.

Then one day, Thor saw her.

The glint of her raven black hair in the sunlight was unmistakable, such a stark beautiful contrast to her pearly gown. And of all the places she could be - she was tidying his room.

Thor closed the door quietly behind him as he entered, sealing away any prying eyes from invading on them. He walked up behind her with silent steps as she made his bed, completely oblivious to the god's presence as she hummed herself a tune. For a moment, Thor just watched her.

She was truly not suited to being a servant. Oh, her work was impeccable, no mistake about it! But her hands, so dainty and delicate, were not made to be worn away by the work of a maid's labour. Thor could tell how soft they were just by looking at them. It was not the lifestyle she'd been born into. Her hair ran in waves down her back, rippling when she shook her head as she straightened up.

Thor's throat ran dry, knowing his discovery was imminent. Instantly, he felt foolish - he could feel the mightiest of foes with one strike of Mjolnir, and yet a mere woman had him anxious? Ludicrous! ... but true.

He decided to take control of the situation again.

He cleared his throat and Imogen span round, her violet orbs wide and startled.

Suddenly Thor could truly understand why Elga's betrothed had left her in pursuit of Imogen - she was indeed a goddess with her beauty. Now close up, Thor could fully appreciate just how stunning she truly was. His eyes scoured over every sharp, precise wave of her hair, every slight, feminine angle of her curves and the delicate, unblemished colour of her skin.

He dared think she might be the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen.

Then she remembered herself and her eyes darted down out of sight. "My Lord, I'm sorry." she stammered. "I did not think you would be returning so soon."

A sudden burst of courage lead Thor's finger to curl gently under her chin and lift her eyes up to his once more. They held none of the blaze from the Hall, but the strength behind their gleam was simply mesmerising.

"I-I should go." she finally squeaked. She ducked around the prince. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

"No, wait!" Thor turned and caught her wrist before she could run. Her eyes swivelled back to him face, swirling with colour. He loosened his hold slightly, but did not trust her enough to let her go. "I have been seeking you out for a long time." he said slowly and clearly. "There are more questions I wish to have answers to."

For a moment, Imogen just froze. Her eyes just stared as if she were trying to work out if the prince was toying with her or not. Her mouth opened but she didn't speak, her body tense and on alert.

Thor tried to ease her. He inched closer so there was not such a stretch of distance between them and his orbs gleamed, insisting his sincerity.

Finally, Imogen settled her curious orbs on his and took a breath. "Ask away."

Her body relaxed, melting into his hold and Thor breathed a sigh of relief. Now for the answers.

"Did you really mislead that woman's betrothed?"

What?, his mind screamed. That hadn't been on the list to ask her! Where had that come from?! The prince's mind cleared with the absolute horror of what he had just asked. Hadn't he assured himself all along that she was not a harlot, that she was a decent, honest girl? How he'd done that based on nothing but one meeting he did not know, but... the words were out and he could not take them back.

He focussed his eyes back on Imogen's face to see her reaction. He blinked: she was smirking.

"Perhaps once upon a time." her eyes shone, looking skywards as the memories came back. "Years ago. Before he met Elga we had a brief romance ourselves. I guess when he saw me again he remembered what we once had. I didn't meet his advanced though. I refuse to step back into the past."

A smile flickered over Thor's lips too. At least she was indeed as innocent as she'd first proclaimed.

"You could have built a new future together rather than dwell in the past." His eyes shone.

"Only he was not mine to build with." she fired back with calm certainty. "I would not steal another woman's man."

Thor let her words roll through his head. For one so beautiful she had a wondrous amount of modesty. She could have any man she wanted and she composed herself with such dignity and pride, it was truly admirable. She took no advantage of her beauty.

Then the real questions cut through Thor's mind, and he had to know.

"You are the blacksmiths daughter." he started, eye roaming up and down Imogen's form. He had no doubt she would look better in something other than a servants uniform. "You should not have to work. Let alone as a maid."

