Chapter 12.
Lorien woke alone on the bed, she looked around her and found no one in the Chambers. Her heart sinking, she slipped out of it and went to bathe, dressing in a fine gown of lavender with gold embroidery down the long sleeves. Her thoughts were jumbled together, and she paced as she waited for anyone to explain what was happening to her. She sat by the fire eventually, her eyes fixed on the cold hearth and wondering if she did something wrong by rejecting Loki's advances. She prayed he was not angered, and she was near tears when the door opened. She looked up, standing and curtsying to Queen Frigga as she entered and she fixed her eyes on the floor. The older woman lifted her chin, smiling into her saddened eyes and she gave the girl a warm embrace.
"Why are you so sad my Dear? You look as if you mourn a lost loved one, I pray to be some comfort. " She said to Lorien and the girl blinked back the bitter tears she held in.
"I woke this morning alone, there was no one here... and I... I may have done two things wicked enough to earn such a scorn from Loki. I fear that I will now be removed from this place, sent away and sold again to a crueler person Madam." She confessed, her hands trembling as Frigga stepped back, her face filled with kindness and pity for the girl.
"He had you? Then left in the morning, no comfort or gentle caress?" She asked and Lorien shook her head, her lips shaking and she let Frigga seat her on the Chaise. She folded her hands in her lap, the woman patient as she listened. She struggled to find the right words, her have twisting in fear as she sat and wound her hands.
"I... I used my hand to... to." She stammered, unable to say what she was trying to express. Frigga laughed, her hands covering hers and she shook her head. Lorien stared at her in shock, her eyes going wide in understanding that the older woman was clear as to what she way trying to express.
"You did nothing wrong, it is perfectly natural for a girl to explore her desires. Was Loki cruel to you?" She pressed, worried about the girl and Lorien shook her head in response.
"No, I asked him to not have me in that way. I believe that I angered him, because I am not allowed to say that I do not wish to do something because of my station." She replied, Frigga frowning at her words and she let out a long breath. She held her hands tighter, looking I to her eyes and she sighed.
"Dear, you are allowed to reject the advances of any man, Slave or not, and they have no right to be angry. I greatly doubt that Loki is angered by you, I honestly believe that he harbors great affections for you as we speak." Frigga replied, Lorien standing in shock and holding her stomach as if it had been punched. She paced the room, her head spinning from the news and she blinked back at the seated Queen.
"I... he? I am a Slave, we do not receive any affections from those who own us. They only use us for their own means, to make us do things for their pleasure." Lorien said, Frigga standing and holding her shoulders to stop her.
"What did he do when you asked him to stop?" Frigga asked her, and she bit her lip and closed her eyes.
"He said... he said that he would not dishonor me, then held me as I fell asleep." She said, her heart pounding in her chest as the realization took her. She was in love with her Master, a Prince of the Realm, and he superior. And he, was in love with her.
"Do you understand now, that he will never hurt you? Nor will he ever allow anyone to harm you as well?" Frigga replied, her smile wide and Lorien blushed. "He desires more than your body Dear, he desires you, all of you. I know my son well, and I have only seen him like this once."
"He... he loves me." Lorien said, looking down at the low cut of her gown and how her chest rose and fell with the emotion she was feeling. For so long, for so many nights, she dreamt of finding a man who would see past her flaws and fill her with love. A man who could see past the nature of her birth as a half breed, and still find her beauty. She sat back down by the fireplace, staring at the ashes and she imagined him holding her. His hands caressing her skin, her hands drinking in the texture of his and she gasped at the revelation she was having.
"Yes, he does. And I do believe that you have the same feelings toward him." Frigga said, and she blushed. The door to the Chambers crashed open, two men entering and the women jumped to her feet. Lord Brom grinned at Lorien, the man with him cracking his fingers one at a time and Frigga glared at them for their intrusion.
"My Queen, I did not know you were here. I have come to collect something important, and will return it as soon as I am done." Lord Brom said, staring still at Lorien. She backed against the wall, swearing to herself that this man would not touch her. Her body was destined for another man, his ministrations the only ones he desired and she shook her head.
"I am waiting for The Prince, my Son to return from his errand. May I be of help you both?" She asked, and the two men shook their heads.
"The Prince told us that we could borrow something of his, that she would be able to satisfy our needs and that we could use her in any way we wanted." The other man replied, Lorien suddenly feeling sick and she pressed her lips together. She did not want to believe that he would let them anywhere near her body, and she wanted to run from the rooms and never look back. Lord Brom walked over, grinning and he grabbed her wrist. She was pulled close to him, her trembling evident as he grabbed the neckline of her gown. His fingers trailed lower, and she struggled to step away, a hand wrapping throat in warning and she wanted to scream in terror. Her mind screamed at the contact, and she heard a sharp cough behind the men. All turned, seeing Loki standing behind them and Lord Brom let her wrist go.
