IT'S BEEN A WEEK since Loki and Anna arrived in Asgard. Anna spent most of her time in the infirmary chambers with the unconscious prince, breaking only for meals with Frigga and rest. Even then, she did not sleep, but spent hours tormented by nightmares of Magnus and the horrors inflicted upon both her and Loki. In spite of the stress, Asgard has been kind to her. Her body has been restored to health following her torture. Color returned to her cheeks, and her blue eyes - although filled with worry for Loki - are regaining their previous luster.

Now, she sits next to Loki with a book on her lap, staring at the pages without absorbing any of the words. Frigga has provided a constant stream of reading material for her, but Anna cannot find it in herself to dive into a story whilst worrying about Loki. The healers are certain that the raven-haired prince will make a full recovery, but Anna is terrified of the reality that their return to Asgard may bring. After all, she is a mortal and not Loki's 'equal', according to Odin, which meant there would be difficulties ahead.

"Should I be worried that you have not finished the page by now?" A deep voice pulls Anna from her thoughts, and her face brightens at the sight of Loki watching her with one eye open. She smiles and closes the book, then reaches forward to squeeze his hand. The healer, Eir, bustles in before she can respond to him, so she stays in her chair beside him instead of showering him with affection like she wants to do.

"I am perfectly well," Loki says, clearly annoyed, as he closes both eyes and sighs whilst Eir checks his vitals. She smirks and winks at Anna. The brunette stifles a laugh, and Loki's eyes flash open to stare at her.

"Move slowly, highness," Eir instructs, stepping back from the bed. "You have been healed of all major damage, but you will need sleep."

Loki groans, pushing himself upright with a hiss of pain, "Haven't I already been sleeping?"

"Rest," Eir insists. "Or you'll spend more time in these chambers."

He bites his tongue, rolling his eyes at the woman behind her back as she leaves the room, before slipping his legs off the side of the bed so his bare feet touch the cool ground. Anna places the book on the ground and stands to offer Loki her arm. He brushes her off, shaking his head, and stands before stumbling forward.

"Be careful," Anna warns as she tries to steady him. "Don't over-exert yourself."

Loki lifts an eyebrow, then he glances down at Anna's arm which is wrapped around his waist.

"I can walk on my own volition," he tells her with an edge. She blushes and moves to release him, but he captures her hand and brings it to his lips. "I am sorry. It is difficult being in Asgard again."

Anna smiles and shrugs, "I missed you."

"How foolish of you," Loki replies, his green eyes sparkling. He lifts his hand to her cheek, brushing his thumb across her soft skin, before leaning forward to press his lips against hers. The kiss is gentle at first, and Loki's hand moves to Anna's hair as he deepens the kiss. She snakes her arms around his neck, pressing her body against his, until there is no space left between them. A moan slips from her lips as his kisses move up her jawline to her ear, and he smiles at the sound before capturing her mouth once again with his own.

"Loki," she murmurs, unable to detach herself from him. He kisses her again, his tongue exploring the inside of her mouth with equal parts passion and gentleness, leaving her craving more of him. His other hand clings to her waist, keeping her flush against him, and Anna swears she can feel his heart beating against her chest. The sensation leaves her breathless, her heart racing as she allows herself to get lost in his kiss, and she completely forgets what she was going to say.

Behind them, the door opens to the chamber and they separate instantly. A guard steps into the room, ignoring their disheveled state, and bows to Loki.

"The Allfather requests your presence," the guard tells them.

Loki groans, "Can he not wait? I should think I need more than five minutes of consciousness before forced to undergo the inquisition."

The guard doesn't respond, so Loki steals another kiss from Anna whilst intertwining their fingers then pulls her with him through the heavy doors and into the corridor. His shoulders are tense, she notices, and his grip on her hand aches after only a few moments. They breeze through the halls, and Anna can't help but wonder at the many people who stop and stare at Loki as they pass.

