Chapter 19

I woke with sickness. Acid raised up my throat forcing me to run to the bathroom. There was no time for thinking, I threw in the bathtub. I tried to think what I ate to disturb my stomach, but then I realized it wasn't about the food. It was blood. Another alarm of stone ripping me apart. Blood was in my hair and drops it over my dress, but I had to sit down and wait for the dizziness to pass. I thought I was finally getting better. How did I fool myself into that?

"Isabella..?"

Did I care that he will see me like this? I wanted to think no, but it will always be yes. I cared because I didn't want to be seen as weak, though I will always be weaker than any of the gods. I wanted to prove myself, but how could I ever do anything with this useless body? I had my stone and my mind, but one was killing me and my mind wasn't the happiest place. Was I ready to take control of Loki's mind, try to control him? No. Never.

"What happened here?" I rolled my eyes. Why are you asking me if you know I can not reply? Fool! "Can you get up?"

Maybe. Probably. Why did he ask if he pulled me up second later.

"I woke in an empty bed."

Should I be sorry for that?

"No, Isabella." Why are you smiling? "There is a first time for everything."

Lucky me.

"Hands up."

He was undressing me, but there was no need to be embarrassed in front of him. I might be naked, but he didn't stare at my body while his eyes were on a level with mine. Maybe I should be offended, but then again, I wasn't entirely sure I want to be seen as attractive to Loki. What good would that bring me? Anyway, while I was processing all that, Loki cleaned the bath of blood and filled it with water and soap. I guess it is time for a bath.

"Try not to drown." He was sitting on edge of bathtub while I was covered with foam. As always, to talk with him, I had to touch him.

You're not blue anymore.

"But you are." He pointed at my chest. "Look at your hands." They healed. "The stone... It is both helping and destroying you. Feeding on host to grow stronger, but hesitating to be bare."

I get it. I should be dead.

"Odds are not in your favour. Then again, neither were six months ago, but you still live... And we do not know for how long before that you hosted stone." He calls it stone I call it a parasite.

I was fine before Chiaturi.

"Someone prone to accidents like you, was never truly fine."

Says the man who... I didn't finish that thought. It was vile.

"What?"

Nothing.

"I will find eventually."

You might, but then I could make you forget.

"Could you really?"

I did it to your mother, that is what I wanted to say. But I didn't want to risk having him try to drown me in the bathtub. He loved Frigga, I don't doubt he would kill me on the spot if he ever found out. That is why he will never know. Getting in his head seemed like mission impossible. Maybe I could get in and find what I am looking for, but could I make him forget? He is a trickster, god of lies and therefore the man who is better not angered.

Yes.

"Interesting... But would you do it?"

No.

"Why not?"

You're more fun this way... And the only person here who can I talk with.

"Is that only reason."

No.

It is a pretty good one. I miss it, my voice I mean. I spent years in silence, rather listening what others have to say, and now, I would do anything just to be able to shout, make people hear me.

"In that case you would scream for help when my mask fell."

I deal well with freaky. And you might have a mask, but I've seen through it before. I elaborated on that part. Odin would rather invite a goat to breakfast than me.

"You knew."

Not from beginning, but I suspected. He wouldn't allow to be killed so easily.

"Did you mourn?" His question surprised me.

Loki was staring at me with his beautiful eyes and what he wanted was sincerity. But I didn't mourn for him, did he want to hear that? When he was gone did I miss him? I thought about him, I developed understanding for him, but I never stopped being aware that what he is capable of. His death never made any sense to be, that is why I didn't mourn. I couldn't mourn for somebody I doubted was dead. I hoped he wasn't.

I didn't think you were dead.

"I'm flattered you think highly of my survival instincts."

I actually think Thor is an idiot and easy to fool, but whatever.

"Bubbles disappeared." That made my cheeks rosy. I didn't think much of being naked in front of him, but that was before bubbles disappeared.

Does my naked body bother you?

I let go of his hand, regaining awareness of being mute. Water was getting cold and it was time to get out of the bathtub and grab a towel. My actions might be translated as sexual, but that wasn't my worry. Loki is my only company in this freaking realm and I am his. I am mortal surrounded by gods and he is a betrayer. Clearly we are doomed to stick together. And I'll do my best to look at least somewhat confident, my naked butt might not be the best way for that, but options are limited.

"Not at all."

Lovely couple, aren't they?