Andromeda let out a long sigh as she woke up from her light slumber. She grimaced as she turned her head, feeling a pain in her neck. It had probably come from how she slept; her back was resting against the headboard and Loki's head was in her lap.
She looked down at the prince and sighed, shaking her head. Her beautiful gown that was already ripped at the seams was also now wet with tears. She was exhausted, both emotionally and physically, and she wanted nothing more than to be alone.
Quietly and as carefully as she could, she slipped away from the hold of the dark prince. She padded into her bathroom and took off her gown, dipping a finger into the water that was already in her tub. It was room temperature, probably having been brought there this morning, but she was in no mood to complain. She made quick work of undoing the intricate style of her curls then lowered herself into the water.
Andromeda sighed and chewed on her lip in thought, bringing her knees up to her chest. Things were changing so quickly. Thor was gone, banished, and she might not see him ever again. Once a favorite of Odin had now fallen out of his father's favor. She didn't even get to say goodbye.
He was an oaf and she wishes he was here just so she could slap him for leaving her like this. Did he think of anyone else when he decided to march on? Any consequence? What was she to do without him?
He was her best friend. Her shoulder to cry on. Her confidant. She loved him, maybe not in the way that he…
Andromeda paused in her thought and bit her thumbnail, squinting at nothing.
Maybe she did, maybe that was the problem. Maybe she had been pining after the wrong brother this whole time. Or maybe not.
Maybe she was in love with both?
Andromeda scoffed at herself; how selfish could she be? There were women through all the realms that could not find one man to love and she had two. Maybe the words said about her were true; maybe she was just a trollop who struck gold.
The princess whimpered and ducked her head under water, staying under until her lungs burned. She emerged with a deep breath and she wiped the water from her face.
"Mother." She breathed out, looking up to the heavens at nothing. "I don't know if you can hear me, or if you're even still there. You have not come to me in so long... " She wiped her nose with the back of her hand, her lip trembling, "I'm so scared mama. Thor might die and I… I don't think I could live without him, mama. After you and father and Perseus left me I… I wanted nothing more than to die. And those feelings are creeping up again and I'm terrified…" She took a long breath, though shaky it was and licked her lips, clasping her hands together. "Any blessing that is meant for me can be blocked and given to Thor, any pledge of protection I have from all of you can be directed towards him." Her pretty face began to grimace and tears feel down her cheeks, "I love him." She murmured, almost inaudibly. "I love him, mama, and it's a shame the threat of death took me to see it."
Andromeda choked back a sob and sunk further into the water, feeling like a little girl. "Mother," She whispered again, "Father, Perseus, Cosima, Ares. Please watch over him… both of them. I do not know what ails my first love but I can feel the hurt. It's so selfish of me but I love him, too. Even if he is guilty, no one deserves the pain of not knowing who they are." The beauty frowned, her eyes glazed over as she noted, "Of all the years I have lived I feel like I know nothing."
With that, Andromeda grabbed a cloth and washed the dirt from her body. She scrubbed at her scalp with soap, and when she was finished, she stood from the tub and wrapped herself in a towel. She padded over to the mirror and looked at her reflection; red eyes, dark skin and curls that went to her waist. Her mouth twitched and a disgusted grimace was painted on her face.
Andromeda reached for a dagger under the sink and dropped her hold on her towel. Gripping her brunette curls, she angrily began to slash through them with the knife. When she finally let up with her assualt, hair was pooled at her feet and her long hair was now to her shoulders, albeit a bit uneven.
If anyone asked, she would just say she was in mourning.
The princess padded out of the bathroom to find that Loki was still asleep, though now he was clinging to a pillow. She quietly dressed herself in a white sundress that left her arms bare and crossed over her back like an 'x'. She grabbed a ribbon from her vanity and tied her curls back into a ponytail, leaving her feet bare as always as she silently left the room, taking care to close the door quietly.