"Loki," a voice from behind them calls out, and the tall Asgardian prince freezes midstep. He turns, still clutching Anna's hand tightly, to see Frigga standing less than five feet from them. A warm smile is stretched across her face, the queen rushes to embrace her son. At first he hesitates, then Loki buries his face in his mother's hair and wraps his arms around her.

Anna smiles at the reunion of mother and son. No matter what Loki says about his adopted family, it's obvious how much he adores Frigga. She begins to take a step back, allowing them space, but Frigga moves quickly from Loki to Anna. The queen lifts Anna's chin so their eyes meet and greets Anna with a kiss on the cheek.

"Happiness becomes you, my dear," Frigga tells her, causing Anna to blush. Loki smirks beside them, enjoying the sight of the flaming pink color spreading across her cheeks. "I am glad you found my son."

"As am I," Anna replies softly. "Thank you for your hospitality, your Highness. I appreciate all you've done for me during my stay in Asgard."

Frigga smiles, "Please, call me Frigga."

A soft smile tugs at the corner of Loki's mouth as he watches the interaction between his mother and Anna. It fills him with joy to watch the two women closest to his heart together, but a pang of regret prevents him from losing himself in the moment. How he could be so lucky despite his previous actions - his true, monstrous nature - he'll never understand. Even now, the thought dulls the sparkle in his green eyes.

"We must go," Loki's voice is filled with remorse. "The Allfather awaits."

The queen sighs, nodding, "Do not cling to bitterness toward your father--"

"He's not my father," the prince interrupts. Anna frowns, taking Loki's hand in her own and giving it a reassuring squeeze. She knows how much he resents Odin, but she's also seen a glimpse of how much Odin loves his son. If only Loki could see it as well.

"Am I not your mother?" Frigga asks gently. "We raised you, Loki, and loved you as our own. Whether or not you have my blood is irrelevant. You have my heart."

Loki turns his face away, unwilling to show any emotion, and Frigga gives Anna a sad smile. Clearly, she's been trying for years to bridge the gap between father and son, but both are too stubborn to yield. The queen strokes Loki's cheekbone, then she turns and departs. Once she's gone, Loki exhales shakily, his shoulders drooping.

"Loki," Anna looks up at him.

"I do not wish to speak of it," Loki states firmly.

"But she loves you," Anna presses. "They both do."

He scoffs, dropping her hand, "How could they? How could they love the monster they tried so hard to keep hidden in the dark?"

"Easily," she replies, exasperated. "You're their son not a monster. The man you are has nothing to do with where you came from but how you act."

"And my actions have proven myself worthy of love?" Loki laughs, a bitter sound filled with anger. "I am a murderer. I have killed so many that my hands are forever stained with their blood. With the blood of your betrothed. Who could love such a thing?"

She uses her fingers to wipe away the tears threatening to fall from her eyes. Her heart aches for him, aches for the pain caused by a childhood of being overlooked by another. The pain that comes with discovering your parentage was a lie, hidden from you for so long. The pain that would cause a man to convince himself that be the monster that he believes himself to me. Were it not for that conviction, Anna is convinced that Loki would not have led the Chitauri army against Earth. Instead, he allowed himself to be led astray in a misguided attempt to prove himself - whether as a monster or as someone worth loving, she isn't sure - and so many suffered because of it, including Loki.

"I do," Anna whispers, his green eyes turning to meet her blue ones. "I love you."

Now playing: "Smash Into You" by Beyoncé. 

*****
Author's Note

I wrote this chapter in the airport in Chicago heading home from BookExpo America. It was a busy week filled with meetings, meetings, meetings, but I saw Meg Cabot + Veronica Roth, and - thanks to an awesome Disney/Marvel editor - had Eoin Colfer sign a copy of his upcoming Iron Man novel, The Gauntlet, for me. (We bonded over our unique names.) 

I hope you love this chapter. Please leave me a comment and vote! 

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