Not wasting any time, Tira left the farplane and approached one of the many gardens of Asgard. Under the shadow of the moon, she entered the palace through the servant's corridors. Traveling its halls and dodging guards in the dark held more of a challenge.

She had forgotten the hall to the library and had gotten lost more than twice before she finally spotted its elegant doors. With her face covered in her green veil she slipped inside and placed the book on the table where the prince had previously set.

"Paying another visit?"

"By the gods!" Tira exclaimed, grabbing her chest. "Do you retire in here or something?"

Loki chuckled before stepping out of the shadows. "I was waiting for you to return though I did not expect it to be so soon. What did you think of it?"

"It was horrible." Avoiding his gaze and hoping she wasn't obvious. "Why would a Valkyrie such useless lore?"

Loki smiled and took the book from her. "You lie horribly."

She couldn't help but smile and give in to the feelings the story had embraced her with. "It was wonderful, I have never experienced such words before."

"Would you like another?" He chuckled. Opening his arms, he spun around showing off the library. "I have many, as you can see."

Suddenly remembering her sister's words, she turned away from him. "No, no I mustn't, I made a promise. I cannot take another book back with me."

"Then you could have their company here."

"Oh no, I must return before the sun is up. If I were caught out of the farplane with a mortal so late in the hour without authorization..."

"You will be punished, I know." Loki placed the book back on the shelf in its rightful place. "I will not push you, but I would like to request one small favor before you flee once more."

Tira turned to face him, her face still hidden beneath the veil. "Of course, my Lord."

"Please, address me by my name. I am no king."

"My apologies," Tira said glancing down

She felt his soft hand beneath her chin gently he lifted her gaze. "What is your name?"

Tira blinked, it was such a strange question. She had never been asked to address herself personally before, was this normal for royalty? Surely not. Still, something about his voice made her heart skip and at the mere touch of his fingertips made her tremble. What was this she was feeling?

Clearing her throat, she found the strength to look into his dark eyes.

"I am Tira... Tira the Valiant." Before her heart could mislead her, she spun around and prepared to take her leave. Shyael was probably going through her room looking for more books.

"A beautiful name. Quite fitting for an Angel." His voice was soothing; it caught her skin like hooks and pinned her to the floor. Once again, she left her mind and allowed the throbbing in her chest take hold of her.

"Perhaps I could stay...for a while."

He showed her a whole new world behind the pages of a book. Days quickly became weeks, and weeks became a timeless effort in her life. She took hold of the life of a Valkyrie, a life her sister had always wanted for her. That was enough to please Shyael, but when the sun died beyond the horizon of Asgard, she would visit the young prince once more.

A unique bond formed, and Loki had become fond of her as well. They filled that emptiness within each other to the point where missing a day of their company led to agony. The fact that such a relationship was forbidden only made their time sweeter.

No one gave thought to why Loki spent endless days in the library, they had their peace in his book haven. Occasionally they would have to dodge Thor, who would often come to pester Loki. When Loki lost his patience, he and Tira would retire to the gardens. He showed her his mother's favorite flowers and told her stories behind their names. Tira shared a few stories of her own along with dreams she desperately wanted to reach.

Resting on a stone bench, hidden in a crowd of colored petals, the two enjoyed the starlit sky in silence.

"What of great importance do you believe was gifted to you?" Loki asked suddenly

"Change." Tira smiled. "I want to break the endless cycle for Valkyries."

"Sounds a bit ambiguous don't you think?"

"Not in a way meaning war and ruin. We have so many rules, useless rules that must be followed. Surely the King can waver that; it is not all necessary."

"But if the King had made these rules, surely it must have some meaning of importance."

"Maybe." Tira sighed, her veil brushed lightly against her face. Loki extended his hand, moving to lift pull sheer veil covering her porcelain features. She jumped back and grabbed his hand. "What are you doing?"

Loki chuckled. "You want to change things but yet your face remains hidden from me. Do you fear I will swoon at the mere sight of you?"

"No."

"No?" Loki questioned not believing a word of it. "Perhaps you are cursed with a deathly beauty then? Will it kill me?

"I'm not as pretty as the other Valkyries."

"That's nonsense." He stirred. "Just an excuse to hide behind the veil and avoid problems. Just following one of Odin's rules."

"Is that what you think?" Tira became flustered. "How dare you?"

"Oh, I dare."

"Fine" Tira snapped, crossing her arms. "Then I'll take it off."

"I believe it so when I see it." Loki mimicked her gesture.

"You will," she taunted

"Fine."

"Fine!"

There was an awkward silence between them. Tira stared him down, daring not to be the first to blink. A smile cracked from Loki's lips; within seconds they were both laughing.

"You are a strange one," Loki commented.

As he did so, Tira took the first step and lifted her veil. His smile soon faded when his eyes gazed upon her. He was stunned, even after many stories nothing truly prepared him for her beauty. Her face was fair, her hair was as golden as the sun with eyes as blue as the ocean. Her lips shaming the red roses in their garden. Tira watched as he stared and lowered her gaze. Her bashfulness sent flashes of red to her cheeks which only made her more breathtaking.

"Well," Loki began, "I haven't gone blind nor has my head exploded"

"Or turned to stone." Tira smiled. "That's fortunate. I guess I am not cursed."

Reaching out, his hand caressed her cheek. Tira froze, feeling a man's touch along face for the very first time. Skin so soft to the touch, the redness in her cheeks were enough to make him want to explode.

"That hue suits you." His voice was ever so soft. Staying still, she no longer trembled under his touch yet she almost fainted when he drew near and softly kissed her on the cheek.

========================

Author's Note.

Ah,  a budding romance. God and Angel and absolutely forbidden...what could possibly go wrong.

The gif is of Imogen Poots, The actress I have cast for Tira. She is also the owner of the beautiful blue eyes on the cover of this story.