A/N: I am truly sorry about this delay. However, my next term on university had started and I will be awfully slow for quite a while. However, I'll do my best to post every 2-3 weeks and in return I'll do my best to make chapters a bit longer than so far.

Beta'd by my irreplaceable and wonderful Liz (Confusedrambler) : )

xxx

"Greetings, Eir."

Fandral stopped in front of her, absentmindedly knocking the heel of his boots together, seemingly oblivious to her attempted escape.

"I was looking for you; Snorri said you'd just left."

"Oh?" she murmured, trying not to gasp for breath.

How eloquent, Eir.

"I was... thinking," he began haltingly, stepping closer to her as he spoke. To her chagrin, Eir realized that his face was much too serious and that she, backed against the wall as she was, had nowhere to run.

"How are you faring?"

"I am well." she said shortly, inching to the left as he moved yet closer.

"I am... sorry about Loki; Thor said... I am told he died a hero's death." He bowed his head, loose blond strands falling over his face.

"He did."

She didn't dare speak above a whisper, fearing the trembling of her voice or perhaps the shaking of her legs, hidden though they were by her skirts, would betray her. She bit her lip and forced herself to meet his eye, begging her cheeks not to flush.

"Please, Fandral. I don't mean to offend, but- I need time."

"Of course," he crowed, poorly concealed joy overtaking his features. He realized his indiscretion a moment later and tried to school his expression, but his twitching facial muscles only made Eir laugh. Her eyebrows lifted in surprise; she was laughing- and with Fandral, of all people! Clearly delighted by her laughter, Fandral captured her hand in his.

"Even if you require all the time in the worlds, I will wait!"

He released her hand to tuck her hair behind her ear; heat flooded her cheeks and she pawed at her hair with sweaty hands.

Until Odin rounded the corner.

Loki. What an obvious trick.

"All-Father." Fandral bowed low and Eir followed his lead, red hair falling to cover her face.

"It is fortunate I find you here, Eir. It has been discovered that certain of my wife's possessions are missing from her chambers. What have you to say?" Loki-Odin looked at her coldly, almost accusingly. Eir opened her mouth in astonishment, not sure what to say.

"I know this woman, Sire." Fandral said, stepping between the two before Eir could collect her thoughts. "She wouldn't steal anything."

"I will be the judge of that." Loki interrupted, sending Fandral a warning glance. He spun on his heel, calling for Eir as he stalked down the hall; she hurried behind him with her head lowered and didn't look back.

When they reached the All-Father's chambers, Loki shoved her inside. She had to grab the wardrobe to avoid falling and by time the door shut behind them, Loki wore his preferred form. His face was bloodless, his lips pressed thin, but his eyes burned through her. He looked as if he hadn't slept at all.

And he was, without a doubt, absolutely livid.

"What was that?" he asked coldly. His emerald eyes darkened, although it could have been a trick of the light. Nervously, she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, abruptly noticing how cold her fingers were.

"What was what?"

"What were you doing with him? Alone?" Laughter and good-natured shouts echoed in the corridor, drawing their gaze to the locked door. When the voices subsided, Loki looked back at her expectantly.

"We were just talking." she said quietly, crossing her arms. "When I left Snorri, Fandral was near. I tried to avoid him, but he found me anyway." She returned his stare look for look, ignoring the heat building in her cheeks.

"Then what was so funny?" he hissed, glancing down at her lips as if he could read a lie on them. Her tongue darted out and she leaned against the wall behind her.

"I… He was playing the fool. He claimed to regret your death." She winced and cleared her throat, trying to drive the hoarseness away. His eyes softened, but never moved from her lips.

"And it made you laugh so?" She nodded her agreement, eyes tracing his features. She'd forgotten how pleasing she found his warmth. Loki shifted closer at her response, a slight frown creasing his brow as his fingers twined into her hair. His lips barely moved as he whispered breathily into her ear.

"You will not speak to him again. I forbid it."

"As if you could stop me," she scoffed, eyes narrowing.

"Then you do care for him." Something like resentment hid in Loki's voice, his fingers still sifting through her hair.

"Of course not! But-" She stopped, chewing at her lower lip. "Loki, who am I to you?"

His hands stilled and a smirk spread across his face. He shook his head with a quiet laugh- and then he kissed her. The kiss was passionate, urgent in its intensity. He stole her breath and she moaned under the pressure of his lips, clutching his arms as if they were the only things keeping her upright. And then they truly were; Loki pressed his hands against her buttocks, picking her up and pressing her flush against himself with ease. They were eye level with one another and there was hardly space for a breath between them, but Eir hooked her legs around his waist, pulling him even closer.

