A/N: Warning, the end of this chapter gets a little steamy ;) I hope you guys enjoy. Please ready and review?

The next two years passed and Odin was having another feast to celebrate Ava's eighteenth birthday. Loki had agreed that he would be in Asgard for Ava's birthday, but he wouldn't actually come to the feast. He promised to meet her in the garden as he had on her sixteenth birthday.

Ava was in her chambers with her mother, who was helping her get ready. "I can't believe how quickly time has gone by." Frigga said, as she pulled Ava's hair into an intricate style of braids and curls, weaving in a few purple flowers here and there. "It seems like it was just yesterday, you were just a tiny baby I was holding in my arms."

Ava smiled and laughed. "Are we going to do this every year on my birthday?"

"Of course." Frigga answered. "It's my right as your mother."

Ava let out another laugh. "Alright."

Frigga smiled. "You're all finished...and you look so beautiful."

Ava got up and looked in her full length mirror. She wore a deep purple dress. It was held up by two gold straps and had a deep V that revealed Ava's now ample bosom. There was a thick gold band just below her bust and then the dress flowed out. Ava never truly thought of herself as beautiful, but she hoped that Loki would think so.

"Well, we had better get you out there. It is your party after all." Frigga said, kissing her daughter's cheek.

Ava smiled at her mother. "I guess so."

They then walked out of the room and headed for the dining hall. As soon as they walked in, Odin silenced the room. "My beautiful queen and my equally beautiful daughter." He declared. "Today, we celebrate yet another milestone in my young daughter's life. So, to you, my Ava, I wish you the happiest of birthdays from the bottom of my heart, my sweet girl."

Everyone raised their glasses and toasted Ava on her birthday. Ava and her mother then walked over and took their seats to the left of Odin. Thor, Fandrall, Hogun, and Volstagg were sitting across from them. Lady Sif was sitting next to Ava.

Fandrall looked at Ava, his eyes drinking in her form. "You get even more lovely every year." He told Ava.

"Thank you." Ava replied, trying to be polite.

Fandrall then rose from his seat and walked around the table to her. "Would you please honor me with a dance?" He asked, offering her his hand.

Ava wanted to say no, but she knew that it would be rude to turn away the first dance offer on her birthday. So, she reluctantly accepted his offered hand and allowed him to lead her out onto the dance floor. She had turned her head and shot her brother a pleading look.

Thor enlisted the help of Sif and they went out onto the dance floor and danced not far from Fandrall and Ava. "You're a good brother, Thor." Sif told him. "Not many brothers would look after their younger sisters so closely."

Thor shrugged. "It is what I am here for."

"This dance floor is getting a little crowded...perhaps you and I could sneak out of here for a bit?" Fandrall suggested to Ava. "I think your lips are begging for me to kiss them...as well as your neck."

Before Ava could tell Fandrall no, Thor was reaching over and punching him. "You will keep your mind out of the gutter when speaking to my sister."

Ava smiled at her brother. "Thank you, Thor."

Thor smiled back. "Any time."

Ava had to dance with a few more people before she was able to sneak away to the garden. She found Loki waiting for her in the shadows. He looked handsome dressed in green and black Asgardian clothes. "You look breathtaking, my love." He greeted her.

Ava smiled and her cheeks reddened. "I'm glad you think so."

Loki grinned as he took Ava's hand in his and brought it to his lips. "Fair Princess, would you honor me with a dance?"

"The honor would be mine." Ava replied, grinning back.

Loki pulled Ava to him, wrapping one arm around her waist. They danced closely, bodies pressing close and gazing into each other's eyes. "If it weren't for your brother, I would have gone in there and smote that scoundrel for suggesting that he could kiss you." Loki said.

Ava smiled. "You know you are the only man who I wish to kiss me...and kiss me often."

"Is that a hint?" Loki inquired.

"Perhaps."

A wicked grin crossed Loki's lips and flashed in his green eyes. He spun them around and pushed Ava against a tree. "You, my dear, will not only be kissed by me...often...but also passionately."

Ava grinned just before Loki's lips came crashing down on hers. She wound her arms around his neck and pressed herself as close to Loki as she could. Loki's tongue traced the line of her lips and Ava parted them with a sigh. Loki's cool tongue slipped inside Ava's mouth and twisted and tangle with hers.

Loki broke the kiss after a few moments, only to trail kisses down the side of her neck. He moved the strap of the gown aside to expose more flesh and kissed alone her shoulder. A soft moan escaped Ava's lips. This kiss had taken on a heat and passion like most of their kisses as of late. Ava felt herself cursing the clothes between them, wanting to feel every inch of Loki's naked body pressed against every inch of her naked body. Loki entertained similar thoughts.

Loki trailed his kisses back up Ava's shoulder and neck and brought his lips back to Ava's. He broke the kiss and rested his forehead against Ava's. Both of them were breathless. "I love you, Ava." Loki whispered, his cool breath blowing gently over Ava's now heated flesh.

"I love you, Loki." Ava replied, gazing into his eyes.

They stood there for a small eternity, just gazing into each other's eyes and holding each other close. Loki reached his hand up to caress Ava's cheek with his fingers. "I should probably let you get back to your party." He finally said.

"Will you be waiting for me in my chambers?" Ava asked.

Loki smiled. "Of course...the highlight of my day is falling asleep with you in my arms."

Ava stretched up and kissed Loki. "I'll be there as soon as I can...I think that I'll be able to convince my mother that I am feeling ill."

Loki chuckled. "Take your time, enjoy your party."

"The highlight of my day is any time I'm in your arms...I rather enjoy having that feeling as soon as possible and as long and as much as possible."

