Ch. 29

"Now, you had mentioned wanting to show me a new extension of your skill?" Loki clearly wanted to change the subject and begin their lesson.

Skye nodded. She took a deep breath and released it slowly, focusing on bending and shaping her will. Slowly, the entire great hall that they were in was covered in an undulating thick fog. The best part was that she felt no ill effects, no undue strain.

"Excellent!" Loki clapped his hands in glee. "I am quite impressed. I had thought it would take you years to progress to this level. You truly do have an innate talent."

Skye dropped the illusion and grinned at the compliment.

"Your grandmother would have been so very proud of you. What a remarkable young woman you are."

"Thank you. I had a good teacher."

"The best," Loki said with a smug smile.

00000

Skye was surprised that Arnleif was in her rooms after her lessons with Loki, although a bit relieved that she wouldn't have to see Halla. She didn't know how she'd be able to face the maid without imagining her in Fandral's embrace.

"Hello, Arnleif; it's good to see you." Skye smiled briefly. Arnleif mostly worked the night shift at the palace and, as such, Skye rarely saw her.

"Hello, your Highness. I'll be covering for Halla the rest of the day. She's out ill."

Serves her right, Skye thought darkly.

"Out ill?" Skye strove to keep her voice steady.

"Yes, your Highness. She went to see the healers right before midday. She's been there ever since. She and her husband are expecting, you see, and there are a few concerns about the baby. She's been there under observation ever since. I just came from seeing her."

Skye's head spun in confusion. How could Halla have been at the healers and also with Fandral? She knew what she saw.

Her heart began to thud painfully in her chest as she ran the words through once more.

She knew what she saw.

Loki. The master of illusion.

Loki. Who had warned her about Fandral repeatedly.

Loki. Who had sent her to the library.

She ran out of her rooms, careened down one corridor after another and finally found Loki's council room. She flung open the massive doors and skidded to a halt in front of a long table with ten or so advisors along with Loki.

"Out, all of you!" Skye yelled, her chest heaving from running so hard.

There were a chorus of angry shouts from the council.

"I am Skye, the royal princess of Asgard, and I say OUT!" she shouted over their protests.

The group looked towards Loki, who gave a brief nod.

Within a minute, the chamber was empty, save the both of them.

"I do hope you have a good excuse for that little display of yours." Loki looked at her calmly and cocked an eyebrow.

"Halla's been at the healers since lunch. She wasn't in the library with Fandral. She's married with a baby on the way. She probably doesn't even know him." Her words came out in an angry rush, tumbling over each other.

"Ah, well. A miscalculation on my part. I probably should have chosen someone you didn't know. I had hoped a more personal betrayal would have struck home a little harder."

"You tricked me, Loki. Why did you do that?" Skye took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

"Fandral is well-known for his predilection for seduction. When you met him that first night, all disheveled, where do you think he had been? Why do you think he was wandering the halls so late at night? He's a predator, Skye. He'll use just the right words and just the right tone to tear down your defenses and leave you at his mercy. I've seen countless women fall prey to his form of conquest over the centuries. And, once you've given in, once you believe he truly cares about you, he'll get bored and leave you. All he cares about is the hunt. The chase."

"You didn't have to lie to me."

"I warned you time and time again, my dear, and you wouldn't listen to me. I am your father. I had to protect you. I had to teach you a lesson. Better a little pain now than a broken heart later on."

Skye shook her head and each word came out slowly. Painfully. "It's never going to end with you. The deception. The deceit. I want to be able to trust you. But how many times will you trick and lie to me, even if you think it's for my own good? I've got to go back to Earth. You've got to send me back. Now."

"The agreement was for one month," Loki countered.

"Which is up in a few days. But, I want to go home now. Am I your daughter or your prisoner, Loki? If I am your daughter, take me home now."

"This is your home," Loki pled, the desperation creeping into his voice.

"No, it isn't. I tried. I really did. But this isn't my home." Skye was firm.

"So, then, am I not your father?"

Skye took a deep breath. "You are. But this is not my home. It's yours."

Loki paused for a moment. "Very well then. Collect your things. We shall return to Midgard within the hour."