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Here's another chapter. I'm so proud of myself, writing this much...

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Chapter Fifty-One

~Nobody's POV~

"This is still the most ludicrous plan I have ever heard of," says Videl. 

It's three days later, and Videl, Angelique, and Thea are currently in an Asgardian inn, in the middle of the village beside the palace. The inn is run by a woman with long red hair and smiling eyes that looks very familiar to Thea, but she can't place where she could have possibly seen the beautiful innkeeper. The woman, at Videl's slight compulsion, had led them to a room on the third floor of the inn, at the end of the hallway. The room is small, with two beds with elaborate wood carvings on the sides, a low ceiling, and an ausa next to the window that has a  magnificent view of the palace.

The inn is extremely crowded in preparation for the masquerade ball that night, so the three of them have kept a low profile. Only Videl has left the room, to procure clothing for the ball–which includes beautifully crafted masks with jewels and feathers that he had "borrowed" from a wealthy merchant– as well as information. 

It is late afternoon, and Thea is sitting on the window seat, looking out towards the palace. One half of the window pane is open, and she is overlooking the inn's gardens that eventually give way to the tall hill that holds the palace, towering above the village a few miles away, partially hidden by the thick fir trees. Pulling her legs up to her chest, she leans against the glass and peers at the palace. Being in Asgard again has stirred something in her, especially now that she knows that this realm truly belongs to her blood. There is something else too, that makes her finger the golden necklace more and more; she can almost sense Loki nearby, or perhaps she is just desperate for that feeling. 

Meanwhile, Angelique is sorting through the assorted silks and shoes and ribbons that the three will be changing into for the ball, humming quietly. Videl is standing next to her, trying to make heads and tails of all the fabric, but finally had given up and began pacing. 

"It's not that ludicrous," says Angelique, finally stopping separating and sitting down on one of the beds, running her fingers through her hair. "It's simple, and effective." 

"And we're also sending Thea off by herself," says Videl, "That is the terrible part of this terrible idea."

"Don't tell me that now," says Thea from the window seat, having snapped out of her reverie, "I might start to think that you actually care about me." 

"Caomh is expecting you," says Angelique patiently as Videl gives Thea a nasty look, which she returns, "Maybe he's expecting Thea too, but if she's with you, then you're going to be putting her more in danger." 

"We've talked about this about ten million times," says Thea. "I can take care of myself." 

"Well then I'll say it for the ten millionth and first time," says Videl, "Sending you into the center of the palace for something we don't even know exists is a stupid idea." 

At that moment, a large white owl flies through the open half of the window, causing Thea's hair to ruffle slightly from the beating wings. Thea, reaching forward to pet the top of Wairua's feathery head, says, "And I'll be with Wairua. If anything bad happens to me, and I can't get myself out of it, then he'll find you and you can go all Lancelot on me." 

"I still don't understand why Angelique can't go with you," says Videl moodily. 

"I'm still weak," says Angelique, always one to admit her own shortcomings before anyone else, "I can't be like that if Thea's running through the palace. She needs to be quick, and I'll only slow her down." 

"But," sputters Videl, throwing his hands up, "But she's–"

"Thea can do this," says Angelique calmly, "And you and I will be fine too. Now, we need to get ready. So please leave so Thea and I can change. Go change in the washroom down the hall" 

Videl looks to Thea, who gives him a cheeky wave and says very cheerfully, "Bye bye." 

He scowls at her, bends down to kiss Angelique, and when he stands, scowls at her again. 

"You're always so mean to me," says Thea, getting up off of the window seat and walking over to Angelique. 

As Wairua lands on his shoulder, Videl rolls his eyes, gathers his own garments, and strides from the room, closing the door a little too loudly. 

"He does care about you, that's why he's being stubborn," says Angelique as she takes off her shirt and pants and throws them onto the floor.

"Oh yeah?" says Thea mischievously, hopping out of her jeans, "I think he cares about you a little more." 

Angelique throws a safety pin at Thea, which the younger girl sends away from her with a lazy flick of her hand. 

While Thea walks behind the changing screen to attempt to get dressed in her extravagant silk dress, Angelique takes out her own outfit for the evening. Videl had found her a ruby-colored gown with golden ribbons criss-crossing the bodice and lining the long sleeves and pleats of the skirt. The fabric fits her snugly around the waist, and then comes out to become a fuller skirt that swirls around the ground. The neckline is high and lacy, reminding Angelique of a Victorian queen, and the collar scoops down a bit. It doesn't go down too low or show too much cleavage, but Angelique pulls it up a bit anyway. 

She is just brushing through her hair when, with a rustle of skirts, Thea walks out from the changing screen. Angelique almost drops the brush, "Thea, honey, you look absolutely beautiful." 

