The Prince's Prisoner

A Battle

Rating - M. I own nothing from MCU or MARVEL.

Chapter 8 - A Battle. Enjoy!

Aria leant against the wall, masked from clear view of the hallway. Tony was in the control room, she could hear him explaining how great a man Coulson was. The lives lost for Loki's power strive was worthless. They deserved better.

Staying out of sight, Aria couldn't face anyone at the moment, knowing that she did nothing to help them, and even missed fatally wounding the God because of her amateur shooting skills. She had been to see Tony, hiding her wrist, and explained that a guard had knocked her out a few moments after their call. Aria hated lying to him, but if he knew the plans Loki had for her, plans that not even she knew.

Hiding is cowardice.

Aria wanted to screw a nail into her hand and sever this stupid telepathic connection. Loki had been mocking her for hours now, not letting her have a moment to herself.

You would know.

The chuckle caused her to wince, twitching her head to the side.

Gods are not cowards.

Magic instead of upfront Combat doesn't seem very brave.

A sharp sting shot through her skull, Aria releasing a pained hiss.

Be careful how easily you mock what you can not even fathom.

Aria didn't respond to this, not wanting to risk her rebellious thoughts placing more pain upon herself.

Already you are learning.

Violently pushing herself from her enclosure, Aria stormed back towards her room, ignoring the sinister laughter in her head.

Aria took her place at the window in her room, tucking a pillow beneath her and watching the clouds glide past the window.

Amongst the sun and sky, the light danced across the glass. The sky was a perfect pastel blue, so far above civilisation Aria could almost kid herself that a little higher and she could see her father. Loki let her enjoy her peace here, just watching the sky turn from the lightest blue to strong navy, the night bleeding into the view. Stars lit up and illuminated the darkness, as the light completely faded away and left only the flickers of stars and depth of the was Aria's favourite time of day, being able to observe the light find its place in harmony with the dark.

"Never so vivid in New York" Aria half turned towards her guardian, smiling with hints of nostalgia."We are going back home tomorrow" Tony told her, moving further into the room.

"Tony," she sighed, fully swivelling to face him. "You don't need to do that."

"It wasn't safe to bring you first time, and it's even less safe now," Tony argued, raising his hands in defense. "Can't sway me on this one."

"They need you" Aria persuaded, rising to emphasise her point.

"They will survive a few hours..." trailing off, Aria followed the gaze of her protector, cursing as the sleeve of her jacket had risen to mid-forearm.

"I can explain" she started the cliche, tugging the arm down again.

"What is that?" Tony growled, surging forward and ripping the material out the way. Seeing the letter as clearly as her own face, Tony kept staring intently as if it would fade away.

"Loki has a stupid power play going on and he felt like dragging me into it" She tried playing off, shrugging her arm back.

"He hurt you" Tony muttered, breathing heavily.