Chapter Text
Almost all of Asgard had come out to greet their princes after Loki and Thor returned from their political trip to Vanaheim. You watched with disgust as noble “ladies” flocked around them. You are all nothing but she-wolves in heat hunting for a mate. Even maids and maidens of lower standing ate the princes alive with their eyes.
Loki charmed the maidens at his feet with a wink from atop his dark stallion. His smile never faltered as he got the attention he always craved. Once he got down the maidens got more persistent in their efforts to gain the favor of a prince. That’s when, through the corner of his eye, Loki caught sight of you.
You were beautifully dressed in a dark gown, your signature look. Your hair was left to flow freely unlike most Asgardian women who plaited theirs. Only one side was pinned back behind your ear as a means to tame and keep it from obstructing your vision.
Thor was no different except he openly flirted with the women. He was the obvious choice with his muscular physique and golden blonde hair. Not to mention he was the eldest prince, king-in-training.
Obviously, the younger brother seemed to have charms of his own. His flock of women was just as grand. Even the dark prince receives his fair share of willing maidens. Personally, you did not care for either but at least he had some taste. you had to commend him on his colors.
Your eyes met his momentarily after checking his attire. Dark colors against alabaster skin… suits him. Pushing off the wall you had been leaning against to take your leave- ultimately uninterested in partaking in the festivities of the princes’ return. “Sigyn I’ll be taking my leave now. There’s plenty for me to do today.”
She couldn’t even protest, you had already begun making your way through the crowds of people. “See you later at the feast!” she shouted knowing you had no desire to go but you had no choice. There were dresses to be delivered at the palace including hers.
A raise of your hand acknowledged her. Of course, you would go and fulfill your duties but you would leave soon after. Social gatherings were never your thing. Until now you had managed to stay away but as your business grew you found yourself getting close to the palace events.
When the crowds dissipated Sigyn was approached by Loki. “Lady Sigyn, who was that you were speaking to? You two seem close.” There was no greeting or small talk just the prince trying to get some information out of her. And of course, she would have to comply.
“That is Lady Y/N, your highness. She is an extraordinary seamstress, as of late she makes most of the gowns worn by the noble ladies. Her taste and knowledge in fabrics are exquisite.” You’ve probably had the pleasure of removing some of her work from the women you bedded. “Why do you ask?”
“No particular reason.” Loki tried to seem indifferent but Sigyn knew better. He would never just ask about a random maiden. There were thoughts behind his actions.
This lead Sigyn to correctly assume he had been stricken by you but like countless other men… he would be disappointed. “I must warn you, Prince Loki. Lady Y/N has no interest in men.” You never wished to attend social events because men tried approaching you. Sigyn didn’t know exactly why but you hated the thought of romance and falling in love.
“Women then?”
“Honestly I couldn’t say. I’ve known her for hundreds of years but she isn’t an open book.” She remembered how defensive you were about forming a simple friendship with her. It took a long time to get a smile and laugh out of you.
Loki was intrigued, to say the least. How had he never seen you before? Were you always hiding in the background from his sight? He loved books and he couldn’t wait to read you. “Lady Sigyn, books don’t open themselves, they require a hand.”
Perhaps he could extend his hand to you.
Loki kept an eye out for you that night during the feast. There was a particularly loud group of women who caught his attention momentarily. Some of them were ladies he had been acquainted with.
When they saw him passing by with a watchful eye, they could only imagine he was looking for a nightly companion. “Prince Loki,” they called out batting their eyelashes.
Not being rude, Loki entertained them for a moment. “Good evening ladies have any of you seen Lady Sigyn and Lady Y/N?” He didn’t want to seem obvious of his pursuit.
“I saw Sigyn dragging Y/N into the hall a moment ago.” The lady who spoke looked around searching for the scene. It wasn’t hard to spot you. Black gown being a dead giveaway in a sea of vibrant hues. Not that your gown wasn’t grand. On the contrary, you were an absolute vision in black lace, silk-like chiffon, and golden embroidery. “There,” she motioned towards you.
Loki turned to see you were indeed reluctant to stay.
Sigyn did not let go of your hand. Momentarily pulling at the long sleeves of your off-shoulder gown. “I only ask you to stay a while.”
Your hand protectively went to your neckline as Sigyn’s efforts threatened to expose your chest. “If it will keep you from exposing me I’ll have one drink with you.” When she let go you straightened out your appearance. Being there made you feel out of place. You weren’t nobility but because of the way you dressed often times you were mistaken as such.
Loki watched as you and Sigyn remained close to the entrance of the hall. Drinking fine Asgardian wine and conversing.
“How about that one,” Sigyn pointed out a gown that looked beautiful enough to be one of yours.
You nodded, “A reconciliation present from her husband.” A perk of your job was hearing unsolicited gossip. Many women found solace in speaking their mind to you as you took their measurements. The shock on Sigyn’s face brought a smile to yours. “Women talk my friend. I’ve heard many rumors including you as well.”
“What have you heard of me?”
“Something concerning the younger prince.”
Sigyn blushed knowing you had heard of her affair with Loki. “That was long ago, an arrangement made by my parents. Thankfully Prince Loki was interested in having multiple dalliances. Our engagement was terminated shortly after its origin.”
“Good, you would have looked horrid in blacks and greens.” Honestly, Sigyn was too bright of a person to stand next to the dark prince. Her positive outlook would have been clouded by his mischievous ways. “Thor suits you better.”
“Thor is with Lady Sif.”
“Truly?” you asked a bit shocked.
“Well, maybe not entirely. They are both strong individuals who wish to keep their independence. Lady Sif is a strong warrior who contradicts what Thor is always chasing after but in the end, they come together again.”
