Here's chapter 20... Wow, I can't believe this has become so well-liked that I can continue to find inspiration to write so many chapters!
Thank you all so much viewers, but especially thephoenixandthedragon4ever for reviewing every chapter and sharing all your wonderful thoughts, opinions and questions! You are awesome and I hope to hear from you as this story continues from subplot to subplot.
Now, ON WITH THE STORY!
Previously
"Now you're officially a part of the family now." Dean says, smiling and throwing an arm around Isabella's shoulders. Sam agrees and wraps an arm around her waist, both hugging her, Cas sneakily taking a picture of the trio. Loki looks on proudly, feeling a sense of completeness fill the hole in his heart vacated by his supposed family.
Now if only Sleipnir, Jörmungandr, and little Narvi were here. Then things would be perfect.
Chapter 20
"No, no, I'm telling you, we should use the Old Magick runes instead of the other ones." Isabella insists, flat on her back in the home they chose together soon after coming back from New York, legs propped up on the couch with Loki on his stomach next to her as they study the laptop that will inspire the protection, communication, etc. runes that they are planning on having engraved in their rings.
"But those may not be as powerful considering that they are practically ancient and may have lost their translated power with all of the variations. They are used as a base for many of the Kingdoms own languages and runes. That's all I'm trying to point out." Loki says, resting his head on her stomach. "Besides, all that matters is that I can know where you are if it's not with me and you are protected as well."
"Aww, you're so sweet even when you're too pig headed to admit I'm right." Isabella coos teasingly, running her fingers from her left hand through his hair, spiking it up then smoothing it back. Her ring only occasionally gets caught in his black strands as she draws out the runes she believes are best with her other hand. Loki snorts at her response and leans into her touch, rolling his eyes.
"Yes, yes, of course. You're the expert on all of this." He replies sarcastically, intertwining his fingers and resting them on his stomach. He looks at the runes she's drawing and is grudgingly impressed, even if he won't tell her.
"Well, only if you really think so." Comes her quick-witted response, then a laugh as he gets up and gently smacks her stomach before lying back down. "That was mean! You're the one who told me that!"
"You weren't supposed to agree though." He whines, pouting playfully as she laughs and resumes her hair-petting.
"Alright, I'm sorry." Isabella says, schooling her face into seriousness, "You are the master of everything and I am deeply sorry to have ever doubted you. Is that better?"
"Much." Loki says with smug satisfaction, smiling happily at the sound and feel of her laughter, knowing he won't ever get tired of hearing it. They share more quips and arguments back and forth on the runes before deciding to compromise:
Loki picks out the runes definition and they use the Old Magick runes.
...
"Sleipnir, are your sisters ready to go to Midgard?" Sigyn asks her eldest son, preparing the portal for four persons.
"Yes Mother, we are all ready to bring Father home." Sleipnir says seriously, his face bearing the marks of a soldier but lacking the true heart of one. He has the appearance of a twenty one year old, considering that those belonging to other worlds do not age as quickly as Midgardians. Jörmungandr, looking like an eighteen year old, comes to where they are, holding a six year old looking Narvi's hand. Narvi is simply excited to see her Papa again after so long of being apart, carrying the last doll he gave her; an exact replica of herself.
"Are you ready to go dear?" Sigyn asks with a fake caring tone, quite insincere as Narvi was the last try to keep Loki with her and since that failed, Narvi didn't serve a purpose. Sleipnir and Jörmungandr are her eyes and ears, and sometimes hit men when necessary. Like that time with Loki's new play toy he seems to like so much.
Dumb little man-stealer must have used her powers to trap him, else he would have come to me when he was released from Thanos' control. The only reason I married the idiot was to become Queen of Asgard or that dreadful Jotunheim. I gave him kids when he wanted kids; I let him rant and rave about how dreadful his brother/ father/ sometimes mother were to him. I deserved to be Queen after putting up with him for a thousand years or so! Never mind that we were separated about a hundred years before he found the Princess. It's such a shame I would have to get rid of her no-doubt spoiled self and absorb her power and memories in order to claim my rightful place as Queen of a realm.
"Mother, can we go see Papa now? I really miss him, even if he doesn't miss me." Narvi says sadly, holding onto the doll tightly to her chest, gripping her sister's just as tight. Sleipnir and Jörmungandr share a look that displays all the anger and disguised hurt their father's apparent abandonment caused them as they were growing up.
"Yes, let's go see Papa and his little who- girlfriend." Sigyn says with a tight smile, finishing with the portal and urging them to step through, thinking to herself,
Let's see if we can't get what we all want, hmm?
...
"Loki! The store didn't have that caramel and pecan sauce you like for the flan, but I got one I think you'll like- Oh, hello. I wasn't expecting company." Isabella calls out, loaded with grocery bags, not noticing the group of four in the living room of their home until after she looks in from the kitchen.
