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Chapter Sixty-Seven: Always You

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I squirmed in the ridiculous outfit that shone iridescent under the lights that washed over the crowd. I swallowed hard. This definitely wasn't ever a situation I worried about finding myself in. Entertainment to a bunch of aliens. But, given how off-track my life had gone since I'd first visited Asgard, I could hardly be surprised.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Sun announced from his spot on the dais, sweeping an arm toward me, "I give you the Firebyrd."

I stepped up onto the raised dais in the centre of the room, and there was the loud clink of a utensil against crystal. The Grand Master called everyone's attention to the middle of the room. To me. I flushed under their gazes.

"Oh, this one's my favourite," he said, his voice merry and loud. I wanted to throat-punch him. "Who brought her in again—" he leaned down to confer with his assistant, "—Right, Scrapper 231. Always liked that guy."

I sure didn't.

"Anyways, ladies and gentlemen, the last act of the evening."

I scoffed, adjusting my ridiculously high skirt. I by no means wanted to put on an act for these people, I'd never wanted my powers to be a spectacle for people to oggle at—But I'd seen what happened to the last entertainer who disappointed the Grand Master.

I swallowed. Picked up the instrument that I'd requested. It's name—the Tagleharpa—was hilarious, which was the only reason I remembered it. Bodil had taught me to play a few songs on it during my confinement to the dungeons of Asgard. I prayed to God I wasn't too rusty on it, as I plucked the beginning notes of my favourite of the songs she'd shared.

I let my fire out in small bursts across the room, and suddenly, the other lighting was turned off. My flames, flickering blue, purple, red, needed no direction from me. I could guide them easily with my thoughts, now.

And then, I began to sing.

My mother told me
Someday I would buy
Galleys with good oars
Sails to distant shores

My mother told me
Someday I would buy
Galleys with good oars
Sails to distant shores

Stand up on the prow
Noble barque I steer
Steady course to the haven
Hew many foe-men
Hew many foe-men

My mother told me
Someday I would buy
Galleys with good oars
Sails to distant shores

My mother told me
Someday I would buy
Galleys with good oars
Sails to distant shores

Stand up on the prow
Noble barque I steer
Steady course to the haven
Hew many foe-men
Hew

(My Mother Told Me, Covered by Alina Gingertail)

The room broke out in polite applause when I finished, and that was when our eyes met. The moment I saw him across the room, all thoughts faded into background noise.

Loki.

A rush of embarrassment flooded through me, as I realized he'd seen my entire performance. I didn't often sing in front of people, I wasn't overly proud of my voice, though it had improved with tutelage from Bodil. Not to mention the outfit...

Suddenly, I was pulled off the stage, and surrounded by voices. How had I made the fire dance? I had a lovely voice. I was beautiful. A drink was pushed into my hands. I tuned them all out, searching the crowd for him.