Queen Aelsa greeted Loki and Sigyn personally upon their arrival in Alfheim. Forgoing all propriety, she embraced Sigyn as if she were a long-lost sister returning home and even did the same to Loki, much to his own surprise. He remembered how Aelsa had been his accomplice in his scheme to break Sigyn and Thor apart only a few months ago. It was a cruel irony she was his only hope now.

"I've heard of your hardships," said Aelsa sadly. "I am so sorry for it all. Please, stay as long as you like. Take some time to settle in and join me later for a quiet dinner in the garden."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Loki bowed his head in acceptance of her hospitality.

A member of Aelsa's household guided them to their chamber. Loki noticed his wife eyeing the servant suspiciously. Astrid's betrayal had broken Sigyn's trust in others, even those she already knew in Asgard. There was only one person who Sigyn yet trusted and believed in. He just prayed he was worthy of her.

"When you said we could leave Asgard for a while, this is not what I had in mind," his wife complained when they were alone.

"I know." Loki met her sullen expression. "But I would not have brought you here if I did not think it would benefit you. Aelsa may be capricious, but she's a lot like Frigga. She has wisdom only time breeds. And her mother was a fire mage. She can help you. If I recall correctly, asking Aelsa to help you understand your abilities was your own intent when you first came to Alfheim."

"Unless Aelsa can take away my fire, I have little interest in anything she has to say now."

Loki had to keep himself from reacting to that. He had to remember what Sigyn had last done with her fire. Even if it had been entirely justifiable — Astrid would have met her death anyway, either by his hand or at the end of the executioner's blade — Sigyn still took a life. She had crossed the line she had never wanted to cross. It was natural for her to feel this way now, which was precisely why Loki had insisted on coming to Alfheim first.
The raven-haired Prince sat down on the bed beside his wife and took her hand in his. He moved closer to kiss her cheek. "We won't stay long, I promise. Just speak with Aelsa and see if she can help you."

"Loki..."

"Please, my heart."

Sigyn sighed and turned her head to face him. She instantly drew back when his eyes locked with hers. "Oh, no! Don't you dare!"

"What?" Loki asked innocently.

"You're doing that thing again with your eyes!"

"I do a thing with my eyes?" Loki replied in pretend surprise and innocence, keeping his gaze on Sigyn's face.

She scoffed and hit his chest. "Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about, Loki Odinson. You know damn well I cannot say no to you when you look at me like that."

Loki flashed her a mischievous grin. "Really? Well, then... in that case..."

He lowered himself to kiss the side of her neck. The tip of his tongue traced her skin as he went down to her collarbone. Sigyn's whole body trembled at his touch.

"T-That's not... fair."

Loki wanted nothing more than to push Sigyn down onto the bed and take her when he heard her voice falter in desire for him. It had been too long since that last time. But her body hadn't yet fully healed. And Loki would not be the cause of any further pain.
He gave his wife one more kiss just above her bosom before drawing back. The beguiling, pleading look she gave him stirred Loki's entire being. He hated he had to stop when it was obvious they both wanted this more than anything, but it would have to wait. Just a little while longer.

"How about we continue this later? We should get ready to meet Aelsa, anyway. If there's one thing Frigga drilled into me and Thor, it is that we do not keep Queens waiting."

Loki meant to stand, but he suddenly felt Sigyn pull at his hand and wrist with both hands, and he stumbled back onto the bed. Sigyn quickly straddled him so he couldn't get up again. As she slowly lowered her upper body to him, her hips swayed. Loki suppressed a groan when he felt himself get hard. She smiled and whispered, "Looks like this Queen will have to wait a while after all."

***

That stubborn, miserable, devious... Oh, that man! How dare he? Practically throwing himself at me and then using his magic like that! The nerve of him! Oh, he is so... so... Auw! Okay, I need to slow down.

Sigyn halted near the Frost Giant mural halfway through the garden maze. She leaned back against it and took a couple of deep breaths. Pain stung at her hip where Ivar had kicked her. She raked her hand through her hair and grunted in frustration.

Oh, damn him! Fine, so maybe we should take it slow for a bit longer... But that does not excuse what he did!

If Loki had just told Sigyn he thought it was still too soon to make love, she would have accepted that. She would've been disappointed, but she would've loved him all the more for caring so much about her well-being. But no, instead, being the dastardly Trickster that he is, Loki had transformed himself into a snake, slithering away from the bed before Sigyn could do anything to stop him.
When he had then reverted to his normal self again, Loki had had the audacity to tell her she should not exert herself 'in such a manner' when he was the one to have instigated it all in the first place with those maddening seductive eyes of his! The vase from the little table next to the bed had missed him by only an inch, and Sigyn had stormed out of their chamber, not wanting to be around the husband who'd rejected her so impertinently for one second longer.

