After returning my plate to the kitchen and telling Agnes I'm busy and can't help with lunch preparations, I hang my apron on a hook by the door and head for Loki's room. I don't have a clue what to expect. How does he even know how to train me? Has he met someone with my power before? And how, exactly, does he plan on using my powers to his advantage? When I said I won't kill anyone, I meant it, and I intend to keep that promise.

Apparently the guards have been told to allow my passage, because they don't so much as blink when I enter the hallway. I walk through and stop outside Loki's door, taking a breath to calm myself. I just need to learn what I can from him before he gets captured. He thinks he's going to win the Chitauri battle and rule Earth, so he thinks that I'll be useful to him after that. He doesn't plan on me using my powers at the gala, so I just need to relax. Taking another deep breath, I knock lightly on the door.

"Enter," comes the muffled answer. I open the door and step inside, the corners of my mouth curling upward as I take in the green and gold decor again.

"Something amuse you?" Loki turns to face me, setting his scepter down on his dresser. I look at him, a smirk forming on my features.

"Well, if I had any doubt as to your favorite colors before, I have none now."

Loki smirks back. "So you have taken to criticizing my choice of decor now?"

I exchange my smirk for a perfectly innocent face. "Oh no, of course not, your royal highness. I think green and gold suits you very well! Gold for your gorgeous ego and green for your charming snake-like personality!"

I do my absolute best to keep the keep the grin off my face as Loki lowers his brows at me. "Are you insulting me, mortal?"

I cant help it; I let out a laugh. "No, of course I'm not insulting you. How stupid do you think I am? Lighten up, I'm just teasing you!"

Loki continues to glare at me, and I sigh, my smile fading. "You do realize it's rude to stare, right?"

He still doesn't answer, so I throw my hands in the air and roll my eyes. "Fine. Nevermind." I sit in one of his armchairs and cross my legs, resting my chin on my fist and returning his glare. If he wants to be rude, I'll be rude back. I didn't know he was so annoying...

"You are not like most other mortals, are you?" Loki asks, gaze not quite as harsh as a moment ago. I raise my eyebrows.

"You're only just now realizing that?"

Loki rolls his eyes. "Well, I can't say I know you very well, since we just met two days ago."

I frown. "Wait, two days ago? I thought...how long was I out from the drugs?"

"Twelve hours."

"What?!"

Loki smirks. "You should listen better, so you don't have to ask me to repeat everything I say."

I roll my eyes at him. "Since you haven't figured that out either, I'll explain. It's something we Midgardians say as an expression of surprise. Basically, we're just making sure we heard correctly. Like, you said twelve hours?! How strong was that drug anyway?"

"Strong enough to put you to sleep for twelve hours," Loki deadpans. I stare for a second, then snort and shake my head.

"Whatever. Are you going to help me control my powers?"

Loki nods. "Come with me." He exits the room with me on his heels.

"Where are we going?"

"To a place where I can train you."

"Um, you can't just teach me anywhere? I don't explode, you know. I just turn invisible." I grin a little, speeding up so I can walk next to him. Which requires a lot more speed than I thought. Good grief, he's got really long legs!

Loki gives me a side glance as we walk out of the hallway and across the main area. "We will need room to spar."

My eyes widen, and I stop. "Wait, what?"

Loki keeps walking, and I have to just about sprint to catch up. "You heard me, Victoria," he says, sounding a bit annoyed.

"Sorry, it's a habit. Why do you want to spar?"

Loki sighs. "I want to know how well you can fight. If you are going to help me, you will need fighting skills."

I furrow my brows. "Well, you're gonna be disappointed. I am nowhere near your level of expertise when it comes to fighting."

"We shall see."

We continue across the main area, and then into yet another tunnel, leaving the orderly chaos of Loki's world-domination plan behind. As we walk, I breathe a sigh of relief. Loki looks over- or should I say down- at me, with a smirk on his face. "You sound quite relieved."

I raise an eyebrow, looking up at him. Good grief, he must be at least a foot taller than me! "I am relieved. That place is incredibly noisy."

One corner of his mouth turns up. "True. But it's necessary."

"Uh huh. Yeah. Totally necessary for you to—" Suddenly I stop talking. Wait...he's being forced to do this. For once, think about what you say before you say it, Vikki!

Loki stops abruptly and looks down at me again, and I'm taken aback by the emotion I see in his bright blue eyes. There is anger, but also pain. And...fear? "It is more necessary than you realize, mortal. I am doing this world a favor by taking the throne. You do not know what terror would-"

"Yes I do!"

Loki stares at me, suspicion in his gaze again. "What do you mean?"

I purse my lips, then shake my head, thinking quickly. You shouldn't have said that, Victoria... "I know exactly what kind of terror would be unleashed on this world if you had not come. I know who you work for."

I can see the fear in Loki's eyes more clearly now. But he does a good job keeping it hidden, his face a mask of calm control. "How?"

"He's a part of the story. He's the one who sent you here, the one who is going to give you your army. I also know that he..." I trail off, not wanting to finish that sentence.

"He what? Tell me!" Loki demands. I look away, unable to hold his gaze.

"He tortured you," I answer quietly.

Torture is something that I have always hated with every fiber of my being, but seeing someone who has experienced it makes it so much more real. I can't imagine what he went through at the merciless hands of Thanos. I imagine that the only reason Loki was mind controlled was because he wouldn't break under the torture. The very thought makes me want to tear the murderous Titan apart with my bare hands, but it also ignites a deep compassion in me for the man standing before me. He is conflicted, afraid, and in pain, and he is not fully in control of his own actions, because he is subject to the same mind control that he has inflicted on many others.

I look back up and meet Loki's eyes, starting slightly as I fully comprehend for the first time that he truly is real. This is not just some crazy story that I got stuck in. It's not a dream. He's just as real as I am. And his pain is real, too.

Loki's fists clench, and I can see his entire body tense. I look down. "There are a lot of things about this story that I wish I didn't know, that I wish had never- I mean, will never- happen. I...I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up."

We stand there for a moment in tense silence, with me berating myself the whole time. Vikki, why do you ever open your mouth?! Then Loki takes a deep breath, and I look up at him. "Perhaps it is time for you to tell me the rest of this story, Victoria."

...and here we go again...

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading! I am truly amazed at how well this story has taken off! I had no idea so many people would read my story when I first started a few weeks ago. I hope all of you love reading this story as much as I love writing it!

AuthorsDream, singing off.