She entered Loki's cell, deep in her thoughts. What could Fandral possibly want from her? She wasn't female for warrior. Their partners were usually beautiful and well-born, while she was just a servant, not really good-looking as a matter of fact. Well, maybe he hit himself during last expedition with Thor. He must have hit himself really hard.

Leaving her thoughts, finally she closed the door behind her and turned around to greet Loki. She smiled at him and went to the table to leave her flowers there. She looked at them for the last time before placing it on the table. She must admit – they were beautiful.

"Good morning", she said cheerfully, determined to forget the situation that happened a few minutes back. Fandral probably already figured out that he was really drunk last time he saw her and will leave her alone. "You won't believe!", she started, turning around, ready to give him books as usual, but Loki was still sitting on his bed and he didn't look as if he intended to stand up and take them from her. His eyes were locked on her, his arms crossed on chest. She shrugged and went to put them on the bookshelf herself. Someone is in a bad mood here.

"Remember when I told you about lilies of the valley? They have buds, finally!", she said, standing on her toes and leaving there books one after another. He didn't respond, but she was used to that – he was silent most of the time, just listening to her. She moved to his bed, but he was still there, clearly not intending to get up.

"Would you mind…?", she looked at him significantly. What got into him today?

At first he looked at her from where he sat, but then he stood up, standing so close that their bodies were almost touching and asked coldly, "Where did you get those flowers?"

"Wha…?", she started, in surprise, but then she understood. She looked back at roses, lying innocently on his table and again moved her eyes to his face, "You mean those?"

For some reason she felt embarrassed. Even if she knew it was ridiculous – she didn't want Fandral to give her those! – she couldn't help it. On the other hand – it was none of Loki's business. Loki did not respond, looking at her expectantly.

Eir swallowed, gathering her thoughts. Then she looked up straight into his emerald eyes and answered with a little trembling voice, "Someone gave me them."

Loki raised eyebrow. She was really cute when she blushed. Even if he was nervous and restless, he couldn't help but noticing it. Her skin looked really sensitive and he perceived an urge to feel it under his fingertips.

"Who?, he asked shortly, gently touching her cheek. She opened her mouth again. Then, feeling his fingers on her skin, she closed her eyes and bit her lower lip. She missed his touch…

"Who gave you those roses?", he repeated mildly, still caressing her cheek. Why he couldn't stand thought that someone else gave this servant flowers? Why he was so furious? Not even knowing who gave Eir bouquet, he felt like destroying him. Oh, he was sure it was a gift from a man. She wouldn't be so confused if she would gather them on her own or receive them from a friend.

He watched her closed eyes, her long, black cilia, pink lips, he almost smiled seeing her blush… He admired her beauty.

It's ridiculous. She's only his mother's servant. Why would he possibly care who gave her some weeds?

"Fandral.", she answered, not opening her eyes.

"What?", he asked unconsciously. After a few seconds he understood. He felt like something moved inside his stomach and stepped away.

"He caught me as I was leaving Queen's chamber and gave me this bouquet.", she said, opening her eyes. His fingers moved from her skin a moment before and she was a little surprised about that. She saw Loki as he was standing few steps away with his eyes wide open. "Everything alright?", she asked, frightened. What happened to him today?

He didn't answer, just staring at her as if something was bothering him. She made one step toward him, but then she stopped, gazing at him with her eyes wide open, as if she understood something.

Suddenly, she smirked, looking at him. Then she started laughing aloud. Then she fell on his bed, laughing hysterically.

He looked at her resentfully, crossing arms on chest. What's wrong with this servant?

"Are you…", she started, waving her hands in front of her face to stop her eyes from watering as she laid on his bed, "Are you jealous?"

"What?", he asked, caught off guard. "No!"

"I think you are…", she answered, choking. She couldn't stop laughing.

"I am not!", he repeated, pulling her to stand up next to him. She was still giggling, wiping tears falling from her eyes with back of her hand. "Of course I am not, why would I?!"

She looked at him, trying to be serious, but then started laughing again.

"Oh yes you are! But you have no reason.", she answered, smiling to him, trying to restrain herself from giggling again. She pulled her hand to stroke his black hair, but he grabbed her wrist.

It felt warm inside that he was jealous, even if there was nothing between her and Loki. Even if there was nothing between her and Fandrall. Still, it was making her happier. Is it weird?

"I am not jealous.", he murmured. He clenched his jaw angrily. This servant is pushing it over the limit! He released her wrist and sat down on his bed.

"Are you done?", he asked coldly, not looking at her.

"Yes, prince Loki.", she answered, starting to giggle again. She saw he was angry at her, but she simply couldn't stop laughing. Or maybe it was his groundless anger, which made her laugh.

"Then you may leave.", he said with no expression on his face, eyes locked on something behind her.

"Yes, prince Loki.", she answered politely, leaned down to him, kissing his cheek. "Goodbye, prince Loki.", she looked at him for the last time, but when he didn't react, she left the room, smiling to herself.

When she was gone behind the door, he laid down. This servant is really cheeky. Of course he is not jealous! And why she was laughing all the time? What was so funny? Stupid wench.

