Cosmic

~Chapter Ten~

A week later.

It was the day of Thor's coronation.

Analia had spent the week training with Sif and the Warriors Three, not seeing much of Thor as he was preparing for the ceremony. Her father and Cassius had both been called away to settle disturbances on other realms. This had given her more time to think about Loki. He'd been isolating himself because of the coronation. She didn't blame him of course, she would find him alone in the library late at night a few times, surprisingly he allowed her stay and she tried her best to divert conversations from Thor getting the throne.

The sun shining through the windows of Analia's chambers woke her up. She crawled out of bed and went over to the basin full of water to wash her face. Today was the day that Thor would become king. She was beyond thrilled for him, but her mind always mind drifted to Loki. He had reassured her that their late night conversations had helped him but she knew they did not. She knew that not much could help him at the moment, Thor being the King of Asgard was just something he would have to get used to.

As she dried her face, her thoughts directed to the conversation she shared with Cassius before his departure. Since they had agreed to stay friends considering they were now both forced into the alliance, he confided in her about a woman back in Vanaheim, Sigrid, with whom he was so deeply in love with.

The way he described her to Analia made her heart melt. He had memorised every detail about her.

'The way her eyes light up when we see each other again, they're the most magical mix of colours I've ever seen in my entire existence. The perfect mixture of blue and grey with slight flakes of yellow. The way she smiles when I hold her hand. Like that smile is meant for me and only me. How she falls into me when I kiss her. How her hair sits so perfectly around her shoulders. And her laugh. How it seems to cast out all darkness in the world. How I miss her laugh, I would do anything to hear it again.'

Hearing this, the immense love that Cassius had for his lady. She thought of Loki. How his shiny raven hair was the perfect length and complimented his face perfectly. How he seemed so tense around everyone except her and his laugh with her was different, not forced or forged. It warmed her to hear his laugh. It warmed her to think of him at all.
She told Cassius this of course, he laughed in response and stopped after she shot him a confused look.

'Analia, you love him. That's love.'

He was right. It was love.

She made the decision right there and then.
She would tell Loki how she felt.

She slipped on a green silk dress and brushed her hair out, deciding to keep it loose today. She walked over to her jewellery box to find something to compliment her dress. After a few minutes of rummaging through her endless collection of necklaces, her gaze fixated on one of her mother's old silver necklaces. She held it up to her neck and smiled at the reflection staring back at her. It was almost like her mother was looking at her, only a little younger and with darker hair. She brought the necklace behind her neck and secured the clasp. She smoothed out her dress around her hips, but instantly stopped as a realisation hit her.

She was wearing Loki's colours.

The apprehension made her cheeks blush into a rosy red. She couldn't deny that she didn't suit green. She hoped Loki would notice the small gesture and it would at least bring him some joy today.

She made her way to the banquet hall for breakfast and sat herself down next to Sif and Fandral.

"Good morning Analia." Fandral said, lifting her hand to his lips and placing a kiss on the back.

"Good morning Fandral, good morning Sif." She replied, reaching for some bread and fruits and placing them on the plate in front of her.

"Have you seen Thor?" Sif asked, furrowing her brows and looking around the hall.

"I haven't." She replied as she placed a piece of bread into her mouth. "He is most likely with the Allfather."

"Yes, today is the day." Fandral exclaimed, quickly taking a piece of bread from Analia's plate.

"Hey!" She shot turning her head and giving him a slap on the hand, eliciting a chuckle from him.

"It's still not like him to miss breakfast." Sif commented, continuing to look around with a concerned look on her face.

"He'll arrive shortly, he'd never miss an opportunity to eat." Fandral reassured her.

Hogun and Volstagg took their seats opposite the three a few minutes later. Their conversations drowned out in Analia's mind as she tried to think of how she would tell Loki. Would it be best to do it after the coronation? Or before? Maybe before because he wouldn't be so sad about Thor, but what if he'd changed his mind her? But he seemed to still act as he normally does around her-

"Analia?" A voice called, releasing her from her reverie.

"Huh?" She muttered.

"Are you alright?" Sif questioned, handing her a goblet of water.

"Yes, sorry I was just lost in thought. What are we talking about?"

She didn't look convinced and raised an eyebrow.

"We we're just talking about how Cassius is set to return any moment." Sif added.

"Ah yes Cassius!" A voice boomed. She lifted her head and to see Thor taking his seat next to Volstagg. She couldn't think of a reply, so simply rolled her eyes.

"The handsome warrior." Fandral stated.

"Yes, well then you can marry him Fandral."
She shot back with a smirk, her comment receiving laughter from all her friends.

Fandral opened his mouth to speak when he was interrupted by a voice behind them.

"Lady Analia."

She turned to see an eager looking Cassius standing with his hands clasped in front of him.

"Cassius. Welcome back." She stated politely, sensing her fathers gaze from the corner of her eye.

"Would you like to accompany me on a walk around the palace gardens?" He asked with his hand out, clearly aware of Felix's gaze also. She could see him leaning forward awaiting her answer.

"I would love to." She said, placing her hand in his.
"Goodbye my friends." Analia nodded respectfully, receiving joking waves from all of them, trying to withhold their laughter.

She rose from her place at the table and walked through the hall with Cassius at her side. She turned to her father and gave him a smile, holding up Cassius' hand to him, showing her fingers entwined in his. He gave her a smile, trying to disguise his surprise at her sudden warming up to the warrior she once utterly dispised. She did feel guilty for that however. But now she was pleased to call Cassius a friend. Hearing about his life, how he felt about Sigrid, it reminded her she wasn't alone in this.