How had her life taken this turn? How had her life become the same as that of the princess in her favourite story? Sigyn understood Ysolde's suffering now better than ever, often wondering if Tristan was to Ysolde what Loki was to her.
Her lover completely took over Sigyn's heart, mind, and body. Whenever she was apart from him, she felt like a piece of herself was missing. And whenever they were near but forced to stay their yearning because others were present, the pendant around her neck — appearing to all as the rose Thor had given her — became her way of secretly communicating with Loki.
Sigyn would softly touch the jewel with the tip of her fingers, knowing Loki would sense her love for him. From across the room, she would then steal a glance and see his icy eyes glisten. Whenever her lover did the same with the pendant hidden underneath his clothing, he let her sense more than his love for her. It took every ounce of self-control she had not to let him take her then and there.

But stolen glances and a fleeting brush were all Sigyn and Loki dared to risk when they were out in the world where Heimdall could spot them at any moment. And, of course, Odin and Frigga also had their spies. Only at the Urdarbrunn was it truly safe for them to be together.
Since Sigyn found another way in, there was no need to find an excuse to go out riding and then climb that dreadful mountain. Her ability to mirror-scape decreased the chances of Heimdall seeing a pattern to their escapades as well, allowing them to meet as often as they could. 

Sometimes, they went to the glen so Loki could observe and train Sigyn's magic. She had already learned to conjure a doppelgänger by herself — which Loki and Sigyn both continued to use, so their absence went unnoticed in the palace — but Loki believed she was capable of so much more, as became apparent from further studying the texts in Bor's tome, now hidden at the Urdarbrunn in a crevice under the tree. 
Though reluctant at first out of fear she might hurt him, Sigyn eventually allowed Loki to become her teacher. His patience and confidence in her made Sigyn believe she actually stood a chance of controlling this wild, fiery spirit buried within her. 

Sometimes, they would just talk. Loki would speak of his childhood and all the mischief he had played, making Sigyn laugh. Her favourite story was probably how he'd scared Thor when they were eight by turning himself into a snake and then transforming back when his older brother picked him up. Sigyn had reprimanded Loki when he admitted to having stabbed Thor as well, but her own brothers had done far worse to each other. And to her. 
It took some time before Sigyn revealed the truth about her home. The truth that her mother had covered up with layer upon layer of deception. Growing up in her little room, high in a tower, locked away because she was born a daughter and not a son. Always suffering abuse at the hands of her brothers, even the two youngest whom Sigyn herself had raised. No kind words of love or comforting hugs, no friends to call her own, except for Astrid.
Only when a young noble had observed Sigyn at her window one day, promptly asking for her hand as he'd been bewildered by her beauty, had her parents understood she might prove useful to them. Her lessons intensified, and she was allowed basic training with her brothers — mainly archery — all with the intention of handing her to the man with the best prospects. She doubted her mother would bear the scandal at finding who was in her daughter's bed.

For that was what they did almost every night. They simply couldn't get enough of each other. Sigyn enjoyed the way Loki kissed her; sometimes gentle, sometimes rough, but always with passion. She enjoyed the way his hands trailed her body, making her shudder at his cool touch. She enjoyed the way he felt inside of her when he drove her to overpowering ecstasy. But most of all, Sigyn enjoyed falling asleep in his arms, head resting on his shoulder, and one hand right above his heart. It was then she felt safe. Wanted. Loved.

***

How had his life taken this turn? How had he, Loki, the Trickster, the God of Mischief, allowed this to happen? The plan had been so simple — seduce Thor's betrothed, then reveal their affair before all of Asgard. And if he could make her his ally in magic, he would've considered it a bonus. It was never supposed to mean anything to him. Yet Loki's grand scheme to shame his brother had gone all wrong. And all because of the woman he had taken to his bed. 

Sigyn completely took over Loki's heart, mind and body. He felt himself go insane when he was not with her. The things he wanted to do to her... The things she allowed him to do to her... Never, in all his life, had Loki longed for anyone this much, be they man or woman. He craved Sigyn's company and ached for the comfort she brought him. He adored the way her eyes sparkled and her hair glistened in the sunlight like a blazing fire. Her loving words were the most precious. And her touch... oh, her touch.
Loki found himself enjoying the way her warm body fitted perfectly against his own. He found he enjoyed how she responded to his kisses. Eagerly, hungrily, even. He found he enjoyed how Sigyn got wet with desire for him and invited him to ravage her, over and over again. But most of all, Loki just found himself enjoying her. 

