When You Say Nothing at All

Chapter 8

It was morning when the healers deemed me healed enough to go see Odin. My hand was no longer broken but still had a dull throbbing pain to it. The scratches on my cheek were almost healed completely. They were faint scars but would be gone when I came back after my meeting with the Allfather. Sigurd held out his arm for me and we headed back into my room. My dress was in no shape to meet with Odin. Luckily no one was there and I was able to get dressed in peace while Sigurd stood guard outside the door. When I was ready I took my brother's arm again and we set off for the throne room.

Loki is already waiting outside when we arrive. He smiles when he sees me and doesn't seem surprised that Sigurd is with me. He walks up to me and takes my hands.

"I must admit that I was afraid that you wouldn't show up." He raises one of my hands and kisses it.

Even if Sigurd had not found me I would've crawled on the floor to get to Loki. Still I keep my cheek with the scratches away from his eyes. I wrap my arm around his and the three of us enter the throne room.

Odin is already sitting on the throne and Frigga is beside him talking to him. She smiles when she sees us enter. I grip a little tighter on Loki's arm the closer we get to the throne. I hope and pray that Odin will, for once, let Loki have a little happiness.

"My son, what brings you here?" Odin asks. His one eye glancing between me, Loki, and Sigurd who is walking behind us. We bow as soon as we reach the throne.

"Father, I would like to discuss my marriage. I know that I am betrothed to Sigyn, but I do not love her and do not wish to marry her." He turns to look at me. "This is the woman I love and I wish to marry her instead."

Odin looks at me. "I know you. Your Sigyn's little sister. The one who can't talk."

I nod my head slowly. I may not like Odin for everything he did, or will do, to Loki but I still have to show respect. At least for this I do. Just then the doors to the throne room were flung open and a shiver of fear ran through me as I watched my parents and Sigyn march towards the throne.

"Your Majesty, I beg of you to not listen to this witch's lies!" My step-father bows to Odin.

I feel Loki tense beside me at the insult.

"How DARE you speak that way to her!" He yells.

"Prince Loki, Your Highness," Sigyn steps forward looking at Loki, "can't you see that she has cast a spell over you to make you love her and not me! Try to remember all the fun times we had."

I suppress the urge to roll my eyes.

Loki looks down at her and narrows his eyes. "I do not seem to recall ever having spent one moment with you that could be considered fun."

Sigyn's eyes widen at that.

My mother grabs Sigyn and pulls her back to her side. "Your Majesty, let us take this insolent child home. She is already promised to marry Lord Gronlund. We will make sure that she doesn't interfere with the marriage between your son and my daughter anymore."

"And by that you mean you'll leave her bloody and broken curled up on the floor again like you did last night?" Sigurd seethes.

Loki raises his eyebrows at what my brother says and looks at me. I turn away from him. It was still embarrassing for him to know and I had been hoping that he would never learn. He turns my face up to his, concern in his eyes until he sees the faint scratches on my cheek, then his eyes quickly turn to anger. He gently runs his thumb over the scars.