Hi readers. Thankyou chyanne200 for following. I hope you guys enjoy chapter 10.
Chapter 10
Tari leaned against a tree, grinning. Loki had invited her for a ride in the forest and they were there now. It had been two days since their almost kiss and neither of them had mentioned it. Tari had no idea what to say about it and wanted to forget that it ever happened. It made things far too complicated and made it seem possible that Loki had feelings for her. That made the temptation far too strong and worsened her torment. It was torture to know that Gorran was the only thing that stood between her and Loki. To know that if it weren't for him, Tari could be happy.
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Loki looked across at Tari. The smile had faded from her face and she looked distant and lonely. Lately, Loki had been wondering if she was happy in her engagement to Gorran. She never talked about him and, as far as Loki had seen, never spent her free time with him and instead spent it with Loki. Did girls in love with their betrothed spend all their time with other men? Did they let themselves get as close to other men as Tari and Loki had been two days ago? Loki didn't think so. He didn't think Tari was happy.
"How did you meet your fiancé?" he asked, breaking the silence. Tari looked startled.
"Er… my stepfather arranged it. It's an arranged engagement." She replied, shifting uncomfortably. That made sense of Loki's suspicions. If it was arranged, that probably meant that Tari hadn't have romantic feelings for Gorran. Arranged marriages weren't uncommon in Asgard but Loki didn't think that made them right. He recalled seeing her with Gorran. She never looked comfortable with him, sometimes she even looked… scared. And the relieved expression she wore when Gorran left two days ago… Loki wondered if this was just wishful thinking, his mind desperately trying to find ways for him and Tari to be together. But no… he hadn't imagined it, he was sure. It had been real. It all added up. Tari hated her fiancé. She was scared of him, and probably with reason, though Loki didn't want to think about that. Perhaps he could try to get Tari to tell him. Surely she trusted him by now?
"Do you love him?" Loki asked. Tari flushed and looked flustered.
"Well… I-I don't know. Not yet, but it's still early, there's plenty of time for that." She stammered nervously. Loki wasn't fooled.
"Tari, you know you can tell me anything. I'm your friend." He murmured.
"I know that, Loki, but there's nothing to tell you. My life is perfectly fine." Tari said softly but confidently. Loki let the matter drop, knowing that Tari wasn't going to tell him anything. Maybe he was wrong anyway. It was just that his instincts told him otherwise.
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Tari thanked Valhalla that she'd become such a skilled liar since coming to live at the palace. It wasn't that she hadn't been tempted to tell Loki how unhappy she was. The temptation had been great but she had enough self-control not to give in to it. Now she knew that Loki was suspicious. Where did that leave her? She wasn't sure. She shook her head. She didn't want to think about Gorran now. This was supposed to be the time when she was free of him. She leaned back slightly but saw something that made her straighten. Gorran was standing by a tree, just behind Loki. His eyes were blazing with red hot rage. Cold fear spread through Tari's body and her eyes widened. Gorran had seen her with Loki. She backed away, shaking. Hel knew what he'd do to her now. Gorran suddenly began to flicker and faded, leaving Tari gaping. An illusion. Loki. Her eyes filled with tears. Loki was staring at her, stunned.
"You're… you're terrified of him." He breathed. Tari turned away, her stomach churning. Her fear tore at her like a wild animal. She could feel her magic reacting to her fear and beginning to push against the palms of her hands. Tari curled her hands into fists.
"Tari, I swear I didn't know how bad it was! If I had, I swear I would never have done that!" Loki said, his eyes looking at her pleadingly. Tari nodded slowly. She knew that. Loki would never intentionally hurt her, mentally or physically.
"I know." She said dully.
"Tari, you don't have to marry him! If Odin knew…"
"You can't tell anyone, Loki, please! Please, you don't know what they'd do!" Tari pleaded frantically.
"They? Who's they?" Loki asked, his face full of concern. He stepped forward and took one of Tari's hands in his own, looking intently at Tari.
"Gorran and Crane." Tari almost whispered, her head bowed.
"Tari, I'm not going to do anything if you don't want me to." Loki said softly. Tari nodded wordlessly. "But you have to promise me that you'll tell me if it gets too out of hand. I…I don't want anything to happen to you." Loki murmured, his eyes looking straight into Tari's. Tari fought not to burst into tears. Loki saw and wrapped his arms around her. Tari stiffened for a moment but then relaxed. Loki's arms were strong and made her feel safe.
"Promise me." Loki whispered softly.
"I will."
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That's it for today, I hope you enjoyed it. I will update by next Wednesday. Please review!