"I don't want you to go."
"I wish I could stay. But this hunt has been planned for months now. I cannot back out." The regret in Thor's voice was apparent, but Loki stubbornly refused to hear it.
"Why can't I go with you?" Loki asked again, even though she'd heard the answer a hundred times.
"Loki. I've told you. It's unsafe." His broad hands were on her shoulders as they stood facing each other in her room. Thor was packed, dressed and ready to leave, and Loki found herself unable to say goodbye.
"Besides," Thor continued. "It is a large group of men, riding, eating, even shitting together. Sleeping crowded in not enough tents. We would have no privacy there. And I would not have you sleeping amongst such brutish company. It is not a place for a woman."
"Sif will be there." Loki pointed out.
Thor laughed at that. "Sif is no more a woman than I am a cow!"
Loki's frown deepened, for boyish or not, she knew Sif wanted Thor as a woman would want a man. Thor was just too blind to see it. It mattered not, Thor was going to go, and Loki couldn't stop him.
Thor's presence had become as natural to Loki as breathing. He was simply always there. In the last week, since they'd consummated their relationship, Thor hadn't left her side. Loki had never known such contentment. She hadn't known ecstasy on that level was even possible. She understood he'd have to leave at some point - he was a prince after all, with royal duties she couldn't even begin to fathom. But why now? They'd only had a week. It was too soon.
Thor put his hand under Loki's chin and gently tipped her head up. "You know your way around. You're free to go anywhere you wish to go. If you need anything, ring for a servant."
"I need you." She pouted up at him.
"I will return to you as soon as I can. I promise." He kissed her then, pouring his passion, all his wants and needs for the next few days into it. And Loki returned all of it, running her hands into his hair, tugging it.
But just as quickly as the kiss started, it was over and Thor was gone and Loki stood bereft. Tears welled in her eyes, but she staunchly refused to shed them. Weak. Pathetic. Lacking. Oh, she had a wide breadth of these sort of insults to bestow upon herself, for it was all she heard growing up. But she was none of those things. Not then, and not now. Certainly not now.
It was the promise of solitude that was bringing back all these old feelings. Loki just had to keep in mind that this time was different. She was not driven to hide away in a dark, cold room, where solitude was a welcome respite from the torment of her peers. This would only be a few days on her own. She had a whole palace to wander, and a returning Thor to look forward to. Nothing bleak or desolate here. Loki took a deep breath, determined not to succumb to sadness.
The first few days were easy. Loki helped out in the kitchens, learning how they made the delicious dishes they served her. Cooking was very similar to magic, the mixing together of different ingredients, using different techniques to achieve different flavors. Loki stored away the knowledge she gained there, as well as small samples of herbs and spices that she thought may come in handy.
There was also comfort to be found at the stables. Nott was affectionate enough to rival Thor, and Loki enjoyed her easy company. Bjartr had gone with Thor, so she and the Nott understood each other's loneliness. The stablehands showed her how to groom the horse, and Loki enjoyed the hard work. It felt like a worthwhile way to pass her time, and the stablehands were grateful for her assistance.
In the library, and with the books she'd brought back to her room, Loki had begun to make good headway with the spell she believed could restore her true form. With the items she acquired from the kitchens, and some she'd requested from servants, asking a different servant each time, so as to not arouse suspicions, Loki had managed to secure almost everything she needed to attempt the spell. It had been a time-consuming process, but Loki wasn't in any real hurry.
It was the nights that were difficult, when there was nothing but darkness and the bleak emptiness of her bed. When she closed her eyes, the dark became foreboding, uncomfortable. The bed was too cold, the blankets did not provide the right kind of warmth. When Loki did sleep, she dreamt of Thor. She would come to, panting, her hand pressing against the ache of desire between her legs. Thor had awoken these hungers in her, and now he was not here to sate them. Her own fingers were too slender, not rough enough to satisfy herself and she could cry from the frustration.