It's true. Thea is wearing a long gown the color of midnight, with small diamonds sewn into the waistline and around the bodice like crystal stars, and it fits her almost perfectly. The dress has a Juliet neckline, with little jewels hanging down from her bare shoulders, skimming her skin. Costa Rica had given Thea much needed color to her skin, and it now glows in the low light. Her cheeks aren't exactly rosy again, but they're not quite as pale and gaunt, and at least partially hides the long cut that is still on her left cheek. Today, her hair has turned a jet-black that accentuates her facial features, and hangs over her shoulders, slightly curly at the ends. But what is most stunning is the green of her eyes that is brought out by the blue of the dress. Her eyes are now doe-like and the color of emeralds, sparkling in the light, sparkling with content, and with the slightest tint of mischief, brought out even more by the slight upturning of her lips. 

"Really?" asks Thea timidly, fiddling with her fingers.

"Stunning," pronounces Angelique, not able to stop smiling at the girl. She adds quietly, "I don't know what your mother looked like, Thea, but I know for sure that you look just like Loki." 

Thea gives Angelique a small, sad smile. 

Angelique clears her throat, "Anyway, come over here so I can fix your hair, and then your mask." 

Walking across the room, Thea more accurately glides in the midnight gown, although she stumbles slightly in the heels. 

As Angelique runs a brush through Thea's thick black hair, Thea asks quietly, "What if I see him?" 

Angelique already knows who she's talking about, and a doubt flickers through her mind. Before she can control the morbid thought, Angelique sees Loki lying dead already from Neidra's broken temper. Clearing her throat to chase the thought away, Angelique says, "If you see him, then you need to be strong. And you need to know when you have to leave him for your own safety. He might be dangerous, we don't know what sort of state he is in right now. But whatever you do, Thea, you need to come out of there alive. I don't care how you do it, but come out alive." 

Thea nods, looking down at the ground.

Angelique pulls Thea's hair up into a high chignon and then ties it back with a dark blue ribbon, letting some tendrils frame Thea's heart-shaped face. Curling the strands with her finger, Angelique says, "Both Videl and I would be torn up if something ever happened to you, but someone else would be too, and that person would be so devastated..." Angelique pauses, "Loki would be so devastated, I'm not sure if he could live." 

"How do you know that?" Thea asks quietly, staring at the lavender sheets on the bed. 

"Because of what he put himself through for you," says Angelique. 

Thea nods again, swallowing hard. Taking a shuddering breath, she says in a much more brisk voice, "Videl already took the backpacks to Detroit, right?" 

Angelique notices the subject change and goes with it, "Yes, he did. He–"

There's a series of three knocks at the door. 

"Are you girls finished yet?" demands Videl. 

"You can come in," says Angelique, doing one last flip with Thea's hair. 

Videl comes in, and even Thea has to admit to herself that he looks strikingly beautiful. He is wearing a black velvet vest over a white dress shirt that puffs slightly at the sleeves, and dark pants that go up high on his waist, making his legs looking even slimmer. His curls frame his face devilishly, and his amber eyes glint. Even Wairua has puffed up his feathers and looks extremely regal, gazing at Thea imperiously.

Videl, though, directs his focus directly on Angelique. He crosses the room in three strides and kisses her with such vigor, Angelique staggers back and Wairua flies off of Videl's shoulder with a dignified hoot. Thea rolls her eyes, crosses her gossamer-colored sleeves, and then says to Wairua, who has landed on the bedpost next to Thea, "He thinks he's some sort of knight." 

Wairua hoots agreeably. 

Videl and Angelique pay no attention to either Thea or Wairua. Angelique has her arms wrapped around Videl's neck, and Videl's hands are circumferencing her waist, and both of their eyes are closed in a lovely fantasy away from the world. 

"OY!" says Thea loudly, "WE HAVE TO BREAK INTO A PALACE." 

This breaks the spell. Videl and Angelique surface and turn towards her. Videl gives her an annoyed look, and Angelique gives her an I'm-sorry look. 

"Typical," snorts Thea. 

Videl looks at Angelique, and takes out something from his pocket, "I got something for you."

Angelique flushes, "You didn't have to..." she trails off as Videl holds up a satin ribbon, a choker necklace, that is centered by a large, glistening ruby. "Videl," she breathes, "This is beautiful." 

He smiles, and Thea, to her surprise, sees that his cheeks are a slight red now too. "Turn around so that I can put it on." 

"Isn't that so cliched?" asks Angelique with a small grin. 

"Imitation," says Videl softly, tying the ribbon expertly, his long fingers barely brushing Angelique's neck, "The most endearing form of flattery." 

