54 Chapter 54 Leverage

It's another day in the cell and we are sat on our bed, Hope sitting on my lap as I read her one of the books Kai gave us. She loves a good story and has really grown up. Now 6 years old, her hair goes down to her chest and she is so beautiful. Her skin pink and her eyes emerald green. So much like Loki with his mischievous smile and strong will and magic. But like me for her beauty and spirit.

It makes me smile as I hold her, pleased she is at least safe for now but this isn't our home. Our home is in Asgard with Loki and yet he has no idea I am alive or she exists. How I hate he has missed these precious years with her. But maybe it won't be long and then I will see him again, maybe.

She looks at me, "Mum, can you tell me more about my dad?"

I smile as I close my book, "Of course sweetie. What do you want to know about him?"

She turns in my lap to face me, beaming, "What was he like? When he was my age? Did he used to play with Uncle Thor?"

"He used to play and do pranks and tricks. Very funny pranks." I say, making her giggle, "They didn't always get along but they are brothers and always look out for each other."

She smiles, "And I have a sister. Will she look out for me?"

I nod, moving her hair behind her ear, "She will. She and your father like me, will protect you and love you for the rest of your life. At least they will when they realise I am alive and that she has a sibling and he has a daughter. But they will."

"Will we ever escape this place?" She asks me, sounding scared, "I want to see him."

I smile, holding her tightly, "So do I. I miss him a lot and I love him very much. But have faith Hope, we will escape this place one day and be reunited with him. Finally, be a family and be free as long as we are careful."

She nods, "Mum why is Kai keeping us here?"

"Because he wants your wings sweetie but they won't come out until you are older, much older." I tell her, "So until then, he won't hurt us, just keep us here. We are safe until they come out or unless he finds out I haven't been forthcoming."

She smiles at me, "That's why it's a secret."

I smile, "Our secret."

I'm about to ask her if she wants to know more about her father when I hear the door unlock and the door to our cell room has opened. Kai comes in, wearing fancy clothing and is holding a dress that looks Asgardian. I gesture to Hope who gets off my lap as I get to my feet, keeping her behind me as I move over to him. I wonder what he is up to but to find out, I must keep up the act.

At the moment he thinks I consider him a 'friend' and that I have hidden 'feeling' for him. Feeling of hate and anger yeah but he actually believes I like him romantically. It's gross but it keeps me and my daughter safe so it's worth the ruse.

He smiles at me, "How are you and Hope?"

I smile at him, pretending to admire his outfit, "We are both well, thank you and you look quite dashing Kai. You going somewhere?"

He smirks, "I am actually. I am going to Asgard and you my dear, are coming with me."

My eyes widen and I feel a surge of shock and hope hit me. Asgard, I am going to Asgard with him? Back to my home? The place I have wanted to be for so long and I could finally see Loki again and free us both from this lunatic. Be free and safe again and be with the man I love. It gives me hope and yet also dread. He put a lot of effort into faking my death and keeping me prisoner. So why bring me home and reveal I am alive? He must have something up his sleeve as there is no way he is letting me or Hope go that easily.

"Asgard?" I look at him puzzled, "Why would you take us both back there? You faked my death and did it quite well. So why expose I am alive now?"

He chuckles, "Well I need to get something from Odin, a magical trinket he took from me which means I need a week or so there to look the place over. And while I am doing that, I am going to need a distraction and that's where you will come in." He smiles, "You will be my girlfriend who has suffered amnesia and remembers nothing of her past life. Nor does she desire to know. You will keep them distracted while I get what I want. It's risky but worth it."

I raise my eyebrows, "You want me to pretend to be your girlfriend and have amnesia? You must be joking. I mean I like you Kai don't get me wrong but I can't forget my feelings for my husband. How do you know I won't go running to him? The moment me and Hope arrive and see him."

He smirks evilly, "Who said Hope was coming with us?"

My face goes pale as I look at her and then him, "You want me to leave her behind? I can't. She's my daughter."

"She's also perfect to leverage to use against you. So you will come with me, keep up the act, and if you even hint to your beloved Loki or anyone about this, I will have my men kill her." Kai states, "All it takes is one word from me and they will slit her throat. Do you understand?"

I nod, "You don't need to be so harsh. I was just concerned for her safety."

He chuckles, "She will be perfectly safe. No one will harm her, I assure you as long as you do what I say."