"I see you are here, trying to steal my property again. You are even so arrogant to put you hands on her, thinking that you have such a right." Loki said, walking forward calmly and Lorien lowered her eyes in obedience. Loki leaned close to her, his lips close to her ear and she trembled as he paused a moment. He kissed her, softly below her ear and she felt her heart skip.
"Tell me." He whispered, and she rested her hands on his shoulders to steady herself.
"They said you gave them permission to use me Sir. He was going to force me into his bed." Lorien said, a soft tremble to her voice and he stood up and frowned in anger. He turned away from her, clenching his fists and jutted his chin toward the door.
"Leave." He ordered, the two men bowing as they hurried from the room. Lorien swayed, her legs feeling weak and he turned back to her. His eyes softened, and he smiled at the cut of her gown. She flushed at his attentions, and she lowered her eyes so not to be caught staring back at him.
"I was not going to let them take her, I knew they were lying Loki. Lord Brom has a terrible reputation of not being able to keep his hands to himself." Frigga said, her eyes shooting daggers at the door and he turned toward her.
"He will be dealt with soon, Odin has a few questions for him and I... well, I would hate to be wearing his shoes at this moment." Loki said, taking Lorien's hand and brushing his lips across her knuckles. She blushed a deeper shade of crimson at the gesture, his eyes following the gentle curve of her neck. The ivory flesh so soft, and the delicate nature of her body tempting him.
"What do you mean Loki?" She asked, Frigga folding her hands as she watched him. He glanced back at her, a grin on his face.
"Lord Brom was planning a Coup, I did my duty to The Crown and reported what I found out to Odin." Loki replied, Frigga blinking in shock at him. He turned around, folding his hands behind his back and Lorien watched him intently. "They were going to use the Celebration tomorrow to make an assination attempt against him, and then to cut the throats of you, Thor, me, and The Council. The vacuum created would allow them to seat a new King, form a new Council, and to bring Adgard to heel under a Vanir rule. You have to admire the cunning of the plan, it was nearly perfect. They even included several persons from Jotunheim, but they are now leaving Asgard to lick their wounds."
"Loki, this is not a time to jest. This Realm owes you a great deal of thanks, if you had stayed quiet about this matter, it would never have come to light. And... and all would have fallen under the blade of a sword." Frigga said, walking to him and embracing him. "You have made me so very proud."
"I am pleased then, and now I wish to rest. I slept little last night, and I feel the need to lie down." He replied, looking at Lorien, she obediently walked into the Bed Chamber, moving to turn down his blankets and sheets. She saw Queen Frigga take her leave after speaking with him a moment longer, and she began to move to see to Loki's comfort. She bent across the bed to reach the center of the duvet, squeaking as an arm wrapped around her waist and standing back up in shock. She swallowed hard, lips close to her ear and a page of vellum came into her view. She read it, and her mouth fell open at what is said.
"I did this for all of you, not for myself. I beg you now to stay, as a free woman, stay here with me Lorien." He said, her heart beating and she saw the signature of King Odin and the Royal Seal on the bottom of the page. "Please, don't run away from me. I beg you to stay here, so that you are safe."
"Is this true Sir? That I... I am no longer owned by any man?" She asked, turning and freeing herself. He stepped back from her, his hands doing their best to not become fists. His eyes filled with pain and she walked to him, cradling his cheek and he looked into her eyes. "If this is true, and I am allowed to choose, then what holds me here? What force can bind my body to this castle, a place where I will be pursued by men I fear, and treated as furniture? There is no true cause for me to stay, the cage door is open and I am freed."
"Stay for me, I know it is poor excuse, but please." He said, holding her cheeks and he looked into her eyes. She saw tears in his blue orbs, threatening to fall and drown her in the sorrows he held inside him. She saw a scared boy, the confident and charismatic man stripped away and cast aside and he was terrified of the loss of the girl in front of him. She licked her lips, fearing her next words and she found them stuck like a lump of clay in her throat.
"Sir... I am..." She began and his face fell, his hands slipping from her cheeks and he took a step back.
"Lorien, stay as my Wife." He said and her heart stopped beating for a fraction of a second. The room spun about her, the words she never thought she would ever hear a man say passing his lips. She blinked, her knees giving way and she fell backwards and into a set of arms that were so strong yet so soothing. The arms feeling like a safe harbor to her, feeling like home.
