A word of warning; sex later in this chapter, but you know when to stop reading if it's not your cup of tea.

… …

The baby kicked its father in the head and Emma felt even sorrier for Loki. It seemed her small rascal subtenant expressed its fondness for mischief on a worst moment when Loki had fallen in an emotional breakdown. When Loki had spoken to the baby in her womb it was as though the small one had been listening to his voice, compelled and unmoving, but when he stopped whispering, the baby kicked eagerly for more.

Emma's hand stroked his hair and trailed down on his face. "Hey," she finally whispered, breaking the long, long silence and recapturing his attention. "I'm still here."

Loki's emerald gaze rose and sought hers. His eyes glistened with the warm candle light. As he lessened his hold on her, she took the opportunity and kneeled on the floor to be on the same level with him, her palm remaining on his cheek. "You want to talk?" she asked gently, brushing a few stubborn black curls behind his ear.

"No," he said in a contrite tone.

"No?" Emma echoed quietly, surprised because he always wanted to talk. "Are you okay?"

He closed his eyes, taking in the blessed feeling of her fingers smoothing the downward curves on his face. "I have my faults and I fear you get your fair share of them," he stated as if that should have been an answer enough.

She knew it was a lot from Loki to admit that. Maybe he had his faults, but some of them made him more lovable. She smiled and wiped the remains of his tears with her thumbs. She wanted to see him smiling and give him a reason for it.

She hesitated, moisturizing her lips. "It is about the oysters, right? I'm sorry I let Thor take them. I'll go and snatch them back."

It took a couple of seconds before Loki let out an amused snort and a few more seconds before he chuckled. His expression softened as his eyes met hers again briefly. "Don't!" he warned softly and a small smile finally conquered his dejection.

Emma loved that smile. "You won; your father is worse than mine and I thought Logan was being a jerk to you. Don't worry. I'm made from tough stuff. I can hold my ground against Odin."

Loki nodded thoughtfully. "Not many can but you certainly did. I will give you that."

He was quiet again and she could hear his breathing. It felt like he was avoiding her gaze. It was so unlike him. She sat on her knees and took his hand like they would have been just kids sharing secrets. "Please, talk to me, Loki," she asked. "Was I being too rude to Odin? Trust me I didn't want to make things any worse for you, but he had no right to…"

"No!" Loki hurried to reassure her and cupped her hands in his. "You gave Odin every bit he deserved. I might have done worse."

Emma waited him to speak, to continue, without luck. She smiled a bit. "You know, getting married means we're on the same side here. Whatever it is that troubles you it can't be that bad you couldn't tell me."

Loki's lips parted to speak but he faltered and there was something unsettling in his eyes. "I hate to admit but what if Odin is right. You are finally with me and I fear I will somehow ruin everything," he confessed.

He noticed how Emma tilted her head questioningly and he was forced to continue. "I have lost the count of times I have schemed up brilliant, devious ploys and been incapable of estimate the full impact of my rash actions to those near me. Wrecking Thor's coronation nearly doomed whole Asgard. My downfall in Midgard hurt us both mutually. And this baby…"

He swallowed and laid a hand on her belly, unable to even say it. "I don't want to hurt you but I already have put you endure so much. Yet I refuse to lose you, because I am selfish. I need you in my life, Emma. My heart cannot bear the thought of betraying you, but I fear I will." After that said and the wary arc of her brows, he knew he needed to explain himself. "I am the god of mischief. You must understand I am doing my best, but old habits die hard. I might fail you."

Emma listened to him in silence, trying to take it all in. Admitting of having a problem was the first step of fixing it, right?

"Right," she whispered. Her Loki wasn't a bad person and she was going to prove it, mostly to herself. "But you have worked so hard to make things right. I mean, Frigga told me how you masterly made peace with the Frost giants when no one else was able to do it. Would you really have messed things up again with the Jotuns and Asgard, because of me?" she asked cautiously.

