I walk back to my room alone, i just can't stand company right now. Especially Loki's. I kept going over what he had said to me, 'like when we were kids.' I whisper them aloud to see if it will help me work them out, but they remain a mystery to me. I find my bed and lie down, but I just can't sleep. I've only known Loki as my King. When I was brought here it was the first time I had spoken to him. I shake my head against the pillows, he must be mistaken. Who could forget them both?
Everything about the pair captivated me, The way Loki's eyes sparkle and the way Thor smiles at people who pass him by. All I can think of now is when Loki found me with Thor, the way he looked at me made me ache. Thoughts swim in my mind and I cant find a coherent thought anymore. Its far too late in the night to do anything about it, I just need to sleep i tell myself. I try very hard to forget about it, but he never leaves my tired mind.
I'm being eyed very carefully and at first I think its Loki, I instinctively jump from the bed but when the light hits his face I realize it's Thor. I get a feeling of disappointment in the pit of my stomach, it confuses me a little. Then he gives me a coy smile that doesn't suit him.
"Astrid, good morning forgive my intrusion!" He said gesturing to the door.
"Good morning Thor, to what do I owe your company?" I ask, it's too formal really, but I'm still unsure how to address the prince.
"I was hoping you would join me for breakfast?" He said, offering his arm, assuming I would follow.
"Umm, let me get dressed, I'll come with you in a moment." i say. He shuts the door the door with haste to allow me to change. My mind drifts back to Loki, to what he said to me. I find myself utterly distracted as i walk to breakfast and I don't take in a word of what Thor has to say. I just nod along and smile, he seems satisfied with that though, encouraged by my smiles. It seems really easy to please him. Most men would want you to return the conversation but I can't stop thinking about Loki and his words. We arrive at the dinning room ten minutes later.
"You can stop pretending your listening to me." He looks a little disappointed and his words catch me off guard.
"I'm sorry it's just I have a lot on my mind, I glance around the room taking in all the warriors. They all look intimidating even Lady Sif. She is glaring at me, I quickly look away and remove my arm from Thor's. Her facial expression softens and a small smile appears on her face. "Excuse me, I need to go back to my room. I forgot something." I glance down before looking him in the eyes. I figure he knows I'm lying. But he nods going to take his seat by Lady Sif. Her smile grows even more placing her hand on his forearm, I just roll my eyes leaving the dinning room. I begin walking and to find my self heading toward the gardens instead of my room. I whisper some words to myself before a gentle hand touches my shoulder causing me to jump a little. I turn around to see a young girl standing there in one of the maid outfits.
"King Loki would like to see you miss." Her voice was a little shaky when she spoke. That when I noticed that her cheek was red and swelling. The mark on her face make me upset and some what angry.
"Who did this to you?" I ask sounding braver than what I'm actually am.
"The King" , She looks down ashamed and I just nod at her response.
" I will take care of this. Now go to the kitchen and place some ice on that to stop the swelling. And just tell them Thor sent you so they will allow you in." She nods and begins to walk off . "What is your name anyway?"
She turns and looks at me. "Anna, Anna Bell." I nod and she quickly walks off. She's very little in size. And she can be only no older than 18.
I start making my way to Loki's room taking the long to avoid Thor and his crew. On the way I try to think of ways to confront Loki about hurting Anna Bell. Before I can even knock on the door it opens. I look in and see Loki standing on the Balcony looking out. It takes me a minute to remember that he has powers. "You wanted to see me?" I walk toward him unsure of what's going on . He just nods, scaring me a little.
"I lost my temper. I didn't want to hurt her.." His voice was and a little sad. " She's like a sister to me ." He turns facing me. " She was there for me when nobody else was. I would never hurt her on purpose. I love her. I keep her here so she can't get hurt."
I nod not sure what to say to him. He looks so torn up from this. He does have feelings, he just keeps them hidden from everybody. I need to make him show his feelings toward people instead of hiding them.
"Astrid please say something. She'll never forgive me for this but I need her to." His eyes are wondering my face looking for an expression.
"Well..." I still not sure on what to say to him. I bite my bottom lip not sure what to say to him. I don't want to make him upset. "First try to forgive yourself."
Before I can say or do anything else he pulls me into a hug."Thank you so much , Can you please help me find her?"
I just nod keeping my arms to my side, not sure if I should hug back. So I slowly slide out of his arms. "I will go and find her. You stay here and work on showing your feelings. " He smiles a little and nods before I walk out . Well that wasn't awkward at all. I walk to the kitchen looking for Anna hoping she is still in the kitchen. I walk in smelling the leftover breakfast and my stomach starts growling. Anna walks up to me with a small bag of ice on her face. She smiles softly grabbing my hand leading me to a small table with some rolls in the center.
She takes a seat and I sit across from her. "You sound hungry ." She smiles and I nod.
"So how is your face ?" I ask hoping to change the subject from my growling stomach.
"It's fine. The swelling is going down and It's not bruising. So maybe it wont be so noticeable." She removes the pack from her cheek and she is right, It's barley visible.
" Well I was sent here to retrieve you and take you to Loki. He wants to talk to you.
She looks at me confused and worried. "What does he want?" Her voice was shaky.
"He wants to apologize to you." I take a bite of a roll sitting in the center of the table. She looks at me confused.
"Why does he want to that? I'm not the first one he hit?"
I look at her placing the roll down and looking at her. "I will let him explain. It is his duty to explain and I promise he wont hit you again" I will be standing beside you the whole time."
She nods standing up and she gently runs her hands down her dress to straighten it out. I do the same but I keep the roll eating it as we walked to Loki's chamber.
"You could've stayed in the kitchen and ate." She smiles shaking her head some.
"I'm fin, I want to be here to protect you and I'm going to get you out of that slutty outfit.
She giggles and nods. "Alright"