Her eyebrows lifted in defence. "I am a maid of the palace, and that is a station above most women."

"You know that is not what I'm asking."

A blacksmiths trade was bountiful. He would have no trouble pulling in a substantial deal of money and trading's for a day's work, caring for his family with profitable ease. So why was the daughter of one in such a lowly job? By all logic, her only work in life should be to search for a husband!

Imogen shifted where she stood, eyes suddenly losing their boldness. They flickered between the prince and the floor, and Thor knew he'd struck a nerve.

"Does your father's trade not bring in enough money to feed the house?" Thor probed when she stayed silent.

Finally, Imogen gulped. "For the house yes." she said, eyes gleaming innocently. "But not for my mother. The medicine she requires is quite beyond what my father alone could provide."

Thor blinked.

A thousand things were roaming through his mind at the girls words. At the top though, was glistening admiration; she would lower herself so readily for the sake of her family's wellbeing. She truly did not cease to fascinate him over and over again the more time he spent with her.

"Your mother is ill?" he asked softly, as he focussed once more on the detail of her words. Imogen nodded. "Is it serious?"

Another nod. This one accompanied with somewhat glistening eyes. She rubbed a hand over them angrily.

"There is no shame in crying." Thor reassured, boldly moving his hands to cup her small shoulders comfortingly. His heart thudded for reasons he couldn't name. Perhaps he was afraid she would shrug him off and reject him. Or maybe it was something even more primal than that: they were so close, and Thor could not deny her beauty shone out at him like she was a star. Dazzling, he thought...

Imogen sniffed, refusing to let tears fall. "Crying won't earn the money to get my mother well. Working will."

Thor couldn't deny he was disappointed. He wanted to see the pearly drops leave her eyes, for them to trail enviously down her flawless cheeks, radiating her beauty back at him even deeper than before. She was strong willed though, defiant. Like him.

His mind raced for a solution.

"A maid's job will do little to help you in your endeavours." he said softly. "Even one in the palace." He gulped, searching for a way to phrase his idea delicately. "I can give you a more advanced job that will lift your income substantially... if that is what you wish?" he added onto the end considerately.

Imogen's eyes gleamed at him. "I'd do anything." she blurted instantly. "I need the money."

Thor's heart did summersaults but he knew she had not fully connected his meaning. His anxieties fluttered again. "I could give you a new job that would raise your title, though you must understand I ask of nothing in return." his eyes bore honestly into hers. "Nothing. If you need the money, this job will provide more than enough - though I mean no inappropriate advances on my part in suggesting it."

Her eyes frowned warily. As they ought to, Thor thought. What he was suggesting would change her life and station dramatically. And her reputation... "What would this job entail?" she asked suspiciously.

Thor sucked in a breath - then caught himself. He was doing it again. He was forgetting who he was. His hands tightened their grip on her shoulders as his proud will settled back into place. He was the prince of Asgard. Asking was merely being polite. If he really wanted her, he could order it and there'd be nothing she could do.

Then his humility cut in again. He wasn't doing this for his own desires. He was doing it to help her, to give her what she needed to heal her mother of her illness.

Though why he was doing it for a servant girl, he could not explain...

His hand trailed down her arm until it found her hand. He was a prince. He had nothing to be ashamed of; his intentions were noble.

He took up her fingers in his and led them to his lips tenderly, eyes glittering down at her along her skin. Her hands were every bit as soft as he'd imagined as he breathed his words gently: "A doxy of Thor would bring in payment enough for what you require."

Her hand snatched away. She cradled her fingers protectively to her chest as she backed away, her eyes shocked, her mouth gaping.

"You want me to be your whore?" she gasped out, horrified. "That would destroy me!"

"I thought you didn't care about your name?" he asked with raised eyebrows, recounting what she'd said in the Hall. He was surprised he could still remember that...

Imogen bit her lip, tearing her eyes away to the side.

