a/n: well, here goes another chapter. I really want to thank my reviewers; a review really does go a long way especially when the author has a busy schedule! (or wants to find any excuse to avoid her college curriculum) I am planning on getting the plot more into shape so we can see what is to come. Hopefully this chapter achieves that.
And of course, I own nothing but my characters and plot lines. Also, the chapter titles are song titles as well, just a fun tidbit I guess.
The Path of Destruction
Loki Odinson
Chapter Three: Buried Beneath
"We often give our enemies the means for our own destruction"
~Aesop
I sighed heavily as I looked in the mirror. I hated mirrors, yet they were everywhere in my shared family home. Once again I was dressed in my usual cream-colored dress that fell just below my knees and was held up by thin braided gold fibers around my neck.
My skin looked pale in comparison to the dress' color and my limbs weak and skinny. I didn't hold any hint of physical strength in my appearance; I was just a weak girl in the eyes of many. My hair was pulled back in a loose bun with a few curls escaping the green ribbon that tied it back. What I hated most about my appearance was that I have my mother's pin strait nose and thin pink lips.
I didn't want to look my mother at all; I never took a liking to her like most daughters would. She always complained about how plain I looked and that no one has asked for my hand in marriage yet. I am in my last year before most women are married. Most of my old friends have children now.
I sit here alone in my small room glaring at my reflection to pass the time these days.
Although, I was luckier than most girls in Asgard, I am lucky enough to go to palace every day and be among royalty. I can't even take a walk without earning a few glares from jealous women once the news that I accompanied Loki got out. It spread like wild fire; now my mother looks at me with disappointment, she always told me to go after Thor if I had the chance. My mother thought Loki as ugly which always confused me.
How could anyone think he was ugly? I wanted to, I really did. It would make me feel better about him having no interest in me, as shallow as it seems.
But Loki was the most handsome man in Asgard, and I hate that I still think this even after what he had admitted to me that night at the party.
As the days passed I realized that what he had admitted wasn't all that bad as I thought. True, he hadn't wanted to ask anyone to the party, but he still chose to ask me despite that.
I must be overthinking his intentions.
With another heavy sigh I strapped on my golden sandals and trudged out of my home and towards the palace for another long day of music making. My fingers were still calloused from the last time I had to practice the harp all day with no breaks. I was beginning to ponder over why I ever agreed to accept the apprenticeship in the first place.
The walk to the palace from my home is a long one, by the time I could make out the small details on the palace's grandeur columns my feet were extremely sore and I was exhausted. One would think after walking this path for so long I would be used to it.
I hate how weak I am.
I sighed in relief when I entered the cool atmosphere of the palace but my feet still burned with pain. With my next step it felt like my sandals were wet, but there was no moisture for me to step in, Asgard has been dry for quite a while.
I frowned when I looked down to see that it wasn't water that caused my sandals to be wet, it was bright red blood. Not once had my feet bled before on this walk, I was more confused than hurt now. I must look like an idiot staring at my bleeding feet as I stood in the middle of the palace halls.
With another step I winced but kept going, I had to be in the music room soon before my instructor grew impatient waiting for my arrival.
As I turned down another hall I froze as I saw Loki walking swiftly in my direction. With my head looking towards the ground I avoided eye contact with the prince but gasped when I felt his cool hand gripping my upper arm.
I couldn't help but look up into his green eyes only to see his brow furrowed as he gazed downwards. Without a word and his grip not loosening on my arm he began to walk me in the opposite direction of the music room.
I wanted to call out and tell him to let go, tell him that I needed to be in the music room but I couldn't bring myself to object. My mouth only opened then closed when I decided against protesting. After walking down an unfamiliar hallway for a while I realized he was taking me towards the healing room. My injuries weren't that severe and I began to pull my arm from his grip.
Loki quickly turned to glare at me as he tightened his grip only slightly.
"You don't need to be tracking blood through the palace," he said lowly and I resisted the urge to tell him it was too late for that. I clenched my jaw to resist from protesting as I let him guide me through the doors.
Without a word he led me to one of the healers gesturing to my injured feet then left swiftly.
That man was as confusing as ever. The healer looked to where Loki had left in surprise before turning her attention back to me.
