Chapter 5: Mistress

It had been two weeks since Cephera married Loki and in those weeks she saw him a handful of times mostly during meals. He never slept in their room she always slept alone. She assumed he slept in his mistress's room. Cephera was sure she knew who it was. She often saw him from a distance conversing with a blond woman.

She was tall and slim with a nicely rounded bust. Her blond hair held no wave to it and looked silky to touch. She looked liked a goddess and could very well be here in Asgard. She didn't know her eyes color. The woman never looked at her that Cephera noticed. Cephera was crest fallen over the whole mistress ordeal but she knew next to nothing about her husband and found the situation didn't touch her heart. This she was grateful for.

She tried her best to remain herself. Hoping her father and sister were right and her own personality would be enough to bring him to her as a husband instead of a stranger. Cephera found this day to be a hot one but she slowly made her way to the arena. She'd been invited by Thor to come and watch or even take part in the fighting practice he was having with friends there.

She had told him she would think about the offer. At the time she was hoping to catch Loki before he left to go out but of course he seemed to disappear. Now she was walking by herself to find Thor. When she reached the arena she could hear the laughter and voices of friends and it made her smile instantly. Perhaps today would not be so bad.

She followed the stairs downward until she found her feet meeting soft sands much like those on the beach only lighter in color. She wore no shoes as she liked the feel of the outdoors on her feet. "Sister!" Thor said instantly. His exuberance toward her made her smile wider. He always made her feel welcomed. "Friends, come and meet my sister." He said to four others. They were all smiling and looking to be having fun.

She had heard of them already but this was her first time seeing them close up or meeting them personally. One by one they introduced themselves. "Hogun." The man with the dark hair stepped up and gave her a oddly stiff bow from his waist. He said no more and she suspected he was a man of few words.

"Please forgive my friend he lacks true manners." The blond man stepped up and took her hand in a graceful swoop and kissed the back with a wink. "I am Fandrel, may I take a moment to say that I have never been jealous of Loki over anything until today." Cephera felt her cheeks heat up in a blush. Clearly this man was a flirtatious one but he held a kindness in his face.

The next man butted Fandrel to the side with his hip. "Control yourself friend she is a married woman." This man was short with a very long beard and very rounded.

"Not like that's ever stopped him before." The woman said under her breath but loud enough to be heard.

The short man cleared his throat and took Cephera's hand and put his other over it kindly. "Please forgive my friends. I am Volstagg. I'm pleased to meet you." Cephera had never lost her smile. She was beaming really. This was the most fun she'd had and really they weren't doing much of anything. When Volstagg stepped back the woman moved forward and gave a bow.

"I'm the Lady Sif." She said. She was beautiful with her silky black hair.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all." Cephera said to them with a polite bow. She was glad they were not judging her for being the wife of the man they all had a friendship with once but no longer. "Thor tells me you all train down here. I'd love to watch." Cephera said looking around the large arena.

"Of course my lady. I am always ready to put in a show to entertain." Fandrel said with a wave of his hand in a dramatic way. Sif rolled her eyes and Hogun had begun to walk back to their original positions before she arrived.

(Loki)

Loki spent his evening in the library looking for spell books he hadn't yet read or studied to any large degree. It was a search that took hours. He had gone to his room that morning to find his wife gone for the day. He got bathed and dressed and went about his own day just like he did everyday. Avoiding her proved to be easier than he thought. He spent his nights with Shay. It was a nice relief for him to have her.

Loki grew up around Shay and they had both become friends early while Thor was off being a fool elsewhere. Thor never got along with Shay especially when her and Loki had begun to sleep together. Loki sometimes wondered if Thor had been jealous as Shay didn't have any affection for Thor. Loki liked that they could keep their sexual relationship separate from their friendship. They never mixed their feelings of lust with love. Thor always blamed Shay for being the reason Loki never stayed in a relationship with any other woman but he couldn't be more wrong. Loki simply got bored of those other women.

Shay was not just his mistress now she was his escape. Loki hated being forced to marry the human. This punishment had to be the most irritating and degrading Loki had ever had to deal with. He was glad that Shay had not abandoned him and allowed him to vent his frustration regarding his situation while he lay in her arms. He left the library before the nights hour began so he could retire to his room for a while before his wife would return from whatever she was doing. Venturing down his hallway he saw Shay near his room door smiling.

"How's your day going?" She asked with a smile.

"It was boring until now." He said feeling that a quick romp would be nice right about now. He wrapped an arm about her waist and she backed up with a warning look.

"Loki, we talked about this, not here." She warned him.

"It is my room to do as I please." He said feeling that itch of irritation. Shay had been trying to avoid meeting his wife face to face as she felt she might feel guilty for being with Loki intimately.

"I don't care." She said.

"It is another hour and a half before everyone will retire for bed. We have time before she comes around. I'll make it quick." Loki grinned.

"And you cannot wait a couple of hours before we get back to my room." She said raising an eyebrow.

"Actually I was planning to spend my night in my tower. There are things I need doing." He said plainly. He hadn't planned to bed Shay tonight but now that she was there he saw opportunity.

"You're sure she won't be back." She said pursing her lips. Loki grinned and pulled her by her hand through his bedroom doors.

"I am sure." He said with a chuckle. Shay let off a defeated sigh. Loki knew she hated to give up the opportunity to feel the pleasures he knew how to give.

(Cephera)

Cephera retired for the day. She was warm and weary after a long day at the arena. She stepped into her shared room and stopped dead. Bent over the bed was the beautiful blond she'd seen Loki speaking with before and behind her stood Loki. He had stopped and both of them looked at her surprised. Clearly neither of them thought she'd be there so soon.

