NOTE - Love and thanks to my wonderful reviewers: crazyotaku13, Esha Napoleon, Moriarty-assbutt, and joy for the lovely comments. Thanks also for the follows and favourites, and to everyone who sent PM's or left reviews. Or who simply took the time to read my story - you are magical.

And I will pick up this series in Book Three, The Cavern of Time, in a few days. I hope to see you again in Asgard.


26. Loki's Castle


As the moons climbed in the sky, Natasha leaned forward in her chair and finished her glass of wine. She hadn't eaten all day, and the liquid went to her head with unusual speed; the Black Widow was used to downing a lot of alcohol before she felt any effects. However, she had a theory that wine in Asgard was a lot stronger than the grape juice from her own realm.

Or perhaps it wasn't the wine. She could feel Loki next to her, hear his breath, feel every movement he made. She didn't dare to touch him, to even glance in his direction. Their enforced celibacy and recent reunion made every motion, each instant a torturous delight, and she knew he felt the same way.

Truth be told, the tiny distance between them nearly enhanced the tension instead of easing it. At one point Natasha curled her hand around her wineglass and Loki put his right next to hers, so closely she could feel the slightly cool temperature his skin always projected. Her breath caught in her throat, and she heard a slight gasp from him. We'll never make it through the night if I can't hold a damn glass of wine, she thought. And dancing? How will we survive that?

Despite the erotic torture, it was a beautiful night. The stars and planets wheeled overhead, visible through the leaves of the trees. Lanterns hung from the branches, and the scent of freshly mown hay and an Asgardian blossom like lavender blew through the garden.

"This was a delightful idea!" Freya leaned forward to speak to Natasha. "So much lovelier than another long banquet. On such a night, 'twould be a crime to stay inside the Palace, would it not?"

"In truth I care not as long as the supply of meat does not slow down." Volstagg beckoned to a passing steward and picked up what looked like the entire leg of a stag in one hand so he could gnaw on it.

"Have you thought about where we shall go?"

Startled, Natasha looked at Loki. His eyebrows were raised slightly as he repeated the question. "This evening? I know we're supposed to head up to your state rooms, but I was rather hoping you could use your magic to spirit us to you-know-where."

Loki bent closer to whisper in her ear. "My dungeon rooms, which have become our little piece of Valhalla. That goes without saying - Hogun can go and bellow rude songs outside my Palace suite, and meanwhile you and I shall be far away, blissfully unaware. However, I actually meant in the future. Our future. Is there any chance I could win you to my side at my castle?"

"You have a castle?" Natasha turned in surprise to face him. "Well, aren't you tricky?"

"Many have told me so," Loki said with a smirk, and she began to laugh.

"Of course I will travel there with you. But – an entire castle? When were you planning to tell me this?"

"Do not be impressed. The land is lovely, situated between a river and the Sea of Marmora, but the entire estate has been sadly neglected. I hoped to introduce it to you as a new project of sorts to occupy your very considerable energies." With those words he gave her a wink. Natasha felt her cheeks heat up, wet warmth between her legs. The scene in front of her wavered as though she were watching it from underwater.

His expression changed, assuming a speculative, predatory air. "Natasha. I feel the same way," he whispered in her ear. "Gods, that this eternal feast should be over…"

As if the mutual understanding of their desire had broken some sort of dam, Loki moved very close to her so they were seated thigh to thigh, and he propped his arm on the back of her chair. Not caring for the amused glances in their direction, Natasha tipped up her face to smile at him. "This is nice," she admitted. "I like being within your circle of leather and metal – it makes me feel protected. Usually I am the one being the guard."

"Best become accustomed to it," he warned. "After the events of the past few days, I will make certain nothing ever harms you again."

She gestured to the long lawns slightly with her head. "I think we have to go and open the dancing."

"Mm. I suppose we must." Holding her hand, he led her to the grass where a few musicians were starting a slow, lyrical music of a sort Natasha had never heard before. The moves required his arm around her waist, hers locked around his neck, on her tiptoes to bring his face close to hers. She felt she was drowning in a brilliant green sea.

