The sight of one of his personal elven spies came into view. Her brows furrowed as she tried to recall the boy's name, but it would not come to her. She closed her book and gingerly settled herself on her knees, looking out at the visitor with a more formal presentation. The elf, who always appeared so very serious to her, bowed low before the King, and then once again, though not quite so low, before her as well.
“Apologies for this disturbance, my King, but I have received a message from the Lady Amora. Word from Asgard.” Anne's back stiffened at that name, but she said nothing. This was all political, she knew, alliances that he needed to have in place. Her own personal dislike of the woman had no bearing on how useful she was to him. Still, she could not help her muscles stiffening at the mention of her. She felt Loki's hand grasp her a little firmer, a gentle squeeze to remind her he was there. She relaxed.
“Excellent. Let's hear it.” The King leaned forward in his seat, awaiting the news. She looked up to see a mischievous grin on his face as he watched the spy, resting his chin on his knuckles. The way he lounged in his throne made it seem as though he were made for it, created for the sole purpose of ruling over the millions beneath him. He wore the throne like it was just one more thing in the universe that had been designed just for him.
“Amora sends word... Thor has been welcomed back into Asgard, as per your bidding. He is being hailed a hero of the Realms for having escaped your clutches... The Lady Amora is hiding herself as his consort, going under the name of Lady Leibera. Thor has been able to convince Asgard that it would not be prudent at this time to go to war against your Realms, and has a large segment of the population convinced you are a benevolent and just ruler.”
Loki nodded as he listened, his grin growing ever wider. Everything seemed to be going as planned. Anne knew that it was crucial to his machinations that Thor side with him before the Asgardian court... but there was a nagging feeling at the back of her mind that this was not the best way to go about it. Something about the entire plot unsettled her, and she found herself growing more and more uncomfortable as he and the spy continued to speak.
“Everything is going according to plan, then. Asgard will keep out of my way until I am ready to deal with it directly.” Anne felt his fingers make gentle circles along her skin, and she found herself nuzzling into his touch with a happy sigh. The spy shifted slightly before speaking again.
“There is... one more thing, My King.” Loki frowned at that, gesturing to the elf to continue. She felt his body tense beside her. His plans were not foolproof, and even he knew that there was always the chance of complications. The elf nodded for a brief moment before he continued.
“Amora also sends word that the Allfather has recently gone into the Odinsleep. Thor has been named Acting King of Asgard.” Loki's body relaxed as his mirthful smile returned at the news. Even Anne's heart leapt as she saw Loki stand to his feet, his hands clasped together. From where she knelt, she had the perfect view of her King as he extended his arms towards the boy.
“That is incredible news! Really, couldn't have gone better if I had orchestrated it myself! Oh, but I suppose I did.” He clasped the boys shoulder with a friendly grip, clapping him on the back. “That is the best news you could possibly have delivered. As a reward, I won't have you killed the next time you have bad news to deliver.” The boy paled a little, a nervous smile twitching at the corners of his lips. For a brief moment the room was filled with an awkward kind of silence before the King's head was thrown back, laughter pealing from his lips.
He took a moment, patting the boy's shoulders before speaking again. “I'm kidding. Go on, you're dismissed.” The elf nodded, flushed and a little nerve wracked, before he bowed deep again. “Y-Yes..My King.” After another, short bow to Anne, the spy was gone, the door shutting behind him. Anne smiled as she watched her King turn to look at her, a wide grin upon his face.
“Dear old Odin, fallen into the Odinsleep. Oh, that is brilliant. I had thought I would have to contend with him, but no.” With each word he walked towards her, jubilant and ecstatic. “I will rip the heart of Asgard out and bring it to it's knees before me, and Odin won't be able to lift a finger to stop me.”
He gestured wildly with his arms, a sinister sort of excitement vibrating through his body, his aura rippling in waves around him. Anne thought in that moment that he looked very much like he had looked the very first time she had ever seen him; In Stuttgart, delivering a speech about freedom and servitude that she would eventually come to an exceptionally intimate understanding of.
It sent a chill down her spine, her body aching for that sinister dominance that had so thoroughly ravished her when had first held her captive. He looked energized. He looked malevolent. He looked villainous. She swallowed as he reached her, towering over her, his hand reaching down towards her. Clasping it in hers, she was pulled to her feet, into his waiting arms. Her body vibrated with excitement as she felt his lips move across her neck, his breath on her skin.
“I will take Asgard... just as I have taken every other Realm. And I will do it all in time to save the Realms from the coming threats.” His voice whispered through her mind as she felt his arms around her, running along her body and exploring her curves as though he owned them. Which, he did. But that nagging thought still pulled at her consciousness, still implored her to speak.
“And... what about Thor, Master?” She could feel his body stiffen as though made of lead, pulling back from her and gripping her shoulders at an arms length.
