A/N: Don't own don't sue
Lyrics at the beginning are from 'If I Knew' by Bruno Mars
Lyrics in the middle are from 'Killing Me Softly' by The Fugees and 'Lips Are Moving' by Meghan Trainor
If I Knew
Chapter Five
I was a city boy
Right into danger's where I'd always run a boy who had his fun
But I wouldn't've done
All the things that I have done
If I knew one day you'd come
I know it breaks your heart
To picture the only one you wanna love
In someone else's arms
But I wouldn't have done
All the things that I have done
If I knew one day you'd come
Oh, baby, please
Let's leave the past behind us, behind us
So that we can go where love will find us
Yeah, will find us
I know most girls would leave me
But I know that you believe me
Baby, I, I wish we were seventeen
So I could give you all the innocence
That you give to me
No, I wouldn't have done
All the things that I've done
If I knew one day you'd come
Eira had been unable to get away for long enough to see the Prince for three days. The King seemed to be somewhat suspicious of how easily his wife had accepted their son's fate and he commanded her presence at all hours as if he hoped to catch her out. If Frigga found this insulting or constricting, she didn't show it as she ate beside her husband's throne at the feasts, danced with her oldest son before the court and chatted to the ladies of the court with a smile. Eira, however, was getting more and more irritable at the delay. She wanted to see Loki, she wanted to begin their bargain.
They were at another interminable feast, thrown to celebrate Thor's triumph over another invasion in the outer reaches. Eira had danced and feasted with the rest of the court. Frigga was laughing with her husband, waving for a page to bring more wine. In the briefest moment when her face was turned towards the page hovering behind them, Frigga sought out Eira and somehow managed to convey with the slightest twist of her mouth and flicker of her eyes exactly what Eira wanted to hear.
Eira excused herself from the gaggle of Ladies enthusing about Prince Thor and slipped out of the banquet hall. The books had been hidden a day ago in the dungeon hallway when she'd managed to escape for a few moments on the pretext of fetching something from the kitchens for Frigga. She grabbed the books and breezed past the guards eyeing her curiously. She knew she could never sneak up on Loki, but it was interesting to see that he no longer attempted to trick her when she arrived. He was sprawled on his bed, staring up at the ceiling as if it held all the answers in the universe.
"Good evening, nightingale." He murmured as soon as she stepped through the barrier.
"Prince." She curtseyed politely.
She saw him studying her as she switched the books for him, examining the burnt umber silk dress that emphasised her figure and turned her hair a dark burgundy. He looked slightly pale, there were dark circles under his eyes and his mouth looked slightly pinched. Maybe his confinement was finally affecting him. She felt a flicker of sympathy and decided not to make the mocking comment she had lined up for him. He gestured grandly towards the chair without bothering to observe the niceties and at least sit up. She regretted not making her comment. She crossed the cell, grabbed the chair and rotated it until it faced the bed. He lifted an eyebrow.
"Well, Prince?" She asked as she settled into the chair, holding her back straight and arching her neck elegantly. "Would you like your song first, or my question?"
He narrowed his eyes, the faintest hint of a smirk twitching his lips. The way she had worded her question was not lost on him and it amused him to no end. He shrugged one shoulder and she mimicked him sweetly, before turning her face away towards the brightly lit cell wall thoughtfully.
"I heard he sang a good song, I heard he had a style
And so I came to see him and listen for a while
And there he was this young boy, a stranger to my eyes
Strumming my pain with his fingers
Singing my life with his words
Killing me softly with his song, killing me softly with his song
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
I felt all flushed with fever, embarrassed by the crowd
I felt he found my letters and read each one out loud
I prayed that he would finish, but he just kept right on
Strumming my pain with his fingers
Singing my life with his words
Killing me softly with his song, killing me softly with his song
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me softly with his song."
Loki listened in silence, mulling over the lyrics and the gentle seductive intonation of the rhythm. He quite liked it. He heaved an irritable sigh and pushed himself into a sitting position on the bed.
"Very well." He waved his fingers imperiously. "I'm listening."
