Chapter 35

Remy felt as if ice pierced every corner of his being. When Loki held him close it felt as if the trickster sucked all the warmth from his body. So when they finally reached the ice citadel half an hour later, Remy had become pale. Shivering, he huddled inside the cloak for warmth. He had planned to fight Loki once they stopped, but when he saw frost giant after frost giant walking along the walls and posted as guards at every entrance he knew he was outmatched. There was the hope Logan would survive his injuries and come help him, but what then? Did he just go along with Loki?

The only thing Remy could think he could do now was to see what had happened when the demi-god was sent to Jotunheim. He had the faint hope once they were alone that he could try to talk some sense into the trickster. After all, he had come to save the Asgardian. Perhaps Loki would see the truth of things.

Loki released Remy as soon as they landed, walking briskly into the citadel. Two guards flanked Remy; leaving him no choice but to follow after the man he had meant to marry yesterday. Loki walked briskly past the halls and guards a small figure among his own kind. Now Remy could understand the demi-god's reluctance to speak of his true heritage. Among these giants he truly was nothing more than a runt.

Once they came to what appeared to be a bed chamber, Loki dismissed them. With a wave of his hand a fire sprang to life in the hearth. Thankfully the room was furnished with normal furniture. A type of dark wood smooth to the touch. Remy wondered where it had come from. On the floor were spread soft white furs all over which blocked the cold from coming up through the stone. With a grateful sigh Remy sank to the floor before the fire still shivering as he thought of Logan left outside in the cold. He knew the feral would survive his wounds, but could he survive the cold?

"Why do I always come across you alone and helpless? It's as if my sole existence revolves around saving you and bringing you before a warm fire." Loki mocked him. There was a cruel note to his voice now Remy had never heard before. There were no chairs save one next to the fire and this one Loki sat down in. Sipping at some vintage wine, he gazed down in cool appraisal at the Cajun.

"Why'd you do dat t' Logan? He was only protectin' me. You know his true nature!" Remy snapped at him still shivering. He was beginning to thaw out from the warmth of the fire but he still felt cold. Exhaustion tugged at him as well as hunger. He had only slept for four hours, perhaps even less and had eaten nothing except for the day before when he had a light breakfast. His nerves had been frayed from the thought of marrying Loki. Now it seemed the man from then and the one now were two completely different people.

"Do I truly? Hm, that is the fickle thing about natures. They're not always what you expect. No matter though, if he's still alive on the morrow I'm have him chained up in the courtyard. He can be my guard dog." Loki said calmly. Remy was shocked and before he knew what he was doing, he had stood up his hand falling to the hammer tied at his belt. He saw Loki's eyes narrow as the demi-god hissed at him.

"Logan has done nothin' to you, cher. If you so much as dare to-" Remy's words were cut off as the trickster rose. Without so much as a warning Loki back handed the Cajun, sending him sprawling across the furs. Next he grabbed Mjolnir, flinging the hammer across the room so it went skidding across marble floor past the furs hit the far wall with a dull thud. Remy pushed himself up reaching up to touch his stinging cheek. When he pulled his hand away there was blood there. Loki towered over him, glowering down at the mortal.

"Don't seek to threaten me, Remy. I've played to your every whim up until now and I'll not have any of it anymore. You had your chance with me. I gave you everything. And yet you still pick him over me?" Loki hissed, eyes sparking as he talked. Remy could only stare at his former friend in disbelief, a sliver of fear working it into him.

"You tricked me, cher." Remy whispered in response. Loki snorted tossing back his raven black hair as he sat back down in his wing backed chair. Tracing the pattern on the cloth, he spoke, refusing to look at the Cajun.

"I saved you. If it weren't for me you would still be stuck in that accursed mountain being forced to play whore to that beast Sabretooth. Perhaps I was wrong to save you. Maybe you enjoyed being used in such a manner. You certainly like being with Wolverine. Who am I to deny you your pleasures?" Loki spat at him.

Remy thought he was beyond such things. Yet what the trickster said stabbed deeper than any of Logan's adamantium claws ever could. He only stared at his former friend a forlorn look on his face at the betrayal. For an instant it seemed as if Loki hesitated, meaning to take back what he said. Then the moment was gone as he sat back in his chair, sipping at his wine as he gazed into the fire.

