Servant of Jotunheim

Return

I have barely seen the King over the past few days as he has been rather busy between various council meetings and making further preparations for the ball.

In a way I was pleased as I have been quite busy myself, learning how to dance with Ruth and Sara in secret in an attempt to pleasantly surprise him.

Late at night, we are practicing in the grand hall while I am in my Jotun form as we know we will not likely be disturbed.

After realising the late hour they kindly offer to escort me back to my chambers. While we walk back in the darkness, I begin to feel a strange sense of unease at how quiet it is.

That is when I catch the scent of something in the air, something so horrifyingly familiar that sends waves of fear crashing through my body.

Me: "Helbindi, he is here".

We hear the bells ringing out across the kingdom and screams of terror coming from the distance.

Me: "Run!"

All three of us set off as fast as our legs can carry us. We are halfway across the palace when I remember the King's plan and have little choice but to make an immediate decision, one that could cost many their lives if I were to choose incorrectly.

Me: "You must find the King and tell him to meet me at the vault" I pant breathlessly when we cease running further.

Ruth: "No, we should stay together" she argues.

Me: "Helbindi is searching for me and me alone. If we stay together now then you will both be in grave danger. You must go quickly and stop for nothing".

Sara: "What about you?".

Me: "Do not worry, I will be fine. Go now!"

We part ways and I run back in the opposite direction as the sounds of fighting only grow closer. The noise soon surrounds me, which means that Helbindi did not travel to Asgard alone.

Upon hearing something large approaching my current location, I hide behind a large golden column to conceal my presence.

I can hear the large booming footsteps of a frost giant closing in on me, but it cannot possibly be Helbindi as they pass me by without picking up my scent.

My heart is beating quickly as I take a brief moment to rest, attempting to gather my thoughts while also trying to remember the way to the vault as I had only been there once before.

I walk out hesitantly from my hiding place, but it is even darker now then it was before, with all of the torches having been extinguished due to the frost giants cold presence.

Helbindi: "Hello, runt" the very sound of his voice coming from somewhere in the darkness is comparable to a nightmare.

It is not until I look up and recognise his red eyes glaring down at me from above that I realise just how close he was.

I desperately want to flee from him or call out for help, but I am completely frozen with fear as he closes the gap between us.

Helbindi: "You are mine".

Me: "Please, Helbindi. Do not allow your men harm anyone else and I will come with you".

Helbindi: "You say that as though you ever had a choice".

He engulfs my face with his enormous hand, covering my nose and mouth so I can no longer breathe when he lifts me from the ground, holding me effortlessly in the air.

Me: "During our time apart I have had an interesting idea. I realised that you would never be able to reject me again if you no longer possessed a tongue" he smiles with his sinister intent.

I feel myself slipping into unconsciousness after being unable to breathe for so long, when Helbindi is suddenly knocked to the ground and takes me down with him.

Thor: "Run, Anya!" he yells to me when his hammer returns to him.

I manage to scramble to my feet and set off running once more, with my ears now ringing and blood dripping from a large cut on my head, caused by the impact of hitting the ground with such force.

I make it to the vault and am instantly filled with dread when I realise that the King has yet to arrive.

My main concern is that something may have happened to Ruth and Sara on their way to find him or even to the King himself before they could reach him.

To my relief, I soon see him entering with two guards then closing the doors behind him as he runs down the stairs and into my arms.

Me: "Are Ruth and Sara alright?"

Loki: "Yes, they are safe with my mother. You were wise to send them".

Me: "We do not have much time. Helbindi is close by".

Loki: "You are bleeding, Valanya" he says worriedly as he inspects my wound.

Me: "I am fine. Fortunately your brother saved me in time before Helbindi could take me".

Loki: "The other frost giants outside of the palace walls were clearly a distraction. They were attempting to lure the guards outside while Helbindi and a few others made their way into the palace unseen. Thor will hold them off for as long as he can, but we must do this now".

He places a hand at either side of the casket for a few brief moments before turning back to face me.

Our skin is now the same colour, with similar markings to mine and his eyes no longer the beautiful green shade I had grown to love, but the same crimson red as all the other frost giants.

I hesitate for a moment before reaching out my hand to touch his face and feel his now cold skin against my own.

Loki: "Do I frighten you this way?"

Me: "No, Loki. I know it is still you" I smile reassuringly.

Loki: "Shall we start? Remember, you will not be overcome with lust as you were the last time because of the magic I previously used on you".

He moves in close to me and inhales deeply before bringing his eyes back up to meet mine. His pupils begin to dilate, just as Helbindi's had which means he has chosen me.

I am relieved when I soon pick up his masculine aroma and find myself wanting to kiss him this instant, but there are more pressing matters at hand.

Loki: "What happens next?"

Me: "You need to mark me".

Loki: "I do not wish to harm you".

Me: "You could never harm me".

I snake my hand around the back of his neck and pull him into a kiss which soon deepens when he wraps his arms around me.

His kisses move down to my neck and my heart races even before he slips my dress down from my shoulder. It takes all of my willpower not to let him take me right here and now.

I gasp when his teeth slowly sink into the skin between my neck and shoulder, but it does not hurt for long. I find myself enjoying the sensation before he pulls away and looks at me to ensure that I am alright.

Loki: "Did it hurt?"

Me: "A little, but I am fine" I say and I place a gentle kiss on his lips.

We look up the stairs and towards the vaults doors which are slowly beginning to freeze from the other side.

Me: "He is here".

A heavy pounding against the doors that causes the floor beneath us to vibrate, echoes throughout the vault. The doors finally give way to the brute force striking them and shatter like glass.

Helbindi strides in alone with nothing but rage in his eyes, but they are soon fixated on me and the fresh marking that is so clearly displayed across my skin.