Fear

A wet Loki is an adorable Loki

Loki refused to let you go, even after you had stood holding each other for a long while.

"I don't want to lose you," he said, over and over again. Every time he did, you squeezed him harder to reassure him that you didn't want to lose him either.

"I looked everywhere for you," he said. "I looked everywhere, I turned the village upside down for you, and I hated myself for leaving you. Imagine the pain when your friends said you went after me, and that they hadn't seen you since. It was the most horrifying of feelings, my love, and I will never let you go again."

"I just wanted to tell you the truth, Loki. I couldn't do it, not in front of Jele, he thinks I hate you, he does, but I honestly don't. I cannot hate you, Loki."

"I never thought he would survive, you know. I hated myself for taking him away from you. You can tell him that our doors are open for him any time he wants to come."

"You mean Jele can come with us to the castle?" you asked. Did he mean that?

"If he wants to, he is welcome," Loki said and you almost jumped with excitement.

"That's wonderful, thank you!" you squeaked and kissed him. Responding, he presses you closer with his hand on the small of your back. You halfheartedly held a moan back, knowing that Garm and Bergel could come back any minute.

As if they had heard your thoughts, the door creaked open and you heard Bergel make an irritated sound while Garm clicked his tongue impatiently. You and Loki broke apart, but stayed in each other's embrace. Bergel raised a thick eyebrow at you, but you ignored his gaze and instead listened to Garm, who was discussing the payment with Loki. Loki just nodded and then you finally left. Loki dropped a few golden coins in Garm's hand as you both walked past.

Outside, you expected to be able to see the enormous palace towering over the many roofs of the village, but around you was nothing but hills. Loki's horse stood waiting for him on the other side of the fence, which stretched around the house as far as you could see.

"What is this place?" you asked. Loki smiled and walked up to his horse.

"This is where they run their business from. I suppose you know what those men do?"

"They..."

A memory from several weeks earlier hit you.

You pushed your way towards the door, the men followed, but you got out to the street and started running back the way you came. You heard the men shout behind you and ran on, and at last you turned at the end of the alley. Before you had taken three steps you were pulled into a doorway. A hand pressed against your mouth and you immediately started to wiggle to get out, but a sweet girl voice told you to be still and you found yourself obeying. The two men rushed past the dark doorway and the hand let go of your mouth. You turned around and found yourself face to face with the waitress.

"I saw how the men looked at you inside," she said, and continued to explain that they were regular at the pub and often kidnapped children to sell them as slaves.

"I'm not a child!" you exclaimed, red in the face. The waitress was actually younger than you, you were sure. Who was she to call you a child?

You smiled at the thought of how Awah and you had first met.

"But they will never get to you again, my love." Loki whispered in your ear and you felt his arms around your waist. His embrace was light and careful in contrast to Bergel's, which was hard and cold. Loki kissed the side of your neck and led you over to his horse. He whispered some strange words in the horse's ear and it immediately bent down so that you could easier get on.