She hated this. This place, Loki treating her like a fragile child, the pain flaring up at a particular movement... But most of all, she hated the empty feeling inside of her. The hollow that slowly consumed her because of what her family had ripped away from her. Her innocence. Her forgiving heart. Her...
Sigyn's hand moved to her belly. She hadn't thought of the baby that had grown so briefly inside of her since she had finally opened the door to Loki. He took her mind off it, but now that she was alone again... Her fingers clutched at her dress. Frigga had warned her it could be a while yet before she would conceive again. And even if she did, there would be a chance that... The damage done to her could be thus that... she may never... 

Sigyn sank down to the ground. Her tears flowed. Her body ached. And her heart broke all over again. For her loss. And for the future slipping through her fingers.

***

Why had he done that? Sigyn was only just starting to open herself up again. What, in Odin's name, had possessed him to turn his own wife down in such a way? Especially since she was only answering his advances! Loki cursed himself for being the idiot that he was. Sigyn wouldn't forgive him so readily for this. Her expression of shock, rage and utter heartbreak was etched in Loki's mind. 

Why did I use my magic like that? Why didn't I just say we should wait? She would have understood; I know she would have! Instead, I was as coarse and brutish as Thor! 

Loki felt a sting at his chest as the serpent pendant burned his skin again. He picked up the pace, searching for Sigyn left and right. His wife's anger had wavered a bit since she ran away from him, which was a good thing since confronting Sigyn when she was all fired up was basically a suicide mission. However, Loki still felt he would have to tread carefully when he found her — if he found her.
The Elf Queen's court gardens were massive; an impressive maze of hedges, bushes, frescoes, fountains... with a dozen paths going crisscross from one end to the other. Loki had only ever been here a few times while visiting with his family, and if it were not for their bond drawing him to her, it would have been an impossible task to find Sigyn. Fortunately for him, their fight did not affect the magic in the pendant, and it led Loki straight towards her. 

When he saw Sigyn's red hair shining in the setting sun, Loki sighed in relief. He wanted to run toward her and beg her forgiveness, but stayed put when he saw she was not alone. Aelsa was walking beside Sigyn, their arms hooked together as if they were the best of friends. Loki's eyes narrowed in suspicion as he surmised their hushed conversation. 
Sigyn suddenly halted and looked up in his direction. Her emerald eyes glared at him with a look of disdain and disappointment. Another slight heat flared on Loki's skin. She was definitely still angry with him. 
First things first — he had to draw her away from Aelsa. What occurred between them was no business of hers. But Sigyn gave no inclination to excuse herself from the Queen's presence when she saw him coming. Quite the opposite; she drew Aelsa closer to her, daring Loki to speak in front of her.

"Queen Aelsa." Loki bowed to the Elf Queen before directing his attention to his wife. "Sigyn, I require a moment, please."

"Of course, husband. But, surely we can speak freely before our gracious hostess? It does not do to keep a Queen waiting, after all. Especially since there is nothing important that requires our immediate attention. Or is there?"

Loki was left dumbstruck. He had never seen this side of Sigyn before. It was like a replay of her ill-fated first meeting with his brother, only the tone in her voice was much colder. Spiteful. Vindictive, even. He deemed it wise not to press the matter further now. Better when they were alone again.
Aelsa had no reason to break them apart, but that woman held a grudge like none other. Loki preferred not to hand her the means to whatever revenge she would want to take on him — or worse, on Sigyn — should she ever feel either of them insulted her in one way or another.

"You're right, as always, my darling wife." Loki faked a perfect smile. "It is of little import at this time. So perhaps I may offer my service to the two most beautiful flowers in this garden and escort them to dinner instead?"

Aelsa, never shy to accept a compliment, was quick to hook her arm with his as he offered it. Sigyn looked like she would rather be escorted by a bilgesnipe, but eventually took Loki's other hand. He gave a firm squeeze when their eyes met. Now, if only they could make it through the next hours. And the moment they were alone again, he would set things right. Somehow...

***

Sigyn excused herself from dinner early. She had enough of Loki's pretend pleasantries. Not to mention, Aelsa was clearly enjoying the tension between them. The Elf Queen was a true enigma. One moment she was courteous and kind, and the next, she was devious, much like a trickster herself. Sigyn had not nearly spent enough time amongst the Elves and Fae to know if they were all as such. But she was certain of one thing — there was an undeniable kinship with Aelsa. 

