Loki's dreamer: who dun it means business. Why did the baby have to die, there is a reason as cruel as it is.

Sorceress of the trees: I don't hate you. I figured most would realize by the warning or the chapter title after the last one being the baby reveal but the how was suppose to be the kicker all along.

So soon for another baby...?well it has been three years and they do hump like rabbits. I would think it would have been about time. And yes bad things must and will happen before this story ends.

Max is a chick name: oh yes, large scheme. Been trying to put my mind into my evil person(s) mind(s) to try and figure out what they would do or not do.

Doctor Loki love: I enjoy your passion regarding everything. Even though it was sad and it made you angry. I was once told by someone I know that if you don't feel at least a little something when reading then its not a very good read. Coping, moving forward, remembering. All will happen. As for who dun it well that's a well kept secret for now. But they will be showing up more. It's like a game of clue. Can you guess who it is. I'll never tell until the reveal...Cally? Another character yet to show up? Someone you'll never meet till the end? More then one person plotting and scheming behind the scenes. Hmmmm...

Kat snowstorm: yup it's a stalker person(s) whom shall have no name(s) confirmation :p but yes I knew the warning would be a give away for most which was why the how was my blow out.

Sidney loves fiction: as usual thank you for your review. I'm glad you still enjoyed the chapter even with its sad tone.

Chapter 71: Waking

Cephera woke with a jerk. She would have sat up had she not been pressed down to the bed by her two children. They were both laying down on her chest hugging themselves to her.

She placed her hands on each of their backs. "Wake up." She said. She was not in her room. She recognized the infirmary. Her memory was a little foggy. Devian stirred as she gentle shook them. He bolted upright.

"Momma!" He cried waking Diana instantly. Diana sat up too. Cephera grunted when they both threw their arms around her neck.

"Where's your father?" She asked. Her throat felt dry. Talking was uncomfortable.

"In the tower." Devian replied.

"Diana can you go get him?" Cephera asked nudging her daughter.

"I don't want to leave Momma." She said grabbing hold of her tighter.

"It's only for a moment. Teleport." Cephera said calmly. She heard Diana sniff but she grudgingly let go and vanished. It was then Cephera slid a hand down over her belly and pinched her eyes shut.

"It's ok momma. Your still have us." Devian had placed his own hand atop hers over her belly. His words made her eyes tear up and she blinked them back. Diana reappeared carried by her father.

Loki put his daughter down and Devian moved to allow his father to embrace their mother. Loki's hug was tight. His shoulder relaxed in a short period of relief. "I was afraid you'd never wake." He whispered as low as possible. He was trying to spare the children his secret concerns.

"How long?" Cephera asked softly.

"8 days." Loki sat on the edge of the bed, Diana climbed into his lap and Devian hung around Cephera's neck.

"Are you ok now Momma?" Diana asked her eyes large.

"I want you guys to go to your room. I need to talk to your father alone." Cephera wasn't prepared for the force by which the twins grabbed hold of her. The clung to her and both were pleading at the same time.

"Hold on." Loki said. "How about you two go play in your room and when I'm finished talking to your mother you can come right back." He told them.

"Promise?" Devian said.

"I promise." Diana took Devian's hand and she teleported them out of there. Loki reached out again and pulled Cephera closer.

"I'm so sorry." She said once the children were gone. Loki looked completely confused by her words.

"For what?" He asked cupping her face between his palms.

"I lost our baby." She felt the tears running down her cheeks. It was all she could think of before she had passed out. Disappointing him. She'd been so careful. The careful use of magic and not over doing it. The longer trips to earth to take time for ultrasounds.

"This was not your fault. I would have never thought of it that way." She watched his facial expression and he looked contemplating.

"What?" She asked bypassing all her insecurities because of the expression on his face.

"There are things you don't know. Things I was advised against telling you until you were ready." Cephera clutched the front of Loki's tunic.

"Do not hold out on me." She said pinching the tears back.

"The loss of our baby was preordained by another." Cephera looked over his face searching for his meaning. "You were poisoned." He finally summarized. Cephera felt her mouth drop open.

"I was...? When...? How...?" She had so many questions passing her by she was barely able to finish her first words before beginning others. Loki put a finger to her lips to quite her.

