Neala beamed at Ehrlo and he smiled back. Neala's happiness was short lived as she remembered what he did.
"Why?" Neala stared at him, looking for an explanation.
"It was the only way you could be free permanently. The bond you and Loki share is pure and needed to be preserved no matter what came of my life." Neala didn't know how to feel about it. There was a great weight off of Neala's shoulders because she was freed by what Ehrlo did, but the fact that blood was spilled in order for this to happen bothered her. Loki put his hands on her shoulders to ease her troubled mind.
"Where are you going to go?"
"Loki is going to open a pathway to Midgard for me where I will reside for the rest of my time." Neala nodded, satisfied.
"I am ready whenever you are, Prince Loki." Ehrlo looked sad to leave Alfheim behind. At least he still has his head, Neala thought. Loki took his hands off of Neala's shoulders and stepped in front of one of the coves. He raised his hands so that his palms were facing the back wall of the cove and began muttering under his breath. A faint blue shimmering light replaced the back wall.
"Go while I can hold it!" Loki strained against some unknown power. Ehrlo looked to Neala.
"Farewell, my lady." Ehrlo ran into the light and disappeared.
Loki let the unknown power win and the pathway closed. Loki caught his breath and embraced Neala. He must know how I'm feeling, Neala thought. Loki led her back to her chambers and sat down on Neala's bed. Neala walked over to him, stood in front of him, and placed her hands on his shoulders.
"I don't want to be here anymore. All that is left here is death for me." Loki grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer.
"I know, Neala. Let's leave tonight. I'll help pack your clothes." At this Neala smiled and she put her exhaustion out of her mind. Neala kissed Loki passionately but quick and ran to her wardrobe to start packing. She heard Loki chuckled and she threw a dress at him. He caught it and laughed more. Loki stood up and began folding the dress. Neala pulled her trunk out of the bottom of her wardrobe, opened it, and began folding her clothing with Loki. Once they were done Loki looked at Neala with excitement in his eyes.
"Anything else?" Loki cocked his brow, obviously making fun of her. Neala glared at Loki.
"One more thing." Neala went to one of her dressers and picked up a hair pin. It was beautifully embroidered and its blue seemed to glow in the darkening room. Neala stuck the pin in her hair and turned to Loki.
"I'm ready." Neala smiled as Loki picked her trunk up and led her out of her chambers once and for all. On their way out of the palace Sylvari noticed and ran up to them.
"Leaving so soon?" Sylvari smiled shyly at Neala and Loki.
"I'm afraid so. There's nothing left for me here."
"What if I need you? What if I need counsel in ruling?"
"You know as much about ruling as I do, Sylvari. A good ruler is always worried about whether or not they're doing the right thing. Never be blinded by the power you hold. That is all I feel that I need to say to you. Farewell." Sylvari looked a little lost but overall he looked better than he started out looking. Sylvari bowed his head as Neala and Loki turned to leave. Neala smiled to herself thinking that the weight of the throne is no longer hers to bare. Neala stood up a little straighter and let the cool night air fill her lungs as she walked beside Loki to the outer gate. Loki and Neala were sent through the Bifrost to Asgard and rode on horses to the palace.
"Let's stop by the throne room. My father will want to see that we are home safely." Neala nodded and smiled as butterflies filled her stomach. She was filled with happiness as she thought that Asgard is where she would be queen and she would rule with the man she loved beside her. Loki stopped in front of the throne room doors and commanded a guard to take Neala's luggage to his chambers. Loki opened the door and gently pushed Neala inside by putting his hand on the small of her back. Odin greeted their arrival with a hearty laugh and Frigga rushed to hug Neala.
"Good to see you are back and well, Neala! You have been through so much, you must be exhausted."
"Yes, I am very exhausted. I don't think I would have been able to go through with all of it if Loki hadn't been by my side."
"Then take comfort that you are the only woman that will have that pleasure." Neala smiled at Frigga and blushed. "You're chambers where you stayed before you left are ready for you." Loki tensed up and looked at his mother.
