A/N: Beta'd by my Amazing Liz 21-10-2014.
xxx
Eir adjusted the tomes in her arms, idly wondering what the day had in store as she neared the prison gate. The guards, used to her comings and goings, let her through without challenge. She nodded her thanks and went straight to Loki's room.
"Good morning, Prince," she said. She didn't bother to check where he was, thinking only of putting the heavy books away as soon as possible. She was surprised to see Loki in front of her, hands behind his back, as usual.
"You didn't come yesterday," he said, looking down his nose at her. "Why?"
"The Queen did not ask it of me. Perhaps she thought you might like a day to yourself to read." Eir shrugged, noticing how green his eyes were for the first time. They were cold, but beautiful.
He nodded curtly and took the books from her arms, sliding them onto the shelf with ease. Eir surveyed the room while he slid the last volume into place. Loki's breakfast was untouched, but the bag she'd brought the grapes in lay empty on the table beside his tray. She smiled in satisfaction, stealing a glance at the Prince as he examined the books she'd brought.
"I take it the grapes pleased you after all, Prince?" He looked at her, smiling mischievously as she joined him by the bookshelf.
"They were… edible."
They stood in the middle of his room without a word; Eir didn't mind. She wasn't a talkative person and she didn't mind silence. Eventually she broke the stillness and moved to make his bed, Loki watching her movements with cold eyes.
Mother was so good, he thought. So good she sent a servant girl to bring books to him. His loving Mother couldn't even look at him, couldn't face the monster he'd become… So she sent a servant, a redheaded slip of a girl in her place. Surely she knew that he could have destroyed her the very moment she entered his cell; his mother must have been aware of that. A simple conclusion, then; Mother cared as little for the girl as she cared for her own son.
Loki's thoughts circled and darkened, drawing him into himself as the girl busied herself around his chambers until he'd quite forgotten that she was there at all.
Eir turned to announce the completion of her duties, but the strange emotion lurking just behind Loki's eye caught her attention. Words spilled from her tongue before she could think better, surprising her as much as him.
"Do you desire companionship, Prince? I can offer my presence, if you wish."
Loki stared at her, testing her words. Why should a servant girl offer her company to him? No doubt this was his mother's handiwork…
"Why would I?" he asked with an aloof smile. "I do well enough alone."
She couldn't help but laugh. What a stubborn, silly god! He'd rather die of boredom than admit he required anything of another. Her laughter halted as suddenly as it began, eyes catching on the prince's hand. There was a small cut on his right thumb, most likely a paper cut. She glided across the room and took his hand, gaze fixed on the cut. She cupped his hand in hers, closing her eyes to improve her focus on the injury just beneath her right hand. Light arced from her hand to his, washing over his thumb as her magic healed the cut.
Loki watched without protest, feeling as if he should pull his hand away, but unwilling to do so. When she finished, she opened her eyes and smiled up at him, as if she wanted his thanks; a servant girl waiting for a prince's gratitude.
"What are you doing?" Frustration colored his tone as he yanked his hand away. "If I wished the cut gone, I would have healed it myself!"
Her expression soured, smile thinning into white-lipped anger. She sprang to the bookshelf and jerked a tome from its place, shoving the volume into his arms.
"Then replace it, by all means, Prince. Cut yourself as much as you wish! I will not stop you and I cannot offer anything sharper even if I wanted to."
She stormed over to the table and flung herself into a chair, fury still rolling off her in waves. Loki was so startled by her behavior that at first he could do nothing but watch her, pale hands clutching the book. His eyes narrowed to slits and he put the book back in its place, tightly controlled anger evident in his every move. With menacing slowness, he approached her and crouched down in front of her, predatory gaze holding her captive as his hands encircled her wrists.
"You will never again act so disgracefully in my presence," he enunciated each syllable clearly, words rasping like silk-covered steel as he pulled her down to his level. He could sense her fear just as he could sense that she tried to hide it. Hide from the god of mischief himself. A prisoner he might be, perhaps he might even deserve the title of monster, but he still possessed great power. Her attempts to disguise her emotions were laughable.
He stared into her eyes, waiting for her reaction. Strange that he'd only noticed it now, but her eyes were as green as his. But somehow he knew they were a different kind of green- he wasn't sure of the difference between them but it was there without doubt.
It had been, he thought, a very long time since any female was this close to him. Even this closeness was a lie; the servant girl stayed close not by choice but through his use of force. But who would want to draw near to a monster such as he? His future, his end, was within the walls of this lonely prison. And how could he blame anyone for keeping their distance? He was the beast under the bed, the monster parents threatened their children with to ensure their obedience; who would possibly desire his company if even the one he once called Mother abhorred him?
