The First Tastes

"I will do it."

"I believe you have made the right decision. This is the right choice, you will see." The King nodded, "I will have your apartment prepared for your arrival. In the meantime," he motioned to a guard, "you will be escorted to the healing rooms. I want you in the soul forge and to submit to a thorough medical examination."

Loki practically jumped up from where he was seated on the bed, "Right now? Today?"

"I see no reason to delay. If you comply with the healers, I will arrange for your companionship. Do you have a preference?"

Loki gaped as he watched the guard drop the barrier to his cell and motion for him to step out. He stood staring into the corridor, the casualty of the act baffling him. He had not moved beyond this small space in over one hundred years.

"Loki?" 

Loki took his first tentative step out of the cell. "A bit of both." He finally answered.

"Very well. I am off. I will send for you sometime tomorrow once I have looked over your medical report. Sleep well, son."

"Your Highness, right this way." A second guard flanked Loki to lead him to the healing rooms.

Your Highness.

Hearing his old moniker startled him. For over a hundred years, Loki had only been addressed as 'inmate' by the guards. Even his mind healers called him by his familiar name.

The ascent out of the dungeon was a long one. The prison was so deep beneath the ground air had to be pumped in from the surface. There were no windows, obviously, so the only measurement of time Loki had was the delivery of food to his cell. Porridge for breakfast, thin meat sandwich for lunch. For dinner, a small bowl of gristly stew with a chunk of hard bread. Day after day, year after year. There was no deviation. He had not had fresh fruit or vegetables since he was imprisoned, and each day he was provided with one large pitcher of water for drinking. No tea, no coffee, no juice.

His journals were the only things he had that he could use to keep track of the years. Every day was the same. There were no special meals for Solstice or Yule. Birthdays were not celebrated or even acknowledged. But Loki kept track of the days, months, and years on paper, so he knew he had been imprisoned in that cell alone for one hundred twelve years, four months, and seventeen days.

When they reached the main floor of the palace, Loki froze in place; he held up his hand to shield his eyes, the bright sun streaming in through the tall windows momentarily blinding him. He stood there and waited for his eyes to adjust, taking in the sounds and scents of the palace. His nostrils flared, and he inhaled deeply, never realizing what a potently distinct smell it had. He could smell the polish used to shine the marble columns, the cleaner used to mop the floors, the metal, the wood, and the plaster. It was overwhelming.

"This way, Your Highness."

"I-I just need a moment." He was trying not to get emotional, but he had not been prepared for just how moved he would be to walk these halls again. A simple thing like seeing daylight was awe-inspiring.

"Take your time, sir."

He took a few deep breaths and steadied himself, running a hand down his chest to his stomach, he realized just how shabby his attire was. He suddenly felt very out of place in his own home.

"I have gotten my bearings now. We may continue onward." He tried not to look like a gawking tourist as they made their way through the palace. The bright colors of the art and murals on the walls and ceiling seemed more vibrant than he remembered.

Loki had been through every inch of this palace more times than he could count, but today he felt like he was seeing it for the first time.

oOXOo

Once Loki was delivered to the healing rooms, the guards stood watch on either side of the door. He was subjected to all manner of tests. He was instructed to strip naked and lie down on the exam table. A team of no less than a dozen healers inspected every inch of his body. His teeth were examined and cleaned for the first time in over a century. His vision and hearing were tested. He passed everything easily. The entirety of the skin on his body was inspected for lesions and his hair was checked for parasites.

He was asked a barrage of personal questions. How often did his bowels move, could he still achieve and maintain erections, when was the last time he ejaculated, how had he stayed so fit on such a poor diet, and so on and so on.

They took samples of his blood, urine, and hair. They gave him a buccal swab and collected his DNA. Loki balked and flat-out refused when they handed him a cup and asked him to give them a semen sample. They put him in the soul forge and looked at every system in his body, running in-depth scans on all his major organs, his arteries and veins, his nerves, bones, and muscles. Loki watched with curiosity as they even scanned his testicles intently, punching notes into their holographic monitors.

"What is the purpose of this scan?" Loki asked, perplexed.

"The King has ordered an extensive diagnostic. We are following the King's command."

After a very thorough and intrusive physical examination, he was given a soft, fluffy robe and slippers and escorted to the health spa, where he was pampered like the prince he was. His hair was washed and trimmed. His feet were scrubbed, toenails trimmed and buffed. He was given a facial as his hands were manicured, his cuticles were moisturized and cut back, and his fingernails were clipped and filed smooth. And just when he thought he could not feel any better, he was escorted to a private room with a large bathtub filled with hot water and bubbles.