"Of course." I whisper, "When are we going?"

"In two hours so change into this dress, say goodbye to your daughter, and get your head on straight." He passes me the dress, "You will need to put on the show of your life."

I force a smile and kiss him on the cheek before going over to Hope. He leaves, rubbing his cheek, and then the moment the door shuts and locks, my face drops.

He is such a bastard. I finally get to go home and see the family and friends I love. To see Loki again and yet I will be stuck under his control. Completely powerless and if I disobey, he will kill my daughter. How dare he threaten her but I have no choice. I must protect her and even though I hate leaving her alone, I know she will be safe. I will sense it thanks to the pendant and he would have probably hurt her if I refused to go so this is the only way. I just hate leaving her alone. It's the first time we will be separated since she was born and I don't like it. Nor do I like the idea of being his pawn and doing what he says. He is going to make me put on this charade and it's going to be horrible. But I will be on Asgard and maybe… maybe… hmm.

I change into the dress, doing my hair as I think it over and I think I have an idea. He wants me to pretend to have amnesia and desire never to regain my memories. He wants me to be a distraction which I can do but it might work to my advantage. I know I can't talk openly with any of them or speak telepathically. As Loki or anyone would give it away too quickly and Hope would be in danger. But Frigga's chambers are enchanted so you can't listen in and she would try and restore my memories with a potion or something. It could work.

If I orchestrate it, keep up the act long enough so much they bring me there as they will be desperate for me to remember. I know they will be as Loki is determined and the moment he sees me, he will want to do everything in his power to get me back, and that includes getting his mother involved. She would want me alone and with the enchantment, Kai can't listen in and I can get help. Sif or someone can go and save her, free her and me from his grip. I can then tell Loki and we can be together.

There is a big chance that this won't even work but it's our only chance of freedom and I can't risk losing it. I will do anything and everything to keep up the act. I just got to hope I can get into Frigga's chambers without Kai and tell her everything. Only then do I have a chance but for now, I just have to keep up the act. Pretend I remember nothing and desire not to and love Kai. God, it's going to be hell.

"Mum, what is wrong?" Hope asks me as I finish changing, "What's happening?"

I kneel in front of the bed, "Kai is taking me with him to Asgard so he can find some trinket and use me against your father and our family. I have to pretend I don't remember anything and love him or he will hurt you."

She frowns, "But dad would get hurt."

"Yeah it will hurt him but it might be our only chance to escape." I tell her, "Your father will understand as I am doing this to protect you and he will get that. But unfortunately, I have to leave you here alone and believe me I don't want to. I want to stay but I have no choice. So I need you to be very brave, check your food and behave. You will be ok if you keep to yourself."

She looks at me so sad, tears in her eyes, "Mum I don't want you to go. Please don't go. I don't want to be alone."

I wipe her tears away, putting my arms around her, "I don't want to but I have no choice." I put my hands on her cheeks, "Listen Hope, you are strong, just like me, and just like your father. So I need you to be very brave, be strong, and be a good girl. And if my plan works, we might be a family again after this but you need to be brave."

"I can be brave mum. What's your plan?" She asks me, keen to hear my plan.

I smile, "I think I know a way to get help without Kai knowing. It's a long shot but it's a gamble I have to take. But if it works, someone will come and collect you. It will be auntie Sif and she will bring you home to me. Once you are free, I will be too and we can be a family. But I need to keep this a secret like the other thing and be brave." I kiss her on the forehead, "I love you Hope."

She smiles, "I love you Mum."

We then hug before the door unlocks and opens, revealing Kai and he is ready to go. I slip on the shoes that came with the dress before hugging Hope tightly, hating that I have to be separated from her. But even though he is blackmailing me, threatening her, this could be my only chance to free us from Kai and get back with Loki. Back with the man I love and the father of my child. It's going to hurt seeing him and unable to be with him, to be rude and harsh and even cold. And yet it's my only chance to save my daughter and me.

Taking a breath, I reluctantly leave Hope and go over to Kai. He smiles at me reassuringly and I put my act on, preparing myself. I must pretend I love him and have no idea who Loki or anyone is. I must do this, my daughter's life and mine depend on it.

"You ready to go?" He asks me.

I nod, putting a smile on my face, "Yeah I'm ready. I'm just worried. She will definitely be safe?"

He smiles at me reassuring, "She will be. None of my men will touch her. She will be safe as long as you behave."