Well… Maybe he was a little jelly? She was his only visitor for about a month or so. He can be a little bit jealous, right? If she will start courting this idiot, she might eventually stop visiting him. So he can be jealous. Yes. He's got every right to be!

Two days later again after her morning chores at Queen's chamber, she left with book for Loki. And again – magic! – Fandrall showed up, smiling widely. She barely restrained moan of impatience. Seriously, is he following her? Maybe she should be worried about her chastity.

"Good morning!", he greeted her briskly, taking book from her arms and giving her lilac flower. "For you, lady Eir."

"Thank you", she smiled, smelling the flower. Well, maybe he was annoying and… Unavoidable, but she must admit, that he was picking up really nice flowers so far. First time it was roses, yesterday he gave her freesia and today lilac flower.

He offered her an arm, which she accepted and Fandral guided her down to the prison. They were quiet. She didn't feel like talking and he didn't even try to start a conversation. To her satisfaction, they reached destination of their walk pretty fast.

"Is prisoner behaving properly?", he asked, as they stood next to Loki's cell. He pulled his hand to draw a strand of her red hair behind her ear, but she moved away, nervously clenching her teeth.

"His name is Loki!", she snarled, pulling book from Fandral's hand. "And he is nice to me. Good bye.", she said, turning around. She knew that probably he was going to kiss her hand again, but she didn't bother about propriety this time. Prisoner, indeed! As if he wasn't speaking about his friend's brother!

Furiously, she entered the room, slamming them loudly. And Loki couldn't help but noticing another weed in her hand.

Fandral looked at guards, rising his eyebrow, spreading his hands.

"What did I say?", he asked, surprised.

One of the guards only shrugged, the other didn't even look at him. Fandral decided that probably he won't get any response from them, so he shook his head, promising himself to apologize her – whatever the hell he did - next time he will meet her and left, whistling softly.

She passed book to him. He checked the cover and suddenly looked up at her. His cold, emerald eyes were looking at her thoughtfully and a little insecure. He didn't like what was going on between Eir and Fandral and he felt urgent need to stop it.

"Do you want to spend here some more time?", he asked, looking at her sharply.

"What? Do you want me locked somewhere near?", she asked, totally confused, but laughing quietly. It was ridiculous. She looked at him curiously.

"I asked if you want to spend some more time with me? That's of course if you are not scared to be locked with monster and if you don't have better company, for example your littler warrior friend?", he smiled coldly, as usual. He turned around, leaving books on shelf. He won't allow that pitiful tiny warrior, his glorious brother's friend, take her away that easily. She belongs to him.

"Stop. That.", she said with clamped teeth. Oh, sometimes he was so annoying! "It doesn't matter if I want or I do not want anyway, guards will probably check out what's going on in here if I will stay, let's say an hour or so.", she shrugged, looking at his back. She was curious what was on his mind. Oh, and maybe a little bit she was trying to imagine his muscles under his robe. But just a little!

"We can make them think time passes slower than it actually does.", Loki turned around to her, smiling mischievously. His eyes locked on hers, confusing her. Of course he was doing something to her now. She moved uneasily.

"Your magic can't leave this room.", she answered, pretending that she didn't notice his tricks. Instead, she tried to resist them with all her might and for a short second she felt that she is winning, but this impression disappeared as fast as it came. Corners of his mouth went up as he noticed her actions.

"But yours can. And I can teach you how to possess them.", he said. "Especially that you are getting quite good, I need to put some power into preventing you from pushing away my spells."

Eir opened her mouth and locked it back. She moved to the chair and fell on it, looking at him, biting her lower lip. She never thought of learning dark magic. She always thought it was filthy… But she liked him and she was sure he is dying out of boredom whole days, especially that she noticed he was waiting for her every morning. He never admitted it, but he was actually waiting for her. And he was listening to her prattle about everything and nothing. It surely means something. Definitely that he is bored.

Loki was looking at her expectantly and she didn't know what to say. Her heart yelled "yes", her brain was calmly repeating "better don't".

"Why?", short question left her lips before she realized it.

"Why not?", he answered with question. Somehow, she felt there is much more behind his actions than simple "why not", but she found out surprisingly, that she wants to trust him.

It's really silly.

"We can start tomorrow…", she said faintly. Why did she say that?! Oh no, no, no. She has to fix it. No, no, no… She can't do that…

"We can.", he agreed, smiling. It was different smile than his usual one. A bit mischievous, yes, but there was some difference, she just couldn't exactly say where. It's over. It was so beautiful smile, she can't take it away from him.

Eir stood up, entwining her hands on her lap. She wasn't sure if she was doing the right thing. But she couldn't help that her heart went completely opposite direction than her mind.

"So… I will be there tomorrow morning, after fulfilling my responsibilities."

He nodded without a word and she left the room, not knowing how to continue conversation. He sat down, covering his face with hands.

What was he thinking?

Why would he possibly need to see her more often? She is just a servant. Servant sent here by his mother, who didn't even intend to see him on her own. He will tell Eir tomorrow that he changed his mind. It's ridiculous. He was just bored and it was first thing that came to his mind to get some entertainment during the day. That's it.

Then why the hell he didn't say a single word about it when she came next morning?

Thanks for reading and reviewing!