Twisted Fate || Loki Odinson

Epilogue: 3 Weeks Later

Peering down at the Jane Eyre book that Loki gifted me, my eyes glaze over with tears. I run my fingers over the worn cover, feeling the faint ridges of the embossed title. Every page holds memories of quiet nights and whispered words, moments that now seem like distant echoes. Blinking back the tears, I place the book carefully in my backpack, as if it might shatter if I handle it too roughly.

Reaching around to the clasp of the necklace, I fumble with the tiny latch, my fingers trembling. I finally manage to remove it from my neck and hold the pendant up, examining the shimmering stone that once felt like a promise. The soft, iridescent glow seems to dim in the light of the room. Pressing a gentle kiss to the stone, I whisper, "I love you," my voice cracking under the weight of my emotions.

Tears roll down my cheeks, warm and unwelcome, as I tuck the necklace into a pocket in my backpack, securing it away like a precious secret. I slide the backpack back under my bed, a small, hidden shrine to a love that now feels fragile and uncertain.

I take a seat on the edge of my bed, the mattress dipping slightly under my weight. The room feels suffocatingly silent, the air thick with unspoken words and lingering doubts. Staring at the closed door across from me, I feel a hollow ache in my chest, a void that has only grown larger with each passing day.

I can't believe it's been three weeks since he's been gone. It doesn't even feel real. It feels like this... terrible nightmare that I can't wake up from. The days blur together, each one a painful reminder of his absence.

Why hasn't he come back? Why hasn't he given me a sign? Is he okay? What happened when he went back to Asgard? Why did he leave? These questions swirl through my mind like a relentless storm, leaving me exhausted and anxious.

He promised me that he'd be back. He told me he loved me. Those words replay in my mind, a cruel reminder of hope that now feels like a betrayal. Was all of it a lie? Was he just using me?

More tears spill from my eyes, hot and bitter, as my fists clench in frustration. My nails dig into my palms, the sharp pain a stark contrast to the dull ache in my heart. Did he even love me?

I feel a sob rising in my throat, but I choke it back, unwilling to let the sadness consume me completely. The room feels colder without him, the silence louder, and every moment without him feels like an eternity. I hug my arms around myself, trying to hold together the pieces of my shattered heart.

|| || ||

Standing at the edge of the balcony overlooking Asgard, my fingers trace the intricate patterns of the Ouroboros ring on my hand. The ring, a gift from Cassie, symbolizes eternity, a cycle unbroken. It reminds me of her strength, her resilience, and the promise I made to her. The cool metal against my skin is a small comfort amidst the storm of emotions raging within me.

I pull out the gold and emerald pocket watch she gave me, feeling its weight in my hand. The craftsmanship is exquisite, each detail a testament to her thoughtfulness and care. Flicking it open, I watch the hands tick away, each second a reminder of the time I've spent away from her. My anger flares again, hot and consuming. How dare Father keep me from her?

My gaze hardens as I look out over the shimmering city, its beauty marred by the bitterness I feel. I replay the conversation with Odin in my mind, his imperious tone, his refusal to understand. "You are a Prince of Asgard, Loki. Your duties lie here, not with some Midgardian girl."

His words cut deep, fueling the fire of my resentment. Cassie is not just some girl. She is my heart, my reason, and I will not be kept from her. The thought of her tears, her confusion, her pain in my absence, drives a knife through my chest. How could he be so blind, so heartless?

I clench the pocket watch tightly, the edges digging into my palm. I refuse to accept this punishment. I refuse to let Father's decree be the end of us. I will find a way back to her, no matter the cost. The determination solidifies within me, a resolve as unyielding as the stones of this palace.

I think of the nights spent with her, the warmth of her touch, the softness of her voice. The memory of her saying "I love you" echoes in my mind, a beacon in the darkness. I will not let that light fade. I will not let Father's will dictate my heart.

One way or another, I will see Cassie again. I will hold her in my arms, tell her that I love her, and never let go. This separation is temporary, a mere obstacle in our path. The thought of our reunion fuels my resolve, a promise that I will defy fate, defy Father, and reclaim our destiny.

The pocket watch ticks steadily, each second a countdown to the moment I break free and return to her. I slip it back into my pocket, the weight of it a comforting reminder of what I fight for. With one last look over Asgard, I turn away, my mind set, my heart unwavering.

Cassie, I will return to you. This, I swear.