It took her exactly twenty minutes, the five additional ones because she had slightly forgotten the way, to arrive at her hidden oasis. Andromeda pushed the overgrown trees and bushes away, being careful to avoid stepping on any rocks. Her gasp was loud as she laid eyes on the paradise, having forgotten how beautiful it was.
When Andromeda had her bout with depression after everything she had was taking away from her, all she did all day was lie in bed. One day, she finally got out of bed and wandered out of the palace in a haze. It seemed as if she was possessed and when she came to, she was in front of a beautiful waterfall and a stream. It was a hidden treasure, away from anyone and anything, and it was all hers. She had come there for weeks every day and saw no one, it was something she could call all her own.
Standing at the edge of the stream, she undid her dress and pulled the ribbon from her uneven hair. She took a deep breath of air and stepped into the stream, the cool water licking at her skin. When the water was up to her waist, she dived under.
She emerged from the water a minute later, flinging her hair back. She breathed lowly and laid back, floating around absentmindedly. Usually, when she was this conflicted she could go to Thor or Sif, but one was banished and the other blamed her for it.
The princess pouted and submerged herself once more, not coming up until her lungs began to burn. She popped her head above the water and let out a little yelp as she caught sight of the Allmother.
Frigga was still breathtakingly beautiful, though she had a solemn aura around her. Her auburn hair was braided to the side and she was adorned in a teal gown, her lips painted pink.
"Queen Frigga." Andromeda greeted, swimming to the edge of stream and getting out. She put her sundress back on and bowed her head. She let out a gasp as her surrogate mother's arms wrapped around her.
"I cannot believe he's gone." Frigga sobbed softly, even through her tears, her voice rang like bells.
Andromeda sighed and patted the elder woman's hair, a soothing hand running over her back. "I am so sorry."
Frigga pulled away and looked into Andromeda's eyes, her hands cupping the princess' cheeks. "Oh dear." She muttered, her eyes going to the young beauty's wet hair. "What have you done to your hair?"
Andromeda held in a laugh, the Queen sounding exactly like the other Queen she knew. "I am in mourning."
"Oh you sweet girl." Frigga whimpered with a frown, "How are you dwelling?"
"I am managing." The beauty breathed, before biting her lip, "Thor's my best friend."
The Queen raised a dainty brow then and rubbed her thumbs against Andromeda's bare shoulders. She raised a hand and brushed a curl behind the young woman's ear dotingly before smiling. "Best friend, indeed." The royal noted, cupping the princess' face.
Andromeda's eyes widened though she said nothing in response. Frigga merely giggled to herself, sniffling just a bit from her previous tears. She opened her mouth to speak once more but a guard came galloping toward them.
"Excuse the intrusion your highness," The guard started, bowing his head, "But the Allfather has gone into an Odinsleep."
Frigga's face fell and without hesitation she commanded, "Get off your horse." The guard obeyed immediately and the Queen mounted the steed, holding a hand out for Andromeda. As soon as the younger woman was on the horse, the Queen took off toward the palace.
Moments later the women were bursting into the royal chamber. Frigga ran to her husband's bedside while Andromeda stayed by the door, her eyes glancing at Loki who sat by the bed.
The princess bowed her head and left the room, feeling the weight of death on her body. Though the king was not dead, his current state was not any better to her. On her way down the hall, a wall of guards passed by her, one carrying a golden scepter.
Andromeda's brows furrowed and she turned to watch them, wondering what was about to occur. Shaking her head, she decided to return to her own chambers.
Happy to be alone again, the princess locked her door and stripped herself bare. Sitting at her vanity, she began to run a brush through her short hair, wincing at the uneven state of it.
A knock sounded at her door moments later and she rose from her seat, wrapping a robe around her body. "Yes?" She asked, peeking her head out.
"I was wondering where you were, child." Ragna stated instead of a greeting. The old woman's eyes widened at the sight of the royal. "What in the realms have you done to your hair?"
Andromeda's face flushed and she shrugged, opening the door wider for the servant to come in. "I am in mourning…?"