"Fine, since you're going to insist upon it I'll send the feral back to Midgard unharmed. You, however, will remain here with me. You swore an oath, remember? You're mine. Not his." Loki snapped. Though it sounded as if he said it only for his ears rather than to the mortal laying on the furs. Remy slowly straightened up to sit cross legged drawing Thor's red cloak about his shoulders. He shivered though it was not from the cold.

"Whatever you say, Loki." Remy said dully. Loki glanced at the Cajun wondering if the mortal meant to protest. Remy did not meet his gaze, instead staring into the fire his eyes downcast. The right side of his face was beginning to bruise where Loki had struck him.

"I'm right, you know." Loki said. He hoped the jab would make the mortal gaze at him. Perhaps earn him some notice. Instead Remy just hung his head, his eyes still fixated on the fire as he replied.

"I never said you were wrong, cher."

"No, but you're thinking it."

"So are you going to hit me for that, too?" Remy asked hatefully, turning his head to meet Loki's gaze. Red on black eyes stared into black on red. Loki huffed, draining the last of his wine as he scowled down at the Cajun.

"I've hurt others for lesser offences, I assure you. You're my pet here so I'll let it slide this once. Listen to me and do as I say and things will go well for you. Disobey and you'll get more than a slap on the face. If I ask your council you may give it freely, but other than that I do not wish to hear you speak. Do you understand?" Loki asked. Remy looked up at him, his eyes distant.

"Whatever you say, cher." Remy answered turning his head away. Loki frowned, wondering if he should hit the mortal again just to get his point across. Yet he did not want to punish the mortal for not doing anything wrong. After several minutes, Remy laid down upon the furs with Thor's cloak spread over him. He felt too tired to think too deeply on what had happened. The person whom he had come to save now held him captive, refusing to relinquish his hold. Where was the justice in such an act?

"Sleep, then. I'll have food prepared for you in the morning." Loki said. Remy said nothing as the demi-god left him lying there on the floor. Eventually there was nothing to do but fall asleep, thoughts of Logan drifting through his mind.

"Hey Rims, wake up." Remy groaned, rolling over in bed and nuzzling into the soft blankets. They felt so warm he never wanted to get out of bed. He knew the room was freezing cold save for the man lying beside him who consistently nudged his shoulder.

"Non, cher. Remy is tired. He had a bad dream and couldn't sleep."

"I know, Rims. But you have to wake up. We have a mission to do. Don't go falling back asleep on me or do you want me to dump you into a tub of cold water again?"

Remy groaned, opening his eyes. Above him he expected to see Logan and for a moment he did. Those sky blue eyes gazing down at him eagerly. Then they changed becoming a dark amber as the black hair morphed into a dirty mop of blond. The man above him gave him a cruel smile as he dug his claws into the Cajun's side, dragging them down his body and drawing blood wherever he touched.

"Time to wake up, Cajun." Sabretooth laughed at Remy's screams of pain. Then his face changed to that of Thor, both of them standing on the Rainbow Bridge. The thunderer raised his hammer above his head as he gazed at the thief with sorrowful eyes.

"Bring me back my brother so I can awake from this nightmare." Thor demanded before he brought the hammer down, shattering the bridge beneath Remy's feet. Remy fell unable to cry out for help as cold waters engulfed him.

It felt as if he were drowning until he realized the cold waters holding him were arms. A soft voice whispering into his ear. He found the voice soothing as the person holding him pulled their face back to gaze down at him. Loki's green eyes sparking with mischief as his mouth quirked at some hidden joke.

"Did I ever tell you I love you?" Loki asked him. Then his creamy skin melted away revealing the blue skin beneath. His bright green eyes became those black on red ones which mirrored Remy's own except reversed. These gazed at him sadly as Loki said in Logan's voice;

"Why did you leave me?"

