❀ Beauty and the Beast ↠

↞4↠

We all sat in silence awaiting Freya's presence. Thor was smiling like the bumbling fool that he was for the chance to commute with the goddess but I had other motives. Surly Odin's eldest son would be a fine prize for any woman looking to gain in the world. I was waiting to see just how she went about grasping his attention though, by the looks of him, it wouldn't be very difficult. The silence was broken by the sound of the doors opening and Freya rushing in. "I'm sorry I'm late!" She gushed as she came over to the table. Thor (obviously) stood and held out the chair beside him for her to sit. At least I wouldn't have to sit beside her. Then again, I was stuck with Fandral and he wasn't much better. She was honestly not what I had expected. I was counting on a well made-up woman with her hair flowing and a seductive red gown yet the woman before me had a long braid and an innocent baby blue dress. She looked quite pretty if I was honest. At this shocking revelation, I sat up straighter in my chair but didn't stay distracted from the meal for long. Myself, Odin and Sif must have been the only ones that ate, the rest - Including mother - were far too enthralled in our guest. I guess she hadn't figured me out quite yet because I could read her loud and clear. She just wanted to eat and was hating the attention. I chuckled to myself and turned my attention back to the real star of the meal, the food. The table was laden with delicacies fit for the royal family. Everything you could think of, and things you had never dreamed of, lie before us. Whole roasted cows and pigs and goats still turning on spits. Huge platters of fowl stuffed with savoury fruit and nuts. Ocean creatures drizzled in sauces or begging to be dipped in spicy concoctions. Countless cheeses, breads, vegetables, sweets, the odd wine bottle and splashing ale. I was more of a wine man myself. "Don't you Loki?" I heard Frigga tell in my direction. I looked up with a fresh mouthful of bread to see the whole table looking at me. I gulped down the food and asked her kindly what she said, that I was in a world of my own. "Freya was telling us that she likes to read and I was saying that you also liked to read," I looked around the table sceptically before relaxing in my chair, confirming that I did like to read in my spare time."Oh really?" Freya asked which caught my attention once again. "What do you like to read?" Her voice was like silk and I hated that I thought so but it was undeniable. I told her that I was quite partial to Midgardian literature. That humans had a wonderful way with words. Freya looked down sadly and sighed. "I'm afraid that I have never had much access to Midgardian books," This was shocking to me but then again I doubt that during her time in the war she had much time to read War and Peace. "Oh, Loki!" Frigga called as I raised an eyebrow in her direction. "You should show Freya the library," She turned to the woman as my grip tightened on my glass and I froze. "We have many Midgardian books for you to try," Freya just blushed before turning to face me."As long as he doesn't mind sharing his collection," She said with a smile which made me even more ridged. I gulped down a whine as Fandral nudged me in the side causing me to turn and growl at him. He backed off. Once I had regained myself I quietly dismissed myself from the meal, dabbing at my mouth and bowing before taking my leave. As soon as I had turned out of the hall and was out of sight from the others, I backed against the wall of the hall. Placing my hand against my beating heart and digging it in. Damn that woman! Why did she make me nervous so? Why did she make my heart beat so fast? Most confusingly, why was she interested in going anywhere with me? Surly Thor or even Fandral would be more interesting company for the goddess of war. Not a lonely, hideous book worm. I can't believe that Frigga would even suggest such a thing. She knows that I like my own company. Mostly because I'm scared of what others might see. Even Thor had not yet seen my skin turn blue nor my eyes flood red. I had seen. Many times I have stood in front of that mirror - many times I have smashed it. Why would she risk exposing a young woman to such a horrific monstrosity? It was then that I noticed that I had been tensing my hand so much that it had turned blue. I instantly unclenched it and held it in my other hand, desperately looking around to make sure that no one was looking as the blue slowly vanished. I made my way, cautiously back to my chamber, running in and slamming the door. I ran to the wall and bashed my hand against it with a frustrated yell. The wall shook under my palm as books fell from the shelf beside me. I opened my eyes and looked down to see the books scattered on the ground. Of course that book was there. 'La Belle et la Bête' of course. I had read the book a thousand times. I knew every detail of the story. However, it had been almost a hundred years since I had read the tale. I lay down on my bed and held the book above me in one hand."There was once a very rich merchant, who had six children, three sons, and three daughters; being a man of sense, he spared no cost for their education, but gave them all kinds of masters. His daughters were extremely handsome, especially the youngest. When she was little everybody admired her, and called her 'The little Beauty;'"