Cosmic

~Chapter four~

As she ran through the halls of the palace, tears streamed down Analia's face. Anger coursed through her veins, she could feel her blood boiling. She wasn't her father's possession to just give away. Who does he think he is? Who does this Cassius think he is? How could her father do this to her? She wasn't ready to marry. She hasn't even lived yet. There were so many places she wanted to go, midgard being one of them. The books she read described it as a place of opportunity, beauty and liveliness. She wasn't even sure how she felt about Loki. She knew he cared for her, she didn't want to lose him. Her head filled with anger, betrayal and sadness, she was overwhelmed as she ran through the garden, she collapsed beside a great oak tree, holding her head between her hands.

"Analia..." a voice spoke softly. Her head shot up, her dagger at the ready.
When her eyes met the piercing emerald ones she knew so well, she lowered her dagger. Loki stood before her, heartbroken to see her this way.

"Sorry." Analia whispered, her voice weak from crying.

"No, I'm sorry Analia, your father had no right." Loki said, softly again. He sat down beside her. She was still gorgeous, her hair still perfectly done, her makeup slightly smeared and her cheeks rosy.

"Loki...I can't marry." Her eyes glassy from more tears as she looked up at him. He said nothing, just wrapped his arms around her. He never showed affection to anyone, but Analia needed it now. She rested her head on his chest. The simple action warmed him. 

She pulled away, wiping the tears from her eyes, "I need to leave, my father is a very stubborn man, once he's set his mind on something...it's final. He will not stop until I marry that..that.. barbarian. Warrior? Huh I think not, did you see the way he looked at me? Like I was a prize? I could have slit his throat right there."

Her words made Loki chuckle, "I don't doubt that you would have done so."
His smile turned slowly to a frown, his  gaze fell to the ground, he took her hands in his and met her eyes once more.
"Analia, I will not let him do this to you. You have my word."

She sighed in gratitude, with a smile appearing on her lips, she leaned over and placed a kiss on the Prince's cheek, which surprised him.
"Thankyou." She whispered. "But Loki, I can't be on Asgard right now. My father is so powerful, and his decision has the favour of the Allfather."

Loki's brows furrowed. "Analia you can't leave Asgard, they won't let you."

He was right, Odin would only track her down, wherever she went. This gave her an idea, her lips formed a cunning smile,
"They won't do this to me, I have a plan, please remember that." She pleaded.
Loki nodded, deciding to trust the dark haired woman, he smiled in response.

"Analia!" Felix called out. Loki and Analia shot up as her father stormed towards them.
"How could you embarrass me like that, in front of the entire Kingdom! I said you will marry Cassius and that is final, stop playing your silly games at once!"
His words made Analia press her lips together in anger. Loki's arm moved her behind him, protecting her from her father.
"My prince, leave us at once, this does not concern you."

Loki could feel his anger boiling inside him. "Felix, you cannot force this on your daughter."

"You tell me what to do boy? This is a family matter!" He seethed, moving closer to the prince.

Analia stood forward, placing herself between Loki and her father, just hours ago she had no idea her fathers return would bring this. "Don't speak to him like that Father, I already told you I'm not marrying some fool you met during battle."

An expression befell her fathers face, unlike anything she'd ever seen before. "Analia, enough! This ends now, I have spoken my final words on the matter, if you don't agree your hand will be forced."

Loki spoke up once again, "You have no right!" Positioning himself in front of the Analia woman once more.

Felix laughed, "Boy, the Allfather has agreed to this alliance, and it will take place, I have been instructed to ensure it."

He motioned to the guards waiting by the entrance of the garden. "The guards will escort you back to your chambers, tomorrow Cassius will begin courting you and that's final, if you want to remain a warrior of Asgard I suggest you show some enthusiasm, any woman would be more than fortunate to have Cassius' hand. If your mother were here, she'd agree."

Loki chuckled, shaking his head, "This is a joke, you cannot seriously-"

"Loki, stop." Analia replied softly, Loki turned to face her in confusion. The thought of her mother witnessing this broke her heart.
"Remember what I told you?" She whispered as she leaned closer to him.

"Yes." He replied back, also in a whisper. Although he was not fully convinced, he could solve this in a second, with his dagger, which is all he wanted to do.

She gave him a look of reassurance then turned to face her father.
"She wouldn't have allowed this, and you know it."
She looked down at the ground, fastened her dagger to her leg and looked up at her father once more.
"I will be retiring to my chambers."
She locked eyes with Loki once more
"Goodnight." She nodded, then shooting a sour look to her father, she was escorted to the palace by two guards.