GAH, THIS CHAPTER THOUGH.

Thank you for all the love for this book. I can't tell you how much it means to me. Only about 2-3 chapters left, plus the Epilogue!

<3

Chapter Sixty-One

For several long minutes, Thea and Loki don't move. Loki keeps holding onto Thea as if he will never let her go, and Thea is content to lie in her father's arms for the first time in a very long time.

"How badly did she hurt you?" Thea asks, pointing to the scars scattered over Loki's neck, barely visible from under his high collar.

"I'm all right," says Loki, "Now I am. I'm more concerned about you." He cups her chin in his hand, tilting her face so that he can see the cuts and burns on her cheeks and forehead. His eyes trail down to the bloody gash in her arm. "Oh Thea," he sighs miserably, "Look at what I've done to you."

"It wasn't your fault," she says, "It was Neidra's."

His lip curls slightly at the mention of the sorceress's name. "It was my own too. Neidra and I have been acquainted for quite some time. I knew she had power, and I needed her influence, but I also knew that she was conniving. I thought I could best her, but she beat me to it. I've been reaping my mistakes for the past months, and I've regretted every single one."

Thea smiles at him, a red smile because her lips are still glistening with blood.

But Loki refuses to smile back. Disgustedly, he says, "I remember everything. I remember every word I yelled at you, every time you screamed, every time I struck you. The worst part was that I saw no fault in what I did, not until the poison would wane for the shortest bit. And then, it would hit me like a tidal wave."

"But I'm fine now."

Loki points to the necklace, "Only because of this. It it weren't for that..." He closes his eyes tightly and takes a deep breath.

"Please don't cry," she says quietly.

He shakes his head, unable to speak. Then, taking another shuddering breath, he says, "I have played with the minds of so many. But to have my own mind taken from me is something I never wish to experience again." He pauses, "What did she do to you?"

"Nothing," says Thea.

"Thea..." he sighs.

"Nothing compared to you."

"But she whipped you, didn't she?"

Thea hesitates for a fraction of a second. "Yes. But...but it didn't hurt that much."

"You're lying," he says gently.

"Yes I am," she says, "But I'm fine now, and you're fine now too, and that's all I care about."

He frowns, and then glances away, towards the upper levels of the library, with soaring floors of books. "That night...in the palace. You would have killed yourself."

"Yes I would have." she says, very firmly.

"Why?" he asks desperately, "If you had killed yourself, then I would have done the same shortly after."

"I couldn't watch you die," she says, "And you would have done it for me. You tried to do it for me."

"That's different," he almost snaps, "A daughter should never die for her father, but a father should always be willing to die for his daughter."

"I'm sorry," she says, looking at her fingers.

He raises her face up, "Are you actually?"

"No, not at all."

He sighs, leaning back. "What am I going to do with you, Thea?" But he says it with fondness, not with scolding. Then, he says, "How has Videl been treating you?"

"He's been fine," says Thea, "He's actually been better than fine."

"Careful now," he says, "I don't think I'll acquiesce to you two announcing your engagement. And think about how disappointed Jack would be."

Thea looks horrified, "Loki!"

He smiles, "I'm only teasing. Both of them have saved your life in one way or another as of late."

"I missed you," Thea says suddenly.

"I missed you too, darling," says Loki, "We have so much to talk about, you and I. But right now, we need to leave. I do not know where Neidra is, and she will know that the spell has been broken and yearn to go after us both. Instead of both of us dying because of her, she now has nothing to speak for her troubles these past months."

With a sudden shock of remembrance, Thea says, "And...and everyone else is here somewhere. The three powers, we need to get them!"

"So you found out about that?" asks Loki, "Of course you did, you clever girl."

"It was actually Wairua," says Thea humbly, "But it did take Videl a while to convince to come here."

"Can you stand up?"

Thea remembers the crack of her ankle from when she had fallen from the balcony, but says anyway, "Probably."

Loki gets to his feet, and then holds out a hand for her, which she takes. He pulls her up, and although she tries to hide it, her ankle twists slightly, and she bites her lip.

