Guest: the smiling I was hoping for! And glad you like her father. He's very direct. As for everything getting ruined I guess only time will tell what the mystery person(s) may have planned.

Poodles warriors: I hope I am characterizing the children well. Having none of my own or never dealing much with children below five I hope I'm doing a good job. Yeah biting is not cool.

My premature burial 1849: its ok you only now commented. Better late then never. :) glad you've joined the crazy ride. I am bursting with pride at your compliment. Happy to hear you enjoy my writing. As for your question how do I update so fast. Firstly I began this story knowing how I wanted it to start and end. I had up to chapter 22 written before posting anything. After that I write my chapter the night before they are to be posted. I stick to 1000 words minimum to avoid not being able to write a filler chapter when writers block happens. I gain ideas when cleaning at work :p I'm constantly thinking what can happen next? Sometimes I get on a roll and write more then one chapter in a row but only post one. :p hope this helps.

Sorceress of the trees: yes lol indeed

Chapter 63: Bound Forevermore

Nothing could have prepared Cephera for her overall giddiness. Being the day of her wedding she had spent the night away from loki and with her sister, Kat and Sif. They had spent hours into the night talking and laughing together. Well everyone but Seraphina who just sat there taking in all the girlish chats. However she was smiling despite her lack of enthusiasm for the girls night out.

There were no bridesmaids in an Asgardian wedding however her sister would be the one to hand her over to loki not her adoptive father. Even though it was her father Loki asked permission of it was her father who offered for Seraphina to do the honours. She had accepted without a second thought.

It had been something they talked about in their younger years. Seraphina had promised her she would give her away on her wedding day should she ever be lucky enough to have one. Neither of them had though it would be this kind of wedding but it didn't really matter.

That morning the girls had helped her into her wedding dress. It was sweetheart at the neck line and tying tight with golden ribbon in the back. The sleeves were see threw and also shimmered of gold. They came off her shoulders and down to her wrists. The corset was tight to her hips and then fell in a cascade of white. Ruffles came out the side alternating between gold and white. At the bottom of each ruffle was lace. Across the bottom back there was an embroidery of symbols to bring the bride luck and prosperity.

Her sister tied the ribbons in the back. Frigga showed up and did the honour of pinning up her hair. She pulled it back off her cheeks and pinned it behind so the rest of her hair fell in waves between the pinned up stuff. Flowers were neatly placed with the pins and her bangs were left to freely shape her face.

Her shoes were flat as requested and were white and gold shimmered. She wore very little make up aside from a light lipgloss. Her sister insisted she was pretty enough without it and no one argued.

When she was ready to go she thanked everyone and proceeding down the hallway to the preparation room to enter the throne room.

Loki waited in his royal armor, helmet and all. He mused how it would be the first time she would see him in it. He had no need to wear it until today. It had been quite a while. He shifted a little at the weight of the armor. His hands were clasped patiently in front of him. Odin was sat in his throne.

Cephera would enter only after the wedding party, his mother, Kat and Sif, came in. Loki had no idea what to expect. Her choice of dresses was always extravagant and only brought out her beauty that much more. Not to mention the thoughts on how to remove it later. He grinned at that little though.

"Nervous brother?" Thor whispered beside him. Loki gave him a confident smile.

"Not at all." He replied. His eyes looked over the waiting crowd. He spotted his children with the warriors three. Due to their young age it was important they not interrupt the proceedings but he was glad they could watch and later they could dance. He could see the human friends of Thor's in the temporary stands just far enough away for his comfort. He could see Tony stark drinking a cup of ale already. He looked excited for the events.

His eyes locked on tight to Natasha Romanov who was staring intensely back. She still did not trust him. Beside her was his former minion, Clint Barton who was also keeping his eyes trained to Loki. Bruce banner was shaking his legs almost nervously. From time to time he would remove his glasses and wipe his brow. And Steve Rogers was sitting politely nodding to anyone who happened to look their way. All the men wore suits of the Midgardian style and Natasha wore a toned down ankle length, form fitting dress that had small sleeves. They stood out to be sure.

When the talk around them stopped he knew something was happening off in the distance. He watched as his mother came with Sif and Kat on either side of her. The women took their places on the stairs and King Yorin walked up next. He stood next to Odin as he was told to do.

Loki then trained his eyes to his bride to be. Cephera didn't disappoint him in her choice of clothing. She walked barely making the skirt shift with her sister holding her arm. Being royalty the proceedings would go a little differently. Seraphina had no need to give Loki her blessing.

When they reached the stairs he took the hand Seraphina offered him and then joined his with Cephera's. He took her hand firmly smiling at her. He could tell she wanted to say something but it would have to wait.

