"You still haven't told me what happened last night," Natalia reminded her husband as she reached for a cup of cinnamon flavoured tea. Loki had set up a nice and quiet lunch for them, as earlier promised. The two were alone under the apple tree, taking in the soft rays of the afternoon sunlight.

"How about we finish our meal first?" Loki suggested. "Have you tried the deer yet? Thor hunted it himself," he pointed out, presenting his plate to Natalia.

"Why does it feel like you're hiding something…Didn't we promise each other no more lies?"

"Can we not discuss business over our lunch? Look how lovely it is right now." Loki could tell by his wife's impatient sigh that she wasn't in the mood for a calming afternoon date. "Alright," he agreed. "Promise me you won't get angry, though."

Natalia rolled her eyes as she reached for a small strip of meat between her fingers. "Now you have me concerned…"

"I've struck a bargain with two witches. It's nothing to fear, my darling," he quickly added. "They trust me."

"Do they, now?" she drawled.

"I am their King and they respect my title. So long as they continue believing that they will kill Odin three Blood Moons from now-"

"You said they can kill the King? As in letting them near the castle?!" Natalia exclaimed.

"They believe they will. You know I won't let them touch him. I can promise you that they won't even set foot within our home." This was why Loki feared bringing the subject up. He knew that Natalia was going to get worked up over the idea of witches reaching castle grounds.

"Then why are you lying to them? What happens when they deem you a traitor and come after you?" she snapped, setting her cup of tea down on a saucer with a heavy clack. "You can't expect me to save you-I can't risk harming our baby!" she warned him.

"Trust me, Natalia, my lies will protect our family, as well as our kingdom. I have given the witches a test. They need to go three months without any attacks. So long as I hear of no attacks, their trust is mine."

"And if there is an attack?" Natalia prodded.

"The truce is off," Loki assured his wife. "At least I will be able to say that I attempted to make peace with them."

"What happens after the three months, then? You don't really expect them to be at peace with us, do you?"

The prince shook his head. "The witches will assume that Odin's men are no longer hunting them. However, I will make certain that my brother and his friends are prepared. Odin's men will attack and kill. It should be easy seeing that the witches should be weakened after not having feasted on human blood in months," he added.

"So you'll betray them?" Natalia asked in surprise.

Loki reached out to stroke her hair. "It will guarantee our safety. That is all that matters to me."

Natalia managed a small smile as she curled up at his side. "I really hope everything works out… Wouldn't it be nice for things to be simpler? It would be better if we could just stay right here. Forever. The same place we shared our first kiss."

He hummed in agreement. "The three of us," he added, a hand on her belly. "All will be peaceful. There will be no wars or bloodshed…"

"Just us." Her hand reached up to stroke his cheek.

"Just love," he murmured before kissing her lips.

Natalia stood up on her knees as she desperately kissed him. "Make love to me," she whispered after a heated kiss.

"Not right here," Loki teased. "Heimdall will see us."

"And hear us," she laughed. "Why don't you use some of that magic and take us to the bedroom?" Her hand reached in between them to rub over the bulging fabric over his crotch. "Did I excite you?"

"You always do, my darling," Loki breathlessly laughed.

Loki, Natalia, and Jane were the only three to know of the witches' mysterious disappearances. So far, the first of the three Blood Moons came and went without a single attack. Loki was pleased to know that he was being obeyed, but the rest of Asgard, along with the other kingdoms, were wary of four straight weeks without an incident. Odin was convinced that the witches were conspiring together, but Loki jokingly retorted that perhaps they had become fearful of the hunters that were stationed throughout all the kingdoms.

All Loki cared about was that there was peace, and if things continued as planned, there was going to be guaranteed serenity for another two months. Two months until setting the grand plan into play, the plan that would ensure victory for all of humankind. Loki refused to think negatively. He was staying positive for the sake of everyone around him, especially Natalia, whose stomach had recently begun to noticeably swell with their child. Loki loved being around his wife whenever he possibly could. She had become even more beautiful, and he was sure to remind her of that every morning and evening.

"Loki?" Natalia caught him glancing up at her from his book and smiled.

"Yes, darling?" He set his book aside to accompany her on the bench before the fireplace. The library had become one of their favourite places to relax whenever Loki had time away from his royal duties.

"I want an apple."

"Anything for you, my love," Loki softly chuckled, summoning a piece of fruit into his hand. He was never sure if she actually wanted the fruit, or if she just wanted to see him show off the tricks up his sleeve.

It was simple, harmless acts of magic such as these that Natalia didn't mind. She accepted the apple from her husband and held it between her hands as he sat beside her. "No attacks last night?"

"None for the past month," Loki reassured her with a wide grin. "Rumour has it that Lord Stark has been in a more festive mood as of late," he added with a chuckle.

"How's that any different from how he normally is?" Natalia rolled her eyes before biting into the fruit.

Loki reached for her braid, twirling the tightly knit strand between his fingers. "He and Virginia send their regards, as well. I received a letter from them this morning," he continued. "If we have a son, we are to name him Anthony in Lord Stark's honour," he laughed.

