Midnight in the garden of mischief & mayhem

Chapter 5

I had never been so close to the palace. From the city it looked large, but at this proximity the structure was intimidatinig. Loki's hand never left mine as he led me through the doors and into the main corridor. My eyes roamed, taking in the granduer of my new surroundings. Columns reached into the amazingly high ceiling, and everything glinted with gold. We walked along a stone floor, and passed dozens of turn offs. My mind was wizzing, but one thing struck me as odd: where were the people? I always pictured the palace of Asgard to be bustling with maids and servants, along with warriors seeking audience with the king, but Loki and I were completely alone. Before I had time to ask, Loki turned and took me down another, smaller corridor. This one was lined with doors, and looked much like the first.

After a few moments more, he halted at one of the doors, and pushed it open. The room that lay beyond was beautiful: books stacked everywhere, a balcony looking out over the sleeping city, and a huge bed in the center on which lay a dress and a pair of shoes. I turned to look at Loki, and he was watching me curiously. That's when I saw the wardrobe in the corner. One of its doors was open, showing several tunics, a few leather garments, and some black pants. My mind put the pieces together then: this was Loki's room. The look on his face made sense, he had just brought me into his most private space, and was waiting for me to say something. "This is your room?" I asked. He nodded, seeming to relax a little at my apparent comfort. 

"We really should be getting down to dinner, I wouldn't want to be late."

"Oh, you're right, I'm sorry. These are for me?" I asked, picking up the dress and shoes laid out on the bed. "Wait, did you know I was coming?"

"These have been in my room for the last several months. I had them made when I decided to tell you how I felt, with the intention of asking you to dinner. But, you didn't come as soon as I had thought, so they have been waiting for you."

"Loki, I truly am sorry for being away so long, never again will so much time pass between our meetings. Where shall I put these on?"

"I know it was not your choice to be gone, and honestly all my time without you seems insignificant now that you are here again. You may use the bathroom to dress if you wish." He gestured toward a small door I hadn't noticed against the far wall, and I took the clothes there. 

After I closed the door behind me, the incredible circumstances of the night finally sunk in. I hurriedly put the dress on, and slipped my feet into the shoes. The gown fit snugly, and made me look like Asgardian royalty. The green material was soft and silky, and accented nicely by the gold detailing and gold shoes. I looked in the large mirror, amazed. With shaking, nervous hands, I attempted to make my hair presentable by quickly raking my fingers through it and trying to smooth it down. My fingers wandered down to the necklace nestled under the hollow of my throat. The warmth of the white stone comforted me, and I took a deep breath. 

When I opened the door back into the main room, Loki was sitting on the bed reading. He got up as I came out and flashed a dazzling smile. "You look good in my colors." He sounded satisfied, happy. Only then did I realize the significance of the gold and green on the dress. I merely let out a quick, nervous laugh and tried to smile. He was at my side in an instant. "Don't be nervous Allyra, they'll love you. I do." I turned my head at the last statement, stated so plainly. Loki's eyes grew wide and a look of embarassment crossed his face. "I'm sorry, that just slipped out I-"

I interrupted him by taking his hand, which he had held up in a reassuring gesture, in my own. His speech cut off and I whispered, "I love you too Loki. More than I ever thought possible, so much it hurts. I-"

Now it was his turn to silence me, as his lips attacked mine. I suddenly got the feeling that the air had been sucked out of the room. I couldn't breathe, totally lost in his lips. A knock on the door pulled me back into reality, breaking the silence and the kiss. "Prince Loki, dinner starts in a few minutes, you should probably head there now."

"I will be there in a moment," replied the prince, a little irritated. "Shall we?" he asked, offering his arm. I nodded, still recovering from the brief kiss.

Loki took me back to the main hall and we turned into a large entryway, through which large gilded doors stood slightly ajar. Voices floated from within and I could see the flickering patterns of a fire reflected on the golden walls. Loki's arm in mine comforted me, but only barely calmed my screaming nerves. It was enough to deal with that they were his parents, but the fact that they were also the king and queen of Asgard made me feel as if I might faint. "Are you ready?" 

I nodded, "As ready as I'll ever be."

Loki signalled the guards standing at the doors, and they opened them all the way. I squared my shoulders and followed Loki into the dining hall, praying I wouldn't embarrass myself.