Remy thrashed for an instant, thinking he was still drowning. When he awoke he was confused by his surroundings. He was to be married to Loki that day, so why was he sleeping on the floor? When had Thor given him his cloak? Then he remembered what had transpired and his heart fell. He could not say whether his dream was a nightmare or just his confused mind trying to make sense of things. Yet when he looked about him, he saw he was still inside the ice citadel within Loki's bedroom. The fire in front of him still blazed as it had last night.

He sat up, groaning as he rubbed his head; wondering why he had such a headache. Remy's eyes narrowed as he looked about him for the trickster. There was no one present save for himself and a plate of food two feet away from him. Reaching out, Remy snatched up the plate and inhaled the savory scents, his mouth watering. He wasn't sure what the meat was or the other foods but he gulped them down none the less. It wasn't until he was done and his stomach comfortably full when one of the smaller frost giants came to fetch him.

In the giant's hand Remy saw what looked suspiciously like a jeweled collar complete with a golden chain as the leash. Rising warily to his feet, Remy's eyes hardened as he glared at the giant who smirked at him in response. Jingling the collar and chain together, he came closer.

"You're to come to heel for his majesty once you're done eating. You should be honored that you'll sit by his right hand. We even have a special pillow just for you." The giant mocked him. Just as he came within three yards of the Cajun Remy withdrew a card, throwing it at the giant's feet. It exploded audibly, bouncing off the marble walls and causing the giant to yelp. Nearly tripping over himself, he backed away from the Cajun.

"Remy does not 'come to heel' fo' anybody! If Loki wants me to attend to him he can come get me himself. Take dose damn t'ings away and burnd. Remy never wants to see dem again unless dey're around Loki's neck." Remy spat. The giant sputtered but quickly left him alone.

In his throne room, Loki was completely dwarfed by everything around him. Even when he sat in the large chair he appeared to be a small child. He was studying the large chair wondering if he should have it downsized when his keeper came in. Frowning, Loki glanced at the empty chains as the giant came towards him. The chain clinked as he knelt before his new king.

"Where is my pet?" Loki demanded of the frost giant. In front of him the giant hesitated clearly unsure of whether to report what had been said or not. Deciding to avert his gaze as he answered the giant recounted what had happened.

"He refused to wear the gifts you gave him, my grace. The mortal said they would complement your neck better than his."

A few seconds later Remy couldn't help the smirk that crossed his face when Loki came striding in moments later eyes blazing. When the trickster saw him, he scowled, ripping the chains from his servant's hands as he headed straight towards the mortal. Wary, Remy withdrew three more cards and fanned them out in his hand as he circled the trickster.

"You will come to heel, Remy. Odin so help me if you don't!"

"Odin would have helped us all if he had left a runt like you to die at the altar."

Loki was speechless, shocked by what the mortal had said. Then, whirling the chain above his head he charged it with magic, snapping it out like a whip at the Cajun. Remy dodged away with ease, letting loose with his own arsenal. Loki managed to avoid the first two blasts but the third one sent him staggering back.

Across from him, Remy wore the same infuriating smirk and reached out to grab an ornamental spear from the wall. Twirling it, the Cajun slammed it along the ground testing its strength. Finding it a suitable replacement for his Bo staff at the moment, he crouched low to the ground and circled the trickster. By now, Loki had lost his temper, the air crackling with magic as he glared at the human.

"Once I have you in my grasp, Remy; you'll regret doing this." Loki snarled, snapping the chain so it cracked against the marble.

"I'll flay you bloody if I have too. But you will heed my orders when they are given!"

"You is just wastin' yo' time, Cherie. Gambit never listens to orders. Just ask mon glutton, poor man. I give him more trouble dan I'm worth."

Loki sent the chain whip snaking through the air at the Cajun. Remy ducked beneath it, slashing at it with the spear. It sent the chain sprawling, but just as quickly it began to curl as Loki snapped back and away. He sent the chain lunging for the mortal like a quick striking snake. The second time, Remy was not so lucky. The chain wrapped around his throat before he could block, sending him crashing to the ground. Choking, he dropped his spear, instinctively reaching for his throat to loosen the bonds. Loki laughed, yanking the chain with Remy's at its end so the mortal lay at his feet. On his back struggling to loosen the chain, Remy clawed at it with his fingers.

