Chapter Text
Asgard
Ignoring the guards surrounding Loki, Thor grinned at the two majestic horses which appeared at the gate of Asgard. Turning to look at her, he asked exuberantly, “Have you ever ridden a horse before?”
“Noooo…” she told him unconvincingly before adding, “…but I’ve ridden a Hippogriff, a Threstral and a dragon. How difficult could this be?”
Loki scoffed, but Thor took it in a slide. Though, he looked awed as he asked with barely hidden surprise, “You’ve ridden a dragon before?”
Cassy remembered how uncomfortable the dragon's skin had been and the way she had been holding onto dear life. So, she said, “Yes… and I wouldn’t recommend it at all.”
Thor nodded solemnly before mounting the white horse and held out his hand. Cassy eyed thebhorse warily before reluctantly putting her hand in his and he pulled her behind him with relative ease. Scared for some unknown reason, Cassy held onto him tightly, but he didn’t complain and kicked the horse into a trot. Loki followed suit with the guards all around him.
The ginormous place which she assumed was the palace grew closer as they cantered through the city. She looked at the large pillars and giant statues surrounding the city and gaped openly when she realised that nearly everything in Asgard was made of gold. It was surrounded by trees and plants she’d never seen before. It was exceptionally beautiful and to her... like the first day of Hogwarts all over again.
Looking around, she didn’t miss the curious looks sent her way and the venomous glares received by Loki. But Thor was undoubtedly loved by his people if the cheers were anything to go by as soon as their eyes fell on their prince. He, in turn, thrust his hammer into the air and if possible, they got even louder.
Thor was a prince, the God of Thunder and one day, would be the king of all realms. Cassy felt her heart pang unpleasantly at that reality. All her life, she had wished to hide and live a normal life… but this – this was the opposite of normal. One day, when his parents would be gone, Thor and whoever he married would be solely responsible for the peacekeeping of the nine realms... She felt panic building at the prospect, now that she looked around. Yes, she had unknowingly acquired the title of a God, but she was Cassy. Plain old Cassy, who wasn't fit to stand beside someone as pure as Thor, the future King of Asgard.
She returned to relatity, swallowing hard when Thor slowed as they appeared before the gate and guards bowed their heads to acknowledge Thor’s stature. He helped her down from the great horse before taking her hand into his and twining their fingers together.
Cassy hadn't even realised such a small action could ease her panic, but it did and his smile gave her strength. Her fingers tightened into his when he pulliped her up the stone steps leading into the palace, but his presence by her side was enough to calm her down.
Before she knew it, he was leading her through the door and into a wide golden room which held nothing but a throne made of gold. She took in the high, vaulted ceilings carved with intricate Norse designs swirling through them, reflecting down onto the gleaming floors. It was breathtaking and for a moment, she forgot about all her worries… until Thor stopped and she slammed rather ungracefully into his back.
She looked at him to apologise, but her eyes fell onto the man on the throne with a staff in hand – Odin, the King of Asgard and Thor’s father. The man had curly grey hair, a wrinkled face and an eye patch just like Fury. He appeared old, frail even, but he radiated authority and his stance made her swallow with something akin to fear.
"Father," Thor greeted before gesturing towards her and introducing, “Lady Cassy, may I present to you, the Allfather Odin Borson, King of Asgard and Protector of the Nine Realms. Father, this is Lady Cassandra Potter —"
“Death’s chosen.” The man finished, one eye trained on her with a frightening intensity.
Her eyes widened, while Thor blinked, but before either could speak, they were forced to look away as a woman ran over and enveloped Loki in a hug. Cassy was confused until she heard her next words…
“My son.”
She openly gaped because the woman did not look like someone’s mother… much less the mother of Thor and the wife of the man sitting in front of them. She had a youthful face which could rival Hermione’s and brown hair styled in what could only be a royalty manner. She was dressed in a golden dress flowing down her feet and had huge diamonds around the collar bone… her eyes though were exactly like Thor’s and Cassy realized that he had certainly inherited all his looks and charm from his mother.
