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Loki stood in abject horror as the being called Maw took Liya away and disappeared with her. Thanos had said to heal her however that was no guarantee that she would be safe. The Trickster knew she could handle herself in normal circumstances but she was gravely injured and that was entirely his fault. He watched helplessly and felt hope drain from him.

The Titan approached him gazing at Loki with curiosity. The bravado he showed vanished when Maw left with the girl. Thanos gave a cruel smile, sentiment, he could use that. "The rightful King of Asgard," Thanos repeated pulling Loki out of his trance.

The God of Mischief focused on the Titan and nodded, "Yes," his voice was stone cold.

"How did the rightful king lose his throne?"

Loki considered for a moment before fuming as his thoughts crossed to Thor. This was his doing, if Odin hadn't chosen Thor none of this would have happened. Amaliya would be free from harm and he would be on the throne. His face softened for a quick moment and they would have been married.

Another grin pulled at Thanos' mouth, "You aren't married to your queen?" He burned a hole into the Trickster waiting for his response.

"No, my throne was usurped before we could be officially bound to each other."

"Bound," the Titan repeated, "you are bound to her? In what way," he was genuinely interested in Loki's answer.

The delight in the question did not escape the Trickster's ears. He scolded himself; he gave them a perfect opportunity to manipulate him by using Liya. Loki glared at Thanos, as much as he wanted to defy the Titan, he had already given away too much to try and rebel against him. Loki scoffed at himself, quite the tactician he turned out to be.

Loki heaved a sigh that sunk his shoulders, "Yes, we are and have been bonded since," he gave a thoughtful pause about their time together and a smile played at the left side of his mouth, "before she was born." Loki thought back to the memory when Saga was still pregnant with Amaliya and how she reacted to his voice as he spoke to the yet unborn princess; a smile crossed his mouth but then faltered.

"Quite the stretch of time," Thanos remarked. Maw returned without Liya and the Titan turned, "How is our patient fairing?"

"Her wounds were substantial, Sire," he reported. "The princess will make a full recovery," at Maw's words Loki blew out a breath of relief, this did not go unnoticed from the three aliens standing in front of him. Maw continued, "She has been sedated." There was a pregnant pause, "Sire," he questioned Thanos, "her injuries and how she received them intrigue me."

"How so," the Titan questioned.

"The damage she sustained should have killed her. I would," he gave a respectful bow of his head, "with your permission, repeat her injuries and test her tolerance and resiliency to other forms of pain."

Loki looked sickened as Thanos' face was set in deep contemplation. The Trickster tried to think of something, anything to keep Amaliya from being tormented by this creature, even if it was to give up his own life; at that thought the Titan grinned evilly.

"That depends on our new ally," Thanos chuckled. "What say you King of Asgard? Do you sacrifice the woman you are bound to or do you sacrifice yourself in her place?"

Loki did not hesitate to drop to his knees, "I pledge my undying service and fealty to you almighty Thanos."

Thanos gave an approving smile turning to Maw, "For now let her heal, we will see how far his undying service will last."

"Thank you Thanos," Loki said relieved at what he heard.

"Don't thank me just yet," he told the Trickster sternly. He approached Loki along with the other being, "There is still the case of testing your loyalty and trust in me."

"I will do all that you ask of me," Loki reassured Thanos.

The Titan smiled, "Even if I ask you to kill the princess?"

The devastation that moved over the Asgardian was observed by all, "What good could come of her death?" There was a palpable edge of anger in his voice.

"Nothing more than to prove yourself to me," Thanos stated flatly, "I will ask once more, will you kill her if ordered?"

Loki hung his head in deep despair, if he agreed to it, even hypothetically, he would once more betray the trust Amaliya had so naively put into him. If he declined he would surely be killed leaving Liya at the mercy of the Titan and his followers. The Trickster's posture fell as he uttered, "Yes."

The word echoed around the cold and unfeeling ship as the guilt of his decision pounded around the Asgardian threatening to drill him into the metal below his feet. He moved his head with great difficulty to look at Thanos to see the giant alien grinning from ear to ear seeing how easily the prince had been broken.

"Well now you have shown I can trust you," Thanos said triumphantly, turned to Maw, "Keep our lovely guest comfortable, she will need to be fully healed to handle what is to come next. Have Gamora keep guard and clothe her when she regains consciousness."

Maw bowed his head, "Yes, Sire," he turned walking down the hallway once more.

"You may follow him," the Titan told Loki, "We will speak at length later. For now go to her and gather your strength."

"Thank you mighty Thanos," Loki bowed following Maw to the med bay.

The other being turned to the Titan, "You would kill the princess?"

Thanos chuckled, "No she will prove more valuable to me alive and after what the Maw reported from her injuries she will definitely prove her worth."

"And what of the Tesseract," he asked anxiously.

Thanos gave another small laugh, "We will have our new ally retrieve it."