"Thea," says Loki, frowning at his daughter,"I thought you said you could stand up."

"I can stand up," says Thea mulishly, "Look at me, I'm standing."

"My arm is around you. That doesn't count."

"I'm fine," she says.

"You always have been stubborn," sighs Loki, sheathing his dagger at his side, "I doubt that will ever change."

"You're stubborn too," she says, looking around. She spots her own dagger a little ways from her, and holds out the hand that is not holding onto Loki's elbow. It comes soaring across the room gently, and she catches it deftly.

Still smiling a little, Loki waves his hand over the dagger. The hilt suddenly shifts and changes so that the emeralds once again sparkle in the light.

Thea grins up at Loki. "I need to learn how to do that."

"I'll show you," he says lightly, but there is something heavy in his voice, as if he is dealing with a heavy burden. "There are many things I have yearned to teach you."

"What about your sword?" Thea asks as Loki, still holding onto Thea, begins to walk forward. The sword is lying on the ground, the silver blade throwing light around the circular room. Thea's blood is still stained on the point.

Loki looks at the blade with disgust, "I will never again pick up the weapon that I used to kill my own daughter."

"But you didn't kill me," says Thea, "I'm still alive."

"No, Thea. I won't touch it."

It is clear from how he spits out the words that there will not be any persuading him otherwise.

Suddenly, a column of black mist appears at the doorway of the library, and Videl stands in front of them. His amber eyes dart straight to the bloodstained front of Thea's shirt, directly over her heart. "Thea!"

He reaches her in three strides and, completely ignoring Loki, gapes at her, "What happened? Are you all right?"

"I'm okay," says Thea, reaching up to hug him, but he pushes her back.

"The spell!"

"The spell has been broken," says Loki, regarding Videl with something like bitterness, but also tinged with warmth.

"How?" Videl looks up at Loki-there are very people Videl has to look up to, but Loki is one of them.

"I had Jack's necklace on," says Thea, "It restores life."

He stares at her, "So you died?"

"Technically," says Thea, but when Videl's eyes harden, she adds hurriedly, "But I'm fine now! Why do I have to keep people telling me that?"

"Because nobody believes you, that's why, idiot," says Videl.

"Videl," says Loki, turning to him and putting a hand on the Velah's shoulder, "I owe you my life for what you have done for my daughter. If it weren't for you..." He trails off, and then adds, "If it weren't for you, I would not have her by my side now. Thank you, for Thea's life."

Videl shakes his head, "I didn't do anything more than I should have. And your daughter has been stronger than I would have ever thought."

Loki looks down at Thea, "I know she has."

"Videl," says Thea, "Where are the others? Are they all right? What about-"

"Take it easy," says Videl, "We're all fine. Neidra got away though, with the three powers. Wairua has been looking for you forever, but I'm pretty sure Neidra enchanted this room like she enchanted the cavern where the three powers were. Vastly disappointing, by the way. Only three wooden boxes."

"But everyone's alive?" Thea asks, almost breathlessly.

"Yes," says Videl, "And apparently, so are you, which will come as a shock to everyone, because I'm fairly certain that Angelique just told everyone you're dead."

"What?"

"The others suddenly remembered everything about Loki." Videl glances at Loki, who is grimacing, "I knew that meant that the spell had broken, but that either you or Loki had died."

"Did you panic?" Thea asks, a mischievous grin on her face.

He scowls at her, "Don't you ever scare me like that again."

"Then where is everyone?" asks Thea.

"Quite probably, on their ways over here. I think Wairua is leading them here."

"What about Neidra's guards?" asks Loki.

"Gone. Either dead or fled."

"Are you okay Videl?" Thea asks suddenly, "You look angry. And now, you've just run your fingers through your hair."

"I'm all right," says Videl, shaking his head.

"I am sorry for your brother's death," says Loki, "Archer was kind and good, and he didn't deserve to die."

"You didn't do it," says Videl bitterly, "Caomh did."

