The Lady of Midgard [Book 1]

Chapter 43

Helena spent weeks trying to work out where Loki had gone. She did not believe that he had been sent away, the fact the Midgardian was also missing put her back up, there is no way that they would be together. Of all the people he had to sleep with it had been you. She could not believe that even after her threat you still had dared to go near him.

Helena also couldn't work out what Loki saw in you. To her you were boring, dull; not to mention that you were a human. Such creatures should be treated as nothing more than the barbarians they were.

Deciding to find out for herself Helena walked towards Thor's rooms where she knew your room was near. Arriving at what she hoped was the right door, checking to make sure no one was around, she moved closer to listen for something. What Helena heard made her mouth drop open in shock and anger.

A baby could be heard wailing and a deep voice that could only be Loki's singing to the child.

The baby had been born and no word of it had escaped this room, and Loki was here! She couldn't believe it. Why would he be here of all places? It was just a baby.

Helena had a feeling you had forced him to be here, it wasn't normally done, usually the father just checked to see if the baby had been born healthy before leaving the mother alone; they didn't stay. At least she now knew why the marriage wasn't happening.

It was bad enough you didn't die when she poisoned you and Baldr failed in getting rid of you both before the child was born, it would be even harder to do so now.

Helena was going to make you pay even more for this.

- - - -

Walking into her rooms Helena greeted her father. Sighing she flopped herself into one of the armchairs in the room.

"Father, is there some way you can make the marriage to Loki happen?"

"I could ask the Allfather again." Her father turned to look at her. "I had hoped this would solidify our family's union with the crown...but why did he suddenly rescind it?"

"Honestly I don't know." Helena shrugged, she wasn't going to mention the baby. "I thought everything was going well."

"I will request an audience and we can discuss what happened in person," he said, turning back to his paperwork. "But it may take a few days as I will need to speak to Erik first."

"Thank you father." Helena smiled.

- - - -

That night at dinner Helena decided that maybe some talk of the baby not being Loki's might make him question wanting to be with you. She knew you were close with Fandral, how does anyone know the baby isn't his.

"Cornelia, did you hear? The Midgardian had the baby." Helena told her friend.

"No? Really!" A smile on her face. "How exciting a new prince or princess!"

"I heard it is Fandral's."

"You're joking!" Cornelia exclaimed in shock.

"I am not." Helena kept a straight face. "Plus Loki never publicly said it was his and Fandral was always at her side."

"Very true...Are you both still getting married come spring?" Cornelia questioned.

"We are. So I highly doubt it is his, no matter how much that Midgardian says so."

Cornelia sat there processing the information Helena had told her. It was true that the Midgardian was close to Fandral, maybe Helena was right. Helena was happy, Cornelia was a known gossip. The 'truth' of the child's parentage would soon spread, all she had to do was wait.

- - - -

Baldr found Helena in the library. It had taken a few days to confirm the rumours he had heard circulating throughout the palace. Walking over he sat down opposite her.

"So I hear the baby has been born."

"Yes, alive as well unfortunately. Why couldn't the Norns answer my prayers and have them die in childbirth." Helena looked at him, annoyance written all over her face.

"Do you have confirmation? Because rumours are one thing."

"I heard the child myself in her room."

"You know it will be more difficult to get rid of them now."

Baldr steepled his hands, eyes veiled as he regarded Helena, she was asking for a lot. His father's plan was stealth and that meant any deaths could not be tied back to him. What Helena was asking for would have them both locked away for treason, especially if the baby was a boy. A boy meant a secure line of succession, the only thing in his father's favour was the baby was born out of wedlock.

"Hopefully the meeting my father has with the Allfather tomorrow will help get rid of them," Helena mentioned.

"And if it doesn't?" Baldr raised his eyebrows sceptically. He doubted that, especially with the way Loki had been protective of the mortal.

"Maybe we will try again with some well placed poison?" A wicked grin spread across her face.