The fire running through the Queen's veins, however much her Elf blood had diluted it, called out to Sigyn. It differed from what she sensed with Loki's magic. His was the opposite of hers, yet somehow completed her. Like they were two halves of the same coin. Loki's mere presence always brought Sigyn great comfort (though, perhaps not today). 
But with Aelsa, Sigyn's own force extended tenfold. Now more so than the first time she had been around the Elf Queen. Her senses were sharpened, and her magic tingled at her fingertips and underneath her skin. And oh, the desire she now felt... simply intoxicating. 
More than ever, Sigyn craved everything she had ever longed for in life. The freedom to travel and explore, the strength to use her magic without fear of repercussions, the ability to bend the fire to her will and have control over others, and to...

No! No, I... I don't want that. 

Sigyn's hairbrush dropped from her shaking hand onto the vanity. She slowly raised her eyes to her reflection. It wasn't the first time she had these thoughts, but she had done her best to push back the nightmares and satisfaction over Astrid's death. Yet now she couldn't help but wonder if that one moment, that one taste of her fire bursting out to take a life because she had wanted it, really could have been enough to leave her hungering for more.

The door to the chamber opened. Loki lingered a moment, but then stepped into the room. Sigyn once more felt her anger rising at the mere sight of him. At least he had the decency to look contrite now. Her jaw clenched, and her fingers closed around the handle of the brush, ready to throw it at him if he dared to utter even one wrong word.

Wh-What is happening? Wh-Why do I...?

Sigyn released the brush and shut her eyes. She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly to let her anger out, but it did little to nothing. 
Loki must have noticed something was wrong, for she could hear his footsteps as he came closer. When he touched her shoulder, Sigyn cringed. The fire roared inside of her.

"Sigyn? What is it?" Loki asked tentatively.

"I'm fine," she replied curtly.

"No, something's wrong."

"I said I'm all right. Leave me be."

"Sigyn, you can tell —"

Seething in fury, Sigyn jumped to her feet, her chair dropping to the ground, and rounded on Loki. "You did not care to be with me before, so do not pretend to be the doting husband now!"

He shrank back, hands held up defensively. That's when she saw the fear in his eyes. He had actually recoiled in fear... of her. Sigyn turned back to her mirror. She gasped, aghast at what her reflection showed her. 
It was the vision of her nightmares coming to life. Her eyes were blood-red, like her hair. The pendant at her bosom was alight with dancing little flames, the two golden snakes slithering between each other. She never even noticed they came alive. 

Sigyn sank to her knees. A tear fell onto the carpet. It burned right through the rich fabric, leaving a scorch mark. She hurriedly wiped away the other tears stinging her eyes, not daring to look up when Loki knelt at her side. That expression on his face... It was the very one she had dreaded seeing ever since the nightmares began. 
Loki's arms snaked around her body. At once, Sigyn feared she would burn him and tried to get away again. She attempted to shake him off, but Loki would have none of that and pulled her against him. She felt the familiar cold as Loki let his magic run through the pendants and pressed herself closer to him to take it all in, reassured she wasn't hurting him. 

"I... I'm sorry, I..." Sigyn sobbed, her voice muffled by his sleeve as she clutched his arm. "Loki, I-I did not mean to —"

"Ssh, it's all right." Loki's free hand stroked her hair gently. "I know you didn't. And you have nothing to be sorry for. The fault is mine; I shouldn't have done what I did. I shouldn't have... Sigyn, you must never think I don't want to be with you because I do. I want you now as much as the first time I wanted you. More even. But I fear for you. I don't want to hurt you. And if you were to fall pregnant too soon, if something were to happen because your body did not heal and I lost you... It would be the end of me."

The fire flickered within Sigyn, trying to keep the upper hand, but Loki's words were enough to reduce it to mere smouldering embers. A crushing weight lifted from her heart, and she could finally breathe again. The desire to lie with her husband, to have him inside her and be with him as one was satiated by the one other desire only Loki could ever fulfil. The one that was the most important to her — to be loved. 

***

"We should not have let them go."

Frigga rolled her eyes at her husband. It was the fifth time that evening Odin had said those words. In his mind, Sigyn shutting herself away had been ideal. Because even though the Allfather was fond of his new daughter, he did not easily forget what she was. The lingering threat she posed always remained in the back of his mind.

"They will be fine, husband." Frigga waved his concern away. "Some time away from Asgard to mourn and heal will do them good. All will be well when they return, you'll see."

"You do not worry something will happen to them?" asked Odin. "News of what Sigyn is has already spread across the Nine Realms."

"That was bound to happen. We could not expect the battle at Nornheim to go unnoticed."