She puts the bags on the counter as Loki is occupied with talking with his little daughter Narvi. Clearing her throat, Isabella asks generally although her cool gaze is directed at Sleipnir and Jörmungandr, "Anybody hungry for food? Or would you prefer my head on a pike or body up in flames while you dance and yell 'witch'?"
Looking up at that tidbit, Loki sends Isabella a confused look. Rolling her eyes, she says as she washes her hands, "Go set the table and ask your guests what they would like to drink while I make lunch. Please."
He jumps up to do so after playing a little more with Narvi. Sigyn snorts and says derisively, "Never knew you to be the housewife type, my dear."
"Well, you never knew me very well anyway, sweetheart." Loki snaps out in return, setting the table with a little more force than absolutely necessary.
Isa shoots him a look as she lays out the ingredients for the dessert into the deep circular pan and turns in the stove that will heat up the condensed milk minimally. He shrugs and they silently communicate before he mumbles an apology and handles the dishes with more care.
Loki's elder children look on the exchange in shock, sharing a look before Jörmungandr gets up saying cautiously, "Would you mind if I helped you Miss..."
"Bane, Miss Bane, and no I do not mind. You can butter and reheat up the bread. Please don't forget to wash your hands." Isabella says indifferently, finishing up with the preparation of the homemade flan before putting the rest of the groceries away. "May I ask what you are doing her Sigyn and company?"
"I just wanted to meet the woman who has captured my ex-husband's attention so thoroughly. I figured she must be something to do what I could not. Or rather, giving him something I did not at this stage." Sigyn purrs out, crossing her legs and looking all the part of a particularly seductive woman.
Jörmungandr sees Isabella tense up and forcibly relax to appear indifferent to her allusion in her remarks, both herself and Loki holding back many rude comments for the sake of a content Narvi who is playing with her doll.
Loki comes and sits next to Sleipnir, trying to draw his aloof son into conversation, succeeding to a certain point while the girls finish in the kitchen.
When the bread and lasagna are finishing up in the oven, Isabella and Jörmungandr come join the group. Isa immediately sits with Narvi and talks with her, showing her how to dress the doll and praising how pretty the doll and owner are, Shadow joining in. Narvi responds positively to the praise and panther, not used to such attention and soaking it up eagerly. Loki looks on fondly, clearly enamored by the bakery owner.
A bell dings in the kitchen, signaling the finished lasagna and an end to the 15 minutes of awkward and angering conversation where Sigyn constantly puts in digs to the polite and respectful Isabella who deflects the insults and redirects the conversation expertly.
Loki is silently fuming with every dig and deflection, having many things he wants to say but knowing that none of them will endear him to his children, which is something he desperately wants.
The broken family and Isabella shift to the dining room where Isabella serves the right amount of food and drink to each person with cool precision and obvious habit. She puts the flan in before sitting next to Loki, holding her tongue for a break from the innocent ears before she really tears into the slightly unwelcome visitors.
Sleipnir and Jörmungandr are secretly impressed by this strong character actively, (and successfully), pushing back against their aggressive mother with grace and ease. They were impressed and surprised by the way she fought back against Sleipnir when he tried to kill her under Sigyn's orders. This Isabella Bane seems to best their mother in all ways possible, no doubt to Sigyn's annoyance and growing jealousy. The brother and sister pair should step back and observe the battle and swearing allegiance to the victor of the territory dispute.
Gathering up the plates, Isabella passes out smaller ones and cuts into the flan. Little Narvi tries it and scrunches up her noise in distaste, then yawns in a child's exhaustion. Isabella comes and squats by her chair, asking softly with a small smile, "Do you want to go lie down and rest?"
"Yes please Miss Isabeya." Narvi yawns, extending her arms to be carried. Jörmungandr starts to get up, knowing that her little sister is very picky as to who she allows to put her down to sleep, but Narvi shakes her head and says with a sleepy insistence, "I want Miss Isabeya to do it."
Sigyn scowls at that while Sleipnir raises a shocked eyebrow, surprised that his youngest sister is so attached to the Princess, as she is dubbed by all who hunt her, so quickly.
Loki smiles proudly, not surprised that his love has managed to make yet another innocent fall in love with her. She might have been known as the Ice Queen before him, but now she is a bona fide people persona with more followers than that One Direction boy band.
Isabella gives a wide, pleased, and honored smile to the little girls, scooping her into her arms and walking up the stairs to a guest room. Laying her down under the covers, Isa tucks her in and waits until she falls asleep to leave, spelling a silencing charm around the room and stationing Shadow at the door to keep watch over the youngling.
Time to give those people a piece of my mind, Isabella thinks with a straightening of her back and her weapons ready to strike.
They'll never know what hit them.
You bet they won't Isabella! I vote for you!
Next chapter should include the conversation, some revelations, and a visit from a surprising visitor.
Don't forget to write your thoughts and opinions; I love reading every one! Also, check out the new rings I put on my profile, I'd love for you to help me choose one.
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed what you've read so far!
:)
