NOTE - As always, thanks to my lovely reviewers Moriarty-assbutt, Esha Napoleon, and thephoenixandthedragon4ever. You've stuck with me through this journey and as we grow close to the end of the Dragon's Tail, I can't tell you how much it means. Loki kisses for all my readers!


22. Thurisaz – Erotic Will


With a start, Natasha woke to a ray of sun in her eyes and Loki's hand still curled around her own. She carefully removed her fingers from his clasp and climbed out of the blanket, stifling a groan as she did; her entire body felt as though it had been beaten and tortured in a particularly severe torture session.

Jane was already awake, pouring out a little water on a cloth by one of the thorn trees. "May I have some of that?" Natasha asked as she rummaged for a toothbrush in her pack.

"Absolutely. Ooh, I have to tell you, girlfriend, you're looking a little rough." Jane handed over the water and rubbed Natasha's shoulder, concern ghosting in her eyes.

"I'm sure I do." Natasha washed quickly and dragged a comb through her curls. "Yesterday was hard - I'm not going to lie."

"Do you think the injection you received was real?" Jane shook her head. "I can't figure it out. The chemicals and isotopes used in the Red Room and on the Winter Soldier were top secret, according the SHIELD files. Plus, I thought all copies of the formulas as well as the lab notes were destroyed. So how could a witch on Asgard get hold of it? Unless she just tapped into your psyche and forced a mental image – which can be very powerful. Still, it all doesn't make sense."

Natasha held up her wrist to display the two remaining runes. "Yeah, and I've got two tats that'll kill me in a couple of days if I don't erase them somehow. That doesn't make sense either."

"I – I'm sorry." Jane looked down.

"No, you know what? I'm the one who's sorry." Natasha exhaled. "The injection is running through my system right now, making my hormones and moods go haywire. I nearly had a stupid emotional breakdown last night – totally out of character. You're just going to have to ignore anything I say or do for the next month and smack me if I come out with something totally ridiculous."

"May I see?" Jane reached for Natasha's wrist. "The Uruz rune reversed meant 'unexpected change, possibly for the better.' I'm going to hold onto hope that means you'll eventually be okay."

Making a dismissive gesture, Natasha was about to tell her it didn't matter and she had gone through far worse in the past, when they were interrupted by the sound of loud shouts from the makeshift camp. Jane and the Russian looked at each other, grimaced, and ran back to the fireside.

There, Sif and Loki were in the middle of a huge battle. "Clumsy, half-witted Aesir!" he fumed.

"Blockhead – in my way as usual! And do not think I have forgotten your little speech from the banquet, idiot. One false move on your part now and I shall separate your hand from your body."

"Here," he countered coolly, holding out his arm. "Draw your blade. You would do me a favour by doing so - it is no less than what I deserve."

"Hey!" Natasha shouted. The two froze and as one, Loki and Sif regarded her. "Put down the sword for one minute. Now. Loki, no one's getting any limbs chopped off today. Stop this right now, Sif, or I'll pelt you with the hilt of my own weapon. I had quite the evening yesterday, and by the way some kind of crazy shit is running through my veins, so for the moment what I say is law." She rounded on Loki, who was struggling to keep a straight face and hissed, "That goes for you, too. Close your mouth and make us some breakfast without any further arguments."

He burst into laughter, and she felt her lips twitch. "Agent Romanova!" he gasped. "You are simply magnificent even here in this godforsaken slum of a forest with dark magic binding you, and yet you still act as though you were on a throne…"

"Cut the romantics so early in the morning," Sif growled. "I'll slaughter us a rabbit, think on't."

Loki mimed retching into his hands. "We can do better than that." He waved one arm and with a shower of sparks produced a cloth laid with plates, bread, butter, honey, and something that smelled like eggs scrambled with mushrooms and bacon.

"Now you're talking my language!" Jane sniffed the meal with enthusiasm and sat down.

Even as she reached for her plate, Natasha eyed the door set into the huge, dark mound looming over Ironwood Forest. It resembled a squatting giant, shadowing the scene. "Any change yet?"

Swiftly Loki reached for her wrist to peer at it. "We should watch the door for Thurisaz this morning. As yet, that hole into Hel is unmarked, but as soon as it changes I will accompany you as I did yesterday."

"Thurisaz," Jane repeated, touching Natasha's second rune mark. "It represents Thorn and Giant. Is that right?"

Loki nodded, intent on Natasha's runes. "Exactly, and now it is no longer merkstave it means 'purging'. Also cleansing fire, and vital erotic will."

"Hm." Natasha slitted her eyes. "Doesn't sound too bad, as long as you don't go silent and weird on me again like you did last night. Can we all just agree to stay united, no matter what occurs today?"

"Agreed," Sif said instantly, holding forth her fist.

"I'm in." Jane touched Sif's fist with her own.

