'I heard that thunder, looked like lightning. I didn't know wonder, could be so frightening. Until love, ooo-ah, went dark. Lost the sun, ooo-ah, in your heart. And all the pretty little things that held us together now are falling down. Turned to wicked little things that can't seem to find the beauty in the bad.'- Pretty Wicked Things
Fiore followed Sif as they moved through the long winding halls of the palace, closely followed by a confused Jane. It had been more than a small shock to see the tall brunette arrive at her quarters with the apparent mission to free Jane and herself from their enforced imprisonment. It was any wonder how Thor had convinced the warrior woman to help them knowing full well that Sif had never cared much for Fiore and had shown her little more than disdain during their few short meetings since her arrival in Asgard.
Even as such thoughts flashed through her mind Fiore kept returning to one- what had happened to Queen Frigga. It had been a shock to see Sif arrive rather than the queen. Earlier upon the entrance of Sif she had been left worried that Jane had been escorted to her room, knowing that Frigga had appointed herself the mortal woman's protector while in Asgard. Yet, Jane had arrived without Frigga and she had yet to have the chance to ask Jane or Sif what may have happened. While she could not make a clear guess and having been locked within her quarters for the better part of two days, Fiore could not help but suspect the sad truth of what had happened.
Fiore shook away the impending sadness that such a thought inflicted needing to instead force herself to concentrate. Sif had offered no answers to their questions from the moment of her arrival to free them. However, it took little thought to know that Thor was the mastermind behind their current predicament. With Odin refusing to give Jane a second glance and his anger over Fiore's continued disobedience she had known Thor would not take kindly to his father's blindly driven rage after the loss of his wife and attack on his realm. The Allfather could not see reason, believing himself to be above the danger that the Dark Elves posed to their realm. After all, he had the ether that they sought and he would battle to destroy them to retain that power. It would not matter how much more blood would be spilt.
It seemed odd to Fiore knowing that the Allfather was now so easily falling to blind arrogance and rage- it seemed a family trait. Thor, from what Loki had once told her, had been prone to running headlong into danger even if it meant war breaking out between realms. Loki, all the while, had sought to prove himself equal in power and the right to the throne that his brother would one day sit upon, until eventually he had been driven to destruction and bloodshed himself. Now both sons saw more clearly than their father having since seen the error of their ways.
It was why Fiore found herself where she was now running to escape the palace to do what Odin was too blind to do himself. With each step they took the pieces of the plan Thor and his warriors had concocted fell into place. Even though Thor was becoming much more of a leader than the volatile man he had once been there was still a man of action there as well. In freeing Jane and herself he had already hinted at his plan. Taking Jane to the dark elves, leading all the stragglers who remained an invisible threat to Asgard away from the city and back to the dark world. Once there, the leader, Malekith would come for her, drawing out the ether that had taken refuge within her body where Thor would then likely attempt to destroy it.
In all likelihood she had only been taken along because Jane had been held with her in her personal quarters. Whether that were the case or not Fiore would help in any way she could. If she were able to make herself useful in this battle perhaps she could make a request that would free her from her bethroel.
Just as the thought flitted through her mind the halls were suddenly filled with the pounding of feet. Looking behind her she saw a slew of guards running for them intent on stopping them before they could escape completely.
"Keep going I'll catch up to you!" Fiore called to her companions as she slid to a sudden stop.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Sif growled nearly turning to grab ahold of Fiore to drag her along.
"Take Jane and go!" Fiore demanded furiously eyeing the woman dangerously as if daring her to ignore her command. "She need protection and I can buy you some extra time to get her to Thor! Now go!"
Sif faltered for only a moment more before taking Jane's arm and pulling her along down the hall. The two had disappeared around the next corner when the guards were finally drawing closer. Sure that Sif would not foolishly return despite her demands Fiore turned back.
