Chapter 8

Loki brushed Jane's hair from her face as she slept on the table. He only did it to get a better look at the paper under her cheek.

He bent over to observe the strange symbols scrawled in her atrocious writing. He didn't know what it meant, but he was now certain the Cosmic Cube was influencing her. Not only had her energy signature continued to change, but he could feel it tethered to her.

He had a vague sense of the link when her headache had developed, but it certainly made itself known when he'd performed the healing spell on her. His hands still felt singed despite the lack of actual burns. The Tesseract—what an odd name the Midgardians had picked for it—had most likely reacted to his trying to tamper with its connection to her.

That was when he knew it was truly somehow prepping her to wield it. Why else would it be acting the way it has? It was unprecedented...and perfect. If she could take it, then she could give it to him. But SHIELD would never allow that.

Unless there was an enemy so fearful they'd hand him the Cube.

Glancing once more at the artifact, he opened a tunnel and crossed realms. That half-smile he had in her presence vanished amidst the depressing shades of white, blue, and black. A bleak coldness suffused the air, the land, the very soul of the planet.

Jotunheim.

An ancient city loomed in the distance. Even from the icy crag he stood upon, he could see its dilapidated state. The Jotunns had brought this upon themselves. They were despicable. They were monsters.

He breathed in the chillness, feeling invigorated, repulsed, and burdened all at once. If it wasn't absolutely necessary, he wouldn't be on this frozen wasteland. The sooner he got what he came for, the sooner he could leave.

Patience, he reminded himself.

Normally, exercising caution was an inherent trait. But that mortal woman—Jane, he thought with that damned flutter in his chest—called to him, beckoned him to stay near.

It hadn't always been that way. He remembered longing to be rid of her, to be rid of Midgard. He'd done his research—he knew her past better than anyone, even her—and was left with the task of observing her before making the decision to end her life and the threat she had posed.

His desire to stay in her vicinity had crept up slowly and silently. It took root and spread like a terminal illness, unknown until it was too late.

The discovery of his lamentable condition was over a course of days spent in Asgard away from his surreptitious project. A summit between the leading realms required his attendance. He sat through the welcoming ceremony, endless meetings, and hearings. He acted as an intermediary, entertained delegates, and babysat—coached—Thor when required.

It had been during a rare private meal among the royal family when his surliness had been brought to his attention. He had drummed his fingers on the table and ground his teeth to banish all thoughts of the mortal woman. They kept invading his mind, though. He wondered if she was another step closer to building her bridge, if she had pieced together any other odd contraptions, if she was sleeping on her desk again, if—

"Loki, dear, what troubles you?"

His gaze snapped to his mother sitting across from Odin at the opposite end of the table. Loki donned a carefree smile reminiscent of Thor's. Nothing could break his eternal optimism and cheer. It was ridiculous but it helped compose his face. "Forgive me, Mother. My mind was elsewhere."

Thor chuckled. "Clearly. You missed my invitation to join me on a hunt in Alfheim."

Yes, that was when his mind had wandered back to the little astrophysicist. It would be in everyone's best interest if he continued his survey. He was still undecided as to what her future held. "I'm afraid I must decline this time."

"This time?" His face grew thoughtful. "And what of all the others?"

Loki repressed a sigh. His brother was now taking his refusals as a personal slight, no matter the excuses and assurances he had supplied. "My apologies—"

Frigga cleared her throat and Odin looked at his second-born for the first time that evening. His expression was grave as he asked, "What consumes your attention?"

His mother's lack of subtlety was surprising, though his father's lack of interest was not. Ever since Loki had grown into manhood, Odin had similarly grown more distant from him.

Setting down his fork, the God of Mischief recited his practiced lie, "Research." The practice was for his mother's sake. Odin already seemed to have drifted to another realm. He had been doing that more lately. It could be time for the Odinsleep, but Loki often thought it was that he simply preferred his first-born.

"Oh?" Frigga arched a brow.

With that one look, Loki knew the gambit was up, but he was no quitter. "I've located an ancient spell and have been working out the runes—"

"Then it is time for a break. Come with us, Brother. Your continued absence does not sit well with me or the Warriors Three and Lady Sif."

"Yes, I'm quite positive they have missed me greatly," Loki deadpanned.