The guests filed to the arena and joined them. Under the cover of so many people – gods, Aesir, and humans, Loki moved her gently but firmly to the cover of the deep shadows by the trees' edge. "What are you doing?" Natasha asked in a voice brimming with distrust.

"No one can see us over here. I planned an escape, of course, before Fandral starts in on the bawdy songs."

"But isn't that against royal etiquette?"

"No. I bribed Thor to announce his own engagement – now." There was a roar of approval from the dance floor. "They will all be too busy for the next few minutes to see what you and I are doing."

"I still feel as though I'm waltzing out on everyone…"

"Nonsense, darling. This is not a waltz."

She couldn't help her lips twitching. "That's not what I meant at all. As the entire reason for the gathering, I am certain you and I should stay for a bit longer. And – oh, you can't bite my neck to convince me. That's not fair."

"No?" He blew in her ear. "Better?"

"No."

"This?" Loki glanced deviously at the Aesir in the grass, whirling to the music, and stole a long, open-mouthed kiss.

When it ended, she threw her head back with a gasp. "Fuck it, let's get the hell out of this place now."

"Ah. I quite agree. It is time, little one."


In their own room, the orchestra of mice played a soft tune Natasha didn't recognize. She accepted the glass of wine Loki handed her and sat on the bed. When he approached with a wicked smile on his face, she held out one arm. "Don't destroy this dress by ripping it off me. It's my wedding gown after all, and who knows? Maybe one day we will have a daughter who will want to wear it."

His eyes widened, and cautiously he edged close to her on the bed. "Do you think that is a possibility?"

"I don't know." She shrugged. "I've learned not to count anything out where you're concerned – I'd imagine your boys can swim faster than Michael Phelps. Anyway, if it happens it happens, and if not, then we'll just keep rebuilding palaces and going on adventures. And junk like that." Natasha held up her glass, and he touched it with the rim of his own.

"And 'junk like that'. The bards themselves could not put it any better." Loki allowed her to drink before firmly removing her glass from her hand, and she felt her pulse race as he started to unbutton her gown. "Since I am not allowed to rip this one off, I will take great care. Do not, however, expect such consideration in the future."

"I should hope not. I married the god of mischief, after all, not the god of folded napkins and thank-you notes…" Loki stopped her with a kiss, and he turned her to sit on his lap as he continued to undo her gown with his arms around her.

Natasha started to work on his shirt, and at last they knelt, palm to palm, skin to skin on the large bed. Loki's eyes glowed with desire; she knew hers did as well. They swayed for a moment, measuring each other and playing with their wantonness. Loki's face spasmed with cruel lust; she felt her skin burn, her teeth grit as though she stood on the edge of a cliff ready to jump off. "I am almost afraid," he said. "Afraid of what I might do to you at this moment. I have waited for you for so long, ever since our tryst by the waterfall. Did you realize it? Not even a week's span all told, and yet it has seemed an eternity."

Her mouth opened; his did as well. The next instant he seized her in his arms, crushed her to his lips, plunged his tongue into her mouth. Natasha wrapped her legs around his waist and slid up so he could cup her breasts, suckle the tips, as she slipped her palm against the hard shaft between his legs. "Never again," Loki panted. "Never will I wait so long again to have you in our bed, hovering like this above me, so soft, so sweet, ready for me to sink him inside her."

"She's so ready for it," Natasha whispered in his ear, and she bit his neck and ran her nails over his chest, scratching his nipples and raking the flesh of his flat stomach. "Look at her, Loki." She grasped his chin and arched backwards so he could see every inch.

"Glorious. You are glorious. I knew you would be even before I had you in my arms – do you remember?" He pushed her back and spread her thighs, kissed his way down her stomach, licked her sex, worked his way back up with more kisses. "Do you remember it?" he whispered, pushing his tip to her entrance. "I recall every word between us. I offered to pleasure you in bed and you told me it would never happen, not if I were the last demigod on this or any other side of an Einstein-Rosen bridge."

