Chapter 50
To say everyone was surprised that Mako still showed up to check in on Shiva was an understatement. They were actually floored. And, this was a different Mako. She wasn't angry even though she still had that disgusted look on her face, but she was calm. Instead of becoming angry that Shiva was still not pregnant she accepted it saying 'war it is'. It hadn't been a threat, but she sounded worried.
Word was sent to Jotunheim that no child would come this month and only one more month remained before the final act of war was declared. "I am staying here." Mako announced when everyone had stuck around to watch her leave as she normally did.
"What?" Shiva said before anyone else could speak.
"I do not trust any of you to keep taking care of her while she remains here. I was assigned as her guardian when she came here and her overseer. I will not allow Asgardian scum to take her life in fear, revenge or any manner of other reasons. She is not a warrior and poses no threat. She will not be maimed in cold blood." Everyone was stunned speechless. Cephera saw this as a motherly act. Mako may not show or say it, but perhaps she cared deep down.
"Your blood mate is on the brink of declaring war on us and we are just suppose to allow you to stay?" Thor said incredulously at her.
"Shiva is of my kind and grew up on Jotunheim as well. If I am forced back so should she." There was silence as Devian held fast to his wife.
"How do we know we can trust you?" Loki growled.
"You don't. Confine me to whatever place in this palace you like, but Shiva stays within my care until an outcome of this battle is reached. If we are truly blessed she will turn up pregnant before the end of another month. I don't want to see war anymore than the rest of you. We have seen enough devastation." No one could really dispute her claim, but everyone in the room was weary.
It came to pass that Mako was given a room near Shiva's shared room with Devian. Five guards and magical wards were placed on the room to keep her from leaving them during nighttime hours and during the day she was not allowed outside the palace and two guards were to be with her at all times as was Shiva. At no point was the frost giant allowed to be alone. The treasure vault was sealed with more spells and wards not to mention more guards in case she was there to attempt to gain access to the Casket of Ancient Winters.
When Shiva was not with Devian in their room she was with her mother. They didn't converse, but Shiva no longer walked with her looking timid and afraid. In fact, she looked just as suspicious as everyone else. Something was amiss, but for the first few weeks everything seemed safe.
(Loki)
Loki woke and kissed Cephera's face lightly. He curved his hands down her belly as he always did. It wouldn't be long now and the baby would be born. Loki was eager to have the child born soon for several reasons. He didn't want to miss the child's birth and they planned to have Cephera sent back to her old home on Midgard for her and the child's protection until the war was over. They had thought to send her to Mechanova, but Loki was iffy on how well the people there would take care of her.
King Yorin had agreed to send men to aid them in battle and Loki was worried the battle would spread there should they not be careful. If for some reason the war was lost and the Byfrost became open to anyone's use he wanted her on Midgard. Diana had been to earth already to speak with SHIELD who promised to watch over and protect Cephera when she arrived. Her home had been taken care of by the company since she left.
As soon as the baby was born she would be moved to Midgard. They still had a month before the expected war and Loki hoped it would not occur sooner. Cephera had been trying everything to speed up labour naturally. She hated to have the healers do it. When the baby was ready they would come.
Cephera woke and turned to Loki's kisses and he caught her lips with a smile. "I have much work to do today." He told her smoothing a hand over her hair pressing her bangs aside. She blinked up sleepily and nodded. He had been very busy lately and she knew it was important. "If anything should happen send a servant to get me." He meant labour or pains of any kind.
"I know," She said smiling and running a hand through his equally messy hair. He kissed her once more, rubbed her belly lovingly and climbed out of bed. He washed himself from a basin quickly, dressed and went to first see Odin. He had something important to ask him before he could properly begin his day. If all went well this would be a night Cephera would never forget.
He ventured into the throne room where Odin was stood speaking to some other officials. Upon seeing Loki the officials left. "I was hoping to speak with you before we began our meetings with the warriors." Loki told Odin quickly.
"It sounds as though you are in a hurry." Odin replied.
"To get this off my chest, yes." Loki agreed. Odin nodded to hear what Loki wanted to say.
"When this war is over there is something I want above all else should I return." Loki told Odin.
"And what is that?" Odin asked curiously, but had a look on his face that told Loki he had an idea of what Loki was about to request.
"I want to marry Cephera. I hadn't been sure for a long time, but I know now this is the path I am meant to take. Would you give me your blessing to marry her?" Loki asked Odin. He needed this. He needed to know that his family would be accepted properly into this world. Even if Loki didn't see Odin as his father he was still king and his acceptance was important. Loki needed to know Cephera would be waiting for him after this war. It would give him another reason to stay safe and return in good health. She would have something to look forward too and if he didn't return she would at least know he wanted her at his side forever.
