As predicted, the feasting continued for several days until after the wedding. Dignitaries from most of the Nine Realms came to pay their respects and congratulate Sigyn and Loki. The couple entertained their guests and celebrated with them, but they never stayed too long. And none said anything about it. They were newlyweds, after all. They had far better things to do than converse with this ambassador or dance with that representative.

The apartments that had so hastily been made ready for the Crown Prince and his bride were now Loki and Sigyn's. All their belongings were brought to their new lodgings on the far side of the palace. The rooms themselves were similar yet smaller to what Frigga and Odin had — a newly wedded couple had no need for separate bedrooms, after all. 
Loki and Sigyn could entertain guests in their presence chamber, finely decorated with tapestries and art and a great chandelier with ornate gold leaves. A private parlour and study, with a grand bookcase and many magical objects Loki had collected, gave more privacy but still allowed family and dear friends to be welcomed as well. 
The private bed chamber held a grand canopy bed, a vanity for Sigyn, and an opulent wardrobe. The balcony, big enough to hold a smaller golden version of the Yggdrasil Tree and a loveseat swing, gave out on the most spectacular view. No longer of the city, as in Sigyn's previous room, but of the forests, the rivers, the mountains... 
And just beside the bedchamber, an enclosure with a step-in alabaster bath basin carved into the floor, large enough to immerse oneself entirely. One other room remained, but Loki insisted on it remaining locked. A surprise, he said. And not the only one.

When the Prince brought his wife to their new home, Sigyn wept with joy at seeing the blushing tulips in the presence-chamber, the fair lilies in the parlour, the delicate orchids in the enclosure, and, of course, the treasured roses in their bedchamber. Each flower bloomed and bloomed, never to wither. The snow-white petals held a crimson edge; each blue vein bore a magical golden glistening. No longer were they the product of merely Loki's magic, but of them both. Sigyn's union with him could not have been better represented. Timeless. Flawless. And all theirs.
For the first time in Sigyn's life, she felt no desire to escape. Being with Loki, sleeping and waking in his arms without worrying if someone were to discover them, hearing him say he loved her in that alluring voice, not caring if another heard, and having him make love to her, ravishing her utterly, no longer in fear of what it could lead to, was pure bliss. Sigyn was where she wanted to be. Where she was meant to be. She, at long last, found her happily ever after.

If only that joy could have lasted for a little while longer. If only the monster of Sigyn's past had been kept at bay.

***

Loki awoke, sensing the light of dawn upon his face. It peered through the curtains at the open balcony, a soft morning breeze making the drapes rustle. He sighed contently and looked down at his beloved wife. Sigyn lay perfectly aligned with his body, her hand over his chest and her head resting on his shoulder, as Loki's arm held her in his embrace. He smiled and drew her closer to press a gentle kiss on her brow. Carefully, he slipped away, but when he sat at the edge of the bed, he suddenly found Sigyn's arms around him. Her naked breasts pressed against his back as she leaned in over his shoulder to ask, "And where do you think you are going, dear husband?"

"Thor asked me to meet with him. Go back to sleep. It's early still."

"So you would rather spend your morning with your brother than with me? I doubt he has the same activity in mind that I have."

Loki chuckled at his wife's obvious intent. "How are you not exhausted after what we did last night? Or this past week, for that matter?"

"Hmm," Sigyn brushed her lips against his neck, "I could ask you the same thing." 

She gasped in surprise when Loki reached back to her by the waist and pushed her down on the bed, pinning her at her wrists. He met her startled expression and grinned. "How can I possibly ever tire of such a woman?"

Loki leaned in for a kiss. Both their pendants glowed faintly upon their skin, their magic surging with their desire. But as much as Loki wanted to stay, he'd given his brother his word. Reluctantly, he parted from Sigyn and rose from the bed, leaving his goddess of seduction and love basking in the morning glow of the rising sun entangled in the sheets. He cursed Thor for making him leave like this. If it were up to him, they would spend the entire day in bed. Alas...

"I really must go," Loki said with a sigh. "Thor's message sounded urgent, and he's capable of barging in here with no regard to our privacy if I make him wait too long."

Sigyn scoffed. "Not if he's smart, he won't." 

"Hence my worry."  

