Forever. I Promise (Sequel to As one. Always)

Chapter 12

Just letting you guys know this may be the last update for a few weeks. Exams are approaching! So thank you everyone who has read, commented and voted for this story! Your love and support is amazing, and it gets me through the tough parts of life, and I really appreciate it. This story, as well as the one previously written, is nothing without you guys <3

On another note, this chapter was difficult to write, and later I may come back and do some more editing. Describing how Loki is feeling was oddly difficult, and I hope I conveyed his feelings properly.

Now, on to the chapter!

Thor led me down the halls of Asgard, which were littered with people. They were all standing around, whispering among themselves, worry on their faces. The energy was heavy with sadness and fear. Fear for the future of Asgard, and what this might mean. As we began to enter a more crowded area, I watched as people parted for Thor, some of them kneeling as he went by.

I wondered why so many people were gathered around the old king’s room. I understood paying respects, but why linger around?

I was partially hidden behind Thor’s large frame, so people didn’t spot me into he went by. Most people didn’t pay me any mind. They probably didn’t realize I had been gone from Asgard. It was as we got to end of the hallway that three people seemed surprised to see me with their king.

Sif, Fandral and Volstag all kneeled to Thor, their right arms positioned diagonally across their chests. Thor nodded to them all, before turning to me. That was when my old friends spotted me. “I am about to lead you into Odin’s chambers. I will warn you, nothing has been touched since the discovery of the body. The body has been left in its original position by my request, but we must move it soon for the funeral.”

I nodded. “I’ll need quiet, to concentrate. I can’t make any promises, Thor. But I will try.” I nodded to my old friends, who stepped aside to reveal gold double doors. I took a deep breath before pushing open one of the doors and entering. Thor followed me in.

I gasped slightly at the sight in front of me. Odin was lying on his back in his huge bed, as if he was sleeping. The only suspicious looking thing about the scene in front of me was the fact that there was a trail of blood leaking from his mouth. His one good eye was wide open, staring emptily at the ceiling. I put my hand on my chest, calming myself down. Thor had warned me the body was still here. Why was I surprised?

Everything in the room looked untouched, as if Odin had simply died in his sleep. Nothing was out of the ordinary. Thor had probably already looked through the room for hair, fingerprints, or anything out of place. I was a last resort, plan z. The pressure on me started to become evident.

I closed my eyes, calming myself even further so I could concentrate. Doing magic came easy when I focused. I tried to make myself fluid, like magic, and to feel it around me. Each person had their own personal aura, or signature, when they performed magic. I just had to try and find the signature that didn’t match mine or Odin’s.

Or at least it should have been that simple. When Thor had told me the room had been wiped clean from magic, I just thought he meant it was clean enough that he couldn’t detect it, or anyone else. But this room was bleached of magic. How the hell was I supposed to find anything when it was as if no one had been here?

I rubbed my temples, feeling frustrated. “Thor, whoever did this…I can’t feel anything!”

“Nothing at all?” Thor sounded disappointed, and I opened my eyes to see his shoulder slumped slightly. “There must be something here, Noelle.”

“I doubt it. If it wasn’t for the blood and open eye, I would’ve thought Odin was having a nap.”

“Please, try again Noelle.” Thor begged me, making me give in. I nodded, closed my eyes, feeling the pressure grow. It didn’t help that I could feel Thor’s eyes on me, waiting. It frustrated me further.