The story so far: the group have decided half heatedly that they would give the orb to Seria and see where fate takes them. Loki and Cephera have had one last night together after Cephera decided they should part ways once they were free.

Note: I'm up late and had a rough day at work. So I decided to post this early and post the last chapter the same time I normally would to soothe my crazy mind and I am sure your reviews will make me feel all excited and bring a cherry note to the reminder of my day. Love you all!

Loki's dreamer: they are being mean but everyone is under a lot of stress.

Sidney loves fiction: you're welcome for everything!

Poodle warriors: that's what I was going for :)

Doctor Loki love: they second guess her only because apparently, according to her, angels are able to become corrupted. :p

She doesn't have to be preggo. Some woman takes a year or two to get pregnant. :p and you are not the only one wanting her to be pregnant. They do need some growing up.

Sorceress of the trees: it looks I choked everyone up with the last chapter. Hopefully the next two will also be contenders.

White light of DEATH: haha I admit I tend to have my characters end up pregnant but its not that I plan it that way it just kinda leads that way...however weather or not she will be pregnant now or ever in the next two chapters remains to be seen and only reading will give the answers.

ONE more chapter left people! Short fic but I enjoyed writing it! Alternate ending to start posting right after I post the last chapter of this. I have decided to post the first original chapter up to the new ones all in one go but don't miss the new chapter 2 I decided to throw in as a bonus. Some extra material I found and I apparently forgot about it when posting the original. You guys will like it :) so be prepared for multiply updates as this story comes to a close.

Chapter 17

The euphoria ended as they got dressed. Neither spoke to the other and Loki had enjoyed himself immensely but a part of him wished he hadn't. He had thought he would be relieved that she didn't wish to gain from him things he was unwilling to give her. He thought he would be glad she decided to let him live a life he wanted. Free to be with whom he pleased. But last night had only proved to confuse him more. He'd never felt passion like that with any woman not even her until now. It was not lust that drove him on last night but just pure emotion and the thought he would never see her again after this day.

Yet he stood pulling on a clean tunic and he did not voice how conflicted he felt about her decision and she did nothing to break the silence either. A part of him was afraid that if he allowed himself to think he loved her now the feelings would be ripped from him once their ties were broken. He feared she was right and they had been nothing but puppets all these years. No, he would not speak to her of his feelings and he knew she would not share hers. They left his room in silence taking their time to join everyone else.

Their meal was only full of the chatter brought on by the others girls while they still debated the risks of what they all were about to do. He heard Seraphina ask Cephera if she was ok in which she replied "I'll feel better when this is over." The comment stung him but he dismissed it. Almost solemnly they mounted up and flew across the skies once more. It was then Loki wondered what would happen to him once this was over. Would he be condemned to confinement for his crimes against Midgard or would he have proven himself trustworthy and forgiven.

The feelings of revenge he once had when this all began, the scheming and plotting of things he wanted when he was released no longer sat within his heart or mind. He only wished to find happiness and somewhere in that cold heart of his it was screaming that she sat in front of him now but once again he pushed it aside. He had no time for such sentiments. His future was riding on this damn trip and he wasn't even sure if that future was a good one or not. Loki hated not being sure of himself or his feelings.

They entered the chamber where Ethereal's light sat as dim as the day he first laid eyes on it. The energy they would channel to give the orb life once more would come from inside them. Brunhilda stopped and turned to look at them. "This is the right thing." She assured them. Loki knew nothing she said would give them peace. Too many questions about the safety of this decision remained and would remain until the threat was gone or they all died. "I want you girls in a circle around the orb and join hands." She said nodding her head toward the orb.

Loki was made to stand between Cephera and Avia to allow her to hold her hand. The nervous looks and tension was almost unbearable. Brunhilda chanted the spell to them and the girls began to chant in turn. Loki watched their silver wings spread once more only this time they didn't disappear. Instead their wings seemed to slowly melt away and the bits of magic that flickered into the air moved to the orb. Ethereal's light began to grow bright. The longer they chanted the brighter it grew. Soon it had begun to float and let off a eerie silver shine and its heart was a bright white. When their wings vanished completely all girls collapsed to the floor gasping for air.

Loki had a hold of Cephera as she caught her breath and it took a bit of time before they where all ready to stand. Loki helped Cephera up and she leaned against him her legs shaky. "Remarkable." Brunhilda said. "I've never seen it so bright." She watched it as it hovered there, her face in awe.

"Now what?" Tanium asked.

"We bring it to Seria." Seraphina said. Everyone exchanged those nervous glances but to Loki's relief no argument started. Brunhilda stepped forward and took hold of the orb and passed it to the older twin. Seraphina took it carefully. "Ready?" She asked everyone. They had all decided to go back to Seria to see what she had to say.

"Ready." they were unanimous in their answer. Loki saw Cephera look at him before they began the chant to go back to Pandora's path.

When next they could see they were once again in the cloud covered room. Seria was in the middle of the girls this time. She was smiling happily. Cephera looked to her for a moment before looking away. She could see Loki in her. She half wondered if her and Loki had been happy in her world. "I see you have made the correct decision."

"You didn't leave us much of a choice." Alleria growled.

"I did what I had to. You will one day understand what I did here was to protect everyone both here and all other worlds." She said and her eyes were rested on Cephera as if her words were meant more for her. Cephera found it hard to look back at her. She still felt so wronged by this woman who had been her daughter in another time and place. How could she do that to her? Seria had not stopped looking at her. "I am sorry. I truly am." She said this time everyone knew who the words were meant for.

"It doesn't matter." Cephera replied numbly. She was not so excited to be there but then no one really was at this point. "How will we know if everything went well? If your plan succeeded?" Cephera asked. She really wanted to ask when would she be free to be her own person.