They shared one more quick kiss before Ava readjusted her dress and headed back for the party and Loki headed for Ava's chambers. Ava checked her reflection in one of the hallway mirrors to make sure she didn't look too disheveled. She really didn't want gossip going around the kingdom about her on her party.

Ava made sure to make herself look a little miserable, however. She walked back into the party and her mother was instantly at her side. "Sweetheart, where did you go?" She asked.

"I just went outside. I'm feeling a little ill. I thought perhaps some fresh air would do me some good." Ava answered.

"Did it help?" Frigga asked.

"A little." Ava answered. "But I still don't feel quite right."

"You do look a little feverish." Frigga said, putting her hand on Ava's forehead. "My goodness, darling, you're burning up. We have to get you to the healing room."

"No." Ava replied. "I am sure I just need to go to my chambers and lie down."

Frigga thought for a moment. "Alright, but if you feel any worse, get your rear to the healing room. If you need anything, get me. Mother will take care of you." She said, pulling Ava in and kissing her forehead.

"I will, Mother." Ava replied, hugging her mother before heading out of the dining hall. She made her way through the halls and soon arrived at her chamber room doors. She walked inside and locked the doors behind her.

Instantly, Loki's arms wound around her waist from behind. He pulled her against him and began kissing her neck. "That didn't take very long, my darling." He whispered into her neck with a chuckle.

Ava giggled as his breath tickled her neck. "Well, you did cause me to return to the party with a bit of a fever."

Loki grinned into her neck. "Well, I think I can sure that fever with my cool skin."

Ava grinned and gently pulled herself out of Loki's arms. She walked over to her vanity and sat down and began to take her hair down. "I think that might just make my fever burn hotter." She replied, as she finished taking her hair down and brushing it out.

Loki walked over to stand behind her. He ran his fingers through her fiery locks. "I think I like your hair best when its flying free...cascading down your back...spilling over your shoulders."

Ava felt her cheeks flushing. It wasn't just what Loki was saying, but the way he was saying it...with such desire. The look in his eyes told Ava how much he wanted her. She enjoyed that fact because she wanted him just as much...maybe even more.

The desire they had for each other was something they had been fighting for a while now. It had been building and building. Ava rose from her seat and turned to face Loki. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body to his. She then pressed her lips to Loki's hoping to convey in the kiss, her desire for him and how much she wanted to quench that burning desire.

Loki wrapped his arms around Ava's waist. He deepened the kiss. He felt Ava's hands slide down to the front of his tunic and begin to undo the buttons and ties. He broke the kiss and pulled back to look at her. "Ava...are you sure?" He asked.

Ava nodded. "I've never wanted anything more than I want you." She then pulled back slightly and slipped her hands under the straps of her dress and slid them down. The dress fell to the floor and pooled at her feet.

Loki sucked in a breath as he looked at Ava. He couldn't believe that he was finally seeing Ava's naked body. Over the last few years, he had imagined it, what it would be like and now it was happening. A slow smile spread across his face. "You're even more breathtaking than I imagined." He then scooped Ava up into his arms and kissed her. He carried her over to the bed and laid her down. He then pulled off his tunic and climbed on top of her.

Loki crushed his lips against Ava's once again, his hands roaming over her body. Ava broke the kiss after a moment. "Is something wrong?" Loki asked, concerned. "Did you change your mind?"

"No." Ava answered. "I...I was just wondering..."

"What, my love?"

"Will you take me as you were when we first me?"

Loki looked at Ava, wrinkling his brow in confusion. "You want me in my Jotun form?"

Ava nodded. "Please...it is how you were when we first met...when I first started to fall in love with you."

Loki smiled. "Well...when you put it like that...and it is your birthday after all." He replied, changing into his Jotun form, his green eyes turning red and his skin changing blue. He then began covering Ava in kisses, starting at her lips and working his way down her body. He snaked his tongue out every so often to taste her flesh.

Shivers of pleasure ran down Ava's spine as Loki kissed and caressed her. While his Jotun touch was cool, it ignited a fire deep within her. She ran her fingers through his hair and over the leaned muscles of his back. She then ran her hands down the front of his body, stopping at the top of his trousers. She undid the laces and began to slide them down.

Loki helped her finish removing his trousers before he went back to lavishing her body in kisses and gentle caresses. "Loki." Ava moaned as his fingers worked magic on her.

Loki put his knee between Ava's thighs and separated them. He positioned himself between her legs and looked back up at her face. He gazed into her eyes. "Are you sure you're ready?" He asked, wanting to make sure she was comfortable.

"Yes." Ava answered. "I want you to take me...I want you to claim me as yours."

Loki gently kissed Ava's lips and then plunged in and took her. Ava gasped at the sudden pain. She had known that it would hurt the first time. Loki wrapped his arms around Ava and held her close. He covered her in kisses and whispered sweet nothings in her ear as he slowly moved within her. "You're beautiful, my darling. I love you and I am yours just as you are mine."

Slowly the pain began to subside and the pleasure began to take over. Ava clutched tighter to Loki as the waves of pleasure overtook her. She dug her nails into his back and cried out his name over and over. Loki soon joined her, saying her name in a half moan half growl, as he came.

They collapsed on the bed, wrapped in each other's arms. Loki held Ava close and kissed her forehead, cheeks, and lips. "I love you, my darling...my Ava."

Ava snuggled further into his embrace and kissed his chest and neck. "I love you, my Loki."

They fell asleep, holding each other. There was nothing between them as they slept, skin on skin. Both of them feeling secure and loved holding onto each other.