An Elf in Asgard (Loki xOC)

XVII

"Poisoned?" I ask, squeezing Loki's hand. Eir nods. "Yes, Your Majesty. We believe it may have happened when you were in Alfheim last." Loki glares at me. "They poisoned you in that--place--didn't they?!" He hisses. I close my eyes and pick at my left palm. "They did," he whispers. Eir takes that as a signal to leave. Loki sits besides me and rests my head against his chest. "Did you know?"

"No. The food had tasted a bit weird but I was too scared to say anything. They had threatened to kill me, Loki."

"Azalena..." Loki trails off, stroking my hair. He kisses the crown of my head and says, "I promise you this now, I will protect you until my every dying breath." I nod and close my eyes as I listen to his beating heart, the smooth rhythm lulling me to sleep.
Loki's POV
"I promise you this now, I will protect you until my every dying breath," I say, still holding her in my arms. Azalena nods and she closes her eyes. Soon enough, she falls asleep. I softly lay her down on the bed and sit in the chair next to me. Eir comes back in and sees her fast asleep. "She is asleep, Your Majesty?" She whispers. I nod. Eir nods and whispers, "You're more than welcome to stay the night." She leaves once again to tend to some children who have mild cases of dragon pox.

I conjure a soft blanket and pillow to sleep beside her. I have a feeling she'll be out for my blood in the morning, but I don't care.

When I open my eyes again, it's morning. Azalena is just sitting up and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "Good morning, love," she smiles. I yawn widely and she looks at me. "Did you get any sleep last night?" She scolds.

"I did, as a matter of fact. And don't you dare start chastising me, I stayed by your side all night and I'd do it again."

Azalena shakes her head and tries to ride out of bed. "No, no, no! Stay there, darling, I'll go get Eir and tell her you're up," I run to go get the head healer.

Eir is tending to a member of the court with a cough when she sees me. She sinks into a curtsey and asks, "Is she up?" I nod and Eir quickly leaves some herbal liquid on the nightstand for the court member. "Drink this. All of it," she orders. She follows me to Azalena, who is still trying to get up. "Love-"

"I'm fine, Loki."

"Not until I say so," Eir smiles. She looks over her and has her drink a disgusting looking herbal liquid. "There. That will run its course later, but you can go," Eir says. I help Azalena out of the bed and she leans on me. "I'm sorry for giving you such a scare, Loki," she says quietly. "It's not your fault, my love," I reply. "Now come on. I'll bring you to bed, and bring you your favorite books and things."

"But what about your duties?"

"I'll send a physical copy of myself. Just for today until that medicine is done running its course."

She nods and we reach our quarters. I settle her into bed and bring her favorite fantasy and fighting books to her. "I'll make the tea now," I smile, pouring some flower infused tea. She stares in awe as I send a copy of myself downstairs to the throne room to deal with royal matters. "So that wasn't an illusion, was it?"

"No, dear."

"So you can actually send living, physical, copies of yourself anywhere?"

"Yes dear," I smile, giving her the tea. She sips it gingerly, her doe eyes peeking over the the rim.
Azalena's POV
I sip the tea and watch as Loki picks out a book and sits on the accent chair. He reads a few passages to me as I listen. "Darling, as much as I'd love to continue this, I am quite hungry--"

"Say no more. I'll get you some from downstairs."

I kiss his cheek as he stands and thank him profusely. I'm left alone for a bit. The draft blows in through the balcony doors, making me bolt upright. Calm down. It's just the wind. I grasp the edge of the blankets as my heart starts racing. Calm. Down. I close my eyes and try to regain control of my heart rate. I start hearing his voice in my head, his voice from when I was held prisoner.

"Bring her down to the dungeons. Make sure she doesn't see anyone." Leife hisses these words, ordering the guards to take me down to the dungeons. I've renounced him as my father. The guards take me roughly by the wrists and shove me in a cell. I scream and cry for help but no one cares.

Hours later, they slip me a plate with slop on it. I eagerly take it, I'm starving. It tastes a bit odd, but I don't dare say a word. If I say anything, I know I'll be killed. He's surely named Jimena as his heir, so I mean nothing to him. I fall asleep eventually and pray that someone will come find me--

"Azalena! Look at me, darling!" Loki's hands cup my cheeks. Tears are freely flowing down his pale, flushed cheeks and his mum is kneeling by my side. "Loki?" I barely choke out. "My darling, what happened?" He asks, placing his forehead against mine. I shake my head, tears falling freely. "I-I don't know. Memories kept coming back from him--"
"Who, love?"

"Leife--"

That is all I have to say before Loki glares into the distance. "My son, think before you do anything. Please," Mama Frigga pleads. "I already did away with that asshole, and he is still haunting her, Mum!" Loki snarls.

"Watch your mouth."

"Sorry, Mum," he says sheepishly. Mama Frigga stands. "Now. I will go to Alfheim and deal with this while you stay with your lady, understand?" She asks, but it's not a request. Loki nods and stays by my bedside. Mama Frigga leaves and shuts the door behind her. Loki lifts the plate from the nightstand. Breakfast. He lifts the fork full of scrambled eggs and holds it to my lips. "Eat, please?" He asks with wide eyes. I nod and take the fork from him. I don't need to be fed like a baby.

I finish about half of the plate and Loki is satisfied with that. "Lay back down. That medicine will be running its course, and I don't want you running about doing things when you need to be recovering," he says sternly yet kindly. I nod and lay back against my pillow. He pulls the blanket up over me and kisses my forehead. "I love you," he whispers.

"I love you more."

"I love you most."