Eira ignored the prompt, pondering which question to ask him first. There were a hundred and one things she wanted to ask him, but the only way to get his attention was to avoid being predictable. So she'd save the more interesting questions for later.
"You're supposed to be a dangerous murderer. Do you want to kill me?" She asked him curiously.
He blinked at her in surprise, and then a leer slowly crept across his mouth and his blue eyes started to twinkle. She had caught him off guard and that almost impressed him.
"Not at the moment." He said simply, lacing his fingers together and placing them behind his head.
"Not at the moment." She repeated thoughtfully. "Why not?"
"Now now, nightingale." He tsked playfully, the mocking grin on his face making her want to punch him right in his shiny white teeth. "One question per song. However, I'm feeling magnanimous tonight… and you do look stunning in that dress." He saw the flush colouring her cheeks as she blinked at him in confusion. "You're intriguing to me." He shrugged as if he told her she was beautiful and interesting every day. "While you continue to interest me, why would I wish to harm you?"
Eira didn't know what to say. He seemed to be telling the truth at least, but there was something else behind his words. He seemed almost disappointed that she believed what was said about him. She felt confused. She had no reason not to believe he was a cold blood psychopath; he had killed many people after all, but when he gave her that cold defensive look there was something in his eyes…
She felt guilty for asking him such a question, for reminding him what the rest of the world thought of him. She turned away from him and glimpsed a book half hidden under the silken cover of the bedspread. She reached forwards and pulled the book free. It was a book of old Asgardian legends. She flipped through some of the pages. It was the kind of book all noble children of the court had probably read at some point. She wondered why the Queen would send him this book. Then she realised that a Queen hadn't sent this book, a mother had. She put the book back on the bed.
"Prince?"
Loki had been watching her as she studied the book and he fought to keep his face from showing his displeasure as she continued to call him that. He was a Prince no longer.
"The King and Queen are dining privately tomorrow." His face darkened at the mention of his father but he allowed her to continue without interruption. "Would you dine with me?"
Loki cocked his head to the side and studied her. Her cheeks were distinctly pink but her chin was jutting out defiantly and her eyes were clear and challenging on his. She seemed to mean it. She also seemed to be nervous of his answer and he wondered if she was nervous he'd refuse, or more nervous that he'd accept. Curious indeed.
"Well I will have to consult my schedule." He drawled carelessly, enjoying the way her face flushed bright pink with indignation. "I think I can find a way to accommodate you."
She glared at him, but managed to keep her temper under control. Just.
Eira had been on edge all day and Frigga had not failed to notice. She was distracted when they lunched together and barely manged a response whenever Frigga spoke. In her own way Frigga loved Eira and she worried about her sometimes. This was one of those times. As they sat in the gardens, Frigga reading and Eira pretending to read as she stared at the same page for over an hour, Frigga touched her shoulder. Frigga managed to get the story from a sullen Eira and fought hard to keep her delight from her face. Much like her son, she loved a good intrigue.
"It's not going to happen." Eira sulked, slamming her book closed and tossing it to the side. "I didn't think it through."
Frigga cocked her head questioningly.
"I can't get any food sent to the dungeons." She grumbled, for once resenting that she didn't have more power. If she tried to have food sent down in Frigga's name, the King would hear of it in a heartbeat and everything would come crashing down.
Frigga smiled, leaning forwards to brush Eira's hair from her face.
"You leave that to me." She whispered conspiratorially, winking at the suspicious look on Eira's face.
Now that the stress of pulling this off had lifted, Eira felt excitement start to churn in her belly. She had no idea what had prompted her to suggest this and she had no idea how it was going to play out. Her mind wandered as she helped Frigga dress for her dinner with the King, braiding her hair with nimble fingers.
"I have something for you." Frigga murmured.
Eira glanced at her through the looking glass and saw Frigga's eyes sparkling. She followed Frigga's gaze and found a gown laid out on her bed. Frigga urged her to try it on and Eira reluctantly obeyed. It was bright pink silk, floor length and one-shouldered. It was heavy with jewels encrusting the one sleeve. It was hideous.
