Thanks so much to everyone who left reviews: Madrea Salazar Riddle, lwolf, Kaity, Guest, Shadow Realm Triforce, Spark and Fire and TwilightAnimeLover21! Welcome to the new story followers/favorites: Loki'sdreamer, Jmaskal, Spark and Fire, Blade Fett, PRaccoon, Raistlinrains, Epave Belle, kateskates24, booklover161904, horsechick, pinkydog123, SwitchVonLaufeyson, alone shadow dream, Cjb009, Madrea Salazar Riddle, IvyLinkin, Potkanka, stackhouse98, AmiiStarr and Angelofthemourning! There are some twists in this chapter that may surprise some readers and I struggled writing it but trust me when I say that it will all be for the greater good You have to weather the storm before you see the rainbow right? This chapter is the longest thus far so I hope that makes up for you all having to wait. I do not own any of the characters (associated with Marvel comics) except my original characters Sarina, Kayan and Shah.
"It is amazing how complete is the delusion that beauty is goodness."
― Leo Tolstoy
Chapter 13
Sarina allowed herself the momentary pleasure of melting into Loki's kiss but soon the realization of what was occurring forced her to pull away from his embrace. "I…I apologize. I never meant for this to happen," she murmured hurriedly. "The bargain made with Laufey was not mine. I cannot allow this. I…. I need to go" The mixture of hurt and confusion reflected in his eyes as she turned from him was nearly too much for her heart to bear. Without another word Sarina ran from the balcony leaving Loki standing alone in the icy Asgardian wind.
For a moment, Loki remained rooted to the spot on which he stood. "Laufey's bargain? What can she not allow to go on?" None of her words made any sense. In spite of this, Loki slowly began to connect the scattered links in the chain of his thoughts. As he did the meaning behind Sarina's words became startlingly clear.
Upon reaching her temporary chambers in the palace Sarina began frantically tossing her garments and other belongings into the cedar chest that had come with her from Muspelheim. Tears blurred her vision as she tried desperately to gather her things before anyone become conscious of what had happened and came looking for her. "I will leave and all will be forgotten in time. Father will have to be made to understand. I am not like him I cannot treat others…" Her thoughts were interrupted as Kayan burst through her door with a look of grave concern marring his striking features.
"Sagira, what has happened?" Refusing to answer for fear of her brother's reaction Sarina chose to ignore his intrusion and continue packing. He grabbed her by the shoulders forcing her to drop the garments she held in her hands and met his gaze. "Sister, tell me! Who or what has caused this?"
Unable to hide behind her self-imposed mask any longer Sarina slowly fell to her knees on the cool marble floor; her body racked with hushed sobs. "I cannot do this any longer Kayan. Muspelheim may need an infallible princess but it will not be me. Father made this bargain with Laufey and I will be a part of it no longer!"
Kneeling beside his sister Kayan wrapped her tenderly in his arms allowing her tears to fall. "Shh, Shh Sagira. All is well. But you must tell me of this bargain that you speak of."
Wiping her eyes with the edge of her sleeve Sarina lifted her head. "You do not know? I was certain that father would have discussed it with you before we arrived here in Asgard."
At her words a look of bewilderment emerged on Kayan's face. "I know of no bargain made by our father with anyone. Why would he make a bargain with the king of Jotunheim?"
Sarina laughed dryly at her brother's naiveté. "Akhi can you truly think of no reason that our father would want to negotiate with Laufey?" With a raised eyebrow she waited calmly for Kayan to make the connection.
Kayan remained silent for several minutes until he finally looked to his older sister with a crestfallen expression. "The prophecy. Father bartered with Laufey for the life of his lone son?" Although his voice held a questioning tone this was more of a statement. "But why would Laufey give up his heir so easily?"
"I would like to know the answer to that myself" Thor declared solemnly from the doorway startling both siblings with his sudden appearance. Sarina now noticed that Kayan had failed to close the door to her chambers. This situation was becoming worse by the minute and she felt powerless to stop it.
Before Sarina could even rise to her feet Thor had knelt at her side placing a comforting hand upon her shoulder. "Princess, forgive me for my intrusion but I must ask what transpired between you and Loki this afternoon. When last I saw him he was tearing through the palace halls like a bilge snipe headed towards our father's throne room mumbling something about being used as a bargaining tool."
Placing both hands over her tear-streaked face Sarina took a moment to compose herself before answering. "I fear that I am the cause of Loki's rage. I assume that Kayan informed you about the prophecy surrounding my reign?" she asked knowing full well that her brother had.
"Aye, yet I do not understand why this would anger Loki so. He has always been obstinate but there are greater tragedies in life than being linked to another by fate." The golden prince appeared to be just as confused as Kayan had been.
Sarina gently slipped her shoulder from under Thor's warm hand. She was certain that he would not be so kind hearted once he discovered the truth. "Knowledge of the prophecy did not enrage Loki but rather the lengths to which my father went to see that it came to fruition."
