"Well hello, slave girl." The man said with a twisted grin on his face.
Sorrow swallowed nervously, not sure what to do. "My lord? Is there something I can do for you?" She asked quietly.
"So shy. How did he manage to get you? Flattery?" The man asked.
"What do you mean?" Sorrow asked, rather confused. She had a bad feeling about this man.
"The Prince of course. You two are just so happy together. Too happy." The man said, his twisted grin dropping into an evil glare.
"I don't know what you mean." Sorrow said quickly, swallowing nervously.
The man grabbed Sorrow roughly by the arm and pushed her until her back hit the wall painfully. She whimpered in fright. The man leaned forward and whispered into her ear. "Don't you remember me? I promised you my affections only a few years ago." His breath tickled her ear.
Sorrow's heart pounded heavily in her rib cage. "I don't remember you." She whispered urgently.
"You should. Look closer." The man said.
Sorrow's eyes widened in horror as the man started laughing. But it wasn't the guard's laugh. It was cold and manically. It was Loki's. She watched as the guard's sandy hair started stretching longer, becoming a tar black, his light blue eyes hardening into icy cold ones. He grew taller and slimmer, a grin stretching across his pale face. It was Loki. And he was laughing. "Did you really think I would ever love a slave?!" Loki barked out a laugh. His mocking rang in her ears.
"This isn't real…" She said in a whisper.
Loki grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up at him. "It is more real than you think, fool!" He sneered. Sorrow felt tears sting her eyes. He shoved her into the wall harder.
She gasped. "Loki… you're hurting me!" She felt panic flutter in her heart.
Loki smirked."Good." His hand gripped her neck, choking the life out of her.
"Stop!" She choked out.
"Why, my sweet little whore? Does it hurt?" His hand tightened around her neck, his fingers becoming icy. They burned her skin with cold. Her head started to pound. She could feel her neck freezing over, making it impossible to breathe and excruciatingly painful at the same time. Tears slipped down her panicked face as she made one last attempt to plead with Loki. "You. Are. Nothing. To. Me." He spat slowly, each word like a blade through her heart.
"Sorrow!" She heard Loki shout, but it wasn't the Loki that was choking her.
Her deep blue eyes bolted open as she was startled awake by the dream. Loki was leaning over her, resting on his elbow, his hand on hers. Sorrow looked from his hand to his worried features. His black hair was a little messy, his pale chest bare, rising and falling. "Sorrow?" He whispered again.
Sorrow wiped the tears from her eyes and fell back onto her pillow. "I'm sorry…" She whispered brokenly. "For waking you…" She added after a moment.
"My Queen, I care not that you woke me. What haunts you?" he asked gently, his hand cupping the side of her face. Sorrow felt more tears leak out of her eyes. She started sobbing, her chest shaking with silent cries of terror. She felt Loki's strong arms wrap around her and pull her to his chest. He stroked her hair, whispering sweet nothings into her brown locks as he kissed the top of her head. He felt her hot tears splash onto his chest and the cold sweat clinging to her forehead stick to his cool skin. He rubbed his hands up and down her back, trying to sooth her. "Wipe away your tears, my love. I know not what dark visions plagued your dreams, but it must be a heavy burden. I do not expect you to tell me, but perhaps it may lessen the weight.…"
Sorrow met his icy blue eyes. She remained quiet for a moment, her eyes closed, trying to push away the images. "Do you… truly... care for me?…" She asked in a whisper.
Loki pulled her close into his chest once more. "Sorrow… my Queen… I love you more than anything and care for you above everything."
Sorrow shivered. "But I am… was… just a slave. How could you love me?!"
Loki brushed the damp hair that was sticking to her face with tears out of her face. His thumb ran over her cheek, wiping away fresh tears. "You were never a slave, love. Not to me. You were and still are an angel."
"No!" She pushed his chest, trying to get away, still shaken by the dream. She felt her head spin with confusion.
Loki let go of her momentarily, seeing how frightened she was. "Tell me of your dream." He whispered soothingly.
Sorrow pulled the green blanket to her face, breathing in Loki's scent, burying her face in the soft fabric. She took several deep breaths, focusing on the man next to her. His calming words, his caring eyes, his brows drawn together in worry. "He… he turned into you… and you were hurting me… and saying hateful things…" Sorrow started crying again.
Loki pulled her close against him, giving her a safe haven in which she could shed her tears without being judged. "It was a dream, love. Tell me who this man was who dared lay a finger on you, even in your dream." Loki whispered.
Sorrow sighed. "Brandt…. It was… it was the night… that night… and I was walking in the hall… and he was talking to me, and he turned into you…. and you were saying such hateful things… I am a fool… I'm sorry…" Her deep blue eyes drifted closed as tears continued to fall.
"You are a Goddess, not a fool. I would never do what that coward did. I would never hurt you. I will hold you all night if I must to make sure those dark visions do not return. When next you wake from dreaming, fear in your heart and a gasp in your throat, know this… Even before my name escapes your lips in a plea for my presence, I will be there." Loki pulled her back into his arms.
Sorrow placed a small kiss on his chest. "Must you use your sliver tongue at this moment?" Loki smiled lightly. "It comes naturally, love. And it is truth. I love you."
"I love you too…"
It was quiet for several moments more. Loki looked down at his wife who was now asleep. Her small body was pressed against his, her cheeks still damp, a sad look still on her face. Loki ran a hand through her silky hair before he kissed her forehead again, his lips lingering on her skin. "Sleep peacefully, Sorrow. I will fight away your demons."