Chapter 17
Hoping to avoid any further encounters with the Warriors Three, Loki and Sylvie headed back to their room. Inside the bed chamber Sylvie caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and gasped at a large reddish spot on her neck.
She walked closer and examined it before spinning around to see Loki looking far too pleased with himself. He was fighting an immense grin while he stared at his hands as though his cuticle beds had suddenly become fascinating.
Sylvie scowled at him as he chuckled, flicking his wrist and making the hickey disappear. She looked back in the mirror and huffed a sigh of relief before turning on him.
Loki feigned innocence, “You must admit you enjoyed receiving the love bite—”
“You’ll pay for that one, Laufeyson…” she said holding out a finger of warning.
“I await with baited breath,” he grinned.
Sylvie decided to wait till he least expected, then figured she ought to make sweat. She turned back to the mirror and made a show of unlacing her dress unnecessarily, pretending to ignore him completely.
Loki swallowed thickly and suddenly was unsure what to do. He fidgeted and coughed, trying not to stare.
Sylvie grinned smugly and lifted the dress around her hips as she walked behind the changing screen. She tossed the green fabric behind her to fall to the floor in plain sight then for good measure slipped off her underwear and tossing them over the screen making her nudity painfully obvious.
Loki flushed at the sight, “Can—uh—can I conjure anything for you?”
Sylvie grinned behind the screen, satisfied with the tremor in his voice.
“Well, I suppose you could conjure me another pair of underwear… unless you prefer I go without?”
Loki coughed, “I uh—I—“
“Kidding, Loki… Frigga left plenty of undergarments for me,” she teased.
Loki nodded to himself knowing he deserved that, “Right—of course.”
He cleared his throat and went to the bathing chamber to splash his face with cool water and regain some composure.
Sylvie changed into a more practical outfit and went to sit on the edge of the bed.
When Loki returned he still looked a bit flustered and Sylvie couldn’t help feeling a bit pleased with herself. He sat down carefully beside her and smiled when she knocked her shoulder into his playfully.
“Have you decided where you want to go next?” he inquired patiently with a raised eyebrow.
Sylvie thought about it for a moment then took his hand in hers.
“I think we should go see your brother,” she said softly.
Loki looked at her curiously, “Before we leave…?”
“No, I think we should go see your brother,” she smiled gently.
Realization dawned on his face and he looked touched if a bit sad, “I don’t know that he would want to see me… or what I could possibly say…” he sighed wearily, “the last time I saw him he had just arrested me for invading Midgard…”
“We could visit him at any point on your timeline… if you want to, that is… but I thought you could perhaps use a bit of closure…” Sylvie gave his hand a squeeze of support.
Loki shook his head softly in amazement, “You know, sometimes I think you know me better than I do…” he murmured with a fond smile.
“Mmm, and I didn’t even enchant you…” she teased.
Loki smirked, voice low and earnest, “I wouldn’t say that…”
Sylvie rolled her eyes but smiled in spite of herself. He could be unbearably sentimental and romantic, but his sincerity made her heart flutter nonetheless.
Loki lifted her hand and kissed the back of her palm, eyes still locked with hers.
Sylvie tried to laugh but the sound came out more like a gasp and she quickly stifled it, clearing her throat.
“Anyway, we’ve lingered here long enough,” she said reluctantly.
Loki gave her a half smile, “indeed, can’t dally forever,” he looked thoughtful for a moment, gaze falling on the stone floor where a beam of sunlight cut across the room.
“Midgard—Earth…” Loki looked conflicted, “I almost shudder to consider it, but I don’t like the notion of an entire planet thinking me a heartless villain…”
“Is that a good idea?” She asked cautiously.
“Probably not, but I’d like to try. Do you think me mad?” He asked self consciously.
“Oh, completely,” she teased playfully, “but I think most people would agree I’m hardly one to talk.”
Loki grinned, eyes utterly smitten, and leaned in to kiss her briefly.
They talked a while longer but soon found themselves hungry. Loki showed off a bit using his astral projection to call for food to be brought in for them.
Sylvie watched with amusement then kissed and nipped at his ear playfully to distract him. Loki hurriedly thanked the kitchen staff and returned to his present location to press Sylvie into the bed and kiss her senseless.
When a gentle knock came at the door what felt like only moments later they parted breathlessly. Loki hovered over her, arms caging her in and panting heavily. The visual made Sylvie’s mind wander and she swallowed thickly.
“Loki?”
Loki’s eyes widened at the sound of his mother’s voice and he scrambled quickly to answer the door. Sylvie had to cover her mouth to not burst out laughing as he gave her a reproachful glare and straightened his clothes.
“Mother!” He opened the door breathlessly, attempting and failing to appear unflustered.
“Good evening dear, it’s been—” she sighed wearily, “it’s been a long day, though I don’t imagine I need to tell you that,” she looked at him shrewdly.
Loki coughed nervously, “yes, of course mother, I imagine you must be very tired—”
“Indeed,” she took his hand, “I’m off to bed, try not to stay up all night, and please be sure to see me before you leave,” she smiled softly.
“Of course mother, good night,” he nodded kindly and leaned in to kiss her cheek.
“Goodnight, Sylvie!” Frigga called over his shoulder, smiling warmly.
“Goodnight your majesty!” Sylvie answered with amusement.
Loki blushed and closed the door as Frigga departed.
Not long after, their meal arrived. They ate in a comfortable silence, occasionally stealing food off each other’s plates.
Once they’d finished eating Loki used his magic to make the the trays disappear while Sylvie went to change into her nightclothes. He made his clothing vanish in place of his comfortable silk sleep trousers and climbed into the bed.
When Sylvie emerged she walked slowly over to the bedside closest to him rather than the side she’d slept on the night before.
“Would you prefer this side?” Loki asked kindly.
Sylvie shook her head gently and lifted the blanket to climb in next to him. Loki sucked in a breath of surprise but quickly shifted to make room for her. She lay beside him on the same pillow, eyes vulnerable as he gazed at her adoringly. She smiled nervously but soon relaxed as he brushed the hair back from her cheek tenderly.
“Tell me about what happened… on Earth,” she asked softly.
Loki’s brow knit slightly surprised by her request, then exhaled deeply.
“No judgements…” she reassured him patiently, “you know I’m no angel… I just… I want to hear things from your side.”
Loki smiled ruefully and gave her a brief nod of understanding.