"Really?" Thea asks, "But you said-"

"I thought Loki killed him," says Videl, "But he didn't. Instead, he saved my niece."

"I may as well have been the one to kill Archer and Linthria," says Loki heavily as Thea looks between the two, "I could have stopped Caomh, if I had been in the right mind. Instead, I let him slaughter them."

"Yeah well," says Videl, "It's done now."

He turns away from Thea and Loki, his fingers in his hair again. Thea looks up at Loki, who shakes his head.

"And Caomh?" asks Loki, "Has he escaped too?"

"Yes," says Videl.

"I'm sorry," says Thea.

His back is to her still, "So am I."

"Videl?"

He turns around to face her.

Letting go of Loki, Thea limps forward. She's about to stumble when Videl catches her. "Careful, idiot," he mutters as he takes her in his arms.

"Thank you," Thea whispers, closing her eyes and nestling her face in his neck. She can feel his curls tickling her forehead, "For everything."

She feels him take in a deep breath, and he squeezes her tighter. Then, he pushes her away from him, although keeps one of his hands on her elbow, steadying her, "You need to get cleaned up. You reek of blood."

"Thanks," she says.

He smirks a little, "Don't mention it."

At that moment, loud voices come from outside the doorway. Thea looks up with a start, but that's all she has time for before Wairua flies in, heading a frantic rush of people.

"Thea!" exclaims Angelique, skidding to a stop with everyone else as she sees Thea standing, albeit clumsily, and breathing, "You're alive!"

"Surprise," says Thea weakly. Loki walks up from behind her puts his hand on her shoulder, steadying her.

"But...but how?" Angelique sputters as Videl wraps his arm around her waist.

Loki, seeing that Thea isn't talking, explains, as Thea looks around the room, at the surge of people who are hurrying towards her.

Peter reaches her first. He grabs her, hugging her tightly to his chest.

"Careful," barks Loki, looking away from Angelique as Thea winces from Peter's bone-crunching hug.

"Are you hurt?" Peter asks, looking her over, "Oh God, you are, I'm sorry."

She smiles, her tears glittering on her face. She turns, and sees Kyle grinning at her, with his half-moon smirk and glittering eyes, "Kyle," she sobs, and he lifts her up, although hugs her a little more gently than Peter.

"Don't leave me out, Ace," says Max, and she turns, Kyle's arm still on her waist, to see Max smiling at her.

"You're hurt!" she exclaims as she leans against him, staring up at the gaping wound at his collarbone.

"I'm all right," says Max, shrugging. As he hugs Thea though, he looks over her head at Kyle, who has suddenly lost his smile.

When Loki reaches the part where the dolphin necklace saved Thea, Jack, who has remained frozen in the din, gapes at him, "Are you bloody kidding!?"

"I am not," says Loki, looking between Thea, who is currently being hugged by Natasha, and Jack with his eyebrows raised and a small smile on his lips.

Thea pivots, staggering a little on her ankle, but Jack catches her, looping an arm around her waist. "Bloody hell," he whispers, staring down at her. Her hair is half-blonde, half-black, her face is burnt and cut, and her lips are bloodied still, but Jack says, "You have never looked more beautiful in all your life."

He says this a little louder than he had planned, because everyone goes silent, including Loki, who is still talking to Angelique.

Neither Jack nor Thea notice though, because they have not looked away from each other. Teardrops glisten on the tips of Thea's lashes, and Jack's eyes are dazed as he gazes down at her.

Flushing, Thea says, "You saved my life."

"Well thank God I did," says Jack, and then leans down and kisses her.

Everyone stares.

"Oh. My. God," says Angelique, her jaw dropping.

"My thoughts exactly," says Natasha, but she's grinning.

Thea and Jack are pressed together tightly, and Thea reaches her arms up to encircle them around Jack's neck. His arms are light her waist, and when she stumbles from the weight of her ankle, he tightens his hold and doesn't let up. Both of them are smiling, a little giddily, as their lips meet again and again.