"Mother, I have taken the liberty of sending her things to my chambers." Frigga glared at Loki.
"I want you two wed before… something else happens."
"Mother, I have no interest to rush things between me and Neala since we are to be wed within a couple of weeks. I assure you, nothing but sleeping and talking with be going on." Frigga looked at Loki with caution, and then turned to Odin asking for his opinion on the matter. Through this whole conversation Neala took to looking at the floor, wanting to disappear.
"Let them be, Frigga. If they wanted to do it before they wed they would've already done it." Odin said with a little laugh and Loki looked at him with a small smile.
"Then, with your permission, I would like to take Neala back to my chambers to unpack and retire for the evening."
"Yes, my son. Away with you two love birds!" Neala blushed, bowed, and left with Loki. Once they were out of the throne room Neala let out a sigh of relief. Loki snaked his arm around her waist and led her back to his chambers. Once they were in his chambers Neala dove onto Loki's bed. Loki let out a small laugh and tried to pull her up but she resisted.
"Neala, don't you want to unpack before we go to sleep?" Neala let out a groan, not wanting to move from the heap of softness called Loki's bed. Neala couldn't hear Loki anymore and he wasn't trying to move her anymore so she lifted her head to see what he was doing. She couldn't find him, he disappeared. She looked around cautiously, awaiting a sneak attack from him. Sure enough, he appeared on the bed with her and tickled her back and sides. Neala squealed with laughter and quickly tried to fend him off, but he was a lot stronger than her.
"Loki! Stop!" Neala yelled while laughing uncontrollably.
"I'll stop when you help me unpack your clothes." Loki said with a grin, tickling Neala even more. The tickling became too much to bare so Neala bolted off the bed. When she got off the bed her feet got tangled in her dress and she promptly fell down. Loki laughed and got off the bed to help her up while Neala groaned with embarrassment. Neala sat up and looked up at Loki who was offering his hands to help her stand. She noticed just how tall he really is, and also how handsome. Neala hugged Loki's legs and he placed a hand on the back of her head.
"Let's unpack, and then we can cuddle." Loki said softly, running his fingers through her short hair. Neala stood up with the help of Loki and walked over to her trunk.
"Where do you want me to place my dresses?" Loki walked over and opened the trunk.
"I have room in my wardrobe." He kissed Neala's forehead and carried a couple dresses over to his wardrobe and hung them up. Once they were done Loki handed Neala a nightgown that he had left out for her and started unlacing the back of her dress. Loki kissed the back of her neck and placed his hands around her waist. He then slipped away into the bathroom so Neala could dress. Neala didn't want him to leave her alone, she wanted him to keep going. She didn't care about remaining pure until her wedding day. She wanted him, now. She slipped off her dress and quickly put on her nightgown. Soon after Loki walked out of the bathroom with only his silky trousers on. Neala admired his pale body in the moonlight as he admired her outline in her nightgown. He then picked up the dress she was wearing and placed it in a pile along with his clothes for the maids to clean the next day. Neala climbed into bed and seductively looked at Loki.
"Hm. Now don't start that. I just might have to sleep on the couch." Loki grinned maliciously at Neala.
"Why do you want to wait?" Loki laid down beside her and put a hand on the side of her head.
"I've never waited before because they weren't special to me. You mean something to me, and for once in my life I want to play by the rules." Neala smiled and leaned in for a kiss.
"That's not fair." Neala said as she pulled away from him.
"What's not fair?" Loki chuckled.
"You have a ton of experience, and I have none."
"Don't worry about that, Neala. I'll do all the work." Loki pulled Neala close for another kiss. Neala blushed and pulled him even closer. Loki sensed where this was going and he pulled away and pulled the covers over both of them. Neala let out a laugh because she knew she was teasing Loki. Loki cocked an eyebrow at her and said goodnight. He kissed her fore head and wrapped his arms around her and they fell asleep.
Neala and Loki woke up a little after dawn, and they immediately tightened their grip on each other. Neala kissed him and tried to get out of bed but Loki wouldn't loosen his grip on her.
