Loki's Obsession

Loki's Obsession - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: 

            Deirdre sat at the little table for about five minutes contemplating the thought that maybe her maid Verdandi could read minds but that didn't seem right. Verdandi seemed to know how her plan would turn out if she attempted it. Deirdre remembered that she had all those books on Norse Mythology. Maybe those books would give her some idea of what was going on in this place and would help her plan.

            The books were sitting on her desk. She walked over there and took a seat at the desk. As soon as she flipped open the first book the door opened forcefully. Deirdre immediately slammed the book and stood up. 

            A tall older woman entered the room. The woman was at least 6' tall and had mousy brown hair with wisps of grey that was pulled back into a tight bun, piercing blue eyes, tan skin, and a face like a hawk. She looked like someone that would try to be nice but in reality would snap your bones in half if given a reason. The woman wore a bright pink dress with a white robe over top. For some reason she reminded Deirdre of the character of Delores Umbridge from the Harry Potter series. It wasn't a comforting thought. 

            Deirdre waited for the woman to say something or do something. In a high-pitched voice the woman said, "Are you Queen Deirdre?"

            "Just Deirdre," she responded.

             "King Loki requested that I teach you magic. He says that you have great magical prowess, but I will be the judge of that. I am Hulda. Follow me, we will begin right away." 

            Hulda walked down the hall towards the library and Deirdre had to run to keep up. But rather than entering the library she passed it and entered the next room, the one that was to be a bedroom for a child. It was however currently housing a variety of books on magic, several pillows, and a large mirror.

            "Magic is the most noble form of art on Asgard. The first principle we will be going over is summoning. The key to any magic is really to want it enough." 

            Hulda held a hand out and Deirdre watched as a small brown throw pillow that had been resting against the wall now appeared in her hand.

             "Now I want you to try. If you truly desire the item it will appear in your hand. Summon this pillow." 

            Deirdre closed her eyes and thought about the pillow. She heard Hulda shouting, "Concentrate! Want it!" over and over. Nothing was happening and Deirdre tried to ignore Hulda's shrill voice.

            Deirdre was thinking about the pillow but as Hulda's shriek's penetrated her thoughts she started thinking about how much she really wanted Hulda to shut up so she could keep concentrating about the pillow. Next think she knew she heard silence. She opened her eyes and Hulda was trying to shout but no sound was coming out of her mouth. 

            Hulda grabbed her throat and began turning purple in the face. She was very angry and Deirdre stood there utterly shocked. "I'm sorry!" exclaimed Deirdre.

            Did she do that? She didn't know but she thought it was best to apologize either way. Hulda started moving towards Deirdre looking like she was about to strike her across the face or strangle her slender neck. She closed her eyes again and thought about wanting to be anywhere else but here. She wanted a protector.

            An image of Loki popped into her mind for some reason. Loki was the last person she wanted to see right now but the image of him permeated her mind until she heard Loki's voice, "My love, what are you doing here?" She opened her eyes and saw Loki sitting on a throne with his horned helmet on. A group of three men and one woman stood in the room as well.