"Oh, very well then." She got up as well and casually threw him his black and green attire, then reached for her own light blue dress. "If you are determined to leave me, Loki Odinson, I will simply have to find someone else to spend my morning with. Though I doubt they will be as... entertaining as you."

She walked past Loki toward the enclosure, intentionally averting from him. Loki grinned at her play and quickly pulled her back to, causing Sigyn to laugh. How he adored that sound. 

"I will make it up to you later, my heart," he breathed against her neck. "I promise."

"You better." 

After one final passionate kiss, Loki and Sigyn got dressed and left their chambers, hands clasped together, fingers intertwined. The servants in the corridor made way for them with a deep bow. One carried a platter of fruit, and Sigyn quickly reached for some cloudberries as they passed the maid. Loki quirked a brow at her action. It wasn't the first time he'd noticed Sigyn taking some of those berries. They had a distinct bitter taste and were usually made into a jam to sweeten their flavour. He wasn't overly fond of them, but Sigyn seemed to have developed a liking for them. Curious...

"Have you heard from Astrid?" Loki inquired, carefully broaching the subject they'd been avoiding these past days. At Sigyn's silent headshake, he said, "Ask her to come. Or ask Fandrall or Sif where you might find her and go to her yourself."

"Since when are you so worried about Astrid?" asked Sigyn, annoyance lacing her tone.

"Oh, believe me; I'm not. But I know her friendship means a lot to you. I would hate for you to feel such a loss simply because of a misunderstanding."

In truth, Loki didn't care at all. Were it up to him, he would ensure Astrid never returned to his wife's service. He would send her to some remote star in the universe or perhaps cast a spell to turn her into a warty toad or such. But despite his own feelings towards his former lover, Loki considered Sigyn's feelings. She would be genuinely devastated if she were to lose the sole person who had been her friend during her troubled past. So he made an effort. A significant effort.

As they came upon the throne room, they heard faint yet agitated voices from within. Loki wondered who the voices belonged to. Apart from the Allfather's, he did not recognise them. Suddenly, the door opened, and Thor stumbled outside. His eyes widened when he came upon Loki and Sigyn. 

"Brother!" He glanced over his shoulder and hurriedly approached them. "And sister... well met." 

"Thor," greeted Loki, instantly wary of his older brother's nervous behaviour. "What's going on?"

"Hm? Nothing. Why would anything be going on this good morning? Such a good morning, in fact, that it would be a dreadful shame not to enjoy it. Why don't the two of you go out riding? Head out into the forest. Or better yet, that little vale beyond the woods. Make a whole day out of it."

"I thought you wanted to meet with me?"

"Who, me? No, not at all. Come, do not let me keep you. Go on to the stables and head out. Go, go."

His brother was never one for subtleties, so Loki grew even more suspicious at Thor practically pushing them out the door. Obviously, he was attempting to get them out of the palace, but why? Loki was about to ask when a high-pitched, demanding female voice reached them through the open door of the throne room. Sigyn gripped Loki's arm, her face stricken in panic and fright.

"Loki, we need to leave," she said.

"What? Why?" asked Loki. "Who is that?

"Never mind, just leave," insisted Thor. "Take Sigyn out of the palace right now. Hurry, while you still..."

His words died away. He stared at something behind Loki, prompting the raven-haired Prince to turn and see what had caused his brother to fall silent. A man, perhaps a few centuries younger than Loki and Thor were, stood near, leaning casually against a column. His dark-brown hair was tied back in a warrior braid across his otherwise neatly shaven head. A stoppled beard hid some of the blue runic tattoos on the left side of his sharp, hawk-like face, as well as his hazel eyes. The grey travel cloak could not quite hide the armour and broadsword he wore underneath. Loki was instantly on high alert at the presence of this stranger.

"There you are, Sigyn," said the man. "We were wondering when you were going to grace us with your presence."

He pushed himself away from the column and stepped to her. When he caressed her face, Sigyn cringed, absolutely terrified. Loki was about to put an end to whatever this was, but Thor held him back, his eyes warning him not to do anything. 

"Ah, you found her, brother."

Loki turned at the voice. Another man, dressed similarly, stood in the open door to the throne room. They looked somewhat alike, yet this one had messy ash-blond hair and an equally messy beard — basically, a more savage version of Thor, which had always seemed impossible to Loki. And no tattoos. 

