Loki makes a few shocking discoveries while Tia wrestles with her head. Meanwhile, we introduce a new character called Asmund.. what new information can he provide?

Loki couldn't sleep that night. He had tossed and turned and ended up pacing the room for a good three hours before Tia came to get him ready for breakfast.

Tia had left an hour before and he was still pacing the room thinking of how this sweet, seemingly innocent girl could be hiding such a massive secret. That's what it was. A massive secret. She knows Asgard may end one day but she keeps it bottled up.

He decides to push it to the back of his mind and just believe that the two young maids were drunk when they spoke about this.. Prophecy.

Loki is so caught up in his thoughts that he doesn't hear the low creak of his door opening.

Tia scans the grand hall looking for her friend. "Brenya.. are you in here?"

"Coming now!" She hears a small voice shout from the opposite end of the hall. Suddenly a light tap is felt on her shoulder causing her to jump. "Sorry. What's wrong?"

"I thought we could talk."

Tia watches Brenya take a seat at one of the tables, motioning for her to join her. "Well you wanted to talk so take a seat."

"Loki was weird this morning." Tia whispers, dusting herself down before sitting beside Brenya.

"Isn't he always weird.."

"No he.. I don't know.. he seemed to be ignoring me." Tia replies, sighing when Brenya rolls her eyes.

"You told me to stay away from the Prince's years ago. Remember that?" Tia nods. "You said this kind of thing would happen when they got bored of us. Now it has."

"I'm probably just over exaggerating or being paranoid. I haven't been feeling well lately so it's more than likely all in my head."

"What do you mean you haven't been feeling well?" Tia can hear the suspicion in her friends voice but doesn't dare meet her eyes.

"I just.. have been sick the past few mornings."

"You need to see Eir." She hears Brenya whisper before a small hand is placed on her shoulder. "You need to talk to Loki first though. I've heard many stories of people who have had protected sex but still end up pregna-"

"I'm not pregnant!" Tia shouts, whipping her green eyes round to meet Brenya's narrowed blue.

"Then you have no reason to be this worried."

"I need to go.." Tia whispers, shrugging her friends hand off her shoulder and not looking back as she leaves the grand hall.

Once outside, Tia lets the tears fall. Cascading down her face like the beautiful waterfall Loki had shown her all those years ago. This can't be happening.

"Prince Loki may I have a word please?"

Loki turns to face the young man who has silently entered his bedchamber. "Now really isn't a good time."

"It's important."

"Fine! What's your name?"

"Asmund. I have been investigating something lately. I know you are going away to Alfheimr soon but I've already tried to speak with others about this and they have dismissed it.. maybe.. I could.. tell you."

"Who have you spoken to?"

"Your father but he said it was none of my business and to leave it while Thor just ignored me and began drinking again."

"That sounds like Thor.." Loki mumbles, sighing as he thinks over the mans words. He can see the young man's blue eyes quickly avoid his gaze when he looks at him again. Feeling a bit sorry for the man he internally agrees to help. Love must be making him soft. "Tell me everything."

"Well it started a few years ago. I was called to a killing in the dungeons below us. An older man, maybe middle aged but he had his throat cut and had several other injuries that suggested torture. We have had about twelve murders, all with the same or similar injuries over the past four years within Asgard alone." He studies the young blonde haired man as he recalls every murder in great detail. "I have been looking into it for a while now in my free time. It appears all of the victims are connected because they all have at least one family member that has been involved in some form of magic. Whether that be potion making, dark arts or they can do some form of magic itself. The last two murders have been in the last week alone.. that's why I need your help."

"The killer is getting desperate then?" Loki whispers, his finger rubbing his temple. "It appears you have me interested. So, just to get this clear, this killer is murdering people that have a connection to someone that knows or does magic? Obviously they must be searching for something."

Seeing the young man nod makes him smile. "Or someone."

"I want you to keep digging. I will do the same and we will meet once I return from Alfheimr.. deal?" Both nod as they shake hands and leave the room, continuing on their separate ways.

Tia can feel the nausea wash over her when Loki enters the room. "Loki I don't feel well."

"What's wrong?"

"I've been getting hot and cold sweats, nausea and.." She whispers, stopping when she realises what it could really be. Her conversation with Brenya hitting her like a ton of bricks.

"And?" Loki prompts. Tia can hear the curiosity creep into his low voice.

"My monthly is late." No not the prophecy. It can't be that, anything but that!

"You've been taking your potion?"

"Of course!" Tia shouts, she begins protesting but a spell of dizziness silences her.

Could it be the Prophecy? Is this the beginning of the end for Asgard?

"Well we should get Eir." Tia hears Loki whisper, his hands rest on her hips as he places her on the bed.

"No. I'll go later before we go to Alfheimr if I'm still bad."

"Do you want me to co-"

"No! I mean.. it's probably nothing."

Loki watches Tia sit against the headboard of the bed. Her eyes fluttering closed before snapping open again like she doesn't want to fall asleep in front of him. "I heard you." He whispers, feeling his heart begin to race.

"What do you mean?" He looks away when Tia's green eyes meet his.

"Brenya.. said how you knew all of this stuff, Asgard, that it was going to end one day."

"She was drunk. Loki she had no idea what she was saying. You have to believe me!" He hears Tia protest. He can't figure out if it's the truth or a lie. So much for him being the god of mischief and lies.

"I do." Loki whispers as he hears Tia sigh before relaxing on the bed again. He glances back, watching her drift off to sleep as his magic fills her veins. What if she is telling the truth?

What if she's not?