"When looking at nature versus nurture regarding magical abilities we find that those who practice magic and seek it out themselves 'nurture' are often more powerful than those born with an affinity. In several cases studied we see a direct correlation with...Maridell are you even listening?" Via had been reading her notes out loud to help study for a mid term examinations, which was only two days away.
"Hm? Oh yes of course, those born with magic are better than those who learn it, so on and so on" I sighed. I hadn't been listening, of course I hadn't, I was thinking of a certain someone, whom would also chastise me for not studying.
"Maridell! You know I hate when you don't listen, the exam is the day after next! You need to study!" she exclaimed.
"Tomorrow is our free day, we will have all day to study" I said exasperated.
"No, you'll be with Loki" I felt a little jolt at hearing his name, it had been so long since I'd seen him.
"Yes, studying" I replied.
"Is that what you two call it?" she muttered.
"Via, he is only my tutor" I lied, she smiled lightly.
"Well that's good then" she said airily, I put my book down and looked at her curiously.
"Why?"
"Well there is a rumour going around that Fandral has taken an interest in a certain 'Maid of Light' if you know what I mean" Via said suggestively.
"Fandral?" I questioned "Interested in me?"
"That's what I hear! You should consider it, I'm still reeling from the fact that you turned down Thor, you could be a princess!"
"I didn't turn down Thor! It was purely friendship from the start" I defended, Via rolled her eyes.
"Whatever you say, how about we cover one more chapter and then we go to bed" she suggested,
"Oh, alright"
...
"There is a theory that those who learn magic solely from books and other teaching have more control over it and are therefore more powerful, these people have chosen the field, so they...Maridell, you're not listening are you?" this time is was Loki lecturing.
"What? Of course I am" I wasn't, I was lying on my back in the garden admiring the clouds, trying to forget the fact that my examination was tomorrow.
"Really? What did I just say?" he asked.
"You told me I wasn't listening"
"Before that"
"Um, that it was time for a break?"
"No"
"No that's not what you said or no it's not time for a break?"
"Both! You're examination is tomorrow"
I grunted and pushed myself into a sitting position and looked up at Loki whom was sitting on one of the garden's benches.
"Fine, quiz me"
"Name the four primary elements"
"Water, earth, fire and air"
"Name four secondary elements"
"Light!"
"Three others"
"Ice...light"
"You said light"
"Mind?"
"Come on Maridell you know that's not elemental magic, it's manipulative"
"Well I don't remember!"
"That's why we need to study, now I know you know at least four secondary elements"
"Okay, well um, Light, Ice...metal...and dark?"
"Right, now was that so hard?" he asked smiling.
"Yes" I grumbled, there was a pause "What if I fail?"
"You won't, I tutored you" he said.
"They'll send me back" I said quietly.
"You're not going anywhere Maridell"
"Yeah that's what I'm afraid of" I muttered so Loki couldn't hear me "Just ask me more questions"
...
After two more hours of studying Loki finally agreed that it was time for a break. We decided to join Thor, Sif and the Warriors Three for some food. We stood to begin our walk towards towards the dining hall but before we did, I knew there was something we needed to talk about.
"Loki" I stopped walking, he turned towards me "I wanted to ask you something" Oh god why was I suddenly so nervous.
"Yes?"
"Last time we saw each other, you did that...thing..."
"Kissed you, you mean"
"Right, and we didn't really talk after and I wasn't sure how you exactly see me...I mean if you want to forget it and just be my friend...or just my tutor actually, I would understand" I stuttered.
"Maridell, when I first met you, I very much never wanted to see you again"
"Excuse me?" I asked offended.
"Let me finish, I knew right when I met you that if I spent too much time with you, It would be problematic..."
"You're really not helping yourself trickster" I crossed my arms in a huff.
"I'd like you too much Maridell. I didn't want to risk it, why would you want me? Thor clearly was interested in you and I expected you to obviously choose him" he continued "But you wouldn't leave me alone"
"Hey!"
"I couldn't get you out of my head, and I thought you even might like me...and then that day when I saw you with Thor...it was irrational but I couldn't help but think...I made a stupid mistake" he said "You were so angry with me...and drunk"
"Please don't mention that" I said embarrassed.
"Maridell, I never know what to do when it comes to you, all I know is I want you with me, I'm yours" and then he was silent.
"You're mine" I repeated smiling "am I supposed to be yours too?" I teased.
"Oh my dear, they'll be a time when you're begging to be mine" he grinned menacingly, and a chill went through my body. I quickly and sharply turned away from him.
"Food, I need meat and ale" I said stiffly.
"Not too much ale dearie" he said quietly, I clenched my fists.
Don't test me Loki" I hissed, walking ahead of him hastily. I really needed that drink.
...
"So Maridell, you're examination is tomorrow?" asked Thor filling his plate with an assortment of lovely meats and cheeses. I finished my second glass of ale before answering.
"Yes, unfortunately" I replied.
"I suppose Loki is really giving it to you yes?" asked Thor, I choked on my drink and began coughing, Thor patted me on the back until my eyes stopped watering and I could breath again.
"Sorry?" I asked.
"Studying, making it hard on you I suppose, that's what he's best at" smiled Thor, I swear I saw a glimmer of something in his eyes.
"Then you'll be on break?" asked Fandral, Loki's eyes darted to the archer in a way that made me slightly uneasy.
"Yes, for a while, thank gods" I smiled.
"Well, I suppose we will be seeing a lot more of you around here" smiled Fandral. I don't remember him having such a charming smile.
"Well if Thor and Loki will have me" I grinned.
"Of course Maridell!" beamed Thor "I'm so pleased that we will see you around here more"
"And you won't have to study with Loki the whole time" added Fandral.
Damn. I'm going to have to deal with this at some point.
...
After we had finished all the food and I had finished most of the ale it was time for me to go home. I gathered up my books and belongings and said my goodbyes.
"Maridell, I would love to have the honour of walking you back to your room" said Fandral kissing my hand. I opened my mouth to respond but honesty didn't know how to.
"Thank you for your kindness Fandral but I have some last minutes notes I want to go over with Maridell so that she's prepared for examination" said Loki smoothly, Fandral eyed Loki with a dash of hostility.
"Ah, well perhaps another time sweet Maiden" he smiled and took his leave.
Once it was just Loki and I alone in the hall and seized me by my arms and kissed me long and hard. It was just as exhilarating as the first time. Oh gods, I needed this.
"Don't be jealous Loki" I told him once he finally released me.
"I can't help it, the way he looks at you, like you're a conquest" he spat, holding me closer.
"Let go, someone will see" I took his arms off of me.
"I know you think it's best we hide this, but if Fandral continues to-"
"We can't tell people Loki. You're parents...I can't even touch that subject and I don't want to draw anymore attention to myself. My father...would be angry" I said slowly. "I'm going to go back to my room, and you're going to stay here because if you keep looking at me like that I'm not going to be able to leave!"
"Good" he murmured leaning in to kiss me again I held my hands to stop him.
"Later. Once I'm not kicked out of school" I told him.
He laughed "Whatever you say great sorceress"
A/N: I'm sorry for the long wait. Not sure if anyone is still interested but I still really enjoy writing it so i'm going to continue! Updates should be more frequuent now.