Scene 32
"My Lord!"
Breka's comrade on duty shoots him an apologetic glance and sinks to one knee before Loki.
"Your brother, the prince, my lord—is dead."
"What?"
Loki rushes out of his quarters and towards the healers' ward. Breka is frozen. How could that—Thor's injuries were bad, but lethal? Strong, mighty Thor? He wants nothing more than to be at Loki's side, but he's unsure he'd even be allowed in. This is family business. Royal family business. His mind starts to race. With Thor out of the way—he feels a small pang of guilt over the phrasing—Loki will be named heir to the throne. Everything they've dreamed of will become reality now. King Loki.
Scene 33
When he arrives at the door to the healers' wards, the comrade standing guard there shakes his head.
"I'm sorry, Breka. I can't let you enter."
Breka nods.
"I thought as much. Is there anything you can tell me?"
"What do you know?"
"That prince Thor is dead."
"That's about as much as I know."
"Who's in there?"
"The royal family—the king and queen, Prince Loki… and Lady Sif."
Heels click on the stone floor. The guard turns.
"My lady," he says and opens the door for Sigyn.
Him and Breka exchange a glance.
"She's our future queen," Breka hisses.
"And isn't she aware of that," the guard shoots back.
Breka closes his eyes for a moment.
"When the prince comes out, will you tell him..."
The guard looks at Breka.
"Never mind," he murmurs and turns to leave.
Scene 34, Loki's quarters
Breka gently kisses Loki and pulls him into a hug.
"I'm sorry for your loss, my prince."
Loki closes his eyes, looking entirely spent.
"I wish I could have seen you sooner," Breka says softly.
"Things are going to be very different now," the prince answers, his voice neutral.
Breka's heart misses a beat.
"I am aware of that," he says carefully, scared of what Loki is going to say next. But the prince stays silent.
"Can you tell me what happened?"
"My brother died."
"I know that. But—how? I thought the healers said he'd make a full recovery."
Loki snorts.
"I'm pretty sure they did what they could. In fact they might have done a little more than necessary."
Breka's eyes widen.
"What do you mean?"
"You know perfectly well what I mean."
Loki's stare becomes threatening.
"Your close friend Leif was on duty. If there's anything you have to tell me, better tell me now while I might still be able to protect you."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean," Loki says, his voice like ice, "that my brother, the prince, heir to the throne of Asgard, would still be alive and recovering from his injuries, if the healers had done what they were supposed to do. Instead someone made sure he would not recover. My father suspects they had a complicit amongst the palace guard, and possibly others amongst the palace staff."
His voice changes.
"Please look at me and tell me you had nothing to do with it."
Breka desperately tries to keep his face blank. He sinks to his knees.
"I swear to you, my prince, on my mother's life, that I'm innocent. Loki, please!"
Loki straightens.
"Your mother's life might not be worth as much as you think."
"What?"
Breka turns pale.
"Loki!"
"She was arrested along with Leif. And I'm not sure I believe you."
He turns, leaving Breka still kneeling and shaking all over.
"I have a brother to bury," he says over his shoulder.
Scene 35
Loki sits on the throne, his face set in stone, as he watches the executioner step forward. Beside him Sigyn reaches for his hand. He freezes, tempted to pull his hand away, but quenches the impulse in time. He gives her a grim smile.
"Being a benevolent king doesn't mean you can't execute justice, my lord," she says. "In fact I think it is a crucial part of it."
Loki forces himself to look ahead at Breka's mother Uta and his best friend Leif, both in chains, pale but resolved. On Loki's other side he can feel his mother lean in slightly.
I'm sorry you have to do this, he hears her voice in his head.
With father in the Odin-sleep, I have no choice, he answers her in kind before shielding his mind from her. He nods at the executioner, and the man lifts his axe. Loki's first order of business is an execution.
The axe falls, twice, and Loki tastes bile in his throat. He refuses to look at his wife, knowing all too well what expression he'd find on her face. She's the one person amongst the traitors he can't punish. There's no proof linking her to Leif and Uta, and the people love her. A lot more than they love their future king.