It was no secret what was going on as both of them were naked. Cephera stepped back out unable to think of anything else to do. Her face scarlet and her heart having dropped into the pit of her belly. She closed the door and walked briskly down the hall unsure where she would go. She knew about him having a mistress but she hadn't expected to see them together in such a way. It made the reality of her sad life all too real and almost too much for her to bare. Her hand covered her mouth as a sob escaped her unwillingly.

She escaped all the way to the vast library where she hid deep inside in a far corner and cried. Her legs curled up under her chin and her tears soaking her skirt. To think he would do that in their bed told her he truly didn't give a damn about her at all. She had hoped after a few weeks he would have at least tried to make things work but Cephera was beginning to realize that it wasn't going to happen. She was most likely forever in a loveless marriage. She'd remain a virgin the rest of her life. She'd have no children of her own and no one to hold her and comfort her when she needed it. Like now she would be alone when she cried and there would be no soft words in her ear when she felt hopeless. What had she gotten herself into?

(Loki)

The moment his wife closed the door Shay had detached herself from Loki her face red. "You said she wouldn't be back until bedtime hour." She said to him. Clearly she was flustered and Loki too felt slightly awkward. He really hadn't expected her to show up. He hadn't planned to take Shay there but seeing her in the hall and knowing he wasn't going to her room that night he just couldn't help himself. He had wanted her and had even meant to make it quick. Loki was cruel at times but he hadn't meant for his wife to actually see that. All the same he didn't feel bad for his actions. Not the way he knew Shay would.

"I didn't think she would be. Why is this suddenly a concern? It's not like she didn't know about you." Loki had lost his erection as this conversation and situation had dulled his sexual interest and it seemed it had done the same for his friend.

"Did you see her face!" Shay sounded slightly hysterical. "Why am I even doing this?" She questioned. For all her strength Shay was a soft woman. Keeping her separated from his wife was so she wouldn't feel bad for Cephera. The less she knew about his wife the better for keeping her in his bed. He knew what Shay was like. Loki seized her by the shoulders.

"You do this because I need you." He said to her to calm her as she seemed to be having a change of heart. "You are my friend and my lover and I need you to be my comfort in a marriage I did not want. Do not feel bad for my wife. I have not once lied to her about my intentions toward her and about you. She is welcome to find love with another." He assured her.

"I feel bad for her. She didn't ask for this either." Shay looked down and Loki lifted her face back up to look at him.

"Neither did I. Odin made a grave mistake and did both myself and my wife an injustice but I will not pretend to live a lie. She will find a way passed this on her own." Loki was trying to save his ass at this point.

"I know you're right but...her face..." Loki pulled Shay into a hug annoyance running through him but he didn't let it show.

"She'll live." Loki had seen the look Shay was talking about on his wife's face and hated to agree it was hard to handle. Even Loki had felt slightly ashamed but he wouldn't let that one silly moment take away the only thing he looked forward to everyday.

OMG! You guys have no idea how happy I am with all these reviews. You guys are so awesome! More please omg I'm addicted lol

-Twifan 1987: what will happen between Shay and Cephera is a secret...no spoilers for you. Lol

- Guest (the minority :P): I actually agree with you. Odin putting Loki in arranged marriage was shitty and yes I would probably being pissed like Loki but Cephera also didn't ask for it either. In a way loki is punishing her as well. He could treat the situation a whole lot differently but his pride and stubbornness is causing him to make shorty decisions that are hurting others. Though in a way loki himself is also hurting.

- Vulcaniumx: haha. Everyone hates those moment. You just wanna see the main couple together. And yes it will be a bumpy road. As for Shiaji I'm not sure he'll be in it. Cephera and Seraphina's relationship with their mother is actually like that in all fics but I've never really delved into to any large degree.

- GUEST: happy to have caught your interest!

- Kate Skates 24: it's always lovely knowing have people hooked to the point that they can't wait for more. :)

- Doctor Loki Love: as much as my heart goes out to Cephera I also feel for Loki. He might be acting like a brat but he feels just a lost right now he just shows it badly. In a way Loki believes making Cephera dislike/hate him will benefit her to not getting emotionally attached to a situation Loki doesn't want any part of which in this case is the marriage. And I always have a plan! ;)

- Hello (guest): haha. I have up to chapter 24 planned and it doesn't end there so you have lots to anticipate but I wish I could give you the whole thing but alas I cannot. :P

- Shattered Soul 37: you're not the only one who feels that way. Lol. But it's just not her style.

- Akera Writer of the Night: haha. I know how much you love Yorin. Condescending was not what she was going for but it certainly worked. Lol

- GUEST (I'm not sure if you're the same one as above sorry): she had her moments and will continue to have them.

- Poodle Warriors: he could be worse. He could have the I'll kill her mentality or he could abuse her and make her feel little for being a human, luckily I don't write that kind of Loki well. As for Thor it wouldn't do anyone any good for him to strike Loki. This situation is for Cephera to handle not anyone else. If everyone always tries to intervene she'll look weak like she can't do it on her own and right now everyone knows Loki didn't want this and is acting out.

- 88dragon06: she is currently doing her best with what she's been given. Loki had no idea what kind of woman he's married to.

- Reneemm: I'm glad everyone seems to like the way Cephera is dealing with all of this. She is very patient. If she was more emotionally attached to Loki she might fight harder but right now she doesn't have deeper feeling for him.

- Loki's Dreamer: I like swimming and playing in the waves. Lol. And there is always room for change if not slow change.