"Loki let me go, I want to get up."
"You have to pay the toll." Neala laughed.
"What is this toll you speak of?"
"Another kiss from my lady will do." Loki smiled as Neala leaned in for a kiss. Instead of letting her kiss him, Loki tickled her sides and laughed when she squirmed. Neala broke free and stood looking at Loki from a distance. She saw that he was going to come after her again, so she hatched a plan to keep Loki from tickling her. She knew that the only way Loki wouldn't touched her was if she was naked and seducing him. Neala quickly slipped out of her nightgown as Loki charged at her, ready to tickle. Loki stopped before her and stood looking at Neala and her body. His pants began to seemingly grow tighter as he touched Neala hesitantly. Neala backed away from him and smiled maliciously.
"Are you giving up, my prince?" Loki snapped out of his trance, noticed his pants felt tighter and turned around.
"Momentary lapse of promises." Loki muttered and grabbed some clean clothes from the wardrobe as Neala watched and laughed. Neala grabbed a clean dress and put it on.
"Can you lace me up?" Loki placed his clothes on the bed and started lacing up Neala's dress. Neala felt his hands shaking slightly and she smiled, knowing that she had successfully gotten to Loki.
"Do I make you nervous, my prince?" Loki wrapped his hands around Neala's waist and pulled her close.
"Not at all, my lady." He kissed her neck and then made his way into the bathroom with his clean clothes. He came out in his black pants and a green tunic. When Loki and Neala made their way to the dining hall they found the servants running this way and that setting up for the coronation feast that is to be held tomorrow. Neala saw Thor eating breakfast in the midst of all the chaos.
"Loki, Neala! Join me!" Thor yelled happily once he spotted them. Once Loki and Neala grabbed some food they sat down with Thor.
"I'm sorry for your loss, Neala."
"Thank you, Thor."
"Are you excited for your big day tomorrow, brother?"
"Yes, very much so."
"Not to rush you, but have you thought about when you're going to bring Jane to Asgard?"
"I've been preoccupied. I'll do it after the coronation, that's for sure." Loki was speaking very curtly and Neala saw that he didn't care for such talk with Thor. Neala, however, wanted to know who Jane was.
"Who's this Jane you speak of?" Neala looked from Thor to Loki, then back to Thor.
"She's a woman I fell in love with in my time in Midgard." Thor sounded proud and Neala felt confused.
"You love a Midgardian? And Loki is going to bring her here?" Loki looked down at his food and stopped eating. Thor was beginning to look worried and he also looked like he was regretting telling Neala about Jane. The atmosphere seemed to fill with tension instantaneously and Neala looked to Loki for an answer. Then Loki turned to Neala, seemingly annoyed.
"Can I speak with you a moment?" The way Loki spoke to her in front of Thor made her beyond angry but she nodded anyway. Neala and Loki stood up and walked out onto the balcony well out of ear-shot from anyone.
"Neala, he loves Jane and who am I to keep them apart?"
"What will your father think? If he loves her so much why doesn't he go live with her?"
"What would you have me do?" Loki said irritably.
"Ask for Odin's advice. If Odin is against it do not let her come here but also make sure Odin knows that if Jane cannot come here Thor will go to her and stay." Loki nodded and began to walk away. Neala grabbed his arm, blocked his way and glared at him. "Do not speak to me in that manner in front of Thor, or anyone for that matter. I will not put up with it." Loki let go of some of his pride and apologized. He then leaned in and kissed her on the forehead and led her back inside to finish eating. Once they were seated again Loki turned to Thor.
"Neala brings up a valid point. I will confront father about bringing Jane to Asgard and if he is against it, for I do not want to anger father so soon after my coronation, you will be free to go live in Midgard with Jane." Thor nodded nervously, only somewhat satisfied with Loki's answer.
"Well, I should be off to the training yard. Maybe you'll join me later?"
"Perhaps." Thor bowed slightly and left the hall. Neala picked at her food a little longer and finally gave up on eating.