"When the angels you have wake and return to Valhalla then all is well and as it should be once more." Seria drew forward and it seemed as though her feet didn't move. She carefully took the orb from Seraphina who seemed almost reluctant to give it up. Once Seria had it she looked it over and smiled. "You've all done a great service to us. We will never forget it." She promised waving her hand and once again they were cast back down to their own world.

Cephera sat patiently next to Vicerial. They had not left their angels sides since they had returned hours ago from Pandora's path. Every now and then Loki would tug the bond to test it but for the most part he was patient just sitting with her. Cephera's mind was a wild ride of crazy. They had not spoken a word to each other since the night before. How many times had she called his name that night. How many times had he whispered hers. Was all that a lie?

She shook the thoughts away. What she felt for him didn't matter. Not until she was sure it was real. She would not dwell on the past. Soon she would have a new future to look forward too and it was one that did not have Loki in it. Love could not be forced. If he loved her she would have preferred it to have been of his own wants and needs not some trick. She was happy they had not taken things to far. She was happy they had not just fallen into each others arms instantly and planned marriage or children.

Children...she cursed mentally. She had forgotten about that again. How many times was that now? She suddenly felt nervous. What of she had gotten pregnant. What if she was already? How would she tell him? How could she face him? Why had they been so stupid to have had intercourse again after what she had learned. She wiped her hand over her face in exasperation. She could only hope that she would get to leave there in time to remember to find something to deter pregnancy if it wasn't too late. She frowned, or she would forget about it again before the angels woke, which at this point was more likely.

"Maybe she failed?" Avia said solemnly.

"It's only been three hours." Tanium scolded.

"Only..." Alleria rolled her eyes.

"I'm hungry." Seraphina said rubbing her belly.

"Me too." Cephera agreed with a nod.

"Come we will eat." Brunhilda said but no one stood.

"We would rather stay here. Can food be brought to us?" Maria asked politely. Brunhilda smiled and nodded.

"I can arrange that." She assured them and left. Several hours later they where full and still no change had occurred to their ethereal 'friends'. Night began approaching and the room had become so tense everyone was uncomfortable. Cephera looked outside noticing the sky was not just dark but jet black. Not one star or light of any kind lit up the night sky. Everyone shifted.

"It this the end?" Payten asked fear evident her voice.

"Shush." Juno said. "I don't want to think about that." She growled.

Cephera cried out in surprise as light blinded her and cursed the angels for creating such damn glares. She shielded her eyes and heard sounds of shock and surprise from everyone. Finally she was able to remove her hands and as she did two hands cupped her face. She looked into the golden eyes of Vicerial and her mouth opened to speak but nothing came out.

The angel she had once saved bent in and kissed Cephera's forehead before releasing her and doing the same to her sister. "Thank you. From all those in Valhalla and beyond we thank you all." She said her voice an echo as her vision began to disappear and soon she was gone. The sky swirled golden among the blackness and then settled to a clear night sky. Cephera looked to her sister and smiled. Vicerial's kiss had calmed her somehow and she felt at peace.

Loki sat alone in his tower staring at the chair that had one been occupied by a beautiful human girl. Him and Cephera had parted ways almost three months ago and still many things reminded him of her. Their bond had broken just as Seria said it would and he no longer had the company of her in his dreams. The knock on his door made him look up. Thor entered without waiting for a reply. He now sat in that chair and Loki scowled. "If I may speak freely." Thor began and Loki knew he was not going to like what he had to say.

"I am sure you will do so anyway." Loki replied and he was right. Thor waved off his response and began.

"I think you're a fool." He told him. "Why did you let her go!" It was more an incredulous expression then an actual question.

"Because it was what she wanted and she was right to want it. I did not love her and only sought to own her body." Loki replied and felt a pang of guilt for saying it.

"Hog wash." Thor replied. "You care for her you're just to stubborn to admit it." Loki scoffed and stood looking out the window.

"I am trying to enjoy my new carefree life. I have better things to do then to think of things passed. She is gone and that is the end of it." He growled the words. He heard Thor stand.

"I think you have made a grave mistake. I truly think you let go of the one thing that might have brought you happiness and I am not the only one who thinks so." Loki waited to hear the door close and when he did he sighed. The first few weeks she had been gone he found it hard not to check up on her. And then he gave in after a month and he found her on her home realm laughing and singing at some kind of soirée. She was wearing a regal dress befitting of the status she carried there and he had been happy she was smiling. He left that image of her to settle in his thoughts and reminded himself she was better off without him.

For his help with the Angels he had been released from his sentence of imprisonment. He spent a lot of his time catching up with his previous magical studies and occasionally spent time with Thor and his friends. Though they didn't completely trust him or like him they had been making an effort to accept him. Loki couldn't care less about them but still Asgard was his home and he no longer had the same heart he had started out with before he met Cephera. He found himself sometimes having a good time among them like he once did. He even one partook in drinks at a party and laughed at the tale Fandrel was telling two busty women.

He thought of her that night too. It reminded him of that time she had gotten drunk with Stark. Looking back he wondered how they had not killed each other with the amount of emotional exasperation they caused one another. Loki now admitted he had been harsh with her from the start and he caused a majority of their arguments but he found it so easy to forget his anger with her and somehow she had forgiven him as well.

Loki turned to look back at the empty chair and hoped that one day she would find the happiness she wanted, that she deserved. He owed it to her to let her have that. No matter how many nights went by that he missed her body against his he would not seek her out to sate his sexual desires. She was right. She was not a toy. Their separation would be a permanent one for her own sake.