"I am as well." Loki leaned forward, and Natasha covered his hand with hers.

"This is good," she declared.


The day dragged on. Although Loki pounded on the door of the strange dwelling with his fists several times, it was impossible to enter. Breathing through his nostrils, he murmured something about giving Sleipnir a spot of exercise and stalked off. A few minutes later, Natasha heard hoof beats thundering away from the camp.

"We could work in some practice before we risk losing our minds with boredom," Sif offered. "Shall we take up our swords in friendship and as equals?"

"Yupper." Jane jumped up, and Natasha fetched her weapon. "Where were we before?"

"You were waving your weapon in front of your nose as though it were a fan," Sif smiled. "We shall work on that anon."


By the time Loki returned to camp, the three females were finishing the remains of the breakfast loaf. Sif was in the middle of recounting a warm tale of Urd's well, and the other two lay in stitches of laughter on the ground. "Oh, it hurts!" Natasha tried to push the sides of her mouth closed. "Sif, stop - you're killing me!"

"And the Valkyrie reached forth and asked, 'Where is the erect prick that stole into my bed? For I would confront it so I can slay the beast, but I would ride it first…'"

Despite himself, Loki felt the corners of his mouth twitch. "I see you are all having a constructive morning."

"Loki! Shit, you startled me." Natasha sobered and sat up. "We were practicing swordplay and got hungry. Bread?" She pulled open a piece of her loaf to present the soft, white interior to him with a wicked gleam in her eye.

Loki knelt, prowled forward on hands and knees, and took a bite straight from her slice with his teeth bared. His dancing eyes never left hers.

"Gods," Sif said with disgust. "Would you believe this display, Jane? They might as well be rolling in the dust at our feet as one beast with two backs."

But Jane wasn't listening. "Look," she breathed, pointing to the dwelling.

The rune had appeared on the door.

Natasha flung down the bread and jumped up. "Let's do this." At once Loki joined her and offered his forearm to accompany her into the dark pit.

"I suppose once more we cannot follow you inside." Sif's mouth went into a line, and her fine brows frowned over her eyes with disappointment.

Letting go of Loki's arm, Natasha pulled the astonished warrior into a tight hug. "I'll feel all the better knowing you and Jane will be waiting here for us. Wish us luck."


Inside, the same dark corridor greeted them. "Candles would not go amiss," Loki remarked.

"Careful or you might disturb the next stave. Magic is a balance, didn't you tell me that once? Any enchantment you perform could tilt the scales."

He nodded, considering. "It makes sense. Very well, I will abide with this dark hole. I must ask you – have you ever smelled anything so foul in all your days? When you and I reside in our castle, love, I will have flowers and fresh rushes strewn everywhere to make the air sweet."

"Plus more of those loaves," Natasha added. "Have you ever smelled baking bread?"

His face spread in a huge smile as he looked down at her. "And apples when they are just picked and sliced open."

"Or freshly laundered linen."

"Or a newly picked lavender."

"Or really good coffee."

"Or your skin," Loki whispered, "after a tumble in the warm water with me." At that she stopped, and he felt her quiver next to him. "It has been years, darling, or so it seems," he pursued, unable to stop himself from kissing her neck and licking her earlobe.

She jumped, and his lips curved with mischief as a startled gasp came from the soft, sweet woman next to him. "Focus on the task ahead of us!" she hissed.

"Oh, I shall. However, I have always had the ability to do several things at once." Casually he stroked the soft skin of her collarbone with his thumb, feeling the goose bumps rise under his touch on her flesh. "In truth, it maddens me to be in the darkness here with you, alone, naught between us save a few scraps of silk and leather…"

"Loki, don't," she pleaded.

But he was starting to lose control of himself. Always so quick to awaken, his sensual side overtook him with a thrusting rush. Loki thought his breeches might burst with his huge erection, and he reached for the curve of her firm backside. "Valhalla, your smile this morning when you offered me a bite of your loaf! I nearly pinned you down right in front of your friends and had you there and then. Let me hold you next to me – where are you in the dark, darling? Where did you escape to? Come to the sound of my voice and let us rub our bodies together, just for a little while…"

"Loki!" Her scream died away and silence surged in its place.

With an oath he reached for her desperately. "Natasha!" he shouted. "Natasha! Where are you?" Blinded, he felt in the darkness for her hair, her waist. "Darling, do you hear me?"

The blackness seemed to press up on his lids. As before, a small light blinked ahead of him.

"Natasha?" Loki plunged forward, praying she was within the light of the lantern.


"Loki!" Natasha screamed. "Loki, where are you?"

She headed for the lantern, realizing she was probably walking straight into the next trap as she did so. No matter, she was determined confront it head on and find her lover as well.

The door opened and she looked inside. "Loki?"

There was a huge figure inside, but it was not him. "Lady Natasha." The figure spoke, and he turned around.

