Chapter 17
17
Days had passed while Natasha conducted her clandestine investigation. She and Luka had sparred several times, even met once in a little local cafe for lunch. Nat noticed how much the goddess seemed to enjoy any change in her daily life. She thought she might mention it to the big god. Luka appeared so calm and happy after getting out of the Tower.
Meanwhile, oblivious to the drama surrounding her, the goddess was planning to visit her shutterbug friend once more. She had spoken to him by phone and he had someone he wanted her to meet. In fact, he was very impatient for her to come back to his studio.
Luka was supposed to meet with Pepper for lunch and a walk-through of SI Long Island HQ. That was what she’d told Thor and Pepper confirmed it. So the blond god had no problem putting his lady in a cab by herself. After all, she was no child and had already done it twice.
But, the goddess waited only until the vehicle turned the first corner before changing her destination. The cabbie didn’t care; he got paid either way. Luka called Pepper, begging off their meeting, apologising for it being last minute and asked if they might reschedule soon. The mortal redhead agreed, surprised, but amenable. It gave her a free afternoon to catch up on paperwork.
By 1 pm, Luka had been dropped off at her Manhattan address, entered and was greeted by Weber’s staff. The receptionist called his office and in no time, the photographer came rushing out. His greeting as effusive as the first time, Luka actually had to extract her hand from his.
“Come, come, milady! Upstairs, if you please. I’ve someone you simply must meet!” Luka smiled and nodded graciously.
“If you insist, Karl Weber. But calm yourself, minn vinr. We have time today. Thor believes me spending the afternoon with Lady Potts. We should have no interruptions.” The goddess soothed, her voice silky smooth and velvety soft. As before, it put Weber in a trance.
“Uh... right. I showed some of the shots of you to Maria. She’s actually come all the way from Paris just to meet you. Unprecedented!”
“This person is someone of note in your profession? I am flattered,” Luka cooed. She smoothed her hands down her gown, straightening every fold and wrinkle. Tossing her head lay her hair in a perfect coif, not a strand out of place.
“Of note? Ha, ha! Maria Chiuri is the design head of Dior!” The goddess simply looked at him, mild interest on her face and a lifted brow indicating she needed more information. Weber sighed, “You have no idea what that means, do you? I forget you’re not, uh, one of us.”
“I confess, I do not, Karl Weber. And, no, I am definitely not ‘one of you.’” Luka smiled to indicate she was not upset or offended. “Please, elaborate.”
“Will you please call me Bryce? I feel funny when you’re so formal. Ms. Chiuri is the person in charge of all design for one of the most important companies in the fashion world. She’s just now getting ready for a show in Mumbai. That’s India, by the way. And her fashion house is based in Paris, the fashion capital of the world!”
“Ah! So this lady is a saumakvenn, then? A woman who stitches clothing?” Luka translated when he looked confused.
“Oh my god, no!” He gasped, waving his hands, back and forth. “She’s an artist! She designs dresses and such. She has a whole shop full of people, women and men, to actually make her creations.”
“Ah, einn meistari, then. Although such are usually men on my world. Women do create, but usually for the home.” Luka grinned, “I am very curious to meet this lady.”
“Well, good! “Cause she’s right through here,” Weber opened the door to his office. He ushered Luka in, following closely, and closed the door again.
Chiuri, sitting in a comfortable chair, nearly dropped her cup of coffee. Something she rarely did, she stood to meet Luka. “Mon Dieu! I did not believe you, Bryce. Even after seeing the photos you sent. She is even more beautiful in person.” The designer scrutinised Luka closely.
“She’s not even wearing any makeup at all, is she?” She shook her head, stunned.
“‘She’ is standing right here and is not deaf,” Luka snapped. This was not going to go well if this mortal thought she could speak as though the goddess were less than the most important person in the room.
She’d had enough of that from Thor and his friends, Odin and... others. Luka suddenly needed to sit, her mind whirling. She swept her skirts and cloak to one side and sank into the nearest seat. Her face betrayed nothing of her mental upset, however.
The designer was shocked by the snappish tone of this gorgeous woman. A complete unknown, she acted like she thought she was doing Chiuri a favour! Did she not realise what an opportunity was before her?
“I beg your pardon?” Maria sniffed.
“Wait, wait!” Bryce knew he had to straighten this confusion out immediately. Before two powerful women started snarling at each other and ruined what could be so beneficial for them all. “Ladies, please. Let me introduce you both.” He smiled, placatingly.
“Lady Luka, this Madame Maria Grazia Chiuri, design head of the famous Dior fashion house of Paris. She’s flown all the way here just to meet you.” Luka nodded elegantly, a slight smile conferring acceptance. She did not rise to greet the mortal, simply extending her hand to the other, older seeming woman.
Chiuri’s eyebrow rose at her cheek, but she did take Luka’s hand. The second brow joined it at Weber’s introduction. No wonder she acted like that!
“Madame Chiuri, I have the honour of introducing to you, Lady Luka, Asgardian goddess of Air and Fire, sister of Crown Prince Thor, heir to the throne of the Realm Eternal.” Bryce looked as shocked as the designer. He had no idea where his words had come from; he didn’t know any of the things he’d just said before they came out of his mouth.
A goddess! And a princess, too! No wonder she has such a superior attitude. But I need her. What a coup if I can get her to model for me, Maria thought. She was already redesigning her fall line in her head.
“Forgive me for speaking over your head, your Highness. I didn’t realise you were a princess... and a goddess. I thought you were a beautiful woman only. And you are new to the fashion industry. I would love to design gowns for you! And have you show them to the world.” Chiuri laughed in delight. “You could rule the entire planet if you chose!”
“Could I?” Luka smiled, an elegant brow raised and her chin lifted. “And what if I hold no such desire?” She chuckled at the instant disappointment on both the mortals’ faces. “I jest Lady Chiuri. I will be most pleased to see your ideas for clothing me in your ‘high fashion.’”
“Can you travel? I’d love to take you to Mumbai with me. Show you what I can do.” And show you to the rest of my colleagues. Everyone will be so jealous!
“Interesting. This city you speak of is halfway around this Realm, is it not? A great distance to travel, too. It would take much time using your mortal conveyances, yes? I might find that tiring.”
“Well, I do have a private jet at my disposal,” Chiuri demurred. “We would be comfortable.”
“I think not, Lady Chiuri. I do not trust your mortal machines.” Luka grinned, snickering. “I have my own means of transport. Come closer. Give me your destination and I shall gladly meet you there. When you are prepared to host me.” Luka stood and reached toward the mortal’s face.
“What are you... oh!” The woman blinked and twitched when Luka’s fingers pressed gently against her temple. She stared at the goddess, watching her pale green eyes glow and change to gold for a moment. “What was that?”
“I have taken your place of rest in, Mumbai was it, from your mind. Design something for me, meanwhile. When it is done, you may call me and I will join you. Karl Bryce has the means of contacting me. We will speak again, as I believe financial arrangements for our venture should be made first, yes?” Luka stood, manifested her travelling cloak and smiled at the stunned woman.
“Ver heill ok sæll, Lady Chiuri! I must return to Jarl Stark’s home now. Before my overprotective brother misses me.” She sighed and made a small moue. “Family!” With that, she disappeared.
Chiuri scowled at Weber. “Well! She is definitely as beautiful as you claimed. But not the innocent you thought, it would seem. That last comment leads me to believe she knows exactly what we had planned. We need to be careful with what we offer. And truthful. I do not think Lady Luka would react well to being deceived in any way.”