He looks down at her as she turns around, and the softness in his eyes sends a tremor of shock in Thea's veins. Never has she seen the Velah prince have that look in his eyes: as though he was fixated upon the most beautiful sight in the world, drinking in every last detail and wanting to commit it to memory. His gaze was like that of a boy raised blindly in the darkness who has grown up to be a man with the ability to see the light. 

Thea looks down, feeling that this is a private moment. She is thrilled for both Videl and Angelique, but still feels a faint pang of longing. What is it like to be held in the arms of a lover? To feel someone else's lips on her own? Her thoughts flicker immediately to Jack, and her shoulders slump slightly. She misses him dearly, and the yearning for him has reached a breaking point as she has watched Videl and Angelique. 

She looks up with a start as she hears footsteps across the wood floor. Videl is walking towards her, a smile still on his lips. 

"I brought something for you too," he says. 

He takes something else out of his pocket, and Thea can't help but open her mouth slightly. At first, she thinks he is holding a pile of silver jewels, but when he holds it up, she sees that it is a beautiful headdress made of diamonds. It spirals up, glistening in the light, the bright, almost white jewels so dazzling, Thea has to blink rapidly. 

Videl reaches up and pushes some of Thea's hair away from her face, then puts the headdress on top of the black locks. He fastens the silver metal around her ears gently, and then pushes some of the silver strands back, so that the diamonds hang around her face, framing it just like the tendrils of hair. 

"There," says Videl, "Now you at least slightly resemble a princess, idiot." 

Peering up at him–Videl is nearly as tall as Loki–Thea says with a trembling smile, "Are you ever going to stop calling me an idiot?" 

"I doubt it," says Videl, "I could call you worse things, though." 

"Of course you could, jackass," says Thea, hugging him. 

"That's it," says Angelique, smiling, "That's your relationship in less than three sentences." 

"How did you get so good at picking out dresses and tying ribbons anyway?" asks Thea, looking up at him, her arms still around him. 

He gives her a sad smile, "I had a little sister, remember." 

Thea opens her mouth, her heart dropping, "Oh, Videl, I'm–"

"It's all right," he says softly, and then chucks her chin up, "I found another one." 

Entering the palace is not terribly difficult. Videl escorts Thea inside first, while Angelique stands next to a rather ornate carriage with Wairua sitting on the top of one of the wheels next to her. 

Holding Videl's arm, Thea looks around the palace as they walk up the front steps, amidst other swirling skirts and dapper men. She has her mask on, a simple dark blue one with white lace around the edges, and peers around, noticing every person, every movement, and every gesture. She notices the smallest things-she is surveying the room just as she had been taught: carefully and thoroughly. 

"Fandral is on your left," whispers Thea urgently, clutching Videl's sleeve, "He can't see me."

Not looking at her or to the left, Videl nods curtly, and then turns, away towards a secluded niche. 

Videl leaves her at a tall, exotic plant that stands at the entrance to the main ballroom,where Thea can already see bright lights and smell delicious scents. Before he leaves, Videl squeezes Thea's hand and raises his eyebrows at her. "Good luck. Remember to wait for Wairua."

She nods, trying to keep the apprehension out of her voice, "You too. Don't kill anyone. And don't die." 

He gives her a pointed look, "Keep on like this, or you're going to make me think that you care about me." 

"Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery," she says.

"Hypocrite." He smirks, and then says, his tone much more serious, "Be careful, Thea." 

Then, he's gone, vanishing in the crowd of palace guests. 

Thea waits for several minutes, staying in the shadows. She reaches up and touches the dolphin charm, and then the golden necklace, taking a deep breath as she feels the warmth of the metal. 

Thoughts of Loki are pushed from her mind as Wairua flies down, startling her. 

"Stop surprising me," she says crossly, walking out from the plant. 

Wairua clicks his beak, and then takes off down the hallway. Thea follows, sneaking past the guests and around the ballroom. Soon enough, they have left the party grounds, and the halls become darker, with torches flickering on the walls. Thea takes off her mask and touches her sheathed dagger, which hangs under the wrap around her waist, covered by the thick fabric. 

Holding her head high, trying not to let her nerves get the best of her, Thea pretends to herself that she really is the princess of Asgard, and she is regally walking through the halls. This works a bit, and at least gets her to calm down a little. 

Wairua hoots warningly, and Thea sees figures walking towards her, only shadows from the firelight, but getting closer. Looking around, Thea ducks behind a large column that has rigid scratches etched into the marble. Taking a deep breath, she waits for the courtiers to pass, and then, at Wairua's beckoning, she walks back out again, walking much quicker. 

Soon enough, she has reached the hall in front of the throne room, the doors closed tightly. Memories shift through Thea's mind, of Loki slamming these doors, locking her in with him as he had told her that he was her father. Now, she wishes for her invisibility cloak. 