"Did I not say you will come to heel?" Loki sneered down at the Cajun. Gambit's eyes blazed as he glared at the trickster. When Loki bent over him to speak to him, Remy spat in the demi-god's face. Loki roared, kicking the Cajun in the side while swiping at his eyes and cursing as Remy gasped struggling for air. He had managed to work his fingers beneath the chain somewhat to loosen it, but all at once it tightened around his neck again. Loki glared down at him, his skin shimmering with blue sparks as he called forth his magic.

"You dare spit on me?! Why was I ever kind to you?!" Loki demanded. He had dropped the chain, too furious to concentrate. With a gasp Remy ripped the bonds from around his neck, quickly rising to his feet and glaring furiously at the trickster.

"I don't know! What has gotten into you, cher?! You be acting like a spoiled child! Just yesterday you was sayin' you loved me and now you be trying t' make me yo' slave. I am not a dog, Loki. I certainly don't treat you as such." Remy spat. He was free now. He knew he should dive for the spear and use it to throw the demi-god back. Perhaps knock him out and then sneak past the guards in order to find Logan. Loki only glared at him, his mouth set in a thin line as he sneered.

"You do treat me as such! On our wedding day as soon as you saw Logan, you ran to his side! Do I not matter to you any longer? Simply because you saw him you suddenly decided I'm not worth your time?" Loki demanded of the mortal. Both men continued to glare at the other too upset to say anything else. Tossing accusations back and forth until the other decided to yield. It was Remy who spoke again, lowering his voice though in order to force both of them to be calm.

"Remy never t'rew you away, Loki. He was only shocked t' see Logan in Asgard. I'm sorry things turned out de way dey did, cher. But you are t' blame as well. You knew Remy wanted to speak to Logan. And don't lie, cher, I know you cast a spell or somet'ing to make me fo'get about going back t' Midgard." Remy said. He felt tired and he had a headache. His side hurt as well from the kick Loki had delivered to him.

Loki clenched his fists, wishing to hit the mortal again. To show him to obey him. Yet… Yet it would accomplish nothing. He stared at the person he had ever claimed to love. Saw the bruise on Remy's cheek he had given to him last night. The way the mortal clutched his side, breathing hard from where he had kicked him. Then realization dawned on the demi-god as he stared in horror at what he had done to him.

"Oh god, I hurt you." Loki gasped. Remy only stood there; clutching his side and watching the trickster warily. Loki reached out as if touch the mortal but flinched as if it were Remy who meant to strike him. He covered his face, shaking his head as his shoulders began to tremble.

"I hurt you. What kind of monster am I? And I was going to… Oh god…" Loki whispered. He felt a wetness on his cheeks, but he didn't realize he was crying until Remy had stepped close to him. Grabbing his hands and pulling them down so he was forced to stare into those blood red eyes.

"You is not a monster, Loki. Why d'you keep saying dat?" Remy asked quietly. Tiredly. Loki only shook his head, furious at himself.

"I killed Logan! How can you-"

"Logan ain't dead, cher. No doubt he's pissed as hell right now, but he isn't dead." Remy assured him. He was at a loss as to what to do for his friend. Gently he brought Loki to the large bed in the room, getting him to sit down as tears streaked down his face.

"You were right. I should be the one wearing those." Loki said in disgust, glaring at the chain and collar. He waved his hand sending both into the fire. He didn't know if they would burn or not, but he was sure as hell going to give it a try.

"I call Logan the animal but look at how I act."

"You were hurt, cher, Remy won't fault you for dat. But you have done something dat no one else has been able to do for a long time."

"What's that?"

"Piss me off."

Loki stared at the mortal, wondering if he was joking or not. Yet those eyes still blazed, glaring at him. He shook his head, resting his elbows on his knees as he closed his eyes and massaged his temples. It almost felt as if he had descended into madness only to come back to sanity once again. Or more like he had crash landed.

"I seem to have a talent for pissing people off." Loki said in irritation. He heard the Cajun sigh, shifting next to him on the bed.

"What is the Thor to the Loki?" Remy asked him. Loki paused, cracking one eye open to look at the mortal. By now his tears had stopped flowing caused more from the moment rather than any real sorrow. He sighed, shaking his head once again.