"Hello boys," Fiore spoke almost flirtily as the men stopped before her, clearly not seeing her as a threat. With their weapons drawn one man moved forward away from the group making to simply reach out and escort her back to her room. Fiore watched, keenly taking in each movement with well trained eyes. Her eyes noted the number of men- 12 in all. Then she counted the types of weapons they held, mainly swords amongst this particular lot- weapons designed for close combat. Meaning, they would not stand a chance against her.
It would be treason to fight them. Fighting them would be a direct violation of the Allfather's orders- an act of resistance to what he had already deemed appropriate for her future. Yet, if Thor and his warriors were willing to risk treason for that they thought was right she would do the same. And she would relish every second of it- because she had chosen it.
"And here I am without a weapon myself- how foolish of me."
She knew exactly what she seemed to these men- a simpering little girl that couldn't hope to escape their manly power. While she may have been surprised by the beast in the prisons she was on her own a force to be reckoned with. Having spent the better part of her life alone in the forests of Asgard she had been left with little else to do but practice her powers until her skills had grown with deadly precision. These men standing before her now we're in for a rude awakening in the moments to come- a thought that Fiore took immense pleasure in.
"Oh wait a moment, I do have this," Fiore giggled girlishly playing with the men to keep them oblivious to her true intent. All the while each simpering giggle annoyed even Fiore but she kept up the facade. With their distraction she lifted her hand twirling her fingers that began to shimmer with icy blue frost before a dagger of pure ice crystallized twirling with the movement on her fingers.
Fiore did not even allow a moment for the realization of the presence of a weapon or even her strange display of power to set in before she was on the move. Within a moment of the dagger materializing she swiftly threw the dagger it's cold smooth surface sliding against her fingertips as the deadly sharp weapon left her hand and sliced through the air. The men simply moved aside laughing as the dagger missed each one of them completely.
As the men took enjoyment in what they clearly believed to be an easy win the dagger hit the marble floor between them. Having been thrown with such might for a brief moment the dagger embedded itself within the marble and yet in the next moment the delicate frozen crystal shattered across the floor. As the shattered pieces fell to the floor an aura of frozen blue light was released rippling across the floor.
Fiore smiled almost gleefully watching as the over confident men found themselves staring in awe at what was happening before their very eyes. The power that she had concentrated into her dagger now emitted from its broken confines freezing everything it touched within it's vicinity. Angry shouts were pulled from the man's' lips as within the blink of an eye the blue glow took hold of their feet freezing them to the floor and making it impossible for them to move even the slightest inch from where they stood.
In the distance she could hear the clatter of armor and pounding of footsteps as more reinforcements began to arrive. It was clearly time to leave
The few men amongst them who wielded spears, while unable to move, their hands were free to throw the spears in hopes of stopping her. Having already suspected such a move from them Fiore simply did a rather acrobatic backflip, providing a little flourish to what she considered a rather easy win for herself. Making a steady landing she watched as reinforcements arrived, their booted feeting meeting her ice that remained intact across the floor. As their feet met the smooth surface their legs were sent right out from under them bringing all seven of the men to a haphazard heap on the ground.
Laughing at the ridiculous sight Fiore darted around the corner running to catch up
to the two women who had gone on ahead. As she turned the corner into the grand hallway of the palace she skidded to a sudden halt at the figures waiting there for her came into sight. In the moment of her arrival she immediately recognized the tall dark figure of Loki standing with Thor. Even from a distance it was impossible to not recognize the sharp striking features that stood in such stark contrast to Thor's golden adonis looks.
Fiore took a moment to take him in, noting every feature that had long since been ingrained in her mind and every possible nuance. While he seemed tired and a little worse for wear from his time spent in the prisons his newfound freedom seemed to have given him a much lighter air about him then she had seen in what seemed like centuries.
Before she had the moment to speak she was watching Jane react to his presence. Jane stepped forward her hand flying up to land a resounding slap across Loki's cheek. Fiore felt the air rush from her lungs her next breath locking in her chest as she waited for Loki's next move. That breath remained there until the all too familiar chuckle rumble up from deep with Loki's chest.
