Chapter 7

Thor stepped onto Asgardian soil for the first time in over two years. He wasn't sure how he felt being back though. Part of him was happy but there was another part of him that wished he did not have to do what he had to now. He was determined to speak on behalf of his brother. Walking across the bridge after a short hello to the gatekeeper, he walked to the palace his mind in turmoil. Once inside, he made his way to the throne room to face his father.

"Thor! Your back!" he heard his friends say as he made his way to the throne on which his father sat.

"Thor, you have returned, but where is Loki? You were supposed to return with him," Odin's eyes narrowed at his son and heir.

"Father, Loki remains on Midgard as it is his new home and the people of Midgard need him."

"NEED HIM!" Odin boomed outraged. "HOW CAN THEY NEED HIM AFTER EVERYTHNG THAT HE HAS DONE TO THEM!"

"Father, he has changed. He is no longer the arrogant boy you once knew and for that matter neither am I."

"Loki, broke the law he needs to be punished," Odin told his son heatedly.

"I think he is getting his punishment by not being able to claim the woman he married father." Thor knew that Darcy had not allowed Loki to touch
her in that way and from the talks they had had in the past few months he knew that Loki was getting desperate to claim her. Loki had come to him after their wedding and asked for advice but there was nothing he could tell his younger brother. But he had observed the two of them and could tell that the two were not as close as two newlyweds should be.

"The mortal he fell in love with?" Odin asked startling Thor for a moment.

"How?" he questioned in surprise.

"Your mother told me of the mortal that had captured Loki's heart. I still dont see how him not claiming her is punishment though."

"Then you know nothing of the Jotun's need to claim their mates," Frigga said walking into the throne room.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"I mean that it is torture for the male not to claim his mate once they have been wed. Loki's chosen mate has denied him because she does not feel for him the way he does her. He will continue to feel pain anytime he is in her presence until the claiming happens."

"And how would you know any of this, Wife?" Odin questioned.

"I researched Loki's race right after you brought him to me as a babe. It was wrong of us not to tell him of his heritage. Because of this mistake on
our part Loki has rebelled against us. We cannot blame him for what has happened when we are partially to blame," Frigga said.

Odin knew his wife was right but it made no difference Loki still had to be punished for his wrong doings.

"Thor you are to bring Loki back here immediately, understood."

Thor blanched at his father's words. He knew that Odin was not going to listen to reason just like he had done nearly five years before when he had
banished him for going to Jotunheim against his wishes.

He turned then and walked out of the throne room. He knew that Odin was not happy about what he had just learned but maybe if he could bring
Darcy as well maybe she could get through to the old man.

Xxx

Darcy walked back to her room after the procedure to release the inhabitants of the Earth from the spell the scepter had placed on them had
begun. She was confused and there was an ache in her heart. She could not shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen to Loki and
soon. She had seen the look Thor had given her before his departure back to Asgard and she knew that the outcome was not what either of them
was wanting. She felt protective of her husband all of a sudden. She needed to make sure that nothing harmed him. The feeling was strange and she
wondered if it was because of her growing feelings for him. She didn't want to admit it quite yet but she was falling in love with her husband little
by little. Walking into her room, she found her husband standing by her balcony door looking out. He had discarded his outer jacket leaving
him in his tunic and pants. She felt closer to him when he dressed this way as it didn't intimidate her as much as his other outfit did. Something she had a feeling he knew and she figured it was because he seemed more relaxed this way. It was then she wondered why he was in her room to begin with. She hoped he wasn't there to finally consummate their marriage as she was not yet ready to do so.

"Loki? What are you doing in here?" she asked walking up to him.

He turned at her voice and smiled. He knew that she thought he was going to claim her but he only wanted to see her after the events of the
morning. He knew that his brother had returned to Asgard; knew that it was not going to bode well from him and by extension her either.

"Nothing. Can't I come see my wife without an ulterior motive?" he asked pulling her closer to him, surprised when she didn't resist or stiffen with
the contact.

She blushed when she made contact with her husband's lean build and she had a hard time answering him. She nodded but the blush remained.

He let her go albeit reluctantly and allowed her to put some space between them. "Loki, really what's wrong? You seem a little distracted."

"I'm worried," he said returning his gaze to the balcony.

At this she returned to his side and took his hand in hers. "Loki, I know you're worried about Odin's reaction to Thor's return. I would be lying if I
said I wasn't worried too because I am…" she said but before she could say anything else a bright light descended onto her balcony and when it was
gone Thor stood in its place, a sad expression on his face.

"I take it you are here to take me back to Asgard then," Loki said tightly.

"I am sorry, Loki. Mother and I both tried to tell him that you have changed but he would not listen and insisted that I return you immediately to
Asgard."

Loki merely nodded and felt Darcy's hand in his tighten significantly. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before allowing his brother to return
him to his former home leaving his wife to stare blankly at the spot he had left moments before.

Darcy felt her heart lurch in pain. She crumpled to the floor and wept for her husband husband whom she had not had the chance to say 'I love you' to yet. Yes, she had finally admitted it to herself that she had fallen in love with her husband and before she could tell him he was wrenched away from her.