chapter 7
Everyone was led out in the yard for the yule log burning ceremony. The woods were carefully assembled as a bonfire. They were decorated with holly. Hawthorn wood was kept aside the bonfire for Draco to put in the fire. It was the traditions in pureblood society that the yule log was burned by the head of the house. Draco had many times had asked his mother to burn the log after his father’s death. But she was adamant about the traditions so hawthorn wood, the wood of the wand Draco had was burned.
Ignis came out of her cave to grace them with her presence. He let out a Dragon equivalent purr upon seeing Loki, which made leaves on trees shake. Draco quickly had to shush her. Ignis’s reaction to every time he sees Loki was the exact representation to Draco’s feelings towards Loki. Ignis snorted, which would’ve burned anyone else if they were not Dragon Rider. Draco merely raised his eyebrows and motioned for her to fire the woods. After the hawthorn wood was burned everyone returned to the lounge room for other ceremonies. food was quickly served in by the house elves. Dinner was joyous affair. Draco was sat at the head of table, as per traditions. Food was shared. Asgardian ale was served, stories were told, plans were made, pranks were hatched. After dinner, all of them were seated comfortably in the sitting room with hot chocolate with marshmallows, sprinkles, etc. gifts were exchanged. Even Queen Frigga bought gifts for them even though she did not a thing about them. There was laughter, music, dance and most probably alcohol. Draco had long ago learned a spell that would drain the alcohol out of his drinks, so he was not a bit drunk. Just he was bloody drunk on hot cocoa. His home had many times tried to bring him and Loki under a mistletoe but dark glare and a threat of leaving the home had set them straight. Draco was sure no one noticed what his home tried to do but it was wishful thinking. Honestly his home and his dragon acts like children.
As it turns out Draco was not only currently housing Queen Frigga but his drunk friends too. He had them sent up to their rooms with the house elves. When Loki said that he will see to his mother had settled in. Frigga was only here for two days so Narcissa had decided to have her chambers near her rooms so she could gossip. Surely. Finally, Draco was alone. He felt like he was holding his breath whole evening. At last he took a deep breath let his head fall back on the cushion. He recalled every moment of the evening, analysing that was everything up to the mark or not. He was just thinking that Asgardian ale was stronger tonight when he felt the winds of his home tell him that Loki was coming to meet him with a childish giggle. He really needs to have a word with his home.
“Issa muñnykeā loves ao” (my mother loves you) Loki said, without announcing himself. As if he knows that the house would inform it masters about everything happening in it.
“Drējī?” (truly?) Draco asked
“Modesty does daor suit ao” (modesty does not suit you). Loki said playfully. Draco just hummed and kissed him. Loki is never going to get tired of kissing Draco. The way he just fits perfectly in his arms. His little noises when he slips tongue inside is mouth is more than enough of drug. He didn’t realize how fast he become addicted to kissing Draco but he was sure as hel never going to let him go.
“Where were you this past month? Vanaheim?” Draco asked as they ended the kiss.
“Hmm, the peace treaty with Vanaheim was negotiated quickly. As usual I did the talking and Thor charmed them with his presence” Loki rolled his eyes.
“As usual.” Draco agreed. Draco could feel the resentment coming off of Loki. And he cannot help but resent Prince Thor as well. Draco had first hand seen how much Loki put in the works to keep the peace between all the realms. How much he worked to get his father’s approval. But Odin never acknowledged Loki’s work. It was always Thor this and Thor that. Once he had asked Loki why does he not say anything to his Mother but he quickly brushed it off and said that she was a war bride, she cannot step out of line, unless her people face the consequences of Allfather’s ire. This seemed pretty barbaric to him. But who was he to say anything.
Loki had assured him that his mother acknowledged his efforts and always praised him, and that was enough for him. It clearly was not. Because he worked for this peace treaty day and night, which was supposed to be prepared by Thor. Loki had said that Thor was not good with politics, he had rather use his hammer to get what he wants but he was going to be king one day and war was not always the answer. After their reunion with Hela, their elder sister. she had said that she does not want the throne of Asgard, she just wants Odin to suffer. As she was already the Queen of Niflheim, Odin had promised that when the time came she will kill him. The three siblings certainly weren’t the best friends but they tried. Hela was particularly entranced with Loki’s political skills and Thor’s wielding the thunder. But Draco knew Loki felt betrayed by his brother’s impending coronation and there was a battle brewing in his mind. Draco knows that Loki had had enough and now he was going to take steps to ensure that he is seen.
“After my visit from Vanaheim, Helblindi contacted me.” Loki said breaking Draco out of his thoughts.
“Helblindi, Laufey’s nephew right?” Draco asked. Loki had told him all the tales about the nine realms. He knows various figures all over the realms. He has even met the person who reports everything about the earth to Odin, other than Heimdall.
“Yes, he said that almost all of the Jotunheim is trying to raise a coup against Laufey. They are trying to find his lost son but their powers are not at their fullest without the casket of winters.” He said quietly.
Draco eyebrows were nearly upto his hairline by now. Coup against Laufey. Either they have an extremely well defined plan without any loopholes or they have a suicide mission. As if reading Draco’s thoughts Loki sighed.
“Yes, I know I thought the same but he showed me condition of Jotunheim. Because of Laufey’s vengeance and almost every other Realm under Odin’s order he does not want to trade. Draco, the population has reduced to a naught. While I might hate them. The Children played no part in the war. Even if my children are to play significant part in Ragnarok, it is years from now. Laufey’s blindness to the circumstances has been one of the main reasons of the coup. Helblindi said they were for a millennia trying to find his son, someone who could help them. He has asked for my help and I have no idea what to do.” Loki completed.
Draco carefully moved to straddle Loki’s lap, he kissed him long and hard to express his love for this beautiful yet flawed Prince. Loki’s desire to help the Jotun children and Loki’s need to prove himself as worthy were having a war in his mind. There was no easy way out of this. If anyone else were in this situation they would have probably lose their mind. But Loki’s mind and heart were always at war and his uncanny capability to move forward which would bring peace to others and manipulate the situation to benefit him would always bring him forward. Loki would find a way to help himself and Helblindi. He was sure of it.
“ñuha dōna, you will find a way out of this, I assure you it your time to shine bright” Draco reassured him. (my sweet)