Just before they entered the safety of their chambers, Erna had a request. "No magic, please."

He looked startled and concerned, stopping mid-stride to look back at her. "Why?"

"I want to remove your clothes myself."

His face both softened and clouded with desire as he pulled her the last few steps. They were upon each other as soon as the door closed. The curtains were drawn, leaving the air still and cool, a contrast to the pair of them scrabbling with buttons as their mouths tried to stay together in the fray. The low light didn't help matters, but neither seemed inclined to part for something as trivial as lighting a lamp.

He finally pulled away to get better access to the laces of her jerkin, so she took the opportunity to ask the question that had been foremost in her mind. "So does the practice field always excite you?"

Looking up from a particularly stubborn knot, he blinked in surprise, not expecting the question. "No, not usually."

"Then why today?"

"You," he answered simply, returning his focus to the accursed knot. "I find myself unaccountably aroused by even the most mundane tasks if you're the one doing them."

Somehow both stunned and unsurprised by this admission, she was still grappling for words when he grunted with triumph and slid the leather layer away. All thoughts of verbal responses melted away as Loki fondled her breasts through the thin cotton that still covered her.

They continued to fumble with lacing and layers until finally they were left completely exposed, piles of clothing scattered around them. Erna found her heart racing as much as it had while they sparred, though now it was purely in anticipation of a different kind of physical activity.

Remembering how she'd excited him before, she again pulled him down into a kiss, pressing her body against his. They were both still filthy, caked in a fine layer of dust and sweat, but if either cared, they kept it to themselves. As if by magic, she felt him stiffen against her stomach as their kiss deepened. Never one to devalue herself normally, the idea that she was able to do this to him still was somewhat astounding. The longer she knew him, the more attractive he became to her. She couldn't believe she'd thought him merely handsomea few months ago. And this ethereally beautiful man was hers, her husband. So no matter how comfortable she felt in her own skin, she still found a thrill of surprise that he responded to her so readily.

Unwilling to wait any longer, she gently pushed him down on the bed, but gestured at him to stay upright when he moved to lie down. She straddled his waist and slid him inside of her without a word. She hadn't understood it at first, but after their bout, she'd felt the same desire he had. Whether it was some deep-seated desire to reaffirm that the fight had been play or something else entirely, she couldn't say. She only knew that being connected like this was the only thing she wanted at that moment.

Erna found it difficult to get traction to move, as his legs were so much longer than hers, but Loki found an easy solution. He simply gripped her hips in his strong hands and began moving her as if it was effortless. All she could do was cling to his neck and enjoy the sensations. It was a new feeling to be on top and yet expel so little effort.

Despite his urgent pace, when their lips met again, his kisses were sweet and slow. She had no idea how he was keeping his movements straight. A fresh sheen of sweat coated them in a matter of minutes and she was again struck by the idea that it was just the two of them in the whole world. Just like the practice ring, something told her that if a crowd had suddenly appeared around them she wouldn't notice a thing.

It didn't take long before she was panting and begging him. "Please, Loki. Tell me you're close. I want to come together."

"Let go, little darling. I've been waiting for you."

She did as he bid, and felt a strange disconnect from her body as she fell. She floated and yet he kept her grounded and safe. Loki had become her anchor in all things, a potent feeling when coupled with the waves of pleasure coursing through her body.

When she came back to herself, they were still tangled together, Loki pressing light kisses across her heated skin. Shoulder, neck, arm, whatever parts he could get to were given his sweet attention. He kept murmuring something under his breath, the same sounds over and over again, but she couldn't make them out and was too tired to ask.

Eventually, they moved over to sprawl out on the bed. It took a brief nap to bring her fully back to her senses. When she woke, he'd opened the curtains and the bright sunlight streamed in to illuminate the pair of them. Loki's pinched expression was explained all too quickly when she spotted the bruises that now dotted her body.

"I'm so sorry, little one." He bent to brush his lips across a purple mark on her arm before continuing. "I should have softened my blows or padded you better."

"Loki, we were sparring. You didn't hit inordinately hard and if I would have been padded enough to not feel your hand, I wouldn't have been able to move. Please don't be upset. You know how easily I bruise."

"I don't like seeing you like this, Erna."

"Well I do. It means I worked hard and that you didn't think so little of me as to spare me some trivial bruising." She sat up and began inspecting him, finding similar marks on his pale limbs and back. "You didn't want to mention these," she asked with an arched eyebrow.

"I didn't want you to feel bad."

"I don't," she said simply.

"You cause injury to your husband and you don't feel the least bit bad about it?" She saw the smile he was trying and failing to suppress. Now assured that she was fine, he could see the humor in the situation.

"Not when my husband willingly courted such injuries. That and it means I'm not completely hopeless with my staff. I was able to bruise the great King Loki of Asgard and I'm quite proud of myself."

He pulled her back down, trapping her in a strong hug. The power hidden in the lithe body never failed to impress her. Overall he was an impressive man. "I'm beyond proud of you, my queen. I honestly don't think there's anything you can't do if you so desire."

"Do you know what I desire to do next?"

"Conquer another realm? Become the greatest poet of our age? Bend the whole council to your will?"

"Maybe later, but now I wish to bathe with my husband. We're both filthy messes."

"But you're an enchanting filthy mess." He managed to stand with only a small stumble and when he was upright bent down to kiss her forehead. "I'll see to the bath, you just relax here. If I'm not back soon send a search party."

"I'll wait for you, my king, as long as it takes," she cried dramatically and held his palm to her face.

With an indulgent smile and a chuckle he disappeared into their bathroom. She decided she never would get tired of watching him walk away. As long as he was naked and he had every intention of coming back.