Hannah POV

We rode back to the palace in silence. I knew whatever Anna had told Loki had been serious, so I kept quiet.

I thought about what Anna said. Did Loki really look at me that way? A way that every girl dreams of being looked at when they're not looking?

Should I give myself a chance?

I glanced over at Loki. His head was forward, and he was obviously thinking about what Anna said. I wondered if it was about me.

After a few moments of silence, Loki pulled up close to me and asked, "Want to make a bet?"

I raised my eyebrow at him. "That's hardly fair, this is your trade."

He smirked. "I think you can hold your own against me."

I felt my face go warm, and I hoped my cheeks didn't turn red. I smirked at him and asked, "What did you have in mind?"

We reached a clearing where we could see the palace and all the Lower Towns. Loki pointed towards the palace.

"First one to reach the entry way of the palace," he said, "going through all the Lower Towns, wins," I was silent for a moment, waiting for him to go on. "I bet you a dance."

"What?" I said, surprised.

"If I win, you owe me a dance." He repeated.

"And if I win," I said, "You have to make an effort with your brother."

He was silent for a moment and swallowed before looking at me and smiling, holding out his hand.

"Deal," he said.

"Deal," I said, shaking his hand.

And as soon as he let go, I sped like a silver bullet.

I heard his horse's hooves stomping behind me, but I didn't turn around. Racing through the clearing, I finally reached town, almost hitting a woman holding a basket of laundry.

"Sorry!" I apologized, going around her at rapid speed.

I saw a flash of green out of the corner of my eye and I looked at my competition and laughed.

He looked over at me strangely. "What?"

"Nothing," I said, "Just this!"

I pulled a sheet that was drying on a line and threw it at his face, effectively slowing him down. I laughed and kept going.

I dodged people and animals, apologizing to each one, even the animals, but my adrenaline was too high to care.

Soon enough, I was reaching the threshold of the gate to the palace when a sharp pain hit my chest. I stopped my horse and faintly realized Loki zooming past me. I looked at him and put a hand to my chest.

He was laughing, not understanding my pain. "Looks like you owe-" he stopped, finally looking at me and concern come over his face. "Hannah?"

I looked at him and gasped, the pain getting stronger. "Loki," I strained, feeling myself slipping out of the saddle.

Loki was by my side in an instant, lowering me into his arms.

I gasped again, the pain increasing even more, only this time it was getting harder to breathe.

"Come on," he said, running towards the castle, "we need to get you to mother."

Even through the pain, I smiled at Loki's words.

We entered the door of the palace, and I faintly heard Loki give orders to the guard to go and find Frigga. He carried me to the Healing Room and laid me on a bed.

He felt my forehead and I gasped again. He removed his hand and the pain subsided, but it was still hard to breathe.

I thought for a moment. "Loki," I tried, "touch my forehead again and then let go."

He did as I asked and as soon as he touched my head, the pain returned, and then went away when he removed his hand.

"Everytime you touch me," I rasped, "the pain sparks up."

Just then Frigga walked into the room and started asking Loki questions. He answered them while I got my breathing back in check.

"And now she says every time I touch her the pain increases."

Frigga snapped her head to me and put her hand on my arm. Nothing happened. She motioned for Loki to do the same.

As soon as his hand touched my skin, I sat up and clutched my chest. It faded after a few moments and I laid back down.

Frigga looked at me with concern in her eyes. "I know exactly what this is, and how to fix it." She glanced between me and Loki. "It's quite painful, however. And you might go into a coma."

I swallowed, my voice shaking as I spoke,"For how long? And what is it?"

"This is dark magic," she answered. "Someone slipped something in a drink or food that you took and it caused this. As for the coma, there's no way of telling. Every case is different. Sometimes," she paused, "The person doesn't wake up and they die."

I took a deep breath. "What do I need to do?"

"Wait," Loki said, looking at me cautiously, "You're not actually going to do this, are you?"

"What other choice do I have?" I asked. "Me not ever being able to touch you again? What happens if I accidentally bump into you in the corridor and I can't breathe because of it? No, I won't do that. Not to me," I looked him in the eyes, "And not to you."

He just looked at me as Frigga watched us, a curious look on her face.

I turned back to Frigga. "What do I need to do?" I repeated.

"Loki, sit on the bed, across from her." He did what she asked, being careful not to touch me.

"Now, wait until I give you all of the instructions before you grab her hands." My heart sped up, knowing that it was going to hurt.

"What?" Loki said. "I'm not hurting her."

"It is the only way, my son," Frigga said to him.

"When you grab her hands," she continued, "Think about containing her pain and putting it somewhere else besides her chest."

Loki looked at me, silently asking me if I was ready. I let out a shaky breath and nodded. He held out his hands to me, and I placed my own in them.

The pain hit immediately, spreading through me like a wildfire. I started to move around, but Loki kept our hands locked as he worked.

Soon I couldn't breathe. I was gasping for breath, hoping he was almost done.

And then I started screaming.

The pain grew to excruciating, and I couldn't hold it in anymore. I felt Loki's hands tighten on mine, and I felt Frigga sit behind me to control my movements.

"You have to try to sit still," she said, "I know it hurts, but its hard for him to work with your thrashing."

I tried to calm myself down. My screaming stopped, but the pain didn't. I started sobbing, tears flowing freely in effect of the pain.

After what felt like forever, the pain stopped, and Loki let go of my hands, only to pull me to him as I still cried.

"Shh," he whispered, stroking my hair, "You're alright, calm down. I'm right here."

After a moment, I did calm down. I pulled away from his embrace, only to frown when I saw black spots dotting my vision.

The last thing I saw before my world went black was Loki's face, and one lone tear coming from his eye.

Loki POV

I watched Hannah's eyes close as she slumped against me. I shook her gently and realized she had fallen unconscious. I looked at my mother.

"She fell into the coma," she said grimly, helping me lie her on the bed. "And I have no idea when she will wake up."

I stood up from the bed and looked at her with wide eyes. "She has to wake up," I said. "Asgard needs her."

I need her, I thought.

Frigga looked at me sadly. "I'm sorry, my son. There is nothing we can do except make her comfortable. Waking up is her fight that I hope she wins."

I let out a shaky breath as I looked over at Hannah. She looked peaceful, almost calm. I sat down next to her again and brushed her hair back away from her face.

I was scared, honestly. I was afraid I was going to lose her. I might not be in love with her at the moment, but I knew I cared for her a great deal.

I just hoped that Hannah would wake up so that I could know if she felt the same.

This one was a quick update! Hope you guys liked! Please review!