Blind Success {Book 1 - Blinded Trilogy}

22 - Threats and Bridges: Part 1

"I would rather die a meaningful death than to live a meaningless life." Corazon Aquino

Loki and I had stopped riding about 3 hours ago when it had started to get dark. I was leaning against Frode's side as Loki started creating a fire to help create some warmth. I felt a nudge and looked at Frode, giving his muzzle a scratch. When the fire had been made, roaring with life, Loki walked over and sat beside me, leaning against the horse as well.

"I really don't like these clothes." I say, examining myself in the revealing clothing. When I look down, I feel the crown on my head slip. Catching it before it hits the ground, I look at it, running my finger over the smooth designs.

"I knew that he wanted you back, but if I knew why I never would have brought you here that first time." Loki whispers, his voice distant, full of emotion.

"It's not your fault. You didn't know." My eyes looked at the crown before placing it lightly on the ground beside me. "I'm not made to be a princess. I don't know the etiquette and I certainly don't have the attitude of one." I heard a chuckle from beside me.

"You'd be surprised. Our mother used to tell me stories about her life before she became queen. She was fairly unruly to say the least. I think you take after her and with the help of your assassin traits you've only cemented it." I turn and look at him.

"You're kidding right?"

"No. I'm serious. She was what you might call 'one of the guys'. She didn't have the etiquette of a princess let alone a queen, she had to be taught all that and that was a task that took a while. When I was younger, she still had some trouble adapting. I used to enjoy going riding with her because it was the one time I saw her for who she truly was. You would have gotten along with her very well. She certainly wouldn't have allowed our father to pull the stunt he tried to earlier today." I smiled a little and leaned my head on his shoulder, feeling drowsy.

I had closed my eyes with the idea of just closing them for a little while. That didn't happen. I had fallen asleep for the entire night. It was dawn; the most spectacular sunrise I'd ever seen greeted my tired eyes. Reds, oranges and purples spanned the horizon. Loki wasn't beside me instead he was a few feet away, gathering sticks for the fire.

I stretched a bit and slowly stood. Walking over to the fire, I crouch beside it to get a bit warmer. The cold was ruthless; not that bad but recognizable from normal temperatures that I was used to. I saw Loki sit beside me from the corner of my eye. "Once the sun is up, I can take you back."

"I thought that you wanted me home." I turned to look at him, noticing that he was looking at the fire with a sorrowful look.

"I never would have agreed if it meant harm came to you. So far that's all I've managed to cause you. Pain. First in Asgard and now here. I never meant for it to get that far or that bad." I looked back towards the fire.

"It's not your fault; at least not entirely. It's partly mine as well. I certainly haven't made it any easier on you." I felt his cold arms wrap around me, bringing me onto his lap. I cuddle into him; the one secure thing in my life. Despite his cool skin, I felt warm. I guess that was thanks to the both of us having Frost Giant genetics.

Once the sun had completely risen in the sky, animals came out of the woods. Rabbits, all types of birds and even a few deer. I was amazed that they had managed to survive in such a barren place. "You have rabbits and deer here?" I ask, amazed that they look so much like animals on earth.

"We do. They aren't very common and generally they avoid all contact with the people." I watched as they foraged around. It made me miss my home; made me miss Rex. He was no doubt panicking having to spend so much time away from me.