"Of course." I kiss him on the cheek, "I am just an overprotective mum."

He chuckles, "Nothing wrong with that darling but I assure you she will be ok. Now are you ready to go? The carriage is waiting for us."

I smile, "I'm ready."

I look back at my daughter, giving her a reassuring smile before following Kai out of the cell room which I haven't left since he brought me here seven years ago. It looks like we are in some sort of castle, god knows where but I focus on him. I focus on Kai as he locks the door, locking Hope inside so she can't escape. But at least she is safe in there and he won't hurt her. Not as long as I keep up the ruse and pretend I have amnesia, pretend that I love him. But still… I just got to hope she will be ok.

He leads me through his castle, his arm around me processively and it makes me cringe. But I keep the act on, forcing a smile as I look around and pretend to be interested. And yet all I can think about is this horrible feeling of dread of leaving my daughter behind. But she will be ok, she is strong and brave like me… and like her father.

We leave his castle, his men everywhere, and like he said there is a carriage waiting for us. A few trunks packed with clothes and I notice it very posh, royal even. I forget that Kai is a high-ranking aristocrat and yet he is corrupt as fuck. God I hate him.

He helps me into the carriage and he gets in beside me before the driver whips the horses and we begin moving. Moving away from the castle and my daughter. I guess we need to get far away until we are no longer under the cloaking spell before he calls to Heimdell and brings me home. It makes me smile a little but it also brings me dread. I am going home to the place I love, where my family is, and where Loki is. Loki the love of my life, my husband and I can't go to him. I have to pretend not to remember and hurt him, be rude and cruel. Be the opposite of what I am to protect our daughter. I just hope he can forgive me… if I somehow escape with our daughter and tell him. At least I can feel my magic again but still, it can't help me now.

Kai puts his arm around me as the carriage is surrounded by light and in seconds we are traveling to Asgard, to my home. But we don't stop in the Bifrost, just keep going and I find myself looking out the window to my home. I am finally here and yet I am not free. I am stuck with Kai and until I escape him and free Hope, must play the game. Deceive everyone and hopefully, I can get help and save us. No matter what it takes… even if I hurt Loki doing it.

"We are nearly at the palace." He tells me as he looks at me, "We will be here about a week as I do some 'deals' and look for my trinket. In the meantime, you will stay with me at all times and keep everyone distracted with your surprise appearance."

I smile, "How am I going to explain where I have been? I mean… it's easy for me to display how much… well, you know… I like you and I can pretend to not remember easy enough. But how can I explain where I have been? They are going to ask a lot of questions."

He smiles, "You like me do you?"

My cheeks go pink as I think of Loki, "A little but you know what I mean."

"Just paint me as your hero. I saved you and you stayed with me in my mansion on Vanheim. Just make it convincing." He tells me, "Oh, and make sure it's clear you don't want to remember and you are happy with your life. Best to break your husband's heart to keep him out the way of my plans."

I force a smile, hating the idea of hurting Loki as I take Kai's hand, "Of course. I will do anything you say."

He smirks, gripping my hand tighter but doesn't say anything. At least he seems convinced that I have some sort of feelings towards him. I've just got to make sure I can keep it up 24/7 and in front of everyone, including Loki. I mean Kai is easy but Loki was always good at reading me, always could tell if I ever lied so I need to make sure I lie the best I can. Lie so good that even he isn't sure if I am. It's going to be horrible but I will protect our daughter, no matter what I have to do. I will do anything to save her, protect her even if I have to break his heart to do it. God, I wished I didn't have to do this.

I push those thoughts aside as we arrive outside the palace and the carriage is opened for us by the driver. Kai gets out first before helping me out and I'm home. It's strange to be back and with Kai but I try not to think about it. Instead, I focus on Kai as I take his arm and he escorts me inside and to the throne room. People gawking and whispering about us, about me. They are all surprised to see I am back and yet none seems surprised I am alive. It's strange considering I am supposed to be dead.

The whispers follow us to the throne room and the anticipation is building as we reach the golden doors, knowing my family is inside. Loki on the throne, King with Thor, Odin, and Frigga beside him. I can't wait to see him, be near him and yet I can't go to him. It's going to hurt but being in his presence will have to do. It's time for me to put on the performance of my life.

"You ready?" Kai asks me as we reach the doors.

I look at him, "I am."

He nods and then he pushes open the doors and we go inside.