Next few days were really busy for Eir. In the mornings she went to Queen's chambers, then she ran to Loki. He created an illusion, that she was cleaning his cell for guards outside and they've spent busily next 20 or 30 minutes. They were training things, which he called basics – small illusions like birds, squirrels or mice. He said that next thing will be changing one things into another and then finally she will be ready to try mind controlling. After visiting Loki she was running to library, after that to clinic and at nights before going to bed she was practicing what she had learned with Loki that day. She was distracted and sleepy, but she was performing her duties for Queen and at the clinic just fine, so they didn't push her too hard to focus. Even if the Queen was smiling mysteriously to herself and kept asking about Loki, Eir didn't really pay attention, repeating in her mind last lessons.

And she haven't seen any reason in her actions.

Actually, he felt the same way about his behavior.

Somehow she managed to avoid Fandral – she asked Queen if she can come a little bit earlier, then hurried with all her chores and ran away to the prison to see Loki before Fandral could show up. It worked, but she didn't imagine he can try to find her in the afternoon. At this time of the day he was usually with his friends and she was sure there is no need to hide, so she took thin book and went to garden to study. She was sick of sitting inside of the castle, she needed some fresh air.

Eir sat down under a huge tree, comfortably leaning against its trunk. She yawned sleepily, thinking that she finally has to sleep whole night today or she will fall asleep brushing Queen's hair tomorrow. The air was warm and it didn't help her to focus on reading. She promised Snorri that she will read something about strengthening people weakened by diseases before coming today, but her eyes were closing when she felt how sweet flowers around her smelled and light, warm breeze gently touched her skin. She was barely awake when she heard Fandral's voice greeting her.

Oh no…

Before she managed to force her brain to focus, he was sitting next to her, smiling.

"I haven't seen you for quite a while.", he spotted, looking at her merrily.

"I was a bit busy last few days.", she answered, opening the book, trying to show him that she's also busy right now. Even if he understood, he didn't show it, still sitting next to her with happy smile.

"Listen, I was thinking… I promised you a walk some time ago and… Maybe we could go tomorrow after you will finish your work with Queen?", he asked, tilting his head a little bit. Oh. Oh shit. Eir was thinking frantically about some kind of excuse, but nothing good came to her mind. Instead of learning magic with Loki she should have asked him to show her how to lie.

"I… I can't.", she said quietly. She almost felt as her brain was getting warmer from thinking. She licked her lips to moisten them.

"Oh. That's fine. So maybe the day after tomorrow?", he offered, looking a bit surprised at book in her hands. She followed his gaze. Shit. She was holding it upside-down. Can it get any worse?

Suddenly, Sif showed up. Eir felt her chance to run away, so she smiled happily to female.

"Hello there!", Sif greeted, kneeling next to them. "Am I interrupting you?"

"No.", she said, clogging strand of hair behind her ear.

"Yes", he answered at the same time.

"Oh… I see.", Sif was about to raise herself, but Eir grabbed her arm.

"We were just talking, stay with us!", she asked with a hint of pleading in her voice. Both of them looked at her, Sif with surprise, Fandral with dissatisfaction. Eir felt as her cheeks are growing hot.

"I was asking Eir if she will do me the honor and allow me to take her for a walk.", Fandral said, staring at redheaded girl questioningly. Now whole Eir's face was cherry-like.

"I… Uhh…", think, stupid girl, think! "Of course! Will you accompany, Sif?", she asked quickly, looking at female imploringly.

"I meant rather private walk…", Fandral interjected before Sif managed to understand what was going on.

Oh well. So her master plan failed. It was just perfect plan and he ruined it. She looked at book lying on her lap, sighed softly and asked, "Tomorrow afternoon will be fine?"

"I thought we might go in the morning, I wanted to show you something before it gets crowded there…", he said, smiling pleadingly. He was playing with some grass as they were talking. Sif's eyes were moving from Eir to Fandral as she tried to understand the situation.

Eir was completely defeated. She wasn't good at lying and she did her best right now. She bit her lower lip slightly and finally answered, "Fine. So tomorrow morning?"

