Unlike Loki

Chapter 54

(Loki)

I walked slowly, trying to regain my composure.

The lake wasn't far now; I could see it up ahead, could see the boat waiting to be released, to be set aflame. I opened and closed my fists, trying to calm myself down. All of this new information was overloading my brain. I knew I couldn't do anything with it, considering the person who it pertained to was now dead.

"My King!" I nearly jumped out of my skin as Borin came up behind me, slapping me hard on the back. He laughed. "No one usually sneaks up on you that easily." He got into step beside me.

"My mind is rather preoccupied at the moment." I said flatly.

"Do you mind if I accompany you? To the funeral?" he asked.

I shook my head just enough for him to see, letting him know that he could come. We were nearly at the dock. Four soldiers awaited with bows and arrows and another four waited simply to push the boat out. The physician was there, waiting for me. I went to stand as near the boat as I could, but without getting in the way. Borin went to stand next to the physician, giving me some privacy.

"Would you like to say anything, Your Majesty?" one of the guards asked me.

"May I have a moment alone? Just a moment?" the men walked away from the boat allowing me complete solitute with Anna, or what had been her.

I slowly inched my way to the boat. Once there, I didn't quite know what to do with myself. I eventually knelt down next to her, making myself look at her lifeless form. The breath went out of my lungs. Someone had dressed her in a traditional Asgard gown. The silver dress made her pale skin glow and her hair seem white. She was stunning. Someone had dusted her with just a dab of glitter, making colors bounce off of her when the light hit her in the right places. A beautiful sapphire necklace hung from her neck settling in the middle of her chest, never seeming to stay the same color. Her hands were folded neatly over her breasts. The bottom half of her body was draped with a sheer piece of fabric that made her look even more magical. Her eyes were closed, and looked like they had been kissed by snow.

I had to choke back the sobs.

"I--I am so sorry." I took a shuddering breath. "I'm so sorry that I saved you only to kill you. You were probably better off where you were. But because I brought you here, to a world you didn't know, you got hurt. I don't think I can ever forgive myself for that.You had so much to offer, so much beauty and power. You needed saved more than I ever desearved to be. You desearved to live a long life." I let the tears come freely now. "Apparently we were made for each other." I laughed. "How ironic." I wanted to touch her. I wanted to kiss her still-red lips. But what good would that do? "I hope you can finally be free from all that you have suffered and that you may rule among the gods." I slowly got up, wiping the tears from my face.

"Tell my mother I said hello, and that I miss her." I whispered.

And then I walked back, letting the guards take their places.

They pushed the boat out into the harbour, letting it sail for a moment. The waters were perfectly still, just as they always were. Nothing could make a ripple in that lake. Nothing lived there. It was a place of sanctuary and of honoring the dead. I could still see her shining. I could almost pretend that she was sleeping.

Almost.

The other guards soon took their place, making me suck in a deep breath, trying to keep my composure. I flinched when they lit the arrows and proceeded to put them in their bows, lifting them to the sky. I had to force myself to keep my eyes open when they let those arrows soar, reaching high into the sky, and falling violently back down.

I nearly screamed out when the arrows hit the boat, causing it to instantly burst into flame.

I kept my eyes on the boat, refusing to leave her for one moment. This time, I would personally make sure she got where she was going.

But then, the boat began to rock.