Utter Devotion

Promises

"How in the nine realms are you so accepting of this?"

Loki leaned against the wall as Thor lay back on one of the many couches his arms behind his head his golden hair spread out over his shoulders.

"First of all, I trust mother, she knows what she is doing, second of all I have seen Lady Ratana, she is... exquisite."

Loki held back a snort as he took in his brother's glazed over eyes and far away look on his face.

"Yes, I noticed."

Thor shook himself out of a daze and looked up at Loki.

"And what of Lady Ciannait? Have you seen her yet?"

"I have so have you. She's the warrior you fought."

Thors gaze sharpened and his eyebrow shot up.

"Really? And mother picked her for you? She is not exactly your type."

Loki thought back, it didn't matter, before he had known who she was, he had merely been trying to seduce her in an attempt to get her to release Thor or let him escape, he had expected it to be far easier than it had proved, women that were as uptight as Ciannait was, usually were desperatly in need of release and by the time he was finished they were purring like kittens and willing to do what ever he wanted with them.

But then they had the strange run in with Njord, Loki was sure he had arranged the run in as a way to reinforce to Loki that Ciannait was not to be touched, Loki thoughts lingered on the way Njord had possesively grabbed her chin, and the way the light had vanished from her eyes, made his hands unwillingly clinch in anger.

She obviously did not like or encourage his intentions, and then his words, "Brother, are you alright?"

Thor was now in front of him, his hands on his shoulders, he saw himself reflected in a mirror on the wall, his normally viridian green eyes were now a glowing scarlet red, "Calm down Loki."

Mentally he shook himself out of his irrational anger, "I'm fine Thor. I don't have to like her. This is all political anyway."

"All too true my sons."

Frigga strode into the room, her soft blue gown swishing around her as she walked in, her head held high, she gathered both of her sons to her, taking each of their hands in hers, she moved them into the inner most room, shutting the doors and the room glowed with a golden shimmer Loki recognized as a silencing spell.

He smirked, it didn't surprise him that his mother had already found a way around having her seidr bound.

"Listen to me my sons. This is a dangerous game we are playing and all of us must play our parts. Njord is a dangerous enemy. Do not anger him unnecessarily. I have learned much since my return here. I have not been around my brother in over two thousand years, if even have the things I have heard are true, I pray the norns keeps us safe. Keep your wits about you boys."

"Mother, we are men not boys."

Loki rolled his eyes affectionately at Thor, "Quiet oaf."

Frigga affectionately squeezed both their hands before she leaned forward kissing first Loki's cheek then Thor's, "You will always be my little boys."

Loki breathed out a sigh, this was the first time they could talk safety without the threat of being overheard, "Njord has offered to put me on the throne if I betray Odin. He wrongly assumed that just because Odin and I do not get along, that I would betray him. Obviously, he didn't do his own research, because otherwise he'd have known I have no desire to rule"