“Mother..." Loki greeted.
"I mourned you," Frigga murmured, pulling away finally. "…but to see you alive is a blessing.”
“Have I made you proud?” Loki asked sarcastically.
The woman’s face fell and she all but begged, “Please, don't make this worse.”
Loki’s hands were tied with chains but he leaned closer and asked in a whisper, “Define ‘worse’.”
“Enough.” Allfather’s voice resounded through the room. Everyone turned to stare at him but his eyes were fixated on the prisoner as he asked, “Do you not truly feel the gravity of your crimes? Wherever you go there is war, ruin and death.”
“I went down to Midgard to rule the people of Earth as a benevolent god.” Loki replied casually before adding with a smile, “Just like you.”
“We are not gods! We are born; we live; we die. Just as humans do.” Odin told him evenly.
Loki made a face and said, “Give or take 5000 years.”
The man stared him down, looking disappointed and spoke, “All this because Loki desires a throne.”
“It is my birthright!” Loki snapped.
“Your birthright… was to die as a child. Cast out onto a frozen rock. If I had not taken you in you would not be here now to hate me.” The old man yelled while everyone in the room flinched at the cold words.
Loki took a step closer and said, “If I am for the axe, then for mercy's sake, just swing it. It's not that I don't love our little talks, it's just ... I don't love them.”
Odin’s eyes turned cold and he said, “Frigga is the only reason you are still alive and you will never see her again. You will spend the rest of your days in the dungeons.”
For the first time, Cassy noticed the way those green eyes filled with tears, but Loki composed himself. Pointing towards Thor, he asked, “And what of him? You'll make the witless oaf king while I rot in chains?”
Thor looked at his brother with heartbreak written all over his face. His eyes stayed on Loki, but it looked like he wanted to cry and Cassy had the urge to sweep him in a hug. Frigga too looked just like her son, but the king leaned back in his chair and commanded coldly, “Thor must strife to undo the damage you have done. He will bring order to the nine realms and then, yes. He will be king.”
The man hadn’t given Loki a single chance – a person he called his son. This was like Sirius all over again… what was wrong with people with power - who walked all over others? What gave them the right to decide someone’s fate without even knowing the truth?!
Every head turned to stare at her, making her realise that she’d spoken her words out loud. Cassy resisted the urge to apparate as far as possible when not only the King, Queen, Thor, Loki and all the guards gawked at her openly.
The man arched a brow and asked condescendingly, “What is this truth you speak of, Midgardian?”
Cassy pressed her lips together, so she wouldn’t end up insulting the King... because that right there - was racism, but thankfully, Thor stepped forward and pleaded, “Father, please listen to her. This is a matter of grave importance.”
“We will listen, of course.” Thor’s mother spoke for the first time, her tone brooking no argument.
Odin pursed his lips, looking unhappy at the change of events, but didn’t disagree with his wife and nodded his head for her to continue. Thor gave her a look, looking hopeful if a bit tense. Loki stared at her with narrow eyes, while the Queen stared at her expressionlessly.
She cleared her throat unnecessarily and said, “I believe that Loki didn’t attack Earth of his own consciousness… and was being controlled.”
Odin leaned forward and spoke as if talking to a child, "Loki is a skilful sorcerer… and a God of Mischief and Lies.”
“I’m sorry to say this, but so is your wife... but that doesn’t mean her mind cannot be manipulated or controlled. Or anyone else's for that matter.” Cassy said, sending an apologetic glance the Queen’s way, who simply looked worried for her son.
On the other hand, Odin’s eyes narrowed and he gritted out, “You dare…”
“It is the truth! Mind is a fickle thing which can easily be influenced by numerous means!” Unable to stop herself, she cried out. “You cannot punish an innocent without giving them a chance to speak!”
Despite the insult thrown his way by his brother not long ago, Thor pleaded, “Father, please, Loki may be innocent –”
Odin held up a hand and said, “Loki is many things, but innocent is not one of them.”