After years of having meaningless affairs that barely lasted till morning, years of alienating himself from everyone because they weren't worth his time, years of believing he was all right on his own, Loki had finally found someone he wanted to be with. Someone he wanted to give his full and undivided attention to. Someone he loved. And most importantly, someone who loved him.

***

Thor had called Fandrall and Sif to join him in his chamber. Both of them had been surprised to see the Gatekeeper present as well, since he barely left Himinbjörg. But when Astrid then joined them, their suspicions about Thor's motives for calling them to his private rooms grew.

"Thor, what is going on?" asked Fandral, concerned eyes flicking from her to the Crown Prince. "Has something happened?"

"Not yet. At least, I hope nothing has." Thor inhaled deeply before continuing, "I fear Lady Sigyn may be in danger. From Loki."

"What? Thor, surely not."

"You know my brother as well as I do, Fandrall. He is capable of a great many things."

"Then why only call me and Sif here? Why not Volstagg and Hogun?"

Sif hummed at Fandrall's question. "Volstagg is about as subtle as a bilgesnipe. As for Hogun... If Heimdall is involved, it means he has been watching Loki and Sigyn for some time already. Hogun would not have deemed such a thing honourable."

"Your power of observation is great even off the battlefield, Sif," complimented Thor. 

"Sigyn and Loki have disappeared from my sight several times these past weeks," spoke Heimdall. "Always briefly, a few minutes only, and when I do see them, they act as they always do and are in the places they disappeared from. Yet, I cannot help but think there is something else going on. Something relating to..."

His golden gaze wandered to both Thor and Astrid. The Crown Prince looked down at Sigyn's companion standing beside him. Astrid sighed and said, "Relating to Sigyn's magic."

"Her what?" yelled Fandrall and Sif in unison.

"The incident on the training grounds four months ago had nothing to do with the mirror Sigyn carried with her but with her own magic. I was forced to trust Loki to alter your memories to protect Sigyn's secret. He sought her attention and company more than once after that, but since Alfheim, Sigyn has been seeking his too. Despite her best efforts to hide it from me."

Thor put a comforting hand on Astrid's shoulder and went on, "My own memories of what happened when Sigyn and I fought were never touched. I cannot say if this is what Loki wanted or if he assumed I would forget because of my injuries then, but he left me be. I voiced my suspicions to Heimdall and asked him to watch over her for me, which is when he noticed her disappearing from his sight, almost always around Loki. It's got worse since my brother supposedly saved Sigyn from Svartalfheim six weeks ago. When Astrid confessed her own concern to me, I decided to take action."

"It certainly is a lot to process," Fandrall said with a lick of his lips, visibly impressed by the tale. "One thing is clear, though. If Lady Sigyn has magic, Loki may indeed want to take it for himself. In that case, we must protect her at all costs. I will gladly offer my sword for your cause, my Prince."

Thor nodded approvingly as Astrid muttered a thank you to his friend. Part of him hoped this venture would prove fruitful for the pair. He then turned to Sif. But the black-haired shieldmaiden remained silent, arms crossed over her chest, her head lowered.

"Sif? What are you thinking?" asked Thor.

"There's just... another option nobody here seems to think of." Sif hesitated a moment. "What if it has nothing to do with Sigyn's magic? What if... she and Loki...?"

Her unfinished thought lingered in the room. It dawned on Thor what she meant to say, but Astrid offered an objection before he could.

"Impossible. Sigyn would never do such a thing. She is loyal to a fault and wouldn't jeopardise her marriage to Thor."

"I realise it is not something we believe she would do," said Sif, "yet we cannot deny we have all noticed the difference in how Sigyn was with Thor months ago and how she is with him now. Courteous, kind, amicable, yes, but can you honestly say she still acts the way she did before you... before Alfheim?"

Thor gritted his teeth. Aside from his family, Sif and Astrid were the only ones who knew what had happened with Queen Aelsa. He was grateful she said nothing aloud in the presence of others.

"A little distant perhaps," interjected Fandrall, "but to claim Lady Sigyn would give up Thor for Loki? Loki? If so, she is certainly under a spell. I cannot imagine any women would willingly go to his be—ow! Why did you hit me?"

Astrid shot Fandrall a glare after punching his shoulder and then directed her attention to Thor. "I know Sigyn. Even after what has happened, she would not do this. The Queen spoke to Sigyn alone before putting the proposal to her family. Sigyn agreed to everything Frigga asked of her then; I was there. Her word is her bond."

"Still, the idea of Loki placing her under an enchantment is not unlikely," said Heimdall.

The Crown Prince immediately knew what he was getting at and groaned under his breath, "The necklace."

