A/N: 2 chapters in one day! I've been extra inspired to write this story today!
"I do not understand how you remain so at ease," Thor noticed as he took a stroll through the town with Jane alongside him. "Last night marks two Blood Moons in a row where there haven't been any attacks. Doesn't that make you curious?" He cautiously eyed his companion.
"Maybe they're surrendering," Jane shrugged. Eight straight weeks with no attacks. Jane had to give the witches credit for listening to Loki. She only hoped that the Prince was ready for what was to come in the next month.
"Do you communicate with them?" Thor whispered as they wove their way through a large crowd. "How does that even work?"
"Magic," she said quickly. "Sort of like a shared bond. We shouldn't talk about this now! You said you were taking me for lunch, not an interrogation!"
Thor chuckled, letting a muscular arm wrap around Jane's shoulders to keep the woman close. "I'm starting to think that my job is no longer necessary. In time, Father will be putting me work with my Brother, maybe even find me a bride."
"Don't think that," Jane warned the tall blond. "About the job-you're needed more then you know…" Thor grinned and led her into a tavern. It wasn't quite Jane's idea of romantic, but it was typical Thor.
"What can I get for ya?" A barmaid asked, approaching the couple sitting at a table to themselves.
"A beer to start with," Thor smiled. "And you, Jane?" He noticed the way she was staring up at the barmaid with a mixture of shock and anger.
"I…" Jane stared into the dark green eyes of who she swore to be Amora. The familiar voice, the flowing blonde hair, and sideways smirk were most definitely Amora, but her eyes… "I need to step out for a moment…" Jane abruptly left the table and hurried outside. She overheard Thor ask for her, but she overheard Amora say that she would check on her.
"You like the eyes?" the blonde woman smirked as she approached Jane outside the pub.
"What are you doing?!" Jane hissed.
"Well," Amora shrugged, "It uses quite a bit of power to maintain these 'normal' eyes, but it keeps me from getting killed."
"Why are you here?"
"Why not?" the blonde asked in disbelief. "Yelena's off doing the same thing. We have nothing better to do. Besides," she added. "I need a word with my King."
"Anything you can say to Loki, you can say to me."
Amora rolled her eyes in disgust. "You're not him. Where is he? Doesn't he ever need a night out? Yelena and I summoned him, but he wouldn't come to us."
"Just tell me what's bothering you," she sighed in annoyance. Thor was going to worry if she was gone for too long.
"When Loki said we are to wait three Blood Moons, does that mean he wishes for us to kill Odin next month, or are we to wait another Blood Moon to carry out the deed?" Jane kept her mouth shut, making Amora laugh. "See? As if you would know the answer! You don't have what it takes to murder."
"I will let Loki know where to find you," Jane quietly replied. "In the meantime, don't do anything stupid!" She rudely shoved past the witch on her way back into the bar.
Amora watched her leave. She didn't want to wait. She needed an answer and like hell she was going to wait on her King's lapdog to relay a message. Amora went back into the tavern to pull Yelena aside. They were going to take matters into their own hands…
The morning following a Blood Moon had usually been reserved for writing to the other kingdoms to receive word on how each of the towns were faring. King Odin and his Queen wanted to be sure how their neighbouring cities had fared throughout the month so they could send money and food to those in need. With no attacks, not one anywhere, the King wasn't sure whether to let his fear of a full-blown war go, or to feel as at ease as his son, Loki.
"There. Did you feel that one?" Natalia pressed Loki's palm against the top of her stomach.
"I did!" he widely grinned. "Our little girl is a strong one," he chuckled.
Natalia felt another kick against Loki's hand and smiled as she observed her husband's look of excitement. Their baby began to kick frequently as of late. As much as Natalia enjoyed seeing how happy it made Loki, the frequent punches were starting to tire her, especially when the little one found her ribcage.
"You're sure it's just her in there?" Loki wondered. Doctor Banner still believed that twins were a strong possibility, considering how big Natalia was.
"I think so," she sighed, leaning back against the white blossom tree's thick trunk. Natalia took a deep breath and closed her eyes. The crisp, fresh air was always refreshing. Much better than staying cooped up in the castle all day. "Either way, twins or a large baby will be equally painful."
"But worth it," Loki assured her. "You are one of the strongest women I know, Natalia. I pray that her birth will be easy for you." He pressed his lips to the back of her hand.
