The gentle morning breeze filled the large chamber, reaching every corner, parting the light silk curtains that framed the window doors to the balcony, as well the curtains attached to the posts of the large bed. The morning sun flickered over two sleeper's forms, entwined with one another, and surrounded by sheets, blankets and pillows. The smaller of the two stirred first.

Starting by stretching her legs, her face morphed into an expression of content as the elongation progressed up to her spine, loosening her little body, and her eyes opened swiftly. For a second, Harmony forgot where she was; blinking, dazed, she glanced up, only to find two sapphire eyes staring down at her, trained on her like she was some kind of target. Head drawing back slightly, she gaped up at him, and then suddenly realised what she was doing and lowered her eyes back to his shoulder, chewing nervously on her lip.

From the moment's glance, Harmony thought he might still be angry, or worse with her. Come to think of it, his arms were very tight around her; she'd never have a chance of wriggling free. Thor's fingers constricted around her, causing her to press her body into his, her whole being bending to the simple will. Timidly, Harmony lifted her gaze again, slowly this time, her lips were parted slightly and she found she was already a little breathless. Thor's gaze went straight through her. It pierced her very core. A quiver turned her inside out, as if she was being exposed to him.

She was at his mercy, but the thought didn't scare her as much as it once did. A part of it almost excited her, or at least that's what Harmony thought; all these feelings were so new to her, she wasn't sure about much anymore. She didn't totally understand the feelings she'd gotten in her lower abdomen, the strange tingling and clenching sensation. It wasn't bad – it was rather nice – but it was new. And it always seemed to happen when Thor was related one way or another.

Unable to hold his eyes for long, Harmony looked away again, her submission clearly shown to the prince. His fingers constricted again and Harmony felt another shiver run through her, as this time his chest expanded as he breathed and she was gently crushed to his body. She didn't notice it straight away but Harmony saw that her body had arched into his again, again so easily falling to him.

Her little hand clenched lightly once, loving the feeling of his smooth, warm, firm skin against her palm. She nuzzled her cheek against the great muscle of his arm, dark eyes closing in sweet satisfaction. This feeling of such closeness to a god enveloped her, and she loved it. He was so much more powerful and stronger than her but now it was though he was using all that power and might to protect her. Harmony realised that he never really hurt her; he only ever played with her. For some reason, that thought excited her too.

Thor raised his hand and Harmony suddenly flinched away with a gasp but his arm stopped her from going anywhere. Confused, the god squinted his piercing eyes at her. He pulled her back close to him, only to receive a whimper in return. Letting out a low hum, Thor lifted his hand again, his hold on her secure, and placed it on her delicate little face. His skin was warm to the touch and the girl almost surrendered instantly to it, as she suddenly understood he intended no harm to her.

"Quite the little mouse, aren't you?" Thor murmured huskily. The hairs on Harmony's body raised themselves, while a quiet gasp slipped through her slightly parted lips. "I find it rather fitting," the ghost of a smirk appeared on the god's mouth. "You do not need to be frightened. I am not angry."

Harmony relaxed, only then noticing how tense her body had been. Thor stroked her cheek with his thumb. "Thank you, little one."

The young mortal's mouth turned upwards in a shy smile, her dark brown orbs twinkling beautifully, saying everything for her. Eyelashes unintentionally fluttering, Harmony looked down as heat and blood flamed to the surface of her cheeks. No one had said 'thank you' or anything close like that in a very long time. She wasn't sure how to receive it. Slaves were treated like less than dirt; no one ever thanked a slave.

Thor smirked at her. He loved the shyness and timidity about her. She was such a harmless little thing, so innocent and pure. He also loved his power over her but he knew he would never use it to harm her. He was above that. As he had said before, only a coward would attack a defenceless little girl like his slave. But to play and enjoy her however…

"Er, I should be," Harmony began, pausing to clear her throat to make her voice stronger, "getting to work, sire." Her eyes fluttered nervously as she chewed on her lip but she waited for her master to release his hold her instead of pulling away.

He did no such thing though. "Those duties can wait," he said deeply, and his hold on her tightened a little. His serious expression slowly changed. "You'll do as I command, and you will stay," there was now an edge of playful darkness behind this tone, and Harmony felt her insides squirm with uncertainty but she stayed totally still.

