Tabula Rasa (Unlike Loki: Book Two)

Chapter 67

(Talia)

Today was the day.

I had brought a few servants with me and they helped me get into my elaborate dress. I stood in front of a tall mirror, admiring myself as two of them did my hair, putting it into loose curls and then pinning half of it up. I stood still as another servant worked on my makeup. She made me look fierce and elegant, just the way I had asked. My dark hair glimmered in the candlelight, my dress even more so. It was white, of course, but had tendrils of light blue all throughout. I thought it was fitting for the occasion. It had a low neckline, showing plenty of my cleavage, and had long, lacey sleeves. The dress flowed beautifully to the ground, with a long train in the back.

The servants draped a thick fur shawl around my shoulders that was pure white.

White meant innocence.

I laughed at the irony.

I walked out of the room, escorted by my servants who carried my train.

My soon-to-be husband, King of the Frost Giants was humoring me by letting me have the kind of wedding that I wanted- traditional. In the end, we would add the Frost Giant wedding ritual to it, which was simple enough. All we had to do was spill a few drops of blood in a cup of pure melted ice from the planet and then drink the other's cup.

But, first, I wanted to walk down the aisle. I wanted to be noticed. I wanted to look into the eyes of my future subjects.

We came to a set of doors and I waited for them to open. They slid open slowly, letting in a blast of frigid Jotun air. I turned away until they were fully open. I stepped through and out into the cold atmosphere and I was greeted by my dear brother, Leolin.

He looked pleased with himself. I scanned him up and down and took in his black furs and tied back hair. "I thought you'd never show." I said to him.

"Better late than never." He retorted shooing away a couple of servants and holding his arm out for me. I gingerly took it.

"Did you get it done?" I asked. I knew he had gone on an important mission to Midgard for our father, our Master.

He laughed gleefully, softly. "Yes. And then some."

I nodded my head in understanding.

He led me through the baren landscape until we came to the entrance of the throne. I smiled in anticipation. "You remember the plan?"

He fixed a piece of my air that had fallen loose, "Of course, sister." He leaned forward and kissed me on the forehead. "Shall we?" He asked, motioning towards the entrance. In the distance, I could see hundreds of Frost Giants waiting for my arrival, and even further I could see the throne, Helblindi sitting patiently on its cool seat.

"For what it is worth, I am glad you are the one walking me down the aisle, instead of my good-for-nothing Asgardian father." I looked up at him and in that moment, I noticed how much he looked like his own father. My heart ached slightly at the pain I had felt, when I saw how much Loki had cared for his son. His mother even more so. But he was better off here. He was a warrior, a mind-bender, a friend, my brother. He belonged with me. I desearved that much.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." He smiled kindly at me. "You look nervous." He said, giving me an inquiring look.

I exhaled deeply, "In all honesty, I am. Very much so. But it's not of the wedding, persay." I looked towards the throne. "It's nervousness at what is to come. This is where everything changes. I want everything to fall into place, just like we planned." I looked back to my brother, who looked at me thoughtfully. "I am just scared it won't be like I imagined."