"Thor? What are you doing here?" Natasha raked up and down with her eyes. "Honey, you don't have any clothes on."

"What of that? Have you not longed for just a taste of what I can offer you?" The blond giant walked forward and reached for her waist with one huge, muscled arm. "No one has to know – it can be a secret between you and me only. See, just put your hand here and feel how large this muscle is. Let me bring you to Valhalla, Lady…"

Natasha was overcome with a fit of giggles, and she snatched her hand away. "You're going to have to do better than that," she gasped. "Thor? Really? Lame, so lame. First, Jane is my friend, and second, I think of him as a brother. So, ew. Ew, ew, ew."

As she spoke, she realized she wasn't telling the entire truth. Often, in the Red Room, the injections made the subjects go crazy with lust a day after the treatments. Once she had fallen into bed with two men and another woman at once, all of them insane with hormonal desire after the effects had kicked in.

And now she felt her sex swell with want and slick, throbbing need. As Thor vanished, she almost sighed for the lost opportunity. Get it together, she counseled herself. You can do this.

A wisp of memory curled in her ear. "Erotic will," she whispered. "It's a test, and I will damn well pass it."

"Will you?" Another figure stepped from the shadows. "Oh, Natasha, I can taste your straining quim in the air. It's as though she's calling for me, darling."

Loki walked forward, the signature glint flashing in his eyes. As he walked his coat flapped open and she saw he was naked underneath. Natasha felt her knees grow weak at the sight; his dick was so hard it was almost purple. "Do you like this?" he whispered. "Or shall we have something a bit more dangerous?"

She moaned as his clothes disappeared altogether and were replaced by long kid gloves and dark stockings reaching to his thighs. "Woah," she gasped. "That's… different."

"Exactly so. This is quite nice, I like the display, it feels as though I am fully clothed and yet what counts is still naked. Although perhaps we need to add a collar and leash so you may lead me where you will it…" She found a braided loop in her hand attached to a thick band of leather around his neck.

Natasha licked her lips and tried to think. Something was wrong, but what it was she couldn't remember. "You – you aren't…" she stuttered.

"Are not what? Dressed for the occasion? But neither are you…"

She looked at herself. She was now in the same attire – long gloves reaching her shoulders, and stockings gartered at her thighs. There was nothing else except a wide belt, encircling her waist. "Oh, what did you do…?"

"This." Loki reached out, grasped the belt, and jerked her forward to stand between his legs.

She shook her head. "It's wrong."

"Mm. But so nice at the same time…" The soft leather of his gloves felt ecstatic as he caressed her trembling thighs and breasts.

His lips bit hers, and with one final burst of free will she tore away. "The box," she panted. "The box you gave me by the waterfall. What was its secret?"

Loki frowned, turned his head, and looked confused. "Secret! What do you mean?" A look of lusty need crossed his face, and he grinned. "There is only one box I want."

His hand fumbled for her, but she evaded him. "Clumsy. Very clumsy – you should do your research more thoroughly next time."

The Loki-vision disappeared, and the room filled with light. In front of her she saw another Loki – her own love, shouting and trying to escape as a skrull in the shape of herself tossed its red curls on his chest and tried to bite his neck. "Get off me, demon!" he bellowed. "You are not my Natasha!"

"You…!" Lips curling in fury, Natasha felt for the leash she still carried in her hand. It was attached to an empty collar, and with one motion she whipped it forward to catch the skrull in her form at its ankles.

The makeshift whip curled around the Natasha-vision's legs and was jerked back. Just as quickly, the skrull disappeared and the true Loki and Natasha faced each other.

For a moment neither of them said anything. His breathing slowed, and with his usual arrogance he looked down his nose while feeling for her wrist to hold it up. They both watched as the second rune melted and disappeared.

Natasha realized she had been holding her breath and she let it out with a whoosh. "Whew, that really sucked."

"Yes, I must agree. That really did 'suck'." Loki raised his eyebrows and took in her appearance. "I have to add I admire your new costume, though."

Natasha raised her chin and glared back at him. "If you think you are seducing me inside this troll hotel, think again. Get me into some decent clothes this minute, and let's get the hell out of here."

"What about balance of magic and … yes, very well. I am listening. However, at some later date I insist you wear this for me, and for me alone – and do not think I shall forget it." As he cast a spell and a new tunic with pants appeared on her body, Loki tilted his head curiously. "How did you work it out? That it was not me in reality just then?"

"Simple. I asked about box you gave me with my ring, and the false Loki didn't know the secret."

"Ah. Now, that is interesting - I also asked about the box. The skrull shaped like you had no idea, although I will not deny 'twas near impossible not to give in to her." He wound one arm around her waist. "Let us depart this place, darling. One last test, and very shortly I will have you in my own bed. A warning – I will not go lightly on you when that day comes."

"You better not," Natasha vowed.