32 Chapter 32 The Inevitable

The next few days are strangely quiet with Asgard on high alert and the palace in lockdown, even with the warriors patrolling. But it's the calm, the calm before the storm and we all know an attack is imminent. It's only a matter of time before the order attacks Asgard and try to take me. Take me away and do god knows what to me. Hopefully, they won't succeed and we can stop them but we are all worried. We have no idea when they will attack, except it will be soon or why they really want me so we all on edge. Its why the warriors have increased patrols and why I haven't left Loki's side as we are waiting for the inevitable, for them to attack.

True to my word I have stayed with Loki, never leaving his side as we have held onto every precious day. Knowing even if we don't want to admit it, it could be our last and not wanting to waste a single moment. But it didn't mean we just stayed in our room. We have been spending a lot of time practicing a range of spells as well as reading and dancing. Just enjoying what we love to do the most and having some private time together. Just us and I have loved it, despite everything that is going on. I just pray that once this is over, if we succeed which I pray we do in stopping the order, we can finally start planning our wedding and our happy life together. I just pray that we can have the life we dream about and that… we don't lose it all.

It's been 5 days since Damian and his Dark Order nearly kidnapped me and myself, Loki, Thor, Sif, Odin and Frigga are gathered in the private dining room. We are having a private family lunch since technically me and Sif are family, courting our beloved princes. All of us dressed up and even I have decided to go with a nicer dress, backless for a change so it's right for the occasion. It's surprising that we are yet to have a private dinner with all of us together so it's really nice to have us all here like a family. I really love it as hopefully soon I get to officially be a part of their family as will Sif when Thor finally asks her to marry him. And Sif is quite a close friend of mine so it's nice that we are practically like sisters. I just pray nothing will break this.

We have just finished lunch and the conversation has moved onto our wedding surprising as we haven't mentioned our engagement since before the lockdown. Since we all agreed to delay celebrations until after it was over. But Frigga is eager to begin planning our wedding and I think so is Odin, even if he doesn't want to admit it.

"So I know we said we weren't going to begin planning the wedding yet." Frigga begins, very keen to get started, "But we could begin planning a few things."

Odin looks at her disapprovingly, "Frigga…"

She interrupts him, "We can plan some details, not all, but some. We shouldn't let the Dark Order stop us from looking forward to happier things." Odin nods, signing in defeat before she looks at Loki and me, "Son I believe you have already chosen your best man."

Loki smiles before looking at Thor opposite him, who seems surprised, "Come on brother, who else would I choose? It would always be you."

Thor smiles, leaning over and patting him on the shoulder, "It would be an honour."

This makes me smile, happy to see them so close after everything that has happened and it makes me think. Who would I want as my maid of honour? I guess it would have to be Sif, she is my closest friend here apart from Thor and Loki. And she is very much like a sister to me. It seems like I have already made my mind up.

Frigga looks at me, "And Katrina, have you decided who your maid of honour will be?"

I smile, "Actually I have." I turn to Sif sat on the other side of me, "I just haven't asked her yet."

Sif eyes widen as she looks at me, "You want me to be your maid of honour? Are you serious?"

This makes me chuckle, "Sif you are my closest friend here apart from Loki and Thor. We have become so close and you are like a sister to me. So yes off course I want you to be my maid of honour." She looks at me shocked, "So will you be?"

She smiles, "Off course, anything for my best friend."

Then she hugs me and I hug her back, incredibly happy she said yes. We pull apart, everyone smiling and Loki puts his arm around me. I rest against him as I sip my wine, happy we are planning our future. It's a lovely distraction from everything that is going on.

Frigga smiles, "Now that is settled, I guess we should discuss when you would like the wedding? A summer wedding? And I assume you would like your brother and friends from Earth to be here for the big day?"

I'm about to agree and ask her if that would be ok when suddenly a high pitch alarm goes off and our eyes widen in horror. That's the security alarm. Asgard has been breached which means the Dark Order are here and they have come for me.

In seconds we have got to our feet, Loki's armour appearing on him and he does the same for his brother who has summoned his hammer. Sif pulls out her sword and I focus on my magic as the warriors of three run into the room. All of them ready to fight and I know it's time. They have come for me.

Odin addresses them as we move away from the table, "What is happening?!"

Fandral speaks, "The Dark Order have breached the lower towns and the entrance of the palace. Damian is leading them with about 100 men, possibly more."

"Thor, Lady Sif, go with the warriors of three and hold them back." Odin orders, "We have more than enough men, they can easily be defeated. Just don't let them anywhere near here. We must protect Princess Katrina at all costs."

They bow before running off, Sif and Thor following after them and I really hope they will be ok. The last thing I want is them dying for me and it's the same with the other warriors. But I know they all would to protect me including Loki. It just worries me and it makes me feel guilty. But it's their duty and I know they chose to serve. I just don't want any more people dying for me.

