Soulbonds and Fairy Dust

Chapter 30

Loki stayed with Sig the entire time she was asleep. She was out for a light for hours, recovering her strength. It was late afternoon when she finally woke again, cracking her eyes open and sitting up slowly. "Hey Lokes," she said softly when she woke and saw him sitting on the bed next to her. She gave him a warm smile.

Loki smiled in return, glad that she looked so much better. "Rest well, Sig?" he asked her gently.

"I did," she replied softly and moved to get out of the bed. She needed to get to the last gate and she thought she was recovered enough for that.

Loki put a hand on her shoulder to stop her. "You need to rest for a little while longer, darling. You haven't completely regained your strength,"

Sig could hear the concern in his tone as well as how stubborn he was going to be.

That didn't stop her from protesting. "I'll be fine," she told him, though she knew the words were unconvincing. She wasn't technically lying. She couldn't lie. Especially not to him.

"You need rest, darling. Don't argue with me," Loki told her firmly. His tone had darkened, becoming deeper, more commanding, and definitely sexy as Hel.

"Stubborn and bossy," Sig huffed at him. She stuck her tongue out at him, letting him know that she was clearly teasing.

"I'm only trying to keep you safe," he replied, gentling his voice. She could hear the guilt in his voice, see it etched on his face. He hadn't forgiven himself for his mistake.

"I know," she said softly. "And that last gate seems to have scared you..." she added carefully, not quite entirely sure of his mood. She was trying to get him to talk about the gate, to get him to open up to her at least.

Loki nodded and sighed heavily. "I made a mistake and said your name. I'm not accustomed to fae rules. It is all new to me. I haven't had a chance to study more on the subject," he explained as if that made it better.

"It's alright, Lokes. It was just a mistake," she reassured him. She'd calmed down a lot now that they were all safe. "Everything worked out ok. Hopefully, after the last gate we don't have to deal with the fae again for a long, long time..." she said wistfully, though she knew that wasn't likely. Not when she was a Gray Lady and the other Gray Lords would be after her until they got her back to Underhill.

"We will have to wait and see. After what you told me, they don't seem to be the type to give up easily," Loki replied, echoing her thoughts.

She sighed. "They don't give up easily and they live forever unless someone goes out of their way to kill them. But it'll be harder for them to get to Asgard and they won't think to look for me on Midgard for a long time, since they know for sure I'm here," she reassured him.

"I hope you're right. I would hate to see something happen to you, darling,"

"Me too," she agreed with a smirk. Then before he could grump at her to go back to sleep she asked. "Is there anything to eat?"

Loki smiled warmly and nodded. "Would you like me to get you something?"

"That would be appreciated," she replied softly. "Though I'm perfectly capable of going with you. I'm not weak or helpless..." she reminded him firmly. She couldn't, wouldn't, have him thinking her some helpless maiden in need of constant defending.

He gave her a warm smile. "I know, my darling soulbond. You have more strength than I originally believed. You are truly extraordinary," he told her with love in his voice.

She gave him a warm smile in return, blushing a little at the praise. "High praise from the prince of Asgard," she teased to lighten the mood again.