The three weeks came and went. Ava had learned that she would be staying in Alfheim for eight days. She woke up the morning of her departure, securely wrapped in Loki's arms. He was gazing at her, a loving tender look on his face. There was also a sadness in his green eyes. Ava knew that she had a similar sadness in her eyes. This was the last morning they would be waking up together until Ava would be back from Alfheim.

"Good morning, my love." Loki greeted her, smiling even through the sadness.

Ava smiled back. "Good morning."

Loki stroked Ava's cheek with his fingertips. "I am going to miss this." He said.

"Me, too." Ava agreed, snuggling closer.

Loki kissed her forehead and ran his fingers through her long red locks. Ava turned her head up to look at him and then stretched to press her lips to his. They broke the kiss after a few moments and lingered there, holding each other and gazing into each other's eyes. A short while later, Ava was reluctantly pulling herself out of bed and grabbing a dress from her wardrobe.

Loki watched Ava as she went behind her changing screen and slipped off her night dress. The sunlight illuminated her silhouette through the screen. He watched as her night dress was slid from her body and her delicate curves were revealed. As usual, he imagined slipping behind that screen to see her naked beauty and what it would feel like to run his hands over her flesh, tracing her curves.

He then watched as she slid the new dress on and then stepped out from behind the screen. Her cheeks always turned a shade of crimson, knowing that he had been watching her, so unabashedly. "That shade of red looks lovely on your cheeks." He told her as he rose from the bed and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Ava's blush deepened and she looked down. Of course, Loki was having none of that. He placed his fingers beneath her chin and coaxed her face up to meet his gaze. He was about to speak, when the door to her bedroom came open and Thor walked in the room and shut the door behind him. "Ava, we need to get going." Thor said.

"Just give us a moment." Ava replied, reluctantly pulling her gaze from Loki's.

"Alright." Thor said with a sigh. "I can't believe this. I have to go to Alfheim to be a chaperone for you and your fiancé, but here I am, keeping your secret and distracting everyone from you being with another man."

Ava looked at her brother. "You're the best big brother ever."

Thor grunted and rolled his eyes. He gave Loki a warning glare before exiting the room. "I'd say your brother doesn't quite trust me." Loki said with a grin.

Ava giggled. "He should be more worried about me."

Loki lifted a dark brow. "Oh, really…do tell my fair princess…do you often have as wicked of thoughts as I?"

"Hmm…perhaps." Ava answered with a wicked grin.

Loki chuckled and then both of them went silent for a moment. Then Thor knocked on her door again. "Hurry up." He called.

Loki and Ava both let out a sigh. "I don't want to go." Ava said.

"I do not wish you to go either." Loki replied. "But I will be waiting for you when you return."

"Do you swear?" Ava asked.

"On my life, I swear." Loki answered. "Now, let us have a kiss that will be enough to last us the next eight days."

Ava wrapped her arms around Loki's neck and pressed her body against his. Loki dipped his head down and their lips met in a sweet kiss. Loki deepened the kiss, his tongue tracing the line of her lips, begging entrance. Ava obliged and parted her lips on a sigh. Loki slid his tongue in and began to explore the sweet warmth that was her mouth. Ava pulled herself closer and fisted her hands in his hair. A soft moan escaped her lips as the kiss continued and Loki let out a low growl.

The broke the kiss at the sound of another knock on the door. They were both breathless from the intense kiss. They stared at each other for a moment, as they tried to catch their breath. "I love you, Ava." Loki breathed, as he gazed into her eyes.

Ava felt her heart skip a beat. While she knew that she loved him and he loved her, this was the first time he had said it aloud. She really liked the way it sounded. "I love you, Loki." She replied.

Loki gave her a quick kiss on the lips before turning invisible and letting her go from his embrace. Thor opened the door and Loki slipped out behind him. Thor looked at his sister, who was standing in the middle of her room, staring where Loki had been. "Ava." Thor prompted.