"Oh I couldn't, Your Grace." Eira protested, staring at her reflection in the huge looking glass in the Queen's dressing room.
"Of course you can." Frigga replied airily, indicating for her to sit before her dressing table.
Eira was still protesting as Frigga got started on her hair. Eira watched her hair take shape into one of Frigga's favourite hairstyles. It looked impressive on Frigga, it looked ridiculous on Eira. The happy chattering of the Queen and her guilt at feeling ungrateful kept her from commenting. She could feel the weight of the dress as she made her way to the dungeon and she avoided looking at her reflection in the huge mirrored doors. This was not the impression she had wanted to make and the thought made her unreasonably irritable. Logically she knew her appearance would matter very little, however she felt stronger when she looked her best. It did not help that he always looked so attractive.
Loki heard her approach, heard the slight stomp of her feet as if she was angry. He surveyed the food laid out on the floor of his cell. At first he had contemplated taking the chair and making her sit on the ground but he did not think she would do as he said nor stay for dinner if he tried to command her to do so. He would not put it past her to dump the food over his head and storm away, and that would take all the fun out of the evening and leave him with his own thoughts again.
Loki opened his mouth to greet her as she stepped through the barrier, his face freezing when he saw her standing before him. Her face was flushed and she looked utterly furious. He couldn't help it, he laughed.
"Don't." She snapped, holding up her hand. "I look horrendous."
Loki managed to get a grip on himself and studied her from head to toe.
"You look like my grandmother on a bad day." He sniggered, eyeing the pink mess that completely hid her figure beyond the baring of one elegant shoulder.
"Shut up." She grumbled, turning back to the screen behind her.
For a moment, Loki thought she was leaving but she was using the faint reflection from the screen to pull the pins from her hair. Her hair uncoiled and she thrust her fingers into it, releasing the braids until it tumbled around her shoulders. Loki caught a brief scent of jasmine.
"I can't do anything about this monstrosity, I'm afraid." She held the skirt of the dress away from her, wrinkling her nose in distaste.
"She always wanted a daughter." Loki murmured, eyeing the way her hair seemed to glitter even in the ugly light of his cell.
"Well I hope if she ever has one, the child has more dress sense." She mumbled, finally willing to see the humour in the situation.
"Perhaps it is a blessing in disguise." Loki said smoothly, tilting his head. "If you had worn another backless dress, I'm not certain I would remember to be chivalrous."
She rolled her eyes, although he was pleased to see that her cheeks were slightly pink at the compliment.
"Hadn't you heard, Prince? Chivalry is dead." She said shortly, suddenly seeing the spread laid out before them.
Loki was somewhat amused to find himself almost anxious that she would be offended at having to sit on the floor. If she was she didn't comment, gathering the skirts in her fist and dropping slightly inelegantly to the floor with her back to the screen. Loki sat beside her. They fell into silence as they ate, avoiding the usual nonsense pleasantries they were required to indulge in at formal feasts. Eira had never thought she would value silence as much as she had grown to once she arrived at court. It never stopped and it was always drivel.
"The dress isn't that bad, is it?" She sighed, picking at a bunch of grapes idly.
"Is that your question for the evening, nightingale?"
She glowered at him. He lifted his eyebrows challengingly and she scowled. She lifted a handful of the bulky pink material from her lap, exposing a brief tantalizing flash of her pale slender knees where they were coiled under her.
"Prince… do not test me, not tonight." She warned sternly and he found himself grinning.
"It is not the most flattering look I have ever seen." Loki shrugged diplomatically, putting on his best courtier face.
She sighed but let it slide. She couldn't hold it against the Queen, she had given her a gown and braided her hair herself and with nothing but good intentions and affection. She eyed Loki out of the corner of her eye. He looked remarkably relaxed, more so than she had ever seen him. He was sitting with his back to the chair, one long leg stretched out and one knee drawn up. If nothing else, her ridiculous appearance had broken the ice between them.