He wanted to play with her, but often his toys got broken.

Please be gentle, please be gentle.

"I am in your debt once again," Thor began in his sincerest voice, taking Harmony utterly aback. "You have my thanks and my apologies. It was never my intention to truly terrify you, only to toy with you. I swear upon the All Father's life that I would not willingly bring harm to you."

Speechless, totally speechless, Harmony gazed up at him, holding eye contact with him for longer than she ever had before. His eyes were so beautiful. They were softer than they had been before; all the power and strength remained, but there was no clear display of greed and vanity. And they sparkled like blue crystals, tiny specks and swirls of different shades merging together.

Thor had always been, and always would be, the alpha male. It was who he was. But it didn't mean he couldn't have humility and compassion as well. He didn't just have to be the alpha who did what he liked because he was the biggest or the strongest or because he could; he could be the alpha who was big and strong but also took care of those around him, using his power to protect his own.

Finding herself now captured by his gaze, Harmony was rendered frozen and helpless under those sapphire orbs. Slowly, with great care, Thor eased himself closer to her, and closer, and closer. Out of her control, Harmony felt her lips part and a shaking breath fall from her mouth. With that same care and gentleness, Thor cupped her face with one of his large hands. So close now, he could feel her little heart pounding through her clothes, and they could feel the other's soft, warm breath on their faces.

For a split second, Harmony wondered in the back of her head if she would be released if she asked to be but that thought was quickly blocked out of her mind as she felt the tips of her master's nose touch hers. Harmony quickly allowed herself to swallow, while Thor's eyes slowly closed and the pressure of his burly fingers became stronger on the side of her face, his decision made and final.

In that moment, the girl was aware of everything around her. Even as her own dark eyes fluttered shut, she felt she could see as clear as crystal. She could hear two heart beats; one fast and one slow, one seeming to have a higher pitch than the other, which pounded like a deep drum. She could smell him. His masculine scent filled her nostrils every time she inhaled, and she found herself not only liking it, but wanting more of it. She had to be so close so she could take in his scent.

Tilting his head ever so slightly, Thor's nose brushed alongside hers, a touch like silk. Sense and thought clouded, the girl did not think. She needed that kiss.

The very surface of her master's lips grazed hers….

"My lord!" a guard called, knocking loudly on the door.

Yelping like a frightened mouse, Harmony's body responded without thought, startling away from Thor's lips, pulling her head back, as her body tried to curl itself into a protective stance. She clung to him, breath uneven. If it had been a gentle knock, a soft call, she might not have reacted that way. But what her body really didn't need was a booming thud to the door.

"One moment!" Thor called back. He turned back to the mortal still curled in his arms and he tightened his hold in hope of giving her some comfort. "No need to be frightened," his lips pulled back into a gentle smile, as he rubbed her cheek softly with his thumb.

Harmony's mind was already over it, but her body seemed a little slow, despite how she reminded herself over and over again that there was nothing to be scared of, just like Thor told her. She looked down shyly, now finding herself unable to look her prince in the eye for long once more.

"I must leave now," Thor said, untangling himself from her tiny form, in search of a shirt. Harmony stayed exactly how she was left, her eyes on his every move. He had been about to kiss her! It was finally dawning upon her. The fact that she was a slave had been completely discarded.

He had held her, slept beside her, intended to kiss her, he had even apologized to her. He was not the same man anymore.

Harmony had seen it in his eyes.

Thor turned his head her way one last time before he departed, a small smile for her. He closed the door carefully so there was no loud noise that might startle the little maiden.

Tell him, her mind urged her, tell him about Astrid. He can protect you from her.

I really shouldn't, another part of her argued, if she finds out what I did, she'll kill me. I already spoke to Hunter and I wasn't meant to.

But Thor is a prince and a god, the first voice persuaded, whoever she is, she won't be a match for him.

Before she could argue with herself anymore, Harmonyscrambled out of her master's bed and scampered after him, heaving the heavy open with all her might. He and the guard had not got very far. Harmony powered her legs down the corridor to reach him. "My lord," she called softly.

Thor turned, golden hair swishing like silk, and his eyes softened as they settled on her. He said nothing, waiting for her to speak.

"There's something I must tell you," Harmony panted lightly. There was no backing down now. Her eyes darted from his face to his chest, her feet shuffled and her fingers knotted with one another.

