Life inside Asgard's palace became icy cold – and tense. Though how hard it might be, I kept my agreement, and stayed away from Loki. He not only stayed, he also avoided my eyes whenever we were in the same room; even during dinner – especially during dinner.
Thor seemed lost at our silence, and didn't seem to understand what was going on. The king and queen, however, looked often enough at each other with telling eyes, showing they had great suspicion what this was about.
When I had come back from the meadow, I had told them it had been an accident – our connexion – and that it didn't bother me. Thor had frowned, but after I had insisted he should forget about it, he let it rest.
However, he did keep me company more than ever, which I didn't mind; without him I felt utterly lonely. Though I kept wondering if those were my own emotions or Loki's.
One evening, after dinner (a dinner during which Thor had looked repeatedly at his brother with insecure eyes) Thor asked me if I might want to walk with him. Naturally, I agreed.
He took me to the gardens, and let me sit down on a small bench. Opposite us stood a proud fountain, sprinkling a never-ending stream of water.
Thor seemed to find it hard to speak. Patiently I waited until he had found his words, though I already knew what he would speak about.
'My brother…' Thor wrung his hands, 'my brother told me he isn't my real brother.' He stopped, and looked at me. His eyes were those of a lost boy, not knowing what was happening around him. I took his hand, and made him sit down.
'Do you believe him?'
Thor frowned. 'I do not understand your question, Xaeyera. He was not lying about his descent; he showed me.'
I pressed my lips together, before releasing some air. 'That is not what I meant. You cannot doubt his blood, however, I was speaking about his heart, your heart. Do you believe you are not brothers?'
Understanding sparked in Thor's eyes. 'To me he will always be a brother. But if Loki does not see it this way-'
'He does,' I interrupted him, seeing the devastation in Thor's eyes. 'He only fears you won't.'
'How could I not?' He exclaimed a bit indignant. 'We have been brothers for a thousand years! Nothing can change that!'
A bit sadly I smiled. 'Fear does strange things to people. He sees himself as a monster, not realising the reason they call the Jotuns that attacked my village monsters is not because of what they are, but because of what they did. Anyone can be a monster, no matter where they are born.'
For a quiet moment Thor looked at me, then he smiled and softly put his hand on my shoulder.
'We have been so lucky to have received you in our lives, Sister.'
Unable to speak, I looked at him with big eyes. Thor's smile grew wider. He then pulled me into a tight embrace, giving me the chance to wipe away the tear that had formed in my eye.
'Thank you,' I muttered quietly.
Loki's heart ached as he watched his brother embrace her. He wished he could be the one to comfort her – if it had not been him that hurt her in the first place. Telling Thor had been a relief, though he had not yet had the courage to confront his father.
His mother had assured him Odin loved him, there was still fear in his heart.
But he must do it, he knew. He couldn't wait until the end of the world, so he could escape like a coward.
He had to have courage.