"Lorien! Lorien!" She heard calleing from so far away, someone giving her a gentle shake and she caught the breath she nearly lost. Her eyes opened and she was cradled in his arms, the mattress on the bed under her so soft. She did not know how she came to be there, but it felt so very perfect to her. Loki looked at her in relief, his hands on her shoulder and supporting her neck. She looked at him in silence, her fingers tracing the outline of his lips and she blinked back tears of joy. He did love her, and he was who fate decided to take her as his companion.
"Yes Sir, I will stay. I will remain as yours." She said, her voice soft as the steps of a kitten across the floor and she kissed him. She felt his hand on her shoulder, slipping to her waist and she held him as if eternity were trapped and compressed to exist in that very moment. Her fingers tangled in his hair, but he made no sound that it bothered him. This sanctuary was theirs, and he held her tighter to him. She felt his mouth against hers, and his fingers pulling at the laces of her dress. She did not stop him, laying back as he kissed the tops of her breasts and her breath became caught in her chest. She pulled her arms free from the sleeves of the gown, letting him slip it off her and cast it aside to look at her in the chemise and corset. She pulled at his tunic, helping him pull it over his head and she kissed the skin over his heart and he held her to him.
"I love you Sir, and I will never stop." She said, his mouth finding hers again and she felt his fingers unlace the tight corset. This was her moment, and she was unafraid. If she bore a child, it would be theirs to keep and raise, it would be theirs to love and cherish. Her heart wanted him, and she gasped as he tore the binding garment away from her and his hands caressed her through the thin silk. He stopped, she laying back as the garment slipped from her torso and he slipped the chemise up her legs. His fingers explored her and found her delicate center, her gasps coming harder and she gripped the blanket under her and arched herself into his touch. He lay an hand on her stomach, her hips moving of her on volition and she trembled. It was nothing like what she did the previous night, and she cried out when she felt the tension in her belly release. He looked down at her, kissing her lips and grinning softly.
"My sweet Little Flower." He said, his lips claiming hers and she moaned into his mouth. Every sigh a symphony, his fingers slipping the stockings off her legs to kiss the knees under the thigh high garments. He lifted her foot, pressing his lips to the top of it and he kicked his boots off and unlaced his pants. She took shy glances as she saw his body emerge from his clothes, a blush crossing her face and she lay still as he kissed her again. She sat up, he removed her chemise, tossing it to join the gown and she covered her breasts shily. His hands circled her wrists, moving them away from her chest and he admired her as if she were the most beautiful sculpture in a Gallery. His eyes drinking every curve, and slowly trailing down her as he leaned forward and kissed her breasts. His lips claimed her, marking her body as his and she arched into the caress of his mouth. She gasped, her body relaxing and she felt the strangest sensations over her skin and she sighed out a soft whimper. His body covering hers as she willingly parted her legs and he kissed her lips.
"Are you sure?" He asked her and she nodded, her arms pulling him closer to her and she kissed his cheeks. She kissed his closed eyes, a pressure against her center giving way to penetration and she held to him tightly. He slipped deeper into her, achingly slow to not cause her too much pain and a whimper of pain came from her as she felt her innocence tear. He lay still, caressing her cheek and she stared into his eyes. She saw her future in his, the life she always wanted, filled with love and promise as he slowly started thrusting. Their movements slow and unhurried, for this was love and they did not care about a single person outside the doors of these rooms. She sighed, her lips finding his and she wrapped her hands around his waist to pull him closer to her. She wanted to fall to pieces, become one with him by sinking into his body and never leave, and she closed her eyes and arched her back so that her stomach pressed against his and her toes pointed into the mattress. He stilled a moment with a groan, both of them giving into the passion and she felt him release moments before she did away from her. She gasped and clutched at his back, her arms and thighs trembling and she law against the bed. He pulled the blankets over them both, resting his head on her stomach and she caught her lost breath again. The room became still, and she said nothing, no regrets on her, and her heart pounding as she her fingers twirled his hair around them. He kissed her knee, one of his hands finding her free one and lacing his fingers between hers. Seconds ticked by, and he closed his eyes, knowing she would be there when he woke.
"I will always love you." He whispered, her hand holding his tighter and she closed her eyes with him. Her hair falling over the silken sheets like velvet midnight, and her skin pale as alabaster as the sun danced over her body.
