Servant of Jotunheim

Invite

After breakfast with the Queen Mother and Prince Thor, the King enters my chambers in good spirits as he wraps his hands around my waist.

Loki: "I must say you look beautiful today, my love".

Me: "How was breakfast?"

Loki: "Not nearly as delicious as your lips, my pet" he says before giving me a gentle kiss.

Me: "What has gotten into you today, Loki?" I giggle.

Loki: "Nothing at all. Would you perhaps care to join me in the library today?"

Me: "I would love to".

He watches over me with wonderment as I lay on the floor of the library, surrounded by more books then I could possible read in one day. One book in particular captures my interest.

Me: "Where is Midgard?"

Loki: "That is the mortal realm where Thor now lives with his wife, Jane".

Me: "Thor is wed to a mortal woman? You have never mentioned that before".

Loki: "He abdicated the throne to be with her after our father did not approve of their courtship".

Me: "Why does he not return to live in Asgard now?"

Loki: "He may possibly return one day, but has expressed no desire to do so as of yet".

Me: "Do you believe he would have been a good King?"

Loki: "He would have been the better King" he answers with such sadness in his voice.

I cannot help but get up from the floor and go over to where he is sitting on a bench. He looks up at me and places his book down next to him.

Me: "You are a truly wonderful King, Loki".

I lean down and gently kiss his cheek, which causes him to smile sweetly as I pull away.

Loki: "I do not deserve you, Valanya".

Me: "You have me, my King".

His hands find my waist and he pulls me in closer so he can rest his head against me. I gently stroke his hair and bend down to kiss the top of his head. He seems to enjoy it as he laughs while I continue to play with his hair.

Me: "What amuses you?"

Loki: "You would make a wonderful mother some day".

As beautiful a dream as that would be I feel a sense of sadness when it again occurs to me that even if we were to lay together, I would never be able to carry the King's child.

He must choose a noble woman like Princess Dahlia if he ever wishes to have his own bloodline continue. It hurts me deeply knowing that I cannot grant him the opportunity to become a father.

Me: "I am rather hungry" I blurt out suddenly to distract myself from my thoughts.

Without warning and with his hands still gripping my waist, he pulls me down so I am now sitting upon his lap.

Loki: "Hungry for what?"

Me: "Clearly not what you are hungry for, Loki" I cannot help but smile at his playful nature.

Loki: "Perhaps we can venture out into the kingdom for a short while and get something to eat?"

Me: "You would let me venture outside the palace walls?"

Loki: "With me accompanying you, of course".

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After I take the potion and change for our outing, I am relieved that the King is finally allowing me outside the palace walls, although I am fully aware that the threat of Helbindi's return is still looming over Asgard like a dark cloud.

We have lunch together quite peacefully before walking back towards the palace, where we unexpectedly bump into Prince Thor who does not recognise in my disguise.

Thor: "Brother! What brings you out here on this fine day?"

Loki: "I have just taken my companion here out to lunch".

Thor: "And what is this beautiful companions name?"

Loki: "Princess Valanya. She is visiting me for the afternoon and then she will be returning to her own kingdom".

Thor: "So this is the princess that Lady Sif told me so much about?"

Me: "I am indeed. Might I say Prince Thor, you are just as handsome as I had heard rumour of".

Thor: "You flatter me princess. You must join us for dinner this evening at the palace. It is not often that my brother enters a courtship with a princess so fair as you".

Loki: "A splendid idea, Thor. We will see you there".

Me: "We will?"

Loki: "Of course we will, my dear" he smiles down at me.

Had the King gone completely mad or had he invited me to dinner at the palace with his mother and brother?