"I'm going to draw a bath, you're welcome to join." Neala saw a spark in Loki's eyes.
"I won't join but I will go back into our chambers with you." Neala smiled at the mention that his chambers were now their chambers.
Neala undressed as Loki drew her bath for her. She longed for him to join her. The tub was big enough, she thought. She smiled maliciously at Loki as he left and he kept his eyes on her face. Once Neala was done, she came out dressed again and ambushed Loki who was sitting on the bed reading a book. He smiled and put the book down calmly.
"I should bathe as well, my lady." Loki gently pushed Neala off of him and started undressing on the way to the bathroom. Neala's eyes never left him. She knew he was doing this on purpose so as he was closing the door he was also undoing his pants. Loki's malicious smile disappeared behind the door and Neala laid back on the bed and tried to get him out of her mind. She stood up and made her way over to the bookcase that reached the ceiling with books and took up half the width of the wall opposite the door. She ran her fingers over the spines of the books. She stopped on one that felt different. It was made out of a different material than all the other books, she noticed. Neala pulled it out of the bookshelf and held it in her hands. It did not have a title, so she opened it to the first page. It was seemingly empty, so she flipped through the rest of the book. There was nothing in the book that can be seen, but Neala felt something from within the book. She was entranced by the way this book made her feel. Loki grabbed her arm gently and startled Neala.
"Loki, what is this book?"
"Not sure. I found it in the forest when I was little and hiding from Thor."
"There's no words, but I can feel something inside of it."
"I felt the same thing. I tried casting different spells on it to try and spill its secrets. I obviously failed." Neala shrugged and placed it back on the shelf. Loki grabbed her hands and looked deeply into her eyes. They were both leaning in to kiss each other when there was a knock on the door. Loki answered it immediately and Frigga burst in.
"Lady Neala, I have arranged a dress fitting for you in ten minutes. You will be fitted for a dress that you are to wear tomorrow while standing by Odin's side since you are to marry Loki. While you are being fitted you will be asked what you want your wedding gown to look like." Frigga had a happy glow about her as she waited for Neala to say something.
"That is wonderful, my queen! I will go right away."
"I will walk you there, darling." As they were walking out Loki walked out with them and went to Neala's side.
"I'll be on the training grounds with Thor. Will you meet me there when you are finished?"
"Of course, my prince." Loki smiled and left quickly, leaving Neala and Frigga alone.
The fitting took longer than Neala expected. The sun looked like it was going to start setting at any moment. Neala made her way to the training grounds, half expecting them not to be there. When she walked out she found Thor, the warriors, and Loki. Neala was shocked to find the warriors on palace grounds. I guess they are still Thor's friends, Neala thought. She walked over to them and saw Sif and Fandral dueling while everyone else watched. Neala stood beside Loki and greeted everyone. They generally looked happy to see her but they wouldn't talk to her as long as she was beside Loki. Fandral lost his footing and Sif took the advantage and cornered him. The tiny crowd applauded, Thor being the loudest. Sif looked over to Neala smile.
"Your turn, Lady Neala! Show them what we ladies can do."
"Who do you propose I fight?"
"Loki." She raised her brow and walked towards Thor and the others after helping Fandral stand.
"What do you say, Loki? Shall we duel?" Loki smirked at her.
"As long as you don't make me sleep elsewhere when you lose." Neala cocked her eyebrow and smiled cunningly.
"Don't worry, you won't win." Thor and the warriors laughed quietly and moved around in excitement. Loki and Neala walked out to the middle of the field that Sif and Fandral dueled on. With a wave of her hand she changed her dress into a snuggly fit light armor.