"By the nine!" Ragna exclaimed, shutting the door and running her hands through Andromeda's hair, "You hacked it off! Why did you not use shears? You look like a feline!"
The princess pouted at her mother-like servant as she was ushered to the vanity. Ragna clicked her teeth and opened a drawer in the wooden dresser, pulling out golden shears. "Well I will just have to fix this mess!"
"Do not make it too short, Ragna!" Andromeda pleaded, her eyes widening when she heard the snip of the scissors.
"You were not worried about your hair being too short when you cut it, were you?"
Andromeda pouted once more and crossed her arms, glaring at her reflection. In a measly ten minutes, Ragna was done and her hair was even. The elder woman even braided half of it back for her, placing a white flower in the plait.
"There. All done." Ragna smiled, tucking a strand down. "You still are the epitome of grace and beauty."
"Thank you." Andromeda smiled as Ragna walked to her dresser and pulled out a white gown to match her flower. The princess was helped into a long white dress with equally long sleeves that flared out. As Andromeda was admiring her hair in the mirror, a knock sounded at the door. Ragna rushed to open it.
The beauty tried to listen to see who it was but she heard nothing, only the door closing. Her brown brows furrowed and she turned around, only to see Loki standing there. Andromeda looked on curiously as he stepped toward her, silent and solemn. He reached out and tugged on one of her curls lightly, her green eyes following it as it bounced.
"You cut your hair." Loki finally spoke, his eyes dancing over her head. "You look radiant."
Andromeda nodded in thanks, her brows still furrowed. "Are you alright-!"
"I am King now." Loki interjected before she could finish. "I am the King of Asgard."
The bronze beauty's breath was taken away from her in a gasp and she covered her mouth with her hand. It took a moment for her to actually acknowledge what he had said and she took a step back from him, bowing deeply.
"Don't." Loki muttered, pulling her up from her position. "If there is anyone who I wouldn't allow to kneel to me; it's you."
Andromeda's brown eyes searched the King's greens and she nodded, placing a hand on his cheek. "How do you feel?" She questioned in a whisper.
"Afraid." The King admitted, tilting his face to nuzzle his nose against her hand. He raised his own hand to place over hers and turned his head, his lips on her palm. "What if I fail?"
"You won't." Andromeda assured him, though she was not so sure herself.
"Everyone is counting on me." Loki whispered, his eyes looking past the princess. "I need to keep Asgard safe, I need to make father proud… I do not know if I can do this alone."
"You will not have to, you have your mother." Andromeda said, watching his eyes fall on hers again, only for them to look away. "You have me." She added quietly.
"What if they found out what I am?" The words came out so quiet but they echoed in the room.
The princess placed her other hand on his face and made him look at her, "It does not matter what you are, Loki. You will do what's right for Asgard and your people will love you for it as I do."
Loki's gaze fell to her lips before he closed his eyes, a choked sob stifled by his pursed lips. "I love you." He muttered and when his eyes met hers again, tears pooled from them.
"I love you, too." Andromeda replied honestly, a reassuring smile on her lips as she wipes his tears.
"Then marry me." Loki uttered, his green eyes pleading. "I can give you a kingdom now and whatever you desire. We can rule side by-!"
"No, Loki." Andromeda shook her head, removing her hands from him. "I cannot marry you. Not now."
The newly appointed King looked pitifully down at her, a frown on his face. "But I love you."
"I love you, too, but I cannot… I…" Andromeda fought her mind with confession she wanted to make. "I…" she tried again before sighing and closing her eyes, "I just can't."
Loki swallowed thickly and licked his lips, his eyes going to the ground before landing on hers steely. "Is there another?"
The beauty didn't even pause in her lie, shaking her head sadly. "I just can't. You have hurt me too many times. Maybe sometime in the future, but not now, Loki."
The King stared at her for a unsettling amount of time, his face blank though tears still stained his cheeks. He turned away from her and left without a word.
One thing went through the princess' mind as she stood there gripping her vanity; He knew.