The air in the room was steamy and smelled of sweet lavender. It was dimly lit, the flicker of the warm golden light of the pillar candles danced along the dark marble tiled walls. A tall stack of fluffy white towels sat neatly folded in a small alcove. A selection of sea sponges and loofahs waited in a small basket on a small stool near the large golden claw foot bathtub in the center of the room. A low shelf housed a myriad of bubble baths and fancy soaps.

On the far side of the room, behind a sheer golden curtain was a low pallet bed with a large comfortable mattress and several fluffy pillows and cushions.

The esthetician helped Loki out of his robe, hung it on a hook near the door, and left him a set of new clothes to put on when he was finished bathing.

"Take all the time you would like, Your Highness. When you are finished, we will have someone take your dinner order and escort you back to your chambers. In the meantime, we will bring you a snack for you to enjoy while you relax."

Loki nodded to the man and lowered himself into the bathtub. He almost cried when he sank into the heavenly, soapy water. He was only able to clean himself with a basin of room-temperature water, a rough cloth, and a hard bar of unscented soap while he was in his cell.

His heart almost stopped as a beautiful, young, blonde servant entered shortly after, carrying a gold tray containing a flute of champagne and a bowl of fresh red strawberries.

She curtsied as she placed the tray, "Your Highness, I would be honored if you would allow me to scrub your back for you." She gave him a sly smile as she looked up at him through her lashes.

"Would you?" He rested his forearms on the side of the tub and leaned over to look her up and down. "What is your name, precious?"

"Everly, Your Highness."

"Everly? That is a beautiful name." He returned her smile, "Unfortunately, Everly, it has been quite a long time since a pretty little thing like you joined me in a bath. I am afraid I would not be able to remain a gentleman, sweet Everly."

"In that case, perhaps I should start in the front? Save washing your back for when you have relaxed a little?" She picked up a sponge and circled two deft fingers over it.

Loki chuckled, "You do not work for the spa, do you? Did Odin send you here, pet?"

She sat on the edge of the tub, picked up a plump strawberry, and brought it to her lips, "No, I do not usually work here in the spa. I do not know who paid the gold to send me here, but I am quite pleased that I was the one chosen for this task." She did not take her eyes off his as she bit slowly into the fruit and sucked its sweet juices as they spilled over her lips.

Loki's cock was painfully stiff under the thick blanket of bubbles. Oh, how he missed this, the playful banter, the anticipation of what he knew was coming next.

"Tell me, sweet Everly, have you fully committed to the profession you have chosen?"

"I would not be here if I hadn't, My Prince." She held out her arm to him, showing him the convexities of the five little rods that had been inserted under her skin, fanned out in a half-moon pattern. "Prevensjon."

Loki recognized the symbol on the inside of her forearm, prevensjon, or contraception as it was now called, it guaranteed her clientele that she was of the top tier in her profession. Clean, skilled, and sterile, eliminating any chance of an unwanted pregnancy or infection.

"Good girl."

She winked at him.

He had to restrain himself from pulling the woman into the water with him fully clothed.

She reached over and held the strawberry up to Loki's mouth, rubbing the juicy berry along his bottom lip. He held her hand in his and took a bite of the sweet fruit. His eyes rolled to the back of his head, and he moaned loudly as he chewed. His senses were overloaded. The flavor of the berry, the scent of the bubbles, fruit, and the woman's skin mingled, giving him an intoxicating feeling of euphoria. Her soft skin felt like fire in his hand.

He opened his eyes and saw her watching him intently. He was embarrassed that a simple bite of a strawberry elicited such a dramatic reaction from him.

"It was quite an exceptional berry," he laughed shyly.

"Indeed." She gave him a warm smile in return as she deposited the stem on the tray. "I was told that you have been deprived for quite some time. You have me for as long as you need. I will follow your lead if you would like, or, if you prefer..." she raised her skirts over her thigh and pulled a leather crop out of her garter, "I can punish you for being such a bad boy on Midgard."

Loki watched her with wide eyes as she smacked the crop in her palm. His hand immediately went under the water to tug on his balls. "Ohhh..."

She set the crop to the side and retrieved the sponge again, dunking it in the water and dragging it across his chest. He watched her face as she bathed him tenderly.

"I might get carried away. I do not wish to hurt you."

"In that case," she smiled as she pulled a small dagger from a holster hidden in the sash of her dress, "If I promise to make you feel good, do you promise to be a good boy? If you get too carried away, I will open a vein in your neck, deal?"

