Walking With Shadows [#Wattys2015] [Being Edited]

Evening Guest

Without hesitation, Tassel hurried her way over to Atlas. She pulled herself onto her horse and took off at a breakneck speed towards home. Wind sliced at her face; the once cloudless sky was now covered in a thick fog that blocked out every star. Tassel fought back the tears that threatened to burn her eyes. The lump in her throat was growing from fear, and she constantly had to swallow to keep it down. Her mind reeled as she revisited her vision, exhuming her thoughts. Even as she did so, she fought to keep them pushed back because of the cold fear that washed over her each time she saw the three savage children. Still, no matter how hard she tried, Tassel could not forget the sound of the creatures pounding against the wall. The thought was one that Tassel hadn't known existed until now; if she had been aware of its presence, she had kept it pushed far back into the shadows of her mind, and for good reason, too. There was no doubt in Tassel's mind that the little girl she had seen was herself, but she was also positive that there was no way Kurse had been aware of her existence at that age. Back then, she had still been a fugitive, hiding out in the dark parts of Svartlfheim. Of course she had known about the orphanage at that time; every man, woman, and child knew about it, but Tassel had never seen it before.

Atlas's hooves thundered beneath her, the only sound in the night. Tassel buried her nose into his mane, wishing that he could somehow help her escape. Loki's face ran clearly through her mind, full of confusion and worry. He had seen it, too. There was no way that he could have understood, but the plain look of concern in his eyes let Tassel know that he wouldn't be letting it go easily. Loki's words still rang in her ears, as did the way she had dismissed him so blatantly. Tassel figured that the young prince was following her now, prepared to launch himself at her with a thousand questions over what he had just seen. Questions that Tassel could not answer.

Overhead, the clouds began to disperse, revealing the Asgardian palace. The castle was quickly coming into view, towering high over the horizon. The main focus of Asgard stood strong like a mighty fortress in the distance. Its spires gleamed with every gentle touch of moonlight while keeping the stars cradled between its towers. The moon hung above it, glowing like a giant spotlight on the castle. In the night, the bright golden color had faded to a soft cream, as if the structure itself had gone to sleep.

The click, clack of cobblestone underfoot reminded Tassel that she had arrived. She quickly hopped off of her horse's back and handed the reins to the first willing stablehand, barely making it through the front doors before Loki broke through the courtyard.

"Tassel!" he shouted, catching a glimpse of her just as she rounded the corner.

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Tassel didn't stop; her feet moved faster, carrying her swiftly to her room. She sped past multiple guards, all of them gazing after her wonderingly. Tassel's heart thudded against her chest; her breath came in ragged gasps. She had never ran so fast in her life, and she felt like collapsing, but she didn't stop. She barely let her feet touch the ground before taking another long stride. Tassel's legs felt like jelly by the time that she made it to her door.

In desperation, she practically kicked down the door in an attempt to get in, locking it behind her just as Loki rounded the last corner. Her legs gave way, and she slid along the door down to the floor, gripping the doorknob for support. Tassel kept her back pressed up against the door, and she pulled her knees close to her chest, burying her face in them.

"Don't cry, Tassel. Don't you dare let him hear you cry." she muttered to herself, rocking back and forth slightly.

Loki reached the door not long after, first wiggling the knob and then knocking gently.

"Tassel, let me in." he said.

His voice carried a certain tenderness that Tassel had never heard before. It was soothing and gentle, but Tassel was pulled from her lull when another bang on the door caused her to jump. She suspected that he had used his full hand that time, not just his knuckles.