Isolde glanced around the banquet hall observing her fellow warriors. They had returned from battle in another realm with only minor injuries. The feast was a celebration of their victory. As usual Thor sat with Sif and the Warriors Three. He'd tried to get her to join them, but her heart wasn't in it at the moment.

Her eyes moved from one prince to the other. Loki leaned against the wall on the other side of the room, smiling when he caught her looking. She arched a brow and gestured to the empty seat beside her. His smile widened and within moments he joined her.

"The lovely Lady Isolde. To what do I owe the pleasure of an invitation?" Loki's silky voice flowed through her. She could listen to him talk for ages.

She resisted the urge to sigh like a lovesick child. Barely. "We've been friends for a long time, Loki. I would hardly think you would need an invitation."

He leaned back on the bench they sat on and draped his arm across the back as he looked her over. "Are we still friends, Isolde? I thought I had been forgotten as you tagged along after my brother."

Hurt flared through her with his statement. But she had been avoiding him lately, if only to spare her heart the pain of not being able to be with him in the way she wished. Loki wasn't exactly known to be the relationship type and she couldn't bear to only warm his bed.

Instead of admitting to all that, she reached a hand over and laid it on his leg. "I have always been and will forever be your friend, Loki."

His piercing eyes studied her for a moment before one of his rare genuine smiles flashed on his face. "I am happy to hear that, Izzy."

At the sound of the old nickname, she returned his smile. "It has been a long time since anyone has called me that."

"I thought that was the name you preferred?"

"Only when you call me that, my prince. I allow that familiarity only to your family."

His eyes locked onto hers. "Well, I consider myself privileged then."

"As well you should," she said with a nod. And the dark prince joined her in her laughter.

***

Loki ran his eyes over Isold's features again as she regaled him with tales from the battlefield. The truth was he was only half-listening to her stories, instead just absorbing the sound of her voice. He'd been in love with the lady before him for many years, but had always been too afraid to act on it. It was quite clear to him that she preferred his brother.

The thought brought an ache to Loki's chest and he rubbed at it as if that would make it go away. Experience had taught him it would do no such thing.

A delicate hand landed on his. "Are you okay, Loki?"

He blinked at her, surprised to see the concern coloring her features. Resisting the urge to flip his hand over to grasp hers in his own, he merely nodded. "I am fine, my lady. Do not trouble yourself."

Her frown remained until her eyes moved to look at something over his shoulder. Â He followed her gaze to see his brother preparing to leave the banquet hall. "I am sorry, but I need to discuss something with your brother before he turns in for the evening. I will return shortly."

Loki did his best to give her a smile. "Of course."

***

"Thor," Isolde called out just as the prince was about to turn around a corner.

He stopped and looked back in surprise. "Isolde, my friend. I am sorry I did not get to spend much time with you this evening."

She smiled as she came to a stop in front of him. "It is quite all right."

His lips twitched up in a cockeyed smile. "It seemed as though my brother was entertaining you quite well, however."

Her cheeks flushed and she ducked her head. "I am afraid that I have mislead you where my feelings for your brother are concerned, Thor."

When he didn't speak, she looked up to find him frowning at her.

"I suggest you explain yourself, Isolde. You may be one of my dearest friends, but my loyalties lay with my brother. You will not find me merciful if you have been toying with him."

Her eyes widened as she realized what he thought. "It's not like that at all." She took a breath and braced herself for what she was about to say. "I do not have an affection for your brother as I previously stated. I am in love with him. I have been for a long time."

Thor gave her one of his large, sincere smiles. "That is fantastic news, Izzy. I can think of no one I would rather have for a sister."

She looked at him in amusement. "You are not only assuming that he cares the same way for me, but you are jumping straight ahead to the wedding."

He put a large hand on her shoulder. "Trust me. Go, talk to him. I think you will not be disappointed."

The realization that he must know something she didn't brought joy flooding through her. She threw her arms around her friend's neck. "Thank you, Thor. I will do as you say."

She let go and heard Thor laughing as she hurried down the hall to go back to Loki. Only when she arrived back in the room, the dark prince was nowhere to be seen.

***

Loki stared out the window of his room. He had waited for Isolde as he told her he would but his curiosity got the better of him. And how he wished it had not. He had forgotten while he conversed with her that she harbored feelings for his brother. Seeing them in an embrace in the hallway had brought all that back. He was a fool for thinking she might care for him, even a little.

"You sent for us, Prince Loki?" a voice said behind him and he turned to find two females standing in the doorway. He supposed they were beautiful in their own way though they could not hold a candle to his warrior princess. He would rather see her in full armor than these two barely dressed as they were now.

"Yes, come in." He turned his gaze back out the window. He had sent for the women hoping it would take his mind off the one he couldn't have. As their arms wrapped around him, he had serious doubts that it was going to work.

***

Isolde waited for Loki to return. After a while it became apparent he wasn't going to. She debated with herself about what to do. If he'd already gone to bed, she didn't want to disturb him. But, she knew if she waited until morning she would undoubtedly lose her nerve.

That made up her mind for her and she hurried through the halls toward his room. She was deep in thought as she approached and her gaze settled on his door when she noticed it was ajar. That was unlike him and she suddenly wished she had her sword. She was poorly outfitted if she needed to defend him from a threat.

Cautiously she neared the door, not wanting to startle an intruder if there was one. Peering through the crack in the door, she sucked in a breath as she noticed the invaders in Loki's room. Though the prince did not seem to mind them if his half-dressed state was any indication. His back was to her as he held one woman in his arms. Another was draped across the foot of the bed watching them, her own clothing have long since been discarded.

Tears flooded her eyes. She was a fool. She backed away from the door, careful not to make any sound. Once she was certain she was far enough away not to draw his attention, she turned and fled.