Beauty and the Trickster

Chapter Five

         The sunrise was my natural alarm clock, my body ached. I did not dream, or that I could remember. I was alone in my bed; Loki must have slipped out once I'd fallen asleep.

I felt like such a child, yet I was grateful for his company. Groaning, I tried to get out of bed, but the ache was too much for me. Rolling over I forced myself back to sleep, I did not want to leave my room. I could not look at anyone, nor did I want anyone to talk to me.

A city of gold laid before me, glistening in the setting sun. You could feel power pulsing through the road I walked on, a sweet smell in the wind. I looked back behind, for me to be looking out onto a bustling city. Merchant carts wheeling on crowded pathways, with merchant tents and children playing. I was in a palace, I didn't know where I was, but I felt comfortable.

"Darling, you're awake." I heard Loki, I smiled turning around. His smile as he walked towards me weakened my knees. Taking me into an embrace that felt like a romantic movie, his fingers toying with my fallen hair. My hands reached up touching his face, the love radiating from him was suffocating. His lips met my own, such softness and tenderness. I shared our passion, wrapping my arms around his neck pulling him closer to me.

My eyes closed, in complete bliss, his kisses engulfed my entire being.

His lips pulling away from me before returning with aggression, his hands wrapping into my hair.

"I enjoy your cooperation, little mouse." My eyes snapped open, peering back at me was a scared eye and a sneering Sven.

I shot out of my nightmare with a scream, sweat covering my body. The sun was starting to set, but my room was still light. Tears fell as my body shook, holding my legs to myself curling onto the bed. A shadow fleeing away from the bedside, catching my breath in my throat.

A soft knocking came from the door, forcing my eyes away from the darkness, waiting for whoever had knocked to go away. They knocked again, and again. Before I finally wiped my eyes, moving over to the door. Opening it after I scanned behind me, seeing no more shadows. I paused wondering if I was just still tired, but shaking it off I opened the door. Steve looked down at me, I sighed in response. It was just Steve, at least he was alright. He looked uninjured.

"I heard you crying, I just wanted to check on you." Steve's eyes filled with worry. I side-stepped, offering him to come inside. "Are you alright?

"I'll be alright, just a bad dream." I sighed; Steve took me into his arms in a comforting hug. His hold was warm, squeezing me tightly against him. Burrowing my face into his chest, his earthy smell engulfing my senses.

"I'm sorry Cass, I should have never left the tower with you." He murmured into my hair; I couldn't give him a response.

Steve set his fingers under my chin, lifting my eyes to peer into his own. Blue, like the ocean. Captivating and soul searching, unlike Loki's.

"It's okay, really." I spoke softly, his hand still holding my face tenderly.

"I'll have you know; Tony is looking into what we found in that warehouse. They will all face justice for their crimes of kidnapping you. Hydra just wanted my attention, I looked away for a second." His voice trailed off, as he pulled me back into a hug.

"Steve, they tortured me, asking me personal questions." Talking about last night almost forced another wave of tears, my body trembling. I pulled away from Steve, I couldn't be seen right now. He reached out grabbing onto my wrist, I looked at his hand. "Please let me go, I want to be alone."