He nipped at her lips, freeing another series of groans from her mouth. She opened her lips to gasp for breath and he immediately took the opportunity to slide his tongue inside. She shuddered, hugging him tighter, though she hadn't known it was possible. He broke the kiss and moved to her throat, licking and sucking as the mood struck, but careful to maintain the edge of his control. His warm tongue made her shiver in his arms.

His caresses were more forceful, more determined, wilder than anything they'd experienced in his cell. Not, to her surprise, that the roughness bothered her at all. She wanted more and more of this sweet oblivion. She tipped her head back to lengthen her neck, exposing more of herself to his ministrations. He obliged her, trailing hot wet kisses down her throat, licking and suckling her soft skin, his sure movements making her squirm. He skimmed the base of her throat with his teeth, dragging against the skin just enough to leave a mark. And then his forehead rested against hers, grinning at the flush of her cheeks and the brightness of her eyes. He moved to nuzzle against her ear, nibbling and tasting as he crooned.

"You tell me, Love. Who are you to me?" Her breathing spasmed and her fingers dug into his arms. "Well- who do you want to be?"

She licked her lips with a moan, pupils blown wide with lust.

"I… I don't know!" she whimpered when his teeth dragged at the lobe of her ear. He chuckled, burying his face between her neck and shoulder. "Important- Someone important to you!"

"You are mine." He purred, pressing his lips to her neck. "And don't forget it, Love."

xxx

Sif sprawled next to Eir in the garden, legs splayed in front of her as a gentle breeze played with their hair. The breeze annoyed Sif, but Eir didn't notice at all. She was enraptured by the gently swaying flowers in their beds- delicate pinks and vivid reds of all types. Sif, too, watched the flowers. The sky was a soothing blue and the weather warm; it was a day for roses and all they implied.

"Fandral told me you had a run-in with the All-Father earlier. What trouble follows you now, Eir?"

Eir smiled knowingly.

She knew many words to describe what took place between the All-Father and she a few hours ago. Not one of them was even close to "trouble."

"It's fine," she said smoothly. "He couldn't find some books from the Queen's library."

Sif raised an eyebrow. The birds sang their day's gossip and Eir's smile widened.

"Books? Truly?" Sif repeated in amazement. Fandral strode through the garden's gate at that moment, brightening when he saw the lounging women. Sif rolled her eyes and waved him away impatiently; would he never learn patience? Fandral hesitated, but finally nodded his understanding and snuck away from the garden before Eir noticed his presence.

"Truly," the slight redhead chuckled. Sif searched the girl's face, the corners of her lips pulled down in confusion. Eir's cheeks matched the flowers she was so fascinated with and her eyes fairly shone with happiness. Sif smiled in satisfaction, convinced she had solved the puzzle at last.

Fandral and Eir are well suited. It's about time this stubborn little fool has finally realized what I've known all along.

xxx

Eir tossed and turned, searching for sleep. It was nearing midnight and she hadn't seen Loki for two full days. Well, she had seen him as Odin once or twice, but it would have given them away if he'd paid any attention to her. She missed him, but in a way she was almost glad they'd spent the time apart. She'd finally been able to truly think about everything. She'd seen Thor once, but… before she could find the courage to speak with him, he was already gone.

She rolled onto her back, lacing hands behind her head. The constant dread was rather annoying, though. She couldn't eat or sleep and focusing was near impossible. Today, Snorri had told her to leave until she'd fully recovered. To her great embarrassment, she's tried to use a burn elixir to heal a child's scraped knee. Everyone, truly everyone, thought she was mourning Loki as a fallen lover.

It frightened her, but occasionally she caught herself thinking that maybe things would be better if he really had died. But only occasionally.

She touched her lips, still slightly swollen from the kisses they'd shared. They were so… delicious. She smiled at the memory.

"You are mine." He purred, pressing his lips to her neck. "And don't forget it, Love."

"Am I?" she mumbled, burying her face in his hair. She felt perfectly safe here, nestled in his arms with his breath against her skin. She kissed his raven locks, closing her eyes to savor the scent of him. He lowered her slowly, setting her down to stand on trembling legs.

"Unequivocally." He smirked, hands slipping from her buttocks to encircle her waist. She rested her cheek against his chest, content to feel the quickened rhythm of his heart.

"We can't live like this forever." Eir frowned, the statement sounding cruel even to her ears, but he didn't seem offended. His hands wandered back to her rear as he nodded solemnly.

