Sorry that this chapter is a little shorter than the others. I hope you all like it regardless. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to review this story, and those who have added it to their favorites, etc. It means a lot ^_^

Eira sits silently on one of the many balconies overlooking Asgard. She had been released from the infirmary early in the morning. Loki had stopped by to see her once again before leaving to see Thor on Earth. He had given her news. Odin had fallen into Odinsleep, and so the throne was passed to Loki. Loki was king now. She was deeply troubled. She stares out at the people walking below her.

Loki had been unusually sweet to her since the incident in Jotenheim. He would check up on her every few hours while she had been incapacitated. It stirred feelings in her that she hadn't felt for a long time. She had suppressed her feelings for Loki after she had discovered his betrayal. She loved Thor, but she could not deny that she still had feelings for Loki.

Meanwhile on Earth Thor had been taken into custody after attempting to take Mjolnir from a government base. He sits alone in a rather large room. His thoughts were racing, his desperation rising. He had not been able to lift Mjolnir from the Earth. Even with the help from the mortals he had met, he had failed. He hangs his head in defeat.

I will have to accept that I shall never return to Asgard….to Eira. He looks up quickly as another presence is felt in the room.

"Loki... what are you doing here?" Thor asks anxiously.

"I had to see you," Loki replies solemnly, dressed in a black tuxedo, one matching the mortals.

"What's happened? Is it Jotunheim? If you could just let me talk to Father, just let me explain..." Thor desperately begs.

"Father is dead," Loki states, looking at his brother straight in the eyes.

"What?" Thor asks, unbelieving.

"Your banishment, the threat of a new war... it was too much for him to bear. You mustn't blame yourself." Loki says as tears begin to form and fall from Thor's eyes, "I know that you loved him, I tried to tell him but he wouldn't listen. It must be so awful knowing that Mjolnir was beyond your reach. The burden of the throne has fallen to me now."

"Can I come home?" Thor asks sadly.

"The truce with Jotunheim is conditional upon your exile." Loki says stoically.

"Yes, but... couldn't we find a way to...?" Thor begins desperately.

"And Mother has forbidden your return. This is goodbye, brother. I'm so sorry," Loki says, cutting Thor off.

No. I... I am sorry. Thank you for coming here." Thor replies looking up at his brother, "Loki?"

Loki looks down at Thor, "Yes?"

"Tell Eira that I love her, and please, take care of her." Thor utters quietly.

"Of course. Farewell." Loki answers.

"Goodbye," Thor mumbles.

Eira's gaze shifts to the bridge as she spots Loki returning. She stands up anxiously, moving quickly to meet him. She stops at the end of the bridge, watching him as he gets closer and closer to her. He outstretches his arms, a grin on his face as he approaches her.

"Ah my sweet angel, you've come to greet me from my journey," He says.

She scoffs, "How is Thor? She asks anxiously.

Loki felt the lies forming in his head, jealously fueled his anger towards her feelings for Thor.

"Thor is dead," he lies.

Eira stares blankly at him, "W..what did you just say?"

"It seems his mortal body failed him, he is dead." Loki replies, the lies sliding easily off his tongue.

Her mind seemed to shut down. Her world was collapsing in on itself. She was overtaken with shock and grief. Tears began to fall down her face. Loki quickly wraps his arms around her.

"Oh my Eira, don't despair. I will take care of you, it was his last request," He coos, rubbing her back gently as she shook with despair. He felt a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time. Eira had not been so close to him in years, and her body clinging desperately to his, it made him feel great. A grin appeared on his face as he took in the scent of her hair. She still used his favorite scent.

Eira clung onto Loki, tears falling down her face. She couldn't comprehend Thor being gone forever. She had never felt such a pain. Her chest ached with desperation, her heart breaking. Loki places a hand on her tear stained cheek, wiping away her tears. She looks up at him with sad eyes that threatened his stoic behavior. He wanted her, to comfort her, to kiss her. He felt his strong demeanor almost collapse under the pressure of her gaze.

"Eira, Thor would not want you to cry, to mourn," Loki whispers to her sweetly, "I am here now."

He grabs her face, his strong hands holding her as he gazes into her blue eyes. The temptation was threatening to overpower him. He leans in slightly, placing his face close to hers.

"Eira…" He trails off, resting his forehead against hers and closing her eyes.

This isn't right. I shouldn't be holding him like this, letting him touch me like this. His lips are so close to mine…so close. Her thoughts race as she looks him in the eyes.

He laughs softly, his breath tickling her face.

"What is so funny," She whispers, fighting her own inner battle.

"Nothing, my love, come, let me take you bake to your room."

He offers his arm to her. She stares at it for a moment, before reluctantly placing her arm in his.

Something isn't right, She thinks to herself, Loki is so unaffected by Thor's death.

The idea once again causes tears to swell in her eyes. She was devastated. Her grip on Loki's arm tightens, but he doesn't notice. He was drowned in his thoughts, in his victory. With Thor gone, and Eira believing him dead, nothing would stand in his way to getting her back and remaining king.

Eira stares down at the ground. He can't be dead, he just can't be.