"Perfect.", he agreed, taking her hand and kissing it gently. Then he stood up, bowed to them and hurried in unknown direction. The farther the better…

Such a shy female…, Fandral thought as he was walking away.

"What was that?", asked Sif, looking at Eir carefully. Young female was holding book so tight that her fingers were almost white.

"Nothing", she answered, standing up and flicking her dress from earth and grass. "I have to go now. Good bye, Sif."

Sif stayed under the tree, looking as Eir walked quickly toward castle. It's not how a girl looks when she's invited for a walk by a handsome young man.

At first Eir wanted to go to Loki and tell him what happened in the evening, but when she went to her room to refresh before supper, she fell asleep.

Next morning at Queen's chamber she was quietly fulfilling her responsibilities, barely answering when asked. Frigga was looking at her carefully, trying to start any conversation, but girl was answering shortly, deep in her thoughts.

"What is it, child?", Queen finally asked, grabbing Eir's arm.

"Nothing, my Queen. I didn't sleep well tonight, that's all.", Eir answered, looking at the floor. Even if she could tell Frigga what was on her mind, how should she explain it? That she's angry because Fandral is taking away her time with Loki? It sounded ridiculous even in her mind.

"If that's so…", Queen said slowly, looking at girl carefully. "We're done for today, thank you."

Suddenly Eir looked up at Queen, as if something came to her mind.

"No book for prince Loki today?", redheaded asked a bit too fast. "I mean… I mean prince said yesterday that he is almost done.", she finished quickly.

"Oh…", Queen smiled slightly. He read three books Eir brought him yesterday. He must be reading all the time, without sleeping. "If that's so… I can find something."

"I am sure he will be obliged.", Eir bowed, hiding her blushing face with hair. She was cursing her stupid cheeks while Queen stood up and went to the library to look for some book.

"There you go.", Frigga gave her a thick volume. Eir took it and murmuring words of thanks she bowed last time and left.

At least it went… Somehow.

She entered Loki's cell full of concern. When she saw him smiling to her from his chair, she felt even worse. He was waiting for her and she came only to tell him that she has to go.

"Hello…", she said, biting her lower lip. He stood up, walked the distance between them, took book from her hands and went to put it down on bookshelf.

"Today we will keep on creating illusions of people.", he said, turning around to her with his usual mischievous smile. She felt smaller than she really was.

"I can't stay today Loki…", she said quietly, not looking at him. Not realizing her actions, she clenched her fists, thrusting nails into her hands.

His smile disappeared as if she brushed it with a spell. He looked at her coldly and asked, "Why is that so?"

She sighed quietly and closed her eyes. Not knowing why, she was afraid to look at Loki.

"Fandral asked me for a walk. I did everything I could to avoid it."

"Apparently you weren't trying really hard.", he said calmly, looking straight at her, while her eyes stayed closed and her head was lowered a little bit.

"I am not good at lying.", she sighed again, looking at him faintly. "I am really sorry."

She was sorry. It was this little, silly warrior who should feel sorry right now. Loki clenched his jaw in anger. Suddenly, he moved to stand in front of her, pulled her head up and leaning his head to her, he kissed her shortly. She opened her eyes and gazed at him in surprise. After a few seconds she accused her arms around his neck without thinking and kissed him back. He was slowly caressing her lips with his, looking at her with half-closed eyes. Eir's eyes were closed, she was focused on their kiss. Slowly, Loki moved his hand down along her back, making her shudder. He stopped their kiss, still looking at her. When she finally opened her green eyes, she could have seen disappointment in them. He smiled involuntarily, thinking that she was really cute with her innocence. Then he stopped smiling as it came to his mind, that she will be going for a walk with pathetic friend of his brother.

"But you will come tomorrow?", he asked before thinking. She smiled warmly and hugged her head to his chest.

"I will.", she promised.

Thank you so, so much for reviews! Thanks to them I know if I have to correct something or if I am doing something fine. Today chapter is a little shorter than usual, as I couldn't decide at some details of next part of the story, so I gave myself some more time to think about them till chapter 9. Read and review : )