Chapter 2

When we arrived at our destination, Darcy was already asleep, and Erik wasn't back yet with Jane's mystery man. We talked for a while until I felt a force pulling at me.

"Jane," I said, looking in the direction of the force. I was hoping it would appear as if I was looking out to see if Erik had arrived yet. "Erik's taking quite a while. I think I should go to the bar to make sure he and your new lover aren't too drunk." I just had to add the lover part in there to embarrass her. I grinned when I saw her cheeks turn red.

"I'll go with you," she said, standing with me, until I stopped her.

"No, Jane. I think you should stay here. In case they come back. If they're not there, I'll look around the area and come back, okay? I won't be taking the car, so I'll be back in a few hours. If they come back, you don't need to bother coming to find me. I'll be fine." She hesitated, but nodded, accepting my reasoning. I hurried out the door and down the street. I already knew Erik was on his way. I could feel his presence approaching. He had someone with him: someone with a familiar aura (for lack of a better term), although I knew I had never felt this exact aura. Ignoring the two beings, I made my way to the diner. It was closed, but that was where the force was pulling me. As I approached, the pull became stronger, leading me behind the building, to a space hidden from view. I cautiously approached, prepared to attack if necessary.

My power was sorcery-based, like Loki. When I was young, I had an accident and almost lost my life. I was healed, and while I still had most Asgardian traits (my lifespan, my immunity to disease, my metabolism, and my resistance to most injury), I had to sacrifice the strength that most of our warriors, like Thor, rely on in battle. Because of this, I could not fight with the traditional methods of the Asgardian race. When I met Loki, I grew especially interested in sorcery.

*flashback*

I was walking in the palace gardens while my mother, the queen's oldest friend, and my father, the army ruler (just as his name, Haraldr, suggests) except for when the king took action, were having lunch with the All-father and his wife. I heard sounds coming from behind the trees, and went to see what was happening. To my surprise, a boy was there, performing sorcery more advanced than any I had seen before.

"Who are you?" I heard a curious voice as from behind me, while the boy I had been watching disappeared. I jumped in surprise and turned to face whoever was speaking. My eyes widened.

"My prince," I exclaimed, giving a curtsy. My parents had high positions in the king's court, making us well-respected nobles. People acted so carefully around me, I may as well have been the princess. Therefore, I did not have to bow on one knee, as is custom, although I still had to show my respect.

"There is no need to curtsy, but I would greatly appreciate it if you answered my question," I told me, smiling with obvious amusement at my flustered state. Of the royal family, I had only ever met the king and queen, and even then, it was only for a brief moment before the adults sent me away to wander.

"I'm sorry, my prince. I am Lifa, daughter of Haraldr."

"What were you doing in the gardens?"

"I was sent here while our parents share a meal together, my prince. I followed a noise that led me here." The prince looked thoughtful for a second before looking at me, making me nervous. "If I may, my prince, what were you doing?" He smirked.

"I was practicing my sorcery. I am not as adept at fighting in the traditional manner, but I very much excel at sorcery. It seems sorcery was my calling. Would you like to learn some?" My eyes widened, and I blushed.

"I do not wish to intrude on your personal time. I'm sure you have many other friends who would like to learn from you, my prince," I said hurriedly, looking down.

"On the contrary, I have very few friends, and the friends that I do possess are more my brother's than mine," he declared.

"Then we are the same. As I would learn from books and the world around me, the other girls dislike spending time with me. They would rather braid each others' hair or fantasize about growing up to marry a handsome man. In fact, they often speak of your brother, and while I mean no offense to him, I'd much prefer yourself to your brother," I confessed without thinking. When I realized what I had said, I blushed and looked at my feet once again, not wanting to meet his eyes. I heard chuckling and blushed some more.

"You know, Lifa," the prince said, taking my hand in his, causing me to look up at him. "You are very interesting. I would be honored if you would consider having me as your friend," he told me, kissing my hand. I stood silently, in shock, for a moment before I woke from my stupor and nodded, smiling widely.

"Of course, my prince," I grinned.

"Loki."

"What?"

"We're friends now. Call me Loki."

"Only if you teach me some of that sorcery," I said slyly. He nodded at me with a grin, and we spend the next few hours (in Midgardian units of time) learning more about each other as he taught me sorcery.

We were two children: each wiser than others our age, each ostracized from the other children, and each destined for a... unique future.

*end flashback*

"Lifa," a voice called out. I immediately lowered my defenses, rushing forward.

"Loki! What are you doing here?" I exclaimed in a joyous tone as I jumped into his arms. He held me close, and I savored the moment. After a few moments of silence, I sensed Loki's nervousness. "What has happened?"

"I cannot stay long, but I must confess something to you, and I fear you may hate me for it," he told me, looking into my eyes intensely."

"Whatever it is, it could never make me love you any less," I assured him, taking his face into my hands. "My love for you in unconditional." He looked unsure, but opened his mouth to speak.

"Lifa, I am the son of Laufey."