***WARNING*** - The following chapter contains mature content. It features graphic depictions of sexual acts and BDSM elements that may be inappropriate for young readers.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Alright everyone, hang on to your tatas because it's about to get nasty up in here!
Born to be a King
Chapter 33
Quietly, Loki entered the chamber.
His eyes instantly found her, reclining on a chaise on the balcony. Barbara was facing away from him, lost in the beauty of the night sky beyond. She sang the same song over and over, as if calling or crying out to someone, giving voice to the plight that raged within her distorted mind. Loki recognized the song, it was a lullaby she had sang to Arik before. Now, the lyrics took on actual meaning. In two short stanzas, she was singing their current predicament.
"I know you
I walked with you once upon a dream
I know you
That look in your eyes is so familiar a gleam...
And I know it's true
That visions are seldom what they seem..."
Barbara stopped suddenly when she felt eyes on her. She jumped to her feet and turned to the sight of Loki standing at the doors. His hands were clasped behind him and he was watching her with great curiosity.
"How long have you been standing there?"
"I arrived only moments ago" he replied. He headed over to the table where jars of wine were set next to two goblets. He poured himself a glass full and downed it in three big gulps. He could feel her gaze burning into him as he served himself another. A moment later, he finally broke the odd silence.
"It's truly a beautifully haunting song. I never paid attention to the words until now"
Barbara shifted on her feet. "It's from my favorite children's fairy tale. It's called..."
"Sleeping Beauty" Loki finished.
"How do you know?!" she asked astonished.
"You've told the tale to Arik before. Numerous times"
"Oh" she looked down at her hands. He had said it as if it were the most common thing, something trivial in the domestic life shared by two people. It both confused and infuriated her. If he was telling the truth, the repercussions were monumental. If he was lying, then he was a most consummate actor.
"Why are you here?" she asked, unable to stop herself.
"Does a king need a justifiable reason to enter his queen's chambers?" he quipped, raising an eyebrow at her.
She swallowed hard at the underlying message in his words. "I didn't think you'd return so soon, not after..."
"Disappointed?" he interrupted, unable to mask the hardness in his tone.
"Surprised" she corrected.
"Hmm" he mused, smiling into the chalice.
The room was quiet again. Barbara sat back down on the divan and fiddled with her hands. She knew why he was there. Every single one of his movements spoke of an agitated panther, of a predator surveying his territory. Her mind raced, and her heart seemed to thump out of her chest. She should be livid at this very moment, every cell in her body screaming at her to kill him, to tear him apart. But to her astonishment, she didn't. She felt only a hollow emptiness, and something deep within told her that perhaps she would find what was missing in the man in front of her, whom she believed to be the enemy. She stole a glance at Loki, who was still standing by the table, wiping his lips and muttering something about the perfection of the brew. Then she raised an eyebrow in concern when he slammed the empty goblet down on the table and reached for the jar of wine once more.
"That's your fourth glass in a row" she remarked.
"Given our current predicament I believe I am allowed to indulge" he retorted, taking a big swig of the wine.
"Is it really that bad?" she quipped.
"Hmm, let's see: My wife's mind was altered and she now wishes for nothing more than to tear me to pieces, my son constantly asks for his missing mother, my brother is a nuisance who only serves to further my purpose, my five kingdoms hang in the balance, and Death herself is on her way to take away what I cherish most. No, circumstances are definitely not as dire as they seem" he said with obvious bitterness in his voice, then he downed another glass.
"Drowning your troubles in drink. Doesn't really fit you"
He raised an eyebrow at that. "It truly doesn't. You know I deem the notion of losing one's self in mead and wine to be favored exclusively by simpleminded fools"
"Is that why the jar is now empty?" her voice dripped with sarcasm.
He laughed, long and loud. "Now you sound like you" he smiled widely. She chuckled and looked away, feeling surprisingly sheepish. The butterflies in her stomach now fluttered wildly.