"Well, come along, sister." The man extended a hand to Sigyn. "Let's not keep Mother waiting."

***

No... No, no, no, it cannot be. They can't all be here. Please, no...

Sigyn stood frozen, barely breathing, too scared to move or speak. Her instinct urged her to reach for her hand-mirror and run to a place they couldn't follow. But she no longer carried her little mirror. She hadn't for some time now. She felt so secure here in Asgard, embraced by her new family, and adored by the man she called husband that she'd no longer seen any use for it. Fool that she was. 

"Our darling sister appears completely overwhelmed by our visit, Björn. How good she is to miss her dear family so."

Thorin, seven years younger and named in honour of the Crown Prince, nudged Sigyn toward her older brother, but Loki stepped in between to catch her himself. Despite the safety of his strong, reassuring arms, Sigyn's heart still clenched in fear. 

"Let me guess," said Loki. "Björn and... Thorin? We meet at last. I am —"

"We know who you are, Trickster," spat Thorin. "We know everything."

"I highly doubt that, but if that is what you believe."  

With nostrils flaring at the insult, Thorin reached for the dagger hidden in his wrist cuff. Sigyn moved to shield Loki from her younger brother, fully prepared to take the blow herself, but fortunately, Björn took command. 

"Thorin, enough," he said. "That is no way to greet our sister's... husband. And Mother is waiting. I am sure she is keen to meet him."

Björn once more extended his hand to Sigyn. She stared at it, pondering her options, quickly realising she only had one. If she didn't go along, this would certainly come to a confrontation and blood would be spilled. She couldn't allow that to happen.
Sigyn tapped her husband's arm lightly. Loki met her gaze. She felt his strength and confidence, like it was her own, and they stepped up to Björn together. Her brother narrowed his eyes when Sigyn did not take his hand, but said nothing. He allowed the couple to pass, following them into the throne room with Thor and his namesake close behind them.
With each step she took, Sigyn grew more anxious. It had been months since she'd seen her family. They hadn't attended the wedding, nor had Sigyn heard anything from her mother since she'd written that awful letter two weeks past. She'd dared to think that perhaps they did not care after all. That a Prince of Asgard would more than suffice to raise their family in standing. How could she have been so stupid to think so? 

The Allfather was seated upon his throne. He looked grim and held a firm grip on his spear. Frigga stood beside her husband. Outwardly, the Queen appeared composed, but Sigyn could tell by the furor in her eyes Frigga was far from the calm woman she knew her to be.
Another man and woman stood before the throne. Sigyn gasped in dismay upon recognising the man. She had hoped her father would have bothered to come himself to resolve any dispute diplomatically, but of course, he hadn't. Völundr never bothered with his daughter. Instead, he'd sent the second man of the house. 

Ivar Völundrson was Sigyn's eldest brother and the terror of her childhood. Of all Sigyn's brothers, he looked most like their father, with his shaven head and neat, short blond beard. Yet he was far crueller.
From the moment she was born, Ivar made it clear Sigyn was unwanted. Pushing her to the ground, striking her, kicking her... He had more than once forced his way in her room to harm her, even going as far as tearing the clothes off Sigyn's body, though never doing more than that. Björn always kept Ivar from going too far, though he had tormented Sigyn plenty himself, albeit more mentally than physically. But Thorin, whom Sigyn had raised despite being but a child herself, adored Ivar and did everything their brother asked. They were the ones who had hurt Sigyn the most. 

Like his brothers, Ivar wore armour underneath his travel cloak, an axe strapped upon his back. Blue runes, similar to Thorin's, were tattooed over every visible piece of naked skin. He threw Sigyn a venomous glare as she approached. He was the only other to inherit their mother's emerald eyes. But the mystery and beauty that lay in Sigyn's eyes were nowhere to be found in Ivar's. His eyes stood cold and calculating — the eyes of a killer. And they currently rested upon Loki.
Sigyn wished her brave husband wouldn't meet his glare with such defiance. She knew it would only anger Ivar more. No one defied him. Those who tried did not live long. If they didn't fall at Ivar's hand, they did so at the one whom Sigyn feared the most — their mother. 

