Chapter 10: The Lie
Ivy glared up at the golden ceiling. It was stunning, but she was too conflicted to notice. Her whole life had been turned upside down. Only a few months ago, she was just an average young woman working toward a degree in archaeology and watching fantasy movies alone in the evenings. Now she was a prisoner. Well, not really, but she felt that way.
Thor had feared returning Jane to Earth. He worried with war brewing with Jötunheim that Loki would try again to take Jane hostage. Thor thought it best that Jane remain in Asgard with him for the time being and Jane thought it best that her sister remain with her. So here Ivy was without any say in the matter.
Ivy threw her feet over the gigantic, regal bed and strolled out on to the balcony overlooking majestic gardens filled with flowing water and sparkling flowers. Asgard was a castle. She had always fantasized about traveling back in time to live in a castle and riding horses all day long. Now here she was living out her dream in a fantasy world and none of it mattered.
She watched a young couple below as they chased each other in the garden. The young man lagged behind to make the maiden think she was winning the game when suddenly, he sprinted forward and tackled her from behind. His prize was an onslaught of kisses. Ivy glared at the young woman with envy spouting from her pretty eyes. She thought how blessed the maiden is. One day, the lucky girl would marry her beau and bear him many children and live happily ever after.
Ivy placed her hand tenderly upon her stomach; how lucky indeed.
No longer able to bear watching the happy display any longer, Ivy turned away and closed her eyes, but that did not help. Every time she shut her eyes, images from her time with Loki haunted her. She remembered it like it was yesterday. She had left the bedroom and walked down an isle of Frost Giants to Loki's throne. Loki did not even note her arrival. He stood and extended his hand to Thor as if she were an animal at an auction. Thor had ushered Ivy away as she peered over her shoulder at Loki, who was caressing the Cosmic Cube, never so much as glancing in her direction.
Two months later and here she was; shattered.
Life in Asgard was pleasant. The people treated her with genuine kindness. It had been wonderful to watch Jane with Thor. He was a good man, who respected and treated her sister well. Ivy could not recall ever seeing Jane quite as happy. Since moving to Asgard, Ivy had not witnessed a frown cross Jane's face, but once and that frown had been caused by Ivy. Jane was disappointed in her for the first time in her young life. Ivy was sorry for that and even sorrier that for the first time in her life, she had lied to Jane, but Jane did not know that. She had no idea of the burden Ivy bore.
"Ivy?" Jane called from beyond the balcony doors.
Ivy drifted back to the present day at the sound of her sister's beckon. "I was enjoying the warmth of sun. What's up?"
Ivy expected to find Jane wearing her routine smile and when she entered to find her blanched and hollowed-eyed, she knew something terrible had happened. "What's wrong?" Ivy asked, rushing to take her sister's hand.
"It's Loki…"
"Loki what? He has called for war?" Ivy blurted out. A wave of fear wavered in her heart. Thor had predicted this for weeks now.
Jane shook her no, her tone changing. "No, no, nothing like that. He is coming here to Asgard to partake in peace talks with Odin and Thor."
Ivy's heart fluttered like a schoolgirl in love. Loki was coming to Asgard! And then sadly, she reminded herself, not for her. Ivy's mind whirled with a mixture of emotions. Realizing her mistake too late, Ivy glanced up to find Jane watching her suspiciously. Ivy, keeping her lie alive, smiled and said, "That is wonderful. Peace is what Asgard wants."
Jane smiled a fake smile. "Yes, it is. Odin is ecstatic, but Thor is suspicious of Loki's real motive." Jane faltered, but continued, "Ivy is there something that you have not told me?"
"No, nothing at all." .
"I know I have asked you this before, but I am asking again because I can't help but get the feeling that you are hiding something from me. Ivy, did Loki hurt you? Did he do something to you?"
"Of course not! I already told you this." There it was; the lie. Ivy tried to mask the truth with a pretend honest face.
Jane smiled. "Ok, I believe you. But I want you to know if something did happen, no matter what it was, you can tell me. No blame will fall to you."
I am at fault, Ivy's mind shouted, but instead Ivy said, "Nothing happened, Jane."