Sorcha's Secret World, Part one.

Chapter 42, A Fairytale of snow and ice.

"I really hope the neighbours aren't home, who knows how I'm going to explain this to them," I sighed.

"Tell them your brother-in-law is on drugs?" Loki suggested with a shrug.

"Loki!"

We were watching Thor from the kitchen window, while he stood in the back garden. Talking to a raven.

"That won't explain the raven talking back," I grinned. Loki grinned back. "Probably not, no," he admitted.

"He's been talking to Odin for a long time," I worried.

"The AllFather is rather verbose," Loki didn't seem too worried. "And from the set of Thor's shoulders, he is giving Thor quite the scolding."

"Poor Thor!"

"Eh, I'm just glad it isn't me for a change." Loki was heartless. "I've been on the receiving end of father's tongue lashings far too often for my comfort. Let Thor be the one to bear the brunt of it for once, it's only fair."

"Do you think Odin will help at all? I mean, Thor was only supposed to grab you and bring you back to Asgard, not stick around and get involved with everything that's happening here."

"I'm not sure," Loki admitted, "but I'm certain we'll find out soon."

Loki wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me a bit closer. I leaned my head against him, simply enjoying the feeling of his body so near to mine. I felt his lips brush the top of my head and smiled up at him. I expected Loki to smile back, but his eyes were serious.

"While Thor is talking to father, there is something I'd like to discuss while it is just us."

He took my hand in his and stroked with his thumb over the ring on my finger, my engagement ring with the moon and star.

"Remember I mentioned Laufey's Glade? The place where the veil between our realms is thin?"

I nodded. "There's a portal there to Jotunnheim," I remembered.

"I have not been back there in a while, but it could well be that place is also losing its power rapidly. If we still wish to get the staff, if we still wish to ask my mother's spirit to marry us, we may have to do that sooner rather than later."

"I thought you were worried about Asgard learning of that place and destroying it like they destroyed everything else that once belonged to the Jotunn?"

"I'm afraid that if we wait too long that place loses its power and its destruction might happen regardless." Loki hesitated, a small frown appearing between his eyes.

"I know things have been different between us since Thor's uninvited arrival. I know you've seen sides of me that may not have been pretty, that the mask cracked and you caught a glimpse of the darkness, the demons that lie behind it. I am not the husband you deserve, and I most certainly don't deserve you.

I've tried giving us time, tried to change enough to become worthy of you. But time is running out, I'm afraid.

If you were to have changed your mind, if you regret accepting my proposal I would not blame you, I truly wouldn't. But if the love in your heart has not lessened, if your resolve has not waned, if you could still imagine spending an eternity by my side..." his voice cracked, as his eyes pleaded into mine.

"Loki..." my heart ached at the plea in his eyes, the fear behind it. "Do you truly still not know how much I love you? How dear you are to me? Of course, I still want to marry you!"

"It won't be the wedding we dreamt of, there will be no big affair, no dress, no flowers, no cake. Just us..." he warned.

"I don't need it. We can always have a big celebration after. I just want you! I just want you.." I whispered as my emotions overwhelmed me, my eyes filling with tears.