Lady Sunna was a stately woman with sharp features and curly russet hair pinned atop her head. Her black travel cloak was thrown over her shoulders, revealing the purple gown decorated with fine gold thread. Anyone who met Lady Sunna believed her a fine noble-woman. She wore the mask of the loving wife and doting mother very well. It wasn't until one spent time with the woman that they learned the vile creature she actually was. 
Her youth and vanity were her obsession. She had to be the one with the beauty, the one with the power, the one who had it all. And what better way than to sell the daughter she despised to the highest bidder and improve her own title? Though jealous of the attention Sigyn got because of her beauty, Lady Sunna understood well enough that the higher Sigyn rose, she too would rise. And now, she was part of the royal family of Asgard. Though not in her way. And if something did not go her way...

"Oh, my dearest daughter!" exclaimed Lady Sunna in theatrical joy. "How wonderful to see you again. How we have missed you."

Sigyn stiffened when her mother took her in an embrace, pulling her away from Loki as she did. Affection was a thing Lady Sunna only reserved for her sons and, occasionally, her husband, but never for Sigyn. Not unless she wanted something. 

"Do not worry, my darling," said her mother, ignoring Sigyn's discomfort and patting her on the cheek. "We shall have this unfortunate situation rectified, and you will —"

"Nothing needs to be rectified," interrupted Frigga coldly.

Lady Sunna pinched her lips and turned back to Frigga. "Your Highness, I must insist upon it. Your son took advantage of my daughter. He made her his with tricks and lies, taking her from his own brother, who is Sigyn's true husband. Frankly, I am baffled he has not been punished for it."

"What I do or not do with my son is none of your business."

"It is when he has his way with my daughter. I see your judgement is clouded, Lady Frigga. How could it not? A mother will always defend her son, after all. Which makes me wonder how far your hand goes in this? Do you claim to be innocent of this deception, or do you confess you are the master orchestrator?"

"I brought Sigyn here to marry the Prince, and so she has!" Frigga raised her voice to drown out the accusations.  

"The wrong Prince!" yelled Lady Sunna. 

"SILENCE!" Odin's voiced roared through the room, instantly silencing the quarreling women. He looked down and said, "Loki, Sigyn, Lady Sunna would like to see your marriage dissolved. What do you have to say to this?"

Before Sigyn could stop Loki, he stepped forward. She watched fearfully as he addressed her mother. "Lady Sunna, I realise what this must look like to you. But I assure you; what I feel for Sigyn is as real as what she feels for me. There are no tricks and no lies."

"Be that as it may, a contract was made. My daughter was to marry the Crown Prince, not the Trickster. She was to become Queen. What does she have with you, a second son? You have nothing to offer her."

"He offers everything," Sigyn spoke softly.

All eyes turned to her. Ivar and Thorin looked angry; Björn more pensively. Her mother raised her brow as if surprised, yet her scowl warned Sigyn that if she knew what was good for her, she would keep quiet. But Sigyn, emboldened by Loki's encouraging nod, reached for her husband's hand and spoke. "Queen Frigga did not deceive you nor me. No names were mentioned, only that I was to marry the Prince. Since there are two, I had to make my choice, and so I have. My love for Loki is real, despite what you may believe. I will not give him up."

The fake smile that disappeared during her argument with Frigga returned promptly on Lady Sunna's lips. She turned to Odin and asked, "Allfather, may I request to speak with my daughter alone?" 

Odin nodded his agreement. He ordered everyone but Sigyn and Lady Sunna to leave the throne room at once. All gathered seemed reluctant to be the first to move, but they had little choice in the matter after the Allfather glowered at them.
Sigyn met her Loki's fortifying gaze. Her pendant glowed faintly as he let his magic flow to her. But the usual clarity and comfort Sigyn usually got failed to reach her this time.

"I am with you," whispered Loki, his hand slipping out of hers. 

Sigyn's brothers followed him and Thor as they left the throne room. She did not like the way Ivar and Thorin looked at the royal sons of Asgard. 

***

Loki tried to keep calm as best he could. He knew Sigyn relied on his strength to face her mother. Now that he had finally been confronted with Lady Sunna himself, Loki understood Sigyn's concerns. That woman wore a well-practised smile, but she was rotten to the core. Greedy, vain and proud. He'd sensed it the moment he drew near. 

"We have company."