"I always believed Thor's love of wine to be one of his many shortcomings, but given the events that have come to pass I realized that there is an odd comfort to be found in forgetfulness that is swiftly gone by morning. I suppose I am a simpleminded fool, after all" Loki was now saying as he opened another jar and this time he poured into the two goblets. Carrying them, he walked over to her. Instantly, she stood up in a flash and walked over to a column as if to avoid being too close to him. He only laughed at her demeanor and offered her one of the chalices.
"I don't want any" she refused.
"Take it" he ordered, his voice giving no room for argument. She instantly obeyed.
"Now then, what shall we toast to?" he asked as he raised his glass in an exaggerated toast "oh yes. To the endless nights we spent in the throes of passion, and the countless hours we laid engulfed in the flames of lust"
He looked deep into her eyes and he could see the rage building beneath the docile exterior she tried so hard to maintain. It would not be long now. He raised the goblet to his lips and began to drink the entire glass. Halfway through, he noticed that she still held hers. Reaching over, he pushed the goblet up to her mouth, forcing her to partake.
Barbara nearly choked when she tasted the pungent bitterness of the wine. It was a very dry concoction, with absolutely no sweetness to mask the high alcohol content. It was even worse than whiskey. She burst into a fit of coughs when it burned her throat on the way down.
"Ahhh... excellent!" Loki exclaimed when his cup was empty. He licked his lips as though he had tasted something delicious.
"That was horrible! Straight up moonshine!" she choked out.
"It was aged for a thousand years in barrels made of the most ancient wood. A perfect libation for such a night, don't you think?" he winked at her.
"What are you saying? It's all bitterness and tartness between us? Because if it is, you're absolutely right"
"Ah, at long last, there it is. That sweet, raging fire that you're trying so hard to placate. And yes my pet, that is exactly what I'm saying. But perhaps there is still time to regain that sweetness we seem to have lost" he said, taking a step towards her, looking her over in blatant desire.
"Don't even think about it" she hissed, taking a step backwards "you even so much as lay a finger on me I'll..."
He threw the goblet across the room. In a flash, he tangled his hands in her hair and pulled her towards him. She barely had time to let out a small yelp before his lips came crushing down on hers. His kiss was bruising, ravenous, devouring. The cup she was holding dropped out of her hands and fell, spilling liquid crimson all over the steps to the balcony. But on the platform, two star crossed lovers were locked in a most passionate embrace. Barbara didn't even realize that her arms were wrapped around his neck and that she instinctively pressed her body against his. Her lips were now returning the kiss, and her tongue danced harmoniously against his. When Loki pulled away, she nearly wailed in protest.
"You'll do what?" he growled darkly, shaking her to force her to open her eyes and look at him.
"I'll... I'll..." was all she could say.
"That's what I thought"
He kissed her again. This time, he kissed her long and hard, slowly, deliberately, until he finally felt her go limp in his arms.
"Is this the way it's always been?" she asked, opening her eyes just a tad when they pulled away again.
"Yes"
"Then if it all be a lie, I will be willingly fooled. Just for tonight"
At those words, something inside him snapped. He flung her around and slammed face first against the column. Before she could react, he yanked the chains to their full length and clasped them to the manacles around her wrists.
"What are you doing?!" she gasped, now suddenly alarmed. She yanked at the restrains but it was futile. She was totally bound with nowhere to go.
"This is no foolery, Barbara. This is the truth. Tomorrow you will not awaken to a different reality. I own you completely, and in turn you surrender to me utterly. Let me remind you"
He grabbed the grown at her cleavage and tore it. Her breasts spilled out, full and glorious. A few yanks more and the gown slid down her skin and fell into a puddle of sapphire blue at her feet. His hands and lips were instantly on her skin, and she cried out at the sensations that exploded inside her.
His mouth devoured the skin of her neck while his hands roamed freely. She felt every pore in her body awaken under the cool stillness of his touch. Every inch he claimed, every bit of skin grazed by his hands was set ablaze and soon she felt feverish, yearning for more. Far more. When he reached her hip, his fingers ghosted over the junction of her legs, not touching, but just teasing. She immediately bucked against him, and let out the sweetest of sounds. A sound he had yearned to hear her utter since he had awakened:
She moaned.
Barbara was stunned. Had that been her, letting out the most wanton of cries that gave voice to her building arousal?
