Enchanted Shadows

Chapter 36 - Shadows and Trust

**POV:** Maya

The corridor was dark, the stone walls closing in on me as I pressed my back against the cold surface, willing myself to disappear. Their voices echoed through the narrow passage, each word sharp as a dagger. I knew I shouldn't be here, shouldn't be listening, but something had drawn me in—the tone of Loki's voice, the secretive murmur that spoke of things hidden in the shadows.

"I'll take care of it," Loki said, his voice smooth, almost casual. "She needn't know the details. As far as she's concerned, everything is exactly as it should be."

I sucked in a breath, trying to make sense of his words. Who was he talking about? Was it me?

"Are you certain?" came the reply. It was a voice I didn't recognize, rough and distrustful. "She's... unpredictable. If she finds out—"

"She won't," Loki interrupted, his tone brooking no argument. "She trusts me."

My heart clenched, the blood rushing in my ears. Was this a betrayal? My mind raced, conjuring a thousand scenarios. But I couldn't confront him now, not like this. I needed to understand more.

I stayed in the shadows as they finished their conversation, their voices fading into the distance. When I was sure they were gone, I slipped back down the corridor, my mind a storm of confusion and fear. What was Loki hiding from me?

In our chambers, I paced, wringing my hands as the walls seemed to close in. The air felt heavy, each breath a struggle. I knew Loki would return soon, and I had to decide—would I confront him or let it fester, gnawing at the fragile trust between us?

The door creaked open, and he entered, his expression as calm and collected as ever. His eyes immediately locked onto mine, sensing the turmoil radiating from me.

"Maya," he said smoothly, closing the door behind him. His gaze was piercing, searching my face. "What troubles you, my love?"

I opened my mouth, but the words stuck in my throat. I wanted to lash out, to demand answers, but looking into his eyes, I felt a wave of doubt crash over me. What if I was wrong? What if he had reasons I couldn't understand?

"I heard you," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "I heard you talking to someone. You said I didn't need to know."

He stilled, his face a perfect mask of surprise. For a heartbeat, neither of us moved. Then he sighed, stepping toward me with deliberate slowness, as if approaching a wounded animal.

"Oh, Maya," he said softly, his voice tinged with a sadness that made my heart twist. He reached out to cup my face, his touch gentle, almost reverent. "You weren't meant to hear that."

"Why?" I asked, the word escaping in a rush of breath. "Why hide things from me? I thought we were in this together."

"We are," he assured me, his thumbs stroking my cheeks. His gaze held mine, intense and unyielding. "But there are things you don't need to burden yourself with. I only want to protect you."

"Protect me from what?" I demanded, pulling away from his grasp. "From the truth? From yourself?"

For the briefest moment, I saw something flicker in his eyes—anger, frustration—but it was gone in a heartbeat, replaced by an expression of deep hurt. He turned away, running a hand through his hair, his posture radiating tension.

"You doubt me now?" he asked, his voice low, wounded. "After everything we've been through, after all I've sacrificed for us, you doubt me?"

"No, I just..." I faltered, guilt washing over me. His words felt like chains, wrapping around my heart, squeezing. Was I being paranoid? Was I letting fear drive a wedge between us?

He glanced back at me, his eyes sharp and filled with something dark. "I understand," he said quietly. "I suppose it's only natural. They've poisoned your mind, made you doubt even the person who loves you most."

"That's not true," I protested, but the words sounded weak even to my ears.

"Isn't it?" He closed the distance between us, his gaze burning into mine. "You think I'm some monster, that I'm manipulating you."

I flinched at the accusation. "I never said that."

"You didn't have to," he replied coldly. "I see it in your eyes. You think I'm like them—someone who will use you and discard you when you're no longer useful."

Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. "No, Loki, I—"

He grasped my arms, his grip firm and unyielding. "Do you know what it feels like to love someone so completely, only to have them doubt you at every turn?" His voice cracked, a raw edge of emotion that made my chest tighten.

"I don't doubt you," I whispered, the words desperate and aching.

"Then why do you question me?" he demanded, his eyes fierce. "Why do you not trust that everything I do is for us?"

I couldn't answer. My mind was a whirlwind of confusion, the lines between right and wrong, truth and lies blurring until I couldn't see them anymore.

He released me, turning away, his shoulders tense. "I thought you understood," he said, his voice hollow. "I thought you believed in what we were building."

"I do," I insisted, moving toward him, my hands reaching out to grasp his arm. "I believe in you, in us."

He looked at me over his shoulder, his expression cold. "Do you?"

"Yes," I choked out, tears spilling down my cheeks. "Yes, I do."

He turned fully to face me, his gaze softening as he cupped my face again, wiping away the tears with his thumbs. "Then trust me," he murmured. "Don't let them drive a wedge between us."

I nodded, the fight draining out of me. "I trust you," I whispered, the words a fragile promise.

His lips curled into a small, satisfied smile as he pulled me into his embrace, holding me tight. "Good," he said softly. "Because without trust, we have nothing."

As I buried my face in his chest, his words echoed in my mind, a haunting refrain. Without trust, we have nothing. And yet, the shadows of doubt lingered, whispering in the corners of my mind, warning me of the darkness that lay hidden beneath his words.