37. Jane

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Loki slipped away from the meeting with the Warriors Three, his heart pounding with anticipation

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Loki slipped away from the meeting with the Warriors Three, his heart pounding with anticipation. With a flick of his wrist, he transformed into a passing servant, seamlessly blending into the palace's bustling atmosphere.

As he moved through the ornate halls, Loki heightened his senses, keenly observing the guards and servants as they went about their duties. With each transformation, he adapted his appearance—one moment he was a sturdy guard, the next a delicate handmaiden—each disguise granting him a different vantage point. No one seemed to notice him; the palace was alive with activity, and he was just another face in the crowd.

He shifted again, this time into a nobleman, allowing him access to areas restricted to common folk. Strolling through corridors adorned with gilded decorations and intricate tapestries, he overheard snippets of conversations—most centered around the impending threat of Malekith and the Aether. The urgency in their tones only fueled his determination.

With each disguise, he drew closer to his love. He slipped past guards stationed at key entrances, his heart racing as he approached the chamber where Jane was held. The guards were diligent, but Loki had long ago mastered the art of deception. Transforming into yet another guard, he mimicked the stance and demeanor perfectly, projecting an air of authority.

To enhance his ruse, he conjured an illusion of a plate filled with food. "I bring food for the prisoner," he announced confidently.

The two guards exchanged wary glances, their expressions skeptical. Yet, after a moment of deliberation, one shrugged and replied, "Go ahead," nodding curtly and allowing Loki to pass.

A surge of satisfaction coursed through him; he was so close now. His heart raced with excitement as he moved slowly toward the door that led to Jane's chamber. He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. This was the moment he had been waiting for.

With a final glance over his shoulder to ensure the guards stayed where they were, he pushed open the door, stepping inside the room.
__________

Jane was playing with the shadows of her hands, boredom creeping in as the minutes stretched into what felt like hours. The dim light of the chamber cast fleeting shapes on the walls, and she absentmindedly traced the outlines, letting her mind wander. With nothing to read or study, her thoughts began to spiral, reflecting on everything that had happened.

Thor's mother had died, the weight of that loss hung heavily over the palace, and she could feel the ripple effect it had on the God of Thunder. Odin, in his grief and anger, had imprisoned her, leaving Jane feeling more unwelcome than ever. As she sat there, the gravity of her situation pressed down on her, suffocating her hope.

She was still housing the Aether, one of the Infinity Stones—an artifact of unimaginable power. God knew what it could do, and the thought of its potential terrified her. She felt the energy pulsing within her, a constant reminder of its presence. She knew that sooner or later it would drain the life from her, just as Odin had told them.

As these thoughts swirled in her mind, Jane's fingers danced in the flickering candlelight, casting shadows that flickered against the walls like ghosts of her worries. What would happen if Malekith found her? Would he kill her and then reclaim the Aether and use its power for his dark designs?

Just then, Jane's vision shifted, a deep red hue tinting everything around her as shadows coalesced into darker forms. The air grew heavy, and she could feel the Aether pulsing within her, its energy thrumming like a heartbeat. Panic surged through her veins. What was happening to her?

The darkness deepened, wrapping around her like a shroud, and she struggled to maintain her sense of reality. It was as if the Aether had awoken, demanding to be acknowledged, its power swirling within her, intense and raw. Memories of its destructive potential flashed in her mind, and she fought against the overwhelming sensation.

But just as abruptly as it began, the oppressive darkness vanished. The world around her returned to normal, the shadows receding as the warm glow of the candlelight flickered back into view. Jane gasped, her breath coming in quick bursts as she tried to steady herself. The calmness of the room felt surreal after the intensity of that moment.

She touched her chest, feeling the steady pulse of her heart beneath her skin. The Aether was still there, contained within her, but it felt different now—almost restless. Jane took a moment to collect her thoughts, grappling with the frightening experience. Was it a warning? A sign that she needed to act quickly before the power consumed her?

Suddenly, a guard entered the room, carrying a plate of food. Jane sighed, glancing at the offerings as a wave of disinterest washed over her. The last thing she wanted to do was eat right now. "I'm not hungry," she said, her voice steady but tinged with fatigue.

The guard, a towering figure clad in armor, merely nodded in response, setting the plate down on the small table before turning to leave. But as the door clicked shut behind him, and they were alone in the room, something strange began to happen. Jane watched in disbelief as the guard started to change before her eyes.

His form shimmered and warped, the plate with food and the heavy armor melting away to reveal a familiar silhouette. Jane's breath caught in her throat as the figure transformed into someone else.
________

As Loki stepped into the dimly lit room, the air was thick with tension and uncertainty. His heart raced, not just from the thrill of deception, but from the sight of Jane—bound yet unbroken in spirit. There she was, still as beautiful as he remembered, and now they were inches apart. His heart skipped a beat as she looked up, her tired eyes reflecting a mix of emotions.

"I'm not hungry," she said flatly, glancing at the plate he had conjured.

He nodded, moving closer and placing the illusion of the plate on the table. Loki's heart swelled as he took in her features, the way her hair framed her face, and the warmth in her gaze. It was a sight he had longed for, yet he trembled at the thought of her reaction. What, when she recognized him? Would she want to talk, or would she hate him? Would she try to kill him?

The door behind him clicked shut, sealing them in the room. This was the moment he would find out. He needed to know about her feelings for him, and he couldn't let it slip away. With a swift flick of his wrist, he dispelled the illusion of the plate and began to transform before her, revealing his true self.

Jane's eyes widened in disbelief. "Oh. My. God," she breathed, shock flooding her expression.

Jane couldn't breathe; it felt as if her heart had stopped beating altogether. Before her stood John, the man she had once loved deeply. The man, who had left her without an explanation, vanished from her life leaving a void that had never truly healed. And now, here he was in Asgard. He looked different—dressed in a green robe, his hair longer—but it was undeniably him. Just moments ago, he had been a guard. What was happening?

"Hello, love," Loki said, a charming smile gracing his lips, his voice barely above a whisper. It was the phrase he had always used upon coming home, and hearing it again sent a rush of memories flooding back—warm moments shared, laughter that filled the air, and a bond that felt almost unbreakable.

Jane's mind raced, a whirlwind of emotions engulfing her. It was most certainly John, yet the reality of his presence here in Asgard was surreal. What the hell was he doing here? How had he managed to find her and why was he standing there as if it was the most normal thing on Earth?

She was sure of it now, she had to be dreaming.

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