Loki raised his head and followed Thor's gaze to where Sigyn's brothers stood on the opposite side of the courtyard. The eldest, Ivar, and the younger one, Thorin, were speaking to one another. The other, Björn, leaned against a column, observing both parties from afar. 

"Do you believe they'll try something?" wondered Loki aloud.  

Thor gave him a significant look. He halted a servant and told him to find the Warriors Three and Lady Sif immediately. Loki was glad for it. A show of force might sway Sigyn's brothers not to try anything foolish.

"When did they arrive?" he asked.

"Two hours ago," answered Thor. "The sun had barely risen."

"They came without warning?"

"That is what I wanted to talk to you about, Loki. I had hoped to get you and Sigyn out of Asgard before they arrived. Sigyn's mother has insisted upon an audience with the Allfather since your wedding. She is outraged that her daughter married you and not me, calling our mother a liar and witch and demanding that Odin annuls your marriage to either fulfil the supposed agreement or..."

"Or what?"

"Or she will attack Asgard."

Loki stared at his brother, stunned at the outrageous threat. "Attack Asgard? With what army?" 

"Her husband and sons all have men loyal to them," Thor replied grimly. "And Heimdall has seen her in Jotünheim as well. Father had him keep an eye out since the first letter arrived. The Frost Giants have apparently expressed an interest in Sigyn, and Lady Sunna is more than willing to offer her daughter as a prize if her demands are not met."

"She's madwoman! I don't care what she threatens us with; I will not let Sigyn fall into her hands again!"

"Nor I, brother." Thor put a hand on Loki's shoulder. "You have my word. I will ensure my sister is not taken from your arms."

Loki had never felt such gratitude towards Thor. It rarely occurred he and his brother saw eye to eye, but there was no one Loki would choose to stand with him now. 

"Damn."

Loki turned his head at Thor's silent curse to find Sigyn's brothers approaching. And by the murderous intent in their hard expressions, it seemed they were out for blood. Thor hid his hand behind his back, ready to summon Mjölnir. He nodded to Loki, who already held his weapon concealed against his wrist. They waited until Ivar and Thorin stood but a few feet away. Björn kept some distance, as if he actually wanted to make this a fair fight of two against two.

"We are going to make this easy on you, Trickster," said Ivar. "Release your hold of our sister, or die. Either way, Sigyn is returning home with us."

"You dare threaten a son of Odin?" Thor glared at him.

"If he proves a conniving bastard, yes, we do," responded Thorin viciously.

Thor moved forward, but Loki halted him. Whatever provocation, they could not be the ones to instigate an attack. Not if Lady Sunna and her sons posed a genuine threat to Asgard.

"Sigyn is home," said Loki, as he faced Ivar. "Her proper home. She is loved here, I swear it."

Ivar scoffed. "Oh, please. As if anyone could love that little tramp."

Loki felt his anger rise. He forced himself to stay calm and smirked. "Well, I would not expect someone like you to grasp the concept."

"I understand one monster may attract the other. In that, you are perfectly matched."

"I've been named worse by far superior people than you."

"Do not pretend to be so high and mighty, Trickster."

"Very well; say something intelligent, and I may reconsider my opinion of you."

For someone so big, Ivar moved at incredible speed. His axe was in his hand faster than the eye could see. Loki raised the one dagger he already summoned before but quickly conjured a second to his other hand. Sigyn's younger brother next drew his broadsword at the same moment Thor's hammer flew to his hand. The four men faced each other, waiting for someone to make the first move.

"Ivar! Thorin! Lower your weapons now!" shouted Björn.

He had his hand on the hilt of his sword but did not draw it. Loki was right to think that of Sigyn's brothers Björn was the one with the level head. Perhaps he could persuade the others.

"Listen to your brother," urged Loki, keeping his eyes upon his foe. "Attack us, and you will never leave this place again. Would you really have Sigyn watch as her brothers are imprisoned?"

"What do I care what Sigyn thinks?" spat Ivar. "Had it been up to me, I would have killed her a long time ago! She is unworthy of being my sister and has disgraced our family, as I always knew she would! I will see that whore gets what she deserves for opening her legs for you!"

***

Sigyn waited with bathed breath for her mother to speak. Lady Sunna's refusal to look at her made the silence even more agonising. She stood with her back to Sigyn, making it impossible for her to read her. Yet she knew what was coming. 

