37 Chapter 37 The Fallen Prince

Everything feels strange as I feel myself coming to and I feel… different. I feel no pain. I'm no longer weak or aching and I feel magically stronger. A lot stronger and it's strange how powerful I feel and yet I feel light. It must be my wings and then I remember. It hits me like a tidal wave and no wonder why I feel so numb. So hollow. Loki. Oh Loki… Did he survive? Is he ok? Is he dead? I have no idea but I need to find out for sure. I need to know and yet a part of me doesn't want to, fearing the worst. But I love him and I need to know if he is alive. Please be alive. Please don't be dead. I can't lose you.

So I force myself to open my eyes and I find myself in the healers back in Asgard, safe and home. I'm lying in a bed with my wings stretched out below me, glowing slightly and I see Sif is sitting beside my bed, waiting for me to wake up. Her face is miserable and it makes my heart sink. But I try not to think about it as I sit up, feeling a lot stronger. But before I can ask her about Loki, the healer Andrea comes over to me smiling at me so brightly.

"How are you feeling princess Katrina? You gave us quite a scare." She says with a sweet smile.

I force myself to smile, "I'm feeling ok actually."

She nods, "I'm pleased to hear it. We have given you some tonics to help your body adjust to your new wings and make it easier for you to control them. I believe Queen Frigga has already got the tailors to adapt your gowns for your wings, much like the one we changed you into it."

I nod, not even realising I have been changed into a green gown and I look behind me to see the dress has two carved holes in the back. It's perfect for my wings that are resting, not straining on the material and it does push my worries aside of what I would wear. But really that is the last thing on my mind. All I can think about is Loki and how to control my wings so I can go and find him. I have to go and find him. Please be alive.

"Umm thank you." I whisper, "But how do I control my wings?"

She smiles before explaining, "It's quite simple actually. It's all about your will. Much like how you walk without thinking, your wings work the same way. You focus on what you want them to do, in or out your back or to fly and they will obey. Once you have some practice you should be able to do it without thinking. But for now focus with your magic and I'm sure you will pick it up quickly."

I nod and I focus on my magic and what I want my wings to do. I want them back in my back and in seconds, my wings go into my back. It's like they were never there. I focus again and my wings return easily, not hurting like last time. They stretch out before settling in place, resting behind my back and out the way. I focus and I make them stretch, back and forth before returning them to settle behind me. It's quite easy actually and Andrea and Sif seem impressed. At least I can control my wings, that's one thing sorted I guess.

"It looks like you got the knack." She says, surprised but impressed, "You may leave when you wish, just take it easy."

I nod, "Thank you Andrea."

She smiles, "You're most welcome princess Katrina."

"Just Katrina."

She nods before she leaves my bed and goes over to help someone else. I put my legs over the bed, facing Sif and I feel my heart pang. She looks really miserable and I fear I'm about to find out the worst. But I need to know what happened to Loki, is he ok? Is he alive or did he… I just have to know and if he needs help, I'm going after him. No matter what anyone says. He is my future husband and I am going to find him. I love him too much to let him go.

I fiddle with my engagement ring as I ask, "Is Loki ok?"

She pales, "You should rest."

"Don't give me that Sif." I state bluntly, "He is my fiancé and he just saved my life. I have to know what happened to him. Please just tell me."

She shakes her head, "Actually he saved you three days ago, you have been asleep in here since then recovering from what Damian did to you. What he did really took it out of you."

"I have been asleep for three days?!!" I exclaim, "Andrea didn't say. But if it's been that long, have you found Loki? Surely you have gone back to look for him. It should be safe by now."

I look at her eager for answers and she still seems reluctant to say. Something is wrong, I can feel it and I feel myself tremble. But I won't break down, not yet. I want answers.

"Sif?"

She gives in and tells me, "Odin has been sending warriors back to the palace to clear away the debris and look for survivors. But there is still no sign of Loki. We fear… we fear he is gone Katrina, I'm sorry. Loki is dead."

Her words ring in my head as the horrible of memory of Loki being hit and falling as the ceiling crumbles down on him flashes before my eyes. It makes my heart sink and I feel this horrible pain brimming to the surface. I feel it going to break me, shatter me and bring me to tears. But I hold it back as I refuse to accept he is dead, he can't be. They haven't found him yet, there is no proof and he has escaped death before. It's his habit, his natural skill so I refuse to accept it. I'm going to find him, I'm going to save him like he saved me. I have to.

I stand up, sliding my shoes on, "I refuse to accept that. He isn't dead."

"I know it's hard to accept…" She begins, rising to her feet, "But…"

I interrupt her, "No Sif. Loki has escaped death before and until we find him, I won't accept it. I just won't, I can't. It's Loki for god sake and I can't just leave him. I must go and find him."

