Born to be a King
Chapter 34
The night ebbed.
Dawn was calling.
"Fuck this"
The soft, barely audible groan came from a chaise that was next to the bed. On it, a tall dark figure clothed in green, black, and gold armor leaned against the backrest, his head dangling from the top rail and his long raven hair falling over the plush leather. Loki stared up at the ceiling, observing the shadows that had begun to recede ever so slowly. The darkness slowly dissipated while his dread quickly escalated.
He sighed and lifted his head, clutching the two objects in his hand tighter. He held Barbara's swords. He lifted them up to his eyes to inspect them closer in the dim light of the torches. He admired the shiny black sheaths, the gold flower details engraved into the black wood, the carved and painted image of a pouncing tigress that adorned the length of the scabbard. His fingertips traced over the crisscross pattern of the fabric surrounding the hilt. Even he had to admit it: For being forged by lowly mortals, her swords were the most beautiful weapons he had ever seen. They were feminine and light, but deadly and unbreakable. Such steel wonders belonged in a vault, held high on a platform to be admired by millions. But they looked best when in Barbara's hands. She wielded them with a grace that made the carnage she inflicted with them seem beautiful and graceful.
Loki laughed softly to himself as he replayed in his mind the various times he had seen her kill with them. So lethal. So lithe. So ruthless. She reveled in the blood she spilled.
He unsheathed one of her swords just a tad and then slammed the blade back into the scabbard loudly, thus making her stir as she lay on the bed. She shifted onto her side, now facing away from him, pulling the covers off her body and giving him a glorious view of her naked backside.
One corner of his mouth quirked upwards in a malevolent half sneer as he recalled the way her plump ass had borne crimson red marks a few hours prior. Their sex had always been rough and intense at best, but last night he had inflicted a new level of viciousness upon her. He had been callous and unrelenting, and by the Norns, she had enjoyed it. The mere memory of her loud, powerful sobs as she begged for mercy was enough to make him harden in his breeches once more. For a moment he contemplated revisiting their exertions, to take her again, but the waning shadows spoke of impending urgency, reminding him of what needed to be done. Looking out toward the balcony, he cursed the oncoming dawn once more.
With another sigh he sat up in the chaise and braced himself.
"Barbara"
She stirred, turning onto her back as her legs stretched out. She moaned and her eyes opened slowly.
Then she sat up with a gasp and pulled the covers up to her neck. Her eyes locked with his, and they shined with expectancy, fear, and did he just imagine it, a fleeting shade of shame?
"Preposterous" he sneered, reaching out and yanking the covers away. Now fully naked and exposed, she stuck out her chin in defiance and looked at him down her nose.
"Now that's more like it" he winked, and crawled on the bed to hover over her. He kissed her gently, taking his sweet time to fully enjoy her lips.
"It is not yet morning" she groaned, obviously somewhat upset at having been awoken too soon, particularly after their strenuous session of lovemaking.
"There is much to be done" he whispered as he nuzzled her nose "our day of battle is about to dawn"
At his words she tensed, but he only pulled her against him.
"We must defeat our common enemy" he murmured as he kissed her shoulder.
"Oh" she realized.
"The riddle that reveals the location of the Mind Stone. Do you remember it?" he asked, pulling back to look at her.
"Yes"
"Through the haze of darkness and the stiff peaks of stone..." he recited.
"...the light of the moons reveal the doorway" she finished.
"Good girl" he smiled at her. He rose and stood at the edge of the bed, drinking her in. Then almost reluctantly, he took her hand and a rush of magic traveled from him to her. Her entire body shimmered and she was now clothed in the same armor she had seen herself wear on the Ocular. It had been a gift from him, and she gawked down at herself, realizing just how majestic and beautiful it was, and how it molded perfectly to her body.
"We must go" he said, helping her to rise. He guided her toward the doors, and as they crossed the threshold, one thought still haunted Barbara:
Loki had not yet removed the shackles from her wrists.
They descended the grand staircase quietly and became lost in the depths of the palace. Holding Barbara's hand, Loki led her down winding corridors and dimly lit passageways until they reached another wing of the royal edifice. They ascended a few floors and walked the full length of a long hall. Loki stopped at the double doors at the end and turned to her. He placed a finger to his lips signaling her to be as quiet as possible. She nodded in acknowledgement, then without a sound, Loki opened the doors and stepped aside to let her pass. She looked into his eyes and noticed that his gaze had now taken on a new, peaceful quality. A soft smile played on his lips as he gently beckoned her inside. She entered the chamber and then stopped in her tracks the second she stepped in.
Barbara had to place a hand over her mouth to muffle the gasp that escaped her throat.
She felt Loki's hand at her back as he led her forward toward the low platform located in the center of the chamber. Resting atop it was a massive bed surrounded by sheer curtains. She felt the blood drain from her veins as she took in the small figure that rested amidst the plush bedding of satin and skin. Loki coaxed her up the three steps and pulled back the curtains.
"Behold our son" he whispered in her ear.
At his words, something inside Barbara snapped. She looked down at the small boy, the same child she had seen on the Ocular. He slept so soundly, with his chest rising and falling evenly, and he was clothed in night garments of green silk. She felt her eyes moisten with tears as she registered the light olive tone of his skin which was the exact same mirror of her own. But the rest was all Loki. She took in his sharp jawline, the thin set of his lips, his perfectly chiseled cheek bones, the straight line of his nose, and his high forehead that gave way to a full head of black long hair that reached his neck. He was perfect, and beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
"Arik" she said, barely above a breath.
