King Loki

Chapter 36
Krystoff overheard the brief angry exchange of words from Tony Starks room. He'd managed to hide himself in time when Loki had finally emerged and left in what looked to be a rather bad mood.
Krystoff smirked, feeling that things were slowly falling apart for the King. Unfortunately, Loki had closed the inventors door and Krystoff hadn't the right permission to open it. Damn enchantments.
He'd hoped to go in and show his support for Stark, even though he'd never liked him. Still, he'd wanted to make a good impression on Cephera. He didn't get much one on one time with her. She avoided him, that was clear.
He was sure it was more because she was afraid to make Loki jealous. Perhaps, she knew if she spent real time with Krystoff, that she'd leave Loki and come back home. Krystoff could only hope.
When next the door opened Cephera stepped out and jumped, surprised to see him.
"I heard the commotion. Are you alright?" Krystoff asked forcing himself to look worried.
"Tony hurt himself with an invention." She replied, attempting to step around him.
"I heard Loki, I don't like the way he speaks to you." He watched Cephera narrow her eyes, a look he found rather enticing on her. He'd never seen her look anything but worried, sad, or happy..., mostly happy.
"You spoke to me in worse ways." She reminded him.
"I am sorry. I've told you I was frustrated. I didn't mean the things I said. But his tone was threatening. Like he meant to punish you once he spoke with you later." Krystoff didn't try to touch her. He'd learned his lesson there.
"He won't harm me." She insisted. "Krystoff whatever you are trying to find. Whatever thoughts you're trying to put in my head isn't going to work. Just go home." She pleaded with him.
"Not without you, or until I know for sure you have a secure future here." He replied. He watched her give a heavy sigh while shaking her head.
When she tried to leave the hallway again he allowed it. Stepping from her path and watching her go. His patience would win her back. She would see the light soon enough.
XxX
Back in his room, Krystoff jumped ever so slightly to the sound of Pietro's greeting from the lounge chair across the room. "You need to stop that." Krystoff snarled with a glare. He didn't appreciate his private space being invaded. Besides, he thought he wouldn't need to see him anymore. After all, when all hell broke loose he didn't need anyone connecting him to Pietro.
"Apologies, I just thought you should know that the plans have been postponed," he said with a frown.
"What do you mean? You told me...," Krystoff felt his temper rise. Why had he ever trusted this human.
"The cube is damaged and using it how we'd planned without testing it on a small scale first would be a bad idea. They are waiting an extra week." Krystoff cursed.
"That's just wonderful. Another week in this hell." Krystoff spat.
"If not for us you might have been waiting years." Pietro reminded him which only made Krystoff feel more bitter.
"I suppose I'll just have to grin and bear it." He growled.
"I'll let you know when everything is ready." Pietro promised.
"A letter would do. We can't be seen together anymore. They'll connect you to the cubes disappearance eventually. If they ever realize it's gone." Krystoff scratched his chin.
"Very well," Pietro got up. "I'll leave you a note. Until then keep an eye on your woman."
"I'll worry about Cephera. You worry about the rest." Krystoff narrowed his eyes at the man nicknamed Quicksilver as he became a blur and left the room.
XxX
Cephera dragged her feet all the way back to Loki's room. She was in no mood to explain herself and less of a mood to argue. Although it helped that Loki was most likely in his throne room taking care of the people and any meetings he had.
He wouldn't skip that..., would he?
Her answer came when she found the bedroom empty. She found herself breathing a sigh of relief. At least she could relax and think before she had to see him.
Tony had been half awake when she left. Talking nonsense about seeing his younger self. Something about touching him right before he was sucked back. He was convinced that his arm and the device were left behind.
Cephera believed he was dreaming and so did Pepper, but if that were true, where was his arm?
There was a chance that it was destroyed 'time-key' and all. That the past had never been touched and it simple backfired. The invention could have killed him, he was lucky.
He would recover, for that Cephera was thankful, but if he didn't get ahold of his thoughts he'd be right back at making a new one and trying again. The next time he might not lose just an arm. The thought worried Cephera and the quick look she'd shared with Pepper before leaving, told Cephera she was worried too.
They both knew there was no stopping Tony once he got an idea in his thick skull.
Cephera threw herself onto her back on the bed and draped her arm over her eyes. This was all so messed up. On the outside she'd been trying to keep a calm demeanor since Loki had told her some of his past. However, on the inside she was conflicted.
A part of her almost wished the past could be changed. She wasn't blind to the fact that the Earth was much better off without Loki ever coming there, but she felt that currently he was their only chance.
Still, Loki's decisions and the reasons that brought him to Earth was what put Earth in such a sorry state of affairs and admittedly gave it a dull future.
He didn't know when Thanos would come. He said could be weeks, months, years. It didn't matter. In the end he would come and everything they were fighting to build now would turn to ruin.
She was unsure if King Yorin would meddle in this state of affairs. Loki had nothing to offer his kingdom in return for the help and nothing really tied her adoptive father to Earth. The more likely turn of events would be to make sure she was safe and nothing more. King Yorin would not put his people in danger for nothing, she couldn't blame him.
Cephera took a couple of deep breathes. Sometimes she questioned what she was doing with her life. She'd become so emotionally attached to Loki that somehow she couldn't let go, no matter the circumstances.
She didn't want to leave him, but at the same time nothing about the future gave her joy. Krystoff was right about one thing, she did used to smile more often. Lately she found little to smile about.
If Loki couldn't get any of these inhumans on his side he would never have an army strong enough to fight for the Earth against any invading alien race.
The only hope was to end this war between him and the Resistance and meet some sort of understanding. Cephera hadn't a clue how they'd do that, but she was always thinking through the ways.

Notes

Next update is Christmas Eve so you may not get a chance to read it right away, so I hope every one has a Happy Holiday, Happy Hanukkah or whatever you celebrate, it's all wonderful. Merry Christmas from me to you and I hope everyone has a wonderful day!