Lady Mischief (Book 2)

Nine

"Ta daaaa," Loki commented sarcastically as he landed the skiff in Svartalfheim. Freya couldn't help but let out a giggle, even in the dark times they were in. Loki leaned over to her. "Thought that was funny, darling?" He chuckled. Thor cleared his throat. "We need to find the last remaining Dark Elves. They'll be looking for something that Asgard possesses."

"And what's that?"

"The Aether. Or, more commonly known amongst the Midgardians as the reality stone."

Freya and Loki both gasped softly. "Brother, I thought the Aether was long gone." Both of the brothers thought the same. "Father has informed me that Grandfather Bor did not destroy it." Loki muttered an Asgardian curse under his breath. "Well, where has it been?" Freya huffed.

"It must have been in the secure part of Father's treasure vault, little sister. Loki would have known--"

"Shut up, Thor," Loki hissed, knowing full well what his older brother was alluding to. Freya didn't think Thor knew, but she supposed that she hadn't been fully caught up. Thor put a fist in the air. "Silence. We're here."

Being trained in the arts of silence, Freya was so quiet one couldn't even tell if she was breathing. Loki grasped onto her hand, as if she was a lifeline for him. Which, in certain circumstances, she was. Freya had been the only thing keeping him going all these months. Especially when Frigga was killed. He didn't see a purpose in going on, but he remembered Freya. Freya would want him to keep going.

"Loki? You alright?" The sweet soprano melody of his Valkyrie's voice interrupted his thoughts. "What? Oh, yes, darling. I'm fine." Freya looked at him for a moment as if she didn't believe him. Which, Loki knew he was lying through his teeth.

The trio stayed alert, watching and waiting for any signs of danger. Loki heard a small crack, and immediately drew a dagger, simultaneously putting a protective arm in front of Freya. "I'm fine," she began to whisper but Loki turned around and replied, "I am not taking any chances with you, my Valkyrie." Freya huffed, but if Loki was being protective, there was no stopping him.

Soon enough, a few Dark Elves made their presence known, wielding guns and blades. Loki caught sight of one and hissed, "You killed my mother!" Loki rushed towards him, Freya moving too late to catch him. "Loki!" She yelled as he fought the elves. Thor held her back with one muscular arm. "Thor! Fuck, let me go!" She screamed, trying to open her wings. "Little sister, I promised Loki you would not be harmed."

"Screw what you promised! He needs help!"

"Freya. I could never forgive myself if you were injured." Thor said in a stern voice, one that Freya had never heard before. Freya trembled as tears rolled down her hot cheeks, furious. There were only a few elves. Loki was fine, right?

She was wrong. Again.

She heard Loki hiss and groan in pain, clutching his side. Algrim, the Kursed, had stabbed him just as Loki finished him off. Thor knew he wasn't going to be able to fight her, so he let her go. A Dark Elf appeared to the side of Freya, and she drove a sword through his heart in fury.

She held Loki in her arms, sobbing. "Please...hold on, we'll get you back to Asgard, we'll heal you--"

"My Valkyrie. There's not time."

Freya shook her head, a lump forming in her throat. "No, no. You're not...you're not going yet." Loki held her close to his body. "Freya, my darling. I want you to feel my heart beating."

"W-Why?"

"Because it beats only for you, my love."

Freya laughed sadly. "Dammit, you're always so poetic." Loki smiled sadly. "You told me you'd be okay..." She trailed off, sniffing.

"I did."

"But you lied to me."

"I did."

"You told me you love me."

"I do," Loki replied breathily. "Promise you always will?" Freya asked desperately. Loki nodded and rubbed Freya's back. "You're so beautiful, my kærasta," he said softly. Freya sniffed and rested her head against Loki's chest. Slowly, quietly, she heard it fade. Then it stopped.

Freya let out the most heart wrenching scream, kneeling over Loki's body. Thor had to drag her back to the skiff, sobbing and screaming. None of them said anything on the ride back to Asgard.

When they arrived back, Odin immediately summoned them to the throne room. "Do you know what you have done?!" He boomed, looking at Freya more than Thor. "Father. Loki is dead."

Odin paused, then glanced at Freya.

"Very...very well. You both are dismissed."

Thor offered to console Freya in his chambers, which she kindly accepted. They didn't say much of anything during the time, mainly sat together and stared out the windows of his chambers.

"Thor?"

"Yes, Freya?"

"If...if Loki had survived and came back with us...do you think Odin would have imprisoned him again?"

"Do you want my honest opinion?"

"Yes."

"I think Odin would have executed him. And you."

Freya did not speak again. Instead, her and Thor simply sat together and watched the sun set over Asgard. Her first sunset without Loki since he came back home. The first of many long nights.

End of Book Two.