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Queen Frigga stood in the center of the small potting shed. It was just before dawn and she wasn't surprised to find it empty. The elf slave had been missing since the feast two nights previous. And while her son had tried to conceal the slave's whereabouts it was fairly obvious to a mother what Loki had been hiding in the library after an unseemly brawl with one of the warriors three.

She had hoped it was nothing but a dalliance. Which was why she hadn't yet reported the missing elf to Odin. While not great for his sons reputation it was certainly something he could recover from with her help. But now, she was sure there was more going on. She could no longer feel the magic binding the slave's collar and hadn't been able to for days. She had not forged it alone however and so she was unable to tell if it was the proximity to Loki's magic simply disrupting it or, the more terrifying prospect, if the elf had escaped her magical prison.

She opened cupboards and dug through baskets, but nothing in the sad little shed revealed the answer. It looked as though someone had hurriedly left and if that was the case she couldn't protect her son from his father's wrath any longer. Loki didn't understand the secrets surrounding the small elf. In fact, Frigga doubted the elf slave herself understood the larger role she was destined to play. If the daughter of Ljosalfar had been freed they were all in danger.

She had to tell Odin.

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Loki woke sweating. He threw off the blanket he never used and looked around his room in surprise. Curiously, there was an orange glowing fire smoldering in the fireplace. Also something he never used.

He sat up, grimacing only slightly as his healing muscles stretched and reformed. He rotated his left shoulder, content to note it too had healed. His power still felt less than normal, but he assumed it would take time for his magic to find its way back to him as his body continued to heal.

He glanced around in confusion. How had he ended up here? He didn't recall getting home, only the intention of teleporting. It was a frightening prospect to consider he had teleported when he wasn't fully lucid. So many things could go wrong. It was why so few ever attempted to learn the skill and even fewer lived to master it.

His last memory was of a final power channel with Kenna, drawing her personal power into himself. He had read about them in theory, how intimate they could be, but nothing had prepared him to be entirely immersed in Kenna. He could hear, smell and feel nothing but her heartbeat, her essence. He could feel her, even now, her warm presence so much closer than even the amulet allowed him to feel. Some of her personal power must still be clinging to him like cobwebs. He closed his eyes and shook his head as he climbed unsteadily to his feet. She was a slave.

It shouldn't have surprised him to discover she had power of her own. The slave collar was specifically designed to block not only her memories but also magic. It would have been a foolish use of such a powerful artifact for a non-magic user. The fact the she was also an empath made sense as well. Through the amulet he had unknowingly been tapping into her empathic abilities and thus able to feel what she felt. Now that they had unwittingly forced her into her powers it would remain to be seen if he would be able to continue to use them.

He felt better, being up and moving and it took him a moment before he saw her. She was curled up in a ball in his chair before the remains of the fire. It was still before dawn, but the auroras dancing across the sky illuminated her face. Her arms were wrapped around herself and he frowned. The room felt uncomfortably warm to him, but she appeared to be chilled. He picked up one of the many throws his mother had placed in his room, even though he never used them, and tucked it carefully around her.

Her silvery hair was loose and spilled over the arm of the chair, half covering one side of her face. She looked so peaceful and lovely in sleep it made something in his chest tighten. He could feel the warmth from her skin and he pulled his hands back away from her. Somehow he had come to care for a slave.

He moved his shoulders once more testing the muscles. He should be in more pain than this, even with his rapid healing abilities the damage Harokin had done had been extensive. His skin smelled like unfamiliar herbs however, and looking around he found a small bowl of salve on the bedside table.

He glanced back at Kenna. She had done this, she had made him medicine to help heal him. Somehow he had ended up in his bed and his armor removed. No small feat given their size difference. He glanced back at the small woman, marveling at her efforts to care for him when she could have left him where he dropped. She must have been exhausted after all they had been through and yet she had cared for him.

His chest tightened uncomfortably again and combined with the heat in the room made him feel suddenly anxious. He fled quickly into his washroom and splashed cold water on his face. He needed to get ahold of himself and his emotions. Clearly channeling the power of an empath was having curious side effects. Nothing more.

He cleaned the remains of the dirt and blood from his skin. He slicked his wet hair back from his face as he stared into the mirror. For a second he thought he saw violet power flash in his eyes and he imagined he could hear the cruel and sensual laugh of Magdol. He flinched and pinched his eyes shut. He was overtired and still healing. Nothing more. He needed rest.

Phantom memories of the power he had harnessed made his hands tremble. He gripped the sides of the gleaming metal wash basin. It would have been so easy to keep that power for himself. The power of the light elves and dark elves combined would have ensured the safety of Asgard. The safety of those he loved. Kenna's safety. After all she had done she deserved that much.