"No" she exclaimed with dismay, realizing that her own body had betrayed her. Then a flood of tears came. She had betrayed herself and the man she believed to love in the most heinous way.
"Shh... hush, my sweet. You were made for me" Loki shushed her gently. He pulled her against him and anchored her as he felt her struggle against the force that awakened her senses. "Don't fight it, Barbara. Cease your struggle, that's it. Breathe. Empty your mind and soon your body will remind you that this is where you belong, here, in the prison of my embrace. Just close your eyes and listen to your heart speak. You know me. Allow yourself to become reacquainted with my touch..."
"Please..." she begged, fighting with her last remaining shreds of self-control against the might of his power that was swiftly making her undone. She should struggle; she should resist, yell, scream, claw, kick, and pull against the surges of heat that exploded in her belly and rushed to her brain and the tips of her toes. Her body seemed to drink in the sensations as though she were a ravenous wolf, deprived of sustenance for far too long. Being here, in the arms of the enemy, suddenly seemed so familiar, so welcoming, so gratifying.
It felt so... right.
His hands traveled down the tower of her neck, where his fingers traced over every inch before they snaked down to her chest, running ever so slowly, slowly, over the mounds of her breasts. He kneaded them, teasing the already stiff peaks. His hands now slid down her torso. His touch had taken on a new quality. It was seeking, desperate, pressing into her flesh as if to reassure himself that she was real, and that she was in his grasp once more. He placed open mouthed kisses on her shoulder as he reached for that hot, delicious place between her legs.
She cried out when his fingers dove into her heat, spreading her lips and plunging into her. She threw her head back on his shoulder and bucked wildly as she felt her cunt contract violently against his intruding fingers. She was slick, slippery and wet, ready for him. His fingers curled inside her, pressing against that sweet, hidden spot on her frontal wall that was now engorged. She began writhing in his arms, her moans loud and wanton. She was on the brink.
"This is how I took you the very first time, remember? Your body pressed against the wall, and my claim on you harsh and cruel"
"Say it..." she rasped "say what you told me then. Say I won't enjoy this"
He laughed wickedly. "Oh my pet, on the contrary, this time you will enjoy this"
He withdrew and she whined in protest at being denied completion. His fingers pressed against her mouth and she opened instantly. She sucked on the slippery digits, tasting herself on them. Then she almost became undone when he withdrew from her mouth and licked his fingers clean, all the while looking deep into her eyes.
"Exquisite" he purred, giving her the most malevolent of smiles.
He let her go and soon, his garments joined her torn gown on the floor. She let out a sigh at the sudden skin-on-skin contact, relishing the feel of his body against hers. Then suddenly, as she stood there engulfed in his arms, the last thread of doubt was severed. Barbara succumbed, fully, and she fell under Loki's spell, but something within her told her that this was just another time in many.
"Tonight I will make you mine once more. Your legs will part in offering to me and my lust will feed upon your flesh. And when this night is over, the rosy flush on your cheeks, the sheen of sweat upon your skin, the red marks on your thighs, and my smell all over you shall serve as a reminder that you completely belong to me" he said as he parted her legs.
"Yes" she nodded. It was an offering.
Next, her scream reverberated in the room when he slammed into her in one swift stroke. Now fully sheathed he went still, holding her tightly against him as he fought for control, reveling in the feel of her silken walls wrapped around him.
"It's been too long" he murmured "far too long"
Taking hold of her hips, he finally began moving. He gave her all, sheathing himself fully before withdrawing slowly and then plunging into her again. She grabbed onto the chains for support, her face pressed against the marble, and her eyes closed in rapture. She moaned with every stroke, becoming filled again and again.
For the first time since her last known memory of the man inside her, she felt alive. Not since he took her that last time she remembered did she feel this way: Taken, owned, and possessed, yet also cherished, desired, and worshipped. It did not matter what happened after, if her memories were true or distorted. The only thing she felt was this moment, this hour of total abandon in which everything felt right. No thoughts, no recollections, no maybe's entered here, only the feel of his hands holding her hips in an almost bruising grip, the hum of his breathing upon her ear, the hot, slickery, painfully delicious claim over her as he touched her from inside. Her body molded perfectly to him, and her mind was finally at ease.