"They are my friends and are therefore yours."

Loki kept his face blank, though he'd like nothing more than to shake that oaf into reality. Yggdrasil must be all daisies and sweets for Thor. "Be sure to give them my sincerest apologies, then."

Odin's one eye was filled with disappointment and trained on him like the Midgardian's fictional death-ray. Loki still didn't know why he stayed to watch the horrid movie Jane had wasted hours of her short life on. He swept the urge to travel to her away like a pesky fly.

Frigga wiped her mouth with a napkin. "So, this spell, is she a beauty?"

It was Loki's turn to raise an eyebrow. She didn't truly know. He clamped down on the mirth that almost spilled out. She thought he was courting someone. As if there was anyone worth his time. The courtiers were vain, insipid creatures. He used them on occasion, but he had never and would never give them the impression they were anything more than simple courtesans.

Odin's eye leveled on him once again, and turned into something more curious and possibly hopeful at his wife's words. "Is she of good upbringing?"

Of course, that would be his concern.

"The spell?" Thor's furrowed brow deepened. "How can a spell be beautiful and of good upbringing?"

Loki bit off the sarcastic barb before it slipped out.

"No, dear boy, it appears a lady has caught your brother's eye."

Thor's mouth worked for a moment before a smile brighter than Odin's gleaming golden armor lit up his face. In that moment, Loki could swear they were but boys when his brother would laugh and ask for another of his "tricks," and pride and joy would fill the God of Mischief. But longing for the past did nothing for the present.

"I must meet her. Why, she must be the cleverest in all the realms to hold your attention." He stood from his seat as if he meant to go that very moment, but he raised his glass instead. "To Loki and his good fortune."

Frigga smiled something devious and raised her glass to drink with her eldest son. Loki wasn't sure if her mien meant she knew more than she was letting on or if she was thinking of grandchildren. He often wondered if she had visions she didn't share with others or if there was more to the ones she did share. An unbidden image of Jane and that same absurd desire to go to her came forth and he quickly pushed it back.

Thor stared at him, waiting for a response.

Loki debated on whether or not he should let them believe the lie. It did give him a convenient reason for his absence and seemed to make them happy. Odin's raised glass and softened gaze decided for him.

He had let them believe what they wished, though he had regretted it many times that night and thereafter. Fielding questions and keeping the mystery woman secret was no easy task. Thankfully though, it did give him the freedom to stay for longer periods of time with Jane.

A massive section of ice off to the side calved away with a cacophony of rumbling, grinding, and waterfall-like sounds. The sudden rolling change of such a large area was oddly majestic and captivating. He stayed in that spot for many minutes witnessing the event, then looked back to the war-ravaged city and dismissed all the beauty. There was no such thing when it came to the Jotunns.

His appearance had to have been noted by now. They would be waiting for him. The fact they had not sent a team to kill or imprison him was curious. He was an easy target, but maybe they had recognized him and were being cautious.

He began the trek down the drifts with the howling wind and the snow crunching under his boots as his only companions. That and his thoughts.

There was one thing the Frost Giants would do anything for. One reason that would compel them to break their treaty with Asgard, one reason they would do as he bid. The Casket of Ancient Winters. It was the perfect bargaining tool, though he'd never actually give it to them, even if the Cosmic Cube wasn't blocking his way to Asgard.

He leapt over a deep crevasse and continued his course. Scouts were hidden amongst the ice stalagmites, watching his every move. He tempered the desire to pick up his pace. Deception was his best ally and perception was easily influenced. If they thought of him as a lesser foe, then they were an easier target.

The ancient structures loomed ahead, bereft of the normal buzz of life and activity a city of that size should have. It would appear abandoned to the untrained eye, but Loki sensed the Jotunns around the central plaza, tense and hungry for blood.

He knew and accepted the risks of his unsanctioned visit. Despite the advantages of the Gatekeeper knowing his location, he kept himself hidden. The possibility of him succeeding far outweighed those risks. Besides, it wasn't as if he was wholly defenseless.

He passed crumbling buildings, then crossed the open space of the plaza to enter the temple, grand in scale yet jagged and ominous. The dark shadows did nothing to obscure the red eyes surrounding him, following his every move.

He kept his hands relaxed and his breath calm.