The metal finally bit painfully into his skin and he jerked his hands back, closing them into fists. The sorceress's laugh sounded again in his ears followed by phantom tingles of power between his finger tips. The power had been so easy to wield. No spells, no incantations. He needed but to think and his will was done.

He remembered the warnings of his mother from when he was young. How easily power could corrupt and turn into an addiction. The things that could happen to a magic user who reached for power beyond his abilities. But this hadn't been beyond his abilities. He had controlled it easily with-

Loki's tumbling thoughts stilled as he thought of Kenna. The small ball of warmth in his chest pulsed like a heartbeat separate from his own but still so close shining with light and warmth.

He scrubbed at his eyes and then reached out with his magic to feel Kenna. Her magic answered so quickly and so willing to him it took his breath away. Even unconscious she gave to him freely. He couldn't help feeling he didn't deserve her. Didn't deserve this trust she placed in him. It was his family that had enslaved her. His family that would punish her if they ever found out about her power.

He could never let that happen.

When he opened his eyes again it was just his reflection gazing back at him. He sighed and turned away from the mirror. He discarded his sweat and blood covered clothing and had just pulled on a fresh pair of leather pants when he heard Kenna whimper. He hurried back out into his room to see her thrashing in her sleep. She cried out, entangled in a nightmare. He ran to her and gripped her upper arms before she knocked herself out of her chair.

"Kenna!" he said, when she didn't wake he shook her. "Kenna!"

The journey to the palace had sharpened Kenna's nightmares, giving them details her childhood memories had forgotten. Now images of the dark elves attack swirled with memories of the cruel face of Odin leaving her alone to mourn her father. A cry tore it's way out of her throat as she jerked awake. This time she wasn't alone. Through her tears she could see a pair of startling emerald eyes. She glanced around herself wildly and it took a second before she realized she was still in the Prince's chambers. Through the windows she could see dawn was just breaking over Asgard.

    Her eyes widened. She never should have stayed. "Loki," her voice came out a strangled whisper as she scrambled to her feet. The prince was standing before her wearing nothing, but leather pants his pale chest was still marred by yellowing bruises from the battle they had won. She swallowed and forced herself to stare only into his worried emerald eyes.

He kept his hands on her upper arms for a moment after she tried to pull away. "Kenna," he said in a low, gentle voice. "You're safe here," he promised her in a guarded tone.

Kenna was drowning in feelings of worry and concern and exhaustion and she wasn't sure all of them were hers. Some of them felt distinctly like Loki. She frowned and her breath started coming faster. The feelings of concern and panic and uncertainty and worry all increased until they were like a fire storm raging in her chest. She pinched her eyes shut against the onslaught.

"Loki," she said his name again distantly. She could feel other emotions, but they felt quieter, further away. Contentment, love, hope, anger, pride. They weren't all the same, they didn't feel the same. "What's happening to me?" She asked desperately.

Loki's grip tightened on Kenna's upper arms and the action had her eyes snapping open to gaze into his own. He licked his lips. "We unlocked your power yesterday. It's okay," he said in a low voice. "You just need to control it."

"I can't-" she started to say and she pinched her eyes shut once more, trying desperately to focus.

"Here," Loki's voice sounded distant. She felt a surge of protective concern and frustration all in one breath that tasted like Loki. Then his hand cupped the side of her head, the contact made the other more distant emotions fade away and it was just her and Loki in her head.

Then suddenly she could think again. Her eyes flashed open to look up at him. He was staring down at her, but she could feel nothing outside of her own emotions. "What-?" she started to ask.

"I'm holding your power back, like a flood gate. What we did yesterday. Channeling all that power unlocked your personal power," he explained, his green eyes flashed with regret but she didn't feel it.

She shook her head. "I don't have personal power," she argued uselessly.

"You didn't have personal power," Loki corrected flashing her a sardonic smile, hoping to put her at ease. "You're an empath. A powerful one."

She stared up at Loki from only inches away and found herself staring at his mouth as he spoke. "Are you using it right now?" she asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious that Loki would be able to feel what she was feeling. Standing only inches away from the bare chested prince as he cradled her face in a cool, gentle hand made her hope fervently he wasn't able to.

Loki bit back a small smile as she shifted uncomfortably in his grip and fought to look away from his mouth. Whatever she was feeling now, she didn't want him to know about. It made him wish he really was accessing the power instead of blocking it. "Ah, no," he finally responded. "I'm just blocking it."

She sighed in relief and he had to grit his teeth to keep himself from fully accessing her power as curiosity raged through him. What was she feeling that she wanted so desperately to hide from him? It was difficult to read emotions in the inky pools of her eyes and he found more often he spent his time studying her body language.

"I'm going to let a little of it loose at a time and maybe it won't be as overwhelming. You just need to practice sifting through other's emotions and separating them from your own," he explained clinically as though he were completely unaffected by their proximity.