"I never thought I would see a day when you no longer desired a throne." Odin replied. "Your family has been good for you since they came here." Odin paused. "It would give much stability to your growing family if you were to wed the mother of your children." Odin stood tall and a smile beamed across his sunken face. "I give my blessing," He said with a single nod.
Loki let out a sigh of relief. He was worried that Odin would have denied him. With a respectful bow Loki left the room to begin his long day before he could go back to Cephera with his newest offer to her. As Loki exited the throne room Diana stood outside waiting. "There was once a time I would have told her not to marry you, but now after everything I no longer want to keep you from my mother. You deserve her ... Father." Loki felt a swelling deep in his chest to hear his daughter speak that word at last.
To have Diana call him father was the icing on the cake. "It's not polite to eavesdrop." He teased.
"I couldn't help it." Diana smiled. "She won't say no." Diana added.
"I know. I think I've known for a long time how she's felt while I denied how I felt. Take care to not ruin my surprise. I will not get to see her until after supper." Loki warned his daughter.
"My lips are sealed. I hear you're headed to town with Thor to find more people willing to fight." Loki nodded. "I'll come with you." She offered. Loki smiled and together they left the palace to meet Thor out in the stables.
(Cephera)
Cephera spent her day with Frigga in the morning, but retired to her room when she became overheated and tired. She slept through dinner. When she woke it was hours before she would join everyone for supper and so she moved to Loki's bookshelf and took down a book to read.
She made herself comfortable in an armchair near the fireplace and opened her book. She'd been contently reading when the room door came open and in walked Mako. Cephera was instantly on edge and stood from her chair. She quickly noticed that neither the guards nor Shiva were with her. She kept her eyes glued to the larger woman worried why she might be there.
"What are you doing here? Where's Shiva?" Cephera asked Mako as she strolled into the room uninvited and alone.
"I'm here to see you," She said smiling for once. The smile only made Cephera shiver. She didn't answer the question about Shiva which only sent another warning chill up along Cephera's spine.
"For what purpose?" Cephera asked.
"You look tired." Mako commented ignoring Cephera's question. "Tiredness can lead to fatigue if you overexert yourself." Mako added that same grin on her face. "Loki took our king from us. He ruined our lands and killed our people when they were helpless." Mako had stopped moving, but she seemed smug as she examined her surroundings.
"A path he regrets ever going down." Cephera told her with confidence hoping anyone would show up any second now. Surely Shiva would notice her missing and if not what had happened to the guards?
"Nevertheless." Mako tilted her head. "We've been thinking of ways to make him suffer. We've been thwarted several times when we tried avoiding war to do it. Your son tricking us into a marriage was the last straw." Mako admitted. "We came to realize though, over time checking in on Shiva, that the best way to gain revenge on Loki was to take away the one thing he cared for most and that's you. He killed our king and our people and now we will kill you." Mako threatened.
"You won't get away with it. Someone will realize you are missing and even if they don't come in time to save me you won't leave Asgard with your life." Cephera warned her.
"There is no one coming. Shiva lies unconscious on my bedroom floor while the guards no longer breath. Did you really think five meagre guards could contain me? I am a seasoned warrior, I'm no housewife." Mako bragged. Cephera narrowed her eyes.
"So what, you kill me and then wage a war. Loki won't have time to mourn my passing. How is that worth any of this?" Cephera responded thinking of ways to stall until someone happened to find them. Perhaps Loki would come fetch her for supper.
"Your death is inevitable, but there is something else we've decided to take from Loki." Mako's gaze fell from Cephera's face to her belly. Cephera's hand smoothed down over her baby bump and she scowled.
"No." Cephera growled taking a small step back.
"You can't stop me," Mako said. "You will try, but you're no more than a mere human. True you have a longer life than most, or rather would have had you never involved yourself with Loki. And, I know all about your magic. We've been keeping tabs on you and your family since the day Devian married Shiva." Cephera felt her heart beat faster.
"Shiva would never betray us by giving you information." Cephera responded defiantly.
"You're right. We gain our information through other means." Cephera felt relief. Shiva and Devian had grown so close she had been afraid Devian would have his heart broken by betrayal. She was happy that was not the case. Cephera took a large stride backwards when Mako moved toward her, but a voice stopped her and both Mako and Cephera turned to look toward the bedroom door.
Thank You's
- Short Haired Me: poor Coles.
- Doctor Loki Love: Loki knows better than to try and control Cephera. Lol
- Akera Writer of the Night: haha. More story to come. You're only gonna hate me more and more with each passing chapter.
- Benfan1: you should always be nervous. :P
- Sweet Dreams 705: shiva is becoming a bold little thing. :) thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed the dialogue. :)