"Come for me" he ordered. Her moans became loud hitching breaths as he began to pound into her. Soon, her legs were spasming and she felt every muscle in her body contract violently. She screamed when he consumed her, coaxing a most thunderous orgasm from her. Then he did the unthinkable.
He pulled back and let her go, causing her knees to give out from under her. The chains that bound her to the column were the only thing that kept her from crumpling onto the floor. He watched her as she rode the waves of her orgasm, hanging from her wrists while her legs shook. He laughed as he unclasped the chains from her manacles and she finally collapsed into a trembling heap on the floor.
"We're only getting started" Loki groaned down at her.
He wrapped an arm around her waist and carried her to the bed, tossing her on it. She landed unceremoniously and rolled across it, then he yanked her by the foot and pulled her to the edge, prying her legs apart and slamming into her again. Her cunt was still clenching in the aftermath of orgasm, and he moaned loudly at the way her walls clasped around him like a vice. She was a glorious sight, with her hair splayed out behind her, her breasts bouncing up and down, and her eyes springing forth an endless flood of tears. They were not tears of shame or resentment, but of pure ecstasy.
"Oh god... so deep. So deep!" she sobbed. It earned her a well-placed slap to her backside from a sneering Loki above.
She came again. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head and her back arched as the hot explosion rushed from the center of her heat to her brain and the tips of her toes. Her nails dug into his arms as her mouth opened in a silent scream before her voice was freed from her throat. She yelled out his name, screaming it over and over until she finally fell back on the bed, breathless and spent.
"That's it. That's a good girl. Now turn around" she heard him order.
She obeyed, and laid face down.
"Press your face and hands to the bed. Now get on your knees and put your ass up. Offer it to me"
She stuck her ass up in the air and stole a glance up at him. He smiled down at her and suddenly, she squealed in shock and pain when his hand came down on her backside. Hard. He rubbed the spot that was quickly becoming red before raising his hand and spanking her again on the exact same spot. This time, her squeal was higher pitched. He rubbed again. Barbara shut her eyes tight and waited, then the third slap came. This time, her voice broke when she yelped as she felt the stinging burn on her left cheek. But there was to be no mercy. His hand came down again, and again, until she finally screamed and begged.
"I can't hear you" he goaded her, rubbing her arse "what was that?"
"Please... no more"
"Oh? Did you say more?"
His hand came down again, but this time, on the right cheek.
"This" he growled as he spanked her again "is for spewing insolence at me" he rubbed the stinging cheek and hit her again "this is for daring to rise against your husband and your king" another slap "and this is for being a total cunt"
The last slap was the hardest. It was sharp and with a loud thack! that left his hand stinging. Loki shook his hand and realized that he was breathing heavily as if exhausted. Punishing his beloved Barbara was strenuous, but by the Norns, it felt so good. He looked down at her and saw that she had buried her face into the bedding, and loud sobs were rocking her body. He sighed with contentment and rubbed the two imprints on her ass that were now a very deep red, almost purple. Then he kissed each cheek lovingly before falling to his knees and licking the center of her womanhood. She was dripping wet and throbbing, no doubt having become unthinkably aroused by his harsh and painful ministrations.
"Tell me" he purred against her clit "what do you want?"
"I want... oh!" she gasped when he kissed her swollen nub "I... I want you"
"Good girl"
He stood and slipped into her, and began to take her at a steady pace. Not pounding but not slow, he gave her an evenly paced grinding that filled her entirely. Her pussy was sopping and engorged, and her juices dripped down her thighs and down his balls. Each of his thrusts created a loud, wet squelching sound, and the room now smelled of wine, sweat, and sex. It was a most intoxicating scent.
"I'm coming. I'm coming!" she breathed as she felt that delicious searing heat building deep in her belly.
"You're not coming yet, my pet. Not on your own. You're coming with me"
He pulled out and took hold of her leg, then flipped her onto her side. He positioned himself behind her and he was now spooning her. Instinctively, she threw her leg over his hip, giving him full access to her entrance. He entered her again and they began moving in unison.