"Loki…What troubles you?" An unfamiliar hand, small and warm, caressed his cheek and Loki found, to his humiliation, that his eyes were full of tears. He stood abruptly and walked away, his pride unable to bear showing such weakness.
Why did she touch him so? When had his weakness become something so easily seen?
Eir trailed behind him, letting him wipe away the evidence of tears before she reached his side. Not quite conscious of her actions, she slipped her hand into his and squeezed it slightly. His long, pale fingers were cold to the touch. She looked up at him, but he still avoided her sight.
"Why did you call me by name?" he asked curtly, all traces of emotion purged from his voice.
"Wha…?" she started, blinking.
"Why did you call me by name?" he repeated, eyes trained on the window at the empty hall.
"I… I don't know; I only meant… I am sorry, Prince," she stuttered, confused and embarrassed.
What does that matter now?
A beat of silence and Loki finally tore his gaze from the window, glancing down at her as if he saw her from a great distance.
"I am not angry; I am simply curious. You may address me by name if you wish it, but I will have yours in exchange."
"I… My name is Eir, Prince," she said, shyness overtaking her. She realized that her hand was still in his, but he didn't seem to mind, so she decided not to draw attention to the matter.
"Eir," he repeated thoughtfully. "Eir, you mustn't tell anyone of what happened here."
"Of course, Prince; the thought never crossed my mind."
He didn't respond. He enjoyed the way his name sounded when it fell from her lips. He could almost imagine that she thought him more than a beast, so softly and innocently she said it.
A frown marred her features as she watched the prince. She wasn't sure if she should stay or take her leave. She found herself wanting to stay, but that only convinced her it was past time to depart.
"Prince," she started, unsure how to phrase her dilemma. "Do you wish me to go?"
"Am I no longer Loki?" His tone was bitter and mocking.
"Loki, then," she repeated softly, squeezing his hand. "Do you wish me to leave?"
"Go; your task is complete. There is no reason for you to stay here, Lady Eir."
Such a stupid, stupid, woman…
His hand felt frozen, but he loosened his grip and let her warm palm slip away. He didn't need her pity. He didn't need anyone's pity.
Eir tangled her fists into her dress, feeling empty at the loss of his strong grip. She bowed and scampered towards the door, eager to leave the prince's cell before she made an even bigger fool of herself.
She nearly ran to her chamber. When she finally arrived, she filled a bowl with cold water and splashed her face with it, fingers trembling. She looked into her small mirror, noting that her eyes were full of tears and her cheeks were blotchy.
What a foolish, stupid girl she was, playing Loki's games…
She straightened, not daring to look into the mirror again. She would return to her studies and forget that moron and his strange, nonsensical games! But what kind of game was the prince playing?
You know very well that he wasn't using magic tricks on you today…
xxx
She was determined to finish her job more swiftly than usual today; Snorri had met her on her way down and asked her to come to the clinic later.
"Prince Thor has left the realm once more," he'd said. "I don't know his destination, but I have a feeling that this journey will end as many often do – they will return in victory and we will have some healing to do."
Eir had nodded, assuring him that she would be there as soon as she could.
So she hurried to the prison, a new stack books in hand. She greeted the guards and entered the room with haste.
"Good morning, Prince," she said, bowing slightly. "I have more books from the Queen."
"Good morning," he answered, taking the books from her arms just as he had the day before. He placed them on the shelf and removing two books she'd brought him a few days earlier, passing them to her with a small twist of his lips.
"I am done with these. Give my thanks to Mother."
"As you wish," she promised, glancing at his perfectly cleaned bed and she fighting to hide her smile. Why had he done that? But it didn't matter. There was nothing more to be done here and Snorri awaited her.
"May I leave, Prince, or do you require anything else of me?"
Surprise flitted across his expression, but Eir couldn't imagine why. What was so unexpected about her request? She was done with her work; why would she stay here any longer than necessary?
"And so I am back to being "Prince?"" He crossed his arms as if the thought displeased him somehow.
"That is your title, Prince. Yesterday I behaved improperly." Eir shrugged, clenching her hands in the material of her dress.
Not today, my prince. I will not play your games today.
He looked at her blankly.
"Very well. You may leave."
She bowed and left the awkwardness of the room behind.
Once she was out of sight, he tightened his lips and turned around. At least the serving girl had behaved this time. In a sudden fit of emotion, he overthrew the table and his breakfast tray, shattering the plate and spattering food on the floor. He could not think of a reason for his actions, only able to think of how annoying the table truly was.
Besides- why hadn't she noticed, that he hadn't eaten today either?