The lights faded as we landed in my shrine. I moved forward quickly and cradled Loki in my arms. His breathing was shallow, labored.
"Loki…" I whispered. "If you can hear me, brace yourself—this is gonna hurt."
Loki winced once, but said nothing. Except unintelligible moans.
I lay my hands on his chest. I had to admit, even all beaten up, he was beautiful. I placed my hands on his chest, and the runes sped around his body until he was Marked.
My job done, I placed my hands on the wound and healed him. I lowered my face and kissed him once before letting him go.
Blearily, Loki opened his eyes.
"Mortal fool." He spat. "How dare you spill the blood of a god!"
I backed off. He held up his hand which crackled with power, and then died.
"What mockery is this?!" Loki stood and glared at me, then lights surrounded him, and once again, they died. "My power! What have you done, wretch?!"
"You are bound, Loki." I said softly. "You cannot harm me or leave this place. I apologize, but I am under orders."
"Who?! Who would dare—"
"Can you think of no one?" I laughed.
"I can think of many." Loki snapped. "But none with the power you seek."
I placed the food on the table. "A higher power, perhaps."
"I AM THE HIGHER POWER!"
I just laughed again.
"Not anymore, you're not."
Something seemed to occur to him. Oh here it comes…
Loki stumbled out the infirmary door.
The door opened onto a landing. Over the railing was a huge building. Visible was a dining hall, a training area (people were fighting with magical weapons and powers), a bathing area (you couldn't see anything except steam from the baths) and a mission control area (people were listening to announcement and standing in teams).
"Where the hell am I?" Loki yelled.
Several people looked up and laughed, then went back to training.
"Welcome to the Order of the Lotis."