"Oh, I hate you" she hissed at him. Bringing a manacled hand up to his face, she kissed him. Then Loki yelped into her mouth when she sank her teeth into his bottom lip so hard that she broke the skin and drew blood. She lapped at it and then moaned when she tasted the coppery taste of blood that mixed with the taste of bitter wine and her womanly juices in his mouth.
"And that's for being a total jackass" she jeered at him.
He raised an eyebrow. "Fair play" he agreed.
It was a slow and steady build as they swayed back and forth. Together, they moved toward a shared completion, one mutual climax. Higher and higher they climbed until they reached the pinnacle and plunged off, hand in hand. Fingers intertwined and bodies fused as one they cried out in unison against each other's lips, her walls clenching rhythmically around him as he spilled deep inside her. To Barbara, it was the final reassurance that the truth about her existence was in the arms of the man who was the master of lies. To Loki, it was the first true glimpse of hope found far into the dark and seemingly endless tunnel of his nightmare.
They stayed thus for a long time, neither willing to move for fear of breaking the moment. Amidst long, passionate kisses and caresses, they finally settled on the plush pillows. He lay on the bed and she was sprawled atop him. She closed her eyes and listened to the sound of his heartbeat, reveling in the feel of his fingers as they danced across the skin of her back. She drew intricate patterns on his chest and a moment later, she spoke.
"Loki?" she asked quietly.
"Yes?" came the reply.
"I want to remember"
He kissed the top of her head. "You will. I promise"
He held her just a tad bit tighter. There was only one thing left to do to bring her back. But she would have to do it alone. He was not going to be there to help her take that final step toward self-awareness. He dreaded the oncoming dawn and he cursed the perpetual ticking of time as it drove the night along. But he pushed those thoughts away, and forced himself not to think on what he would soon have to do come daybreak. He had had her in his embrace once more, had reveled in her warmth and once again tasted the sweetness of her love. It was enough.
For now.
End of Chapter 33
AUTHOR'S NOTE #2: Now if you'll excuse me, I need an icy cold shower and some time with myself... um... yeah...
Responses to reviews:
CLTex: I feel so bad for Arik too, but this is a part of the story I've been waiting to get to since the beginning of the last one. I guess I really wanted to explore how such an innocent soul could become affected by the mistakes of his parents. I guess it was my way of making the story relatable in a sense. Don't worry, Barbara will see Arik again very soon! ;) Thanks Christi! :)
LokiGrey: You are right, Arik is the only thing that keeps Loki and Barbara grounded to some extent. As to his age, I would say he is about 9 considering the events of the stories. He was born about a year after the events of Game of Shadows, and in the last chapter Natasha said that it had been 10 years since the events of the first Avengers film so I would say he's roughly 9 years old. I'm very happy to hear that things are going well for you, and that you're excited to begin school again! Congrats! You will soon have you AA and after that time will fly and you will be celebrating getting your undergraduate degree! You'll see! I just received my associate's degree in child development about a month ago, and I only started classes last fall. I literally spent every waking hour studying so I could finish it in half the time it usually takes, and some days were very difficult, but I got through them by reminding myself that I was working toward a goal. So don't lose sight of what you want, and take each day as it comes! :)
Arista: You are more than welcome sweetie! I'm so glad you're enjoying the story! :)
Ayameko: Oh my, that was so sweet bless you for saying that! And why would I not answer? I am very happy to reply to all my readers! Like I said to another reader, Arik is about 9 years old ;) No, I wouldn't say I'm well known on Tumblr. Just because I am very active on my blog and I'm privileged to have met a lot of wonderful people there doesn't mean I'm 'Tumblr famous'. Girl, I'm nobody! Lol Hope you continue to enjoy the story!
Anon fan: Oh yes girl, right in the feels! And gods bless Thor, always the voice of reason amidst the madness that is his little brother lol. As for Barbara remembering... um, probably not. You'll see ;)
Hiddles-Skittles: Oh my god yes I can't wait either! I'm so excited! Don't forget my lollies! ;)