The week after the announcement went smoothly. He was finally able to put Erna in contact with the social affairs group that handled state occasions and the public preparations had begun. She'd have control over many of the details, but they would ensure all the finicky state protocols and traditions were observed. The ceremony had to be just so and they would see to it.
But one afternoon when she sent him an urgent note requesting he come see her immediately, Loki knew something must be terribly wrong. It wasn't like Erna to make unwarranted demands.
When he rushed to her a few minutes later, he found her crying in her chambers. Immediately, he sat on the sofa and drew her into his lap. "What has upset you, little one?"
"My-my-my," she struggled to begin between sobs. "My father won't allow the children to come to the wedding!"
This was a low blow, even for Reynard. On days like this he regretted not having the wretch killed. Anyone that continually upset Erna so much certainly deserved to die.
"Calm down. Start from the beginning. How did you find out and what did he say?"
"He summoned me after my appointment with the dressmakers this afternoon." She took a great breath and composed herself. Having Loki's reassuring form beside her helped tremendously. "He told me that although he had to give me up to that 'brute of a king' he wouldn't expose his other children to such a man."
"Erna, I'm so sorry. This is ultimately my fault. I'd hoped my display last week would have sufficiently cowed him, but he seems intent to take petty revenge where he can."
"This," she hissed, venom dripping from her words, "is his fault. He's decided to make me suffer. He knows how much I love them, and they me, and he wants to hurt me."
"I wish I could force him to send for them."
"Can't you?" Hope shined in her wet eyes and it pained him to dash it.
"I'm afraid not, little one. Not without creating a political incident with Alfheim. Such things have been known to cause wars. I can't order citizens of another sovereign nation, an ally no less, to appear in Asgard. It would be political suicide." He brushed a stray tear from her cheek. "I'm sorry that in this I am powerless."
"I hate him, Loki." The vehemence in his words surprised even him. "He's always been vain and stupid, but lately he's been downright cruel."
"I take it he has a public reason for not sending for the rest of the family."
"He's telling people they're all ill with a rare fever. He's even going as far as stopping the last few letters I've sent to the children. They probably know nothing of what's happening here."
"I know I can't provide what you truly want, but you have but to ask and I'll grant you anything else. I'll soothe you with whatever you need."
"Make me forget it all, Loki, if only for a little while."
"I can fetch you a potion."
"I don't want a potion." She looked into his eyes and held his gaze for several moments before pulling him down into a crushing kiss.
Pulling away from her, he looked down into her eyes. The pleading urgency he saw there belied how truly hurt she was over this. He would find a way to make Reynard pay for his actions, even if she wouldn't let him throttle the cur. But now he would do what he could to comfort her.
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes," she answered without thinking. She did. At some point unknown to her, she'd moved past her provisional acceptance of his proposal to full partner in their scheme. It hadn't even been a conscious choice, but she didn't question the soundness of her decision.
"You know I'd never do anything to hurt you?"
"Yes." His words had sent a thrill through her. She had no idea what he could possibly be planning that would cause him to reiterate the sentiment, but she knew she wanted to find out.
"Lie down on the bed, little one."
She complied without another word, nervous with anticipation. She needed whatever he had planned, needed to forget the things out of her control.
Once settled in the middle of the mattress, Loki walked beside the bed and cupped the side of her face in one of his strong hands. "Know that I will take care of you, Erna. When you ask for it as you have today, or even when you don't know what you need." She just nodded, too overwhelmed to speak.
In an instant her clothes vanished, leaving her completely bare as he loomed above her. She knew he'd seen her naked before, but never in such a straightforward way. She watched as his eyes raked over her body, expression maddeningly neutral. While the cool appraisal should have infuriated her, it only managed to stoke her desire. There was something so beguiling about the way his eyes responded to her body.
He made a gesture with his hand and leather straps snaked out from each corner of the bed and wound themselves around her wrists and ankles. In a matter of seconds she was bound into a spread-eagle position, completely immobilized. The surprise on her face must have amused him, because he chuckled as she took in the situation.
"If you struggle these won't harm you, but it won't do you any good. Go ahead, try them out." She tried to tug her limbs free, but to no avail. She was under his control whether she liked it or not.
