Chapter Eight: Right about Now

After that second sweet night, I still had my hesitations, but I was almost sure that he was trying to make a change. I could feel it. After I had fallen asleep, so quietly in his arms, I woke up tucked against the pole, but both hands cuffed. It was if I was always there, like he had never been there.

Although he had shown me much kindness I was in need of at least a hairbrush. I had long since abandoned the idea of tying my hair up in any sort of style. It now hung limply against my back in a tangled lump. The thought of it tangled gnawed at my brain and drove me to near insanity. If I saw him soon, I would place my request. That's all I needed.

That and maybe some bandages. I noticed that the blood had soaked through my shirt. Although the wounds may have started to heal, each time I moved much, I reopened the scrapes and marks. It hurt like crazy as well.

"Been through a beating, huh?" The one eyed man eyed me down. I tilted my head, showing my other battle scar. It was the mark of the one whip that had struck me down my cheek, outlining down my neck to my collarbone.

"Rough night?" The other man joked.

"You could say that." I grinned. The two men sat down near the wall. There could've been worse people across the hall from me.

"We saw the guards take you up, and that horned freak." One moodily stated. Resisting the urge to call him out, I held my tongue and shrugged, wincing at the slight movement.

"Yeah, what happened to you?" The one eyed one asked. I threw out a quick explanation, leaving out what happened afterwards. They raised an eyebrow at that.

"So he treats you like his own personal pet?" The man casually asked. He slumped over but made sure not to get to close to the wall.

"Yeah, tried to break me, you could say. I'm not some beast though." I commented, then added in an eye roll for extra measure. My stomach complained loudly. Although the food tray sat in the corner, well within reach, I ignored it.

"Let me guess, a whip? Some of us are broken, but others, like us, can't be." The one eyed man joked. Both giants let out a rumbling laugh.

"Can lightning really be tamed?" I asked, joining in their fun.

"You've got spark, Midgardian. No pun intended." The one eyed man smiled for the first time. It revealed rows of pointed teeth.

"I appreciate the gesture. I've never formally introduced myself. My name is Arabelle." I smiled, giving a small bow. Was it wrong to make friends with prisoners? It would be, but when you're one of them, it's just saving your hide.

"I am Mahon, and my one eyed brother is Myron. We are both from Vanaheim. We're pleased to meet someone as talented as you, especially a Midgardian." Mahon introduced.

"Where did you learn your powers?" Myron asked me curiously. I explained to them how I stumbled upon it. As I finished, both Mahon and Myron waved me off for a moment and turned around to face the back wall. I looked curiously for a second before I saw a guard. He was the usual man who brought me food in the morning and in the late evening. Once again, I watched him. He glanced at the food tray and shook his head before moving back through the hall. When he turned around and disappeared, I rattled my chains gently and gave a soft whistle. The two brothers turned back to face me.

"Why do you not eat? Are you not grateful for the small amounts of food you receive, or is this just some tradition you harbor from your planet?" Myron asked. I smiled but shook my head.

"It's a way we deal with pain. The hunger numbs the pain." I explained. Mahan gave me a questioning look, but did not intrude further. We concluded our conversation as I went back to leaning against the post. Each position could only soothe the pain temporarily before I had to move once again. Letting out an exasperated sigh, I gave up and sat in the pain.

A small tingling sensation ran up my back. My natural reaction kicked in and I shivered from the instinct. I hunched over, arching my back. The pain alleviated for a moment.

A single warm hand gently rubbed my back for the moment, rubbing over each of the wounds, but only lightly touching them. I didn't move from my position, but couldn't help but smile at the familiar touch.

"You have yet to eat." He commented softly. I turned to him, lifting my head slight.

"Mhmm…" I muttered before turning back. His left hand soothed the pain from each lash. I could feel his eyes wander over to me. My cheeks turned bright red and I hid my face in the knots of my hair.

"You must eat, darling." His subdued voice tempted. The thought of food caused hunger pains.

"But the hunger numbs the pain." I murmured. I could almost feel his hand pause in as the tips of his fingers gently brushed down my spine.

