Holly smiled fondly to herself as she finished making the bed after her innocence had stained the sheets the night prior. She had done her best to rid the cloth of the stain, but they remained splotchy. Having tucked them away, she would use them purely for emergency… perhaps some days to recall memories.
Dusk had made its way to the countryside, creating a foggy blanket around her quaint cottage. A chill had seeped its way in through the windows, which had been close quickly and a small fire ignited in the woodstove.
She expected that her lover would return to her soon and she imagined that he would take her to bed as soon as he walked in the door.
Blar jumped to her feet at the sound of rustling grasses distantly in the field. Holly wrapped a blanket around herself and stepped out the door to find Loki letting both Bleikir and his horse loose towards the forest. Her heart sunk as he came closer, pale cheeks flushed a blood red and eyes watered of unshed tears.
"Loki-"
"In the cottage." He rushed, following closely behind her as she obeyed, locking the door. "You must protect the house." He whispered, towering over her closely, but refusing to touch her.
She had been practicing her newfound power whenever she had the time and now found her abilities quiet exceptional.
Loki had begun to pace, periodically checking her progress as she raised her arms away from her sides, palms faced outwards and prepared to cover their home.
"Now, Holly." He said gruffly, boots heavily thumping against the wooden flooring. Holly cracked one eye in distaste for his tone, to which he replied with a quiet 'sorry.'
Thundering hooves brought a rise out of Blar, who recognized that Loki was to be their only visitor, as per the recent usual. A low growl erupted from her throat and the black fur on the back of her neck stood on end.
Holly held her position as Loki looped an arm around her waist from behind and rested a comforting palm on the top of the distraught dog's head.
"The horses aren't here!" One voice called to the group, boots crunching the dry grass littered around the house's perimeter. "No sound or light coming from the house… Door locked."
Loki's thumb gently caressed her stomach through her dress as his breathing labored.
"Not here, I think.' The voice drew a conclusion, fading as he shouted orders to his men to begin a search of the fields, the forest, and the village. Once they had gone, Loki gently released a lungful of air and pressed his forehead against Holly's temple.
"Imbeciles." He muttered, inhaling her sweet, lavender-laced scent.
"Tell me, Loki. Why were they here?" Holly asked quietly, voice shaking just slightly. He sighed, rounding her and scooping her into his arms.
"My father has arranged a marriage…" he trailed off, watching the light of her brown eyes fade as they widened. She was silent as she turned away, breath catching in her throat and a hand soothing her heart that beat in staccatos against her chest. He followed, rounding her once more and sliding his arms around her in desperation, in comfort. "I assure you that I did not know that this would happen." He whispered into her hair as he pulled her into his armored body. The young woman finally broke down as realization hit her, her hands and forehead pressed against his chest, salty tears dripping down the gold plating. With no other words to be said, Loki bent to scoop her up, positioning her legs on either side of his hips to carry her. Burying her face into his neck and wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she sought out his sincerest form of comfort.
He sat down on the edge of her bed, holding her in his lap. Holly pressed her forehead to his, staring into his forest green eyes sadly. A single tear left the corner of his eye and cascaded down the precipice of his cheekbone. Ashamed, he leaned into her, pressing his forehead against her chin in submission.
They held each other as the emotions grew high and crawled into bed after they had managed to calm themselves.
"The AllFather also picked his successor." Loki whispered, fingertips trailing down her jawline. Her hops were dashed when he shook his head in dejection.
"Oh, Loki." She sighed, hand cupping his face as he leaned into her warmth. Holly was silent as she wiped his tears away and kissed his forehead. The man was painfully quiet as he sunk down to rest his cheek against her stomach. They sat in complete silence. He began to calm himself the best he could while her hand ran back and forth across his shoulder blades. Blar whimpered at the foot of the bed, nudging Loki's leg gently.
"I never want to leave you." He whispered sadly, arms tightening around her waist. There was no combination of words that would make things right or reassuring between them. Silence overtook them and then, a night of fitful rest.
This would be their last night in their bed.