Down below

Chapter 5.

   Loki watched her leave with a smile on his face. He enjoyed getting under her skin. He also liked the way the silk flowed around her body as she rushed out of there. His good mood didn't last long. After an hour of studying he started to feel a bit guilty for the way they left things. He also knew that patrol wouldn't return for another two or three hours. He shouldn't leave their valued guest alone for that long, so he murmured a locator spell. Elianah was in her room. He closed his books and teleported himself outside her chambers and knocked on the door.

'Who is it?'

'It's me.' he said curtly and looked at the guard who was glaring ahead as if he wasn't even there. 'Can I come in, please?'

A few seconds later the door opened. She was barefoot wearing her Midgardian clothes: a beige short-sleeved top and quite revealing shorts made of some blue cotton fabric that seemed to be ripped and worn to pieces. He couldn't take his eyes off her legs.

'Are you coming in or...' she asked, not bothering to finish the question.

He entered her room. She was obviously reading on her bed, because there was an open book lying there along with the dress she was wearing earlier.

'I came to ask if you wanted to go outside.'

'To do what?' she asked in blank tone, but her eyes were glowing with curiosity.

'I could show you the royal garden. For real. But you must promise to reign in your matchmaker streak.'

A slow grin appeared on Elianah's face then turned into a smile.

'Fine. It might have been a stupid idea.'

'You think?' Loki groaned.

'I need to change.'

'That's probably a good idea.' he muttered and couldn't help but stare at her legs again.

She rolled her eyes and he could tell she wanted to answer with some clever quip, but she just picked up the dress from her bed and went to the bathroom, closing the door behind her. He took the time to take a look around her room. It was tidy, fresh flowers on the dressing table, probably courtesy of his mother. He spotted a weird looking bag of some sorts on one of the armchairs. He went closer and peaked down at it when she emerged.

'What are you doing?'

'What is this thing?' he asked curiously.

'It's called a backpack. You can carry your belongings in it.'

'Can I see?'

'No. It has already been searched thoroughly, so if you don't mind.' she said and closed the bag. 'Shall we go?'

Loki gestured with his hands towards the door and followed her outside.

'So tell me, does everyone dress like you on Midgard?'

'You mean T-shirt and shorts? Yes, they are quite popular.'

'You don't have tailors to repair your clothes over there?' he asked.

'My shorts are fine, they are ripped. It's a style.'

'I don't believe you. You can tell me if you're poor. I won't judge.'

She let out a short chuckle.

'All you do is judge.'

'It comes with the territory.' he said so smugly, she had to look at him to see if he was joking.

'And what would that be?'

'A possible ruler of Asgard, required to make difficult decisions based on information, science and careful evaluation that will affect millions of lives in order to ensure peace and prosperity.'

'Emphasis on careful evaluation.'

He looked at her with his emerald green eyes and Elianah felt like he was trying to burn a hole in her forehead.

'You can be utterly annoying.'

'Pot calls the kettle black.' she replied.

'I take that.' he smiled suddenly, confusing her. 'And yes, I can guess what your little proverb means.'

'Are you sure? Because I don't think you do based on your grin.'

'Oh, shut up.'

'Your Royal Highness!' she gestured, pretending to be shocked.