After a brief pause Thor's sapphire eyes grew wide with shock as her words began to sink in. "King Shah convinced Laufey to cast out his own child? How? Surely a king would not give up his heir so easily?"
Rising to her feet Sarina walked over to the large wooden desk in the corner of her chambers and sunk into its ornately carved chair. The two princes likewise rose to their feet and seated themselves on the bed across from her.
Sighing heavily she finally spoke "All I know is what I was told by our mother before she passed but I will freely tell you what she told me. The kingdom of Muspelheim has always valued the fact that we as a realm have remained isolated from others. Yet, one day that isolation was disturbed when two Jotun messengers arrived at the palace doors demanding to speak with the ruler of our realm. The messengers said that they had been sent by King Laufey to seek my father's counsel. I was but a few days old at the time but my mother said the Royal Seer had already delivered her prophecy.
At these words Kayan interrupted his sister. "Sagira, what you say makes no sense. The prophecy was not given until your first birthday."
Giving her brother a tired smile Sarina gradually shook her head. "Mother said that the prophecy was not revealed to the people of Muspelheim until that day though the Royal Seer made her prediction on the very eve of my birth. That, I suppose is why father agreed to speak with the Frost Giants. Perhaps he saw it as the first step to strengthening ties with their kingdom."
Thor held his hand up for Sarina to remain silent. "I still fail to see how two messengers led to my brother being ejected from Jotunheim."
Though he knew of Loki's true parentage Thor continued to refer to him as his brother. Sarina could not help but smile at this. "If you will allow me to continue Prince Thor you will have your answer."
Looking slightly apologetic Thor nodded for her to continue.
"Even in those days Muspelheim was known for its prowess in the magical arts. That is why Laufey sent the messengers to my father. They told of their queen who was weighty with Laufey's first son and they spoke of the great energy that she felt emanating from within her belly. The child she believed would be born with illustrious powers that far surpassed those of any other member of the Jotun race. Laufey did not cast out his son because my father wished it. Loki was cast out because Laufey feared he would one day rise up against him. My father convinced him to allow Loki to live in exchange for the assurance that our two kingdoms would unite in the future. It was thought that in Asgard Loki would be able to grow into his powers properly."
At this statement Thor interrupted once more. " My father did not find Loki in the Jotun temple by chance did he?"
"No," Sarina said meeting his imploring gaze "When the All-Father went to war with Jotunheim my father saw it as an opportunity. From what I understand Loki was but a few hours old when his mother left him in the temple." Lapsing into silence Sarina waited for Thor to speak.
His response was surprising to say the least. "You must tell Loki what you have just told me. He may be angry with you but he can be made to see reason."
Starring at him in disbelief Sarina grappled with her own tongue to find the proper words. "Loki believes that I have betrayed him. No elucidation will change that."
Thor stood and placed an encouraging hand on Sarina's shoulder. "You must at least try princess."
************************************************************************Later that night Sarina found herself walking through the immense, golden halls that led to Loki's chambers. In spite of the apprehension that had settled in the pit of her stomach she was determined to take Thor's advice and endeavor to speak with Loki.
Her steps faltered as she rounded the final corner and came face to face with the large oak door that stood as the entrance to his room. "If I am going to do this I must do it tonight" she thought anxiously "Kayan and I are leaving in the morning and this will be my only chance." Making an effort to steady her already trembling hands Sarina knocked softly upon the door. When there was no answer for several moments she concluded that Loki must be elsewhere in the palace and turned to leave. She halted brusquely when she heard the door creak slowly open.
"What business have you here?" Loki spat from his position in the doorway.
Sarina noted that his eyes were dark and filled with abhorrence as he took her in.
"I wish to speak with you concerning what happened this afternoon and explain my actions," she said taking a small step towards him.
"And why should I trouble myself with your wishes any longer?" Upon receiving no immediate answer Loki began to close his door.
"Wait, please! Kayan and I are departing in the morning and I must do this." Sarina reached out and took hold of Loki's arm. "Just allow me a few moments and then I promise I will leave."
Jerking his arm from her grasp Loki stepped aside leaving enough room for her to enter. Sarina walked into the middle of the outsized room and merely stopped unsure of what she should do. After securing the door to his chamber Loki came to stand rigidly in front of her. "Say what you must princess" he said curtly.
By the clenched set of his pale jaw Sarina was all but convinced that her venture was doomed to fail. "Although you may never forgive me for what has occurred I feel that you at least deserve to know why I did what I did."
Loki nodded. "Go on."
As Sarina told Loki the same account that she had told Thor earlier she watched closely for a reaction. To her dismay his resentment appeared only to mount as her tale ran its course. When she finished he was all but trembling with fury.
"So this is to be my lot in life," Loki said turning to gaze at his reflection in the chamber's sizeable, gilded mirror. He was silent for a number of minutes before he again faced Sarina. "I am to remain nothing more than chattel to be traded and kept until one day there is no longer any use for me."