Loki groaned when she woke just after dawn on the fifth day. The pillow clutched in her arms offered little comfort now that Thor's scent was nearly faded from it. She laid there, watching the daylight grow brighter, not wanting to get up and face another day without Thor.
The hair on the back of her neck stood up suddenly. Loki gasped and sat up to look toward the door, certain someone was in the room with her. There was no one there, but her door hung open on its hinges, swinging slowly as if someone had just moved it. It couldn't have been Thor, he would have come to her. And all his friends went with him on the hunt. She got up from the bed and silently padded to the door. No one remained in the hallway, not that Loki had expected to see anyone. She closed the door and locked it, an uneasy feeling in her stomach.
-oooooooooooooooooooooo-
-oooooooooooooooooooooo-
Thor hated leaving Loki. Despised it. But other than feigning illness or injury, there wasn't any way out of it. The men needed his brawn, and his hammer. And by the time they made camp that first night, Thor had already lost himself in the spirit of the hunt. Hunting trips like these were as much a part of his life as sparring, or drinking. He'd been on more than he could count and it was easy to fall back into his role among these men.
Well, the men, and Sif.
Sif had been...different. Thor couldn't put his finger on it. It seemed she was always in his field of vision. Always there when he turned around, when he wasn't expecting anyone to be there. At first, he thought he was imagining it. Maybe his desire to be with Loki was manifesting itself in noticing the only other woman in the vicinity? He didn't know, but by the second afternoon, it was beginning to unsettle him.
Then the attack happened. In the dim early morning light, the men had been so focused on the elk they'd been hunting, no one noticed the pack of wolves that descended on their group until it was too late. Four men, including Fandral had been injured and had to head back to the palace healers. Three of the wolves were slain and added to their haul, but the rest of the men decided to continue on with the hunt anyway.
The chaos surrounding the attack made it hard to think. Thor was concerned about his friends, about keeping everyone safe. It didn't even occur to him that he'd sent Fandral back to where Loki was until they'd been gone half a day and night had begun to descend on the camp. When the realization hit him, a serpent of dread coiled itself in his stomach. The instinct to protect what was his overwhelmed him, and he was halfway through packing his stuff up on his horse to race back to the palace when Sif stopped him.
"Where are you going, Thor?" she asked, appearing as if out of nowhere, though Thor knew she had been close by.
"Back to the palace." he answered curtly, strapping his pack onto Bjartr's saddle.
"Why? The men want to stay. You would leave them?"
"They are strong warriors, capable of taking care of themselves. Plus they have you. They're in no danger." Thor managed a sly grin at Sif, who rolled her eyes.
"You know that's not true, Thor. You were the one to slay two of those wolves today. If you hadn't been here, men would have died. Fandral could have died. They need you here."
Thor paused. He knew Sif was right. Mjolnir still dripped with canine blood, evidence of his heroism. Of his importance. Still.
"That attack was unexpected. Out of the norm for wolves during this time of year. It shouldn't happen again, and the men will be more prepared now." Thor resumed strapping on his pack.
"Thor," Sif placed her hand on his arm. A simple touch, one she'd done a thousand times before. Why did it feel so wrong now? "Fandral will be in the healing room for at least a week. You heard how he was hollering. He was in pain. As big a baby as he is, he'll probably spend the rest of the month with the healers, getting doted on." She laughed lightly, trying to allay Thor's fears. She knew them, of course, Sif was observant and caring. A good friend.
Thor sighed. "I still wish to go back."
"I know. But it is night. Not the best time to wander into the woods alone, even for a mighty prince. Perhaps after a good rest, in the light of the morning, you will be able to convince the men to return early?"
She was right, of course. To traverse the woods at night would be to court trouble. Even for a mighty prince. He would leave at first light, whether or not the others returned with him. Loki should be fine until then.
"When did you become so practical, Sif?" Thor turned his head and gave her a grin.
"A woman is always practical. It is our nature." Sif replied softly. Thor was so lost in his own receding panic that he didn't notice how Sif had just referred to herself as a woman. Something she rarely did voluntarily.