"I think Pepper will agree with me when I say that we shouldn't encourage him." Her hand began to rub her middle. "And I also think it's a girl," she quietly added.

"Do you?" Loki asked, watching her stomach with innocent eyes.

"Are you disappointed?" she worriedly asked. "There's a lot of pressure for us to have a boy, you know…"

"Nonsense!" Loki carefully placed his large hands against both sides of her bump. "We'll just have to try for a son another time. I don't mind having a daughter at all," he lovingly remarked. "A baby girl as beautiful as her Mother." His hopeful eyes met with his wife's before giving her a soft kiss.

"I love you so much," she breathed. Natalia moaned into Loki's mouth as their lips met in an even more fervent kiss. The apple slipped from Natalia's hand and onto the hard floor as she wrapped her arms around her husband's neck. The one thing she hated about their unexpected moments of passion was that it set her off even more so due to all the added hormones. "Oh, Loki," she exhaled, fingers clawing through Loki's hair, "I need you." After three straight weeks of no sex (Loki was afraid of hurting the baby), Natalia's body was itching with desire. "Please!" she gasped as his lips pressed against her jaw.

Loki hummed against her porcelain skin, his hands making their way to her breasts. "The baby…" he murmured.

She winced as his hands gave her sore breasts a squeeze. "She should be just fine. Nice and safe inside mommy…"

He wrapped his arms around his wife's body and took them to the guaranteed privacy of their bedroom."

"Thank God for that trick," Natalia laughed, arms locked around her husband's neck.

"Please let me know if I'm hurting you in any way," Loki warned her as he unclasped his shirt, soon followed by his leather pants.

"Promise," she nodded, eyes fixed on his pulsing erection.

"Natalia," Loki playfully drawled. "You need to undress…"

She looked from Loki to her bulging middle. "Promise you won't laugh?" Now that her belly was more prominent, Natalia worried that Loki wouldn't find her as attractive. He always enjoyed touching and kissing her bump, but she had always been fully clothed.

Loki began to laugh, but a glare from Natalia told him that she meant her statement. "I promise," he grinned. "You know that I will always find you gorgeous." His wife turned around, allowing for his fingers to untie her dress.

Natalia felt the heat rise in her face. Loki was too good to her. Once the dress was off, she laid back against their pillows, allowing for her husband to get an eyeful of her changing figure.

"Perfection," he beamed, kissing her middle. "I love you so much, Natalia…" He crawled over her body and bowed his head to give his wife a passionate kiss.

Natalia hummed, spreading her legs as far as they would go while her core awaited what it craved most.

Loki's kisses deepened as he guided his length in between Natalia's legs. Her body greedily took him in, engulfing his cock with a rush of heat. "Oh, Natalia!" he groaned, forcing their mouths apart.

The princess threw her head back as her husband's length stretched her. He felt even more amazing than she could remember. "Faster!" she gasped, her nails digging into his back. With one thrust of his hips, Natalia's body sheathed Loki completely, forcing them both to cry out. "Loki!" Having been without him for what felt like an eternity, Natalia's body was already coming completely undone with every powerful thrust. It wasn't long before Loki had her teetering over the edge and feeling ready to burst from the passion.

"My God, Natalia!" Loki hissed. His tip rubbed against the end of her, making her walls tighten around his length.

"There!" she begged. "D-don't stop!" Natalia arched her back, letting her husband's cock hit her in just the right place. Her mouth opened wide in a breathless moan as her orgasm began to build. "Faster, Loki!" she chanted. "Oh, God!" Legs trembling around Loki's waist, the pressure began to build as flash slapped against flesh. "Loki!" His pulsing member throbbed within her, forcing her to cry out his name over and over as her entire body convulsed with pleasure. Natalia whimpered as Loki came, her body suddenly weak and tingling from the aftermath of her orgasm. "Oh!" she whined as he left her body.

Loki rolled onto the bed beside his wife, body glistening with sweat as he fought to catch his breath. "Fantastic, darling…" he panted.

"I needed that," Natalia laughed. "Really badly…" The couple lay side by side, allowing for their bodies to calm down from their highs.

Loki's finger began tracing circles against Natalia's stomach until he felt a small tap and Natalia breathed an "oh" of surprise. "Was that…?"

Natalia propped herself up on her elbows upon feeling a gentle nudge. It felt much different than the fluttering sensation she had been feeling-this motion felt more like a tiny fist tapping her side. "I think she's moving!" Natalia beamed.

Loki's eyes lit up like an overly excited child. He sat up on his knees, franticly attempting to feel another kick.

Natalia began to laugh as his hands roamed her middle. "How about I tell you when I feel something again?" she teased.

"That will make me incredibly happy." Loki affectionately gazed into his wife's eyes. "Thank you so much for this, Natalia. For this child, for happiness, everything you-"

"Sometimes you talk too much," she playfully interrupted. "I know you want to kiss me again," Natalia smirked, reaching out for his shoulders. "I love you, Loki."