Odin opened the book he held and they placed their joined hands upon it. "This day you have been given the opportunity and blessings from those who matter most in your lives to come together as one." He said his voice an echo throughout the room. "With these blessings we all join you both here today to watch as you give fealty to each other and grant happy tidings to both of you as you enter into this sacred vow."

Cephera smiled to Loki who hadn't removed his eyes off her the entire time. Loki heard an echo of someone in the distance. It sounded a lot like 'I object' and he glanced to watch Natasha covering Tony's mouth and removing the ale glass from his hand. As annoying as it should have been Loki found he felt calm.

"I, All father give consent on this day for my son, Loki, to take this woman as his wife." Loki watched the book below them glow. Out popped branch like tendrils and began to wrap up his wrist. "Do you swear to protect this woman for the rest of her years?" He asked him.

"Yes." Loki replied and the branch inched up his arm.

"Do you swear to stand by her side no matter the cost to yourself?"

"Yes." Further up it crept and was now at his shoulder.

"Do you swear to remain loyal and true to her in all manner of things?"

"Yes." The tendril seeped its way through Loki's armour and inside his chest. He felt it touch his heart.

"Do you swear to love her now and forever?"

"Yes." Loki felt the slight sting as the magic encased his heart binding him to his oath. The branch dissipated and Odin turned to face her next.

"Do you swear to honour this man throughout his faults?"

"Yes." She replied.

"Do you swear to follow him through any life's roads he may lead you down?"

"Yes." She gave a soft short laugh as the tendrils were now along her own arm. Clearly she found it ticklish.

"Do you swear to remain loyal to him in all manner of things?"

"Yes." She laughed a little harder and was trying to hold it in. The tendril was down on her chest.

"Do you swear to love him now and forever?"

"Yes." Her lips trembled as she also must have felt the sting and she contained her laughter well as she made no sound as her shoulders shook and she bit her lip. Loki himself found it hard not to laugh at her.

"From this day you are both bound by the tree of life. Bound forevermore to each other until one of you should die." Odin closed the book. He passed it to King Yorin who was beaming happily. Odin took both their hands and held them up.

The room exploded in cheers and flowers were thrown at their feet. When Odin let them go Loki pulled her to him and kissed her. The kiss was short lived when one by one they were made to shake the hands of each guest who came to give them their blessing.

When Loki saw Stark approaching he took a deep breath. Tony extended his hand and Loki took it trying not to hesitate. "I was waiting for the does anybody object part." Tony said with a frown. "Gotta tell ya. You're one lucky bastard." His words made Loki only nod in agreement. He couldn't argue that he was lucky.

Natasha shook his hand and said nothing but she was defiantly eyeing his new wife suspiciously. Clint did not shake his hand he only escorted Natasha up there. "I'm watching you." He told Loki. Loki grinned.

Banner was reluctant to shake Loki's hand but did so anyway. "I have to say I agree with Tony and I hope you continue to be good to her."

"Oh, I will." Loki assured him. The hand shakes and blessings went on for well over a thousand or so people before the room became vacant. Those who had been invited to the feast would be back in an hour. Until then Loki and Cephera were guided to their spiritual bath.

Loki stepped in first. The water was cold and was meant to cleanse them of all sins committed between the two before marriage. It was a way of forgiving any premarital sex.

He helped her in and her teeth chattered. They would spend a half hour in the water and then consummate the marriage on the bed provided in the tiny secluded room. Having been away from loki all night she knew he would have no problems fulfilling that part of the union.

They washed each other in turn. The water ran dark from their bodies and then clear as it joined the water below. "Soo...nice helmet." She said finally.

"It is a proud symbol of a prince of Asgard."

"Now I know why your so horny all the time." She couldn't contain her giggle. She had been dying to crack a joke since she saw him standing at the throne.

"Happy now?" He asked her shaking his head.

"Yes." She smirked and hugged herself close to him only to jump back. "Ow. The water bit me." She said incredulously.

"We are suppose to be cleansing ourselves of such things. Not tainting the water with it." He pointed out. "I for one felt nothing." He seemed proud of this.

"Fine." She said. "I can't even give you a hug." She frowned. "I don't like this bath." She complained. They sat down after the cleaning and waited. When their time was up the water dissipated. Loki helped her from the bath and led her to the bed. "I gotta say there is nothing romantic about everyone knowing that we will have had sex before dinner." She said looking at the white sheets.

"Lucky for me I do not need romance to get things done." He pressed his lower half to her. She could feel his hard arousal resting against her stomach. She allowed him to lay her down and spread her legs.