It was dark over here, away from the fire, and quiet, away from the men. Only the occasional snort or shuffling hoof of a horse broke the silence of the night. If this had been Loki here with him in the faint glow of the far away flames, it might have been romantic. He might have been inclined to lean in for a kiss. Except this was Sif, who looked up at him with a shy smile. This was his childhood friend, who stepped closer to him and made him breathe faster. This was the girl who had always been just one of the guys, who stretched her head up and planted a soft kiss on his lips. This woman that he'd never seen as a woman until this very moment, who grew more insistent with her kiss, her hands on his cheeks, pulling his face closer.
Stunned beyond rational thought, Thor acted on instinct and kissed her back. His brain, in what little functionality it was capable of right then, shouted conflicting things at him, confusing him. Sif was a woman, he liked kissing women. Her mouth opened readily for his tongue, and he entered greedily. She tasted good, but she tasted wrong. She tasted of mead and meat, not of apples and ice. Her mouth was warm, too warm, and when he put his arms around her shoulders, her armor clinked. She was hard. She was not soft. She was not Loki.
Loki!
As if scalded by a glowing ember, Thor broke away and jumped back and wiping at his mouth.
"What are you doing, Sif!?" Thor exclaimed.
"Has it been that long since you've kissed a real woman that you've forgotten?" Sif jeered, stung by Thor's rejection.
"But you're not...I mean... You're a friend, Sif. You have no cause to kiss me."
Sif glared at him. "What is wrong with you, Thor? Are you so blinded by that creature that you've forsaken your own kind? I am trying to show you that you do not have to throw your life away! That you have a woman, a good, noble Aesir woman, who loves you!"
Thor frowned. "This jealousy is not becoming of you."
"You are heir to the throne of Asgard!" Sif's anger made the pitch of her voice rise, drawing the attention of the men by the fire, though none were bold enough to approach. "You would have a Jotun for your queen? Your father would never allow it! The people would never accept it!"
Thor's voice became lower, for he did not want the men to hear. The gossip would fly, and neither he nor Loki needed to deal with that. "The people are gullible and foolish, as are you. You see the Jotuns as our enemies and nothing else. And it was my father who sent for Loki. What other plan could he have had than for us to be together?"
"You are the fool, Thor. A spoiled brat who cares nothing for the responsibilities he's been given." She stepped close, jabbing a finger in his chest. "You don't deserve me."
With that, she turned on her heel and stomped back to camp, leaving Thor standing staring into the dark, his mind reeling.
-oooooooooooooooooooooo-
-oooooooooooooooooooooo-
That uneasy feeling revisited Loki a few times that day. Refusing to stay locked up in her room, she went about her day like normal. It wasn't constant, but a few times the sensation of being watched came over her. But there was never anyone there. She eventually convinced herself that it was her loneliness and perhaps her frayed nerves playing tricks on her.
By the time she got to the stables, Loki felt restless. She asked one of the workers to help her saddle up Nott, so she could go riding. Frowning with uncertainty, the stablehand helped her, but warned her of riding too far by herself. Loki humored him, but she wasn't afraid. Once she mounted Nott and rode her away from the stables, they took off.
Oh, the exhilaration! Loki had missed this. She rode Nott up and down the edge of the woods, enjoying the scenic landscape, but unsure if she wanted to venture in or not. In the end, it was the darkening skies that decided for her, and she finally headed back to the stables. Leaving Nott for the stablehands to tend to, she headed back to her room. Exhaustion hadn't seeped into her bones like this since Thor had left. The ride had done her good, and maybe she'd actually be able to sleep tonight.
In her room, Loki found a small tray of food. How sweet the cooks were, to have thought of her. On the tray was a single violet flower. Loki didn't know what kind it was, but it smelled divine and she smiled as she traced it's soft petals against her cheek. That was also very nice of the cooks. She would have to thank them in the morning. For now, she was tired and she wanted a soak before crawling into that big empty bed. Carrying the tray with her into the washroom, Loki munched as she drew herself a hot bath. Her thighs were sore from the ride, not unlike when she and Thor finished coupling. That, too, made her smile.