Natalia lightheartedly rolled her eyes. "The hard work is all on me... But I understand you have a lot of pressure being a Prince and all," she mused. "Next month is when the attack is, isn't it?"
"I told you not to mention that," Loki said in a low voice.
"I'm worried, though… If something happens to you-"
Loki pressed a finger to her lips. "Pleasant thoughts, my darling. Pleasant thoughts." He glanced over his shoulder as an eerie feeling washed over him. A sense of magic lingered in the air, much like the presence of another witch.
"Loki?" The worry etched into her husband's face put Natalia on edge. "What is it? Look at me." She reached for his face, forcing their gaze to meet.
"I fear we are not alone," he whispered.
"What is it?" she asked. "Is it Jane?" Natalia's eyes looked out to the forest, searching for any signs of movement.
"Yes," Loki lied. He didn't want to further worry his wife by telling her he sensed someone else. "Come, you should go back inside to rest."
Natalia reached for his hands and nodded. Loki helped her up before they walked side by side into their home.
"He noticed us?" Yelena whispered.
"As if he would mistake our presence for Jane and her do-good self!" The two women had been hiding in the forest for some time, working their magic to eavesdrop on Loki and his wife while shielding their presence for their own safety. "He'll come to us once his wife is safe and sound."
"They seem awfully lovey," Yelena commented. "He is going to kill the woman, isn't he?"
"I don't think so," Amora said with a scowl. "Why else would she know about the attack?"
Yelena smiled as she noticed how angry her partner had become. "Are you jealous because he vowed to make you his wife?"
"He's breaking our pact!" she spat through clenched teeth.
"Do you think he's betraying us?"
An uneasiness was starting to build up inside of her."Does it seem that way to you, too?" Amora wondered.
Loki appeared before the two women, his lips forming a thin line. "Is there something I can do for you two?"
"The attack," Amora began. "Is it the next Blood Moon, or the one following it?"
"Two months," he clearly stated. "Odin is still unsure of what to think of the newfound peace. On the morning to follow next month's Moon, I will reassure him that peace has been found."
Amora paused, wondering whether she should bring up the red-head or not. "Is that all?" she nudged.
"Yes, I believe so," the prince cockily answered.
"Wouldn't want to keep the princess waiting," Yelena commented from off to the side.
"My arranged marriage is none of your concern," Loki sourly remarked.
"Yes, Yelena, don't pester our King…"
Loki carefully eyed Amora's composed figure. "Spread the word and clarify that next month is not when we attack," he announced before disappearing.
Amora had grown awfully quiet, making Yelena curious. "Well?"
The witch with long, golden hair clenched the fist she made a blood pact with. "Lies," she exhaled.
"He and Jane must have no knowledge on blood pacts," Yelena snorted.
Amora let her long nails dig into her palm. With Loki's blood inside of her, she could easily sense his lying nature. The reason why his wife knew about the upcoming attack was most likely because she knew that Loki wouldn't go through with it. "I feel that we may very well be betrayed," Amora spoke up.
"So what do we do?" the witch with shoulder-length hair asked. "Kill them all right now?"
"No," Amora decided. "We wait. Exactly as planned…"
"Why wait? Is there a chance that he's still telling the truth?"
Amora darkly laughed. "I say we wait to attack at a time Loki will least expect it. Next Moon, we should tell him we want a proper truce and let humankind be free of us for just a little while longer…"
"So we suffer even longer?" Yelena wrinkled her nose.
"Just until we know Loki will be thrown completely off guard…Think of how concerned the poor father-to-be will fare when his first born is to come. He'll be so worried over that woman, I doubt he'll have an attack on his mind," Amora smirked.
"He does seem to really care for her and the brat," Yelena chimed in. "How are we to predict when the little thing will arrive?"
"Simple," Amora stated, "we play along with the royal family's everyday life, staying hidden from Loki's sight. Think of the servants they have in there! It will work out perfectly!"
"So long as the others listen to us," Yelena warned her.
"They wouldn't disobey the words of King Laufeyson!" Amora taunted, placing her hands on her hips.
"But suppose Loki lets us kill Odin-do we still betray him?"
Amora looked in between the trees to spot glimmers of King Odin's golden palace. "If Loki agrees to a truce, then we will know he is a liar…"