"Oh is that all?" she snapped impatiently and a chuckle rumbled in Loki's chest.

Outside the bells began to sound and the two of them jerked towards the balcony counting. Sixth bell. Kenna's eyes widened. "I need to go," she said quickly. "Your mother comes to the gardens early."

Loki pressed his lips together in annoyance. He needed to speak to his mother about making Kenna his personal servant. Then they wouldn't have to sneak around. Surely there were others who could tend to his mother's garden.

"Okay," he agreed. "I'm going to let the power loose then." Loki slowly lowered his hand and Kenna's eyes flinched closed as the power hit her once more full force.

"The trick is to focus on only one person's emotions," he said in a low voice. "To find them and use them to ground yourself."

Kenna nodded distractedly, but once more Loki's voice sounded far away. She fought to remember all her mother had taught her about channeling power, but those lessons had ended early when Kenna had shown no affinity for magic. Focus on one person. Loki was the easiest and he was so close she felt like she was drowning in his emotions.

Worry, curiosity, concern.

A knock on the door made Kenna flinch. Loki turned to the door and narrowed his eyes. Loki turned to the washroom and jerked his chin towards it. Silently ordering Kenna to hide. Kenna quickly scooped up the dress she had brought and hurried out of sight.

Impatience, annoyance and a small sliver of fear.

All of it felt like Loki.

She settled on trying to figure out why he was afraid. If she didn't focus so much on the emotions, but rather the external sights, sounds and smells around her she found she wasn't nearly as overwhelmed.

She changed quickly as she listened to a servant tell Loki his father had summoned him. A sharper spike of fear slid through her and she wasn't sure if it belonged to her or Loki. It was too early in the morning for a visit to Odin.

She waited until Loki had briskly sent the servant away before she stepped back out. She gathered her hair and braided it quickly as her mother used to and let the thick braid hang over her shoulder.

"It's about what we did, isn't it?" she asked.

Guilt flashed as Loki lifted his eyes to look at her. "We don't know that," he said carefully. But she could feel the lie and she lifted her eyebrows so he would know she wasn't buying it.

He sighed. "Probably," he agreed.

She pressed her lips together. "I have to get back then," she said and she held her hand out to him.

He frowned, not following her train of thought.

"I need the collar," she clarified, and it took every ounce of control she possessed to not let him see how deeply afraid she was to put it back on. If he saw, he would never agree.

Loki recoiled from her calmly spoken words.

Shock, anger, denial.

She closed her eyes, pulling herself away from Loki's emotions. "They can't know," she said resolutely. "And you're the only one who could have removed it."

Loki shook his head. He couldn't put that back on her, not after seeing the pain it caused her. "I-"

"Loki please," she finally said stepping forward and taking his hand. His skin was cool beneath her touch and he stiffened slightly at the contact. She almost jerked her hand away but she forced herself to hold strong. "Someone put the collar on me to block whatever magic I have, I think they'll notice if it's missing."

Loki closed his eyes and hung his head, nodding. Kenna was right. He moved his hands in a counter circle and the collar appeared. Kenna dropped her hand and stepped up to him bravely lifting her chin.

"This will hurt," he said.

She flashed him a weak smile. "I won't remember," she promised him and hurt flared through him so fast and strong it nearly stole her breath.

Loki stood in front of Kenna holding the collar in his hands. It felt like it weighed a ton. There was a slight tremble to his hands. He couldn't do this. He couldn't put the collar back on her. She finally stepped closer and took a hold of the collar, pulling it gently from his grasp.

Fear, worry, grief, loss, hurt.

She closed her eyes for just a moment. As hard as it was to control the power she would miss having this small insight into the prince who was so good at controlling his expressions. Being able to see beneath the mask was something she would miss.

Loki looked down at Kenna as she slowly lifted the collar.

"Kenna," he said. "Who are you?" he asked suddenly.

Instead of answering Kenna jerked the collar up and snapped it into place around her neck. There was a heavy click that seemed to echo through the room and Kenna pitched forward onto the ground screaming.

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Kenna blinked. She was laying on the ground, half collapsed against the prince. She pulled back slowly, frowning. She was still in the prince's chambers. She should have left sooner, she would be late.

"Kenna," the prince's voice rumbled just behind her and she turned. The prince was still shirtless and she was leaning into him. She squeaked and scrambled away, her foot caught in her dress and she pitched forward, landing on all fours.

Loki stood quickly and resisted the urge to help Kenna. She had already recoiled from his touch once, and it hurt more than it should. He wouldn't put himself through that. He wasn't sure how much she remembered of all that had happened.

"Prince," she said as she shoved herself to her feet. It shocked Loki how differently she even seemed to move just wearing the collar. Gone was the fluid grace that came from being trained to fight when she was young.

