{To Be Continued}
Loki's eyes return to Odin's. "I refuse. This mortal is in more danger than what you know. The second this scandal slips out, Asgard will be ready to destroy me for producing an heir, along with her, from keeping that heir from being born." Odin sighs, looking over to Frigga, then to Thor, then back over to Loki. "My son, you should know, she will already be well taken care of when it comes to her safety." Loki scoffed, "rather than to send her back to Midgard, you're going to dwell into this situation, aren't you? Another stolen relic for your collection? Keeping Midgard at peace with us?" At that moment, a hand struck Loki across the cheek. He smirked, looking over to see it had been Frigga's own hand. "This child is no relic! It is your own flesh and blood!" Loki growled, "Flesh and blood created by mistake! Do you think I could ever be seen caring for a common mortal girl?" Thor smirked, "It's already quite obvious that you do, otherwise you wouldn't be turning down a chance at the crown once more, while considering the woman's safety." Loki's eyes narrowed at his brothers, "Don't twist my words, brother. I care nothing for that woman, nor the bastard she's carrying."
At that moment, all eyes turned to back to Odin, who looked completely enraged. "Leave us. I want to speak to him alone." Thor had quickly escorted a nervous Frigga out of the throne room. Odin began descending the stairs from the throne, to come face to face with Loki. He could see the fears within his son's eyes, no matter how hard he tried to conceal it. "My son, do you realize how terrified I was when your mother had announced she was with child. Even the All father was worried." Loki's eyes drifted away from Odin's. He remained silent for once, attempting not to have a complete mental breakdown right then and there. "When I returned from Jötunheim with you, even then I was petrified on being a father once more." Loki smirked, "We all know why that was." Odin took in a deep breath," Loki. I..." before he could finish, Loki's head snowed back, enraged, "I CANNOT DO THIS!" The deity's heart beating at a fast pace, "I cannot be a father. I just cannot bear to have a child to grow up, knowing its father was a monster. W-What am I to lie to it just as you did me? Tell it how incredibly happy I was to hear the news of its mother was expecting?" The princess hands trembled, causing the shackles to jingle, "For parents in Asgard to tell their children to stay far, far away from it because his father is a complete monster who nearly destroyed both Asgard and Midgard." Odin sighed; he had known there were to be rumors flying about soon, about why there were two mortals amongst the palace. One who's entire body was being taken over by a dark force, and the other...expecting the prince's child. Loki's eyes returned to Odin's pleadingly, "I'd rather be executed, than to bear witness to this. I beg of you." Execution, his pleading words made Odin feel as if a sword had been plunged into his heart. A gentle hand placed on Loki's shoulder, "My son, rest. It's what we all need at this time..."
While Loki had been escorted back to his private quarters, by no less than six guards, he had noticed the mortal girl had been placed in the same corridor as he resided in. He had a weary feeling as he walked by the golden doors that were heavily guarded. Inside of those chambers, was Corine. Her head lady in waiting had been drawing her a hot bath, filled with rose petals from the palace gardens. The aromatic scent filled the entire bed chamber. Corine patiently waited as she finished, "I'll take it from here. Go relax, you've done enough for me since I have arrived." The maiden nodded, as she exited the bathroom. Corine had stripped down from the silky gold bathrobe Frigga had left for her, stepping into the giant tub. She had laid her head back against the rim, sighing softly. Her hands placed gently on her stomach, attempting to relax. Her nerves were still beyond shot about everything; it was causing the poor girl to be completely restless. Whatever her lady in waiting had put in this bath was working, her eyes became heavy, as they slowly began closing. It only lasted a moment, when she heard a deafening scream come from the other room, then what sounded like something heavy had fallen. Her blue eyes shot back open, as she sat up a bit from the water. Corine grew worried, it was a large spider crawling? A mouse? Corine perked a brow, "Aria...is everything alright?" Complete silence, which has Corine become weary. In that moment, she felt something entangle in her auburn tresses, yanking her head backwards. She was still lying there in the water, when something cold and sharp was placed against her throat, "Scream, and I'll slit this pretty little throat of yours," a voice lowly growled into her ear. Corine was trembling, her eyes averted to a creature, with elf like ears stormed into the bathroom. The creature, and whatever was behind her began talking in a language she could not understand. Corine could not bear it anymore, a shrill scream slipped out, "SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!" Someone was bound to have heard her cries for help, the windows through her bed chamber had been open to let the cool breeze in.
Down the corridor, Frigga and Thor had been strolling. Thor's immediately stopped when he heard the screams. "Wait here," he commands, as he raced down the long halls. Once he reached Corine's bedchamber, his eyes grew wide at the sight of her assigned guards, lying in a pool of their own blood. The doors had been torn off their hinges, and when he entered, both of her ladies in waiting had been slain. Thor gripped Mjölnir tightly in his hand, as he slowly crept towards the bathroom. His eyes caught a glimpse of a dark elf, and their leader, Malekith. He knew exactly what they had come for, but little did they knew, they had found the wrong mortal. He swiftly sprinted in, swinging the Mjölnir towards Malekith. The dark elf turned, and quickly disappeared. Thor reached his hand out to command the hammer to return to his hand. The dark elf that held Corine hostage, yanked her up by the locks of her hair he had a tight grip on. It had appeared she had already been swiped by the dagger across her bare chest. Blood had spilt into the tub, for her wound. In a split second, before Thor could even attempt anything, the elf groaned loudly. His hands released Corine, causing her to fall back into the tub. The elf dropped to the ground, revealing Loki had appeared behind him, and plunged one of his daggers into its back. Loki looked distraught. He had been awoken by Frigga, barely giving him time to dress fully, seeing he was only wearing the leather pants and his boots from earlier.
Loki rushed over to Corine with a thin, white bath sheet, scooping the wounded woman up out of the bloody tub. Frigga and Odin, followed by at least a dozen guards came rushing in. Loki scrambled to cover Corine's bare body, not daring to reveal her bare self. Odin growled, turning to the army of guards behind them, GO! Search the halls! Get to the prison!" Loki kept Corine close to him, in a tight embrace. His chin resting on the top of her head, and he stared at the bodies of her ladies in waiting. "Thor, go to Jane. We will take over from here," Frigga said in a calm tone. Thor, nodding slowly, swiftly made his way out, while Frigga knelt by Loki and Corine, "Is she wounded?" Loki nodded, "Below her collar bone, a rather deep cut." Corine flinched as Frigga gently pulled down the thin sheet, only to reveal her wound. The All mother carefully examined the wound. It was indeed a deep cut. The Queen's eyes avert up to her son's, "Loki, carry her to the healing room," her eyes avert to Odin's, "She will need to have more guards by her side, what if they had slain her? Her guards being no help being only posted outside of her door." Before Odin could speak, Loki spoke up, "She will remain in my quarters. Any of her belongings, will be moved in there, immediately."