"Viciously," Loki divulged, emphasizing his word with a sneer. "Everything I have done here, I have done it for you, for us." He was breathless with his savage sincerity. "If Odin had harmed you or our baby I would have done everything in my powers to completely destroy the peace between our realms and bring war."

Emma shuddered. "Why… why Odin would have wanted to hurt the baby or me?"

Loki's shoulders sank and he stared down at her belly his hand was still caressing. "Crossbreeding with lesser races has been forbidden for generations and should simply be impossible… but not in your case," he said mournfully. "I am sorry. I should have been more cautious…"

Emma felt dizzy with all these confessions, reading between the lines the rest he wasn't putting down into words. "Okay," she murmured, starting to get the picture what Odin said about the baby, not to mention about Loki. Then again, there was nothing new. She had already known that side of her beloved Trickster and it didn't stop her from falling in love with him. Maybe she was the fucked-up one here. Loki could have done something tremendously dangerous just with a hope of keeping her near and safe. Not at all scary, just the good old Loki, right? At least he seemed to be strongly committed to her and their baby. There was this tiny, pesky voice inside her head telling her to run while she still can.

"Okay," Emma said again to reassure her indecisive mind at first. She lifted her hand just to lay it over his. "It's a good thing I'm here now, keeping you away from mischief and stopping you from goofing around. The baby is fine. We are fine. We'll get through this. Together. Like always," she said encouragingly and stroked his cheek, earning his gaze back. "We have climbed up from worst pits than this, right?"

"We have, indeed," Loki agreed. He looked sad like he would have relived all that in his mind in a few seconds. "My life has been nothing but one chasm after another. Believe me I have done a lot of climbing. The next time I fall, I… I don't want to drag you down with me."

Emma leaned closer to him. "I won't let you fall anymore. Just please, promise me, no more deviously brilliant ploys to wreck things up," she demanded, copying his choice of fancy words. "If the next time comes, you'll take a few seconds more to sit and think before you act, that's all."

"That is what I have been trying to do in the past six months. And I hate it! I am exhausted. I am feeling like I am not me anymore."

"You are a smart guy. Loki, I don't want you to change, but we're not going to end up into some damn dungeon. I don't do dungeons. Not with this little guy. Let me put this straight, if you want me here then you'll start no wars."

Somehow it felt like she would have savagely cut her way through the darkest, twisted landscape of his mind to get to him and dragged him back into the light. Either he wanted it or not, she snapped him out of his self-pity. What she was simply saying was that he needed to reconsider his decisions to see how they were going to reflect back on him. It made sense.

Loki let out a breath and smiled with consent to her determination. "I see your point. No more wrecking things up," he promised. His eyes were gentle when he looked at her. "No matter what Odin said, I promise you I will find a way for you to visit Logan every now and then." He looked cautious then but smiled. "And I shall do it in the way that will not cause us any trouble."

"Thank you," Emma said, touched by his promise. Gratefully, she planted a kiss on both of his dimples on his cheeks. "And I promise I'm right here with you, my brilliant gorgeous king."

How he had ever coped without her, Loki wondered and realized that he hadn't, not in the past six months when only the illusions of her had been his dearest treasure. And with that notion, his left hand dove under her golden hair, cupping the back of her head.

"No more illusions," he swore, perhaps more to himself than to her. She was soon to become his wife, and Odin couldn't change that anymore. This day had build up so much tension inside of him that he needed to release it. "You are in my world now."

Before she had time to interpret the soft darker undertones of his words, his strong hands owned her again. He pulled her to him, being cautious only with her belly. His sudden, more possessive hold sent shivers along her body but she slipped willingly on his lap.

Emma gasped, surprised, her hands on his shoulders. "Um? Good talk?"

"Very good," Loki replied, locking her in his firm embrace. It was too long ago when she sat on his lap astride like this last time. "We are done talking," he stated whispering.

"Are we?"