"Remy, now is not the time."

"Just answer the question."

"Okay, I give up. What is he?"

"A thorn in his side." Remy finished. Loki glanced at him, dropping his hands to let them rest in his lap. The mortal had drawn his legs up onto the bed, his body turned towards the trickster.

"Ha, ha." Loki said. He saw the corner of the Cajun's mouth twitch as he continued.

"Why did Thor cross the road?"

"I don't know. Why?"

"To get the Mjolnir. Why did the Loki cross the road?"

"To make sure the Remy wasn't run over by a car." Loki said snidely. Remy only gave him an infuriating grin as he finished the joke.

"To get the tesseract."

"Oh, how clever you are. I never saw the punch line on that one." Loki snapped sarcastically.

"How do you sneak past Heimdall?"

"A blood sacrifice and a ancient spell."

"LOKI!"

"Oh, are you still telling jokes now? Fine. I give up. I have absolutely no idea."

"You stay low key."

Loki frowned at the jab as Remy's grin widened. He laughed at the trickster's expression whose frown only deepened as he shook his head.

"I disapprove of that jest." Loki said irritably. Remy quirked a brow at him leaning forward as he talked to the trickster.

"Are you on yo' man period or somet'ing, cher? All dese mood swings and now you don't even laugh at Remy's jokes."

"Are you suggesting I have no sense of humor?"

"Maybe."

Loki snorted, reaching up to smooth back his hair. It still felt strange to look down at his hands and know he was in his true form. In fact, it disturbed him. All his life he had hidden from himself and now he was forced to gaze into a mirror. When he saw the unfamiliar blue face it took all of his courage not to go insane. To tell himself that was Loki in the mirror and not some monster.

"I do, as a matter of fact, possess one. Though it has been a long time since I have used it." Loki admitted, letting his hand fall back into his lap. Remy gave him an amused expression, lightly stroking the coverlet they sat upon as they talked.

"Perhaps you should make use of it more often den, cher. It helps to lighten de mood."

"Or make a particular Cajun laugh at a particular Norse god."

"Non, de Norse god will have you believe he's boring. As a matter of fact, he'll lie t' you every chance he gets. So you should never take his word on anyt'ing."

"I can think of more than a few people who would agree with you on that count." Loki replied.

They sat there upon the bed for some time. Remy talking and Loki agreeing with him on most things, barely contributing to the conversation unless he disagreed on something. He could almost pretend they were back Asgard in his old room. Loki even reached out to touch Remy's cheek, healing the bruise there. Whispering in a soft voice his apologies, he asked the Cajun the for forgiveness. His heart felt less heavy when the mortal told him he was forgiven.

Eventually, Loki laid back on the bed to stare up at the ceiling. Closing his eyes as Remy continued to talk to him. He truly had no idea what to do. He knew he could not make the mortal remain with him in Jotunheim. Yet at the same time he felt angered at Odin for what he had done by casting him out. But now he understood what had been done.

"We need to get you back to Earth, cher. This place is going t' drive you insane." Remy insisted. Loki sighed, cracking one eye open to stare at the Cajun. Remy had stretched out on his stomach beside him, propped up by his elbows so he could look down on the trickster.

"You have no idea how much that would please me. I can't go with you though this time, peu diable. I am bound here. Even if Seth took me upon his back, Odin's spell holds true. I would only be yanked back into this realm. This is my prison." Loki said, waving his hand to encompass Jotunheim. Remy frowned, shaking his head as he reached over to pinch Loki's upper arm. The trickster swatted the offending hand away even as Remy began to tug insistently at his robe.

"There must be some way! Perhaps Remy could beseech Odin to release you. He has t' have more mercy dan dis."

"He did give me mercy, Remy. As a matter of fact, I got exactly what I had always asked for. He gave me what I wanted." Loki said letting out a hollow laugh. When he saw the sorrowful look on his friend's face, he offered him a sad smile. Reaching up, he stroked Remy's cheek, touching the soft lips he had grown so fond of kissing.

"He made me a king. That is the sad, pathetic irony of it all."