Valkyrie

Loki turned his head at the sound of Freyja's door closing. He had remained on the balcony knowing Freyja would return after her little escapade with his brother. He turned to face her as she walked out into the night air.

     "Enjoy yourself?" Loki asked.

Freyja narrowed her eyes at him.

     "I would change your tone quickly Loki. You are in no position to speak to me that way."

Loki started toward her with his fists balled. Freyja's eyes glowed emerald as massive silver wings expanded from her back. With one fell swoop she knocked him back against the railing. Before he could react Freyja was inches from his face. Her massive wings raised in defense. Her eyes burned with anger.

    "You should know better than to threaten me Loki."

There was a darkness in her voice. Loki's face softened. He reached up and placed his hand gently on her cheek. Her wings lowered. Loki leaned forward and kissed her. Not passionately but sweetly. Like the first time he kissed her when they were young. He could feel her yeild. She pulled away and helped him up. Her wings shimmered in the dawn that was now filling the sky.

     "Freyja, you know I would never hurt you. Seeing you with Thor.....it's just too much for me to bear."

Freyja ran her hand through his hair and smiled gently at him.

     "Your brother and I have a past. You and I do as well. They intertwine. You are here, he is not."

Loki reached out to stroke her wings. They flinched back from his touch.

     "They're beautiful Freyja. Let me touch them."

Freyja had always had wings. Part of her power was being able to conceal them which she almost always did. They had been a source of shame for her most of her life. Most Valkyrie wings were a shimmering gold while her's were a gunmetal silver with shimmering rose flecks. Freyja stretched her wings and allowed Loki to run his fingers over the delicate feathers. He pulled the straps of her gown down and let it fall to the floor. Freyja shivered and began to retract her wings.

     "No.....leave them out."

Loki pulled Freyja into her room and sat on the bed. She stradled him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He kissed her gently feeling her wings streatch open and unfurl. He could feel her shaking against him.

    "Let it go Freyja....." he whispered against her lips.

Openend his eyes just in time to see her shivering wings burst into golden flames.