"Did you just threaten your prince?" Loki smiled widely at her.

"Do you feel threatened by me?" She raised an eyebrow at him and gave him a sly smile, playfully running the dagger over his bare chest.

"Norns, pet," he took a ragged breath, "I think I just may just keep you. How much would it cost to buy out your contract with the pleasure house?"

"You would not wish to share me? That is flattering." She dragged the flat side of the dagger across his neck, over his Adam's apple. "Do you want me to make you feel good?"

"I was serious when I said I may not be able to be gentle with you. You are such a delicate little flower. I would feel terrible if I left a mark on that beautiful, pristine skin of yours." He stilled her hand with his, his large hand engulfing hers.

"What if I told you it would make me so hot to wear the marks you leave on my body? I would not cover them up. I would treat them as precious and fleeting gifts given to me by my prince. It would be an honor. I would stand naked in front of my mirror and remember your mouth and hands as they traveled across my body." She stood and slowly slipped the straps of her dress over her shoulders, letting it pool at her feet on the floor.

He took a sharp inhale of breath as he took in the sight of her, beautifully naked.

"Do you want to touch me, Your Highness?"

"Very much so."

"Let's get you clean, then I will get you dirty again."

oOXOo

Loki was insatiable. He had the prostitute in every way a man could have a woman. He was as gentle with her as he could be at first, but when she started keening when he would handle her more roughly, a wicked grin crossed his lips as he flipped her onto her hands and knees and pounded away as he held her hips firmly, unrelenting until he spilled inside of her with a guttural growl.

Moving back and forth between the mattress and the bath, they refilled the tub whenever the water started to get cold. He would clean her up and map her body with his mouth and hands as he waited for his cock to stir again, giving her no breaks as he brought her to orgasm again and again.

He did not remember falling asleep, he must have only dozed off for a few minutes, but when he woke on the pallet alone, his heart sank.

Everly took the opportunity to leave quietly, without saying goodbye or even making sure the prince was satisfied. He sat up and looked around, the evidence of their mischief obvious as water puddled on the floor and abandoned wet towels decorated the room. She had a job to do, and she had done it. There was no reason for him to believe this was something special, yet he still felt a pang of sadness when he realized she had gone.

As he got up and got dressed slowly, he wondered if Everly was even her real name or if she had given it to him on a whim. No matter, he thought, at least I got Odin's gold's worth out of her.

He slipped into his boots, told a servant to bring a large dinner to his chambers, and was escorted out of the health spa feeling like a new man. He was clean, sated, and well-dressed as he was led through the palace.

Heads turned as he passed all the people along the way. Some looked at him with disgust, others fear, but most looked surprised before they bowed their heads respectfully.

Loki's chambers were not left as he remembered them, and he explored them eagerly. The walls were removed from the apartment next door to double the square footage of the space. Small servant's rooms were added through a hallway that led from the dining room. A butler's pantry and a larder were stocked with crockery, food, and drink. Between the sitting room and the dining room, a wet bar had been installed. Loki ran his hands over the mahogany bar top and smiled widely as he saw all the bottles of spirits, small casks of mead, and a selection of vintage wines along the wall.

The new furniture in the sitting room caught his eye. Deep green leather, supple and buttery. Two long couches sat facing each other with a low mahogany sofa table between them. Matching mahogany end tables abutted the sofas. Two leather armchairs with matching ottomans flanked the large fireplace. Soft throw pillows and a large basket containing various warm blankets added a cozy and inviting feel to this area.

A large grand piano sat across from the wet bar near the exit to the balcony. Crystal vases filled with elegant flower arrangements decorated the space. Masterworks of art and beautiful tapestries completed the aesthetic of opulence.

The room he used as a library had not been changed; he took in the sight of the rows of tall bookcases as he ran his hands over the spines of his collection of precious tomes, happy they were waiting for him there after all this time.

A new room was added while he was imprisoned, a vast room with large floor-to-ceiling windows, mats on the floor, and an assortment of iron bars of various lengths and weights. A heavy bag hung in the corner and one of the interior walls was paneled in mirrors, a wooden handrail running the length of it. Ropes for jumping and other various items were organized neatly along a section of the wall.

My very own gymnasium, Loki nodded in approval, Odin has been busy.