“Ah yes, the women who only roam about worrying about their appearance.” You looked around seeing Thor tending to a few as you speak. “Take it from me Sigyn, men are no good. They speak sweet words, confessions of love- but it only lasts so long… then they leave.”
She saw your empty downcast eyes. It seemed something was on your mind. Then she remembered what Loki had insinuated. “Y/N do you prefer women?”
“I prefer myself.” No one in the world would love you more than yourself. You knew your worth.
“Truly?” she asked, mimicking your previous question.
You nodded, “I admit I feel attracted to men but none of them deserve my attention.” Whenever you turned down a man they asked the same question as Sigyn. They also went to extremes calling you a cold narcissistic woman. They wouldn’t be entirely wrong. “Men are easy to please. All they need is a little visual stimulation and any woman in a flattering dress can give them that. If you ever do get married make sure you look for a man who will chase you to the ends of the earth- not for sexual satisfaction but for emotional support.”
Sigyn was beaming up at you, hanging on your every word. For once she got to hear your inner thoughts. “Lady Y/N did we just have a heartfelt conversation?”
Damn. You downed the rest of your wine hating that she had managed to get you talking. “If this remains empty I’ll be taking my leave.”
Loki saw his opportunity to approach you when she scurried off in search of more wine. “Rare for such beauty to be unaccompanied.”
“Am I to swoon because of a single compliment?”
His lips curved into an amused smirk as he realized you were about to mercilessly dismiss him without even facing him properly. “Most women would.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, your highness.” You curtseyed sarcastically hoping that would be enough to ward him off but to your surprise, Loki remained. “I am only here to accompany a friend.”
“Yes, I have observed you two talking before my approach.”
“You were observing us?”
He shamelessly nodded, ”you in particular.” Before you could ask he answered. “That black crystal around your neck, it is black Hematite from Vanaheim.”
Your eyes widened before looking down to see you had failed to tuck your necklace back inside your dress after its last use. How could I be so careless? It was no use hiding it now so you quickly thought of a way to deny it. “How would I possess such a stone?”
“That is what I would like to know.” In his recent trip to the realm of powerful magic, he discovered that this type of stone was unique to its inhabitants. The stone was priceless. Useless to anyone else but the Vanir who used it as a means of protection and to help balance the seidr within them.
Loki got closer literally backing you into a wall. “Your Highness, you are being tactless. Backing me into a dark corner like this over a piece of jewelry seems like you want more than just answers.”
Indeed, shrouded in shadows out of plain sight, it seemed his intentions were elsewhere. “I have to admit you are a delectable creature.” His hand caressed the softness of your hair pushing it back behind your shoulders to get a clear view of your neck. How he wanted to touch your skin with his lips. “Perhaps another time but now I am more concerned with what you hide Lady Y/N.”
“I hide nothing.” Normally you would show much more dominion over men but Prince Loki held power over you. All you could do was look away and deny.
Being able to detect lies was a practical talent of Loki’s. Right now he could see you weren’t exactly being truthful but you weren’t intentionally deceitful. Perhaps you didn’t know why. “How do you benefit from the stone?”
“Should I be benefitting from it?”
Your question was genuine. Did you possibly know nothing about it? He extended his hand to you, “let’s dance.”
Reluctantly you took his hand with a forced smile. Like I have a choice now. Loki seemed to know something you didn’t and you wanted to know what it was.
There was far too much attention on you as Loki placed his hand on your back. His other hand slipped into yours and you finally looked up at him. You could see it in his eyes, he was enjoying this.
“What do you know about black Hematite?”
“If you follow my lead I’ll tell you everything.” With a slight nod of approval from you, Loki began to lead the dance, taking in all your features in the process. He particularly liked the way you shied away, trying to keep some distance between your chest and his. Your eyes fixed no higher than his shoulder avoiding eye contact.
When the dance was over you released the breathe you had been holding. In his presence, you felt constricted. His arms were a prison. “Now tell me-” Just as you were about to pull away Loki reconnected with you.
Baffled you looked up finally meeting his eyes in silent question. The rapid beating of your heart echoed within you as he kept you for another dance. He held all the cards. You wanted information from him so you had to pay the price.
Silently you held onto him finding it hard to keep up with the faster tune only to let go moments later when you realized what you were doing.
“It’s alright to rely on me, love.”
The pet name caught you by surprise. “I doubt that, Prince Loki.” There was extra emphasis on his title and name. Wishing he wouldn’t stray from yours.
At the end of the song, Loki released you. “Follow me, love” he commanded in a deeper voice than usual.
For a moment you looked around weighing your options. Since you were little you had this forsaken crystal around your neck with no explanation, only a warning to never let it out of your sight. Without question, you wanted to know its secrets but you knew the prince would want something in exchange. Damn! You cursed your curiosity when you found yourself rushing to the prince’s side.
Loki smirked as he heard the shuffling of your dress behind him. The shuffling came to a halt when he opened the door to his rooms.
You stepped in, refusing to show you were in any way affected by the location. “Is there a specific reason why you have led me here?” The snake on the door was a dead giveaway of who these chambers belonged to.
“Relax love, I only wish to show you this.” Loki brought out a book that looked centuries old. “I stole this from Vanaheim. I have yet to finish it but what I read so far is rather intriguing. There’s talk about a particular crystal that is used to control Vanir dark magic.”
“What-” you got closer trying to take a look at the contents. There, in black and white, was a picture of your crystal in many forms. Unfortunately, the language was one unknown to you.
As if he had read your mind Loki pointed to a specific phrase. “This reads dark magic.”
The same set of characters often resurfaced. How you wished to read it and know…
“If you like I could read it to you.”
“Truly?” your right brow rose in question. Suddenly the image you had painted of Prince Loki was being redrawn.
He nodded, letting his fingers feather by your clothed chest as he examined your crystal. “For a price.”