Sarina's mouth fell open in astonishment at Loki's disheartening statement. "It was not my father's intention to treat you as such Loki. He is a good man despite the fact that his decision was misguided. You must not place all of the blame for this on him" she implored at last able to meet his intense stare. Sarina was taken aback by the harsh smile that next spread itself across Loki's features as he brought his face inches from her own. Never had she seen his handsome features so distorted and wicked.
"No, I suppose he is little more than a self serving monarch while you are nothing more than a snake whose outward appearance is all beauty and sleekness but all of that is a mere ruse to hide the fangs that lurk beneath waiting to suck the life from whatever man you deem valuable to you at the time!"
Though she tried desperately Sarina was incapable of halting the stream of tears that began to run freely from her eyes. "Better a snake than a bitter, lonely child!" she shrieked and stormed from the room.
Loki stared at Sarina's fleeting form with a sense of dismay. He had thought that in confronting her that he would have found some sense of respite. Instead all he was left with was a dull ache deep within his chest.
The next morning saw the palace grounds of Asgard blanketed with fresh snow and frost. Loki's disposition mirrored the icy surroundings outside as he sat down with his breakfast plate in the banquet hall next to his brother.
"Good morning" Thor murmured between mouthfuls of food. "I trust that you and Sarina cleared up matters last night."
Loki chose to ignore Thor's question as he continued to pick at the piece of fruit that sat before him.
Noting his brother's reluctance to speak Thor pushed his food-laden plate aside. "Loki, you cannot sever your connection with Princess Sarina purely to aid in healing your own bruised ego."
"You have no right to tell me what I should or should not do," Loki hissed. "She intentionally lied to me!"
Thor raised an eyebrow at his brother's accusation. "Brother, you are the God of Lies and Mischief. Are you truly going to tell me that you have never intentionally lied to someone?"
The silence that followed Thor's question was answer enough for the Golden Prince. "Sometimes we all must tell a lie for what we deem to be the greater good." Turning to face Loki he continued, "Whether you will admit it or not brother you felt something for this woman. Lose your pride while you are able or I fear that you will lose her once she leaves our realm."
"My pride is one of the few things that I yet retain" Loki whispered.
Hearing the disheartened tone of his brother's voice Thor in turn softened the manner in which he spoke. "Loki, while I have come to understand that you are not overly fond of taking advice from me I ask that you hear me now. Keeping hold of your pride is all well and good but pride will not warm your bed at night in the same way that a woman will." Yet again his words were met with only silence from Loki. With a heavy sigh Thor got up from his seat. "Prince Kayan and Princess Sarina set out in less than an hour. If you decide to make peace with her I would make haste to do so." That being said he handed his plate to a passing servant and departed. Once he was confident that Thor was gone Loki stood swiftly and left the banquet hall as well.
Though not entirely sure as to what he was going to say Loki made his way through the palace halls until he stood at the door of Sarina's chambers. Rapping lightly on the door he hoped desperately that he was not too late.
"Who is it?" came Sarina's voice from behind the door.
Loki hesitated for a moment before answering. "Prince Loki of Asgard. I wish to speak with you before you take your leave" he said fully expecting her to tell him to go away. To his great surprise she opened the door and peered out.
"Why should I trouble myself with your wishes?" Sarina asked wounding Loki with his own words.
Deciding it best to keep his silver tongue sheathed Loki answered simply "You should not. Nevertheless I humbly ask that you do."
Just as Loki had done the previous night Sarina stepped back and allowed him to enter her chambers. She motioned for him to take the chair next to the desk as she took a seat on the bed. "What do you want Loki?" she asked flatly.
Once more Loki chose a straightforward answer. "I want to apologize for my behavior of late," he paused briefly "…and I want to ask you to stay here in Asgard."
Sarina sat for a short time in astounded silence until she finally found her voice. "So I should stay in Asgard because the Dark Prince asks it of me?"
"No," Loki said leaning forward to take her hand "stay because I ask it of you. I wish for us to begin anew, with a clean slate."
"I would like that," Sarina said reveling in the feel of his skin against hers "but my father has already arranged for Kayan and me to go to Vanaheim. He hopes to build stronger links with the other realms just as he has done with this one. We are to be away for nearly a years time." With a look of great sadness she pulled her hand from Loki's grasp.
Ever the fighter, Loki refused to be thwarted by something as trivial as a scheduling conflict. "Then return afterwards" he said.
For the second time, Sarina sat in stunned silence. "Of what madness do you speak Loki?"
A warm smile crept across its way across Loki's face at hearing this. " 'Tis no madness Sarina. I merely ask that once you are done building your realm's connections in Vanaheim that you return to Asgard."
The corners of Sarina's lips twitched upward creating a minute smile as she rose from her place on the bed. "Am I to believe that the great Prince Loki will wait for my return?" she asked gazing at him from under her dark lashes.
"You have my word that I will be here upon your return," he said also rising from his seat.
"Then you have my word that I will return to Asgard in a years time" she whispered as she stood on her toes to place a kiss gently upon Loki's pale lips.