“I’m not saying he is innocent. He might have committed crimes before he came to Earth… he even tried to kill me – twice now…” Loki’s memories were still fresh in her mind, so Cassy rambled, “I’m just trying to tell you that he didn’t attack Earth because he is a benevolent god or whatever shite he spewed just now. He attacked because he was being controlled by the mad titan.”
The atmosphere grew cold as soon as she spoke. Thor’s eyes widened, Queen Frigga gasped, while Odin’s brows furrowed and he demanded wrathfully, “How do you know of the mad-titan? As far as I know, Earth does not know of him!"
Despite herself, Cassy flinched… realising that Thor had inherited the man’s anger and his booming voice.
“Father…” Thor started stiffly, but before he could say anything, Cassy met the old man’s eyes and stated, “He’s the one I saw in Loki’s head.”
Her eyes flickered to Thor, who was emanating a look of utter betrayal that made her grimace and she whispered, “I didn’t want to scare anyone before.”
Some of the tension eased from his shoulders and he gave her a small nod of understanding. She looked between the members of the royal family and asked, “Er… who is he?”
“Thanos is a warlord from the doomed planet Titan. He is known for destroying worlds which gained him the title – Mad Titan.” Thor told her. His fists were clenched tightly as he turned to his father and stated, “Father, if Midgard is his next destination, we must do everything to protect it.”
Odin looked from him to Loki before standing up from his throne. Taking a step towards him, he asked, “Loki, is it true?”
A muscle in Loki's jaw twitched. He threw a disdainful glare towards the King but didn’t say anything.
“Brother…”
Loki clenched his fists, glaring down at the ground angrily.
“Loki!” Odin scowled warningly, but Frigga stopped him. Stepping closer to her son and pleaded softly, “Loki, please. Tell us the truth.”
“Why? No one would’ve believed the God of Mischief and Lies! How can you trust I'm being honest right now? After all, I’m known for my silver tongue, am I not?!" Loki snarled, glaring hatefully at the King. “I would be thrown in the dungeons either way.”
“If your father had known…” The Queen started.
"HE IS NOT MY FATHER!" Loki roared. His eyes were filled with water as he shouted viciously, "I AM NOT HIS SON! I AM MERELY ANOTHER RELIC STOLEN FROM A FALLEN EMPIRE!"
Loki's rage was primitive and bitter. He glared at Odin darkly, seething with rage, but the old King looked back impassively.
Frigga's eyes well up with tears and she choked out, "If… if he is not your father... then, am I not your mother?"
Loki looked startled for a moment as his eyes stayed locked with his mother's. He opened his mouth to answer, but snapped it shut before gritting out like an angry teenager, “After I fell into abyss… I was captured by the children of Thanos. They starved me for months and I remember occasional torture… and then, HE took control of my mind.”
The queen turned her head away, discreetly wiping a tear, while Thor stared at his brother, looking lost and stricken.
Cassy looked at the King of Asgard and asked challengingly, “Now that you know that Loki wasn’t completely responsible for attacking Earth, are you still willing to throw him in a dungeon for eternity?”
Thor glanced between Loki and his father, affection muddled in his worried eyes, making her realize that despite everything that had happened between the two, Thor would never let anyone harm his brother. Not even his father.
"Loki committed transgression when he tried to destroy Jotenheim and kill his brother on Midgard.” Odin started and held up a hand when Thor opened his mouth to speak. “Which is why he shall be confined to his rooms until he learns about his wrongdoings.”
It took a few moments for the meaning of his words to sink in.
‘Well… it could’ve been worse.’ Cassy thought, staring from one member to another.
Both Frigga and Thor didn't even bother trying to hide the smile gracing their faces, looking much alike than before as their blue eyes shined with happiness.
“We have much to discuss, but we should retire for the day. I will see you at the breaking of the fast come morning.” Odin informed before turning and walking out of the throne room.
Loki, meanwhile, was frozen in place. Staring at the space in utter disbelief which didn’t fade...
Not when the manacles around his hands dissolve into thin air… leaving him free.
Not when special cuffs with carved runes were placed on his wrists – to stop him from leaving the confines of his room.