"Did you expect me to fight in a dress?" Neala responded as she saw Thor and the Warriors' laugh die a little. Neala summoned her bow and arrows from the light of the now setting sun and got ready to fight. Loki watched her intently. Thor yelled, "Begin!" and immediately Neala pulled back and arrow and shot at Loki. Her arrow went right through Loki and she whipped around and let another arrow go at a slight noise behind her. Loki dodged the arrow and let one of his knives fly at her. Neala spun out of the way of the first one and Loki kept throwing them at her from all different directions as he disappeared and reappeared. Suddenly, as Neala was dodging his knives, Loki snuck up behind her and grabbed her by the waist with one arm and held a knife to her throat with the other. Loki startled with surprise as he felt Neala's dagger pressed against his stomach. To the warriors it looked like Loki won, but they could tell there was something they couldn't see. In one swift move, Neala spun around and made the playing ground equal by pointing her dagger at his throat as his was to hers. Loki smirked and his green eyes flashed. He focused his eyes on her dagger and Neala's dagger turned floppy and started slithering up her arm. Neala squealed and tried to get it off of her and Loki came from behind again and resumed his position of victory, this time without Neala's dagger poking him in his abdomen. The warriors and Thor all cheered for the good fight. Loki put away his knife and released Neala.
"What happened to you winning?" Loki smirked and pushed Neala's hair out of her face as she glared at him with a defeated smile.
"I'll find a way to get back at you, don't worry." Neala looked at Loki with malice and Loki smiled even more. The warriors and Thor came over to join them and they praised Neala for her skills.
"I'm afraid, my dear friends, the duel has exhausted me. I am going to retire for the evening, and hopefully we will get to have this fun again." Neala smiled and left after hearing their farewells. Loki followed close behind but stayed silent. Once they both got into their chambers Neala turned to Loki and noticed he looked annoyed.
"What's wrong, Loki?"
"They were whispering about us as we left."
"What about us?"
"They think you have me whipped." Neala tried to hold a serious face but she burst out laughing.
"You, whipped? I think not! You are a beast of a kind that cannot be tamed, my dear prince." Loki laughed lightly at her as if relieved. "What, did you think I would agree with them?"
"I have to admit, I am relieved to hear you say that I'm not. I was having doubts." Loki's eyes sparkled with mischief.
"What do you have up your sleeves now?"
"I proposed an idea to mother after she showed you to the dress fitting. She agreed with me and now you are the only person to agree to go through with it."
"Oh? What proposition do you speak of?"
"That you marry me tomorrow in the same ceremony as my coronation. Mother said that your dress can be made in time for tomorrow." Neala looked unsure at first, but then thought of the glimmer in his eyes and recognized exactly why he wanted to rush the wedding.
"Can't put up with my teasing anymore, my prince?"
"If you continue I may have a lapse of judgment and give in to your seductive ways, my lady." Neala laughed and walked over to look out the window.
"I assume that this plan is in motion unless I say otherwise?"
"Yes."
"Well then, I will not stop it. I know of no reason why we should not be wed tomorrow. It shall be the most important day for both of us in more than one way." Loki walked over to the window and seized her from behind.
"And you shall be mine forever." Loki said in a low growl and attacked her neck with kisses. Neala laughed and tilted her neck so he had a better angle to attack her at. She closed her eyes as his kisses grew softer and she rested her hands on his.
"Your final dress fitting will be tomorrow bright and early in the morning. I'll be sure to wake you." Loki's words were tinged with mischief and Neala wondered just how he was going to wake her.
"We should get some sleep, we have a big day tomorrow, my dearest Loki." Loki picked Neala up, carried her to the bed and gently sat her down. He rolled her onto her back and unlaced her dress and pulled it off of her.
"My prince! You cannot wait one more night?" Loki laughed as Neala heard him go to the wardrobe and take something out of it. She rolled back over onto her back and watched him as he pulled out a nightgown and brought it over to her. He straddled her as he slipped the nightgown over her head and over the rest of her body. His hands lingered at her waist and hips. As if clarity hit him in the face, he jumped off of Neala and changed into loose fitting silk pants and left his shirt off. Loki crawled slowly into bed, never taking his eyes off Neala. Neala thought he was going to lose himself and take her right then and there, but instead he laid down next to her and held her close. She felt a wave of relaxation from being in his arms and they both fell asleep.
Sorry for such the long wait!