Chapter 17-She doth return
The weeks went by but slowly. Time seemed to stand still. To Lucrezia this made her pregnancy all the more painful. She was sore and aching, her body was tiny and frail. No matter how fragile she seemed the seed within was healthy, after all the child was a demi god. Her round bump made her heavy and she seem to shuffle around slowly. Physically weak and mentally as well. Still under constant supervision and under the pressure of being murdered. The culprit was never caught nor was there any clues leading to justice being bestowed. This left her constantly on edge, fearing not only for her life but that of her unborn child's.
The Oracle was greatly needed by the God king but for months she was out of sight, as if she disappeared off the planet. She had a strange habit of doing this, going on endless journeys without little much as warning. But this time Loki needed her advice, her power and her protection. Lucrezia was bearing a godly child in her womb and the birth could kill her. She may be a witch but her flesh was part mortal. If the Mother died the child's life would be at risk.
Lucrezia was sitting in the gardens on a October day reading under the withered oak tree. The leaves were fading to their autumn state of golds and browns, and then to death. Lucrezia spent most of her time singing, drawing, writing or reading. Her creative talents had always been an escape from the harsh reality of the world. She was in deep thought and lost within the pages of her book. She had a strange habit of burying her books, they beheld knowledge which she intended to keep from her husband's twisted mind. "Lucrezia" a sterile and numb voice ushered. Shocked and caught off guard she looked up. In her amazement it was the Oracle. But she was different ever so different it was mind rattling. Gone was the grey aged flesh and empty stone eyes. In their place was soft fresh skin, olive toned. And deep dark brown eyes. Her hair was brown as the autumn leaves and fell gently against her frame. She looked exotic and beautiful. Like a entrancing gypsy. Lucrezia knew who it was, witches could sense each other for the souls remained the same, whether the shell had changed or altered.
"My lady, you've changed", stunned Lucrezia stood up. Her condition was evident. "Indeed your grace as have you". Her voice seemed cold and had a sharpness to it that sent shudders through Lucrezia's soul. "Where have you been"? Lucrezia eyes scanned her fellow witch, something seemed off and wrong. Behind the veil something was a miss. "Where I have been does not matter, it is where I am going", her smile was snake like. Lucrezia turned and left the Oracle her heart in her throat. She sensed something, something evil. She needed to escape it. The Oracle turned in glee and made her way to her Lord. She was enticing and cruel. Gasps and whispers bounced across the palace. Servants and lords alike were dumb struck. She finally found her king sitting in his personal library. Head buried into his hands. Papers and books littered the room. Scattered like snow.
The Oracle entered and closed the door behind her, still smirking. "My lord". Loki did not react, although he knew who it was. He was locked, shocked. Thinking and remembering. He had not seen his wife since that day she took pity upon him and embraced him. For they had shared a moment a deep emotional and personal moment. They felt one another's pain and understood each other burden. They knew the chains that laced them. They were very much the same. He did not wish to see his wife, for whenever he saw her, they connected. Their pain entwined and linked together. He would feel her agony and she his. It hurt him and his child. He did not want to harm his wife or child. This left both parties lonely. "My lord", she repeated, she barely ever addressed him with his titles. Was she creeping? "Yes", he snapped. She took hasty steps and placed a hand upon his shoulder. He shrugged it off sharply. "I have returned". Loki did not look upon her. His eyes remained closed, holding back unwanted tears. Lucrezia seemed to have unearthed Loki's darkest memories. He had not managed to put them back to rest since that day. "Good for I have use of you", his words cold. The Oracle stood back and was silenced by her lords state. Never had she seen him in such a distressed state. Emotionally crippled by the effects of one girl. "What is my duty" she bowed her head and her smile was now lost. "Care for my wife and child". He finally turned to her and gave nothing for her altered looks. "Now go", he ushered with all the charms of a snake. His eyes burning like hot coals. She took heed and left to attend her new queen and mistress.
When Loki and Lucrezia's pain collided like two planets both felt and experience each others turmoil. They foresaw their past and bore each other tortures. He saw her abusive childhood, she experienced his rejection and a life of being an outcast. Both were misunderstood to be monsters and through this painful bond Loki felt he had finally found someone who was truly upon his level. Who had suffered as he had and maybe even worse. Who was as tormented as he is and who is graced with gifts as he is.