"What necklace? Wait... Not the one you gave her?" Astrid's eyes widened in horror.

"'Twas Loki who gave it to me," admitted Thor.

"By all the Norns... If Loki is using that to enchant her or steal her magic, she does not stand a chance."

"Then we take it off her," said Sif. "By force if necessary."

"No," Thor raised his hand to pause the warrior woman, "I will not allow any harm to Sigyn. I do not believe she is the one at fault here. We all know Loki can make people do things they do not wish to do."

"What do you propose, then?"

"For the moment, we continue to observe them. Heimdall sees many things, but even his sight is limited. Follow Loki. Follow Sigyn. See if any other things point to her being under his spell. If Loki uses more than only the necklace, it will not matter what we do to it. He will only be more careful afterwards."

"Should we not tell the Allfather?" prompted Fandrall. "Or Queen Frigga at least? Her magic may help us."

"I have no proof of my claim. My father is still displeased with me, and it would not be the first time my mother remains neutral in our quarrels. Best not tell them until I can present my case."

"Let us hope we are not too late, then. Whatever Loki has planned for Sigyn, it cannot be good."

***

All was quiet, apart from the lofty sound of the cascading waterfall. Sigyn took a deep breath and exhaled. Loki's arms were around her waist, his hands flat against her belly. She feared he stood too close for her to do this safely, but neither did she want him to let go. 

"Relax your breathing." His voice gave her chills all over her body. "Imagine the flame in your hand. Make it appear and bend it to your will."

Sigyn closed her eyes and brought the image of a flame before her mind's eye. Her magic surged, but she managed to suppress most of it. She needed only a little. Only a tiny flame in her palm.
A warm flow ebbed from the pit of her stomach to her heart, spreading further over her outstretched arms to her cupped hands. It came together in a ball but quickly took shape. Sigyn's fire did not burst out like it usually did, but ignited with a spark. When she opened her eyes, she saw a flame dancing playfully in her palm.

"I did it. Loki, I did it!"

He chuckled at her joy. "Of course you did. You always knew how to. You just lacked control."

Loki traced her arms with the tip of his fingers, all the way to her hands. He pressed his body against hers. Sigyn drew in her breath and felt the flame grow. She immediately realised Loki was testing her. A fire mage's flame burned brighter when fuelled by desire. Her power would grow depending on what Sigyn yearned for. Of course, Loki would want to see how long she could keep that desire in check.

"You're doing wonderfully well," he whispered in her ear.

His lips brushed the side of Sigyn's neck. The flame flared up in her hand, but Sigyn quickly willed it to shrink down to the size of a ruby. The burning jewel struggled, responding to her growing desire, but she would not let Loki distract her from this. Not even if he...
Sigyn bit her lip as Loki planted kisses down her neck to that sweet spot on her collarbone. He licked her with the tip of his tongue. The flame in Sigyn's palm burned brighter. Oh, that sneaky Trickster.

"L-Loki... don't."

His hands closed around Sigyn's. The fire wavered, retreating within her. She sensed it trying to make its way out again, but she pushed down until she felt nothing but smouldering embers, lying in wait for their next chance of freedom. It would not be today, though. Today, Sigyn won the fight. For the first time ever.

"Easy, easy," said Loki as Sigyn fell back against him. He held her in an embrace, his fingers interlocking with hers. "Deep breaths, my heart."

"I... I hate it when you do that. J-Just because you are my teacher does not mean you can distract me like that."

"On the contrary, I am the only one who can distract you like that."

"Loki, I'm serious." Sigyn turned her head and met his gaze. "My powers are dangerous. Yes, I've come a long way, and yes, I owe it all to you. But if I hurt you —"

"You won't."

"If I hurt you... I would never forgive myself."

Loki leaned in over her shoulder to kiss the corner of her mouth. Sigyn's knees grew weak at his affection. It was amazing how something as simple as a kiss could make her forgo her steadfastness so easily.

"You cannot hurt me," he spoke, "no more than I can hurt you. Our bond is stronger than that. We can wither any storm, as long as we are together."

Sigyn pressed her lips together and averted, swallowing back the tears stinging her eyes. Loki must have noticed, for he turned her around and raised her by the chin. 

"Hey now, what's this? Why those tears?"

"You speak as if we will stay together for years to come."

"Of course we —"

"Do we tell them then?" asked Sigyn. "Your family? My family? Do we tell them what we have done? What we are doing still?"

