***WARNING*** - The following chapter contains mature content. It features graphic depictions of sexual acts that may not be appropriate for young readers.
Born to be a King
Chapter 16
Barbara stood on the balcony, facing the city of Dwyvendale. She studied the structure of its buildings, the architecture of its houses, and watched from the distance as people came and went, still celebrating Loki's arrival. Beyond the city wall was the vast valley, then the gorge with its raving river, then the jungle. She smiled and dried her tears as she relived the three days she and Loki had spent traveling through it, the places they had seen, the dangers they had faced, the adventure they had experienced. Little did she know then that in little less than three days, their entire lives would change. Now what would the future bring?
She held her breath as she felt his strong arms wrap around her waist and pull her against him, his nose burying in the crook of her neck and inhaling her sweet scent. He felt her tremble in his embrace, and his brow furrowed when he noticed the wet trail that stained her cheeks.
"What troubles you?" he asked concerned, turning her to face him.
"Nothing will ever be the same again" she said, sobbing as a new flood of tears came pouring down her face.
"Shouldn't that be a cause for joy rather than sorrow?"
"It is, but I can't help but think..." she stopped herself, realizing just how silly she would sound if she gave voice to her most prominent thought.
He studied her. Something was off.
"Think what?" he asked, observing her slumped shoulders and wandering gaze.
"It's nothing really... it's just... it all came out of nowhere and it seems a bit overwhelming at first... I'll be all right..." she said, moving out of his embrace, but he held her locked in his arms.
"Don't lie to me Barbara" he warned. She sighed in defeat and dropped her head, but he placed his finger under her chin and forced her to look at him.
"Say it" he ordered.
She struggled against the lump in her throat as she tried to find her voice. Finally, she spoke.
"I'm not supposed to be here" she whispered, choked and strained.
His eyes widened at her odd words. For a few seconds he only stood staring at her in disbelief, then his face broke into a wide grin as the realization hit him. She blanched when she heard him laugh, long and loud.
"Oh my pet, all this wonder before you and you worry about a trifle" he said through his laughter.
"It's not! You heard Beyard... you were supposed to..."
He stopped her voice with his own lips crashing down upon hers. His kiss was forceful and deep, and she instantly gave in. Her arms flew around his neck and she felt herself being coaxed back until her back hit a column. He continued to kiss her hard until she went breathless and limp in his arms.
"You belong to me" he rasped, pulling back and glaring down at her "you were destined to be mine and mine alone and no oracle will tell me otherwise. Kingship is my birthright but I carve my own path, I create my own fate. I choose my own destiny, and I chose you. It seems that you have forgotten it"
Now she really felt foolish. "I'm sorry" she breathed against his lips.
"Did you really think that even if I had never come upon you I would take some ingenuous, wide-eyed little princess simply because I was expected to? You shock me, my pet"
"But the Norns said..."
"To Hel with the Norns" he growled exasperated, and pushed her against the column. This time, his kiss was demanding and borderline angry. His hands roamed over her body, searching for the clasps of her armor. Quickly they became undone, and his hands were soon under her tunic, touching and grabbing at flesh. He cupped her breasts and kneaded them, his thumbs teasing her nipples that had become stiff. She moaned loudly into the kiss, and her leg instantly wrapped around his waist. Her hands tangled in his long hair and she pulled back, her teeth nipping his bottom lip.
"You're mine" she growled, and he smiled wickedly at the way the look in her eyes had gone from demure to feral "Mine. All mine"
She pulled his head down and their lips collided again. Painfully. Their teeth locked and their tongues danced forcefully against the other's, almost scraping. Her hips had taken a life of their own, grinding against his, the material of their clothing creation a friction that was steadily building into an eruption that threatened to spill over.
Suddenly, she shoved him back.
"Fuck me. Fuck me now Loki" she rasped out of breath.
"Turn around and place your hands on the column" he ordered brusquely.
She instantly obeyed, and held her breath when she heard and felt the material of her armor tearing. Her leggings were roughly pulled down to her knees, then he bent her over slightly with a strong hand to her back. She heard the rustle of clothing behind her, then she cried out when he entered her without warning.
He fucked her exactly the way she asked: Fast, hard and deep. It was borderline animalistic, with his hips slamming into hers, pushing her forward. Her only anchor were her hands that nearly clawed at the column, her legs threatened to betray her and give out from under her as she fought to stay upright, and had it not been for his hand at her hip and the other at her neck, she would have certainly collapsed.
"You love it when I fuck you like this, don't you?" he spoke into her ear "no amount of sweet lovemaking will do for you. You love to be taken, and ravished, and fucked raw"
"Oh yes" she breathed, then screamed when in response, he buried himself completely into her with one powerful stroke.
"Say it... say who you belong to" he panted in between thrusts "let this entire realm know who rules you. Let that wretched human hear you scream my name from worlds away"
"I belo... OH!... I can't" she squealed, her voice high and strained as she felt her orgasm beginning to build.