Having heard her intake of breath Loki's gaze next turned to her. Golden and green eyes meeting Loki's emerald. As their gazes met across the distance between them she barely took note of Loki's controlled reaction to her presence, his whole body growing tense.
"Why is she here brother?" Loki demanded his attention turning directly to Thor after noticing her presence, the demand leaving her to believe he was less than pleased to see her there.
As if just taking notice of her presence Thor turned to her as well his eyes carefully moving between the two. The less than welcoming behavior had the hair at the back of Fiore's neck standing on end. Completely ignoring the presence of Thor, Jane, Sif and Volstagg who had been standing by in the great hall awaiting their arrival Fiore closed the distance between Loki and herself. After weeks of being unable to stand so close, of being denied the opportunity to touch him, he was finally there within her reach her. While she did indeed want nothing more to leap into his arms and hold him close- to end any mocking he may have for her with a kiss-that would certainly shut him up, however, there was something much more pressing at the forefront of her mind in that moment. Loki's mouth moved preparing his silver tongue but whatever he may have been preparing to say died on his lips as it was now Fiore's fist that shot out landing a surprisingly harsh blow against his cheek. This time it was all those who surrounded them to hold their breath awaiting Loki's reaction.
This time Loki did not chuckle his chained hands reaching up to idly rub his cheek gritting his teeth as he touched the now tender spot.
"Don't you ever tell me to run away again!" Fiore demanded her eyes blazing as she glared Loki down as if daring him to argue with her.
Loki said nothing, his silver tongue seeming useless in that moment when faced with the one person who had somehow always managed to see straight through his lies. The only option that seemed available to him now was to push her away with harsh words while all the while he only wanted to hold her, assuring himself that she was actually there. Yet, even now with the barrier of the prison no longer between them the shackles weighing heavily on his wrists that possibility continued to seem so far out of his reach.
"Now that you've gotten that out of your system run back to your quarters," Loki spoke gritting his teeth as he rubbed the pain from his abused cheek.
"You are not my keeper Loki," Fiore hissed in return stepping closer refusing to back down against the taller man.
"Apparently someone has to be if your betrothed won't keep you in line!" he snapped back his eyes seeming to flow with cold anger at her audacity to disobey him.
"I've been doing just fine without you around!" the bitter words, after years of pent up anger, left her lips before she could stop herself. Fiore saw Loki's immediate reaction, his whole body bristling, growing even more tense at her reminder of his abandonment of her. In the moment Fiore regretted it to moment the words slipped through but when facing Loki's anger it sparked her own and she would not let him walk all over her as he had likely done with other courtiers he was likely accustomed to controlling with an easy word from his silver tongue.
Seeing that neither his brother or the young woman would back down from the challenge they posed to each other Thor took the opportunity to step in.
"There is no time for this," Thor spoke his voice booming and demanding to be obeyed.
Fiore simply stepped back with a sniff the irritation still burning deeply within her. Before anything else could be said Fiore cried out as a dagger sliced through her shoulder as the guard began to flow into the chamber one by one having escaped from their icy distraction. the change happened in an instant visible for all to see. Fiore's eyes blinked the mismatched green and gold disappearing to be replaced by pure unseeing black. Those sightless cruel depths turned on her attackers a power lashing out in a single burst without even the smallest of movements from Fiore herself.
The power sent the guards flying backwards their armor protecting them only slightly as they were thrown into each other and against the towering marble palace wall leaving them lying in a heap on the ground. Even as the guards fell growing or unconscious to the ground more were already beginning to filter into the room. However, even as they entered the room the moment had already passed. Fiore blinked again the black nothingness within her eyes replaced with mismatched eyes now widened in pure terror.
Amongst the astounded faces of those staring at her it was the Loki's that Fiore sought. Catching his gaze Fiore took a single step forward, that one step seeming to take everything she had as her legs began to shake from the task of remaining upright.
"Loki...something is wrong...I can't...I can't control..it...It hurts," Fiore stuttered out reaching out for him.