Their faces were so close that when he breathed out and she inhaled is was as though they had been fighting over that same little air. His lips knew their way on hers effortlessly once more, tasting her, waiting her to join in. And as she did he held nothing back, satisfying his longing for her and kissing her what felt like small forever in pure indulgence.

Her hands, she wasn't sure where they were anymore, held on to him as he rose from the floor and lifted her with him. She tasted the salt of his tears and the wine he drank earlier and she tasted him; the man who kissed like a naughty angel. Oh, and she liked these good talks too!

When he withdrew from her luscious lips, it was not her consent he was seeking in her sky blue eyes. He had attained that a long ago. It was a mixture of sweet awe and burning desire he found staring back at him. He sensed her slowly stirring feral essence calling for him and he surrendered to its call.

Without a word, Loki carried her in his arms towards double doors that were ajar. As he approached them, the doors yawned open in his command and he brought her in to a smaller chamber dimly lit by fire in the fireplace. He kept walking and the space around them grew brighter when a bunch of candles ignited magically on two of the floor-standing candleholders next to the walls.

The smaller chamber served as a bed chamber. The majestic four-poster bed with pearl-white and golden canopy captured Emma's attention and the baby kicked, probably sensing her quickened heartbeats. She was in his world now, indeed, getting only deeper within it. And when Loki said he was done talking, he really meant it. She noticed how the doors closed behind him like been shut by invisible hands. A flash of his green/golden magic sealed the doors so that no one could come to bother them.

Loki ambled closer to the bed and she suddenly found herself shivering before he lowered her back on her feet. Her ankles faltered when she touched the floor because the shoes she wore weren't her own anymore. She glanced down and what she had now were of golden leather with high-heals and ankle wraps that looked like expensive bracelets. Her own comfy shoes weren't the only thing missing; her black jeans were gone and the green tunic was replaced with a short, green nightgown. The lustrous, silky fabric felt as thin as a breath on her skin which made her realize she had nothing under it.

"Oh, my…" Emma whispered feverishly.

It brought a knot in her stomach as he gazed at her admiringly in perfect stillness. She knew where this was leading to and the anticipation was daunting because she was pregnant now. All of this wasn't happening for the first time, but she wasn't sure if she was ready for this yet. With her every nervous breath the silken touch caressed her heaving breasts, revealing the shape of her hardening nipples which he couldn't miss.

She gave him a tiny nervous smile. "This is beautiful, but I'm feeling terribly underdressed compared to you."

His eyes fixed back on hers and he guided her hands on his lower chest. "Then you must disrobe me," he encouraged her and showed how to open the fastenings of his long, snug-fitting waistcoat.

Emma did her best and the long vest was easy. The beautiful green shirt under it gave her more challenge, but he was patient and let her undo the complex buttons on his sleeves.

He peeled off his black long vest and dropped it on a cushioned seat. As he pulled off his shirt, Emma's gaze skipped his flat six-pack and automatically searched for the injured spot on the left side of his lower chest. It was barely visible, but it was there; a small round scar left by the fatal laser burn that had nearly killed him. The painful flashback of him lying bleeding in her arms tightened her throat and she gently placed a hand over the scar, only barely feeling the difference on his skin on that spot.

"Oh, Loki…" she said under her breath in a regretful tone, unable to stop blaming herself for it, for the agony he faced back then. Her fingers caressed his scar with utmost gentleness.

Loki noticed how her eyes were filling and he placed his palm over hers, lifting her chin with other hand. "Bygones, my love," he reassured her softly. "Let's not dwell on it anymore."

She did her best to push that memory away and embrace the present moment, moving closer to him. They were together now and she was going to marry this man. His pale body felt warm and toned like she remembered. Her touch didn't change him anymore and she was actually grateful for it, feeling like herself again. She laid her forehead against his ear, inhaling his divine scent, letting it tame and sooth her. He felt so good and safe and strong enough to protect her from the rest of the world. She kissed his neck and over his collarbones. Her hands mapped him again, her lips shyly marking her territory.

