A/N: To everyone who celebrates Thanksgiving and Hanukkah, Happy Holidays!
The sun shone brightly in the cloudless blue sky. From her bedroom window, Natalia could see Loki's carriage departing for the church. It was the perfect day for a wedding, yet the soon-to-be wife of Loki Odinson was far from excited. She felt nervous and couldn't shake the feeling of dread. There was something wrong with Loki. She knew by the way he refused to look at her during their recent encounters during the week. He seemed to be avoiding her like the plague. "Has Loki been acting strangely?" she asked aloud as Sif straightened out the ends of her wedding gown.
"He's nervous, I'm sure," Frigga spoke out, admiring her daughter-in-law. "I cannot wait for him to see you, Natalia. You look gorgeous, like a true Princess."
"Turn around now," Sif instructed.
Natalia closed her eyes and took a deep breath before turning and staring at her reflection in the mirror. For a moment, she forgot about the baby and Loki's intentional avoidance to her. Staring at her silk powder-blue dress, Natalia was in awe. She brought a hand to her neck to touch the necklace Loki had given her when they first met and beamed. Her prince was sure to smile for her again with the loving eyes she dearly missed. Natalia spun around, grinning as her dress flowed around her feet and the edges of her long sleeves danced in midair.
"Now for the final touch." Frigga lifted a satin case from the vanity and presented it to Natalia. Inside was a tiara made up of intricate golden vines that twisted to form patterns. "I wore this on my wedding day. I would like you to do the same." She smiled proudly as she placed it upon her successor's head. "Beautiful."
Natalia was able to see her reflection for one second before Clint burst in to announce that the princess' carriage was ready.
The archer took one look at Natalia and jealousy took over as he admired her in the wedding dress. Despite Natalia's threat to make him leave, he refused. He was staying, solely to protect her and his child. "My Lady," he managed.
"Go on, Natalia. We will be in the carriage after you," Frigga assured her.
Natalia nodded and followed Clint down the empty hall. "If you say a word, I'll kill you myself!" she hissed.
"You know I won't tell. Your reputation will be ruined," he added.
"I want no objections-do you hear me?" she growled. "Loki is my husband and I won't have you ruin this!"
"You're really in love with that guy?" Clint wondered.
Natalia groaned in disapproval. "We're not discussing this." She stopped in her tracks, forcing Clint to pause, as well. "There's nothing between us, Barton," she reminded him. "I'd like your protection, as well as your friendship, but if you can't accept that-"
"I know," he interrupted. "We better hurry so you're not late…"
"There's something I need to ask of you, Ivan," Natalia breathed as she sat before her servant. The town was drawing nearer as the horses trotted along the cobblestone path and Natalia knew she needed to tell Ivan what was on her mind.
"Anything, Natalia," he smiled, admiring how grown up she had become.
"I'd like for you to leave Asgard after the ceremony." Natalia couldn't bear to meet his gaze as she spoke. "I want for you to return home…" The princess had thought long and hard about her decision and she knew it was for the best.
"Natalia, you know I can't leave you…"
"I know you must miss home," she continued. "Please, Ivan. Can't you see that I'm in good hands here? I have Loki, Clinton, the King and Queen…"
"Yet you do not wish for me to live with you?"
"I feel that you'll be happier back home. I'll still write," she promised, reaching for his hand.
Ivan closed his eyes. He needed a moment to let the princess' request sink in. She was like a daughter to him and he didn't want to leave her. This was her only request of him and Ivan wasn't willing to turn her down. "Alright," he sighed, looking her in the eyes. "Only if you insist…"
"Thank you," she nodded. Natalia's biggest concern was having Ivan around when her pregnancy was announced. If the truth got out that it was Clint's child, she feared that he would be ashamed of her. She felt that he was better off returning home to freely live his life.