"What is your business here, Asgardian?" The deep, grating voice came from a throne veiled in more shadows.

Spreading his hands, Loki gave a slight bow. "I am Lok—"

"We know who you are, Odinson. Why have you brought the stench of your blood into my world?"

He straightened, the insult disregarded but not forgotten. "I come to offer a trade."

King Laufey stood, his nefarious gaze bearing down on him from his greater height. "We do not trade with murderers and thieves."

Loki did not look away from his accusing eyes.

"Your father stole what was ours and left our world in ruins. We have the right to reclaim the Casket."

That certainly fell right into his hands, and the God of Mischief was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. "I agree."

The Frost Giants shifted and grumbled, the sound similar to the ice calving he'd witnessed earlier. Laufey raised his hand and the room instantly silenced. "Speak."

"I offer you the Casket in exchange for the Cosmic Cube."

The Frost Giant King's mocking laugh scratched at his skin. "This must be a jest from the infamous Trickster."

"I play no games. You get me the Cube and I'll get you what you value most." With a flick of his wrists, an illusion appeared as if he were holding the Casket. "What you need to reclaim the glory of your world, of your people."

He maintained the image until their yearning desire was tangible. Then, just when they seemed to lean toward it, he let the artifact's facsimile vanish with another twist of his hands.

Not a single giant moved. Only one pair of those blood-red eyes stayed on him. All the rest were focused on their leader. Laufey moved to him, circling, observing, breathing in as if tasting the air for lies.

"Why betray your king, your father?"

"Make no mistake, I am not betraying anyone." Truth. "I am taking a calculated risk to get what I want." Truth. They were the best lies.

Laufey's continuous circling stopped directly in front of him, forcing him to look up. The Jotunn King thought to use his height to dominate, to intimidate. If that was what it took, then Loki would oblige. He increased his heart rate and let an iota of fear trickle out.

A victorious, sharp-toothed smile spread across the King's face. "And why do you want the Cube?"

"The same reason you want the Casket." He looked pointedly at the decrepit state of their temple, at the obvious suffering Laufey tried to hide behind his mask of nobility. "Power, a way to elevate my standing, to remind others they can't cast me aside and forget I exist." All truths. All manipulation to redirect the Frost Giants, to remind them why they wanted, needed their toy.

"The little Prince has daddy issues?"

The others' laughter and Laufey's derisive tone skated over Loki. The God of Mischief cared not for their petty insults because he'd already won what he had come for, even if they didn't know it yet. All he needed now was a verbal contract. And the sooner, the better. If they wanted a reaction from him, then he'd be happy to oblige. He bristled, clenched his hands, and lowered his voice, seeking the perfect blend of defensiveness, anger, and impatience. "Do we have a deal?"

The Jotunn King stepped even more into his space and snarled down at him. "If you double-cross us, your screams will echo around the nine realms long before they hear your pathetic death rattle. And no one, not your daddy or your brother, will save you from your fate."

Always the bravado and the browbeating posturing. Loki almost sighed in disappointment. "Then it is agreed. I'll show your magic workers the way to Midgard and where to retrieve the Cube. I can sneak three in where it is being held."

Loki quickly worked out the details and then left the congregation without preamble. He was antsy to rid himself of their foulness and be near what would soon be his.

He arrived in the lab, invisible, to find Jane still asleep under the Cube's gentle blue light. Her hair had fallen forward again.

With that half-smile in place, he skimmed the pads of his fingers over her cheek and ear, exposing the delicate and graceful lines there. He let his touch linger before diving into her dreams once again.


Author's Note: It was pretty fun being in Loki's head when he got to do his thing. His POV used to scare the bejesus out of me because we're so different, but I feel like I'm getting the hang of it (him?).

A big thanks to everyone who favorited, followed, and reviewed! I'm filled with an abundance of warm fuzzies (imagine care-free running, spinning, and singing in sun-kissed meadows à la Sound Of Music) when I think there are people out there enjoying my story.

I have the best beta (DreamFlight) and sister! If you're ever in my neighborhood, you two are welcome to join me in my frolicking.

Up Next: Jane, you should really know to keep your hands to yourself. *I know what you're thinking, dear reader, and it's not that. Get your mind out of the gutter. :)