Sinking into the warm, fragrant water, Loki could almost pretend it was Thor's warmth surrounding her. If she kept her eyes closed and her touch gentle, she could imagine it was his hands running over her breasts, down her stomach, to that throbbing need between her legs. With a soft moan, she pushed two fingers inside herself, curling them upwards like Thor usually did. It was good, but not nearly as good as Thor's touch. Mimicking what she'd felt Thor do, moaning his name, Loki was able to bring herself to orgasm. It surprised her, for she hadn't ever gotten that far before. Her climax was a far cry from the ones Thor gave her, but enough to satisfy her for now. Loki finished cleaning herself quickly, then got out of the tub, dried off, and slipped nude, into the sheets. More tired and sated than she'd been in days, she easily fell into a deep sleep.
When she awoke, blinking her eyes against the bright morning sun that streamed into her room, there was another flower on her pillow and she was not alone in the room. Sitting very casually on the edge of her bed was Fandral. Loki gasped and sat upright, clutching the sheets to her chest for she was suddenly very aware of her nakedness beneath them.
"What are you doing in here, Fandral?"
"I brought you another flower. Though try as I may, I can never find one that compares to your beauty."
"I do not want your flowers." Loki stretched and grabbed the nightdress that lay across the bedside table, grateful now for the occasional sloppiness that prompted her to leave it there. She slipped it on, but remained under the covers. "Why are you not on the hunt?"
"Wolf attack. A terrible, serendipitous thing. Myself and three other men were injured." Fandral paused and glanced at Loki. The concern he saw on her face belonged to Thor, but he mistook it for his own. "No worries, my flower. My injury was barely a scratch. Though I played it off well enough to be sent back here. I am good as new."
Loki's heart was in her throat, but not for Fandral. "Thor..."
"Your keeper was not injured," Fandral said with a smirk, and relief washed over Loki. He ignored her and kept talking. "He decided to stay, however. I guess he prefers the company of those men over yours. Oh, wait. Sif is there, too."
Loki's eyes narrowed at his implication. "You need to leave, Fandral. I don't want you in here."
"Tsk tsk, my flower," Fandral cooed and he scooted closer to her. "You don't want me to go. I know you're lonely. I see how you pine for him." On his knees now, on the bed, Fandral advanced on her.
"Fandral, stop. Thor will kill you if he sees you."
"But Thor isn't here, is he? He's off in the woods, frolicking with Sif. He's left you all alone." Fandral was leaning over her now, close enough to kiss her, though he didn't. He didn't actually touch her at all, but his weight on the sheets pinned her, essentially trapping her. His blue eyes were soft, though Loki could see the lust swirling beneath them and it made her nauseous. "You need not suffer so, flower."
His hand moved up to cup her cheek, and at that touch, Loki snapped. Her hands shot up and grabbed Fandral's collar. Keeping her face close to his, Loki rose up onto her knees, pushing against Fandral until he fell back onto his elbows and she was looking down at him. Fandral grinned, mistaking her aggressiveness for interest.
Loki's green eyes blazed furiously into his, and her voice was quiet as she breathed her words into his face. "You will leave my bed and my room right now and I will spare your life by not telling Thor you were here."
"And if I kiss you instead?" He raised one hand to cup her cheek again, but Loki flinched away from it.
"If your mouth or any other part of your body touches me, it will cease to exist."
Fandral grinned and his eyes danced in amusement. "Such a delicate blossom, with such sharp thorns. You are a walking contradiction, Loki. Forbidden, yet so tempting. Alluring. I cannot resist." He brought his face closer, his lips barely brushing against Loki's. Loki shoved him back and stood from the bed.
"Get out now, or I will kill you myself."