For only a brief moment all kept their distance, wary of the sudden power that had unexpectedly emerged from Fiore. While all stared in shock it was only Loki and his keen eyes took notice that something was incredibly wrong. Even while the power, whatever it had been, was no longer manifesting itself in her eyes Fiore's muscles were stiff with pain and her breath heavy as she tried to control it. Even so it was rolling off her in waves and left him nearly helpless to do anything for her even as she called out for him.
There was something more, his eyes watched steadily, hiding the fear and confusion raging on within him, as her shadow seemed to quiver and vibrate, as if it were barely contained within the edges of that which cast it. Suddenly, as Fiore took one last step her legs giving out, the shadow grew quiet returning to normal as Fiore herself lost consciousness. Within a second Loki's feet were moving reacting on instinct to Fiore's distress as he pushed past Thor and the warriors surrounding him.
Just as Fiore was about to crumple in a heap to the floor Loki's arms encircled her locking her against his chest as if to keep her safe. With her safely in his arms Loki quickly and easily maneuvered Fiore's lightweight, somehow managing to move her into position so that even with his shackled hands he could lift her safely in his arms, her head leaning against his strong leather clad shoulder.
"Well what are we waiting for?!" Loki demanded of his brother once Fiore was safe in his arms.
As if being struck out of a stupor Thor shook of the shock after witnessing what Fiore had done to burst into movement himself. Taking hold of Jane he ushered her toward the large spacecraft that had been crashed into the palace earlier that day while Sif and Volstagg moved to complete their duty in buying them the time to escape. Loki all the while led the way onto the ship intent on getting Fiore away from danger growing the palace- however, he could not help but wonder what other dangers were they walking into.
In the last moment as he was about to pass by Volstagg the large Asgarian's hand reached out stopping Loki by his free shoulder.
"If you even think about betraying him…"
"You'll...kill me?" Loki replied cheekily, completely unperturbed by the threat of the larger man. "Evidently there will be a line."
Without another word Loki shook Volstagg's hold from his shoulder rearranging Fiore even more comfortably against him as he did so.
Once inside the control room of the ship Thor immediately went to work in attempting to get the vehicle moving while Loki stood, Fiore in his arms, watching his brother bungle about like a chicken without it's head as he attempted to simply start the ship. Watching his brother Loki felt the irritation begin to boil beneath the calm reserve. All the while he remained highly aware of the growing presence of guards in the grand hall slowly overpowering the friends they had left behind.
"I thought you said you knew how to fly this thing," Loki mentioned idly his cold eyes watching Thor's every movement.
"I said how hard could it be," the older brother shot back defensively.
"Well whatever you are doing I suggest you do it faster," Loki pushed his eyes lingering on the room beyond the ship where even now soldiers were overpowering Volstagg.
"Shut up Loki."
"You must've missed something," Loki replied eyeing the control panel that Thor was currently losing the fight to.
"I didn't. I've pressed every button on this thing," Thor growled out hitting the panel to emphasize his point.
"Well don't hit it just press it gently," Loki admonished rolling his eyes at his brother.
"I am pressing it gently it's not working."
With one last angry fist against the control panel the ship suddenly whirred to life preparing for take off. Laughing as if he had won some great battle of wills Thor positioned himself at the center of the panel to pilot the ship while Loki stared doubtfully.
Thor's inept knowledge of piloting the ship causing several of the towering columns to crumble to the ground adding to the rubble already littering the ground of the grand hall.
"I think you missed a column," Loki pointed out unable to resist the opportunity to poke fun at his brother when it was so amply provided him.
"Shut up."
"Why don't you let me take over?," Loki suggested no longer finding fun in Thor's
while Fiore remained unconscious in his arms, her weakness making his usual calm reserve weaker than it normally was. "Out of the two of us I am clearly the best pilot," he reasoned.
"Is that right? Well out of the two of us which one can actually fly?" Thor shot back even as he hit yet another building in their escape. As if sensing Loki's regard Thor added, "Not a word."