He had been sure he would be executed for his crimes… or would be confined to the dungeons till the end of his life.
Open-mouthed, he stared at the woman Thor loved – Cassandra Potter, who had stood up for him in front of the King of Asgard.
The oaf grinned down at her, while she beamed him. The mere sight sickened him.
“Mother,” Thor said, smiling at the woman.
Frigga walked over to pull him into a hug, much like she had done with Loki seconds ago and sighed, “My son.”
The God of Thunder pulled back, beaming down at his mother and introduced, “Cassy… please meet Frigga, Queen of Asgard and my mother."
“Hello.” Cassy bowed her head nervously.
Frigga smiled at her and said, “I welcome you home, Lady Cassandra.” Her eyes shined mischievously as she looked at her son and continued, “I’ve certainly heard a lot about you.”
Cassy turned to look at the man, surprised that he had told his mother about her, only to find him rubbing the back of his head, smiling at her sheepishly.
“Lady Cassandra…” The Queen spoke and both their heads snapped towards her.
“It’s just Cassy.” She mumbled shyly.
“Cassy, then.” The woman nodded before taking both her hands in her own and mumbled softly, “Thank you, for speaking on behalf of my son.”
“Well… locking him in a dungeon for being coerced didn’t seem right.” Cassy murmured bashfully.
“Well, I believe you will be staying here for a while.” The woman said suddenly before waving her hand and Cassy felt her clothes transforming from jeans and top to a beautiful, turquoise-coloured gown. The cloth was the finest piece of clothing she had ever worn, and she felt herself relaxing as some of the tension she hadn’t even known was there, left her body.
She looked up, only to find Thor and his mother smiling.
Thor led her through long and winding hallways, pointing out impressive structures and gardens, detailing everything excitedly. The room he took her to seemed just as enormous as the others. The windows were nearly floor-to-ceiling, giving her a marvellous view of the city. The walls were decorated with beautiful canvases – undoubtedly depicting bloody victorious battles in Asgardian history. In the middle was an exceptionally large bed, looking too comfortable at that particular moment.
“Loki can be… difficult at times, but he is my brother.” Thor started slowly, looking unsure, but earnest. “Cassy, I would like to thank you for not thinking the worst of him. I do not wish to see him in more pain than he already is.”
She knew how helpless it made one feel when someone took control of your mind and by extension to your body. So, she told him truthfully, “I couldn’t stand and watch him being thrown in the dungeons… not when I knew he wasn’t at fault.”
Thor nodded before moving his hand to move a stray lock behind her ear with a gentleness that made her stomach flutter. His hand cupped her cheek and Cassy ran her thumb at the back of his hand as the two lost themselves in each other’s eyes.
Hesitantly, he moved closer, until their lips were a breath apart and all her thoughts of ‘waiting until they knew each other again’ flew out the metaphorical window.
She felt body heat radiating off of him, saw the way his eyes suddenly darkened in the same way she remembered and felt her heart hammering wildly in her chest. Slowly, he leaned down and her eyes fluttered shut as her blood pounded in her ears.
His lips touched hers for a fraction of a second, soft and warm as they gently moved against hers and she yielded under his embrace, allowing their lips to explore one another in a familiar move. Cassy felt his tongue creeping out to touch hers hesitantly and she melted against him. Electricity pulsed throughout her body and she felt heat pooling down her body in a matter of seconds.
Emboldened now that she had surrendered under his touch, Thor pulled her closer and was delighted by the fact that her fingers had knotted into his hair.
Everything became a whirlwind of sensations, warmth and lust suddenly combined, threatening to overwhelm and consume him as she tried to all but climb up his body. He was breathless, mind and sanity obliterated by all-consuming heat unlike he’d felt before. A strange form of desire licked at his body, tugging at him somewhere in his stomach violently. His pulse quickened, blood rushing in his veins to make his body feverishly hot, and he became unaware of everything but her soft lips on his.
They were so soft… so warm… so perfect against his.