The doors are shut behind them and we can hear the fighting and explosions going off in the background. It makes me shiver at the sound and move closer to Loki who doesn't hesitate putting his arm around me and hold me close to him. He is just as worried, holding me tightly as the fighting gets closer and closer. We all move back and over to the back of the room, Odin speaking to Frigga quietly by the far column. While we linger not far from them, holding onto each other and we silently pray for the fighting to end. For the Dark Order to be defeated.

I hold onto Loki tightly, trying not to think about Damian and his Dark Order. But they are here and coming for me. Even though Odin seems confident they will be defeated as they don't have as many men as they expected. I just wish I shared his confidence but I don't. They are getting closer and closer and I'm terrified. They could be here soon and the idea of Damian taking me, possibly hurting me and doing what he wants to me... it scares me more than what words can say. I just wish I knew why they are doing all this.

Why? Why come after me? What is so 'rare' that they hunted me down and slaughtered billions just to get to me? I just wish I knew so maybe I could comprehend all of this bloodshed and still I don't know what could justify all of this. And now they are here and I fear what is coming next.

"Relax Katrina." Loki whispers, "Your mind is screaming out again."

I take a breath, "Sorry I can't help it. They are getting closer."

He kisses me on the forehead, "Don't worry we have more than enough men to deal with them and I will protect you. They are not taking you from me."

"Always so protective."

This makes him chuckle, "It's one of the things you love about me."

I smile as I pull away to look at him, "Just one of the things as well as your witty personality, good looks, caring as well as your big heart… you know I could go on forever?"

He smiles, staring at me in awe, "As could I. I love you."

"I love you too."

Then he leans in and kisses me and I kiss him back, wrapping my arms around his neck as he wraps his arms around me. The kiss is so gentle and sweet with the passion building as he deepens the kiss, so lovingly. It's almost like he doesn't want to let me go, like he is scared of losing me. His mind might be blocked from being heard or read, unless allowed, I know he is frightened of losing me.

I pull away, looking into his green eyes, "I know I can't read your mind but something tells me you are just as scared as I am."

He lowers his head, "I just don't want to lose you."

"You won't." I reassure him, "And once this is over, you need to teach me how you have strengthen your mind barrier? As we will be together after this, we must be."

He smiles, "You seem to be sure of this."

I smirk as I look at him, "Well someone remarkable said I should have a little faith."

This makes him chuckle, knowing I mean him and he is about to steal a kiss when there is a bang and the doors to the private dining room are smashed open. In seconds we pull apart and I see Damian storm in with a handful of his warriors. Loki produces his daggers, his hands glowing green while mine glow gold as I prepare myself to fight for my life. I refuse to give in.

Damian smirks when he sees me, "The gorgeous princess Katrina, hiding behind her beloved prince. I shall take deep pride in taking you from him."

I glare at him, my hands glowing bright gold, "I'm not going anywhere."

Loki nods, "Surrender now or die at my hand."

"I think I would rather take your girl as my own." Damian remarks, gesturing to his men, "Kill the prince and bring me my prize."

Then they charge toward us as Asgardian warriors appear behind them and in seconds a fight breaks out in the dining room. Me and Loki stick close to each other as we fight with our magic and hold them back. Odin and Frigga join in the battle, just as skilled and easily defending themselves and knocking out the warriors. It looks like we are winning and yet as we keep fighting, I have seen no sign of Damian. It worries me but I keep focusing on fighting, refusing to give up.

Just when I think we are close to the end, that there is hope we are winning, several grenades go off and explosions are going off everywhere. One lands close to me but before I can react, Loki pulls me away from it and uses his body to shield me from the blast. It feels like time slows down as it goes off, both of us being thrown to the ground.

I groan in pain, my head spinning but I force myself to sit up. Oh god… Loki, he took the full blast of that grenade and then I see him, collapsed beside me. I turn to him, rolling him carefully so he is on his back and he has been knocked unconscious. Blood coming from his head and his body is covered in cuts and bruises. He is breathing but is in a lot of pain. Oh Loki, you idiot, you shouldn't have taken that blast for me.

I shake his shoulders, carefully tapping his cheek, "Loki. Loki can you hear me? Please wake up, wake up!" I beg.

He stirs slightly, groaning in pain but he doesn't wake. He is too hurt and I need to heal him but I'm not particularly good at healing magic. But I have to try. So focusing on my magic, I put my hands over his chest and focus on healing him. I watch my hands glow gold and his body start to glow. But I have barely started when I am grabbed harshly from behind and pulled away from him. I struggle as he forces me to my feet and I see Damian has grabbed me, pinning my hands behind my back with his arms.

I struggle, trying to escape his grip, "Let go off me!!"

Damian chuckles from behind me as he pulls me further away from Loki, "You are coming with me Princess."

"Let me go!!" I scream, still struggling against him, "Let go off me!"

However no matter how much I struggle, he easily drags me towards a portal and I can see Asgardian warriors trying to get to me. But it's too late. Damian pushes me into it and I scream as I go through the portal and land on something cold and solid. Again my head is spinning, killing me from the impact and black spots appear in my vision before I black out, engulfed in darkness.