I'm sorry I was not able to post up the new chapter sooner. I had a lot going on but I promise to post up chapter 27 as soon as I can. Enjoy!

While Loki and Jormungand were talking to the prisoner, Rai, Hella and Fenrir were in the kitchen. It was deathly quiet, aside from the bubbling of the stew and maids chopping vegetables. Rai was eyeing every single servant closely. Fenrir and Hella's gaze never left anyone who was preparing the meal. "This is ridiculous." Fenrir sat on a nearby stool but before he could eat an apple, Hella slapped it out of his hand. He glared at her. "Brother really! Use your head! Father was almost poisoned, do you not think that apple could have been tampered with as well?" He looked thoughtful for a second, and then sighed heavily.

"My children should not have to worry if every meal they have will be their last…" Rai took hold of everyone's attention. "Take this as your first and only warning… anyone caught tampering with anything that belongs to his highness King Loki and his children shall be put to death, by me. No questions, no second chances. I have zero tolerance for such treachery. Every meal no matter how small or grand shall be inspected and monitored by me. His highness King Loki and his children shall not consume any kind of food or drink unless I say it is alright to do so. If anyone objects to this please say so now."

Everyone stayed quiet. No one could even bear to look up at her. "Good." Was all she said and everyone went back to cooking. About an hour later, dinner was ready and Rai asked Hella to wait at the table. She sent Fenrir to bring back his father and brother. A few minutes later, Fenrir informed Rai that they were all seated and ready to eat.

Once again, the servants started to serve the food. Loki eyed all of them closely. Rai knew they were very uncomfortable in this situation since Loki was glaring at them. Once everything was served and the drinks were put out, they bowed to Loki and quietly dismissed themselves. The children eyed and picked at their food.

"It's alright. I made sure everything was made properly. Nothing escaped my gaze. Go ahead and eat." She smiled at them and they hesitantly began to eat. Rai noticed some blood on Jormungand's chin. "Jor… is that… blood on your chin?" Jormungand quickly took a napkin and whipped the blood off.

"Uh…yes mother." Rai looked over to Loki who only smirked. "I told you I couldn't promise not to hurt the traitor." "What happened Loki?" "Jormungand transformed to his snake self and devoured the bastard." Loki seemed pleased with himself and Jormungand had a smirk on his face. Fenrir patted his brother on the back and gave him a confidant smile. Rai sighed. "Did you at least figure out who was behind all this?" Loki's smirk quickly disappeared. "Yes… we shall discuss it after dinner." Rai nodded and began to eat.

~ After Dinner ~

The children had all gone back to their bedrooms to rest. Loki and Rai were in Loki's bedroom talking. "Well, what happened?" Rai flopped down onto Loki's bed. He stared out the bedroom window, his gaze never leaving the Bi-frost. Sighing heavily and not looking at her he said, "It was Sif." Rai gasped and sat up on the bed. "Do not fret my pet… I shall deal with her and the warriors three myself." He continued to look onto the Bi-frost. Rai placed a hand on his shoulder but he did not look at her.

"My love… allow me to punish this traitor…" Rai rested her chin on his shoulder and he sighed heavily. "No Rai… I must deal with this alone…" Rai stood quiet for a moment before sitting back down on the bed. "Loki… what has gotten into you?... You seem… off somehow…" Loki then looked at her with sadness in his eyes. He then stared at the floor and sat next to her.

"I do not understand why… why am I made to be such a horrible man… why is it that Thor is always favored upon… why is it that Thor is so… always so perfect in everyone's eyes?... why does father favor him…" Rai gently took hold of Loki's hand and kissed it.

"I will do whatever I can to have the kingdom look upon you as a great ruler my love. Do not worry about such petty things alright? You leave that to me." She gave him a warm smile and he tried to smile back. "Now now Loki... no more sadness please? Remember you have me and the children and we will love you regardless of anything. It breaks my heart to see you this way…" Loki kissed Rai's forehead and nodded.

"Yes… I apologize for this behavior… it is not like me to act so weak and foolish… I assure you my pet once I have delt with Thor and that traitor Sif, all shall be well again." Rai hugged Loki as they lay in bed. "What will you do with them?" "I shall pay a little visit to my dear brother down in Midgard tomorrow… I shall convince him to stay and never return. As for Sif… if you find her do not harm her. I shall deal with her once I have returned."

Rai pouted and looked up at Loki. "But love… I can make her pay for what she did… It is my duty to protect you after all…" Loki chuckled. "Yes I know but I want the satisfaction of making her regret her actions and then watching her die by my hand."

"I love it when you get this way Loki…" Rai sat on top of Loki and straddled him. "Oh? What's this now?" Loki raised an eyebrow. "Well… aside from protecting you… I must also please his highness…" She started to slowly take off his shirt and kiss his chest. "Is that so…" Loki let out a lust-filled grunt. As she started to remove his pants, she felt a bulge appear and she smiled up at him. Again he raised an eyebrow at her. She quickly got off him and turned away from him. He was confused and turned her over. "Something wrong love?"

Rai pouted and said nothing. He stared at her for a minute before asking again. "Well?" Trying to hide her smile she replied, "I love it when you're bad Loki…" He smirked. He knew what she wanted. "I thought you liked to be in control my dear." Loki forced her to look at him and she pouted. "I know not of what you speak." "Is that so?..." He was kissing her neck and moving slowly down towards her breasts and she gasped.

"Oh my king…" he immediately stopped and looked up at her. She smiled and licked her lips. "Woman… you will be the death of me…"

~ In the morning ~

Loki woke up rather early with Rai still in his arms. He quickly and quietly slipped away from her, got dressed, and made his way towards the Bi-frost. He would go talk to Thor and convince him to stay in Midgard.

Rai awoke and to her disappointment, no Loki to be found. She found a note stating he had gone to Midgard to take care of Thor. Rai smiled. Though she promised not to hurt Sif, she didn't promise not to scare her. Or rather, confront her of what happened. She walked all over the palace but could not find Sif anywhere. She was about to give up when suddenly, turning a corner in the hallway she was walking down, was Sif and the warriors three talking. Rai quietly started to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"We must go to Thor and tell him that Loki has taken the throne… we must bring him back!" Sif started pacing. "I agree lady Sif but… what of Loki?" Frandall seemed worried. "What of him?" Sif stopped and put her hands on her waist. "How will we go to Thor when Loki controls everything now?... Even Heimdall?..." "Do not worry my friend… I will find a way to get us to Thor."

"Conspiring against your king are we?" Rai turned the corner and confronted them. Sif shot her an angry glare and the warriors three stood quietly in shock. "You know perfectly well Loki is no king!" Rai slapped Sif as hard as she could making Sif's cheek red and burning in pain. She was about to hit Rai back but Hogun placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her.

"Let us settle this once and for all Sif. Now. At the training grounds." Sif continued to glare at Rai but nodded in agreement. Thankfully, Hella was also making her way down the hallway when she heard and saw what happened. Quickly she made her way to the throne room where she knew her brothers would be. After informing them of what had transpired, the three siblings made their way to the training grounds.