Unable to stop himself from wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her close until their bodies were aligned together and claimed her mouth in a searing kiss. A moan escaped her throat, reverberating through his body and Thor felt his blood roaring. He couldn't have stopped the growl that left his throat even if he wanted to when her hand roamed through his body.
The world around them cease to exist as their bodies were consumed with fire, bathed in flames of desire. His tongue darted into her mouth, probing every crevice, finding every little nook, before engaging hers in a timeless, furious dance. A hand found her hair, delving into it as he tugged her head further back, plundering her mouth with every ounce of passion he had.
‘This was what she had been missing,’ Cassy realized with a jolt. ‘Passion, lust and the overwhelming sensation. Pure and unadulterated love she’d never felt with anyone but Thor.’
Now that he was here, she wanted more…
She wanted it all…
His hands trailed down her spine, trailing lower until they found her hips and he pulled her up, forcing her legs to wrap around his waist. Reluctantly, he pulled away from her lips, only to trail kisses down her jaw and the sensitive flesh of her throat which he nipped with his teeth. Her head fell back with another loud moan, fingers delving into his hair to press his lips harder against her neck. Pushing the fabric of her dress aside, he bit down on the sweet flesh where her throat met her collarbone.
The hand which wasn’t holding her found her bottom and deliberately pressed her closer… wishing her to see what she did to him… wanting her to be even closer… wishing there was no space between their bodies.
“Thor…” She cried brokenly.
And her voice was enough to break his trance. He hadn’t forgotten how she was reluctant to come to Asgard… maybe trust him with her heart again after he’d left her for more than a year. But now that she was here, in his home, he was willing to do anything to prove his love for her. Do anything until she believed him to be worthy of her love again. No matter how much he hated himself at the moment, he knew Cassy would understand his reasons later.
He pressed his lips against her throat, soothing the bite, trying to calm himself down.
“Wha – why – why did you stop?” Cassy panted.
Thor smiled, rubbing her heated cheek with his thumb and said lovingly, “You weren’t ready and I’m going to wait until you’re sure, my love.”
Wide-eyed, she muttered, “But… I’m sure.”
Letting her down until she was standing steadily, he kissed the back of her hands and whispered, “There’s nothing more I wish than to take you to bed and ravish you for days on end, but I have decided to court you with Asgardian tradition… and I will wait until you agree, lady Cassy.”
Cassy blinked, still reeling from the turn of events when he informed, "I shall come to retrieve you when it is time to eat.”
He gave her another one of his smiles before bowing and leaving the room.
Cassy gaped until she realised that he was long gone, and she was standing in her new rumbled gown like an idiot.
Once her door was closed, Thor grimaced as he fixed his pants. Rubbing his hand through his hair, he sighed. Courting her the Asgardian way was going to be more difficult that any enemy he’d ever faced.
Tired after the day she had, Cassy crawled into the huge bed… falling asleep within minutes.
She wasn’t aware of how long she slept before being disturbed when her bed shook violently. Everything around her was shaking and her hand reached under her pillow to pull out her wand… when her eyes fell on someone standing next to her bed.
She froze… breath catching in her throat when she realised who it was…
The mad titan.
His purple skin held intricate patterns, and thick, bulging muscles covered in sleek metal armour as his eyes gleamed at her with a malicious ferocity.
She couldn’t do anything but stare when the door burst open, and Thor flew in with his hammer.
“No!” She gasped, but it was too late as the man she loved threw himself at Thanos… only for the other man to catch him by the neck. He grinned, his fingers tightening around Thor’s neck, who gasped for breath. Just as suddenly, the titan threw Thor out the window and let out a chuckle.
“We will meet soon, Mistress of Death.” He promised darkly and was gone.
Cassy woke with a loud gasp, her entire body drenched in sweat despite the chill in the air. It was still dark, and she wiped her face, feeling tears track down her cheeks. As she remembered the look in glowing purple eyes, Cassy felt herself trembling unlike she ever had... wishing more than anything for Thor to be by her side.
Once her breathing was under control, she walked out, unable to spend a moment longer in the room.