"I know. I'll think of something, Love. Don't worry so." He squeezed her bottom gently, making her squeak in surprise. His eyes twinkled with mirth and a mischievous smile crinkled his features. "But, for now, you should return to your quarters, Eir."

She bit her lower lip, all of her wanting to protest.

"Good night, Eir." The soft voice jolted her out of her memories. She propped herself up on her elbows and looked at Loki, settled in the chair nearest her bed as if he'd been there for hours, his trademark smile tugging easily at his lips.

Eir peeked at him one last time before locking the door behind her. Loki leaned against the wooden desk, smirk spreading into a devilish grin. His gaze caught by his own reflection, by the hunger burning in eyes darker than he remembered, he considered this newest development.

By the gods, he wanted her.

But- but. Her innocence, the absolute honesty she showed in her response to him, the way she reacted to his lightest touches with almost feverish excitement- it was addicting. The enticing purity, the delicious way she moaned into his mouth when he'd deepened their kiss…

No. Things must remain as they were for as long as he could bear. A crime to ruin something that settled so sweetly on his tongue.

He chuckled breathlessly and licked his lips.

"For once in your life, could you be normal and knock?" Eir sneered, already feeling her cheeks heat from being caught in a daydream. He smirked, but sobered abruptly, the corners of his mouth pulling into a frown.

"Listen well. I… I must leave the Palace for a time. And, if it is agreeable… I wish you to accompany me."

Her mouth dropped open and she scrambled to the edge of the bed, nervously clutching at the thin linens.

"I… I don't understand."

"At first," he hesitated, gauging her reaction before his resolve firmed. "I had hoped that you would travel with me while wearing my mother's likeness…"

Eir jumped to her feet, alarm warring with disbelief. Loki only waved his hand with a grimace.

"It appears that news of her death has already reached them." He halted in his explanation, seeming lost in his thoughts before continuing in a subdued tone. "But even if it were not so, I do not think I could bring myself to see her shape worn by another."

"Good, for I would have never agreed," she hissed. Her eyes hardened and white-knuckled fists clutched at her night clothes. For the first time since their expedition, she was truly furious with him.

"I know." He stood, rising from the chair as if he were an elder, grey-haired and frail. "It was only said for the sake of honesty, Eir."

Eir nodded slowly, swallowing back her anger. How was it possible for one person to change so completely? The Loki in front of her had little resemblance to the Loki she'd met in prison.

He stretched out his arms and, without a moment's hesitation, she clung to him, feeling protected and warm.

Strange that being near such a dangerous man gave her such a sense of security.

"So…" she mumbled into his chest, pushing away that thought. "Tell me everything."

He pushed her away gently, guiding her back to the bed's edge before claiming a seat on the floor beside her legs. He leaned his head on her thigh; she smiled at his small concession to weariness and ran her fingers through his hair.

"I must go to Muspelheim and pay respect to their king." He closed his eyes, the words rolling off a tongue not yet clumsy with sleep. "It could span several days' time. It would not be unusual for the All-Father to arrive with a personal servant."

"Tell me true, Loki. Why do you wish me to come?" The words were placid and her fingers never lost their rhythm, but Loki clenched his teeth all the same.

Because I will not leave you alone with that pathetic oaf of a warrior.

"Because you are mine and I want to have you close."

xxx

"Must you leave?" Sif asked, watching Eir carefully. "Fandral is quite upset."

Eir frowned, snapping her book shut. An old lady sitting a few tables away looked at her disapprovingly.

"Since when is it his problem?" The female warrior's mouth dropped open and her eyebrows shot to her hairline.

"But- I thought-" she sputtered.

"You thought?" Eir prompted. She must have been louder than she intended for another woman hushed her immediately. Eir inclined her head apologetically, but didn't take her gaze from the now flustered Sif.

"Well, when we last met… I was certain that you…" Sif trailed off, choosing to imply the rest with her eyes alone. Asgard had quite enough to gossip about without throwing herself onto the pyre; Fandral would never let her hear the end of it if word got out that the realm's finest lady knight had turned matchmaker.

"Forgive me, but I have absolutely no idea what are you talking about." Eir smiled politely and shook her head in exasperation. She knew very well what was on Sif's mind.

"So… You and Fandral are not…?" Sif cocked her head to the side, unable to let the subject go despite her better judgment. Eir sighed and rubbed her temples.

"No, Sif. There is absolutely nothing between us."

"Oh." Thoroughly embarrassed, Sif didn't say another word.

xxx

A/N2: This is it. As I mentioned before, I'll do my best to post next chapter as soon as possible. Please, review, I'd love to know your opinions!

Love, Alarice