Chapter 3
Another day in your life as a healer passed. Seeing patients, tending your plants, talking to Chester, mixing medicines, the day passed.
Word came that Lord Medve was recovering well, though it would be a long process to return to where he was. The cook, as it turned out, had been slipping him the poisoned mushroom. It seemed the cook was actually from a rival family and would benefit greatly with Medve’s death. His punishment was immediate and quick.
You shook your head, not wanting the details but appreciating the bag of gold coins you had been given in recompense.
A few days passed in your usual manner: healing, tending, mixing. You could not find an excuse to go back into the forest. As much as you wanted to, it would just be a waste of sleep. Though still, you longed to see the mysterious man again.
Within a week, your wish came true.
You were mixing herbs well into the night, not yet sleepy even though the hour was late.
Chester bolted upright.
You looked at him and saw the cat gazing intently at the door. “What is it, bud?”
The cat slowly sank back down and folded his paws under himself, still watching the door closely.
Carefully, you set your things down and made your way over to the door, double checking that it was latched.
Then a soft rapping came at the door, someone’s knuckles hitting it.
Chester yowled softly, straightening up.
You licked your lips nervously. “Please come back in the morning. I have things to tend to tonight. Unless it cannot wait?”
A soft voice, though muffled, came through the door. “It cannot wait.”
Your eyes widened and you threw open the door. “Loki!” You cried softly, mouth falling open to see the mysterious man standing before you.
Loki smiled back at you, stepping away from the door to bow low. His hair hung in curtains, obscuring his face and he straightened up once more. “May I come in?”
“Yes, by all means.” You moved to the side and motioned for him to enter.
Loki towered over you, walking in and looking around your cottage curiously. Chester had settled down and was now watching the strange man suspiciously.
“Chester be nice, we have company.” You scolded the cat.
Chester grunted and went back to sleep.
Loki smirked. “A pleasant creature.”
“Normally he’s friendlier.”
Crossing the room, Loki knelt beside the bed and stroked the cat’s fur. Chester started purring though still stared at Loki suspiciously.
“You’re good with animals then?”
“Just certain ones. I have something of an affinity for them.”
You smiled, heart thudding as you stared at him. “Oh. Well, that’s lovely.” You wiped your hands on your skirts and looked around. Swallowing hard, you returned your gaze to Loki. “So, what brings you here? Normally I don’t let people come this late but…” You trailed off.
“You’ll make an exception for me?” Loki asked, sinking into one of the chairs at the same time.
You put your hands on your hips and scowled.
Loki laughed softly and your scowl faded. “Forgive me. It is difficult to travel during the day.”
“You’re a night creature, huh?” You giggled.
Loki’s eyes flashed and then it passed, an easy smile crossing his face once more. “Is that what they call it?”
“I’m something of a night creature myself.” You added.
Loki nodded. “Yes, you do seem to be.” He looked around at the various hanging plants.
“So what do I owe the pleasure of such a visit? Though it is untoward to be single and having strange men in my cottage.”
“Single?” Loki repeated curiously.
You cleared your throat. “I do not have a lover.”
Loki smiled. “I see.”
Your heart fluttered. Once more you wiped at your skirts. “The villagers may think ill of me if they see such a strange man in my home.”
“And what do you think of me?” Loki tilted his head.
You felt your cheeks heat. “You seem nice, polite, gentle.”
Loki nodded. “I see. Though I should not mislead you, I am not gentle, and I am not always nice.”
You raised your eyebrow. “What do you mean by that?”
“I come from a village deep in the woods.” Loki shrugged, looking at his nails.
“There’s no village in the woods.”
“That you know of.”
You pursed your lips. “That I know of, no.” Then you asked, “So is that why you are always traveling in the woods at dark?”
Loki nodded. After a few beats of silence, he spoke again. “Danger is lurking on the horizon.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re intelligent, I’m sure you can figure it out.” Loki stood up.
“Explain yourself.”
Loki walked over to you, tilting his head down to stare in your eyes. His hand reached up lightning fast, and you flinched. Then carefully, with all the gentleness one might hold a babe, he stroked the back of his hand across your cheek.
You shivered at his cool touch. Heat spread further across your body, and you felt yourself trembling.
“You are so warm, gentle dove. Yet you tremble like a leaf in the wind.” Loki’s knuckles stayed brushing against your cheek.
You felt your voice lower to barely a whisper. “I’m not trembling.”
“Do you fear me?” Loki asked, tilting his head to the side, his hand still caressing your face.
“N-no,” you stammered.
“Perhaps you should.” He murmured.
You furrowed your brow. “Why?”
“I am not of your land.”
For a moment, you swore you saw the flash of sharp teeth as he spoke. You shivered.
“Does this frighten you, pet?” He purred.
You shook your head and stammered again. “N-no.”
“Perhaps it should.” His hand slid down your face and his thumb caressed your lower lip.
You felt frozen in place, unable to react as his cool thumb brushed your lips.
“I would steal a kiss.” He whispered, leaning down and pressing his lips to yours gently. Then he pulled away.
You let in a sharp inhale as he pulled back from you. Your lips still tingled from where his had been.
“Do you trust me?”
Your eyes fluttered shut and you nodded.
“Good.” Loki leaned down, moving the neck of your dress away from you. He kissed your skin gently and you whimpered, still unable to move. Did he hold some sort of spell over you? Or were you just that entranced?
You could feel his cool breath on your skin, sending gooseflesh across your body. Then very carefully, he kissed you again, before his teeth bit down and he sucked on your skin. With one hand, he held your head towards him, allowing him to kiss and bite deeper. His other hand slid down your waist and rested above your hip.
Stars burst across your vision and you felt lightheaded. The way his mouth moved on your bare skin felt electric and you could feel yourself starting to sway in his grasp, lost in the moment. Knots tightened in your stomach and your eyes shut.
Then the moment passed and he pulled away, fixing your dress. Loki licked his lips. “Thank you, pet.”
You swayed where you stood and smiled up at him with glazed eyes.
Very carefully, he scooped you into his arms and carried you over to the bed. “Rest, gentle one.” Loki murmured as Chester jumped down from the bed making room for you.
“Things are happening in your city.”
You nodded tiredly, still staring up at him dazed, your eyes half lidded. “Yes, what sort of things?” You mumbled, already feeling half asleep.
“I’ll be back for you when they happen. Don’t worry, pet. You are mine now.”
And then he was gone.