2 | 𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃 ▹ LOKI LAUFEYSON

i. the criminal

Burdened is finally here!

For those of you that might have just stumbled upon this work, this is the SEQUEL to my previous book, Enchanted. So I'd recommend that you go check it out first!

I have genuinely been looking forward to writing this one. Even while working on Enchanted, I could not wait to get to the events following The Avengers, and now we're finally here!

I hope you enjoy!

L O K I

Overwhelming light filled Loki's vision. There was a time when he would have found the return to Asgard dazzling--welcoming, even--but now it was only blinding.

It faded and, as his eyes gradually adjusted, he came face-to-face with several armed Asgardians. Countless soldiers stood at attention, their eyes trained on him; amongst their ranks were Sif and the Warriors Three.

Typical, Loki thought as he looked past their grim faces until he finally saw him. The Allfather stood regally as he observed his adoptive son with his lips pressed in a firm line. At a quiet word of allowance from Odin, the Three approach the newly arrived pair.

Loki had forgotten about his brief hold on the Tesseract until Thor pulled his prize away and handed it to Hogun with a silent nod. The criminal never took his eyes off of the artifact until it was out of sight; then he returned his gaze to Odin. The stiff silence in the air was almost overwhelming and the fallen prince longed to be free of his muzzle and shatter it.

A welcoming party just for me? I feel so special. He could just imagine the frustration on Odin's face if he could only make that single quip. But the king's face remained blank while his eyes were a torrent of emotions: sorrow, disappointment, anxiety.

Loki warmed at the knowledge that he had managed to give the same emotions that had once tormented him to his father. No! he corrected himself sharply, he is not my father.

Odin finally opened his mouth and the raven-haired prince was practically leaning forward to hear the coming rebuke. "Take him to the healing room."

Loki almost huffed in disappointment. Where was the fire? The anger? All that laced the king's words was defeat and disappointment.

A soldier stepped forward hesitantly, "But, your majesty--"

"He may be a criminal, but we are not savages. Take him to the healing room. His hearing will be held after his preliminary medical exam."

Well, that was anti-climactic, Loki thought as he was led to the healing rooms. He had been looking forward to hearing the typical "I am disappointed in you" speech from Odin.

Was this to be how he finished his mission, his great purpose? He was supposed to walk away with a realm under his rule and a crown on his head, but now he was trudging down the hall with only shackles to adorn him. Attempting to walk proudly was difficult with the sharp pain that shot through his core; the green beast had certainly caused quite a bit of damage earlier.

Feeling his nerves and temper suffer at such frustrating thoughts, Loki chose to focus on the humor of his return instead. My defeat does not mean that I can not have a little fun. He was the god of mischief, after all.

Thor wasted no time in dragging his brother into a partition of the healing room. However, he chose to leave the curtain open.

"A walk of shame is pointless without witnesses to your failure," Thor said, eliciting an eye roll from Loki.