Loki stood before the church doors, standing idly in his finest garments of green and gold. He clasped his hands behind his back, ignoring the chattering of the townspeople. His eyes caught sight of Clint hiding amongst the crowd and he frowned. He wasn't going to start a fuss-not on his wedding day. As much as he wanted to rip the flesh from the archer's bones for what he did to his wife, Loki knew that all problems will be solved in due time. Once he and Natalia were granted their privacy, he would learn what drove the woman to give herself to another man. He felt angry and betrayed. By all people, it had to be by the woman he loved. Loki wasn't even sure if he could bring himself to love her anymore. Overhearing about the child frustrated him. Was her loving nature towards him all an act? Her eyes always shone with love for him. To think that it could've been an act hurt the prince all the more.
'The Princess!" hushed whispers babbled.
Loki looked ahead in between the parted pathway of onlookers to see Ivan leading his bride towards him. Natalia was the most beautiful woman in all the lands, yet the prince failed to feel pride. He felt that she was no longer his. The Natalia he loved was gone, her body belonging to Clint Barton. Loki went so far as to force himself to smile in an attempt to hide his broken heart. First he learned his parents and brother weren't his, then, his wife's innocence.
Natalia shoved her worries aside and focused solely on her husband. Having lost her parents, Ivan was the only family she knew. Now, things were different. She had loving in-laws, a husband, and children to look forward to. A complete family. She only prayed that it would be a happy one. Natalia flashed Loki a wide smile as she stood at his side. One look into his eyes told her that something was awry. He was obviously smiling, yet the light behind his eyes wasn't there. "Loki?" she murmured under her breath. He simply glanced away from her to focus on the priest.
"Is there anyone who has a reason as to why these two should not be wed?" the elderly minister called out.
Natalia held her breath, praying that Clint would keep his promise to remain silent.
After a painfully quiet pause, the priest asked the same of Loki.
The prince briefly eyed Natalia, then answered with a monotonous "no."
"And do you, my Lady, have any reason to prohibit this marriage?" the priest asked the princess.
Natalia stared straight into Loki's eyes. "No," she stated, confident in her decision.
Loki wasn't going to be the person to call her out on the lie… if it really was a lie.
"Loki, wilt though have this woman to be thy wedded wife, wilt the love her, and honour her, keep her and guard her, in health and in sickness, as a husband should a wife, and forsaking all others on account of her, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?"
"I will," Loki answered, pushing aside all thoughts regarding her secret. He wasn't so lowly as to tell a lie before God. Deep down, he still truly loved Natalia-that would never change. He made a vow to keep the woman safe no matter what and he intended to fulfill that promise.
"And you, Natalia, wilt though have this man to be thy wedded husband, wilt the love him, and honour him, keep him and guard him, in health and in sickness, as a wife should a husband, and forsaking all others on account of him, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"
"I will," Natalia promised, her eyes meeting with Loki's. If Clint was his concern, then he had to worry no more. She was swearing herself solely to Loki on her own free will.
Their vows followed and Loki reached for Natalia's hands before opening his mouth to speak. "I, Loki, take thee, Natalia, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse…" he took a moment to hesitate. Their marriage certainly wasn't off to the greatest start. He doubted that God will show them any mercy. Lies and betrayal were the only things standing between their love. "For richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, till death do us part, if the holy church will ordain it: And thereto I plight thee my troth," he finished.
Natalia repeated her vows after him, squeezing his hand while she spoke. They were going to live a happy life, complete with a baby for Loki to love. "I love you," she whispered for only him to hear. As they exchanged rings, Natalia saw a glimmer of light in her husband's eyes.
Loki had been so desperate to hear her say those three words to him. That was all he wanted from her. When did things become so complicated? Loki cursed himself for ever finding those damned books. They ruined him, corrupted him… His innocent heart had turned cold. Loki no longer desired love. He craved vengeance.
The two bowed their heads to receive the priest's blessing. Loki held her hand all the while, only to let go when the time came to step into their carriage home. "My husband," Natalia beamed. "I can officially call you that." They were finally alone for their first time as husband and wife and the princess couldn't be happier.
Loki nodded, eying the golden ring around her finger. "You wouldn't tell a lie before God, would you, Natalia?"
Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Of all things to ask, you choose-"
"I would like to know," he sternly interrupted.