Fandral laughed, lounging casually on the bed where Loki had left him. He looked like a man, waiting on his lover to return to their bed.
"Feisty little thing. Why do you spurn me?" Scrambling up from the bed, he approached Loki again. A right fool, Loki thought, thinking entirely with his dick. She almost pitied him. Was it fair to kill a man who was too stupid to know any better?
With no regard to the danger he was actually in, Fandral put his hands on Loki's shoulders, running his fingers gently down her bare arms. Loki shuddered in revulsion, but stood still, afraid if she moved she may actually kill him. "I only want to help you, Loki. I've watched you writhe under your sheets, desperate for a man's touch. You need me as much as I need you." With that, he grabbed her hand and put it to his crotch. Loki could feel his hardness underneath his trousers. Sizeable, but nothing compared to Thor's.
He'd been watching her? The thought repulsed Loki and her temper flared. She wanted to wrench Fandral's desire away from him. Make him fear her, not want her, so he'd never bother her again. Adrenaline and magic surged through her veins, clouding rational thought, leaving only instinct and a need to hurt him.
She pressed her hand into Fandral's erection, causing him to groan. "I do have need. I need a man to take me, to fill me and use me. You think you can do that? Hmm, Fandral?" Her lips were on his, only not kissing, she spoke against them, distracting him from the green sparks of light that were gathering around the hand that stroked him through his pants. Fandral was blinded by his arousal, by Loki's touch and the mistaken promise of the seductive words she purred at him. "You would like that, wouldn't you? To take your pleasure from my body, to make me scream your name. Fandral!"
He gasped against her lips, "Yes! Oh, yes, Loki!" Then he kissed her. Loki simultaneously bit down hard on his lip and shot a bolt of magic straight into the sensitive flesh she held in her hand. With a yelp, Fandral immediately dropped to the ground, one hand holding his injured manhood, the other wiping at the blood flowing freely from his mouth.
"You stupid..." Fandral's insult was cut off when Loki crouched down over him and he blanched in fear, trying to crawl away from her. She grinned.
"You cannot hold a candle to Thor, in any way, Fandral the Dashing." she spat out his moniker like an insult. "I belong to him, and him alone, and for that I am eternally grateful. This insignificant little thing," Loki glanced in disdain at Fandral's groin, "is just a taste of what I will do to you if you come to me like this again."
Fandral opened his mouth to speak, but Loki silenced him again. "I will not tell Thor about this, for he will kill you. You're stupid, but you do not deserve to die for it. Not yet. I will, however, leave it to you to come up with an excuse as to why you're limping for the next few weeks." Fandral's mouth fell open. "Yes, a few weeks. Don't expect to heal before then. It will likely be quite some time before you gain full functionality. Consider it my gift to the women of this realm."
"I should have known better than to take pity on a Jotun runt!" Fandral hissed. "You're worthless!"
"To you, yes. Although your future king loves it when I scream his name. I will be sure to scream it extra loud next time, in your honor."
With that, Loki stood. Leaving Fandral writhing in pain on the floor of her room, she fled across the hallway to Thor's room. Heart and thoughts racing, Loki stole inside and locked the door behind her. Thor's scent hit her immediately, nearly buckling her already weak knees. The pang of longing that shot through her brought tears to her eyes, and she was powerless to stop them from streaming down her face.
Shaking, emotionally drained, Loki sought refuge in Thor's bed. She crawled under the sheets and allowed the sobs to overtake her.
These just keep getting longer and longer! I hope everyone enjoyed Loki reaching the end of her rope with Fandral. Poor guy. I feel a little bad for him. He didn't realize what Loki was capable of. But still, he needs to think more with the upstairs head, not the downstairs one. And clueless Sif is clueless. I don't feel quite as sorry for her though. There's trouble around every corner for these two. Care to guess what's going to happen next(besides the reunion sex)?
Thank you again for the reviews! I really do love every one of them. It means people are actually enjoying my little story as much as I am. :D