Knowing she had to continue where she had left off, her hands ran over his bare chest, following the smooth lines of muscles on his abdomen. She bit her bottom lip, discovering that her fingers didn't work as skillfully on his strange belt buckle as his had on her garment's clasps earlier that day. Finally she gasped as the buckle gave in and her suddenly timid eyes rose to meet his.

He smiled approvingly and took her hands, helping her to undo the buttons of his trousers. He had always thought Midgardian clothes were dull and simple and he had to teach her the basics with Asgardian attire. And these were only his casual clothes. It was going to be even more elaborate with his royal fineries.

Emma took a step back, leaning against the wooden post of the bed as he took his time to undress his boots, trousers and underwear. She could only marvel at his perfect body, the elegant movements and his magnificent erection that caused her insides to squirm and ovaries burn. A mere thought of him dipping that jolly thing into her made her lady parts aching in a dripping desire. She bet they had no condoms in Asgard and was there really any need for those now when the bun was already in the oven. Oh, god! She was so wet and in need that she could barely contain it. Her hands sought support from the post behind her as he moved slowly closer, letting her take in the full view.

Loki loved the way her gaze vehemently roamed over his body with a shyish blush. She looked captivating being meagerly veiled in his color. He didn't even mind of her round belly, knowing what she carried within her was his.

Even in his birthday suit he didn't feel as vulnerable in front of her compared to it when she saw him crying. It was almost poetic how he bared not only his body but also his wounded soul to her, knowing she wouldn't harm him.

Emma closed her eyes and slowly let out a breath as his naked body leaned on hers in full length only the green silk between them. "Shouldn't… shouldn't we left something for the wedding night?" she asked through clattering teeth.

His lips brushed over hers with every word he said; "I promise there will be plenty more left for our wedding night."

She sighed feebly. "A shower?"

"No, I want to relish your Midgardian scent before it fades away."

"Um… I've been sweating the whole day…" she warned and felt his grin growing on her lips.

"And it won't be over yet."

Loki kissed her trembling lips, feeling her heat, his hands wandering over her beautiful forms. He couldn't resist anymore. His right hand went venturing on its own, cupping her breast and feeling it fairly larger than before, her nipple bigger and inviting, and he wanted to suck it like a babe. She gasped heatedly under his touch and he carried on lower over her belly on her thigh. His long fingers find their way under her dress, running up along her soft inner thigh, when her hand dropped to stop him go further. Loki stared into her eyes. She stared back at him breathing heavily, her hand on his wrist.

"Please…" Emma sighed, sudden awkwardness filling her and crimsoning her face.

"Have you not longed for me as I have longed for you?" he asked and his fingers kept on, ignoring her weak resistance.

He watched as she swallowed, and her lips parted the moment his index and middle fingers reached her hot, wet sex. His gaze dropped down, feeling her being juicer than the damn oysters, ripe to be taken. His member jerked back vigorously, eager to fill her quim, and he sucked in a breath.

He drank in her soft whimpers as his finger dived into her tight flesh and her nails sank on his shoulders as a payback. Loki smiled inwardly as she gave up resisting and begun leisurely swaying herself against him, evidently loving what his capable fingers did to her. And he would have loved to watch her, letting her find her own way to the bliss with his hand, but after all this time he simply craved her too much. "It is not arcane that you are in a desperate need of me. I have kept you waiting too long, my precious darling."

She arched her back against the bed post in total surrender. "Yes…"

His voice turned darker and dominant by pure mad passion and he drew his finger out of her. "Get on the bed!"

Emma's eyes rounded. That had sounded more of a demand than request but she obeyed, aching for more. There wasn't any part of her left that would have not given in to him. She was so damn ready for this! She moved on the king-size bed without breaking the eye-contact, agilely shifting herself further towards the pillows.