She whined in protest when he slowed his rhythm, then his hand clasped tightly around her throat.
"SAY IT" he growled "say it and beg me to let you go"
Her mouth opened in a gasp and her eyes shut tight when he began to move within her again at a frantic pace.
"I... belong... oh god.. I belong to you Loki...only you...oh god please...let me cum... let me cum... let me cum..." she begged desperately.
"Good. Now scream my name"
His hand that held her hips snaked around her middle and found the center of her pleasure. His fingers pressed against her clit and she bucked before collapsing back against him. From her throat he wrung his name as she screamed it over and over again, her head thrown back in abandon on his shoulder. Her legs trembled and gave way and he anchored her with his own body, feeling her convulse and spasm. He continued to thrust upwards into her as he felt his own body release. His hold on her throat tightened to the point where her screams became strained and hoarse whispers, but she continued to say his name over and over. Creamy white trickled down her thighs, her own juices mixing with his own seed. He buried his face in her hair and groaned her name loudly, his own raspy voice falling on her ears like a benediction. Together, they shouted to the stars that they belonged to one another. Through the haze of his orgasm, Loki noticed the lone eagle that stood partially hidden on the far end of the balcony, watching them through bright eyes.
Soon they were slumped against the column, then they slid down to the floor, where Loki sat against the pillar with Barbara straddling him. In the distance, the sounds of celebration were carried in the wind, but neither of them cared. Not right now.
"Loki?" she asked cautiously when they had caught their breath.
"Hmm?" he replied, kissing the top of her head.
"With you as the next king, what's going to happen to our fight with Hela?"
"Hela does not forgive" he reminded her.
"Are you going to tell Beyard?"
"No, and you will not breathe a word of it. None must know the true reason why we came here"
"Then you will have to make use of the stones" she realized, pulling back to look at him.
"I must, there is no other way" he replied somberly. He caressed her cheek, finding the strength within him to voice the request he needed to make of her. She was his North star, his anchor, his compass, and he was going to need her most in the days to come.
"I must ask something of you" he finally spoke.
"Anything" she answered.
"When the time comes... when the stones are mine... and after it all ends... will you?..." his voice trailed off.
"I will. I promise"
"I swear to you, I will try everything in my power not to... but it's a promise I can't make..."
"I know" she said, feeling her eyes sting with tears.
"Everything I do, I do it for you, and for our son. For us. Remember?"
She nodded, and he wiped a tear that fell from her eye. "We'll do it for Arik"
"Shh, you mustn't say his name. Not here. None must know he exists. The battles that lay before us will not be easy, and you must never stray from our goal if we are to hold him once more. Now, set your mind to purpose and focus your thoughts on the fight that awaits us at daybreak"
The lone eagle that stood on the railing on the far side of the balcony strained to hear the hushed whispers of the two lovers. Having caught only bits and pieces, it spread its wings and flew away.
It was now past midnight.
What should have occurred during a grand ceremony and before the eyes of the entire kingdom now happened under the shroud of night and witnessed only by a select few. Loki was down on bended knee at the bottom step to Beyard's throne, and he removed his helmet and placed it on the floor. He took his spear and dagger and placed them next to his helmet as an offering of his might to the king and submitting his life into his hands. What he had coveted all his life was now becoming reality and yet, why was he not overwhelmed by the joy he had always felt at the mere thought of achieving what he had always dreamed of? Where were his arrogance, his self-righteousness and his sense of entitlement?
Barbara stood with Ireena, Stingadr, Zelius, Diarmaid, Ljósálfr, and Durrgo. Her heart was racing, and she could see the veins on Loki's neck thumping as well. He was about to receive all the power he craved, and all the resources needed to retrieve the Gauntlet and the stones. What he was about to do with that power, none other than her knew. For a second, she wondered what half-truth Ragnar had concocted to tell Thor to allow them the time needed. Her thoughts were broken when Beyard stood from his throne and addressed the small congregation.
"Behold The Promised One. Onskephe. Heir to my throne and your next king"
Every word that fell from Beyard's lips fell heavily upon the figure that knelt below. His temples pounded and his breathing became labored as the fateful words were said that would seal his ultimate fate. If only Thor could see him now. At that thought, he suppressed the dry chuckle that formed in his throat.
"Just as oracles prophesied my birth and my destiny as king, so did the Norns prophesied yours. Loki Laufeyson, Prince of Asgard, you were born to be a king. Your destiny is to look after those incapable of protecting themselves and to provide refuge to those who fall prey to the darkness of men. Your rule must be marked by benevolence and justice. But just as your destiny was to harbor the destitute of the universe, so are you to also be a scourge to the wicked races that threaten to plunge it into chaos. You will be the first warrior king of Verdandi, you will bring it from the shadows of secrecy and allow it to shine as a beacon of hope across the stars. Let your sword and your crown bring peace and prosperity, not tyranny and desolation"
King Beyard paused and regarded Loki, who kept his gaze lowered. He could almost see him tremble, and once again, he noticed the inner battle that raged within him. Everything that was expected of him, everything he had been destined to become was buried beneath piles of malice and hatred. And yet, beneath the darkness that governed his being still burned the very soft and faint ambers of a flame that would once again burn bright.
