A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who's been reading/faving/following/ and reviewing! I hope you all are enjoying!
Natalia found herself lying in bed, unable to sleep due to what felt like the most eventful day of her life. She rode a horse, fell off, was knocked unconscious, and saved by the King's guard, Clint Barton. But before that, she had been with her prince. Natalia thought back to earlier that morning and recalled meeting Sleipnir, the apple tree covered in white blossoms, her first kiss… She was grateful that her blow to the head didn't take away a memory she wanted to hold near and dear for the rest of her life. What kind of a wife would she be if she couldn't recall the first kiss ever shared with her husband? Not only that, but the mood had perfect in every way-a cool and gentle breeze, the fragrant smell of flowers, the sweet taste of apples against Loki's tongue… If only their most recent kiss had been as romantic. Natalia knew he meant well, but the fact that he kissed her right in front of Clint was embarrassing. And then Loki said he loved her. Hearing those words made Natalia panic. As much as she loved him, she couldn't bring herself to say those three words. Bad things happened to those she loved-it was her curse. Natalia hoped that he wasn't offended when she didn't answer him the same way.
"I'm just so glad you came back to me… My Prince."
"I should let you rest," Loki had replied, turning on his heel.
Loki left her just as suddenly as he had appeared. Natalia knew that he loved her, but she wasn't ready to tell him how she felt-not yet. She wondered if she let him down... He left without even bidding her a goodnight…
As if by magic, there was a soft knock on her door. "Natalia? Are you awake?" Loki wondered from behind the closed door.
She eagerly jumped out of bed wearing only her silk nightgown and answered the door. "Loki!" Natalia smiled widely for him.
The prince opened his mouth to speak, but found himself at a loss for words. He simply stared at her for a moment, admiring how adorable his wife-to-be looked in her nightly garments. Her long hair was all swept to one side and fell over her left shoulder. "You look beautiful," he finally said after what felt like hours. "Your hair is absolutely stunning…"
Natalia's fingers began fussing with her curls. "Isn't this a bit inappropriate? If someone sees us…" She prayed that Ivan couldn't hear them. Looking ahead, she could see that his door was closed and there were no traces of light beneath the slight crack under the door.
"I have a favour I need to ask of you," Loki solemnly replied.
"Is something the matter?" she asked, her brows furrowed with worry.
He shook his head and smiled. "No. I was just wondering… The book I lent you-may I have a look at it?"
"Oh." Natalia opened her door further to allow him in. "Of course. I haven't even had the opportunity to read it, though," she mentioned as she retrieved the book from off her night stand.
"Then perhaps we could read a story together," Loki suggested. "The library has enough candles to light up the whole room. Not to mention the fireplace burns through the night," he added, hoping to convince her.
She shyly glanced up at him beneath her lashes. "What if someone sees us?"
"Surely they wouldn't jump to any lewd conclusions!" he chuckled. "Besides, I'd like nothing more than for our first union as husband and wife to be in our private quarters," he slyly remarked, making his princess blush. "My Father assured me that we will be wed in two month's time." A hand reached out to play with one of Natalia's curls. "Can you believe that?" he grinned.
"It's still a ways away," the young woman informed him as she strayed from his touch. Natalia had no desire to talk about their wedding and the events to follow. For now, she wanted to feel content with Loki's company. She wanted their time together to be as romantic as their morning together. "You said you wanted to read a story?"
"Yes." Loki led her out of the room and down the hall towards the library. "The tale of the Will-o-the-Wisp."
Natalia shot him a disdainful glare. "I'd rather not hear any stories about witches right now…I've already heard that story."
"You have?" he blinked. Loki began leafing through the book's yellowed pages as he sauntered over towards a bench.
"Yes," she answered, following Loki through the library. "Hasn't every child? It's what keeps them out of the forests."
Loki finally found the old fable and began skimming through it. "Do you believe in it, Natalia? The Wisps?" he asked, staring up at her with a grave expression.
She took a seat right beside him. "Aren't all stories just lessons to scare children into submission?"
The prince remained silent as his eyes wandered over the words on the page. "What if they aren't?"
"I don't like hearing you talk like this!" If he was trying to scare her, then she found it to be quite cold of him. She got up and wandered towards the window. The candle lights in Clint's hut shone through the windows despite the late hour.
"Barton believes in them. The Wisps, at least," he remarked, watching Natalia stare out the window. Natalia appeared to be frozen stiff. "Does that change your mind at all?" he coldly remarked. What was her fascination with the hunter? Was it the witch hunting? "Answer me when I speak to you!" Loki snapped. He grabbed her by the shoulder and she let out a piercing shriek. "Natalia!" His eyes widened with fear. "I'm so sorry-I didn't mean to yell!" It wasn't until he stared out into the distance that he realized what had terrified her. A cloud of thick smoke rose from between a crown of fir trees. Hints of red and orange flames could be seen greedily licking away at all of the wood and leaves surrounding them. Loki pulled Natalia close to his chest, forcing her to look away from the sight. Ivan had soon burst into the library, demanding what was happening.
