Loki's Apprentice: A Tale Retold

Chapter 41: Sacred Bond

He offered his palm once again, his expression so welcoming and sincere.

"And I have no doubt in my choice." His tone exuded confidence, and a strong resolution shone in his eyes. 

Evelyn couldn't help but believe he meant many things by that sentence, but it was just as easy to decipher as the ancient writings he had given her to translate. A frustrating mystery almost hopeless to uncover, yet awe inspiring in its beautiful hidden meaning all the same.

She gently placed her hand in his, allowing herself to be slowly pulled in closer. She could feel the slight fanning of his breath as Loki gently guided her hand to rest upon his bicep. He placed his own hand upon her upper back, his cool fingers causing a delightful shiver to run through her as they searched and rested upon her shoulder blade.

Evelyn allowed a nervous sigh escape her to which Loki silently assured her with a slight squeeze of her palm.

"Trust me." She could almost hear him softly whisper in her mind.

Her eyes widened. She wasn't sure if she had recalled this moment from when they had formed their bond, or if she had actually heard his voice. But nevertheless, she gave into his request and  surrendered herself to his lead.

She hardly noticed herself mirror his movements, had it not been for the slight breeze that resulted from their steady movements.

With slight pressure upon her shoulder blade, pulling her in his direction, and the secure feeling of the tension between their palms, he swiftly guided her across the floor, spinning swiftly between the other dancing couples.

 Her thoughts suddenly turned to a midgardian book that she smuggled from Loki's library when taking a break from those ancient texts that he had assigned to her.

"You're smiling, although your eyes look distant. I suppose it is not my excellent dancing skills as the cause of such a beautiful display." Loki mused in wonder.

Evelyn quickly shook her head, her eyes widening in remorse for her neglect.

"Yours skills have only reminded me of a story I've recently read..." She trailed off, trying to remember the moment in the book distinctly, "It was an interesting conversation relating dancing and marriage."

She immediately blushed at voicing this comparison, and her cheeks only felt hotter as Loki smirked in response.

Why did I admit that aloud?

She practically lamented in her mind. 

"Oh?" Mirth dripped from his voice, "Is this from your trove of midgardian books that you often read instead of your ancient scrolls?"

Evelyn drew her brows together in wonder, her mouth moving and failing to form words in her surprise

"Oh, Don't give me such a surprised look." Loki said with smirk, "I know what's missing from my library."

It was Evelyn's turn to smile in amusement, which made Loki frown. He knew he had missed something, but wasn't certain what.

Evelyn hummed in a glee that was almost ominous.

"What?" He practically whined, almost impatient with being left in the dark.

Evelyn bit down on her lip, trying to stop herself from smiling, "So you've read them."

Loki's eyes widened as he realized his mistake.

"What? no I-" 

He tried to recompose himself with falsities, but Evelyn quickly interrupted, "If you noticed them gone, then you've definitely read them!"