Dark Stars [A Loki Fanfiction]

Chapter 11

Warning: still kinda graphic, violence

Once they stood in the middle of the marketplace, Ivy realized that she needed to be more careful this time. She couldn't let something like yesterday happen again and she knew now that she was not worth the damage. Not her body, not her soul. She needed to use her own kind of magic carefully and wisely before it came bursting out like it had before. But she couldn't deny that after all this time it had felt... good... to use her own magic once again. Not the pure and shallow one Loki or the queen used.

Ivy sighed. They would be fine, she told herself. Then she simply started walking off, leaving Loki to follow her.

"No disguise? Nothing to keep the guards from recognizing you?" Loki finally asked, having himself appear as a random ginger man.

"Nah, boring... I'm up for a little excitement." Ivy commented and she knew that Loki wouldn't be able to resist a challenge. Indeed she was right, as he changed back into himself.

"Alright, but this is your responsibility. You want to prove to yourself that you can very well handle a situation like this, I respect that. But keep in mind that you will have to be responsible for me as well." He smirked, enjoying the whole situation. Somehow it was rather exciting to have her in charge, so he held himself back and merely observed.

Ivy for her part grabbed Loki's hand to not lose him in the crowd and walked through the streets, which were still dominated by the day crowd; families, children and women with baskets instead of drunk adults who were looking for amusement. She preferred the way it was now. After a few minutes of casual strolling she finally noticed how many people were staring at Loki. He seemed at ease with it on the outside, but she could see in his eyes how uncomfortable he was with all those eyes on him.

There were stares of all kind: surprised, disgusted, longing... But everyone seemed to immediately recognize him. Of course they did... He was his very own kind of gorgeous and certainly not ordinary in his looks. Some people also stared at Ivy as she came to realize. After all, she was dragging Loki through the streets by his hand. Undoubtedly no one had ever seen somebody actually touching the raven prince without dying a painful death seconds later. It made her a little proud that she was still alive and allowed to touch him. On the other hand she could see the judgement in people's eyes; they probably deemed her insane for being with Loki. Shaking the feeling off, she finally reached a small shop selling beverages of all kinds. She gently dropped Loki's hand once she realized she was still holding it when he stood next to her. He let out a huff in response.

"I'm surprised you didn't cut my hand right off..." Ivy teased him as she went to check what type of wine she wanted, looking up at him through her eyelashes.

"Don't tempt me..." He smirked and crossed his arms behind his back, patiently waiting for Ivy to finish whatever she was doing. "Must I remind you that soon the guards will be here?" He asked after a while when Ivy still looked at the various bottles searchingly.

"Oh hush! I know what I'm doing!" She answered, though not looking at him. Soon they heard shouting in the distance and people running.

"Ivy..." Loki growled, growing a little nervous. But she ignored him and smiled to herself.

A few moments later a dozen guards hurriedly entered the street, coming running towards the shop. Loki turned to face them, already starting to go over things to say to them in his mind. When the guards were only a few feet away Loki wanted to say something, but suddenly a hand pressed against his mouth from behind him. His eyes widened and he didn't dare to move while the guards were now standing right in front of him, looking around searchingly.

"They came this way!" One shouted.

"Maybe they are gone already..." Another sighed. "Why do we have to search for them?"