Eir felt really embarrassed next morning, as Queen gave her another book for Loki. Begad, he can't be reading so fast! Of course, she didn't admit what was on her mind, even when Frigga noticed her confusion and asked what was the problem. So now, she was walking unhappily towards the prison.
She decided to act as if yesterday didn't happen, letting him to choose how to behave. It's not her business. She felt a need to make him feel better and that was the only idea in her mind to do that. Of course it didn't mean a thing.
As usual, she nodded to guards as she passed them, walking into Loki's cell.
"Good morning", she said, hemming to clear her throat. Pretending that he wasn't in the room, she hurried to the bookshelf, leaving new book there and checking if there was any dust. Thankfully, it was clean, so she moved to Loki's bed, tracked by his amused glare.
"Good morning, dear Eir", he said, bowing slightly, his hands behind his back, small smile dancing on his lips, as he watched her embarrassment.
When she wanted to move to the table to clean it, he stood on her way. She stopped suddenly, protecting herself from falling on him. She looked up in confusion.
"Oh, did you change your mind? I am a monster after all?", he asked, smirking, looking down at her.
"Of course I didn't!", she looked into his eyes, feeling warmth on her face as she met his look.
"So why do you refuse to look at me?", he asked, still smiling mischievously and looking down at her.
"I don't!", she stamped, trying to bypass him, but he didn't let her, catching her hands. He weaved their fingers, leaning down to her. She felt her heart racing as his warm breath touched her hair.
"Then what's wrong?", he whispered straight into her ear, making her shiver.
At the moment she was cursing her face for covering with red. She didn't know what to do, but she couldn't help thinking that it was feeling nice when he was holding her hands. She was aware, that it might have been one of Loki's games, but she couldn't explain it to her stupid body, which reacted at him like this. She was looking straight, not able to look up nor down.
He turned his head slightly to look at her face with his cold, emerald eyes. She could feel his breath on her right cheek. She was looking at his robe as if it was the most fascinating thing in the world right now.
"Nothing's wrong", she mumbled, collecting herself and trying to take her hands from his, but he didn't let her do that, tightening his grip. How stupid it was if for a second she felt like nestle into him?
"Why are you afraid?", he whispered again, this time gently touching her earflap with his lips. Not actually kissing, it was more like he accidentally moved his lips too close, but she was sure he did it on purpose, not by accident. He watched with some satisfaction, as goose-flesh covered her neck. For a few seconds she closed her eyes. Then she looked up at him, surprised and breathless. She literally forgot how to make air to reach her lungs.
"Why are you doing this to me?", she asked with trembling voice. He could feel as her hands are getting a little sweaty and for a moment he wanted to make her wipe them in his robe, but it sounded stupid even in his brain, so he gave up the idea.
"Maybe I like you, lady Eir? Besides, yesterday you stunned me, it's my turn today…", he smiled mischievously, again letting his lips to gently touch her ear. He couldn't stop touching her trembling, tiny body. He thought to himself that it was funny, even though inside he felt like he simply liked the idea of having her near.
"Loki…", she groaned, not able to finish the sentence, not really sure how to end it. Her brain was in pieces. What is he doing to her?
Such an innocent, innocent female she was…
He loved the way his name sounded in her red lips… For a short moment he wanted to feel how those lips taste, but to his own surprise he decided not to, it wouldn't mean a lot to him, but probably she never kissed a man, he couldn't take that away from her because of an impulse…
It wouldn't mean a lot to him? But it would definitely mean something?
They were standing so close, too close, staring at each other. Slowly, her breath was returning to its normal tempo and her face was pale again.
Too pale in comparison with those cute glows covering her cheeks seconds before…
He let her right hand go to caress her hair with his fingers. So soft… He was so close that he could sense, how sweet she smelled…
She also wanted to touch his hair, but she wasn't brave enough, so she just stood in front of him, shaking.
"Thank you for your visit, lady Eir. I believe you have other responsibilities to attend instead of sitting with prisoner.", he whispered, still brushing her hair with his fingers. He loved her embarrassment, her innocence. He felt like ruining it, but yet he couldn't and he had no idea what was stopping him. He was sure right now she would surrender herself to him…
Hell yes, like she could move right now…
She swallowed, suddenly picking up all her courage and threw her arms around his neck. No idea why. She just did, because she felt like doing it. He smiled again, embracing her waist in a reply.
She was so tiny in his arms…
What is he doing, what on earth is he doing? Is it wrong, that he felt warmer because of her small body next to him?
Under her dress was her body…
Is it wrong, that he wants to touch it without her clothes on?
If it will last longer, he won't be able to stop himself. Even if he wasn't sure about the reasons of his chivalrous behavior, he felt determined to let her go as innocent as she came to this room. Or at least not much less than that.
"I really think you should go, Eir…", his voice sounded differently, for a second she could have sworn that she heard him begging, but this impression passed as fast as it appeared. She looked up at him and somehow she felt like it really is time to go.
Eir nodded, letting him go, begging her stupid body to stand properly. She cleared her throat, not sure what to say. Many thoughts were galloping through her head, but none of them seemed appropriate at the moment.
"Go now, lady Eir. Good bye.", he said, turning around and walking to his bed, apparently intending to lay down. She nodded, still unable to speak and left the room.
Loki laid down, putting his hands behind his head. It was foolish, he cannot allow himself to act like this only because he misses females touch, physical contact. Because it must have been that. He is not used to be alone like this. Even in huge Thor's shadow, he was able to find beautiful females, admiring his position of prince of Asgard, willing to do everything he wanted.
Was it really the only reason, prince Loki?
How can she even go back there after what happened this morning? Whatever the hell happened… Was it wrong, feeling safe and comfortable next to god of mischief? Was it her real feelings or his tricks?
Eir, you know that you are good enough to sense if he is using magic.
But still… He must have possessed her mind in a way that she didn't know, using magic that she didn't know. It must have been that. Because what else?
She couldn't focus on anything. She went to the library, opened a book and closed it, she went to the clinic, but after she almost threw someone through the window instead of actually using healing spell, she also had to leave. Her hands were sweaty and she couldn't gather her thoughts properly. Whatever kind of spell it was, it was powerful. And she didn't like it.
Sometime around 5 in the afternoon she decided she can't stand it any longer. She almost ran towards the prison, composing speech in her head. This time creatures didn't pay attention to her, there was still some daylight so they could see she was just a servant.
She passed guards next to Loki's chamber, nodding to them and she went into the room. This time he was on his bed reading. All the sentences she laid in her head were suddenly scattered.
"What have you done to me?", she asked shortly, clenching her fists.
"I don't understand what can you possibly mean", he answered, without looking at her, still reading the book. "You visits are more often these days, better watch out or I might get used to them."
What does he mean? Oh, he's such a moron!
Seeing she's not going to leave, he closed the book, sighing quietly and stood up.
"Sit with me", he said, indicating chairs next to the table.
"I don't want to sit, I want answers. What kind of spell did you use on me?", she asked, crossing her arms, standing still. She was totally independent and he won't toy with her again. She can resist him. For sure she can. Till some point.
He sat down, looking at her with no expression on his face. Suddenly, he brushed his temples, closing eyes. He looked a bit tired.
"Eir…", he said quietly, looking down at the floor. "I didn't put any spell on you."
She opened her mouth and closed it a few times, like fish taken out of the water.
What?
Here we go. It took me a while to come with next chapter, because again I had the same dilemma – set it here in the story, or a bit later. Thank you for reviews, it really gives me motivation to keep it going : ) Please, review also after this, I would love to know your opinions : )