"Someone concocted a poison unknown to myself or even the physician here at the palace. They found a way to place it into your breakfast before it was served. They put enough there to harm you and the baby but not kill you." His explanation was tinged with anger.

"Why would anyone do that?" Cephera was crying again. Disbelief, shock, the feeling of being stuck in a very bad dream all washed over her. She felt herself begin to sob. She was clinging to Loki before she remembered doing it and her tears soaked his collar.

"I don't know. Myself and Thor have been working constantly to try and find them but we have been unsuccessful." His hand was smoothing over her hair. "When I find them they will pay for this." Cephera hung on tight. She could swear she felt her own neck become moist but was too upset to question it.

It had been too easy. It had only been a matter of time. Any moment that caused misery to the one 'they' hated most was worth the risk. Every moment that passed by that the she was in pain was nothing but sweet joy to the one who wished it upon her.

But it was still early. So many things were still yet to put in motion. So many things to plan and set into place. Soon the princess would have nothing, soon all her family and friends would suffer. Soon she would know loneliness and sorrow as she had never felt it before.

This was just the beginning of sweet, sweet payback for taking what was 'theirs'. Every moment Cephera felt joy would be drowned out ten folds by the times she would feel pain. Nothing and no one could stop what they could not see coming. Everyday that went by only added to the well thought out plan and its slow brewing.

But 'they' would have to be careful. No evidence, no proof. Biding 'their' time cautiously. Suspicion was yet to run high but with no answers in sight, who could act upon a ghost of a predator. 'They' couldn't wait to see them fall. All of them but she was the one they wanted to fall the most. Waiting, however, was all part of the game.

Loki woke and groaned. Sleeping next to Cephera in the tiny bed with both children was not at all comfortable. With Cephera waking late in the night he had to wait for the healer to arrive to check on her and release her back to their bedchambers.

The news of her situation she had taken better then he thought she might but better didn't mean she took it well. She had been unable to control her crying even when the children returned. The twins had been good about it. They both had cuddled her and held her until she fell back to sleep. They had been excited that he also stayed to sleep with them.

He stood and arched his back hearing a crack. This woke Diana. "Shhhhh. You'll wake Momma." She said waving her hand at him. Loki couldn't help the amused smile that spread across his face. Though he also felt the weight of the loss and worry he also had eight days of coping behind him that his wife did not.

Loki ruffled his daughters hair. "I am gone to fetch the physician. Make sure she doesn't worry while I am gone." He told her tapping her nose. She nodded and watched him go.

Loki ventured down the halls of the infirmary in search of the doctor and instead found Kat. She looked tired and worn. "This is an early hour even for you." He said to her. She looked up at him sleepily. Her eyes were puffy and red.

"I'm afraid." She said swallowing hard.

"Of what?" Loki felt confused.

"I keep dreaming and then thinking, what if she had died? I have lots of people I talk to here but she's my only real friend." Kat took a deep breath. "And I know she didn't but I can't help but wonder what life would be like. What if they try again? What if they got the dosage wrong and her living was an accident." Loki found it hard to listen. He himself had thought of these things.

"We cannot dwell on the things in the past but only learn from them and take better care in the future." He paused. "She woke last night." He told her and she began to wipe at her eyes.

"She can't see me like this." Kat said. "It won't do for her to see everyone coming undone around her." Kat's concern was nothing less then what Loki expected. Though Kat was very caught up in her own world she had always made time for his wife when something was wrong. "When she is released to her usual rooms I'd like for you to spend more time with her. I have to contact her father and sister and let them know she's woken." Loki had almost forgotten her family back at home.

When he broke the news to them king Yorin was ready to have Cephera and the children brought back to Mechanova never to return. And as much as her sister had been furious she had been a little more level headed. They demanded to know when she woke so that they could come see her. Seraphina refused to come right away as it served no purpose while Cephera was unconscious.

"I will." Kat was still rubbing her face down in an attempt to look less upset but only caused her to look worse. Loki didn't mention it. He sidestepped her and continued his search. "I saw her in the throne room earlier." Kat called after him referring to the healer. Loki nodded without actually turning.