Ava composed herself and looked at her brother. "Yes?" She asked.

Thor looked around, looking for Loki. "Where…never mind. We need to get going."

Ava nodded and then she and her brother left her room. They headed to the stables where Vinius and his family were waiting for them. Vinius helped Ava onto her horse before climbing on the one he was borrowing during his stay on Asgard. Once everyone was on their horses, the group snapped the reins and the horses took off. They soon arrived at the bi-frost and dismounted their horses.

Heimdall greeted them. "Good day and I bid you safe travels." He then plunged his sword in and the group was transported to Alfheim. They were transported to a beautiful garden that was just outside of Vinius's family home. There was an array of beautiful flowers that only grew on Alfheim. Ava couldn't help but to gaze in wonder at the beauty of the realm around her.

"What do you think, Princess?" Vinius asked.

"It's beautiful." She answered.

Vinius smiled, glad that she liked his world. "Not nearly as beautiful as you, fair princess."

Ava just gave him a smile, but no blush colored her cheeks the way it did whenever Loki told her she was beautiful. "Thank you." She replied, not sure of what else to say.

They headed inside Vinius's home, which was made of marble and glass. It was very light and open. "Through this door is your room, Prince Thor and Princess Ava, this door across the hall from your brother's room will be yours during your stay." Lady Eiren said, as she led them to their chambers.

"Thank you Lady Eiren." Ava replied, bowing politely to her.

Lady Eiren bowed back. She then opened the door for Ava. Ava walked into the room, which was breathtaking. The walls were all made of glass and Ava noticed that outside of her glass walls were a garden. It was as if she were out in the garden. Even the ceiling was made of glass. The bed was in the center of the room. One wall was completely gone and opened out into the garden. There were pale blue curtains were pulled back, but looked to be able to close in case she wanted privacy. The floor was made of a beautiful stone Ava had never seen before. It looked like marble, but when the light hit it, it held an array of colors. The blankets on the bed were, pale blue, white, and silver.

"It's beautiful." Ava said.

Lady Eiren smiled. "I am glad you like it. In the wardrobe over there, are some clothes for you to wear while you are here. I hope that you like them, I picked them out for you myself."

Ava smiled. "Thank you…I appreciate your kindness." Even if she didn't intend to have the elfin woman as her mother-in-law she did truly appreciate her kindness and wanted to be on good terms with her.

After Thor and Ava got settled into their rooms, they joined Vinius on a tour of Alfheim. Vinius led Ava around, having her arm looped through his. Thor walked behind them, being the silent protector. As they walked through the realm, they came to a small market place, where several light elves were gathered exchanging goods and services. "Vinius!" A female voice said excitedly from ahead of them.

Vinius smiled as a female light elf, around their age approached them. Ava looked at the girl. Her hair was long and so blonde that it was almost silver. Her eyes were a glowing blue with little flecks of green. Ava couldn't help but to think the elfin girl breathtaking. "Hello Nessa." He greeted her.

She smiled at him, radiating beauty. She hadn't even noticed Ava or Thor. "I didn't know you were coming back."

"We just arrived this morning." Vinius replied.

Ava noticed that he seemed to have forgotten about her. Could he feel the same way for her as I feel about Loki? She thought hopefully.

Nessa then took notice of Ava and her arm linked with Vinius's. "Who is this?" She asked, looking at Vinius.

Vinius seemed to have been shaken back into reality. "Nessa, this is Prince Thor of Asgard and his sister Princess Ava…my fiancé."

"Fiancé?" Nessa asked, surprised.

"It is an arranged marriage meant to strengthen the alliance between our realms." Ava explained.

"Oh…well you are one lucky woman, Ava. Vinius will make a fine husband." Nessa replied, looking at Vinius with a longing.

Ava knew that look. She also noticed Vinius giving Nessa the same look back. I think I have just found my way out of this arranged marriage.