And then, they break apart, both a bit breathless, but both still grinning at each other.

"I think that deserves a round of applause," says Kyle, beginning to slow clap. Thea blushes again, as several people begin to join in the clapping.

Not remotely abashed, Jack takes a short bow, turns slightly and comes face-to-face with Loki.

"Oh, hello," says Jack, blinking very quickly.

Loki raises a petulant eyebrow at the boy, casually fingering the sheathed (bloody) dagger at his side. Then, he says "Don't disappoint me, Jack."

"I won't," Jack squeaks.

"Loki!" A deep voice resonates from the doorway.

Thor is walking through the mass of jubilant people, towards his brother. His expression is anything but jubilant.

"Damn," mutters Loki. Thea turns to frown at him, finally pulling away from Jack, who is getting his shoulders thumped by Kyle and Peter.

For a second, the brothers just look at each other. Then, Thor asks quietly, "You killed Father?"

Just like when Jack had spoken loudly, again the room goes deathly still and silent.

"I will not deny it," says Loki.

"But why?" Thor asks in a voice shaking with hurt, "And why did you not tell anyone that you had a daughter?"

"I killed Father for what he did to Mother, and what that did to our family," says Loki bluntly, not backing down, "And I kept Thea a secret because Angela asked me to."

Thea's eyes widen, for she hadn't known this either.

"But you killed him! You killed him and took the throne for yourself, Loki, damn you!"

"I deserve to be damned," says Loki, "But that is nothing relevating."

"How long have you been ruling Asgard in Father's stead?"

Loki glances over at Thea, whose shoulders have slumped, "Shortly after we returned from Ardhigiza in the spring."

Thor closes his eyes tightly, but when he opens them, there is only condensed anger. "You will be tried, Loki. You will be tried in Asgard, and for all to see for what you have done! Death, or eternal chains may well await you, brother!"

He swings Mjolnir around, and would have struck Loki had Thea not darted in front. As it is, Thor scarcely moves the hammer away from the girl.

"No, don't hurt him!" Thea pleads, wincing on her ankle, "Can't you see he's already hurt?"

"He killed the man that could have been your grandfather."

Privately, Thea has no desire for Odin to be her grandfather, after what she's witnessed, but says out loud, "Let him explain!"

"He just has! It is not justifiable!"

"You can't hurt him!" Thea says fiercely, swaying slightly. "If you kill him, you have to kill me too!"

Loki quickly reaches out and takes her elbow, pulling her back and away from Thor as she continues to glower at him. He leans down to kiss the top of her head and murmurs, "Calm down, my love. He won't hurt me."

"Have caution Thor," says Sif, striding forward and taking the Asgardian prince's arm. "Asgard is in chaos from Neidra's poison. Dissent is spreading. I agree as any other that Loki must be tried for his crimes. But to try your own brother, of your blood, in front of the kingdom, would be most unwise. Already, there is curiosity as to whether your family is fit to rule the realm. Do not give the dogs the perfect bait."

Thor turns to look at Loki, who is regarding him calmly, and then at Thea, who is glaring at him ferociously, the tips of her fingers illuminated from the flames of her anger. Thea, still only reaching about Loki's chest, seems much older and taller standing next to him, her eyes blazing. Two pairs of identical green eyes reflecting at him, like sparkling emeralds. It had been foolish to all to have gone for so long without realizing that these eyes are of the same blood.

Thor nods shortly, "Very well. We will return to Midgard. There, Loki's fate will await him. Send for Volstagg and Fandral, Lady Sif."

"Of course," says Sif, bowing her head at Thor.

There's an awkward silence.

"I think," says Natasha quietly, "That it's time to go home."

SO MANY EMOTIONS IN 3000 WORDS WORTH OF A CHAPTER.

Anyway, please vote/comment. I'm sure you all loved the Jackea kiss- or whatever their official ship name is. I swear, all my characters have the weirdest ship names.

LOVE YOU ALL. Please VOTE and COMMENT !

Sierraxx