She didn't get all the way to the fluffy pillows when he seized her left ankle and she halted, lying on her back and leaning on her elbows. Loki held from her ankle, unclasped the fancy jewelry strap of her high-heel and took off her shoe. He lowered her foot on her bed and repeated the same thing to her right foot. He left himself enough room between her legs and crawled to her like a preying tiger, and she felt like a prey, moving under him towards the head of the bed in his pace, smiling as if this was a naughty game. Maybe he didn't dominate the world but he sure as hell dominated the bed.

"Loki… the baby…" Emma whispered as he stopped her from going any further and lowered himself on his forearms on top of her.

"I will be careful," Loki promised as their bodies touched.

When he hiked up her silky skirt out of his way, she knew he held the absolute dominance between her legs and she could only surrender to it. His hard shaft found the way in to her earthly pleasures and he moved gently, taking his time and making sure he wouldn't crush her belly.

Emma wanted to close her eyes when the tip of his member past her soft folds but she sought his love from the deep green of his eyes. She wanted to cry when he begun thrusting in to her but she quelled the trembling in her body and eased the build-up tension in her core. She held on to him, opened up to him, letting him do what he was so good at even it hurt. Merely having him on her bare skin felt sensually enrapturing enough and her hands travelled from his shoulder along his back to his buttocks, pulling him closer and encouraging him carrying on. His expression was a beautiful masterpiece of concentration as he finished what he'd started and anchored into her completely. Finally the moan she had held back left her throat and he wanted it, feasting on her lips.

His chest heaved above hers nearly in same rhythm as he stilled himself and adored the sensation of feeling her around him again, tighter than he was prepared for. She was beautiful, captured by her feral desires which he wanted to satisfy. He watched down at her a moment. Her eyes were still closed after their kiss, her lips formed unspoken words and her hips moved under him as if willing him to continue.

"… please, oh, please… Loki… I belong to you…"

Her whispers were a wicked thing, only fanning the flames of his ardent arousal when he needed no more fuel but only wanted to make love to her as long as possible. Without the baby they would have surely been in full throttle by now, but he wanted to be cautious. He withdrew and thrust back in, and by the heavens, she was soaking wet and wonderfully tight in a way no mortal had a right to be. He was a god, he told to himself. He had to prevail!

Emma opened her eyes and watched him as he pushed into her again. For someone born for making mischief, he moved gently with her, slowly and patiently at first, probably making sure she was able to endure him. She loved him for being so tender. Loki's gaze locked with hers and held it a long while. He smiled when she smiled, he slowed down when she stiffened and he kissed her when her face rose to his. Like becoming obsessed with him, she savored his every thrust, kiss and groan, her movements growing in sync with his.

His loud breaths were becoming harsher and Emma moaned in return as he continued loving her with his stunning body. She wrapped her legs around his thighs and wanted him to give her everything. Their soft rhythm lulled the baby to slumber and she barely remembered it existing in her womb.

Suddenly Loki stopped and broke free from her needy embrace, leaving her lying on her back in a state of big confusion, limbs width open.

Steadying his quickened breath and sitting on his knees, he met her frowning stare. "Turn!" he enjoined her before she had a chance to ask.

Her inside cramping in need, she pushed herself sitting and heaved a confused sigh. "Turn?" she echoed and swallowed while catching her breath. "We are not doing doggystyle!"

A curious smile crept across his face, wiping out his dark dominant expression. "Doggy style? Is that what mortals call it?" he asked, amused, and lifted his face up, letting out a small laugh. His vigorous shaft bounced with his chuckles and he welcomed this unusual break, getting a chance to cool down a bit.

"Then what do you people call it?"

With a pondering smile Loki licked his lips. The word Asgardians had for the position was too obscene to say aloud. "I don't believe we have a proper name for it," he lied and crawled closer, his amusement turning into a loving smile. "Turn on your side, please," he suggested more softly and stroked the side of her thigh.

She was dying to continue and was already turning when she glanced at him over her shoulder. "Just to let you know; the back door is out of the question!"