"Goodness you need some new sandals," she exclaimed when she once again looked back to my injury. She was quick to begin her work by first making me take a seat on a small bed. After a few moments of her cleaning my injury and me hissing when the medicine made contact with my skin she began to speak softly.
"He must have taken a liking towards you," it was barely audible but I still heard it clearly. I wanted to scoff and roll my eyes, anything to show my disbelief but knew that would only be rude.
"Not really," I replied just as quietly and she only laughed.
"He hates coming to the healing room, I doubt he would have taken you here if he didn't care," she replied, her voice not as soft as before so the other healers and injured around us could hear. My cheeks flared with a blush when I saw how much attention was directed our way. It didn't help that a young girl was walking towards us holding a pair of dark sandals and handed them to me without a word.
I stared at them for a while only to notice the dark green tint to them and realized whom they were from. The healer only smiled warmly at me when she finished her work then looking to the sandals.
My blush only grew and I put on the sandals before quickly exiting the healing room to hopefully arrive to the music room before I was late.
Of course I had no such luck, when I opened the doors I was met with my instructors harsh glare and winced.
"I'm sorry sir I…" unfortunately my apology was interrupted when his deep voice echoed through the room.
"I don't care what excuse you have," he said grimly baring his teeth threateningly. I couldn't help the whimper that escaped my lips as he yelled at me; this only caused him to smirk. I looked down ashamed that I had made him wait, but wished I hadn't when I felt his bruising fist collide with my jaw.
I lost track of time as I lay on the cold floor trying to not think about the pain that tingled all over my body. I knew my instructor was an impatient man, but never thought he would go this far. Thankfully it was brief when he had hit me, but it left me breathless. One blow to my jaw and another to my ribs, I couldn't bring myself to leave the room and let everyone see the large bruise spread across my cheek.
He had left without a word slamming the door behind him as he went.
Now I lay here weakly wishing I could be stronger, more courageous, more like Sif or any other woman. But mostly Sif, her beauty was unmatched as well as her strength, plus she was able to catch the fancy of many men.
I lay here weakly never being spared a second glance.
With a groan I peeled myself off the floor and sat up. I pulled the ribbon out of my hair letting it fall in my face and pulled it to the side so it would cover the growing bruise. I hissed as I stood feeling the bruise on my rib cage and began my walk back to my home.
The walk was mostly a haze as I tried not to draw attention to myself. Unfortunately my mother was home waiting for me making it impossible to avoid her. She paid no mind to the dark bruise on my cheek, but instead stared at the sandals on my feet in disgust.
"Where did you get those?" she asked sharply and I stumbled over my words wondering if I should tell her.
"My other ones broke," I answered. "That's not what I asked," she said, her voice lowering.
"Loki," I said quietly chewing my lip. She straitened her back still glaring at them.
"Give them to me," I shot my head up to look at her in disbelief but knew I couldn't deny her. I reluctantly handed them over and she snatched them away from me then left me in the room alone. It was the first time I had worn something not made by her and she was more than livid.
I finally made it to my room and sighed in relief when I crawled under my warm covers. My whole body was sore and for the first time I let myself cry. The first gift I had received from a man and my mother had to take it from me. I think I am more upset about that than about my instructor actually physically hurting me.
But I have grown used to the cruelty, and I cried myself to sleep hoping I would wake up to a better day.
Well, that was another update. Next chapter the plot takes a more defined shape, just gotta build up to it. And damn, Loki must be some kind of stalker always showing up! Just kidding, but now to the review responses!
AncientAssassin: I'm glad it's interesting to someone; I am worried that I am taking to long to get to the main plot. And yes, I believe that Loki falling for a naïve adorable girl is freaking ironic! But that's just the perk of making fan fiction. Thanks for the review!
Fuchsia. Grasshopper: oh yes, Asgard based stories are so few! Its more challenging to write a story based in another world though D: unfortunately, characters like Freya are needed though, phooey. Haha, and Thor, yes, he is rather filter less when it comes to his words. Thanks for the review!
I thank you to my unspoken subscribers as well, and hope you make your voice heard so I can make this story to the best of my ability! It would be disappointing to not meet anyone's expectations.