"Of course I wouldn't. I'd be damned if I did…" She paused to look him straight in the eyes. "You know I love you and only you. If this concerns Cl-"
"Don't say his name," Loki growled.
Clearly, this did concern a certain someone. "I told him to leave," she continued. "He is to leave Asgard under my command. I asked the same of Ivan, as well."
"Now why would you do that, Natalia?" he asked, stroking his lower lip with a finger. "Ivan of all people… Is he aware of the baby, as well?" he darkly asked.
Natalia gaped at him like a deer in the headlights. She shook her head as she tried to breathe in.
"He doesn't know, then?" Loki presumed. "Please tell me you weren't planning on hiding this from me, Natalia…"
"D-did Clint tell you?" she stuttered.
He shook his head, eying her horror-struck face. "You should be thankful that I was the only one to overhear that conversation…"
Natalia buried her face in her hands, praying that this was all just a nightmare.
"Do you take me for a fool!?" he spat at her, beating his fist against the side of the carriage. "Who are you to pass a bastard off as my own?! Whatever happened to our children, Natalia!?"
Natalia lunged at Loki, fingers clawing at his silk top. "He raped me, Loki!" she cried, tears spilling from her eyes. "Clint wasn't himself when he did it. He took advantage of me and he couldn't remember a God-forsaken thing once it was over! Don't you even think about treating me like the villain!"
Loki's rage only increased at his wife's sudden confession. "Why did you hide this from me, Natalia!?"
"Because you would kill him!" she seethed, burying her face in his chest. "And I would have disappointed you. Oh, Loki, I wanted you only for myself. I could only think of you when he did it…"
He ignored her added sentiments. All he could focus on was that she didn't want Clint to die. There was a part of her that still cared for the monster, even after he defiled her. "What do you expect us to do, Natalia?" he demanded through clenched teeth. "Why do you insist on keeping Clint Barton alive? Something about this doesn't feel right. Did you not just confess to God that you pledge yourself only to me?"
Natalia lifted her head, eyes red from crying. "Then I want for you to kill him!" she hissed.
He arched a brow in surprise. "Me? That would look awfully suspicious if I did it," he noted.
"Then murder him the same way you murdered your horse." The faintest smirk formed across her lips as she noticed the panic in Loki's eyes. "You managed to get away with that, didn't you?" She grasped the collar of his shirt and brought her face close to his. "So you really did kill him?" Loki averted his eyes. "I wanted to believe your side of the story, Loki-I really did, but that witch accused you of killing Sleipnir… And right now, your eyes have told me the truth…" She backed away from the prince and sat back in her own seat. Natalia merely brought up him murdering the horse to see how he would react. Loki's expression wasn't that of astonishment or remorse, it was one of guilt. "You're going to kill Clint and we resume to how we were before you changed into a madman."
"'A madman?'" he quietly repeated. "Is that what you think of me?"
"You've changed, Loki," she admitted, "more than you know…"
Loki had the witchcraft to thank for that, but he refused to utter a word on the subject. "Very well," he calmly agreed. "After you miscarry."
"And risk me never bearing another child? I'm not taking that chance. Believe me, I will have as many children as you like after this, but I refuse to kill this one."
"Because you refuse to let go of the true father," Loki bit.
"This child is yours whether you love it or not," she warned him. "It doesn't matter who the true father is. The man who cares for and raises it is the only man who should matter!" Natalia saw Loki turn his head away to absently stare out the window. From that moment forth, he was oddly silent.
Unbeknownst to Natalia, her words had affected the prince on a deeper, intimate level. Odin and Frigga were the Mother and Father that Loki grew up with. They raised and cared for him. Odin was even willing to put an illegitimate heir upon the throne. Loki wondered if this was all some sort of test in paying it forward. He refused to love a child that wasn't his, especially the one of his enemy. If Natalia was serious about having Clint killed, then he supposed that he could consider raising the bastard as his own.
"Loki," she said softly. "Know that I love you, and only you."
Loki longed to believe her, but the ones he loved were traitors. Both she and his parents.
