𝐋𝐎𝐘𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐘 ★彡 ˡ.ˡᵃᵘᶠᵉʸˢᵒⁿ

XXVIII

AFTER GETTING READY WITH ZITHARA'S HELP, ASTRID SAT UPON HER THRONE. Wearing a long gown the colour of a sea of blood, a deep red paired with accents of silver complimented her garnet jewellery. She sat, leaning her hand against her cheek as she listened to the Menvollrian council droned on and on about events that she had to attend.

But a flash coming from behind them caught her eye. The Bifrost.

In came Thor, a look of panic set upon his features. "Astrid!" He rushed forward, pushing through her council members who grumbled at the intrusion.

"Thor? What's wrong?" She leaned forward in her throne, happy for interruption as she was bored to death before he arrived.

"It's Jane," he breathed out. "Something is wrong with her. I think you'll be able to help. There's some type of energy trapped inside her."

Astrid nodded getting up from her throne, halting when she heard her council speak up. "Your Majesty, we have pressing matters of our own! You should focus on Menvollr, not that of Asgard."

She furrowed her brow. "But we are allies, Asgard would help if we were in need, and I expect us to do the same."

"But for one person?" One of the council members sneered.

Astrid nodded. "Yes, for one person. Because who knows? Saving her might save us all. It sounds serious, does it not?" The council member quietened down, having been silenced by their queen. "That's what I thought."

She approached Thor. "Oh also, Odin has requested for Loki to be held in Asgard once more. Mother has managed to turn his perspective on the matter."

Astrid nodded, yet a part of her heart wanted to deny the request. But one cannot go against the Allfather's requests. "Very well," she ordered Jinx and Janus to collect Loki from his cell, chained up. A few minutes later, her guards returned with a smirking Loki clad in his black and green leathery armour between them, chains bound around his hands, linking down to his feet. His blue eyes devoured Astrid's figure as he approached.

"Ah, My Queen, so ravishing, though it's no surprise," he complimented her appearance with a low voice, his grin growing as he noticed her blush grow up her exposed collar and neck, resting on her cheeks. He eyed her neck seeing the makeup laying over the dark bruised that he bestowed upon her that morning. "Brother," he finally turned to Thor, a tinge of distant in his voice. "What do I owe the pleasure?"

"The Allfather has ordered your return. You'll remain in Asgard's Dungeons."

Astrid watched as Loki's face fell from smug delight to distraught. He was more than happy remaining in Menvollr. The dungeons at Asgard, though pleasant, where nothing compared the lavishness of Menvollr's. Though there was not much in his cell, there was still art on the ceilings, a comfortable-enough bed, all the books and food he could ever ask for. And don't get him started the late-night activities he can get up to. Asgard had nothing like that. There was no Astrid there.

Loki turned his eyes to Astrid, his blue eyes swirling with desperation. Desperation for her to intervene, for her to stop Thor and Odin, for her to keep him to herself, to claim him for herself.

But he knew she could never go against The Allfather's orders. No one could. Not unless they were as unhinged as himself.

He nodded. He decided to hide his distraught behind sarcasm. "He misses me already?"

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THE THREE GODS ALONG WITH THE HOD TWINS ARRIVED IN ASGARD. Once inside the Royal Palace, the Asgardian guards took Loki off the Hod Twins hands and dragged him towards the dungeons below. Thor guided the Menvollrians towards a medical room where Jane Foster laid upon an examination table surrounded by Asgardian nurses.