"I'll try to find something for that. I figured you might want something to brush your hair with. I know you Midgardians have some obsession for keeping your hair tidy." He grumbled at the last thought. I smiled to him, gently taking the brush from him. The silver laden handle fit comfortably in the palm of my hand. The silver reflected like a mirror. I turned to him with a bright smile. Loki leaned over and grasped the chunk of bread, holding it out to me. With a sly grin and a lifted eyebrow, I held out the brush. Confusion swept through his face.

"I'll trade you." I told him. He thought for a moment, letting it all register. Several pauses later, he let out a broad grin and exchanged hands.

I turned and moved in front of him. We both sat cross legged as I held the chunk of bread to my mouth. Anxiously, I tore off small nibbles and swallowed them greedily. It took all reserves of willpower to eat slowly, to fill up slowly.

All the while, Loki leaned over and gently brushed my matted hair. His brush strokes were caring, tender, but steady. He was careful to not hurt me, but gently untangled each of the knots that had embedded itself upon my mess of blonde locks. When I was finished with the bread, I sat back. A hum vibrated from my chest in pure pleasure. Eventually Loki stopped, pleased that the project was done. He ran his hands through my hair a few times, careful not to touch my back too much.

He leaned over, putting his chin on my shoulder and burying his head into my neck. I could feel his smile against my shoulder. I closed my eyes once again, just to enjoy the moment.

After a minute of wordless air that hung loosely between us, he sat back up, then stood up and extended a hand. I took it and he gently pulled me to my feet. Frowning, he pushed back a few stray pieces of hair. His index finger traced the long line of the scar down to my collarbone.

"Don't let me ever do this to you again." He whispered, clearly shaken. I wrapped both arms around him, trying my best to comfort the broken soul. His tender hands went to both sides of my face, thumbs stroking gentle circle on my cheeks. He leaned forwards and kissed the top of my head once again before pressing his face into my hair. I embraced him back while trying to absorb his pain. I'd be willing to take another load of agony for him. Besides, he was all I had left.

He took my hand in his, gently undoing the chains with a single key he kept. Letting the metal drop to the tile floor with a clatter, he pulled me with him through the golden barrier. I felt the warmth wash over me for a moment before it abandoned as it diverted back to its original state. It took me a moment to realize another version of me was sitting back in the chains. I didn't take another glance back.

Silently, both Loki and I glided through the hall, past all the jailed beings and up the stairs. I let him guide me through the halls where we passed unwary guards and walked up three flights of stairs. At the top, I was tired, but did not complain because at least I was out of my boring cell. Eventually we came to the front doors. I barely let out a sigh. Here was my one way to freedom, but did I really want to take it?

"Loki…" I stared, so quietly I could barely hear my own voice.

"Surt would notice if you escaped, and I do wish I could grant you your freedom, but I know I can give you this one moment." He told me. I knew that I could risk him to Surt, who was so cruel. I would not do that to him.

Loki glanced behind him, making sure the hall was clear of guards first before pushing the giant gold doors open. I followed him out to the beautiful, open courtyard. It was still just morning, barely any light of stars shining. I could see the bleeding sunlight. The orange rays stemmed from the edge of the horizon like an opened wound. I should know.

Loki kept my hand in his as he led the way up a set of stairs, past a magnificent garden, and a gurgling waterfall. At the top of the steps was a balcony. We could see over all of Asgard from this view. It led to the perfect, unobstructed view of the sunrise from here.

"Right about now." He breathed as we glued our eyes to the rising sun. He gave my hand a gentle squeeze just as the fiery orb rose.

I watched it with awe. My entire being longed for this moment for so long, and now it was perfect. I needed to escape the darkness and now here was my release.

"Good morning, Arabelle." Loki greeted me. This time, I squeezed his hand back.

"Good morning, Loki." I smiled. He pulled me around, wrapping his hands around my waist. Leaning down, his lips touched mine, gently and hesitantly at first, but then grew sure of himself. I wouldn't trade this moment for any escape.