"What is it?" Thor asked.

For a brief moment, she glanced past the prince.

"Nothing, my lord. Nevermind, it's nothing," she shook her head quickly, as it took all her effort to refrain from quivering and faltering.

Thor's eyes narrowed, he tilted his head slightly to the side. "Are you certain?"

"Yes," she answered a little too quickly. "It's fine. Forgive me." Her body language was giving her away; her movements were too fast, too jerky. She was too on edge. Even her voice had suddenly changed.

Before Thor could question her again, she had turned on her heels, head down and face flushing. She heard Thor and the guard walking away in the opposite direction, and quickened her pace. A hand was going to come down upon her shoulder any second now. A knife was going to slice through her back at any moment.

Quicker and quicker still, the slave didn't dare look back. She slipped through the jar in the door of Thor's chambers and shut them, mustering all the strength and speed she was capable of. Panting like a dog, Harmony fell back against the hard wood, her hands covering her eyes like she was weeping, and she slid down the door, not caring if it hurt. She landed on the floor in a ball, knees at her chest. Surrounding herself in a veil of dark chestnut curls, Harmony let her mind torture itself with the terrible images of Astrid in her head.

William finished searching the servants' quarters for the fifth time over. He ran a hand through his hair, leaning the majority of his weight on one leg and sighing. "Have you seen Hunter?" he asked one of the passing maids. She shook her head and continued on her way, no sign of concern about her.

Face contorted with worry, William asked several other servants if they'd seen the slave boy. None of them had. And none of them seemed to care. There was one maid who had seemed more concerned than the others. When William had asked her, she had replied, "Hunter? The mortal boy?"

"Yes," he nodded.

"I regret to say I haven't. Has he been missing long?"

"Since last night," William told her. "If you find him, tell me." The maid nodded and continued on with her duties.

William couldn't give up there.

Abandoning his work, he set off in search of the boy through the palace. It was not like Hunter to just disappear without warning. William hoped nothing had happened to him. The Asgardian had no ill feelings or prejudice towards humans, but they were so much more breakable; they could get hurt far more easily and in the world of Asgardians and gods, mortals had little to defend themselves with. And Hunter was only a boy, a child.

"What troubles you, William?" a smooth voice said behind him.

The head servant stopped and turned, knowing instantly whom that voice belonged to. "Prince Loki," he answered confidently, stooping in a respectful bow. "I cannot find one of my servants. The mortal boy, Hunter. I saw him yesterday afternoon but not since then. I fear he is missing."

"If I recall correctly, he is often seen with my brother's own mortal," Loki told him, slinking closer with the grace of a cat his lithe form granted him with, but his voice was sincere. "Many a time have I seen them together."

"Thank you, sire," William bowed again. "Where would I find Harmony at this time of day?"

"Leave that to me," Loki said. "I shall find the girl and you may continue your search for the boy. If I find him I shall send him to you." With that, Loki swept away towards his brother's chambers. His forest green cloak billowed elegantly behind him as he walked with his chest out and head high.

All was quiet in the corridors. The sound of his own footsteps was almost too loud for him, as they ricocheted off the stone walls and directly into his acute ears. He knocked gently on the door to his older brother's chambers and waited for someone to reply. From inside, his keen hearing picked up the soft padding of little feet coming closer. The door was pulled open and pair of meek brown eyes stared up at him.

"My apologies for disturbing you," Loki said softly. "May I come in?"

Harmony nodded, wordless, and pulled the door open wide enough for him to walk through. Loki noticed something was right about her; she looked far for afraid and on edge than usual, that the only conclusion to come to was that there was something wrong.

"I was hoping you might be of some assistance to me," he said. "Your friend, Hunter, seems to have disappeared. If he were anywhere, I am sure it would be with you."

"I've not seen him," Harmony answered in a squeak. "Not since yesterday anyway. How long has he been gone?"

"I am told since yesterday afternoon," Loki said. "When yesterday did you see him?"

"In the morning."

"And not since?"

"No, sire," the girl shook her head. "Do you need me to help look for him? I will, I don't mind."

Loki chuckled softly. "That is not up to me," he tilted his head slightly, "There is something troubling you though, Harmony. You are not yourself today."

