Author's note - Well it's coming along just not as quickly as I hoped. Thank you all for reading, I truly appreciate it.
As always please enjoy, read, and review.
As they went over the dossiers Amaliya had such a strong feeling in her gut that this was all wrong. She knew giving the Tesseract to Thanos was wrong, but fighting those that would defend their world with fervor against those that would invade it so forcefully, she gently shook her head re-reading the information on Captain America. Wouldn't Asgard and Vanaheim do the same, hadn't her brothers and the armies of Asgard done the same from the Frost Giants and other forces of war that threatened peace and stability of their realms.
"Something wrong my Dove?"
Liya looked to Loki confusion and concern set deep into her pretty features, "Is this…" she paused trying to find the right words but nothing came. The princess looked back to the moving pictures on the screen, "wrong," she finished her thought but her voice was timid and quiet.
Loki took the tablet setting it down next to her, "Yes," he bluntly said. "I do not want to give up the Tesseract to Thanos and I do not want to put you through what we're about to experience. It will be messy and there will be many that will perish," he took her hands in his, "however Amaliya, I will do anything that I must to keep you safe."
"Is my safety really worth more than their lives?"
"Yes," Loki said without hesitation. "I took your safety for granted once and I will never do that again. You, my Dove, are more precious than any mortal," he told her with genuine love in his eyes. "I will not sacrifice you for any other life. You will die if we do not succeed in what the Titan wants. I cannot let that happen."
A mountain of guilt pounded down around the princess, she surely was not worth more than the thousands that would perish if the Mad Titan got his hands on the Tesseract. Her eyes met Loki's there was nothing but determination to triumph and love for her. Liya tried to push the guilt down and picked up the tablet again, it showed Captain America with a group of soldiers, one caught her eye. He had dark hair and eyes that were intense but an incredibly kind smile standing next to Rogers. The princess stared at this man with curiosity until a knock on the door interrupted her.
Barton entered, "Sir, we're ready."
"Thank you Agent Barton," Loki said standing and pulling Liya up with him. "You are prepared for the contingency?"
"Yes, Sir," he said handing a piece of paper to the Asgardian before nodding to Loki and then Liya as he left.
"Contingency," Liya questioned.
"Nothing for you to worry about Dove," he cradled her face, "Can you take us to 28 Koenigstrasse, Stuttgart, Germany," he opened the paper Barton had handed him with coordinates and a street view of where they needed to be.
Liya nodded studying the map and picture taking Loki's hands in hers. She hoped knowing where to go would help her get there with some accuracy as she had very little knowledge of Midgard and did not know where they currently were except that they were underground. The princess concentrated on the image and there were outside where they needed to be with little effort.
The air had a chill making goosebumps rise on her exposed flesh. It was dark but there were lights on buildings and on corners that made the dark, wet streets glow. There were hundreds of people milling about on the streets and walkways, and the noise was almost overwhelming. Vehicles and music and people talking all melded together were causing a cacophony. Loki pulled the Vanir under his arm, she notice the spear was now a golden cane, and the jewel that held the Mind Stone was the grip. Loki held the cane just below the stone as they walked to the building. They entered what looked like a museum surreptitiously making their way to the second floor.
The walked along the balcony pausing for a moment; Liya broke away from the prince to look at the tapestry behind them. It was exquisitely woven and exceedingly beautiful. She felt cold fingertips on her shoulders but didn't react; she knew it was Loki behind her. Liya took a deep breath, whatever happened in the next few moments she would have to be on board completely.
Loki turned her face him giving her a warm smile as he looked over her features, "You are so beautiful," he whispered against the music filling up the building from the ground floor. He grazed her face with his hand, "I want you to stay behind me," he gently commanded the princess, "I do not want you getting caught in the chaos that will consume the mortals."
Liya nodded gazing down at the unsuspecting creatures, "What will happen?"
"I am not sure," he turned his head to the crowd of people below, "let us find out," he grinned.