The Arrayed

Chapter 4

(Loki)

"My Prince, it is my most honored pleasure to introduce you to the King's mighty steed. Tread lightly, your Majesty for he is ire of temper and moody one may suggest, but quite a ride indeed. Midnight please address the Prince." I narrowed my eyes at her implied meaning to the word ride. Catching my inquisitiveness she laughed and turned back to the animal.

The massive black stallion looked at the princess and seemed to bow. Lowering my brow, I followed the creature's eyes as it looked at me seeming to understand the princess' command ...and then it neighed. Letting out a surprised gasp I snapped my head back to the Princess and watched her just shake her head with laughter. As if to reward the steed for a job well done, she took his head in her two hands and placed a little kiss on its snout.

"I'm glad that I amuse you Princess Arraya, but I must say that is amazing indeed! Do all your animals understand you so well?" Walking to the wall of the stable she grabbed Midnight's saddle and shrugged.

"Some of them yes, I have a natural ability or an aptness to some animals you may say. I guess I have a power all my own"

"That is fantastic Princess, so can you hear their thoughts and they -yours?" I asked truly interested in this magic ability.

" It's hard to describe," she explained while fitting Midnight with his saddle. " I don't hear their thoughts per say, but I see images that describe their feelings or thoughts. The more unfamiliar the animal the more vague the image, and it is then left to interpretation. When I am familiar with an animal however, the more explained or detailed the image. Animals themselves just always seem to understand me."

"That is truly an incredible talent you have there, I am quite impressed. Do you have other magic abilities?" I asked as I stepped on the stirrup to mount the stead.

"Maybe a few..." Arraya said coyly as she went around a corner to another stall. I heard her mumble a little conversation and then come back into view with a yellow palomino horse with a black mane and tail.

"I hear you are quite a God yourself with much magic knowledge. Maybe you can show me a thing or two ?" Arraya said as she mounted her horse. Once she was situated in the saddle she continued, "Astrid please extend your respects to the Prince." Again the horse seemed to lower it's two front legs so that it head replicated that of bowing.

Shaking my head in amusement I replied, " Yes Princess, I am well versed in spells and illusions. We could compare notes sometime if you would like.

"I would like," she said while pulling Astrid's reins and directing her to the stable exit. " But right now I wish to ride. Follow me, My Prince."

Watching her leave the stables I placed my heels to the steed like she did before me, and followed.

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(Arraya)

Once we arrived at the royal lookout, I dismounted Astrid and tied her to the hitching post. Prince Loki followed suit beside me, and we two soon were looking over the horizons of Alfheim. I inhaled deeply and briefly closed my eyes thinking how so much had changed in just a few short hours.

Sensing my distress, Prince Loki stood closer to me and gently placed one his hands on the stone fence near mine. His hand seemed to shift towards mine, just barely touching my little finger. I stared at his long pale fingers and exhaled. He wanted to comfort me, and I liked the feeling of it. A warm heat began to spread through me; it was nice knowing that someone wanted to comfort me. Someone whom was other than family to me-someone whom I was physically attracted to. Being bold I took my hand and intertwined it with his. Loki clasped our hands together and smiled into my eyes.

(Loki)

I could sense she was distressed. She put up a good front For Odin and Mother, but I could tell she was realizing the magnitude of such a commitment placed before us.

At first, I myself was just happy to receive a Kingdom of my own -even if it was through marriage. But now since I met Arraya, I felt more than that. In such a short amount of time I could feel the allure and pull of being around her. It felt as if I would go through great lengths just to make her happy. I wanted to please her in all manner of things-albeit simple things or big things...or sexual things. My breath hitched as my thoughts quickly changed to the desire that burned for her. Here there was no crowds, no family, no lurkers or people who would leer at my small advances. Feeling the warmth and electricity of our joined hands I started off small. I began rubbing the thumb of my free hand over the inside of her wrist.

She smiled at this and stared into my eyes. Bright emerald eyes mirrored my own but held a fire that turned them dark and wanton.

My eyes trailed to her lips and I bit my own just thinking how much I wanted to kiss them right now. Turning my body towards hers I placed my hand on the small of her back and leaned in slowly. Happily I could see her leaning towards me trying to meet me halfway. Arraya closed her eyes as our foreheads touched. Letting out a shaky breath I used my other hand to hold her chin in place. Dipping down to touch her lips, I tasted the remnants of the wine from dinner. Feeling her hands rise up my back, she stopped to gather my hair in her hands before she leaned in again to touch my lips. I responded to her advances and gently licked her bottom lip, begging for entrance. Arraya let out an exhaled breath and parted them, letting me in. I moaned as I entered her mouth tasting her exquisiteness. I explored her mouth and soon felt when she caught on and reciprocated the kiss. Her breathing became heavier as she pressed herself more firmly to me. My erection was evident now so I turned around and backed her up against the stone fence. With my hands on her waist I soon found myself leaning into her, rubbing my erection against her core. It felt so good. I reveled in the feeling of it. Not too long after she opened her legs to me and boldly hitched one leg around mine. I welcomed the crevice she created for me and we continued dry humping all the while keeping our mouths fused. Eventually she mewled into our kiss and panted out my name. My name sounded so good on her lips and it turned me on even more. My hands started to wander...I tried to be good but since we practically already having sex with our cloths on, my hands couldn't help but want access to those firm pert breasts.

One of my hands cupped her feeling the material of her brassiere. She pushed away gently to catch her breath and said between kisses,

"Loki...I think...mmmmm....I think...aaaaahaaaa-mmmm...we should stop."

Nodding my head while I left her lips to kiss her neck, I breathed out loudly and replied,

"Ok my Princess, you are right" Small kiss on the lips " yes you are right" another small kiss with my hand gliding from her breast to her side. I clenched my hand in a fist and placed it back on the stone fence, caging her between my arms. I lifted myself away from her so much so that my body was angled over her – so close but not touching. We both breathed loudly trying to catch our breaths.

" I'm sorry Arraya, please forgive me with being so forward and familiar so soon. But you ...I can not help it. I have no self control around you- you completely disarm me."

Placing a hand on my face she looked into my eyes and said,

"And you me. I've never felt like this before. You've awakened something deep in me, My Prince. But I really do think that we should be more familiar in conversation with each other before we go any further."

"I completely agree, Princess. Forgive me." I straightened myself out so that I standing straight up and giving her space. I looked to back to the horses. "We should head back and retire for the evening, for we all have to depart for Asgard tomorrow."

Nodding her head, she walked around me and gathered her horse. While I stood beside her unhitching Midnight, she smiled at me and mounted Astrid. Soon we rode back towards the palace.