Loki's jaw clenched as his lips pinched together. He looked away, the anger visible in his expression. Sigyn didn't look forward to another argument, but neither could she ignore the dark gloom her impending nuptials cast over them. To love one man unconditionally, needing him more than she needed air to breathe, but to be tied to another... it was agony.

"Loki, my marriage to Thor is in six months. You alone have my love and my heart, but to everyone else, I am still your brother's betrothed. You cannot ask me to give another vow to another man for the sake of keeping our affair a secret. I cannot wed Thor and pretend it's you when he shares my bed."

"I would never ask that of you!" he exclaimed, abruptly letting go of her. "Every time someone even mentions your betrothal, I get sicker and sicker. I have thought of taking you away from here a hundred, if not a thousand, times. But we would live in constant fear of our families. They will never allow us to be together, even if we spoke up."

"You don't know that."

"I do!"

Every time they spoke of this, it always ended the same. Sigyn hated it. She hated her family, her betrothal. She hated that even when it seemed like she finally got what she desired above all things, she was still left with nothing. 

***

It was known Odin was not alone in using birds to monitor the safety of his people. But the Queen's magpie was a little spy whom she had not yet revealed to anyone. It got where his ravens could not, thanks to her magic.
Frigga gently stroked her bird's feathers as she listened to its chatter. The news was both good and bad. Sigyn had finally accepted the much-needed help with her magic and could already manage extraordinary feats. But then there were her sons... One determined to expose a secret and the other desperate to keep one.
Frigga hoped they would make the right choice. The future that lay ahead was not a good one. And with Sigyn stuck in the middle... lives could get lost.

***

Loki sat in the weeping willow's shadow. His eyes rested on Sigyn, who stood in the sunlight. He smiled weakly when he saw her play with the flame in her hand. She learned so much in so little time. It was extraordinary. She was extraordinary.
He hung his head when he recalled their argument. Sigyn was right; they could not continue their affair as they did. Something had to be done. But what? He had racked his head over it a thousand times, and each option had a terrible price to consider.

To confess their love seemed like the best choice. But Odin would never allow it. Thor's marriage was more pressing and more important than his brother's. Loki wasn't the Crown Prince. He wasn't the heir to the Nine Realms. There was a small chance Frigga may side with them, but not even the Queen could go against the Allfather's ruling in the line of succession.
And even if Odin did, for some reason, allow them to wed, that still left Thor. He would never accept the union, especially not if he were ever to discover Loki had already bedded Sigyn. His brother hated being made a fool of, and the insult of having been cuckolded with his younger brother was too great. This had, of course, been Loki's plan, but now that he had actually fallen in love with Sigyn, he was less inclined to let her take the fall for it as well.
And then there was Sigyn's family. From what she told him, they would not hesitate to take back their daughter when they discovered she was to wed a second son and not the promised Crown Prince. And Loki would not have Sigyn returned to that cruel home, defenceless and left at their mercy. She had to be kept away from her family at all costs. 

Running away had also crossed Loki's mind, but they would never find peace. Odin would tear the Nine Realms apart to find them. With their magic bonded, Loki did not doubt that they could hide from the Allfather, Heimdall and any other magic wielder sent after them, but what kind of life would that be? Always looking over their shoulders, always moving from place to place... That was not something he wanted for Sigyn. She deserved a home and a family.
Ending the affair was not even an option Loki would consider. Nor would he allow Sigyn to marry Thor, simply for the sake of loyalty. The guilt of betraying their love with Thor and of betraying her marriage by yearning for and loving her husband's brother would eat away at her. And what of the children she would have? If they had red hair, there would always be doubt about their parentage. If they had golden hair, Loki would forever be confronted with the fact that the woman he loved had lain with his brother. And if they had black hair, everyone would know they were not Thor's. 

Norns, what if it's already too late? Loki stiffened as that single thought occurred to him. What if Sigyn already carries my child, despite the contraceptive draughts we've been taking? We were fortunate she didn't conceive during our first night together, and the potions are effective, but there is still a chance of it happening. 

There was only one other thing left to try. Only one person he could confide in. The one person he had always relied on — his mother. Frigga arranged the match, so perhaps she could undo it as well. Or at least give him advice on what to do. 

