Servant of Jotunheim

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We sit alone together quietly in the library for many hours, simply reading books. It is a peculiar experience to say the least, but he eventually speaks.

Loki: "I dare say you enjoy reading more than I".

Me: "It was my only source of joy on Jotunheim, but books were in short supply and women were forbidden to read".

Loki: "You must have been rather mischievous to gain access to those books" he grins.

Me: "I had my moments. My mother once said that a lady should always strive to be the most intelligent person in the room, no matter what her social standing so that men would remember their place" I smile gently.

Loki: "Your mother was indeed correct. I cannot tell you how many dull conversations I have had with noble women who care about little more than wealth and appearances".

Me: "Not to speak out of place, but what a kingdom needs is noble women with more between her ears than an empty space".

The King laughs as though he finds my comment beyond amusing. I notice that his eyes still appear heavy as he once again struggles to keep them open.

Me: "You should lie down and rest for a while, my King, you appear exhausted".

Loki: "Perhaps you are correct".

Me: "Your nightly visitations must require a great deal of energy?"

Loki: "Nightly visitations? Is that what the servants call it?" he sniggers.

Me: "That is the more polite and proper version, yes".

Loki: "Do you believe me improper for feasting upon the pleasures of the flesh?"

Me: "I would never pass judgement on a King for his personal appetites".

Loki: "I have been wondering, how exactly does courtship work on Jotunheim?"

Me: "I do not have any experience in the matter, my King. As a half breed and a runt, I have long since been deemed unworthy of a Jotun mate. I have read of it though".

Loki: "What have you read of it?"

Me: "That once a female is of breeding age, she unknowingly gives off a scent to allure a potential mate. Any male can lay claim to her and release his own musk to arouse her. However, if there is more than one male desiring a particular female, they must fight for the right to mate with her. The victor claims her as his by right, but if he lays with another as my father did by forcing himself on my mother, his female will reject him and find another mate".

Loki: "I take it that is why your father had always treated you so poorly?"

Me: "He was not pleased that my mother and I survived childbirth. I was to be his responsibility and a constant symbol of his shame, while his mate rejected him for another".

Loki: "So you have never desired to have a mate of your own?"

Me: "Not at all, my King. Those brutes never allowed me to forget how repulsive they found my existence and that the only reason they would ever touch me was to cause me harm".

Loki: "Did they harm you?"

Me: "Yes. After King Laufey died there was no protection for me. My father began ruling in his place and took great pleasure in watching me suffer at the hands of others".

Loki: "I am truly sorry, Anya".

Anya: "For what, my King? You rescued me from that life by accepting me as a gift. I owe you my eternal gratitude".

Loki: "Anya, I was the one who killed King Laufey. I was the reason you were left unprotected on Jotunheim".

Me: "You...you murdered the King?"

Surely there must be a mistake. I was told that King Laufey was murdered by a monster, but the King before me is clearly no monster.

Loki: "He came here to Asgard in a foolish attempt to take my father's life and steal an ancient relic from the vault".

Me: "May I be excused, my King?".

I can hardly stop my lip from trembling as I fight back tears.

Loki: "You may" he says sympathetically.

He truly did it. He was the one who murdered the only frost giant that had ever showed me any kindness and my heart now feels as though it will break.