"Fire!" Natalia screamed. "Witch!"
"Shhh," Loki hummed, stroking her hair. "All will be well, Natalia. The fire will be put out right away-we don't know if a witch was the cause."
"No!" she shrieked, punching Loki in the chest until he released her. "C-Clint is out there!"
"Same goes for my Brother," Loki reminded her. "They will tend to this matter-this is all part of the job for them."
Natalia kicked the prince in the shin as hard as she could with the toe of her slipper. "You said witches rarely attacked here! Lying bastard!" she snarled.
"Natalia!" Ivan grabbed her and pulled the enraged woman off of Loki. "Natalia, the Prince would never lie to you-theses things happen, my Lady…" He pulled her close to his chest and felt her body convulse as she wept into his night shirt.
Loki ignored the slight pain in his leg once he heard Natalia's crying. "I'm so sorry, Natalia…" His hand reached out to delicately touch her hair. "Why a witch has suddenly come, I haven't a clue," he murmured.
"It's my luck!" the princess fumed, gripping the fabric of her servant's shirt. "My horrid luck!" she spat. "I've been damned for whatever reason!"
"Now don't speak that way," Ivan gently warned her.
"It is, though!" she protested. "I should have died along with my parents that night!" Tears streamed from her reddened eyes. "I hate this!" Before she could lash out at Ivan with her fists, strong arms grabbed her from behind and held her in a comforting manner.
"Oh, Natalia," Loki breathed. "Please, not another word of this…" He inhaled the sweet scent of her hair. "If you had died that night, then I would have lost my wife. You are so dear to me, my darling," he whispered into her ear. "Had I not met you, I would not know what it means to know the wonders and joys of love at first sight." He hugged her closer as she lowered her guard. "Let us try to forget the past and move forward. For our kingdom, and for us…"
His velvety voice as sweet as honey was enough to soothe Natalia's rage. He was right-she needed to move on. She needed to be a strong ruler for her people. Natalia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She didn't deserve such a loving man for her husband. Natalia turned around to return his embrace. Her heart throbbed with longing for her benevolent prince. "Thank you, Loki…" She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "I'll try to move on just for you," she vowed, looking him straight in the eyes. "Still…" Her gaze shifted towards the window. "I worry for Clinton's safety. And Thor's, if he's also out there…"
"They will be fine," Loki promised, running his fingers through her hair. "You can rest assured."
"I don't think I'll be able to sleep until whatever this is ends…"
"I will go out and search the forest," Ivan declared. "And help put the fire out before it spreads."
"No!" Natalia ordered. "You're not leaving me, too!" She felt fresh tears brimming, but she refused to cry again.
Ivan nodded. If his Lady didn't want him to go, then he chose to obey. "Let me escort you back to your chambers. I will stay with you through the night."
Natalia nodded and left her prince's side to take Ivan's hand. "Loki," she suddenly said. "If you receive word, let me know. Promise me."
"Yes, Natalia." He bowed his head. "I will find Father right away…"
The princess was brought back to her bedroom, but even with Ivan standing guard, she still couldn't sleep. "Ivan?" she whispered, looking over to where he sat at her vanity. He was resting his head in his hand and didn't respond. Natalia wasn't sure how long he had been asleep for, but he seemed to be in a deep slumber. Quietly, she crept out of her bed and padded towards the window. She pulled back the curtains and could still see signs of smoke. "You better be safe out there, Clint," she muttered under her breath. If Natalia lost her new friend before she got a chance to learn more about him, she didn't know what she would do. Clint was a good man who didn't deserve to die so young. Natalia had to shake her head to stop herself from thinking such awful things. Clint was alive-she had to believe that to be true! Besides, Loki wouldn't lie to her. If he said Clinton was fine, then that was the truth. Natalia rested her forehead against the cool glass and found the need for sleep taking its toll. A swift rapping against the door jolted Natalia awake.
"Natalia!" Loki's voice called out. "Natalia?"
Ivan was also awakened by the knocking and he hastily answered the door.
"Is my Lady awake?" the prince asked, his breathing fast.
Natalia shoved past Ivan to catch a glimpse of her prince's face. He looked like he had just been running about. "What happened, Loki? Clint-is he okay?!"
"The witch has been captured and is to be burned in the town square at noon." The raven-haired man smiled. "The fire has been extinguished, as well."
"And Clinton?" She feared that he was avoiding the subject…
"He's fine," Loki promised. "Just a slight burn…"
"Oh!" she gasped. So he was hurt. "I'd like to see him… He helped protect us all," she finished, desperate for an excuse to check on the archer.
"Only after you've slept," Loki sternly warned her. "Doctor Banner has bandaged his arm-there was no serious damage," he assured the young woman. "Please get some sleep-it's already well into the early hours of the morning…"
"The young Lord is right, Natalia," Ivan chimed in. "You need your rest."
Natalia sighed, but obeyed the two men's suggestion. "Alright. Goodnight, my Prince."
"Goodnight, Lady Natalia," Loki softly answered.