A breeze picked up. The leaves of the weeping willow rustled. Loki raised his head, meaning to call Sigyn and tell her what he had decided, but the sight greeting him rendered him speechless. His lover stood at the edge of the pool, her blood-red hair falling loosely over her shoulder, her amber-coloured dress at her feet. Loki's breath caught when her naked skin reflected on the surface as she waded into the water. He rose to his feet and made his way down to the bank.
Sigyn wasn't the best of swimmers — Loki had to teach her since she hadn't been taught at home — but she had crossed the distance to the waterfall and back with him before. He anxiously watched her swim by herself now. The middle of the pool, where the water was darkest, was the deepest, and there were some rocks near the waterfall that could prove dangerous, even for an experienced swimmer like him.
When Sigyn safely got to the waterfall, Loki finally relaxed. He relished in the sight of her standing under the downpour. The water came a little below her breasts, the mist from the fall shrouding her in mystery. She looked like a water sprite whose sole purpose was to beguile a man and lure him to certain death. 

Their eyes met. Sigyn beckoned. Loki smiled and undressed, leaving his clothes beside hers. He looked up, eyes widening in shock when he no longer saw Sigyn, and rushed into the water. With a couple of powerful strokes, Loki swam to where she'd been standing and searched around, yet Sigyn was nowhere to be found. Suddenly, he felt her grab his shoulder from inside the waterfall. Or rather, behind it. 
A small grotto lay hidden behind the thundering waters. The same blue gems that illuminated the tunnel in the mountain were stuck inside the stones. Loki stood amazed, as he never even knew it was there. The Urdarbrunn truly was marvellous. 

Sigyn moved to sit on a stone wall, which created a small water basin inside the pool. Again, she beckoned Loki. He climbed up to sit with her and leaned in for a kiss, but Sigyn grinned and spun away to slide off the other side. She glanced over her shoulder, her emerald gaze luring Loki in to join her. He did not hesitate. The water came about halfway up his torso, but he wasn't cold from exposing his body to a different temperature. He was never cold.
Loki reached for Sigyn and pulled her close. He peered into her enchanting eyes as she gently brushed his wet hair away from his face. She pushed herself up against his body and caught his lips with hers. Loki rested his hands on her hips as he let himself get taken in. The desire she instilled with a single kiss was enough to make him forget all his worries.

The blue gems around them lit up, as if they too drew energy from the fire mage's yearning for her lover's body. Loki slowly backed Sigyn against the grotto's stone wall. His hands travelled up her body. Sigyn lifted her arms, and Loki trailed her skin until he could pin her hands above her head. He pressed up to her, feeling Sigyn's nipples harden against his chest. Their lips met again. And again. And again.
In an eager response to his kisses, Sigyn opened her mouth. Their tongues met as they had so often before. She resisted his hold, but Loki kept her hands firmly in place. Beneath the surface of the water, her leg wrapped around his. Loki ground up against her, his member hard and more than willing to explore her warmth. He heard Sigyn moan, that sweet sound stifled by their kisses. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. 

Swiftly, Loki released his hold on Sigyn's hands and grabbed her by the thighs to lift her. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and her fingers tangled in his raven hair. A gasp fell against his lips when he pushed into her, a bit more forcefully than intended. Though his first instinct was always to retreat, as he didn't bear the thought of hurting her, Loki knew Sigyn could handle all of him. Still, he held off until he was sure she was ready for him to do so.
A single, lustful glance was all it took for Loki to start moving inside her. His lips left kisses on Sigyn's mouth, her cheek, her neck. All the while, his lover's moans increased to the point she whimpered Loki's name. The sound of her pleading voice, her body completely at his mercy, only aroused Loki further and his thrusts grew fiercer. 

Suddenly, Sigyn grabbed Loki's hair, pulling him back from the delicious swell of her breast. In that brief second where he paused his movements, Loki recognised the fire burning in Sigyn's eyes. Her desire was set free, urging her to take command, and like a voracious she-wolf, she ravaged his mouth. Pleasantly surprised and stirred even more by Sigyn's forcefulness, Loki pushed her legs open wider. He continued his assault on her, fast and ruthlessly. She trembled against him.
Knowing Sigyn was nearing her release, Loki retreated almost fully and then slammed into her again. She threw her head back, crying out in rapture. Loki made her move with him then, meeting his final relentless thrusts. He pressed himself flush against Sigyn and let out a heavy grunt as he came inside her, his body giving in to her as she had to him.
They lingered in that position for some time, both desperately trying to catch their breaths again. A shiver went down Loki's spine, and he lowered himself into the water, taking Sigyn down with him. She clung to him, legs still wrapped around his waist, though not as tightly anymore. Not yet, her eyes seemed to say. But Loki had no intention of leaving her warmth so soon.

"You know that place between sleep and awake?" Sigyn whispered against Loki's lips. "Where you can still remember dreaming? That is where I will always love you, Loki. That is where I will always be waiting for you."

"And I will meet you there, my heart. Always."