“What about Thor?” His voice took a much darker tone than that of his previous jubilations, betraying a sudden shift in mood. Her eyes widened as she gazed up at the face that had just moments prior been filled with such mirth, and now scowled down at her with a severity that made her cringe.
“I.. I was just wondering.. what.. what is to become of Thor, Master?” His grip released her and he turned away, his expression derisive and his teeth clenched in annoyance. A dismissive hand was waved at the question.
“Nothing is to become of Thor. He's a playing piece, nothing more. His purpose is to pave the way into Asgard for me, to hand the Realm over at Amora's behest, and to ride into battle with me when the time comes for it. Apart from that, I could not care less what becomes of him. Once his usefulness is spent I shall be rid of him.”
She frowned, a feeling of deep disturbance overwhelming her. She knew that Loki could be cold, and he could be cruel. But she also knew that he was not a man devoid of emotion, no matter how he might pretend otherwise at times. And she felt sure that this was not how his relationship with his brother should be left standing. She coughed to clear her throat before speaking again.
“You keep speaking of a coming threat that you will save the Realms from... what is coming Master?” He paused where he had been pacing, turning a light lipped scowl towards her. His manors had changed so drastically within moments, she was not sure what to expect.
“There is an enemy, from outside of the Nine Realms coming to take them. To destroy them. I will not let it happen. I will unite them and lead them against the coming threat.” His voice sounded strained as he spoke, as though it was not a topic he enjoyed being questioned on. She could see his throat constrict and his shoulders stiffen, and she hastened to speak to finish the conversation as quickly as possible.
“If..if there is such a threat... Thor is a strong warrior but, will he not be more useful to you in the coming battle if he is able to wield Mjolnir?” That made his lips purse, his brows furrowed in a scowl she had very rarely seen upon his face. She winced as she realized that she had completely destroyed his good mood... but it was too late to back out of the conversation now.
“Certainly, but while he is under Amora's spell he cannot wield it, for he is not himself. And if he were himself, he would not be swayed to my cause. Thor is a great oaf who does not think before he acts, and does not listen to the council of others. He is stubborn and rash. And he will not see reason. You are suggesting I have Amora release him, only to have him turn on me and try to kill me?”
She bit her lip as she tried to think of what to say. Shaking her head, she looked up to him with wide eyes. “No, Master, I... I'm sure he would not try to.. I mean, I'm certain that he could be made to see things your way Master. Shouldn't... shouldn't you try to convince him? Instead of keeping him in.. in this brainwashed spelled state Amora has him in?”
“What would you have me do?!” Loki's voice was now a roar of anger, and she cringed away from him as she saw his rage increasing, his aura growing up around him like green flames. “I have talked with Thor many times, I have attempted to reason with him to no avail, he will not listen! I know you have a soft spot within you for those Avengers, and I have shown them much mercy on your account, but you cross a line when you comes to Thor.” His voice reverberated through the room, an angry snarl that made him a menacing figure. She backed up against the wall behind her, hands reaching back to press against the cold stone.
“But... But Master.. He's your brother-” Her words were cut off as he stormed towards her, pinning her against the wall. She bit her lip and refrained from crying out, though she could hear her heart beating in her chest as fear began to well up within her. Her mind raced as thoughts poured through her. Shit shit shit... this is a sore subject I shouldn't have brought it up...
“He is NOT my brother!” Loki's voice roared out at her, his face an expression of pure rage. She had never seen him so.... uncontrolled as this. Generally even when he was angry he was calm, collected. But this... this was unbridled passion, a furious tempest unleashed. She could feel her throat constrict in fear as she looked at him. Her eyes shone as she waited, barely daring to breath. He glowered down at her, his eyes burning with emotion.
“He never was. I am not going to waste such sentiment on one such as him.” As he spoke she drew in a deep breath, bracing herself against the wall. Her heart was pounding, beating faster and faster as the moment between them was drawn out. There was a boldness within her that called her to stay steadfast in her stance, but she didn't want to anger him further. Squaring her shoulders she dared to raise her head up towards him, setting her jaw in determination.
“I remember from when I worked with the Avengers. Thor loves you, Thor was always talking about how much he missed you and wanted you to come home. Thor-”
“ENOUGH!” There was a loud cracking sound that reverberated through the room as his hand connected with her face, sending her back against the wall with the force of the blow. She did not have the breath to cry out, too surprised to scream. With wide eyes she looked at him, trembling and trepidatious.
Not another word was spoken between them. She was panting, drawing in each breath heavily, her body trembling. The blow hadn't hurt so much as shocked her, and she was not sure what to say or do next. He did not give her a chance to. With a snap of his fingers, a grim scowl upon his face the last thing she saw, the room closed in on her. With a rush of green magic the room faded out of existence around her, replaced by his bedroom. She didn't need to try the door to know that it was probably locked.
“Well what do you know...” She whispered to herself in shocked surprise as tears began to well up in her eyes, spilling over her cheeks.
“Our first fight.”