"You are going too lightly over this, Frigga. There will always be those seeking power to gain whatever glory and treasure they desire. Not to mention those with more immoral intentions."

"Loki and Sigyn are more than capable of defending themselves. They won't let anything happen to each other or those around them."

Odin sighed wearily. "In normal circumstances, perhaps. But Sigyn has become dangerously unstable because of what happened, and Loki... I do not know what to think of that boy anymore."

Frigga tilted her head at him. She knew Odin's thoughts on Loki changed constantly. Often enough, he scolded the young Prince for his mischief — if he found out about it — but he also praised Loki for his keen, analytical mind and the manner in which he managed himself in ways Thor sometimes failed to do.
She rose from her seat, putting the spell book she had been skimming through back on the table, and joined her husband on the balcony. Her hands rested on his left shoulder, and she reached to kiss his bearded cheek. The hairs prickled her lips, but she was used to it. Odin had always had a neat yet slightly scruffy beard for as long as she could remember. She suppressed a smile at the memory of when Thor had proudly announced to everyone how he would soon sport the same lustrous beard the moment he noticed those first stubbles on his chin.

"Loki is not a boy anymore," she said. "He has changed a lot these past few months, as I knew he would. And it's because of her. Sigyn is his reason for being. And he is hers. But you must allow them some time. They must bloom and grow to follow where their hearts lead and live the way their lives were meant to be lived. Please, dearest, have faith."

Odin glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "I do, Frigga. But I cannot help but feel uneasy as well. Loki's true intentions for Sigyn may yet be what I fear them to be. He may yet want her for her powers and —"

"He does not."

"And with those powers, he can do unimaginable damage to the Nine Realms. He can become the ruler of us all if we are not careful. And need I remind you of what Sigyn herself can do?"

Frigga grunted in frustration and pushed herself away from Odin, tired of hearing her husband speak in such a manner about their son and daughter. His fingers closed around her wrist before she could walk away.

"I know what happened to the girl, Frigga," he said. "I know Sigyn killed Astrid out of distress and outrage for what her actions brought about. Think of what would happen if Sigyn was to be betrayed like that again. Think of what she would do if she discovered it truly was all just a ploy and that Loki simply thought it better to have her around, under his control, and to not make the same mistakes with her as with Ingrid."

The Queen of Asgard averted herself from Odin, casting her eyes down. No, she would not think of the things that could happen. Neither should anyone else. If only they would all just stop being so infuriatingly stubborn and see what was right in front of them.

"I will only say this one more time," Frigga spoke in a clear and stately voice as she met her husband's expectant gaze. "Loki loves Sigyn. And she loves him. Their magic has bonded as they themselves have through words, bodies, and hearts. Their love is eternal like ours is, so do not doubt their intentions for each other again."

"If their love is true, as you claim it is, then answer me this; what will happen if one of them gets hurt again? Or worse, if one of them dies? Do you honestly believe they will simply mourn and move on? Or will they do everything and more, at any cost necessary, to undo what has been done?"

Frigga returned Odin's intense look, but said nothing. She couldn't. For it was the one thing she hadn't considered in her entire scheme to bring Loki and Sigyn together. All that mattered was their love and how they would bring about the most wondrous things together. But now her husband left her to wonder — what if in the end Loki and Sigyn's love turned out to be the very thing that set about events that might destroy them all?

***

"Now let's see, there can only be a few reasons the Trickster would come to me under the cover of night. Either you plan to involve me in your mischief, or you want to ask me something you don't want others to know about. Not even your wife. Hmm... It could not possibly be you decided to share my bed after all, could it?"

"You saying the offer still stands?"

"For you? Always."

Loki chuckled at Aelsa's boldness. He had been surprised she still agreed to meet with him so late at night, but he was beginning to understand her motives. She would certainly allow him in her bed, but she would also ensure Sigyn would find them together. This was a test, just like she had done with Thor. But Loki was not a fool like his brother. If Aelsa truly believed she could trick the Trickster into betraying his wife, she was sorely mistaken.

"I could just as easily have come here to assassinate you," prompted Loki as he walked toward the Elf Queen sitting in a lounge chair by her balcony, dressed in a see-through silver nightgown which left nothing to the imagination. 

"And start a war between our people?" Aelsa laughed heartily. "I think not. Your brother might be stupid enough to do that, but not you. Your motives are personal. They were when we last spoke all those months ago, and they are now as well. So tell me, what is that I can do for you, oh Dark Prince of Asgard?"

She moved her feet so Loki could sit with her on the chair. He made sure to leave enough distance between them.

