Chapter 5
The look on Ray Jackson's face when I walked through the door, hand firmly in Loki's, was priceless. I could tell he couldn't tell if he should bow or scoop me up in a hug. After Loki cleared his throat, Ray fell into a quick bow.
"My king," He greeted, looking up at me while still deep in his bow. "My queen."
"Ray." I smiled, placing a hand on Ray's shoulder. He straightened, looking me up and down. I dropped Loki's hand and wrapped both arms around his neck. Ray melted into the hug, wrapping his arms firmly around me. "I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too." He whispered. I let go, though I didn't want to, and stepped back to Loki's side. "Please, follow me. Can I get you anything?"
As Ray fell back into his hospitable self, and I fell into step next to Loki, I wondered how long it would be before I saw someone who wouldn't have as strong self control. The Gemini's were family, and if I saw any of them here, they would greet me as such, not as some queen.
---
"Okay, the other's are almost here. We just have to wait a couple more minutes." Hasim assured, rubbing his hands together anxiously. I paced outside the tower, the cold Manhattan air nipping at my face.
"What if he's already sentenced by then?" I asked nervously, chewing on my lower lip.
"It'll be fine baby Malone. Stop worrying so much. The guys will be here soon." I knew Lawrence's words were meant to calm me, but still, they did nothing but amp me up more.
"And Alex, what about Alex? Did he get away? Did he--"
"Thea, just wait. We'll find out soon." Hasim snapped, stopping me mid pace.
"I'm sorry. I just--"
"Alright Gemini's let's go." The strong voice of Jonathan jolted me from my anxiety and forced me to put my game face on. I looked up to see our fearless leader, backed up by twelve high ranking members and a few more Gemini girls. I smiled nervously at them and fell into step with the other girls.
We made our way into the tower, and into the throne room where a public audience was being held. Sometimes, the self proclaimed king would hold public court and the people could watch sentencing. We got lucky that today was one of those days.
The leading Gemini men parted the group of people watching enough that our entire entourage was able to lay eyes upon Frankie. He looked as if he'd already been roughed up. Lip bloodied, eye swollen, he stood mostly slumped and held up by two of Loki's guards.
"No-" I cried in shock before the other girls took my hand and reminded me that we were in very real danger. Still, the small outbreak had caught Loki's attention and he turned to our group.
"A problem?" He asked, his voice menacing and cold. No one responded, but our men stood strong at the front, watching Frankie carefully. Loki looked us over for a few moments, trying to suss out who had made the noise of opposition, before turning back to my brother.
"You are tried with the attempted murder of Holland and Arthur Gallaway. How do you plead?" I gasped, pushing my way to the front lines. Jonathan and his right hand man Buster watched me closely, but made no move to force me back. I could tell that they weren't surprised, which meant that part of my brother and Alex's mission had been to attempt to get rid of some pretty high up members of the Vipers.
"Innocent." Frankie spat slyly. I watched as Loki raised an eyebrow.
"On what grounds?"
"Where's your proof?" Frankie shot back. I leaned forward, intently watching on as my brother sassed the new world ruler.
"There were witnesses, the victims came forward themselves, and you were caught by royal guards." I bit my lip, my insides churning. What a stupid thing to do. I shot a look at Jonathan, who stared steadfastly ahead.
"Aren't you going to defend him?" I asked in a panic. Jonathan put a finger to his lips and shook his head. "If you don't I will." I hissed quietly.
"Another disruption? My, what do we have here?" Loki's tone startled me back to reality. I turned to face the king. I took a shaky breath, looking to Jonathan.
"Nothing." He replied fiercely. Frankie's head shot towards us upon recognizing the voice that spoke, his eyes wide and fearful. He didn't want me here.
Loki stood from his spot and began to walk towards us. I stiffened, but didn't move. Jonathan nudged me back softly so I was partially hidden behind him. I felt the rest of the group around me.
"It doesn't sound like nothing." Loki mused, reaching our group swiftly. "Come forward, little one." He commanded, crooking his finger at me. I froze, huddled nervously behind Jonathan.