"Now they're following us," Loki growled feeling the ship quake beneath his feet forcing him to tighten his hold on Fiore to keep her from flying out of his arms. "Now they're shooting at us!"
"Thank you for the commentary Loki it's not at all distracting!"
Yet again as Thor maneuvered the ship through a small opening in the attempt to lose their pursuers and destroying a undoubtedly ancient sculpture.
"Well done you just decapitated your grandfather."
Loki's irritation finally reached its boiling point, his control snapping as the anger seeped out.
"You know this is wonderful this is a tremendous idea; let's steal the biggest most obvious ship in the universe and escape in that, flying around the city smashing into everything in sight so everyone can see us; it's brilliant Thor, truly brilliant!"
Before Loki could say anything else Thor turned on him plucking Fiore from his shackled arms with one hand while the other gave Loki a great shove to his shoulder sending him careening from the ship. Surprised by the unexpected movement Loki shouted as he fell from the ship.
Gently positioning Fiore in a more comfortable position over his shoulder while taking Jane with his free arm that continued to hold Mjolnir in hand Thor followed Loki out the opening of the ship. As he dropped from the air and the ship continued onward without its pilots those that pursued continued to do so, unaware of the now absent occupants.
Just as Thor touched down, landing easily on his feet, Loki was regaining his own footing from the surprise fall.
"I see your turn in the dungeons has made you no less graceful, Loki," Fandral laughed unable to miss the rare opportunity to see Loki less than composed as he continued to pilot of the small boat that glided across the water surface.
In the attempt to keep his dignity Loki ignored the barb his attention focused on Thor.
"You lied to me, I am impressed," he spoke with a shrug of his shoulders.
"I am glad you're pleased, now do as you promised, take us to your secret path way," Thor demanded of his brother.
Loki paused for only a moment, making wordless demands as his gaze moved between Fiore still hanging, in his opinion, haphazardly across Thor's shoulder and his brother. Understanding the silent demand Loki had given Thor rolled his eyes gently taking Fiore from his shoulder. Before Thor even had the opportunity to put Fiore down Loki was moving forward his shackled arms reaching out to accept the light weight of Fiore in his arms. Once safely on the boat with Fiore in his arms Loki positioned safely and covered her with a blanket that the boat had been stocked with by its owner who would find it missing on the morrow. Ensuring that she was comfortable he could not deny himself the comfort of gently running his fingers through the fiery red strands that had escaped their confinement. In his observing to ensure Fiore was indeed alright, at least as much as she could be considering their situation, his fingers found the delicate fabric of the shawl that he had gifted to her long ago now worn around her waist as a belt. After the last several days the fabric had been left worse for wear and yet Fiore continued to wear it, completely uncaring of its rather haggard appearance. With a small chuckle to himself, unable to deny the blossoming joy that such knowledge gave him the smallest amount of magic he could manage with the shackles still dampening his powers. As the small spark of magic flowed from his fingertips the fabric repaired itself, becoming the vibrant purple it once was the woven glimmer of the snowflakes that he once ensured were intricately included in the fabric design once more noticeable. With one last look to Fiore's now peacefully sleeping face Loki pulled away returning his attention back to their escape from Asgard.
A moment later their journey was interrupted by the sound of firing weapons, the shots missing them as Loki wove elegantly across the water's surface. With a single word from his leader Fandral was in motion swinging from a rope that had likely been prepared in advance for this very possibility to move himself to their newest pursuers in order to buy them extra time.
"Thor!" Jane called out desperately drawing the golden god's attention to where they were headed, his gaze meeting a towering outcropping of boulders.
"Loki!" Thor called in return turning back to his brother who continued to head toward the rocks without even flinching.
"If it were easy," Loki replied, his voice easy and unaffected by the possibility of a fiery death after crashing against the rock wall.