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He woke first, leaning up on his side and propped his head on his hand to look at her. She lay on her back, her breasts exposed to the sun that filtered through the windows and he admired how beautiful she was. He slipped the sheet off her hips, exposing the rest of her and he grinned as he laid his hand over the pale skin of her stomach and felt how soft she was. She felt as if her smooth flesh were cut and made from the silken sheets below her, her hair fanned out a bit and cascading over the pillow under her head like dark water. Her chest rose and fell with each breath, and he let his fingers trace up her belly to the gentle swell of her chest. He leaned close to her lips, kissing them softly and she blinked up at him as she woke and stretched.
"Hello Sir." She said, her eyelids still heavy with sleep and he smiled at her.
"Hello? My, now I have never been greeted like that by a lover." He said and she frowned, her face falling and he kissed her to stop her from fretting. "I suppose that is why I adore you so much, you are so very different."
"I am so much like you, so lost, yet found by another." She replied, the back of her hand rubbing his chest in lazy patterns and he frowned a the two spots of blood on the sheets.
"Did I hurt you?" He asked her and she shook her head, his hand closing over hers as it drifted over his stomach. He looked into her eyes, wanting to know that she was unharmed by his passions.
"Only a little, but I expected it. I found it... very beautiful." She said, and he kissed her again. He ran his hand over her hair, the soft strands flowing under his fingers and he leaned back. His eyes fixed on hers, and she blinked at him a moment.
"You are beautiful, remember that. A perfect being that I desire above others, and will never be able to let go of." He said, remaining close to her and she smiled as the sun shone across her face. He leaned down to kiss her, a knock stopping him and he sighed his annoyance. He still gave her the kiss, getting out of the bed and pulling his leather pants back on as he walked. He closed the Bed Chamber doors behind him, walking through the sitting room and opening the door with feigned annoyance.
"Brother, we have a problem." Thor said, and he crossed his massive arms and frowned at Loki. "Lord Brom has escaped the Castle, and some of his fellow conspirators have followed suit."
"Well, we will have to catch them then. I do doubt that they will make any attempt to kill any of us, now that we uncovered his plans." He said, stretching his back and feeling a bit annoyed that he would have to leave Lorien to pursue the fugitives. He wanted to spend more time with her, to show her how gentle he could be if she allowed it. Thor entered the rooms with a frown, hearing the water in the Bathing Chamber fill the bathtub and he looked at Loki with a bit of suprise.
"Now I see why you are not fully dressed." Thor grinned, chuckling at him and winked. "How was she?"
"I am not going to dignify that with a response. I am going to say this however, I am taking her as a wife." Loki replied, watching Thor blink in shock and his mouth fell open. He cracked the doors to his room, finding the bed empty and knew she was cleaning herself. He slipped in, grabbing his tunic and boots before slipping out again.
"A Slave? Your Wife? What if the Vanir Princess... I forget her name." Thor balked, his mouth falling open even wider and Loki pulled his tunic over his head. "Father will refuse to allow it, you will be in a great deal of trouble."
"That is where you are wrong about her being a Slave, I had her freed by Royal Decree, and he has no say whom I take as my bride. The Vanir Princess can find another suitor and marry that poor fool, I disliked that girl from the first time I met her." Loki replied, grinning back at his brother. "Lorien... She is the most exquisite creature I have ever laid eyes on, and had in my arms. She is the only one deserving of my life, and she will be my Bride."
"By the Nine Loki, she really does have you by your short hairs." Thor exclaimed, laughing as he concentrated to summoning his armor and coat. When he was fully dressed, he opened the door and frowned at Thor. He left him waiting to walk to the Bathing Chamber and found her standing in the pool, her back to him as he entered and she looked up at him. She turned slowly, the water in her hair making it look like a shining bit of silk and she gazed up at him.
"I have to go, Lord Brom has made a run for his freedom and taken some of his allies with him. I will not be long, but any moment away from you is an eternity." He said and she smiled at him, a soft blush crossing her cheeks. He memorized the scene of her with the water around her hips, the way she looked over her shoulder with shy eyes and he felt himself stir again.
"Please be careful Sir. Come back to me, be brave but not foolhearted." She said, her eyes filled with hope and he bowed to her. He left a dagger on the stool next to her clothes, his hand lingering over the gown and she stared at him in his armor.
"I promise you, I will be back. Tomorrow, we will ride to the temple in the City and I will make you my Wife. I will never part from you thereafter." He replied, her smile widening and she blinked happy tears from her eyes. He turned, leaving her to bathe and dress. His heart aching to not leave her, but duty pulling him away.
He soft smile, and a bit of ribbon he took from the plie of clothing on his body as he joined Thor to fight a battle.