She looks at me, signing in frustration, "It's too dangerous for you."

"Then come with me." I say quickly, "The Dark Order are defeated, Damian is probably dead so I am safe but you can come if you want. Either way, I am going to find Loki." She doesn't say anything, "Sif he is my fiancé, the love of my life and he risked everything to save me. I can't just leave him. I love him too much to lose him. I have to go."

This makes her smile and she nods, "Alright, let's go. I believe Thor is already assembling some warriors at the Bifrost so we can go with them and look for him."

I smile, "Thank you Sif."

She hugs me, "Anything for my best friend."

We then pull apart and I follow her out the healers before we end up running down the corridors and out the palace, heading to the stables. I'm being stared at by everyone, gaping at me as they stare at my wings but I don't care. All I care about is finding Loki and praying to god that he is still alive. I can't lose him. Not after everything we have been through and finally we were going to get married and now he is gone. Sacrificing his life for mine to save me from the Dark Order and Damian. But I refuse to let him die for me and if he is still alive or… I will find him. I will find him and bring him home, my beloved prince. I love him too much to let him go.

Reaching the stables, we saddle our horses before riding to the Bifrost and I see as we get closer, Thor and a lot of warriors including the warriors of three are gathered there. All getting ready to go and find Loki. Odin and Frigga are also there, giving them some sort of pep talk which we interrupt with our presence. They all gape at us, well me as we get off our horses and go into the Bifrost and over to them. All seem happy to see me and yet surprised. I guess they didn't expect me to be up and about but I'm here. And I'm going to find my prince.

Frigga pulls me into a hug when we reach her, "Oh Katrina, we have been so worried. How are you feeling?"

I pull away, forcing a smile, "I'm ok. I'm feeling much better."

"It's good to see you." Odin greets, "We have all been worried but I am curious what you are doing here? Surely you should be resting and…" He eyes my wings, "…adapting."

I give him a look, the same one I gave Sif, "Seriously? You think I am going to rest while Loki remains missing? I have rested long enough. I am going to find him."

He looks at me, not impressed, "I'm afraid I cannot permit this."

"I wasn't asking for permission." I state bluntly, surprising him but making my friends and the warriors chuckle.

"I'm sorry?" He says, not amused.

I nod, "You heard me Odin. Loki is my fiancé, my future husband and if you think I am going to wait in my room for news then you are strongly mistaken."

He signs, "You are not safe. The Dark Order…"

I interrupt him, "Have been defeated and their leader is gone, dead most likely. I am perfectly safe and with my wings, I am stronger than ever before. Not to mention I have my friends and the warriors to protect me if needs be." I look at him, "But no matter what, I am going to find Loki. He risked his life to save mine, gave up his own as did many men who died that day while he came after me. He saved me so I have to go and save him."

The whole of the Bifrost is now full of whispers, the warriors all agreeing I should go and all my friends are beaming at me. Surprised but happy that I want to go after him. Odin puts his hand up and they fall silent before he looks at me.

He smiles slightly, "You surprise me Princess Katrina, you are much more like my son then I realised and incredibly stubborn. I guess I can't change your mind?"

I shake my head, "I'm going after him Odin. The question is whether I have your permission or not? But either way, I have to go."

He nods, "Then go but I beseech you to be careful."

I smile, "I will try to be."

He chuckles before he turns away and walks out the Bifrost, shaking his head slightly. Frigga smiles at me, quite proud before following and I turn back to my friends and the warriors. Thor comes over and hugs me followed by my friends the warriors of three.

Thor pulls away, "That was brilliant. You really told my father."

I shrug, "It had to be done."

"Done? You shunned him good." Fandral states, overly impressed.

"It wasn't my intention but he was delusional to think I wouldn't go after Loki." I say, my wings fluttering, "Speaking off, we should go."

Thor nods in agreement, "Yes we should but are you sure you want to come? It might not be pretty."

I give him the look, "Seriously? Do I need to give you a lecture to?"

They all chuckle as he shakes his head, "You really are like my brother. Let's go then." He then calls out, "Everyone prepare to move out." He looks at me, "And stick with Sif, just in case anything happens."

"I will, don't worry."

Then we turn to Heimdell who has been watching us, clearly amused and he activates the Bifrost and the portal begins to open. In seconds we are all sucked into space, travelling in the rainbow light and all I can think about is Loki.

I am coming Loki, I am on my way and I will find you. I won't stop searching for him until I do but I hope he is ok. I pray he is still alive and that I haven't lost him forever. But it's Loki and he is a survivor, he cheats death a lot. I have to hope he has again and he is ok. I won't accept he is dead or gone until I know for sure. Please Loki, still be alive.