Loki continued to gain speed ignoring the worried glances of Thor and his woman. Expecting to crash Thor threw himself over Jane in the attempt to protect her from the impact. The impact that had been expected never came
Once in the realm of the Dark Elves, a land that was little more than a wasteland left desolate after the final battle that had been thought to be the end of the wretched race, Loki slowed the boat no longer having to worry over their pursuers. The world around them was dark, the sky dark with the light of day being little more than a small golden glow in the horizon- a glow that only managed to highlight the destruction of skeleton ships and desert that surrounded them.
For the moment, having the opportunity to collect their thoughts in a moment of quiet Thor settled himself in the space beside Loki while Jane went to Fiore's sleeping form to ensure she was comfortable.
"She's holding up alright," Jane assured the two men, he deep brown gaze moving specifically to Loki as if to show him a peace offering between them.
"She's strong in ways that you will never even know," Loki replied nodding his head at the woman in silent thanks for her care.
"If we manage to save her will that finally satisfy this misguided vendetta you have?" Thor asked his blue gaze watching his brother carefully as if still unsure he can completely trust Loki's part in this mission. He would have had to be blind to not take notice of Loki's extraordinary care for the girl laying at the front of the boat still recovering for her surprising display of power. He had hoped that if given the chance to save her now and with Fiore's influence that his brother would be deterred from his path of destruction.
"Satisfaction is not in my nature," Loki hissed, a cruel chuckle making the words seem foreboding, misplaced when in all outward appearance Loki had regained his famed calm and collected demeanor. He was no fool. Loki knew all too well what Thor was ineptly fishing for in this particular conversation. Even now he was a blind fool, so used to having everything simply handed to him, even things that should never have belonged to him to begin with. Even if he saved Fiore now, from whatever it was that was happening to her and helped Thor in this mission, it would not change what would happen after. He would still continue to be denied everything- Odin would not allow anything else.
How could that possibly satisfy him?
"And surrender is not in mine!" Thor shot back bristling at the dark implications of Loki's words.
"The son of Odin," Loki hissed, the words like acid on his lips at the mere thought of the secrets that had been kept from him, of all that had been promised and all that could have been his that had been snatched away at Odin's whim. All of it bestowed on a man, his brother, who could never appreciate the treasures that he was given. The memories briefly had his attention drawn to Fiore, the pain of his leaving her still stinging deeply, all the more so knowing exactly why she had finally been brought to Asgard where she had found him at his lowest.
"No not just of Odin! You think you alone loved mother. you had her tricks but I had her trust!" Thor bellowed now standing to mark his dominance over the darker brother.
"Trust?" Loki sneered standing as well refusing to back down from the challenge. "Was that her last expression to you? Trust?! When you let her die?!"
"What help were you locked in your cell?"
"And who put me there?" Loki sneered stepping forward showing no fear in the face of the muscular man.
"You know damn well who!" Thor shouted his temper finally snapping his fist flying up as he made to hit Loki with his powerful fist. Just as he was about to land the blow Thor paused releasing Loki's leather tunic as he pushed his brother away. "She would not want us to fight."
Realizing that his brother was backing down, his temper quickly lightning, Loki straightened his clothes taking what could only be considered an offering of temporary peace between them.
"It's not as if she would be surprised" Loki added glibly earning a chuckle from his brother in return.
While the two brothers had continued to argue Jane watching warily none noticed the flicker of Fiore's lashes as she began to awaken. As if realizing what she was awakening to her brow furrowed before she quickly regained control of her features appearing once more to be deeply asleep as she continued to listen. Thor of all people, while just meeting him days ago, Fiore felt that it was him who could push Loki pasted his usual control to reveal more than he had so far revealed to her. While he had longed for her visits, a fact he could not deny to her when she had taken the risk to go to him; his words may have said one thing but never once had Loki been able to lie to her with his eyes. It was in his eyes that she had always seen the truth but now she wanted more- more than she had been given. What she wanted now was some sort of confirmation that years of emotions she had wanted to deny, that had caused her more pain and yet more happiness, were not in vain.
