Ebony and Gold (Loki fanfic/prequel)

Chapter 7

Loki awoke with a satisfied feeling. He looked down and Keya was sleeping peacefully in his arms. Her brown hair was scattered over his chest, shoulder, and the pillows. He looked out the window; still dark. He knew that she would want to return to the stables before sunrise. It would spare the suspicion of others for the both of them.

Why didn't she want to tell Fandral? She didn't love him, Loki knew that for sure, but why not tell him? Sif said that he knew, but now Thor was about to get in the way. He wanted Keya to himself, and no one else is going to lay a finger on her or they will face his wrath. She may be strong enough to lift saddles, but in his eyes, she is delicate. She is breakable and frail and in need of protection. Thinking this, he tightened his grip around her slightly. He watched her sleep peacefully, and he thought she was beautiful. Her skin, her hair, her eyes, were perfect in his eyes. She is a balm to his suffering, and he loves her.

Loki gently stroked her soft, brown hair. Softly enough not to wake her. He felt complete with her there in his arms. He wondered if she really felt the same way.

"I love you." he whispered. She sighed, but didn't stir. He couldn't help but smile at her. He looked back out the window to see the sun beginning to peer over the horizon. He didn't want to wake Keya, but he knew she would be upset if he didn't.

"Keya." she stirred, but didn't wake. "Hey, wake up. You need to return to the stables."

"But I don't want to leave. I want to lay here with you all day." She mumbled sleepily.

"Keya, darling, you have your duties and I have mine. You must go home." She let out a long sigh. "Don't make me have to force you." She looked up at him with a sly smile.

"Something makes me feel like you should. Dominance is very sexy."

"Oh shut up and go get dressed." He said and she groaned.

"Fine." She sat up and stretched. She crawled out of the bed and grabbed her dress.

"There should be another one in the closet for you." She dropped the dress and walked into his closet. She grabbed a blue cloth dress that seemed very commoner-like compared to the others. She dressed and walked back into the bedroom. Keya collected her clothes from last night as Loki stood from the bed. He walked up behind her and gently grabbed her waist and kissed her neck.

"I'll miss you, darling."

"Will you now?" She said with a smile as she kissed his cheek and walked out.

Upon her return to the stables, Aydin had just woken up.

"Mornin' m'lady. How was the feast?"

"Uneventful, but thanks for asking. Get started on your morning chores, I'll go wake Bjaldgor." He nodded as she acended into the loft. She tossed her things on her bed and headed to Bjaldgor's room. She was about to knock on his door, but it swung open before she could. A young blonde girl gasped, wide blue eyes staring into Keya's brown eyes. She was holding her clothes crumpled in her arms with one of Bjaldgor's shirts on.

"Lady Keya, excuse me." She bowed and hurried off. Bjaldgor sat on his bed, securing his boots.

"I see you had fun last night."

"We both did. At least mine left after it!" Aydin called from downstairs.

"She was exhausted afterwards, so I let her stay. Plus, I like to cuddle." Bjaldgor winked a he stood, not bothering to put his shirt on.

"Who were they?" Keya asked when they got downstairs.

"Sisters. And no, they didn't do it for money." Aydin said as he began shoveling hay.

"She was quite small. I felt like I would break her in half if I thrusted too hard." Bjaldgor said to Aydin.

"Mine had claws. Do you see these scratches on my back?" He motioned to the red lines all over his back.

"Did you stay at the palace again last night?"

"Once again, leave it alone, Bjaldgor." he nodded and began filling the feed buckets. Keya walked to the stall where Sleipnir was already jumping around his adopted mother.

'Could you please let him out to play? He's being a nuisance this morning.' Keya smiled and let Sleipnir out to play with the other fillies and colts. She led the exhausted mare to the pasture.

"Lady Keya." She looked over and saw Thor walk into the stables.

"Good morning, Thor. How may I help you?"

"I thought that I would come visit you this morning. To see if you needed any help with your duties."

"Thank you, but Aydin, Bjaldgor and I have things settled here." Thor nodded.

"Then how about a ride through the forest later?"

"I'm quite busy, Thor."

"You had time for my brother and Fandral, why not me?" Keya sighed.

"We may need help next week. We are selling some of our foals and we might need help." Thor nodded.

"I'll see you then." He said before he walked out.

"Is it just me, or were you trying to avoid him?" Bjaldgor asked.

"I've been told he fancies me and I do not fancy him. He's hard-headed and an oaf of a prince who should not be king."

"You've been hanging around Loki too much now, m'lady." Keya shot Bjaldgor a venomous look.

"Do not speak like that. Who I spend time with in the palace is my own business. Do not ask or mention it again. The both of you. Do you understand?" Aydin nodded and Bjaldgor raised his hands in surrender.

"Yes ma'm. Understood." He said and got back to work.