"You are right in saying my motives are personal. Yet I do not require your help for me, but for my wife." Loki noticed he had the Queen's attention by the subtle raise of her brow and continued, "I've been teaching Sigyn how to control her magic and use other powers as well. Illusions, small charms, that sort of thing. But since she has... Since Astrid's death, Sigyn has lost control again. She loses her temper quicker than usual and mistrusts anyone she comes across, except for myself. I need to know if there is something that can be done to help her regain control."

"Is that what Sigyn wants, too?" questioned Aelsa.

"She... said she would rather not have any powers at all. We know there is a way. Sigyn's mother was stripped of her fire when she was young. Sigyn has expressed her... mind that it would be the best course of action."

Aelsa pinched her lips. Clearly, she did not like what she was hearing. The Elf blood coursing through Aelsa's veins cropped up the fire magic, letting it out only on the rarest occasions. But she could not use it as her own mother could. Sigyn was a purer fire mage than Aelsa, or any of her children, could ever hope to be. So hearing that she would turn down such great power, her birthright... It seemed unfathomable to Aelsa.

"There is a way, indeed," said the Elf Queen with a click of her tongue. "But it does not come without cost. By taking away her fire, we would also take a part of Sigyn herself. Every mage reacts differently to it, of course, but considering Lady Sunna's actions directly resulted from what her mother did to her, you can understand why I am not keen to do this. Not unless Sigyn is absolutely certain this is what she wants, and she has fully recovered from her ordeal."

"Believe me," said Loki. "I would prefer her not to choose this path either, which is exactly why I brought her here. You possess the same powers Sigyn has, so you know what she is capable of. You are the only one we can turn to, the only one who understands the full extent of her powers. If you know of anything or anyone that can help her, you must tell me. If not... I will have no choice but to respect my wife's decision."

Aelsa sat quietly, sizing Loki up and down as she fiddled with a lock of silver hair. He shifted uncomfortably at her pensive gaze. Without taking her eyes off him, she said, "When I offered myself to you, you refused me because you wanted another. You wanted Sigyn. I always assumed it was only because you didn't want your brother to have her and because you wanted her powers to be at your own disposal. Even now, I still doubt you do not want her fire for yourself. Your reputation does you no favours. But just like the Allfather has his birds here, I have my own little spies in Asgard. I know what you have risked and done for her. You raised an army to retrieve your wife. You alone stayed at her door when she locked herself away for weeks. Any other would have cut his losses and given up. So either you are the most patient man I have ever come across, to wait and do so much to possess the ultimate power, or... you truly love her."

Loki had to keep himself from throttling Aelsa. That she would dare to question his love for Sigyn! She was just like all the others who whispered behind his back. The only difference was Aelsa actually dared to say it to his face. 
Loki rose to his feet, slightly trembling in anger. The Elf Queen curiously tilted her head to him. Her eyes pierced through Loki as if she were trying to see what was in his heart. He turned and walked away. Why had he ever believed this vixen would offer any help? 

"Go to Midgard," Aelsa suddenly called out, halting him as he reached the door of her chamber. "To the North, where mortal men once idolised both our people. There is someone who might be able to help Sigyn."

Loki looked over his shoulder. "Who? How will we find him?"

"She will find you. You have my word." 

Blindly trusting the Queen of Alfheim was a mistake. But what if she was right and there really was someone in the North of Midgard who could help Sigyn?

"Thank you," said Loki. "We will leave in the morning."

Aelsa snickered. "Hmm, perhaps not so patient after all." 

Loki did not even dignify that with a response. Instead, he again reached to open the door of the Queen's chamber. 

"A word of advice, Trickster; do not refuse your wife again."

He froze, hand on the handle. Slowly, Loki turned back around. Aelsa still sat in her chair in a perfectly alluring pose, as befitted the Queen of Alfheim. She fiddled with her hair again and gave an exasperated sigh upon meeting his perplexed expression.

"Fire mages can sense each other's longings, little Prince. Sigyn's deepest desire is for you. Your love, your kiss, your touch... She burns to have you inside her again. Now, she can quell her own passion if she is strong enough with no ill result, but it is a different matter entirely when she finds resistance from the outside. The fire within her does not accept defeat and pushes on until it bursts out, all the while fuelling certain other desires. Desires Sigyn doesn't want to feel, but that suddenly make perfect sense for someone in her current state of mind. If she gives in to those... well, let's just say Astrid will only be the first of many. And when that happens, you will be forced to choose between the woman you claim to love and the rest of the universe. So I suggest you set your fears aside, trust your wife in knowing her own body, and answer her longing for you. It is a simple choice to make, little Prince. But make it, you must. And soon."