Chapter Seven: Against the Throne

I had not faded out completely, but I felt myself being dragged up the steps, hitting my foot against each corner. They let me slump against the large golden throne as they once again chained my hands to short chains at the foot of the throne, just under the right armrest. They even chained my neck, as if I was some sort of dog on a leash! I felt so degraded, I nearly just broke down there.

As the clatter of footsteps lessened, I curled up on the steps, trying to think of how this could happen. Then I thought of how could I trust the silver-tongued god? I knew this was bound to happen, yet I was still shocked.

I heard the footsteps of Loki approach, flanked by some guards that meandered around the echoing room. As he approached the throne, I kept my eyes down as I adjusted my position to sit at the top of the steps where it was most comfortable. As he approached, I crouched back against the wall, flattening myself against the gold wall. The chains allowed just enough room so that I could either lean against the throne, or sit on the first step. I didn't want to be anywhere near the throne, so I just waited as I sat against the wall.

We sat in such fragile silence, that even the footsteps and quiet chatter of the guard seemed to break it. A few different officials came to talk to Loki about different matters. Many threw me odd glances as I sat at the foot of Loki's throne. They disappeared after an hour, and went to chat down under Loki's watchful gaze.

"Arabelle." Loki commanded. I turned to look at him, hunching just in case of another attack. He pointed to the spot just below the throne. Unwilling to break his command, I silently obeyed and sat just next to him. The chains around my throat rattled and strangled me as I moved to where he positioned me.

Oh, I so wanted to talk to him, to question him why he did these terrible acts, but I did not want to face his wrath, so I stayed silent. Instead of talking, I kept my head down and tempted to not let anything show.

"Arabelle, I did not mean for anything." He started off. I could hear the firmness he meant in his voice, but a bit of the tortured soul inside as well. I made sure he was finished before speaking.

"It is okay, my king. I deserved to be punished." I could only feel my soul hollow out at these words. My head was ducked down, staring at the floor.

"Surt, it was Surt. He forced my hand." Loki clammered. I smiled sadly to him, looking into his tortured eyes. I noticed everything about him. His hair slicked back, the soft green of his eyes that paired well with the deep green, silver, and gold of his outfit.

"But why, my king, did you not drop the whip?" I asked him. It pained me not to call him Loki. I may have known him for only a few short days, but it felt odd to call him anything other than Loki. He did not answer for many moments. The air was tense with the silence. The faint muttering in the background could not even begin to fill it.

"I…couldn't…" He paused, gasping between each word. Something broke in his voice. I could not tell.

"Loki! I trust you have broken the wild spirit?" A stout voice called from below. I glanced down to see Surt climb the stairs towards us. A grin lined his face. Loki kept a straight emotion. I curled towards the throne, backing away from the two.

"Yes, she is tamed." Loki replied calmly. They kept speaking as if I were some wild mustang horse. I kept my head bowed, trying to just avoid any form of violence I could. At least I could try to let these wounds heal up before the next ones would occur.

"Are we sure about that?" Surt chuckled. He kicked my leg with the toe of his boot and I caught my breath, scampering back a few feet. Surt chuckled at the misery he caused.

"She is." Loki affirmed

"Yes, my king. I realized the wrongness of my actions." I stated dully. Loki said nothing, but Surt nodded, accepting it.

"Finally, you learned to train your new pet, huh Loki?" Surt smirked before turning down and walking down the steps. I watched him exit the hall I really did feel like a pet at that point.

As soon as I focused on Surt, I started getting light headed. Dizziness washed over me. A headache pounded veraciously at the back of my mind. I collapsed at the side of the throne, writhing in the pain of each whip strike, each bite of hunger, and each emotional turmoil. My back ached from the vicious attacks that Loki had inflicted earlier. I cringed and closed my eyes. The murmurs of the hall halted as I closed my mind. I felt as if I was dissolving in my own thoughts, too much to bear. I just needed that warmth from the soothing wall to calm me.

I had gone without the warmth before, the calming lightning storms. Back on Earth, whenever I went for too long without using any energy, or tapping into any of the lightning or electricity, I would get fits of this. The hunger I was going through did not help. I just needed the warmth and comfort. Through all this, I was slipping back into darkness. All I could do was call out the only name I had left, the only one who would hear me, the only one who had hurt me worse than anyone else. And yet I still called his name out, just to let him know the pain I was going through.

"Loki…" I whispered, still writhing in pain on the floor. His hand reached down, gently caressing my face with one gentle hand. Although his warm skin was pressed against my cheek, I could feel it trembling.

"I am so sorry Freja." He kept murmuring, each moment his voice shattered more and more. I knew that name, his mother name. I had heard he had lost her some time ago. "Oh, you remind me so much of her. Her strong will, her free spirit, and beautiful hair and eyes. Oh Arabelle, I am so sorry for everything." He wept slightly at the name. I felt the sleepiness, the drowsiness try to take me, but I would not let it. He kept gently caressing my hair, stroking it so softly.

"All I can do is hurt the ones I love." He shook his head and sighed. I gasped from the pain, but turned my head to look at him.

"The day is not over yet, do what you can to fix it." I told him with barely a smile. He looked down to me again, this time I didn't look away. He got up, but not a person in the room noticed. As I looked, there was a copy of Loki on the throne, and me sitting in the corner. Both looked like our twins. I knew it must be one of his tricks.

Loki smiled at his work, not a tear in his eye this time. I stood up and knelt next to me, unclasping the chains around my wrists, just leaving the cuffs on, like before. I shut my eyes, not wanting to see what was coming next. Oh so tenderly, he gather me up in his arms, so that I may not tire myself by walking. I instinctively curled into his chest, just like before, as he walked down the stairs.

Invisibly, we glided through the crowd. My weight was nothing in his arms and he made no sound at my weight in his arms. Although my back hurt at each touch from each whiplash, I paid no heed to that. This time, I knew this kindness was real, that he was trying to be good. Nobody saw us as we passed the many cells until we reached mine on the end. He stepped effortlessly through the golden veil. It parted like water around him. We went back to the corner, where he sat down, cradling me in his lap. I curled up into his warmth again, ignoring the pain.

Carefully, he smoothed my hair once again. From there, he rubbed my back lightly, careful of each wound. I braved the pain, but I knew he was just trying to ease me to sleep once again. Sleep did not come easily down here, but it came faster than without this gentle warmth. The agony ebbed away with each soft touch. I felt him adjust his position so slightly, just so he could lean down and move his cheek to the top of my head. Such true warmth flooded me.

I nuzzled up right under his neck, just trying to be more comfortable. He twisted under me, and his lips tenderly kissed my forehead. He hummed in pure happiness. I couldn't help but smile at the loving affection he showed me. The silence was not strained, but sweet and comforting, like a blanket. But his arms around me were the true blanket that kept me warm.

I sighed in deep pleasure for the first time since I'd gotten into this pit of despair. Someone who cared, that's all that I was looking for to keep my company in my lonely prison.

He kissed my forehead one more time, then rested his cheek against my forehead, his nose just barely ruffling my hair. As he inhaled then exhaled, I could feel his breath gently rolling over the top of my head. His sweet breath tickled my nose and I inhaled it, just trying to remember the smell. It reminded me of home, of tenderness and the kindness he showed me.

Loki was full of deep corners and niches, and sides of him that he didn't show to many. He had a darkness to him, yet a reserved kindness as well.