The next room he came upon was smaller but had the same floor-to-ceiling windows along the back wall, a set of French doors led out to a small balcony that overlooked the south lawn of the palace, topiary gallery, ponds, and the entrance to his mother's garden. There was an assortment of art supplies organized on custom shelving and cabinets. A pair of stools and easels sat just inside the doors to the balcony and a drafting table with clips to attach paper sat in the center of the room.

Loki looked around, Curious... I won't get much use out of this space, he thought as he thumbed through an empty sketchbook from the shelf. He returned the book to its place and made his way to his bed chamber.

The room looked very different from what he remembered. The dark wood paneling and moldings had been replaced with white marble and ornate gold crown moldings to match the rest of his apartment. His large bed had been replaced by an even larger bed. Loki moaned when he saw it. Crisp white sheets under an emerald green duvet embroidered with golden thread. Many pillows were arranged at the headboard. He crawled to the middle and pulled one of the fluffy down-filled pillows to his chest.

Norns....

The bed was the most comfortable he had ever been in, and it was enormous. It was large enough for him to lay with his arms and legs spread wide twice over with room to spare. He sat up and looked around the bright room. It was all white, decorated in hues of green and gold, with black accents scattered throughout. Scooting to the side of the bed, he removed his boots and let his toes curl into the soft white rug on the white marble floor.

Glorious.

His en suite bathroom had been renovated as well. Larger than it used to be, all black and white marble with gold fixtures. He was given a bathtub big enough for two, alongside a large walk-in shower with multiple shower heads. A long marble counter held two deep marble sinks under a large ornate mirror. There were cabinets underneath for storage and a large walk-in linen closet with extra bedding and more towels than any one person would ever need.

This is certainly better than my last cell, he chuckled to himself.

Coming out of his en suite, he noticed a door on the other side of the bed. Behind it was an expansive closet with built-in chests of drawers, a full-length mirror, a jewelry case, and rod after rod full of hangers awaiting clothes. There was even a ceiling-high shoe rack with a little bench in front of it for putting on shoes.

Well, this is a bit much, but I will not complain.

Loki walked around in the large closet, opening empty drawers, and touching everything he could get his hands on. As he came to stand in front of the full-length mirror, he could not help but stare at his reflection. It had been so long since he had gotten a good look at himself. Pleased with his silhouette, he stepped closer to get a better look at his face.

A couple of fine lines on his forehead, a frown line or two, and no grey hairs that he could see, but he did notice the beginnings of crow's feet around his eyes. Nothing some moisturizer and a healthier diet couldn't slow down.

He heard a soft knock on his bed chamber door, "Your dinner has arrived, My Prince," a servant named Greta called from the other side.

"I will be right there," he called back as he gave himself another once-over in the mirror.

Dinner was grilled white fish with steamed vegetables and buttered rolls. He helped himself to two fillets drizzled with a creamy butter sauce and scoop after scoop of fresh greens. The maid poured him a glass of white wine and a goblet of water as he sat at the head of his table, looking around at all the luxury and splendor he was surrounded by.

This seems like overkill for one person, but if I am to be confined to these rooms for Norns only know how long, I might as well be comfortable.

This morning he ate cold lumpy porridge underground in the dungeon, tonight he dined like a king while watching the sunset behind the city out the windows of his opulent apartment high in the air, near the top of the palace.

While he was eating, trunk after trunk arrived. Filled to bursting with new clothes: boots, tunics, and trousers. Clothes to exercise in, comfortable robes, and pajamas. A trunk of toiletries and hygiene products and a box containing his handwritten journals from his cell were the last to arrive.

The maid put everything in its proper place, then returned to his side, "Save room for dessert, Your Highness," she curtsied and refilled his wine as he went in for a third piece of fish.

"I will have room for this and then some," he laughed, the wine starting to go to his head, "I have been left hollow for far too long."

The maid was clearing the dinner dishes when there was a knock at the front door.

"Enter," Loki called.

A man with cocoa skin and haunting pale eyes entered pushing a small cart laden with treats from the kitchen's bakery.

"Well, what do we have here?" Loki raised an eyebrow as he sipped his wine.

"Dessert, Your Highness," the maid gave him a knowing smile, "I am going to take care of these dishes, then retire for the night. Ring for me if you have need of me, otherwise, I will not disturb you 'til morning."

"Thank you, Greta. That will be all."

"Your Highness," the man placed a hand on his chest and bowed to Loki, "I have brought quite a wide range of options for you. You can have as little or as much as you would like."

The man's sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, showing off his beautifully muscled forearms and the five little rods in the shape of a half-moon. Prevensjon.

"And what might your name be?"

"I am Magnus, Your Highness."