"I'm fine," she tried to cover, her eyes fluttering nervously like butterfly wings as they glanced all around the room, to the floor and back again.

"A blind man could see all is not well," Loki took a step forward and Harmony had to fight irritating instincts not to step back to keep the distance between them. "You may speak freely to me. I will not reveal anything if that is your wish."

There were many things plaguing Harmony's mind: Astrid, Thor and now Hunter too.

Guilt of lying to the All Father followed her like a shadow. It soothed her a little to tell herself that she had made the right choice to try and tell Thor the full truth about Astrid, but then to be beaten back by the promise the witch had made her if she did let her tongue slip. It seemed that if Harmony tried to be honest, Astrid would somehow know and be there, ready to strike her revenge like a waiting viper.

"There's nothing," she dismissed again.

Taking another step closer, Loki towered above her, his gaze fixed her to the spot but there was nothing unkind about him. "I am the God of Lies. If there is one person who will always sniff out a lie from a mile away, it shall be me. You needn't worry with me. As I say, you may speak freely."

"How do I know that's true?" Harmony challenged lightly, shyly.

Loki laughed heartily, flashing his pearly white teeth. "Clever little thing," he cupped her face, rubbing her cheek with his thumb, very much like Thor had done earlier that morning. He leaned a little closer and murmured, "I know that you lied to Odin."

Harmony's cheeks burned and she became very afraid.

"I know you would not have done unless you had good reason. I know you. It must have been something rather frightening to silence you. Who was it?" Loki asked softly.

Harmony shook her head, as tears pooled in her dark doe eyes. "They'll kill me. They'll kill me," she broke into a sob.

"Who?" Loki whispered, crouching to her height, taking one of her hands. "Whoever it is, you shall be protected."

She shook her head continuously, a hot tear from each eye spilling over, and Loki squeezed her hand. She looked up into his deep emerald eyes, comforted by knowing he was sincere.

"Will you tell in time?" Loki asked; he cleared her curls out of her face and wiped away fallen tears.

Harmony knew she could not keep the truth to herself forever, and however afraid she was to tell, she knew the time would come when she could keep it no longer. Sniffing a sob back down her throat, she nodded, making sure to look him in the eye as she did. Loki nodded back, accepting her promise.

"Should I help look for Hunter?" she asked, but her voice was still rather rough and thick with tears; she cleared her throat and swallowed. While she did want to look for her friend and was slowly sickening with worry, she was afraid to be alone out in the palace with Astrid lurking out there somewhere.

"Nay, you should stay here," Loki said. "If Thor returns to find you missing, who knows what might happen. I shall assign some guards to search thoroughly for him. Do not worry, young one." He stroked her cheek a couple more times, promising with his eyes.

Folding her lips inwards into a straight line, Harmony glanced down and nodded.

"You will be protected," Loki repeated as he pulled away. He did not look back, walking with ethereal grace, and left her silence.

Harmony could not even think about working. Heart heavy, she sat down on Thor's bed, with her hands in her lap. Her fingers entwined with each other and fidgeted anxiously. Where could Hunter have possibly gone?

She knew his well, maybe even better than anyone. They always talked and often spent time together, and as slaves they had much in common. He would not just disappear for no good reason. She prayed to all the gods in Asgard that nothing bad had happened to him or that he was in no danger.

A sudden realisation suddenly dawned upon her, like a smack round the face: what if Astrid was involved?

Harmony shook her head to herself, doing anything she could to deny it to herself; it would be too terrible. Though now she'd thought of it, nothing else she thought of could cloud it from her mind. The girl fell back into the plush mattress and she ran a hand through the front of her chestnut curls, a sigh escaping through her lips. Her mind's voice called out to Hunter. As if she would hear him back.

At times like this, Harmony hated being helpless the most. There was nothing she could do, and she hated that. If it was not Astrid, then something terrible must have happened to make him disappear without a trace, and Harmony so wished she could help.

But if Astrid was involved, it would probably be too late.

Hunter was almost as good as dead.

Thanks so much for waiting! Hope it was good :) Please leave a review!

On another note, I've put up a new HP story called the Vampire's Persephone (well it's actually the original version of another story), so if you would maybe go and check it out and tell me what you think of it, that'd mean a lot to me 3

Love and hugs xxx