Next guest: your welcome for the next tab. But alas is was a single gift not to be had for another while. :p intense courtship...hmm perhaps.

Sorceress of the trees: I take joy in knowing people get real life reactions to moments in my story. And merry Christmas as well.

Poodles warriors: a very merry and sexy time :)

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Chapter 33: King Odin

Cephera rolled over and her arm came in contact with Loki's chest. She smiled at the slight 'oof' sound he made. "Morning." She greeted and stretched pushing Shiaji from the bottom of the bed as her feet struck him. He growled before jumping back up.
Cephera was more excited then ever for this day. Tonight was the end of year masked party. It had been a long year. Six month ago she had given Loki her virginity and it had been right before that he had called them soulmates. The end of year was approaching and soon she would be back home in Mechanova to tell her sister about everything that had happened to her since last years visit home.
She sat up pushing off the blankets and climbed off the bed. She dressed using magic she had finally mastered. She found it best this way. If she remained naked long Loki would usually take advantage and have his way with her before class and sometimes making them late. So far only Kat still knew the truth. Loki had been busy with classes with Kat and her with her own classes they didn't spend time in public.
But that was why she was so excited for the dance. This dance she would venture into on his arm for everyone to see. She had asked him to wear the wolfs mask and he had chosen the songbird for her. The dress she chose was a sky blue beneath a white lace that had puffed sleeves and tied just under her breasts and then fell right to the floor in a soft flow. Loki planned to wear black mixed with a little of the same blue to some what match.
She kissed him quickly making it hard for him to pull her back down on the bed before teleporting to class.

***

Kat waited for them at the entrance to the grand hall with her date at her side. She waved enthusiastically at Cephera. Loki was walking with graceful steps and as much as Cephera wanted to bounce her way to her friend, Loki's firm grip on her waist prevented it.
Loki gave a simple nod to Kat and her new 'boyfriend.' Cephera however embraced Kat before allowing Loki to lead her inside. No one initially looked up at them. It wasn't unusual for the princes of Asgard to be there. It wasn't until they had been there a while, still close to each other and chatting that she began noticing the looks.
They weren't bad looks but there were a lot of shocked faces. A few faces turned when he leaned down to whisper something to her and pulled her unnecessarily close to him. She couldn't and didn't feel embarrassed. She somewhat enjoyed the attention he bestowed on her in public.
He led her to the dance floor where he danced her next to a number of her classmates. She got looks from 'what the hell?' to 'jealousy.' And even a few 'how cute.' She shivered as his hand played along the exposed skin on her upper back. He was deliberate with these motions
The skin of her aurora had turned out to be sensitive and very responsive to touch. He knew this and still he caressed it all the while smiling sweetly at her. She had been so centered around what loki was doing to her back she hadn't seen Thor come up beside them until he spoke.
"May I cut in brother." He asked. Loki passed her off to Thor with a slight spin and smirked at her. Cut out of her comfort zone she now found herself dancing with Thor. He was a lot gentler then he looked to be able to pull off. She wasn't sure what to say to him. "You are the woman who has my brother smiling genuinely once more." Thor said down to her. Cephera chanced a look up and saw Thor beaming happily down at her.
"Yes. I'm Cephera." She said feeling slightly foolish and awkward.
"Lady Cephera I cannot tell you how overjoyed you have made myself and my mother. We saw a change in him early this year but were unsure of the reason until recently." Thor stopped his dance. "Come with me. My mother is excited to meet you."
"What? But Loki...?" Cephera looked around and saw no Loki. Confused and annoyed she followed Thor. At the far end of the room sat the queen of Asgard and next to her was King Odin, all father. Speaking to them was Loki. His mother was smiling and Odin was listening with a thoughtful look on his face.
"Here she is." Loki said straightening up. Thor let go her hand and she stopped dead to stare at the sight of Asgards royal family in front of her. She swallowed. This was not how she thought to meet his parents. She suddenly felt self conscious. What if they didn't like her?
Queen Frigga stood from her spot and stepped forward so fluidly it was as if her feet didn't even touch the floor. Cephera gasped when the queen embraced her. Startled she quickly wrapped her arms around the queen. "I am glad that someone has come along that could shake Loki from his troubled mind." She said softly so only Cephera could hear it. His mother let her go and guided her to sit down with them.
"Your father, what can I expect of him?" Odin asked skipping pleasantries.
"I'm not sure. Where you already have an allegiance with him I'm afraid I cannot predict if he will expect more. But when I go home I plan to make it clear to my father that my relationship is not a bargaining tool for him to further his ever greedy endeavours." Cephera replied using her important political voice she had been taught when she had become a princess. She rarely had ever needed to act like a princess yet it came more natural to her then her sister.
"Since Loki informed me who your father is I have been wondering what his thoughts would be. I only dealt with him the one time and I must admit my impression was to remain cautious.
"I must warn you he will try to get out of it anything and everything he can so be prepared to fight him on certain agenda's. He's stubborn." Odin nodded.
Odin stood. "I wish to speak to you privately." He told her. He didn't wait for her to acknowledge his words. He left the grand hall. Cephera looked to Loki who only waved her off. She glared heatedly at him before quickly following his father.
Once outside the hall she followed him further to a deserted room filled with paintings. "Loki had spoken to me of your inability to use magic properly. He has also noted that it seems you have made enemies in the past." Cephera could only nod. "It's been a long time since I have seen my son act as he once used to. To converse and spend time with his family. He actually seems...happy. This is why his request for this touched me. It's seems your safety is something he holds in high regard." Odin pulled out a ring of a small size. It looked to maybe fit her pinkie.
"I don't understand?" She said shaking her head.
"This ring is enchanted for human use, not one of your strange caliber, but you are still human by blood and therefore still applies. Wearing it will allow you to once and only once conduct a overpowered force of magic of your choosing without fear of death."
Cephera knew her mouth was gapping. "I feel a but.." She finally replied. Odin nodded.
"But I do not know you or trust you, not yet." Cephera was not offended by this. It was perfectly logical but why show her. "When I speak with your father and we come to an agreement regarding our realms I will then decide if I will grant Loki permission to give you this ring."
"I am grateful for your thoughts on the subject but I do not feel I need the relic. I only ever had the one enemy and most people do not see me as a threat. I don't think I will ever need use of any power that strong for even a moment." Cephera smiled. "I came here to get a better understanding of the magic I can control not gain special trinkets or even love."
Odin placed a strong hand on her shoulder. "Loki said you were kind hearted and incapable of malice. Somehow just having this conversation right now I feel he's right." Odin took her hand and placed the small ring inside. "I am afraid I lied about the rings abilities. I wished only to see your response to it." Confused and slightly irritated she looked down at the tiny piece of gold in her hand.
"Then what is it really?" She asked curious.
"A wedding band made from gold melted down from my wife's mothers ring. She had two fashioned. One for either son. The rings are enchanted to fit the wearer when needed. Give it to Loki later. If he ever wishes to take this relationship further he will know he has my blessing."
Cephera knew her breathing had become heavy and her eyes wide. Odin guided her from the room back toward the grand hall. Cephera never made it all the way down the hall. Her insides had turned giddy and her mind racing.
She turned in one quick burst and threw her arms unceremoniously around the kings next. "Thank you." She cried feeling impossibly more happier then when the day began. Odin was taken off guard by her sudden outburst but only chuckled in response to it before she let go and skipped off ahead of him.