*No More Tricks*

I can't let you die

Ruby's POV

*

*

*

_After going out with Loki for 4 months, he and I have gotten much closer. I was on my way to go eat breakfast when I heard Thor and Loki whispering. 

"Loki I cannot do this alone. Muspelheim will attack when we least expect it. I need you to help get our army ready. I promise you will not actually fight."

"It's not like I can even go there Thor. I will help you but you know I cannot go."

Thor sighed. "I need you to stay here and keep Yggdrasil safe. The threat was for her."

I had been threatened? Why? I have not harmed anybody. Especially in Muspelheim. I've never even been there.

Loki's expression was intimidating. His eyes were wide but then he narrowed them.

"The army will be ready tomorrow." Thor nodded as Loki said that, right before he left. I wanted to follow him but at the same time, I was very hungry. I decided to just make an illusion of a caramel frappe and drank it on my way to Loki's office. 

"Loki?" I called out but received no response. I could, however, feel his presence in the room. I slowly turned around and my eyes met with a pair of green ones that seemed to pierce through my soul. "Have you eaten breakfast yet?" he asked. His voice was troubled.

"I had a caramel frappe." I said as I walked up to him. 

He had a puzzled look on his face. "A what?"' he then smiled at me "Oh yes, I remember."

I returned his smile and caressed his cheek. "You don't need to worry about me ."

He raised his left eyebrow. "Were you eavesdropping?" 

I looked down. When I looked back at him, he was smiling down at me. I felt so short whenever I was next to or in front of him. The change of subject was necessary . "So..." I said while smiling "How about you come eat something with me?"

End Of Pov

********************Muspelheim************************

Lava flowed through his veins as he ran. His face was full of scars and he had four horns. The second most important fire demon. The king's adviser. He entered the palace which was right next to the biggest volcano in Muspelheim. When the largest room in the incandescent Fire Palace opened its doors to the king's adviser, the king and queen sat on their thrones and simply stared at the royal adviser. The queen looked at her king, and upon seeing the quick, dismissing movement he made with his left hand, she stood up and quickly left the room. 

"What is it that you need Caius?" 

The adviser slowly made his way towards the king after hearing his question. 

"My Lord... it is my understanding that you another threat was sent to Asgard...towards Yggdrasil."

The king showed a cynical smile. "Ah yes. The princess..." The king stood up. "The messenger did  mention her name in the threat. However...to be more exact, Loki is the one we need."

The adviser stood there quizzically looking at the king. 

"We are in debt with the Frost Giants. They  want Loki. So what we need to do is capture him, and turn him in to them."

"My lord...there are rumors that Yggdrasil and Loki are-"

"Yes. Yes I am aware."

"She has incredible power sir...perhaps...perhaps it is not wise to offend her."

"What? 'Offend her'? No. She was destined to connect and bring peace with all the 9 realms. We're just providing some help her. Once we have her, or Loki, or both, Loki will be given to the Frost Giants, and we will no longer be in debt with them. This plan will be carried out."

"But King Vulcan I do not agree-"

"I HAVE SPOKEN!"

The king's voice silenced his adviser. He sat back down on his throne. "Make sure the warriors are ready. At dawn...we attack." 

That being said, the royal adviser nodded and exited the room quietly. 

*****************Asgard**********************

Ruby's POV

_I had just finished eating breakfast with Loki, when Thor came barging in. 

"Cousin, please come with me."

I followed him, curious about what had happened. He led me to a strange room I had never seen and as he opened the door, there stood an old man. His eyes were gray and his hair white. He looked at me and widened his eyes. He got closer to me and touched the five freckles on my face. Just as Odin had once tried to do. 

"Keep her safe" he whispered. 

Thor spoke. "Yes of course."

The old man held my right hand in his both hands and closed his eyes. "If she does not stay here, she will die." He opened his eyes and gasped. Our hands were shaking together, and I had no control over it. It was not long before his entire body had begun to shake. "Yggdrasil, tree of life, three branches, nine realms, three fires must you light... one for life and one for death and one to love...three mounts must you ride... one to bed and one to dread and one to love... three treasons will you know... once for blood and once for gold and once for love..."

In horror, I walked away from him and then turned around to face him. "Don't speak of my fate. It's mine to forge and no God on Asgard...CHANGE THAT!"

Both him and Thor stared at me in fright as I walked out of that room. I did not speak to Loki at all for the rest of the day. I went to my room and stayed there. Away from everyone. It was almost midnight and I laid in bed unable to fall asleep. I closed my eyes for a few minutes but a noise made me jump. Someone had blown the horn and it reminded me of the day I caused the king and queen's deaths. I got out of my room and heard a scream coming from the room next to mine. Loki's room. I went in and saw a hideous creature on top of him. It looked as if it were made of fire. It was on top of Loki. Loki's scepter was the only thing between them. 

"Where is she?"

It was then that I realized what was happening. They were here for me. Fire demons. It was going to kill Loki if he didn't answer. But he did.

"You will not succeed. You will not take her!"

wrong answer

The fire demon was about to slam his fist on Loki's face when I yelled "Stop!" It got up and turned around to look at me. "It's me....I am the one you are looking for."

Loki stared at me wide eyed. "Ruby? No! What are you doing?!" He struggled to stand up. 

I walked up to the demon. Loki grabbed my arm. "Ruby I cannot let you do this!"

A tear rolled down from my left eye. I caressed his cheek, knowing this might be the last time I saw him. "And I can't let you die." 

Tears rolled down his cheeks too as the demon grabbed me and we disappeared.