Natasha laughed and shivered as slowly, torturously, he moved into her. "I remember too. Oh, Loki, that is just perfect, it's like silk and steel at once, he's so big, you're so delicious inside me, move him in and out of me, yes just like that."

"Like this?" Loki's nostrils flared, and the white line tightened above his lips as he thrust into her. "Kiss me, darling. Mmmm – delicious, you taste like wine and cinnamon, as well as your own sweet tongue. It takes my breath away…"

"I can't believe this. I can't believe it." Natasha felt her insides flutter as her orgasm drew nearer.

"What can you not believe? How nice this feels? Or that you are all mine?"

"Both." She pulled him down and sucked on his lower lip, bit his neck. "I'm so close," she whispered. "Can you feel it?"

"By the Nine realms, I can – it really feels as though she is telling him a story…Oh! Natasha!"

"Loki!" she screamed, rearing up to meet him. They shook together, groaning and clutching each other.

She felt the room spin, go quiet. His breath surged on her neck like waves during a hurricane. Her legs trembled with the aftershocks of her climax, and she was almost afraid she might faint.

After a long silence, his lips found her ear. "Never again," he repeated. "Now that you are truly mine for all ages, I will never wait so long again. It hurt me to be without you, Natasha, like walking on coals or the edge of a knife."


In her dreams, the Lady approached the bed and climbed on top. "Hello, pretty," she said as she licked Natasha's neck. "Keep sleeping, pet – do not mind me. I am just going to play with you for a little." She trailed lower, found Natasha's jittering center, and fluttered her tongue over the smooth, warm, wet flesh. "Mmm, you naughty girl, you taste so nice – of me and of your own warm flavour." Slowly she lay down between Natasha's legs and moved her thigh to slide over the slick center.

Natasha held the long black hair back from the Lady's face and raised her lips for a kiss. "That feels incredible," she whispered. "I've wanted to have you ever since you visited me in my apartment. Do you remember?"

"I told you – I remember everything." The Lady bent and bit the skin at the base of her throat, riding her like an experienced horsewoman until Natasha released in a warm wave, shivering and moaning words of love.


When she woke, Loki was already inside her again.

Loki? No, it was the Jotunn. His blue face moved over hers, and carefully he laid his palms to frame her face.

"My wedding present for you," he whispered. "We must take care – this requires a great deal of magic." His face flinched with another oncoming climax, and Natasha clenched around his long, blue shaft. He was so alien, so beautiful inside her. She thought her delight would split her in two.

"May I kiss you?" she whispered. The Jotunn nodded, and she cautiously brushed her lips against his. The buzz of magic was apparent, but she could also feel the icy smoothness of his mouth moving delicately over hers.

The enchantment flittered against her clit like a snapping electric current, and she locked his red gaze with her own. "You are mine," she said. "Each reflection of you – each part – I want it all."

"Natasha, my love, my life," the Jotunn gasped. He bared his teeth in a sudden grimace, and her climax jolted her entire body. She felt his cool liquid spurt into her and gripped him with her thighs to hold him as close as she could.

Loki collapsed on top of her. When Natasha opened her eyes, it was to his Aesir form, his own mischievous smile, and a starstruck look in his eyes making her heart beat wildly. "That was my first time as a Jotunn," he whispered. "You now hold that fellow's virginity, love. Only you, Natasha."

She wound her arms to hold him as closely as she could. "My own Mischief. Did it tax your magic too much?"

"I must confess I am somewhat weary." Loki closed his eyes and grinned ruefully. "However, it was worth it."

"Think Hogun is still singing outside your empty state rooms?" Natasha asked, and Loki snickered. Her eyelashes fluttered closed. "Let's sleep for a while. Bedding the three sides of your personality has made me tired as well. But before you drift off, I have one last request."

He kissed her eyelids, the tip of her nose, licked her lips. "Well, darling?"

"Loki, when we move into your castle together – could I - could we – do you think - would it be all right if we got a cat?"

FIN