A warmth unlike any other exploded in her chest and engulfed her entire being. She became overwhelmed at the love that sprung in her heart like a blossoming rose at morning. Her heartstrings fluttered in a way that was new to her, yet at the same time all too familiar. The magnetic pull exclusive to the bond of mother and son burst into full effect, and she knew. She just knew. This was her son. She had carried him. She had borne him. She had nursed him and raised him. He carried her blood, and his father's blood. It was at that last thought that she looked up at Loki and noticed the way his eyes also shone with tears that pooled within.
"Does he know?" she whispered.
"He knows only that you're away in search of a source of great power"
"Not a lie, yet not the truth" she realized.
He only nodded.
"Victor will pay for what he has done" she said, turning once again to Arik and gently caressing his hand, just lightly enough to feel him, but not enough to wake him.
"The metal man means nothing. Our son will be dead by sundown if we do not unite all the stones" Loki stated with urgency.
Barbara's head snapped up.
"Hela" he reminded her.
It was then that Loki's cryptic words at the Ocular and Thor's warning finally made sense.
"Why, Barbara, why?! Why must you bring us to this?! We were supposed to save our son and you condemn us all!"
"For Arik's sake, I hope you awaken soon. Your son doesn't have much time"
"Of course" she whispered, looking down at Arik once more "he is the sole reason we came to Verdandi"
Loki turned away, and descended the platform. He observed Barbara as she bent down and placed a feather-light kiss on Arik's forehead, then she took the hand Loki offered and stepped down. With newfound purpose, they walked to the doors.
"We must go" she said with that determination and fearlessness he loved so much "we have Death Incarnate to defeat and a son to save"
They now made their way down a bridge high above the palace that connected two wings. On one side was the main courtyard, and on the other, were other sections of the palace located amongst lush gardens. Loki stopped halfway down the bridge and looked beyond, where the Southern gates of the palace opened to the crystal road that led to the tall tower of the Conveyor. Above, the skies were taking on a pale orange hue. Dawn was breaking.
He squared his shoulders and his jaw set. It was time. He took hold of Barbara and turned her to face the nether side of the palace.
"You will find the aircraft crashed behind the Southern gates. The Ether Road will take you directly to Neffarim" he said as he strapped her swords to her back.
"You're not coming with me?!" she asked alarmed.
"I will join you once I claim the Eternity Stone. We will meet at the cliffs above the valley when the sun reaches the peaks"
"That gives me only a few hours!" she exclaimed.
"Then make every minute count" he said, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"How do I know you'll be there?" she asked, turning in his embrace to face him.
"Have I not ever?" he winked mischievously.
"That's not fair. You know I can't remember"
He sighed. He took her hands in his and kissed them. Then he kissed her lips passionately as he removed the shackles from her wrists. With a loud clink! they fell to the floor and when Loki pulled away she felt her powers rush back into her like a flood. Then she screamed.
Loki had pushed her off the edge.
End of Chapter 34
Responses to reviews:
CLTex: Yes! I really wanted to give it a GoS feeling, so I'm really glad you caught onto it! I hope the reunion (sort of) between Arik and Barbara was satisfactory. I really didn't think that him seeing her that way was healthy. Dramatic yes, but totally unfair to him. Thanks Christi darling! Love ya too!
LokiGrey: Hi 'Becca! HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! Wooooo hooooo now you're 21! I hope you went bar hopping and passed out in some random sidewalk! Just kidding, but that's how I celebrated mine 11 years ago. Sheesh I'm so old! Lol Thanks for the kudo's on my AS. Yes I'm very excited to have finished the first part of my degree, and I'm really looking forward to the next leg of this odyssey! Good luck in school and I hope your family is doing great! ;)
Khloe: It's not fair that I'm writing kinky porn while I'm single lol. Thanks girl! Hope you were able to... um... bear it lol
LostinSpace33: Hello! I'm so glad you caught up with all the stories and that you're enjoying this one. You're absolutely right, I set out to write a lighter story in comparison to Of Madness and Mayhem, but considering that it is Loki we're dealing with, I just couldn't write it any other way than the way I currently am. Game of Shadows was the discovery and establishment of his love for Barbara, in Of Madness and Mayhem I put that love to the ultimate test, and in this last story, both he and Barbara must face the consequences for their mistakes before they finally reach that "happily ever after" of sorts. But once again, considering that Loki is the main character, is there ever a truly a happily ever after with him? Hmm... we'll see ;). You raised a great question in your review for OMAM, and that is the technicality of Loki's infidelity. That is a conversation that he has yet to discuss with Barbara, but believe me, it is coming. I am so happy that you were able to pull through the dramatic and somber content of the last story and that you were still able to enjoy it at the end. I hope that you also continue to enjoy Born to be a King and I hope to read more wonderful reviews from you on upcoming chapters! ;)
Kat: Oh my, you are the sweetest ever! Thank you kitty kat! I bet Martin really enjoyed it when you jumped on him! Lol Hope to see you soon again! ;)
Anon fan: Girl, are you serious! Lol I keep telling you, you can't compare fanfiction to a published work that has sold MILLIONS of copies and now has a freaking MOVIE DEAL with a major studio. E L James is bathing in cash and she is laughing all the way to the bank while here you are criticizing her vision of bondage porn lol. Thank you for the awards though! I would like to thank God for giving me a very dirty imagination and for allowing me to see the first Thor film which began my highly sexual fascination with Loki and which became just downright filthy after seeing The Avengers and Thor: The Dark World. I'm ruined. Now every man I date will have to come second to that delicious hunk of Norse delicacy! Thank you very much. LOL!
LisaF: thank you so much Lisa! You're so sweet! J
Guest: Ooooh yes! Caliente! Thank you!