"She'll stay quiet." Jonathan assured, placing his arm protectively in front of me. "She won't be a problem anymore."
Loki shook his head, crooking his finger once more.
"Come." Shaking, I decided to step forward. Jonathan gripped my arm as I did so, not allowing me to step fully into Loki's sight.
"This isn't about her." Jonathan urged.
"But it is." Loki smirked, holding out his hand. My eyes shot to Jonathan, and then to Frankie. Frankie was adamantly shaking his head. My heart hammered in my chest as I looked back to Jonathan. He hardened his gaze for a moment before nodding. I heard a few gasps as I placed my hand gingerly in Loki's grasp. He pulled me forward, out in front of the whole audience. I looked back at my support system, who stood by watching my every move. "Now, what is it you were saying?" Loki questioned. I didn't respond, instead trying to shakily fill my lungs with enough air so that I wouldn't collapse. "Come on then, don't get shy now. What, is he your boyfriend?" Loki motioned to Frankie. I closed my eyes for a moment, steadying myself, before looking back to Loki.
"He's my brother." I murmured.
"Ah. And you would like to save him."
"Yes." I whispered.
"You've heard what he was charged with?" Loki wondered. My hand felt very heavy in his, but he gave no indication of letting go.
"Yes."
"You understand that crime must have consequence." Loki continued.
"Yes."
"Then?"
"Please, don't kill him." Was all I could muster. I cast my gaze down, not able to meet his eyes anymore. Loki didn't respond to me, instead turning to the rest of the crowd.
"If I gave in to every person who plead for a life, there would be no punishment. Crime would continue on as it was before I came. Have I not cut down on crime? Have I not made life better?" There were some murmurs from the crowd. Loki had come down on crime hard, and it had been seriously effective. Still, this didn't seem to bode well for me or my brother.
"She understands." Buster spoke lowly, reaching out his hand. "She'll be quiet." I began to lift my other hand to meet his, but Loki jerked me back suddenly. I yelped in shock, putting down my other hand immediately.
"What is your defense?" He asked, leaning down to force my gaze into meeting his. "Why should I make an exception for him?" My lower lip wobbled uncertainly as I glanced toward my brother.
"Stop. Let her go." Frankie plead.
"She won't be any more trouble." Someone, Romero I think, spoke from the Gemini crowd.
"Please," whimpered Essa from the back of the group.
"Hmmm, you seem to be very important." Loki noticed, turning me towards the crowd once more. "Who of you would speak up on this girl's behalf, were you not afraid?" Loki questioned, looking across the room. "You may speak freely without fear of retribution." Most of the room, though I only knew 20 of the people, rose their hands in my defense. Loki nodded, turning me back to him. "It would seem the people like you." Loki mused. "Reasons?" Loki adressed the rest of the room, still facing me.
"She's soft." Someone spoke.
"She seems kind." Another piped in.
"She's family." Andi added from the Gemini crew. Loki nodded.
"We'll take a brief recess." He announced. "Come." Looking back towards Jonathan frantically, I trailed behind Loki towards whatever was behind the throne room.
Loki led me through the hallway, into a small room to the side. It looked to be an office. There was a desk with a Stark computer sitting in the middle, a couple of chairs, and a couch against the wall. Loki led me to a chair in front of the desk and let go of my hand, motioning for me to sit. I did as I was told, looking around the office in part amazement, part terror.
"What would you do to keep your brother safe?" Loki asked suddenly, leaning against the desk, arms crossed over his chest.
"Anything." I replied immediately.
"Anything?" Loki questioned, raising an eyebrow. I nodded.
"Tell me, little one, what is your name?"
"Thea." I breathed softly.
"Thea, would you take your brother's place?"
"Yes." I responded immediately.Loki chuckled.
"That was an awfully quick response."
"I love my brother." I explained. "I would do anything to save him."
"Tell me about your family." I looked to Loki in confusion, but he just nodded at me to speak.
"Um, I'm the youngest of three. My older sister died a few years back, and then there's Frankie and me. And my parents."
