~ Chapter 55 ~

Two days later found Loki sitting up in bed with a bowl of food in his lap. He was slowly eating and gaining strength that he had lost while his body had fought against the poison. The process had gone faster thanks to the little man responsible for his health. They didn't know what he had done but it had helped flush out the remaining toxic from his body.

Staying true to his words, Thor had not left his side for even a moment. When Loki was sleeping he held his hand, stroking the soft skin, and made up stories about his childhood. Some true, some not, and some exaggerated, but all came together none the less. It helped Thor as he felt his connection to Loki grow stronger and although his lover didn't answer him, he could swear that his Jotun sometimes smiled at some really silly parts of his stories.

When Loki opened his eyes, Thor felt a sense of peace at seeing the familiar green color, like it was proof that this really was his lover. The pale skin was no longer foreign, and he should be glad that Loki could now melt in in Asgard, but he dearly missed the marked blue skin that he first had laid eyes on. He actually missed the markings of Loki's heritage. It didn't seem like his skin color was anything serious, just his body's attempt on adapting to those around him.

At the same time, Loki was fascinated by his new skin but didn't feel at home so to speak. All his life living in Jotunheim, he had been an outsider because of his size. He felt jealous of the full-grown giants who could have a normal life. Now, if they saw him there was no telling what they would do or say about him. As much as he loved Thor's tanned skin, and in his eyes pale compared to his own people, he didn't like to wear it himself.

It wasn't him.

"How are you feeling?" Thor asked as he watched Loki's hand slow down and the spoon rested against the white edge of the bowl.

"Better." Loki smiled at the Aesir. "I think I will be able to go home."

"That's good." He raised a hand and stroked away a stray hair that had escaped Loki's ear. "I can't wait until we are back in Asgard."

Loki smiled slyly. "Wasn't you the one who wanted to wait?" he teased.

He shrugged his shoulders, looked around briefly before he focused back on his beloved. "And I still want to, but I don't want you in danger anymore. Every time I see you hurt it takes a piece of my heart. If breaking my vow means you will be safe, then I'm willing to break it."

At first Loki thought he was kidding. "For real?" he questioned.

"Aye." Thor nodded before the corner of his lips twitched into a smile at the long silence that followed. "Why shocked? Isn't this what you wanted?"

For the first time in his life, Loki couldn't find the right words to say. "IT IS!" he finally exclaimed. "But I thought that I would have make you drunk and seduce you before you would do as I wanted."

The Asgardian heir gave the Jotun a long look. "Why didn't you tell me that your needed our mating to be complete?"

"I wasn't feeling bad thanks to our nightly playing." Loki confessed like it wasn't a big deal. "And to be honest I never thought someone would want to hurt me. I felt safe with you in Asgard so I didn't see any reason to say anything."

"You could have told me." Thor leaned forward.

"How was I supposed to know everything about myself?" This time he did look a little offended. "I don't know everything about being a Royal Sorcerer. Hel, before you I didn't even know the title existed. All I was was a freak in Jotunheim."

"Don't," Thor took his hand and held it secured, making the spoon clink against the bowl. "call yourself a freak because you are not. You are my husband. My soul. You are going to stand next to me when I sit on Asgard's throne. Blue, white, pink? No matter what you look like it will never change what I feel for you. Never."

"I hope you don't want to see me pink." Loki snorted. "Because that day will never happen."

Thor smiled from his heart. "What I mean is... I will always love you. Even if you had been a normal Frost Giant it wouldn't have changed my feelings." the idea played through his mind. "Although my pride would suffer a blow." he let the line hang between them and it didn't take long before Loki laughed loudly.

"I don't think you have to worry about it, love." Showing a full set of teeth. "You could easily compete with the big boys."

"You don't say?" Thor was by now making his next move very clear to his mate.

Loki didn't have any objections as he leaned closer in return. The kiss wasn't quick or clean because it involved a lot of tongue and lips. When they finally parted after a good five minutes both their breaths was uneven, but they were very happy.

"So what are you going to do with me when we get home?" asked Loki.

Thor hummed in thought before he said; "You'll just have to wait and see."


The fire rose high in the room as Doctor strange walked over to his chair. The padded object took his weight with little complaint and he let out a sigh. He had finally returned after securing the last bit of magic that had been unbalanced. Although he couldn't go to all worlds and make sure himself, the Dark Dimensions being one of them, he was sure that nothing would cross the borders.

His thoughts returned to the Jotun Sorcerer that he had met. It was the truth that this had been the first time he had met one, but he doubted just how much of a legend the Jotun really was.

They were a kind that was shrouded in mystery and secrets.

When their powers appeared it would be very strong already, but when they fully matured then they would have no equal. Unfortunately, only a few had ever been born and no one knew if any of them except on had matured fully.

Not to mention it usually came at a price.

He threw out a hand at a gigantic mirror that went all the way up to the roof. The surface grew misty and cloudy before colors started to appear. They grew and multiplied until the glass shattered in an explosion.

Doctor Strange threw up his arms to protect his face as the glass rained down over him and the room.

A roar tore through the sound of shards and forced the Sorcerer to look up.

Inside the void of the mirror stood a dragon, tall and majestic. It's long neck stretched toward the sky as it bleed red, black shadows covered the horizon. Jotuns, a sea of them, for as long as it could be seen before it changed to a similar view from Asgard. Then the image wrapped into itself and focused on a flaming village. A beast stood in the middle with blood pooling around it as it growled deadly and launched itself on Doctor Strange. Then a field of flowers, so white and pure that not even the green blades under could penetrate. In the middle under a clear blue sky stood Loki and Thor, their hands joined with shining wedding bands on their fingers. Blue against white before darkness fell over them and the roar of a monster broke everything in pieces.

A monster, so enormous that only it's head lowered over the field and cast everything into darkness. The flowers withered in the cruel wind and no one stood anymore in the field. The image changed once more and this time it showed a tower. A tower of bodies, and a chain running from the top to bottom.

It's silvery shine grew dim and rusted before it broke into a million pieces, each piece changed into a yellow eye with a red pupil. Staring right back from the void of blackness.

And so the image ended and threw Doctor Strange back to reality where he realized that the mirror was whole. Sweat ran down his body as the image of the monster haunted him.


In Asgard, Odin sat on his throne with his hand over his face. His shoulders seemed tired as the situation that had come clear weighed heavily on him.

"My King." Heimdall said from the bottom of the stairs leading up to the throne. "It's time I return to my post. They will soon return from Midgard." his mighty voice stated because it had already been decided.

"Are they well?" Odin asked through his fingers, needing just a little bit of good news.

"Aye, my King." Heimdall bowed. "The damage to Midgard was limited considering. Should I send your son and his betrothed to you right away?"

"No." his voice tried to hide how tired he was but failed somewhat. "I will send for them when the time comes. Let them be for now."

As you wish, my King." the Guardian rose and left the throne room, leaving behind a very weary King.

TBC