"I'm sorry I-" she tried to explain, to remember why she was on the floor. Pain shot through her and she tugged at the collar grimacing as even those memories were quickly stolen from her.

"It's okay," Loki said quickly. "You were just heading back to the garden."

"Yes of course," she said quickly and she curtsied and fled towards the door. Just as she pulled it open she hesitated and a strange look crossed her face. She turned back to him and caught his eye. "Thank you my prince," she said in a low voice and she slipped out of the room.

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"Loki," Odin's voice boomed through his chambers. He wasn't sure how, but somehow his father always seemed able to make him feel incredibly insignificant. He swallowed thickly as he stepped into the chambers. He was still worried about Kenna, but he needed to push those thoughts aside and get control of his emotions. His father would notice in an instant if he was distracted. He frowned as he spotted his mother standing beside the throne. Her expression was grave. The only conclusion he could come to was that they had discovered what he and Kenna had done. He only prayed he could somehow keep them from punishing Kenna.

"Your brother told us of your defeat of some kind of sorceress in Alfheim," Odin's tone was almost bored.

Loki nodded, glancing suspiciously towards his mother. Were they just trying to distract him, catch him off guard?

"And how did you manage such a thing?" Odin challenged. "Injured as badly as your brother seemed to believe you to be." Odin's eye ran over Loki and Loki straightened even more. He was still sore, but he wasn't about to let that show.

"With the training and guidance you gave me," Loki intoned, his voice perfectly controlled.

Odin looked temporarily placated. "Well done," he replied briskly.

Loki nearly choked. It was the closest thing to praise he had received from his father in years.

Odin cocked his head to the side as he regarded his son. Loki was up to something. He always was, scheming and tricking with his magic, but this was something else. "There is a slave in the palace," Odin said tightening his grip on gungnir. He never should have allowed the elf to live. It had been Frigga who had convinced him. Now there was no telling what his impertinent youngest son had brought down on them.

Loki arched a brow, putting on as much bravado as possible. "I am under the impression there are many," he replied sardonically.

Behind him he heard Frigga make a noise of frustration and Loki realized he had allowed himself to become overconfident and misread the room. Now he was in for it.

Odin's temper snapped in his eye and Loki swallowed. "I do not have time for games Loki. There is a feast this night to celebrate your brother's victory in Alfheim. I will be announcing his succession to the throne tonight. His victory has proven to me he is ready."

His brother's victory.

Loki closed his eyes. It shouldn't burn as badly as it did. He had worked to keep his efforts a secret in order to protect Kenna, but if anything his brother had proven he was anything but ready to lead. Thor had run headlong into Alfheim and had Kenna and Loki not already a plan in place every one of Thor's men would have died.

He shouldn't have been surprised by his father's decision however, Thor was first born and everything a son of Asgard should be. It made absolute sense he would be the next to ascend the throne, but his hot headed brother wasn't ready.

"So we are to have a party tonight, then?" Loki asked, refusing to allow any of the raging emotions he was feeling show on his face. "Is that why you summoned me?"

"I summoned you because I am King, and it is within my right," Odin growled dangerously.

Loki rolled his shoulders forward slightly in submission. Seeming satisfied Odin sat back on his throne and regarded his son once more. A long silence hung in the chamber. Loki glanced towards his mother, but her eyes were on Odin as she fidgeted with her fingers.

Loki cleared his throat and looked up at his father. He wasn't sure if now was the best time to do this, but he couldn't wait. He couldn't leave Kenna in the collar one second longer than necessary. Knowing that all they had done together would just provide more opportunity for it to burn the memories out of her made something in his chest tighten.

"I have never asked before but I would like to request a personal servant," Loki spoke suddenly looking back and forth between his parents. "You have offered in the past and while I usually prefer my privacy I believe having one will aid in my ability to develop my magic."

Odin's head snapped towards his youngest son, his eye snapping with temper. "And which servant did you have in mind?" Odin growled dangerously.

Loki swallowed but lifted his chin. He was nervous, but this was for Kenna. Even though she wore the collar he could still feel the small ball of warmth in his chest. "The one who tends Mother's garden. She has aided me in the past with herb lore. I believe she would help me to-"

"I forbid it," Odin snarled, his rage so sudden Loki took a step away from the All Father. "Your magic," Odin spat the word and shook his head almost in disgust. "You most certainly may not have her as a personal servant. She is an elf. A slave."

"Why?" Loki challenged without thinking.

Odin slammed his spear against the floor making Frigga jump. "Because I ordered it," Odin growled. "Now go. There is a feast tonight to celebrate your brother's victory, and a coronation to plan. I don't have time for your nonsense."

Loki bowed low to his father, his face impassive even as injustice raged in his chest. It wasn't fair. As he turned towards the door he could have sworn he heard a cold, cruel chuckle echoing in his head.

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