When she stilled, he bent down and whispered in her ear. "If you want this to stop at any time, you tell me so, Erna." She nodded again, surprised that she didn't feel the need to make a witty comeback. He was just being too sincere not to take him seriously.
He placed a kiss on her forehead before straightening back to his full height. The last thing she saw before a length of smooth fabric wrapped itself over her eyes was a small grin on Loki's face. "You asked to forget, so my aim is to keep you suspended in the moment. Your mind won't be able to process anything outside of what's happening in this room if I'm doing my job properly."
She felt him trail a finger down the nearest arm. He kept it moving as he walked slowly around her. When he'd made the full circuit, avoiding any of the areas she willed him to stop at, he bent down again, but this time kissed her parted lips.
"You're utterly winsome, little elf."
She didn't respond, electing to stay silent, but this time he didn't accept it. "Erna, don't think I can't tell what you're thinking based on your expression. You clenched your jaw and set your lips in a hard line. You disagree with my pronouncement?"
"I… I'm not statuesque as an elf should be, nor am I buxom as many maids in Asgard are."
"I'll not debate that, but I still find you tremendously pleasing. And to be quite honest, I like your short stature. I find it gratifying to have you tucked in beside me."
"I… thank you, Loki." She didn't know what else to say. He sounded so sure, she didn't think arguing would do any good. That and she was quickly tiring of talk. His slow procession around her had aroused her more than she thought possible and she wanted him to move on.
"And these," he gently cupped one of her breasts, "are also quite pleasing." His thumb grazed her nipple and she let out a moan at the contact. She felt his mouth close around the nipple and knew she'd be arching off the bed if the straps allowed it.
He pulled his mouth away after a moment and she whined at the loss. "And so very responsive. I wonder if I can make you come simply from this."
"No one ever has, but if anyone can it would be you."
"Are you challenging me, little one?"
"Yes."
He didn't say another word as he bent back to his task, this time sitting on the edge of the bed. He started off slow, softly teasing her nipple with his tongue and occasionally giving it a gentle suck. While his mouth was busy, she felt a hand begin to knead and tease her other breast. It was sweet torture, but she wanted to let him continue rather than demand more. Something told her that if she gave into his plan, it would be better for her.
Eventually he straddled her waist to easily switch his talented mouth to the other breast and he repeated the maddening process. She could feel how wet she was, but she was still a long way from an orgasm.
Either he sensed her frustration or was simply ready to accelerate his ministrations, but he started to nibble at her sensitive flesh and began to suck harder. She didn't bother to suppress the moan of pleasure. He knew exactly what he was doing to her and there was no sense in trying to hide it.
She'd never employed a blindfold in the bedroom before, but wondered now what she'd been missing over the years. The lack of visual stimulus, far from being a hindrance, enhanced every touch and word. The bondage had a similar effect on her. Knowing she was completely at his mercy was more thrilling than she could articulate, even to herself.
It was more these thoughts than anything that tipped her over the edge a few minutes later. She half moaned, half screamed his name and even through the haze, she felt him smile against her skin. He might be a smug bastard, but he was her smug bastard.
Loki only gave her a moment to recover, before speaking lasciviously in her ear again. "Any other challenges, my dear?"
"I don't think my brain is fully functional at the moment, I leave the decision up to you. I'm completely at your mercy."
"As if you weren't already."
She felt his weight leave the bed and prayed he wouldn't leave her wanting like this simply to make a point. The orgasm she'd had was nice, but she craved more. In all actuality, she wanted him inside her more than anything, but they both knew the realities they faced. The engagement would be over soon enough. Well, it would if her father didn't find a way to foul it all up.
"None of that, little elf. I can see I'm not living up to my promise."
"What?" His words had shaken her out of her thoughts.
"You were dwelling on something other than your current predicament. It just won't do. My name should be the only word knocking about in that brilliant head of yours tonight."
Part of her wanted to be contrite and apologize, but what came out instead was another challenge. "Then do your duty, sire. Force me to pay attention."
While she couldn't see him, she heard the soft footfalls that signaled he was moving away from her. She worried that she'd pushed him too far, but realized that wasn't the case seconds later. She felt a pillow materialize beneath her, supporting her hips and making her feel even more exposed, which was really saying something.
