Ethereal

Chapter 25: Mad

The Goddess of Death sat at the head of the table in front of her, sharp and long fingernails tapping against the polished wooden surface. She looked up from the table upon hearing the doors behind her open, the heavy doors being dragged.

"Your Highness." several members of the council stood beside their designated seats with closed fists over their hearts, lowering their heads out of respect for the queen.

Hela waved a dismissive hand. The warriors and the princes took their seat, falling silent as soon as they sat. The tension in the air could be cut by her sword, she was certain. She knew they were always afraid of her or rather what she can do.

"If I may." Loki, the brave one and possibly the only sane one in the room raised his hand to ask for permission to speak.

Hela spared him a look then nodded away.

"What is this all about?" the youngest prince asked the question they were all thinking. It was unusual for the queen to call a meeting so early and all by herself, usually, she's the one being dragged into these gatherings.

Hela blinked, completely unfazed. She pursed her lips, eyes dancing as she thought of things but the only thing she could think of was a certain mortal woman "I am to ask Serena's hand in marriage soon." she announced, earning all their attention.

"Your Highness-" Sif starts but was quickly shut down when Hela raised a firm hand, stopping the commotion at the table.

"Did I give you permission to speak?" she sternly said, looking at every single one of their faces. Her gaze lingers on the princes, Thor looked more happy while Loki was more disappointed.

She closed her eyes, leaning back on her chair "She will not affect Asgard's rule." she said "You do not approve of her, the people don't, I cannot make her a queen. If I do, that means I'm practically painting a red target behind her back." she sighed, closing her fists "And she doesn't wish to rule, I will not force her to do anything."

"She will remain as my lover and my to be wedded wife." she opened her eyes, her emerald eyes glowing darkly against the faint light from the open windows "But if you are to touch her, if you are to hurt her, if she is to be harmed on your watch, I will not hesitate to kill you."

"Have we reached an understanding?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Good." she sighed "Leave." she glanced at her brothers "You two, stay." she ordered as if they were dogs but nevertheless, they did stay and watched the rest of the warriors leave.

Once they were alone, Hela sank further into her chair with a head ache already starting to pound in her head. She brought a hand up, massaging her temple "Do not look at me like that, it was either this or give up the throne to one of you." she muttered, feeling her brothers' stares.

Loki scoffed "You've gone mad."

While Thor had the opposite reaction "When are you planning to ask for her hand in marriage?"

"I need you to do something." Hela said.

Loki immediately shook his head "No! You have got to stop escaping from your duties, sister. Thor and I are not here to pick up after you."

"Calm down, snake face." Hela glared at him "An outsider has entered Asgard's borders." she closed her eyes but she didn't fail to catch the look on her brothers' faces, dark and ominous. She pointed a finger at Loki "I need you to watch an eye over the tesseract at all times. Heimdall's eyes won't be enough nor the guardian in the treasury." she turned her finger to Thor "Tell your little friends to investigate and guard the defenses, you are in charge of finding the outsider."