"Your parents would be heartbroken if either of you were to die." Loki stated.
"Yes." I replied. "I don't know if they could take it."
"Do you love your family?" Loki asked, watching for my reaction.
"Yes."
"And what would you do to keep them safe from harm?"
"Anything." I replied instantly. "If I could do something to keep them safe, I would do anything."
"What if I told you in order to keep your family safe, you would have to kill someone, would you?" He questioned. I was clearly uncomfortable, shifting in my seat, but Loki kept his eyes on me.
"I wouldn't want to, but I would."
"And what if I said that I could keep them safe, if you did one small thing for me?"
"What thing?" I wondered.
"The people seem to like you." Loki mused. "More, I think, than they like me. They were faithful to you, though many of them didn't seem to know you."
"Yes." I replied. "I was lucky that the people in that room didn't seem to want my head."
"I could use some loyalty." Loki said, pushing off from the desk and kneeling before me. My heart stopped. If this man, this self proclaimed king, was kneeling before me then something serious must be afoot. "My people, they listen for the most part. But are they loyal? What do you think, little one?" I remained silent, watching him closely. "Go ahead. Tell me what you think." His hand brushed my knee, and it sent a shiver through my body.
"No." I squeaked. "I don't think they would be loyal to you if they weren't afraid of you. I think if they thought they had a chance, they'd join the fight against you."
"Ah, there it is. The truth. You see, I think so too. But, I have a solution to that. Would you like to hear it?" I nodded silently. "On Asgard, there were plenty of people who were not entirely happy with Odin. Do you know who they were happy with?" I shook my head. "My mother. Odin's wife. Odin's wife was so popular with the people, she kept any opposition at bay." I swallowed thickly. "What would you do for your family's safety?"
"Anything." I breathed.
"Become my wife and I will protect them. I will keep them safe. No harm will come to your parents or brother." I sat, stunned at his words. Marry Loki? I liked to tell everyone I was a grown up, anyone who would listen. I liked telling people that I had just started school to become a nurse, liked telling people about my plans for my future. But really? I was a child. I wasn't too high and mighty to admit that at just 18, I was barely an adult. Could I do it? Could I give up my whole future, become a wife while I was still a kid? Would I really do anything to keep my family safe? I'd said it, but could I follow through?
"Okay."
---
The group of people who had shown up to take part in the discussion on gangs in Brooklyn was insane. I recognized many of them as cooks and waiters from the diner. I saw one of my childhood neighbors among the fray, and a few familiar faces from local businesses. They all sat in booths and diner chairs, looking curiously at Loki and I. I wiggled my fingers subtly at people I knew as we made our way to the center of the room.
"We have heard your troubles." Loki said magnanimously. "And we are here to hear suggestions on how to combat them." I stood by his side, smiling softly and nodding at Loki's words. Back at the tower, he wasn't such a caring leader. In the field, I don't know if he was being real or fake, but he was definitely showing the people he cared.
Ray led us to a booth in the back of the diner and sat us down, bringing us water to sip.
"You may begin sending them back." Loki said, nodding at Ray.
"Yes my king." Ray nodded in response, leaving our side.
"You seem to know him well." Loki mused, watching as Ray went to find the first person who would talk to us.
"I do." I agreed.
"Why didn't you tell me that while we were on our way?"
"I told you I worked here." I pointed out, taking a small sip of ice water.
"You neglected to mention your close relationship with the owner."
"And the staff. And a few of the people out there who intend to speak to us. I had a life before I became... yours." I said, ending flatly. I hated to refer to myself as his, but that's how he referred to me on the daily. His wife, his queen, his little one, his property, his. When I would get argumentative he would strike back by reminding me that in order to save my older brother I had promised myself to him. I was his.
"Are you going to have an issue doing your job today?"
"My job?"
"Being my queen and not some waitress at a diner in Brooklyn." Loki's words made my blood boil, but I took a deep breath and forced all my anger down. If I defied him now, I'd be in for a very unpleasant day, and he most likely would send me home.
"No." I replied through grit teeth.
"Good."