"I must say, Sigyn," spoke her mother at last, "I am very disappointed in you. I secure you the most desirable man in all the Nine Realms, a Crown Prince of all people, and what do you do? You marry that worthless brother of his. Have I taught you nothing, girl? You marry up, not down."

"I am sorry I have grieved you, Mother," said Sigyn, trying her best to hide the slight quiver in her voice. 

"You should be. Did you not think of what this would do to your name? To our name? You have shamed us greatly, Sigyn. But all is not lost. As always, Mother is here to help you, and I will resolve this promptly."

"Mother, no, I —"

"The Trickster has a reputation which benefits us. We will simply say we have discovered it was all a lie, an enchantment he placed on you because you refused his first advances. You share his bed now; that is a problem, but it can hardly be held against you if we say that —"

"Mother, stop!"

Sigyn had not meant to yell, but it had the desired effect. Her mother fell silent and turned to her, surprised to find Sigyn would dare raise her voice. She eyed her daughter with some curiosity but also with enmity. 
Sigyn kept her shaking hand out of sight. She couldn't afford to show weakness. Her mother had a way of finding a person's vulnerability and utterly destroying them by it. But that would not happen today. Sigyn was strong, stronger than she had ever been, and it was all thanks to Loki. As long as he was with her, she would always have the courage to face whatever enemy came her way — even if that enemy proved to be her own family.

"There is nothing to resolve," spoke Sigyn in a clear voice. "We will not say or do anything. You will go back home with my brothers, and I will stay here with my husband. I love Loki with all my heart. And he loves me, despite what you may think."

Lady Sunna gave her daughter a wicked smile before uttering a mocking laugh that used to chill Sigyn to the bone as a child. "Ha-ha-ha, oh, my dear, this whole romance that you've invented just proves you're too naïve to be here. Why would he like you, come on now, really? Look at you; you think that he's impressed? He is the Trickster! What could a simple girl like you mean to...?"

Her words faltered as Sigyn placed a hand over her pendant, drawing from the magic within. One serpent came alive and slithered down her arm, its tongue flicking in and out. The animal hissed dangerously at Sigyn's mother. 

"A simple girl, Mother?"

"How did you —?"

"Loki has been teaching me how to use and control my magic. He did what you should have done. Do not pretend not to know what I speak of, Mother. You have magic; I know it. I have seen it. You could have helped me, but you locked me away, telling me the world would only see me as a monster. You let my brothers abuse me so my magic could grow no further. You brought me down because you were... what? Jealous? Bitter? I never asked for my magic or my beauty. I never asked for any of it!"

"Do not speak to me in that manner, young lady!"

"Coming here was the best thing that has ever happened to me," Sigyn continued unperturbed, an explicable courage coursing through her. "There are others here who possess magic and who accept me. Loki accepts me."

"Trust me, my dear, the Trickster will leave you the moment he has full control over your magic. But you are too weak and love-struck to realise it!"

"NO! You are wrong about Loki, and you are wrong about me! I will never let you come between us! I will never let you win, ever again!"

The serpent's smooth scales were set ablaze when the animal of flesh and blood turned into a fiery demon. Flames burst out in a wave and rippled through the throne room, throwing Lady Sunna to the ground when they struck her. Even though it was a devastating force, everything remained as it was. Nothing was burned or damaged. Controlled use of destruction. That show of power and defiance should have ended things then and there.
Unfortunately, it only released the true monster from its cage. 

An invisible force took hold of Sigyn's body. She tried to move, but couldn't. It felt as if someone had tied strings around her limbs, controlling her like a puppet. Sigyn gasped for breath as she her heart contracted. Her mother rose from the floor, casting her singed cloak aside. The wrinkled hand she stretched out toward Sigyn did not match the youthful face, now twisted in an ominous scowl. 

"You want me to be the villain? Fine, now I'm the villain."

***

It was still early morning, so there weren't that many people in the courtyard yet. The few that were hid behind the safety of columns to get away from the fight that had so abruptly ensued. No one knew if the bald stranger or their own raven-haired Prince had made the first move. Either way, the moment the warriors' steel clashed, it was absolute chaos. 
Loki's sole advantage was that he had been dodging his brother's punches all his life. The agility and swiftness he'd developed over the years kept Ivar's axe from cleaving him in two. But the big brute was far from slow. He swung his weapon overhead and changed it from one hand to the other and back, all hoping to catch Loki off guard to deal the fatal blow. 
Loki kept moving to evade Ivar's attack. He had no time to even focus on his magic. If he couldn't distract Ivar or get away from him for just a few seconds, he would not last much longer. 