After they'd eaten, they fell into surprisingly normal conversation. They discussed books, Frigga and the court and managed to avoid any of the awkward topics that would ruin their precariously enjoyable evening. Loki slyly slipped in a few hints and subtle enquiries that she deftly deflected. It was a game and they both knew it. She was not quite as good as he was, but she was certainly good enough to keep him entertained.
Loki leaned over to fill her goblet with the thick expensive red wine, his shoulder so close to her she could feel the heat from his body. His eyes shimmered as he glanced at her and she fought to keep a flush from her cheeks. She had gotten too carried away enjoying the intelligent conversation and dangerous back and forth of their game and had taken a little too much wine. It also didn't help that he smelt strangely delicious.
"I think it's time for my song, pet." He murmured and she frowned, catching the husky lilt of his voice.
He was reeling her in, she realised. Toying with her. Plying her with wine until she dropped her guard. She felt a flicker of disappointment in her chest. She had momentarily forgotten how manipulative he was and had almost believed it was real. She turned her cheek from his slightly.
Loki saw something flicker in the back of her eyes, the sudden tightness around her mouth and her shoulders drawing in slightly. He masked his frown. Curious as to why she looked so crestfallen all of a sudden. She thought for a moment, looking at the obnoxiously glowing wall. Her lips curled slightly and she looked down at her lap, clearly deciding something internally. When she finally opened her mouth, he was somewhat startled by the upbeat rhythm of her song, she had only sung softer ballads for him so far.
"I know you're lying
'Cause your lips are moving
Tell me do you think I'm dumb?
I might be young, but I ain't stupid
Talking round in circles with your tongue
I gave you bass, you gave me sweet talk
Saying how I'm your number one
But I know you're lying
'Cause your lips are moving
Baby, don't ya know I'm done
If your lips are moving, if your lips are moving
If your lips are moving, then you're lyin', lyin', lyin', babe
If your lips are moving, if your lips are moving
If your lips are moving, then you're lyin', lyin', lyin', babe
Hey, baby, don't you bring them tears
'Cause it's too late, too late, babe
You only love me when you're here
You're so two-faced, two-faced, babe."
Loki listened in silence, fighting the urge to laugh. There was not one person on this planet that would dare to say something like that to him and she was singing it in that hypnotic voice, with her bad attitude written in the tilt of her shoulder and the defiant lift of her chin. He knew she was goading him, her choice of song made that quite evident, but he found her daring too amusing to rise to the challenge. He was finding that more and more often, her attitude and unwillingness to put up with his tricks was distinctly attractive to him. He couldn't abide those court girls swooning at his every idle word.
She averted her gaze, apparently nervous she had pushed him too far. He decided not to comment on her choice of song further than a thin knowing smile and she chewed her lip anxiously.
"Your question?"
She looked uncertain again, her nails picking at the gems on her sleeve absently. She had prepared a question for him earlier in the day, but it seemed pointless now so she frantically scrambled for something new.
"Why do you wear that mask?" She blurted suddenly and he turned his head to look at her.
She had no idea where that question had come from. She'd been wracking her brains, seeing him out of the corner of her eye looking bored and uninterested, and the words had just fallen out of her mouth.
"I mean it." She interrupted when he opened his mouth, holding up a hand to stem whatever he was about to say to her. "You wear that mask, why? To hide who you really are? To make people forget that you are a strong, intelligent handsome man and not a murdering monster? To create a barrier between yourself and anyone else?" Eira broke off abruptly with a vaguely horrified look on her face.
Loki wavered for a moment, caught between anger and something like hurt. She was looking at him warily, her crimson hair pooling over her shoulders and clashing with that hideous dress, her eyes huge and dark.
"That, was a good deal more than one question." He said coldly.
She visibly paled but her gaze was firm on his.
"An answer to the first one will do."
He fought that wild urge to smile again. Her daring always amused him.
"Allow me to ponder my answer?" He cocked his head.
She continued to stare at him in silence for a very long moment, then she nodded.
"Next time." She agreed, gathering the expansive skirts in her hand and struggling to her feet under the cumbersome dress. "No lies, Prince."
He held his hands out in a thoroughly innocent gesture and she rolled her eyes.