The king descended the steps and stood at the bottom step. He extended his right arm and placed the spear on Loki's shoulder.
"I have protected the lives of all refugees from all corners of the universe and safeguarded the greatest powers found within all realms but the day has come for me to transfer that burden to another. Loki Laufeyson, do you submit yourself and surrender your will to the welfare of the realm?"
Loki's voice was eerily calm. "I do"
"Do you swear to take my place on the throne upon my death, not as a privilege nor as an obligation, but as a calling to fulfill the purpose for the establishment of these kingdoms and to save the lives of the innocent?"
"I swear"
"Then I, Beyard, King of the Five Kingdoms of Verdandi, proclaim you sole heir and prince regent until the day of my death. There will be none above you save for I, and you will answer to none save for me. There will be no other greater than you in these realms, and as prince regent I grant you full command of my armies. Everything that is mine is yours, and tonight I take you to my bosom and love you as my own son. Now rise, my son, and embrace me as your father"
All present held their breath as Loki rose and the two men embraced. King Beyard's heart was heavy, but Loki smiled as his eyes sparkled with delight. When they pulled back, Beyard held Loki by the shoulders and gave him the command.
"Now, my son, go forth and save our kingdom"
Loki replaced his horned helmet on his head and retrieved his spear and dagger, then turned to the seven people present. The guards around the throne room fell to their knees and pressed their hands to their hearts, as well as Barbara, Ireena, Stingadr, Diarmaid, Ljósálfr, and Durrgo. They all had their heads lowered, but Barbara remained looking up at him with wonder and satisfaction. He smiled at her in return.
Then he gave the order.
"Prepare the legions. At dawn, we're at war"
End of Chapter 16
Responses to reviews:
CLTex: Thank you darling! Barbara will become of great interest to Beyard soon, but for totally different reasons. Like you said, the powers she possesses will catch their attention. Hope you're doing great Christi!
DoctorLokiLove: I hope this chapter helps to put to rests your concern with Loki and Barbara's relationship. As to Ireena not being fit for Loki, all I can tell you is that she is full of surprises and I think that she will shock you in future chapters. And no, Loki will not have to change or disappear from Asgardian history since he was destined to be a different type of king. He was destined to bring Verdandi out of obscurity, so he will not have to change. Beyard did not change, he just suddenly "disappeared". Also, I can promise you that the drama of this chapter will not be grim and dreary like "Of Madness and Mayhem", but it will be very dramatic. It won't be long either, and I promise you that it be exciting rather than sad. I hope you're doing better, hun! :)
Forbidden Moons: Evil? Oh yes, I am! I couldn't wait to see the reactions when I finally revealed Ireena's true purpose... and I wasn't disappointed! Lol To answer your question, I moved to the US when I was 13 (I'm 31 now), and since I didn't know a single word in English, I was placed in English classes. I was desperate to learn and felt that learning how to say the alphabet and learn basic words wasn't enough for me, so I did my own learning outside of school. I literally dove into the language. I read dictionaries like they were textbooks, and I read an entire Britannica Encyclopedia like it was a series of novels. I fell in love with the English language and wanted to speak it as best I could. I also watched TV programs in English meant for kids. The English classes in my school took at least four years to complete, but I finished the entire curriculum in a year. Within my second year of school here in the US, I was in all mainstream classes. English is such a beautiful language from a very beautiful place, and since I was a little girl I loved Shakespeare's plays and sonnets, but I read them translated into Spanish. Imagine when I was finally able to read them in their original language. The first time I read sonnet 116 (my favorite) in English I actually cried like a little baby. It was such an emotional accomplishment for me. And as you can see, my love affair with the English language continues to this day!
FIRE ELF MAIDEN: Wow, that's so great that you grew up learning about Norse Mythology. I think it is probably the most romantic of all ancient mythologies. Thank you so much for your compliments, tey mean a lot! :)
Anon fan: Girl you're so trife! Lol Keep it coming because I love it! Lol This evil bitch ain't done though. I got more shit coming your way so brace your tatas lol. Thanks girl!
LisaF: Thank you so much, Lisa!
Hiddles-Skittles: Wow you have really gotten to me as a writer! I take my hat off to you Di! You guessed the whole deal with Karnilla too if I'm not mistaken. Your powers of deduction are very sharp! I also hope Loki doesn't fuck this up though, but you know him. He is a muse that is ever-changing and harsh, and I can't give him a completely happy ending even if I tried. By the way, I was wondering if I can get your help on something. I will email you with details one of these days. Talk to you soon, Di! Love ya girl!