Chapter 9:

Sora pulled open the last curtain at the bay window at the back of the house. Letting in the light, she stared out the glass at the pale evening sky. Only a sliver of the sun hung on the tree-lined horizon, quickly disappearing behind the mountain. As the darkness came Sora wished that the hours would grow shorter so that she may slip off to bed and forget about her troubles. Yet she felt that even if this were so, thoughts of Loki would plague her mind for the remainder of her exile.

It was a difficult thing leaving her life in Asgard behind and she was beginning to feel the weight of her decision pressing down on her as the night overtook her secluded home. She had not realized until that moment how truly alone she was. It wasn't just the place, or the infinite woods stretching out around her. It was the growing absence of her hope to ever be able to return and the swelling fear that she may not be able to save Asgard.

Running her weary fingers through her hair, Sora pulled away from the window and took a deep breath to calm herself. A tear came to her eye but she blinked it away, not wanting to let her emotions get the better of her. There was no point in despairing, especially this early in the game. Walking to the kitchen, she escaped out the back door and headed into the woods to find the river.

The grass bent softly from her footfalls and brushed against her ankles as she headed forwards through the tree line. Dew hung on the foliage and dripped off of the branches of the stately trees. A large droplet would fall onto her head or onto one of shoulders every now and then, slowly dampening her hair and clothes. Sora did not mind this nor did she mind the mud and bits of leaves gathering on her shoes, she liked becoming better acquainted with the woods. It was soothing and put her mind on other things and better times. Yet she couldn't help but dig up old memories of Loki. Knowing that they would only harm her in the long run, she pushed them out of her mind. Thinking of him would only be painful since she was resolved to fight him.

The very woods she was walking in were thousands of years old. The trees grew slowly with the age and never died as a result of the troubles of the outside world. This place held much magic and history. And although it was old, it still looked perfectly untouched. These woods were ancient and wise, faithful and comforting; Sora knew she shouldn't be thinking of Loki in this place, but she could not help it.

Spotting a large tree with a forked trunk close to the path, she set about climbing it. Finding a limb to rest on, she stretched out her legs and closed her eyes. She knew the river was just up ahead. The water could be heard flowing through the woods. However, the tree seemed far more inviting at the moment. Cradled in the branches with the last bit of the day's sunlight warming patches of her skin, she knew she had made the right decision. In a matter of minutes she unknowingly drifted off to sleep, too exhausted from stress and anxiety to keep awake.

"You're all going to Jotenhiem? To do what- fight?" Sora asked, hardly believing what she was hearing from Loki. It had been less than six hours ago since the attack in the relics vault and Thor had already planned a retaliation against the Frost Giants.

"We need to protect Asgard from any further attacks," he explained.

"No Loki, it's too dangerous. This is a reckless, impulsive plan born from Thor's anger. One of you is going to get hurt, or worse." She grabbed hold of his shoulders then to keep him from leaving. "Don't go," she begged.

"I must stand with my brother in this," he explained, leading them into a more private corridor so no one would hear their conversation. "He is going regardless if anyone else does. I have to be there for him."

Seeing the pleading look in her eyes nearly tore him apart. He knew what horrible anxiety he was putting her through but it could not be helped. Thinking of only one thing to do, Loki took her face in his hands and kissed her longingly. He savored the feel of her soft lips against his own knowing that it may be the last time he would.

The moment his lips touched hers, a fire lit in Sora. She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck. Her only thought was to not let him go, to keep him there with her where he'd be safe and out of harm's way. She couldn't let him go with Thor and the others.

"Open your mouth, Sora." Loki whispered between kisses, his voice was soft and laden with passion as he nuzzled her cheek in encouragement. All he wanted to do was fold himself into her.

Sora eagerly did as he asked, wanting more than anything to prolong his stay, and he immediately slipped his impatient tongue between her parted lips. She sighed softly as he tasted her and curled her fingers into his long hair. He wished he did not have to tear himself away from her but time was running out and he had to leave her and prepare himself for the bitter frost of Jotenhiem.

Withdrawing from her, he cupped her cheek in his hand and locked gazes with her. "I have to leave now. Go to the council meeting- pretend that you know nothing of this."

"No, I will not lose you to the Frost Giants!" she cried, gripping tightly onto his clothing. "Don't you see that Thor's plan is mad?"

"I do," he nodded, taking her hands in his and gently prying them from his emerald green tunic and running his thumbs over her knuckles. "But he is my brother."

Sora nodded then, still upset that he was going to go, but understanding why he had to. He pressed his warm forehead against hers then, closing his eyes in a silent goodbye before letting go of her.

"Promise that you will come back," she whispered.

"I promise."

He kissed her one more time before he ran down the hall then towards the armory. Sora watched him until he disappeared from her sight. It took all her willpower to be able to let him leave. She knew that only bad things would come of Thor's venture to the ice planet but she had to allow Loki to do his duty to his family. He would have to do the same thing for her if it were her in his place.

Sora's eyes snapped open then, nearly jumping out of her sleep. Gripping onto the tree branch above and below her, she steadied herself. She couldn't have been asleep from more than five minutes because the sun had not gone down yet. Dreaming of Loki put her on edge. She could help but fear that every time she closed her eyes, she would see him in the darkness.

Sora had deliberately betrayed him and she knew that her heart would never forgive her for it. Not even when it knew she was doing what was necessary to save Asgard. She supposed she would deal with that when the time came. But for now, she just had to sit with the knowledge that she was soon about to suffer a crippling loss.

AN: Changed some things from before in this chapter! Made some mistakes it didn't catch. After a long vacation I am finally back! Please let me know if you're still interested in reading. If not I won't update. So please REVIEW :)