At the same time she felt her heart sink as understanding of what the two brothers spoke of sunk in. Now she had the answer to her earlier question regarding the absence of Frigga during their escape from the palace. It seemed that the kind and gentle queen had met her end during the siege of Asgard- while they had for the time being manage to fight back the Dark Elves it had obviously come with a high cost.
Fiore felt someone hunker down next to her. Thinking that it was likely Jane who was taking the opportunity to rest before they would face their enemy.
"Have you ever seen her do that before?" she heard Thor ask quietly.
Fiore briefly stiffened recognizing what it was that Thor was referring to, the unpleasant memory still as fresh in her mind as the unnatural feeling she had felt momentarily consume her.
"There have always been two powers waring within Fiore," she heard Loki answer idly from his place at the rear of the boat. "The first ice, built and controlled by white magic. The second, shadow, built and controlled by dark magic. However, Fiore herself has always seemed rather unknowing of all this."
Listening to the two brothers converse about her without knowledge of her now conscious state Fiore inwardly sniffed at Loki's assumption. Unaware?! She was there when she had first experiences the awakening of the shadows within her. She had felt it nearly overcome her.
"That comes from her natural ability to control it as well as her disposition. When she is happy and in control of her own emotions the shadow remains buried beneath all that. However, in the moments when she is angry or frightened, consumed in darker emotions, the power begins to leak through the cracks left behind. I have only seen it once before," Loki paused, his his rather matter of fact telling of what he knew regarding her power suddenly seeming to stick to his silver tongue. If she were to open her eyes to meet his gaze now Fiore was fairly certain that she would find regret in his eyes, sure that he was imagining what they had lost during their forced separation- that he had allowed his father to convince him to keep his distance.
"When was this?" Thor asked curiously.
"The day I did not appear," was Loki's simple matter of fact reply, the tone of his words
"You still went to see her?" Thor questioned almost shocked at the confirmation.
Loki sighed, his gaze lingering on what he thought to be the sleeping form of Fiore, no longer seeing any point in denying the truth.
"I needed to see her one last time even if I could not go to her. When she realized what had happened the shadow burst forth nearly consuming her. I tried to go to her and pull her back out but what help- when I was the one who caused it in the first place?" Loki sneered bitterly angry at himself for what he believed to be irreparable damage. "I realized what was happening.
I had seen the power beginning to manifest, had always thought there was more to her then I had seen. I continued to stay away hoping she would regain control on her own and that I would no longer be a use to her. Her heart would grow cold and strong against me so that it would not happen again."
"If it is any consolation," Thor cut off anything else Loki may have said; Fiore could almost hear the smile in his words. "I don't think your plan worked. In the way she looks at you I don't think it ever will."
Fiore tired not to smile in reply to Thor's words, finding great appreciation in them. All the while she wanted nothing more than to provide a well deserved slap to Loki's face when she heard him sniff disdainfully at Thor's well placed observation.
"It looked more like whatever power is inside Jane," Thor added, changing the topic of discussion to spare his brother the awkwardness he saw brewing in the man.
"That is just the thing," Loki replied evenly, his voice growing icy with the suspicion he was about to reveal. "I don't believe it is in your woman any longer."
The air around them suddenly grew quiet. The intensity of the moment filling the air with an unpleasant aura that seemed to suck the air from around them.
"What are you saying Loki?"
Fiore felt her breath hitch, the sound hidden by the intense regard between Loki and Thor, leaving her wakefulness unnoticed by either brother. Even while Thor asked the question he already knew it's answer, just as well she did. The realization dawning with dread.
"Tell me Thor...at any point in time since your bringing that woman here did she touch Fiore?" Loki asked the words followed by dead silence. "Your silence is telling enough. When they touched I suspect the ether transferred into a more accommodating vessel...one with a dark magic that would attract something as evil and dark as it was. I suspect even now it is slowly breaking down the barriers that Fiore has long since erected to keep that power in check- it is becoming for dangerous for her to do so now with the ether forcing her to lose control and exacerbate the dark magic within her."