Swallowing hard, Thea whispers to Wairua, "The...the room is on the other side of the throne room. We'll have to cross through it, that's the fastest way. Can you tell me if there is anyone inside the throne room?" 

Wairua takes off, flying around the closed doors, to the other side of the throne room, where large columns open the expansive room to cloisters and gardens beyond. Thea waits on tenterhooks, but in seconds, Wairua returns, and shakes his white head once.

Relieved, Thea opens the throne room doors and walks in. Her heels echo on the floor, and she feels diminutive. Shadows from torches dance around her, throwing into constant changes of dark and light. The last time she had been here, it had been under terrible conditions–last time, she had received the reason for infiltrating the palace tonight. 

Thea picks up her pace, and lifts her skirt, hurrying through the throne room. She flattens herself against the wall on the other side and takes another breath. Every sound she makes, every movement, every shift, every breath, seems to her to be a thousand times louder than normal. 

She looks at the throne. It's empty, and, she notices, dusty. Loki hasn't been here in a while. She bites her lip. 

Quickly, Thea leaves the throne room through the small door on the right of the empty throne, Wairua following like a loyal ghost, occasionally brushing the side of her face with his wide feathers.

Thea finds the room minutes later. At the door, she hesitates, terrible memories even worse than those in the throne room coming back to her. She remembers the screaming, the fighting, the blood, the desperation she had felt. Here, she had seen her father as a monster, someone she had been terrified of. Now, she is here to try and save herself. 

She pushes open the door. It's dark inside, so Thea holds up her hand and summons a small flame that alights on her palm, throwing the room into shadow. Everything is still and ordinary. The cot, the chains. There is still a flow of blood on the ground, from the fallen guard, and Thea skitters around it. 

Disappointment floods through her, and she is about to turn away when Wairua hoots. Thea turns and sees the white owl floating next to the door to the washroom. 

"There's nothing in there," says Thea miserably, "It's just a bathroom." 

Wairua hoots again, narrowing his amber eyes at her, and then flies into the washroom. 

"Wairua!" Thea hisses, following the owl into the room, holding up her hand so that she can see, "What are you–"

Thea breaks off. Wairua is sitting on top of the washstand, looking very pleased with himself. But what is most fascinating is that the wall next to the washstand seems to be more rigid at some parts. 

Hurrying forward, nearly tripping on her long skirt, Thea lets the flame go out as she runs her hand over the wall. She feels an edge, and the draft of air from opening behind it. Tracing down, blind in the darkness save for Wairua's luminous eyes, her fingers stop at a metal catch. 

Sucking in a breath, Thea pushes. The metal catch flips open with a snap, and with a great creaking sound, the door opens up backwards. Thea stands up and coughs as dust swirls around her as the door opens, not all the way, but a sizable gap which Wairua flies through. It is pitch black inside. 

Thea grits her teeth. Darkness has never been her favorite thing in the world, but she refuses to be weakened by it. Holding up her hand, she once again ignites the flame and walks through the gap, making sure her skirts don't get scratched on the ground. She staggers slightly. 

"Damn these heels," she mutters, sliding them off her feet. Without the shoes, the gown is too long on her, but Thea lifts her skirts and knots them in one hand, keeping her other, lit hand, aloft in the other. 

The flame in her hand reveals a dark, small corridor that slopes downward. The ground is wet, and Thea hears dripping around her. She also hears Wairua hooting in front of her, so she hurries forward, occasionally splashing up water on her skirt. 

Thea walks through the corridor, trying to keep her mind off the darkness that is pressing around her. About five minutes later, she comes across an iron door, with bars at the center. She can't see anything beyond the door except for the flickering of torches- a sort of enclosed room. She fiddles with the knob. Wairua, on the other hand, floats right through the door as if it didn't even exist. 

"Cheater," she mutters. 

She hears Wairua hoot, and this time, the hoot is high-pitched and anxious. 

"Hold on!" she whispers, finally unlocking the door. It opens without the slightest creak, and Thea lets the flame go out on her hand as she walks inside the lit room. 

There's nothing inside it, but four stone walls, four torches, and a man chained across from her, against the wall, his wounded and mangled arms stretched upwards as he kneels limply on the ground. He is in threadbare pants, his pale toned chest decorated with deep, horrendous, bloody slices, and his thick black hair hangs over him, obscuring his face. Most of all though, is the horrific wound on his chest, deep and piercing, a sword wound. He is completely still.

"LOKI!" 

...oh dear...

I will try to post the next chapter today, because originally, this chapter was going to be one big one, but I thought I needed to break it up. That being said, the key word is TRYYYYYYYY. I'm starting right after I hit post, so we'll see.

Hope you liked the chapter! Please vote and comment, if you'd like.

Love you all!

Sierraxx