"Magnus? Do you bring dessert to men and women alike?" He motioned to the mark on his arm.

"As luck would have it, yes."

Loki smiled and sat back in his seat, "Are you from the same pleasure house as a young woman named Everly?"

"I do not believe we have an Everly, sir."

"I thought as much." Loki laughed, "Is your name truly Magnus?"

"It can be whatever you want it to be, My Prince." He bowed again.

He smirked before he finished the wine in his glass, not taking his eyes off the gorgeous man before him.

oOXOo

Loki had fallen asleep that night tipsy and sated tangled up in the sheets with the magnificent Magnus. The next morning, he woke up alone in his vast bed with no sign of the man.

He sat up and raked his hands through his hair to get it out of his face, looking around the room, hoping to see his clothes on the floor or hear the sound of him in the shower. But, alas, he had been left without a goodbye.

Again.

Logically, Loki knew the whores were doing what they were paid to do. He had been with enough of them to know how they operated. Flirt and talk. Flatter and tease. Fuck and leave. As much as he was looking forward to having sex when he was released from his cell, and despite the copious amount of sex he participated in the previous day, he still felt wanting.

Wanting more.

Wanting warmth.

Wanting something that he could not put a name on. Something he has always longed for but never had.

He laid back down in his bed and pulled his blankets up to his chin as he stared at the ceiling. He felt just as lonely waking up in this luxurious bedroom as he did waking up in his dank prison cell.

He rolled to his side and pulled a pillow to his chest, wondering when he would have to marry Finna and if she would be expecting this to be a marriage of convenience, just to appease their fathers, or if she would want it to be something more. If she would visit him in these rooms when she was lonely or if she would even want to consummate the marriage in the first place.

He considered both scenarios and honestly did not know which one he was wishing for himself. He had certainly always desired her; she was the first girl he ever saw naked; he had often thought about her when he pleasured himself when he was young. Loki smiled at the memory, all those years ago in the stable, her long, lithe body bare to him, the expanse of her milk-white skin taught over her narrow hips and pert breasts, straw sticking out of her hair, a look of fury on her face. His laugh echoed around the large room as he remembered it vividly.

He was only marrying her to get out of prison, to mollify Odin long enough to figure out how to get his seiðr back and leave this place. He never really had feelings for her. He only longed for a relationship like she and Thor had. The last time he saw her he had humiliated her. She came to him out of desperation, and he had made a fool of her and sent her away. He doubted she had ever forgiven him for it. If she wanted to spend any time with him after the wedding, it would probably only be to make him miserable.

What if she wants children? Loki shivered at the thought of it. She can have a baby with a lover if she pleases and give it my name and title. Breeding her is out of the question.

His mind wandered to thoughts of Anina. Frigga had brought him the good news each time she and her husband welcomed a new baby. He wondered how she enjoyed being a mother and what her children looked like. He imagined another life where they were still close friends, and he bought her kids presents on their birthdays and was invited to their home for holidays and celebrations. 'Uncle Loki', he imagined they would call him, and run to him when he came through the door.

Uncle Loki.

He thought of Thor and the wife and children he would never have. The rest of his life he never got to live. An ache in his chest caused him to wince in pain. A single tear spilled over his cheek as he remembered his brother teaching him to swim while on holiday with their parents.

He rolled back over to look at the ceiling again and wiped the tear from his face.

You are in an awfully dour mood for a man who has just been paroled from a life sentence, he chastised himself.

The truth was he was still as uncertain about his future as he was when he awoke a day ago. He had jumped hastily at the chance to be released from his cell. Life in the dungeon was a bleak and morose existence. Up here in the palace, there was color, flavor, texture, and comfort. The smell of sweet flowers and the melodies of birdsong.

Other people...

Yet, he was still not a free man; he was here on Odin's whim, and he could return to prison just as quickly.

The sun was finally high enough to spill light across his pillow. He turned his face to it and closed his eyes. He silently thanked the Norns for this opportunity, no matter how fleeting it may be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed reading about Loki's first full day out of the dungeon. I thought it was important to hear his thoughts as he prepares to hold up his end of Odin's bargain.

I have been blown away by the feedback I have gotten so far. I just wanted to say thank you to my loyal readers and to the new ones as well. Every comment and vote encourages me to keep flushing out this story that has taken over my brain since I finished Gift. I truly love interacting with all of you.

In the next chapter, Odin demonstrates how he has remained the most powerful being in the Nine Realms. Loki receives an inheritance from his mother and bids farewell to bachelorhood.