"If killing Clint will prove my love, then I'll do it myself," she swore to him. "But if that's the only way, then you're a shallow man. You're not you anymore, Loki. What happened to the kind man who kissed me under the apple tree that day? My first and only true love…"
Loki narrowed his eyes as he continued ignoring her. "I'd like time to think, Natalia…"
Natalia was relieved for the distractions that their banquet provided. She chatted with Pepper for a bit, then Tony who was making the most of the party by drinking and dancing with any woman he could find. Natalia envied how happy he was. The tension between her and her husband was already too much to bear.
After a grand feast, followed by a variety of desserts, Natalia leaned over to Loki as he poked at his custard. "I'd like to leave soon," she whispered.
Loki set his spoon down and glanced at his bride. "Yes, I suppose the sooner the better," he drawled. "How long have you been with child?"
Natalia reached under the table to slap his thigh. "I'm going to say goodbye to Ivan. Is it possible for us to meet in our bedroom?"
"I will let Odin know," he nodded, watching her leave the table.
Ivan was seated at a middle table, surrounded by Thor and his male friends.
"Ivan?" Natalia asked, tapping him on the shoulder.
"My Lady," he warmly smiled.
"Loki and I are about to dismiss ourselves," she whispered.
"Oh… Of course." Ivan knew that this was her cuing him to leave. "Not before a dance," he hinted with a wink. He outstretched his hand and Natalia paused before accepting the gesture.
"One dance."
Ivan led her past the rows of tables and into the crowd of guests dancing to the music. "You will do just fine, Natalia," he said, slipping an arm around her waist. "Your parents will be proud of the woman you have become."
Natalia placed a hand on his shoulder as he gently waltzed with her. "Thank you," she quickly answered. Ivan wasn't making this easy for her.
"I will write to you the moment I return," he promised. "I know that you are in good care here," he continued, feeling Natalia rest her head against his chest. "Loki is a good man. I wish you both the best." He ran his fingers through the princess' hair. "Take care of yourself, my sweet girl." Ivan kissed the top of her head before Natalia pried herself away from him.
"Goodbye, Ivan." She kept her head low as she fled past the crowd. Natalia didn't mean to escape so abruptly, she just didn't want Ivan to see her tears.
"My Lady." Sif stood in the doorway of Loki's bedroom, now partially belonging to the princess. "Are you alright?" she asked, taking note of the red-head's lowered eyes.
"Fine," Natalia answered. "Just finished saying goodbye to Ivan. Is Loki here?"
Sif's eyes darted to the four-poster bed. The dark green curtains were drawn, hiding the prince. "Waiting for you," she smirked. "Stand still while I undress you. Your nightgown is already here."
If only Loki didn't know about the baby, then Natalia would have been ecstatic about finally getting to have her husband to herself. Their earlier carriage ride was enough to destroy the mood. She wasn't even sure if Loki would feel inclined to do anything too risqué.
"Enjoy yourself," Sif playfully whispered once Natalia was dressed for bed. She left the room, shutting the door behind her.
The room was filled with an uncomfortable silence, along with an eerie glow of red from the Blood Moon in the sky. Natalia took a step towards the bed, then stopped. "Are you still angry?"
"I have every right to be," Loki's voice responded. He pulled back the curtain and reached an arm out to summon her closer.
Natalia wordlessly joined him in the bed. She was surprised to see that he was waiting for her completely naked.
"Natalia?" A hand reached out to stroke her cheek. "Come here, darling, I've been awaiting this moment."
"So have I…" Her gaze focused on his bare torso. He had a thin, but surprisingly muscular frame his layers of clothing always hid. She then lowered her eyes and couldn't fight back her smile when she spotted his maleness resting between his legs.
"My wife is a dirty woman," Loki teasingly mused.
"I've never had a chance to fully see a man," she winked at him. Natalia found relief in his pleased mood. She only hoped it would last.
"Really?" he asked, slowly becoming amused. "Well, my darling wife, I've never had the chance to gaze upon a woman in all her glory." He grabbed the edge of her white nightgown and hiked it up above her thighs.