Thor took advantage of her moment of vulnerability: he stepped forward and closed the gap again, once again cupping her shoulders. Firmer than before.

"Do not mistake my intentions." Thor rumbled in a deep voice, drawing her gaze back to him. "I told you I ask nothing in return, though you would reap the full rewards a job of this station would provide. All it would require on your part would be commitment. You must answer when I call, whenever it be. You would live in the palace and be fed and cared for at our expense. You would have a room of your own, though it would be my chambers you report to when I ask for you." His orbs pierced into hers. She was still alarmed. "I promise you I have no dishonourable intentions."

Imogen said nothing, her mouth hanging open. Thor kept silent, letting the thoughts run through her head.

It was a good offer he proposed. The living in the palace part alone would be tempting. Thor guessed if she was desperate enough to stoop to servants work for her wages, she was willing to spare every penny they could. Her living costs could go towards her mother's medicine funds if she lived in the palace.

And then there was the pay itself: they would never have to scrape for the money for the medicine ever again. And women of Thor always received gifts from the god. He could make his own contribution to her cause.

Finally, she gulped and a blush ran over her cheeks. "You - you would not take advantage of me?"

Her eyes were lowered, but Thor didn't need to see them to read the anxious flicker he knew to be there. His palm found her cheek and angled her round, glistening orbs up to his, losing himself in their molten violet depths.

"I mean to help you." he said sincerely. "You would need to come to my room at nights, to keep up the pretence on the outside, though I would not ask anything of you. I swear it."

He hoped she would accept.

Truly, he meant what he said, but he was a man. Even if it were a lie, he'd be proud to boast he had this woman in his bed at night as his lover. It was something he couldn't imagine himself getting tired of.

Imogen herself was captivating. The very idea that she would be coming to his room to stay the night made his trousers feel tight! Thor was a man of his word though and would do his best to stay chivalrous. If nothing else, he would settle for getting to know her. He didn't imagine it would be hard to pass the nightly hours if he had her wondrous features to examine at his leisure.

The breath hitched in her throat slightly as her glistening gaze lifted to his again. "Why?" she gasped. "Why would you do this? You're the prince for Odin's sake - why..."

She clamped a hand over her mouth and rolled her eyes away again, as if she did not trust herself.

Thor grinned. These glimpses of her more vulnerable side were truly a treasure to him. They fed his ego generously. He shifted closer and stroked her cheek with his thumb, easing her unsure gaze back to him. "Because you need help, and I can give it. There need be no other reason than common decency."

"You'd be deceiving your kingdom. Your family." her head shook lightly, her hand moving to cover his on her face. "Prince's don't do that for servant girls."

"You can doubt the plausibility of my actions all you wish, but it will not make them any less certain. However, you can always refuse."

Her eyes hardened slightly, though the touch of her fingers remained gentle. "You can always refuse to let me refuse."

Thor's smirk deepened. Clever, he thought, trying to catch him out like that. She was indeed and most intriguing girl. Thor always appreciated wit. "You still doubt the integrity of my offer?"

"When people ask for whores they don't normally have innocent intentions."

"I did not ask. I offered." Thor didn't like the word whore. He preferred mistress. Much more dignified. Suitable for Imogen's proud nature. "And can it be considered a true request when all I ask of your services is your company?"

"That would only be known to us. To all of Asgard I would be the whore Elga accused me to be."

Thor liked her. It was official. She did not have the meek personality of the other servant girls, who thought themselves to be beneath him as was widely expected. Imogen treated him as her equal. Well, as equal as she dared considering she knew, if he wanted to, he could kill her before another breath left her lips.

But he was not like that, even she knew. He wouldn't hurt her. She could feel the strength behind the hands that cradled her cheek and shoulder, but had every faith it would never be turned against her.

She drew in a shuddering breath. "I need the money." she said more to herself than to Thor.

Her eyes lifted to Thor's, and he knew he had her long before the words left her lips.

"I accept."