"Loki!" yelled Thor. "Hold on!"

He had engaged Thorin, but was having better luck at fighting Sigyn's brother than Loki. Mjölnir's lightning had already shattered the young man's broadsword into a million pieces, but Thorin kept on fighting with his bare hands. Thor punched his jaw, making him land hard on his back, and then put Mjölnir on the boy's chest. Since none but Thor and the Allfather could lift it, Thorin was stuck underneath the hammer, wriggling desperately to get away. 

"Stay."  

Thor directed his attention back to Loki and his opponent, but unfortunately, the Crown Prince had forgotten about the third brother, who had remained on the sidelines until then. Björn drew his sword and threw it aside. At least he had the honour of fighting with equal weapons.

"Surrender now," ordered Thor. "We will forget this has happened if you leave quietly. You have my word that Sigyn is well looked after here."

"Your word, unfortunately, means very little to me, Odinson." 

The two men engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand fight. They were equally matched, and their grunts could be hurt over the courtyard. The guards could only protect and guide away the civilians. Any attempt to come between the battling in-laws and blood would surely be spilt. 
All of a sudden, Loki felt a sharp pain in his heart. He heard Sigyn's screams as if she were standing right beside him. Her anguish and fear reverberated through him. The pendant underneath his clothing was cooling rapidly. Something was wrong. 
As Loki whirled around, dodging another of Ivar's attacks, he saw Volstagg, Hogun, and Sif arrive. This was his only chance. He yelled out to them, deciding to undertake a daring but reckless move. "Get the boy! Thor, I need Mjölnir!"

Loki then attacked Ivar head-on, taking the warrior by surprise. The dagger in Loki's left hand slashed Ivar's forearm open, whilst the one in Loki's right plunged into his shoulder. Sigyn's brother howled, more out of anger than pain. He dropped the axe and grabbed Loki by his throat, pinning him down in the dirt with an amazing force. Loki gasped for breath as Ivar placed his knee on his chest. 

"I expected more from you, Trickster," hissed Ivar. "But you are nothing without your magic. A pathetic mongrel fighting for his bitch. It will be my pleasure to —"

The sudden release of pressure on his chest and throat filled Loki's lungs with much-needed air. He rolled onto his side, coughing. He looked up to meet his brother's triumphant grin. Thor had summoned Mjölnir to him, lifting it off Thorin's chest the moment Volstagg and Hogun had the boy subdued, and had struck Björn with it before throwing it to Ivar, thus saving Loki. Not a moment too soon.
But they had no time to celebrate this minor victory. Björn recovered quickly and reached for his broadsword. He lunged at Thor, but Sif was quick to block his attack. Thor called Mjölnir back to his hand to aid Sif.
From the rubble of the column, Ivar climbed up, bellowing like a ferocious beast. He charged at Loki, who had barely got up himself. Luckily, another appeared in the courtyard then. One who had seen the conflict from his post at the Bifrost and who decided enough was enough. 

"Hurry to the throne room!" yelled Heimdall as he held Ivar off. "We will handle things here!"

Loki scrambled up and made a few swift hand gestures, calling forth three giant snakes out of nowhere. He didn't linger to see them make quick work of Sigyn's brothers and ran back into the palace, hastening toward the throne room. But when he arrived, he stopped dead in his tracks, stricken at the horrid sight that greeted him.
A dozen guards lay dead on the floor, their blood seeping from their punctured bodies. Near the throne, Odin helped Frigga up. Loki hurried towards his parents, his eyes frantically searching for any trace of Sigyn.

"What happened? Mother, are you all right?"

"Y-Yes, I'm..." Frigga fell back against Odin, seeking his support. "Forgive us, Loki. We tried to stop her. We didn't know she had this magic. I am so sorry."

"Stop who?" demanded Loki, heart sinking in fear.

Neither replied. They needn't reply. He already knew. Once again, Loki's gaze roamed over the massacre. Lady Sunna was gone. As was her daughter. 

"Where is my wife?"