Natalia felt her cheeks burn. His fingers began tracing along her bare thighs and a spark of excitement was ignited within the young woman. "I don't like thinking about the first time. It wasn't romantic at all. But this…" She reached for his hand and let him feel the heat between her legs. "Oh, God, Loki, I need you." Touching herself was one thing, but having someone else doing the heavy petting felt much more gratifying. She lifted her nightgown up over her head, allowing for Loki to get an eyeful of her ample breasts. She flung the useless garment aside and smiled brightly.
Loki let her delicate, curvy frame grace his eyes. Her alabaster skin was flawless and silky to the touch. "First thing is first…" He grabbed her hips and flipped her onto her back. Natalia grinned up at him, happy to have him taking control. He hungrily pressed his lips to hers and began straddling her hips.
"Husband," she gasped in between a passionate kiss. Natalia wrapped her arms around his neck, never wanting to let go. "I love you."
"I love you, too, my bride." A hand dug beneath his pillow to dig out a silver letter opener. "Now hold still."
Natalia didn't know what he was talking about at first. Her eyes caught sight of a hint of silver and she craned her neck towards the source. "What are you doing?"
Loki brought the blade in between her legs. "Tomorrow, the sheets will be checked for blood. You want to work quickly, do you not?"
She didn't recall bleeding after being with Clint. Before she had the chance to answer him, Loki had already made a small incision along her inner thigh. "Loki!" she cried out, hugging his neck tightly.
He watched as her blood trailed down her thigh and onto the white sheets. "I am doing this because I love you," he murmured before letting their lips touch.
Natalia ignored the stinging sensation so she could deal with more pressing matters. She found herself instinctively wrapping her legs around his thin waist in an effort to pull him closer. She could feel his arousal rubbing between them and her body couldn't stand the tension. "Please, Loki," she begged, reaching between them to grab his stiff cock.
Loki threw his head back and a velvety moan escaped his lips.
The princess knew she found her husband's weakness and proudly took advantage of it. "Is this alright to do?" Her fingers squeezed him as she rubbed up and down his shaft.
"Too tight," he whimpered. Loki seized her wrist and pinned it over her head. "Oh, Natalia," he groaned, "I have waited far too long for you." She spread her legs wide as he readied himself at her entrance. "How was your first time?" he further taunted. "Were you shown a good time?"
"Damn it, Loki!" she growled. "I don't want to remember…"
Her moist entrance pushed against his tip, making the prince shudder. "Fuck!" he moaned, letting the obscenity roll off his tongue. Unable to fight her intense heat, he thrust inside her in one swift motion, evoking a delicious scream on his wife's behalf.
"Oh, Loki!" she moaned. The feeling of having his length fill her felt incredible. She found herself clawing at his back every time his manhood grinded against her cunt.
Her inner walls clenched around his erection, making Loki cry out in pleasure. He found enjoyment in slamming his hips against hers and hearing her desperate moans.
"Oh, God!" she whimpered when his cock hit a painfully sensitive spot. "There, Loki! Right there!" she begged, spreading her legs wider. Natalia squeezed her eyes shut as she felt ready to burst. He kept her teetering on the edge with every deep thrust. Her legs trembled and every time she opened her mouth for air, she wound up crying out for her husband, begging him not to stop.
Loki felt her walls starting to tighten, milking him for all that he had. "Natalia!" Knees growing weak, he gave her his all until he felt an unstoppable urge to release.
The sound of flesh slapping against flesh missed with the couples' labored breaths was all they could hear. "Oh!" Natalia keened. A tingling sensation filled her and her whole body began shuddering as a powerful orgasm overcame her. "Loki!" His length felt even more amazing during the rush of her orgasm.
"Natalia!" the prince cried out before releasing his hot seed. "My God!" His body fell limp against hers as he fought to catch his breath.
She lazily smiled and ran her fingers through his hair. "Amazing," she giggled.
Under the Blood Moon, the couple continued to make love until their bodies were fully drained and their voices hoarse.