Twisted Fate || Loki Odinson

26.

The sound of the clock ticking fills my ears as I flip to the next page of my book. Moments pass when Loki's voice cuts through the silence. "We should get out of the house."

I glance up, intrigued. "And do what?"

"Well, what are some winter activities you Midgardians enjoy?" he asks, genuinely curious. 

I consider for a moment. "Snowball fights, making snow angels, building a snowman, sledding, ice skating."

"Do you have a preference?"

"Well, there's a small lake nearby that's frozen over. I don't know if you know how to ice skate or not, but--"

"Ice skating it is," he declares, standing up decisively.

I raise an eyebrow, skeptical yet amused. "Have you ever ice skated before?"

He smirks confidently. "How hard can it be?"

I can't help but smile at his bravado. "Alright, let's see how the god of mischief handles the ice."

After changing into warmer clothes and retrieving my ice skates, I find Loki waiting by the door. "So, what are you going to do without ice skates?" I tease, noting his lack of preparation.

His lips curl into a smirk as he raises his hand, conjuring a pair of ice skates with a flick of his wrist.

I frown playfully. "You're such a show-off."

"Oh, don't pretend you don't love it," he teases back, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Rolling my eyes, I try not to smile. "Maybe a little."

He steps closer, offering me his hand. "Shall we?"

I nod, slipping my hand into his, feeling a mix of excitement and relief as we leave my cabin.

|| || ||

The frozen lake stretches out before us, bathed in the soft light of the setting sun. Loki and I glide across the ice, our movements fluid and synchronized. There's a quiet intimacy in the way we skate together, a wordless understanding that bridges the space between us.

"You're quite skilled on the ice," Loki remarks as he twirls me gently.

I laugh softly, the crisp air filling my lungs. "Years of practice. Though I must admit, I never imagined I'd be skating with a god."

He chuckles, the sound echoing faintly across the frozen expanse. "Nor did I imagine such a delightful companion on the ice."

As we continue to skate, our bodies moving in sync, the tension between us grows with each graceful turn. Every touch and every shared glance seems to spark a fire between us, a magnetic pull that intensifies with each passing moment.

Caught in the depth of his gaze, I find myself speaking softly, breaking the comfortable silence between us. "You know, you're surprisingly good at this."

He chuckles again, a low sound that sends a shiver down my spine. "Perhaps I have a few hidden talents," he muses, his voice intimate. His hand lingers on my waist, fingers brushing against my skin through the fabric, sending a wave of warmth coursing through me despite the cold.

We skate in comfortable silence for a while, the tension between us noticeable. The sun begins to set, casting a warm orange glow across the ice and painting the sky with hues of pink and gold. It's a breathtaking scene, but my attention is drawn solely to the man holding my hand, guiding me effortlessly across the ice. His presence is magnetic, and I can't help but be drawn to him.

As we approach the center of the lake, I notice a faint crack forming beneath our feet. I tilt my head slightly, my brows furrowing.

What's--

The crack deepens and panic seizes me. I instinctively push Loki away with a desperate cry. "Loki, watch out!" 

He stumbles backward, confusion crossing his face as he tries to regain his balance. Just as I breathe a sigh of relief, the ice gives way beneath me. 

I plunge into the freezing water, the shock stealing my breath away. Instinctively, I try to swim back up, but the surface has frozen over again, trapping me beneath the ice.

|| || ||

As Cassie disappears beneath the frozen surface, fear seizes my heart. The ice instantly seals over where she fell, trapping her beneath its frigid grip. Without a moment's hesitation, I summon my magic, focusing on my innate abilities to manipulate ice and water.

I extend my senses through the frozen lake, feeling for her presence beneath. With a surge of power, I command the ice to crack and part. Swiftly, I dive into the icy water, my vision adjusting to the murky darkness of the lake. I spot Cassie's form, drifting deeper, her movements sluggish in the cold water. With a surge of determination, I reach out, grab her arm, and bring us both back to the surface.

The shock of the freezing water lingers, but I focus on Cassie. She lies motionless on the ice, her skin pale and her breath nonexistent. Panic threatens to consume me, but I push it aside, drawing on every ounce of magic at my disposal.

Kneeling beside her, I channel healing energy into her body, willing warmth back into her limbs. Her chest remains still, her heart silent. Fear grips me, but I refuse to let her slip away. With trembling hands, I focus on her chest, conjuring a gentle pulse of magic to stimulate her heart.

"Cassie, wake up," I urge softly, my voice strained with desperation. "Breathe."

The seconds stretch into minutes as I continue my efforts, pouring magic into her and willing her to respond. Finally, a gasp breaks the silence, and her chest rises as she coughs up water, her eyes fluttering open.

Relief floods through me, but I keep my focus, steadying her as she catches her breath. Her gaze meets mine, confusion in her eyes. "I thought..." she begins, her voice trembling.

"Don't think about that now," I interrupt gently. "You're safe."

We sit in silence for a while, the enormity of what just transpired hanging between us. The setting sun casts a warm glow over the frozen lake, a sharp contrast to the icy terror we just faced.

"Thank you," she finally whispers, her voice barely audible.

I meet her gaze, unable to suppress a faint smile. "I told you I wouldn't let anything happen to you."

She nods, a small smile tugging at her lips despite everything. "You saved me. Again."

I shake my head slightly, brushing off the praise. "It's what anyone would do."

"Not anyone," she insists softly, her eyes searching mine. "You always come through for me."

Her words linger in the air, leaving an unspoken truth between us. I reach out, squeezing her hand gently, a silent promise of protection and understanding.