The Sweetest Rose-LokixOC

Chapter 14

Cassandra sat cross-legged on the floor regarding Loki dubiously. "Meditation is part of learning magic?"

When he promised to teach her magic she imagined something far more flashy and exciting. Illusions, fireballs, or even telekinesis. Disappointment coursed through her. Instead, they were going to sit around and do nothing.

Loki gave her a flat look for asking such a stupid question. Cassandra straightened her spine releasing a soft sigh. "I suppose this is the part where I concentrate on my breathing and empty my thoughts."

"Well, you understand that much at least." Loki didn't join her on the floor, instead he leaned against the back of the sofa observing her posture critically. "Though you will not find the task so easy at first."

Cassandra rested her hands firmly on her thighs and closed her eyes breathing deeply, feeling the air expand her lungs and then exhaled.

Inhale. Exhale. Over and over again into the quiet of the penthouse.

A few minutes passed and she started to relax into the rhythm of her breathing.

Despite her best intentions worries leaked into the quiet space of her mind. Arthur and his groping hands. The bombing. Her new magical powers. The truth about her past. It was so much to contend with for a single person all at once.

Cassandra tried to grapple the thoughts and throw them into the back of her brain, but they continued to resurface mercilessly. Sweat beaded her temple as she squeezed her eyelids tighter. A fine tremor ran through her arms spreading to her hands.

How could she possibly cast all of that aside and concentrate.

"Stop. I can tell your focus is gone." Loki ordered.

Cassandra opened her eyes to find him glaring down at her. Gone was the charming god who gave her flowers. In his place was a sorcerer teaching a novice how to use her powers. "You're right. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. Do better." He replied mercilessly.

Cassandra arched a brow at his imperious tone but complied.

After an hour Loki moved to the next phase of her training. Combat. They took the elevator down to the spacious gym located on the floor below the penthouse.

With a casual flick of his hand, the workout machines rearranged themselves against the walls, leaving a wide-open space in the middle of the room where he stood, an intimidating figure. "We'll start with the basics."

Cassandra joined Loki halting a few feet away from him. His critical gaze raked over her plain purple tank top and yoga pants. Her stomach squirmed nervously under his scrutiny. She had to fight not to cross her arms in a defensive posture. It would not shield her from Loki's sharp tongue.

"A change of attire is in order. You need a proper set of Asgardian fighting leathers." Loki concluded after he finished his examination. He raised a hand, glowing green palm thrust forward.

Under his direction Cassandra's clothes transformed into a tight-fitting black leather tunic with a high collar and metal gauntlets on her forearms. A green over coat with thin gold plates at the shoulders fell to her knees with a sweeping train in the back. Her yoga pants were now the same black leather as the tunic tucked into knee high boots.

Awed, Cassandra ran her hands over the supple material. "It feels real."

Loki now wore a masculine version of her new outfit including a long-horned helmet. "That's because it is. With enough energy behind a spell, illusions can become reality." He came around behind her and straightened her shoulders, adjusting her stance so she stood solidly on the mat. "If you cannot maintain your balance in a fight an enemy can easily use your body against you."