As Loki explained his suspicion Fiore merely grew more sure of the truth. She remembered well the sickening feeling that had sprouted within her when she had taken Jane's hand. At the time it had faded from existence so quickly she had paid it no mind.
"You thought she would not need you any more," Thor final began, breaking the silence that had fallen once more. "Well now you should be rest assured brother she needs you now.
Fiore wanted to bask in the warm glow that the words had washed upon her. Even without her being able to look at Loki to gage his expressions, to see the truth and honesty in his eyes she felt hope that what Thor spoke was the truth. Loki himself had confessed as much that he had done what he had done for purposes that were beyond his control- although he did not want to. However, that hope was soon overcome by something much more sinister.
It was then that Fiore felt it- something unfamiliar and wrong welling up from within her. It reached deep pulling on the shadows that she had long since buried there that against her will was now beginning to crack. Pretending sleep was no longer a viable option as Fiore felt the unnatural power begin to stir within her once more flowing through her. Seemingly without a will of her own she rose her now black eyes gazing out at the dead expanse of desert before them.
"We're close," she whispered to them her eyes turning back to them.
Loki's gaze hardened as he saw her gaze, not the same green and gold that he had long since come to love. Instead they stared as if sightless, a black nothingness that left him unnerved when every emotion Fiore ever had was always there looking back at him for him and the world to see. A breath he had not known he'd been holding rushed from his lungs as her eyes flickered back to normal, dimmed with weariness but her own eyes none the less were staring back at him. This time much to his relief she did not faint from the power coursing through her, quickly taking over her. Taking her words as a sign he brought the boat to a sudden halt. If she indeed spoke the truth it would be best for them to stop where they were and continue on foot. While they did indeed want to be noticed by those they sought it would be best for them to have the upper hand in that meeting and that upper hand would best be achieved by quietly approaching on foot.
While his reasoning was sound Loki would not openly voice the larger part of his reason- being that he wanted to go to Fiore, ensuring himself that he was not imagining her there, awake, walking and seemingly alright. With the engine quieted and the ground now still beneath them Loki paid no mind to his brother or Jane as they made their way off the boat. Instead his entire attention was on Fiore alone as he lifted his arms in a silent gesture she took as he lifted her down from the boat. As he set her once more on her own two feet, this time on the solid earth, he did not immediately let go; a fact that Fiore was immensely glad for as at the moment she was unsure if she would be able to stand on her own without the support that Loki offered. As if sensing her distress he did not release her at all but instead silently began to lead her his arm encircled snuggly around her slim waist leading her close behind Thor and Jane as they went on ahead.
If not for his keen ears he would have missed the happy sigh mixed with a nearly silent "thank you" meant only for his ears- making those seemingly simple words seem all the more intimate. Even as he felt his arguably cold heart flutter in return Loki was already mentally reminding himself that before they made their final confrontation it would be best to find a safe place to rest, if even for an hour. While he nor Thor required the break, and he cared little for the safety of Thor's mortal, it was Fiore that they now had to worry over with the power of the ether now flowing through her veins. At the same time his heart and protective instincts battled with his cool reasoning that had always served him well. It would be best to immediately take the steps to have Maliketh remove the ether from Fiore, even with not knowing exactly how the dark elf's plans may have changed with the new circumstances of the ether's chosen vessel. The situation had been different when it was merely within the mortal. With it in Fiore the ether had a darkness to feed on in the form of the shadow magic that she possessed; there was no telling what effect it was having on her even now. At the same time, as much as he would prefer to keep Fiore as far from this realm, Maliketh, and the ether as possible, and had he been given the choice he would have left her screaming after them back at the palace despite her protests, he could not deny that if it came to a fight Fiore would be a benefit with her skills..
With those annoyingly confusing, yet all too clear, thoughts in mind Loki unconsciously tightened his hold around Fiore earning a knowing sideways glance from Fiore as he continued to lead her on. At that point, walking into an unknown fate, with only a half baked plan to rely on Loki had no other choice but to take things as they happened. The one thing he did know, however, was that he would protect Fiore with his last breathe.