Loki fought of his grin, poorly. "How restricted perspectives you have," he chided. "I just want to feel your body against mine without fearing of hurting the baby."

Hesitating, she moved on her right side and he inched closer, settling his front against her back and his right arm under her head. With one elegant move of hand he conjured the fluffy quilt they laid on covering them from waist down, and the clean sheets they were between now were heavenly soft. She would have wanted to hold him, but having his warm body spooning with hers felt just perfect.

Her blonde curls were getting on his face and he moved her hair on the pillow and kissed her exposed neck. Under the quilt he lifted the bottom of her nightgown and Emma nearly begun to tremble again. He positioned himself properly, his shaft brushing her wetness, and guided his member back inside of her. Emma fought the urge to whimper as his majestic hardness invaded her once more, feeling him as thick as in the beginning. Damn, she was beginning to hate her fast healing factor! No amount of lubrication was going to make it easier. But maybe she was a masochist because she loved what he did to her.

His left hand traveled on her delicate frame, caressing her breasts, stroking her belly, keeping her firmly in his reach as he took her from behind. Emma couldn't do much but to lie on his hot embrace, feeling their new position naughty and wild and yet more relaxing for both of them. She searched his other hand under the pillows and their fingers intertwined, and her left hand held gently from the side of his neck.

He took her gently but passionately, and carried on devotedly until he poured his divine semen into her trembling body with a gratified groan.

Feeling him throbbing hard inside of her, Emma guided his hand between her legs. "Talk to me!" she begged, not wanting this to be over yet. She was so close to climax with the vehement sensation of him releasing himself freely into her. "Loki, I want to hear your voice."

His long fingers rubbed her folds, feeling how perfectly his pulsing shaft was buried within her. "Oh, you are mine, Emma. You are so tight that it drives me insane," he rasped into her ear with his husky voice, sensing how it sparkled in her and she whimpered softly. Knowing he would soon diminish, he once more thrust deep into her, breathing heavily, his fingers teasing her sex. "You belong to me and you know it. You are a feral little thing and I need to tame you. So, I will take you. Again and again. Satisfaction is not enough. It is never enough. I want more…" He felt how her body tensed and her hand pinned his, and he smiled against her ear. "Now, give me everything!"

His voice was so deep it resonated madly within her mind. She groaned, arching her back against him. "Oh, Loki, my god!"

With a fury of a Valkyrie, her insides spasmed forcibly in his grasp, sucking his lessening erection. She let out a moaning cry, her muscles twitching with no control, and her mind doped with loads of endorphins, filling her with insane euphoria.

Loki pulled out but held her close as she melted in his arms, her body slowly relaxing and her breathing steadying. He kept holding her, letting them both linger in silent, peaceful rapture. He had missed this so much and he pondered was it his touch or his voice that sent her into bliss.

His palm cupped her belly and she placed her hand over his, feeling that they breathed in the same soft rhythm, basking in the heavenly afterglow. Neither said a word in a long time as though being afraid to break the spell of the sweet fallen silence in the chamber where the only sound was the fire crackling in the fireplace. Emma closed her eyes, reliving it all again, wondering how the baby was doing and had it felt anything. The thin silk of her dress was partly glued to her body with sweat. She was going to need that shower, but not just yet.

"Oh, my Valkyrie," Loki whispered finally. "I have missed your body against mine and your warmth on my skin. I can't tell you enough how rousing you are despite your delicate state."

Emma loved the way his voice caressed her as much as his touch did. In good and bad his voice held power over her.

She turned towards him and he made room for her in his arms as she snuggled closer. She kissed him softly and looked into his eyes, feeling a bit uneasy. "Don't vanish tonight."

"I won't," Loki said and stroked her hair that had the color of gold in the warm light. "I will be by your side every night from now on."

When Loki said it, the thought felt to Emma a bit scary and enticing at same time. "Please, just hold me," she whispered and he gladly pulled her even closer.

Little did she know that the power she held on him, set the course of tomorrow.