The Light that Shines Within

The Palace

If I had known the way I would have beaten Thor's horse easily. As soon as I had flicked my reins, horse had taken off like a shot. it was a nice, fearless stallion. Acting as if it was no biggie to run the whole way to the palace of Odinheim, shaking its mane carefully and bit show-offey when I got to the palace's golden steps. I jumped off in my dark purple gown, thankful that Natasha had suggested it before I left! Looking around I saw it was the right chose to help me blend in. All I saw on women and children alike were dresses, the men dressed in stuff much like Thor and Loki. Except for the peasants who wore regular looking clothes. Thanks to Nat's quick thinking, I might actually blend in here. I made a mental note to thank her when I got home. I stroked the horse's thick mane and face, cooing to it softly like my old horse I'd had in the late 1800's. Nightmare had been his name and I had loved that horse to death. My best and favorite to ride across long distances and at night. Although on a whim, we may have accidentally inspired the legend of Sleepy Hollow. By concealing my face magically and using a pumpkin as a head one Halloween night...whoops. The horse relaxed at my touch, nudging my face affectionately when it was time to go. I was saddened to leave him and the nostalgic feelings he gave me. 

Oh well, I had more pressing matters on my hands anyways. 

Thor and Loki had been watching the scene from afar off, Thor had a small smile on his face as I approached the two on the golden steps and I felt strange about that. "You like horses, Lady Cassandra?" Thor asked pleasantly and I nodded. "Yes, I had one I adored, years ago...my friend when I was a mere child. Up until he passed...long ago.." I sighed sadly, watching a stable boy take the stallion into the royal stables and out of sight. I sighed again watching him go. Thor nodded next to me, putting a hand on my shoulder in understanding. "I am sorry to hear it." He was being kind, but I really didn't like him touching me. I felt anger coming from somewhere, and it affected my mood it was so overwhelming to me. "Thank you, now may we go inside?" I said a bit testy. Moving away from the blonde god carefully, who looked cautious at my response.

"Of course, right this way my lady.."

He led us up to the golden doors and spoke to the guards who let us in as soon as they saw the crowned princes, not even asking who I was. We stepped inside and it took my eyes a minute to adjust to all the glittering gold everywhere. Literally, everything. It was solid gold and I couldn't help myself but let out a low whistle as I entered the palace of Odinheim. "Holy..." Was all I could whisper before my voice trailed off, in wonder and and awe. I was led to a bedroom by Thor, the room I would be staying in the duration of my stay here hopefully. He assigned me a royal guard to protect me. A big, burly guy who to me resembled a lumberjack called Roland. He was very friendly upon first impressions and I was told he knew the princes well enough to know that whoever I was, I was important if I was here with them. Thor made sure I was settled in, bags all brought in before he went to leave me to my business. Turning to me with hard electric blue eyes. None of his usual lightheartedness written anywhere on his features. 

"Lady Cass, please do all you can for my brother." 

That surprised me, but I let him continue. "I believe you are right and he deserves to be set free, or at the very least in exile. Instead of locked away in a cell here, in the dungeons." I nodded in all seriousness. Loki was standing between two hard looking guards in the doorway, looking silently curious about what me and his brother were saying to each other. Some reason I was always aware of when Loki's eyes were on me. I did my best not to show it as I spoke to Thor. "I will do all I can to fulfill my promise to keep you safe, as I did your uncle Stark. And thank you for being a good friend to Loki, seeing as I never was to him." I nodded once again. 

"Of course Thor. Why do you even think I'm here?" I said. 

"Just for a free ride to Realm Eternal?"  I demanded with my own hard glare. I could just feel my irises burning in my seriousness and somewhat anger at his meanings. Did Thor really think I was here just cause I was able to come here or something? And damn, this was the third time today I showed my true eyes in anger. What was it about stress and anger that made it harder to get a handle on this thing? You think after centuries of being this way, I would have full control over it....I know he didn't mean to be annoying or mean this stuff, but it hurt nonetheless. "He's my friend and I have his back, no matter what."  I emphasised and inside my head I sighed, looking down at the floor and letting my guards down for a second on accident, lost in thought.