𝐀𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 | 𝕃𝕠𝕜𝕚'𝕤 𝔸𝕗𝕗𝕝𝕚𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖

A Perilous Wood

As soon as Loki made his way back to the palace he approached Kai, who was now awake and pacing anxiously in the healing rooms.

"Why is he not bound? Cuff his wrists!" Loki ordered his guards, feeling enraged.

"What! Why?....How can I help search for Ma Belle if you shackle me!" Kai says confused.

Loki scoffed "You've proved yourself useless! Incapable of protecting someone you supposably care about. I have no confidence in your search and rescue skills!"

Kai sighed feeling hurt, angry at himself. The guilt he felt was immense.

"I-I'm sorry" he said glumly.

"You're sorry?!.... Is that it? A simple sorry for allowing the love of my life and my unborn child to be taken by brute thugs! By mutineers!.....These are your people who took her!" Loki yelled furious.

"No... they're not my people! I am not like them. Ma Belle knows I don't hurt people"

"Maybe that was her mistake, trusting you!...and it was my mistake for trusting her faith in you too. I should never have allowed you to take her"

The room fell silent, strong emotions creating tension in the air.

Loki sighed, slouching his head forward "But I am as much to blame as you" he whispered, hating himself.

He felt Kai's pitying eyes stare at him, and immediately snapped his head upwards, looking at him coldly.

"You broke an oath. An oath sworn to protect the princess with your life. And because you failed, your life will be taken in exchange" Loki asserted.

Kai stared into Loki's eyes and saw his pain. The deep hurt masked behind his cold demeanour.

He sighed, and his head flopped down. "You're right. I failed.........I accept the terms of the broken oath. I accept death"

Loki looked at Kai in surprise, he expected him to argue, or even attempt to flee. He never imagine he would accept his fate so willingly.

Loki growled in frustrated anger, plagued with indecision. Kai's guilt and dutiful compliance made it very hard for Loki to go through with the oath, even if it meant it could rid him from your life for good.

"Lock him in the deepest part of the dungeon, where he will remain until I bring back my betrothed!" Loki commanded.

Kai stared in shock, never believing that an Odinson would be so forgiving.

"Don't think you're invited to the wedding. Even if Mina begs, I will put my foot down" Loki says gruffly, seeing Kai's face look at him puzzled.

Kai half smiled as he was guided away, intrigued by Loki's behaviour.

He admired his hopeful demeanour, and the fact he never doubted that he'll get you back. It made him question his views on an Odinson.

"Well that was nice brother. I know how angry you're at him. Yet you spared his life" Thor said, having watched the entire exchange from the doorway.

Loki turned around and looked at Thor.

"I've listened to the captured women who witnessed Mina being taken. They all said the same thing. That Kai held onto her, never once allowing his grip to falter. If she wasn't so terribly stubborn and just listened to him, he'd have brought her back safely"

Thor placed his hand on Loki's shoulder, looking at him with sympathy.

"My Sister truly is stubborn. But she wouldn't have put herself in danger if she had no choice. Her kind heart would never allow innocent women to die. Putting Kai to sleep was the only way he'd let her go. You were right not to uphold the oath Brother" Thor smiles.