He stayed silent as he settled between her legs. And as maddening as the silence was, it excited her as well. It was taking every ounce of self control not to beg him to touch her. Luckily though, she didn't have to wait long. She felt his breath ghost over where she needed him the most and she silently cursed the bindings that prevented her from arching into his touch.
He kept her suspended there for several moments before he lowered his mouth. He traced his tongue through her folds, only glancing across her clit, but the loud sigh she let out showed how satisfying she found it. If he followed a pattern, only he knew it, because she couldn't predict where he'd move next. She finally let all vestiges of tension go, letting her head fall back and her body relax into the mattress. He hummed in approval and she realized it had been his goal all along. He wanted her relaxed and compliant.
After what felt like ages, he started to lavish attention on her clit. Nothing too intense, but the gentle licks began to form a pattern and she felt herself begin to climb. Desire pooled again and within minutes she broke down and begged him for release. "Loki, please let me come."
He stopped his mouth only long enough to reply. "All in due time, little one." She didn't speak again for fear that he would stop again.
He brought her to the very edge before changing tack. Where his tongue started earlier, he now ran a finger through her center, but he stayed away from her aching clit. If he so much as breathed on it in her current state she would be a goner for sure and he clearly recognized it. Instead, he dipped the finger into her, spreading her arousal around and around until she thought she'd cry of frustration.
When he again bent to suckle at the little bundle of nerves, the relief she felt was palpable. She should have known better. Time lost all relevance as he took her to the edge and back another six times. She started to think burning alive would be less torturous than Loki's attentions.
Her word had narrowed to only the bit of her body in contact with his talented tongue. Everything else was utterly irrelevant. The greatest fear she could think of would be if he left her in such a state. She both needed him and cursed him in the same thought. It was beyond maddening.
By the time he finally let her come, her voice rang out across the chamber in a hoarse chant. All she said over and over again as the pleasure took her was his name. He'd done what he promised and that was the only coherent thought in her head. Loki. Loki. Loki.
It didn't even register when he removed the blindfold and the restraints. She couldn't have said how long it was before she noticed he was holding her safe in his arms. But it was a longer while still before she felt compelled to move even an inch. She'd never felt so utterly spent and euphoric before in her life.
"You broke my brain," she finally managed to rasp at him.
He laughed softly and kissed her forehead. "And it was my pleasure to do so. How do you feel, little one?"
"Do I still have a body?"
That earned another laugh. "Yes, you do."
"That was… that was… a word I can't find right now."
"I'll take that as a positive."
"Mmmhmm. Loki, you're not going to leave me tonight, are you?"
"No, little darling, I'm not. Though it's far from night. In fact, we could still make dinner if we wanted." She grunted in displeasure at the suggestion and burrowed closer to him. "That would be a no then."
They stayed entangled for several more minutes until she felt able to sit up on her own. "I want to repay you," she finally declared.
"This isn't about owing anyone anything, Erna. You needed me and I was happy to provide what you could use at the moment. There's no payment owed, no reciprocity warranted." The look he gave her wasn't angry, but it was full of authority. He meant what he'd said.
"But you made me feel so good, Loki." While it still wasn't one of the adjectives she was looking for, good was better than nothing. "This is twice you've selflessly given to me with nothing in return."
"I don't see it that way. I made my partner's life better for that short amount of time. As I said, there's nothing owed, because I did it freely and eagerly."
"But I want to!"
"And I appreciate that, but your limbs are still like lead and you're having trouble even keeping your eyes open. It will have to be another time."
"You don't mind staying with me with no chance of anything for yourself?"
"Ah but I get you and that wonderfully fuzzy mind of yours, little one. It shouldn't be a shock that I enjoy your company."
"You keep surprising me."
He chose not to continue that discussion, instead maneuvering her under the covers into her normal sleeping position. "I don't want to deal with your maids, so I'll go fetch us some supper. I'll be back before you know it."
"Okay," she mumbled happily, already starting to succumb to the delicious languor he left in his wake. The last thing she registered before giving in, was his satisfied smile as he left her side.