Of all the places the Allfather could have summoned him to, the Vault was the last place Loki had expected. Asgard's treasury was strictly off-limits, especially to him. There had been the occasional visit with Thor under his father's watchful eye in his childhood, but since then, Loki hadn't been permitted anywhere near the room. 
He' tried to get in once, when he was still a princeling. Not necessarily to cause mischief, but to test his skills. To his astonishment, the door had opened rather easily for his magic, but it'd been a trap. Odin had known about Loki's intent the moment he'd appeared in the corridor leading to the Vault and had allowed him access, only to awaken the Destroyer once inside. His father had waited outside, mildly amused by Loki's failed attempt but also impressed by his narrow escape of the great sentinel. He'd warned him not to try again, a warning Loki had taken to heart.

Father knows I've not come near the Vault again, he pondered. I may test the limits of his patience a lot, but not on this. Why would he ask we meet there instead of the throne room, or even his chambers? 

Anxious, Loki turned the corner, halting to find the Allfather already awaiting his arrival. Odin's usual stern expression was soft today, almost kind even. Loki did not trust this at all. He greeted Odin cautiously. "Father... you wanted to see me?" 

"Yes, thank you for coming so quickly." The door to the Vault opened. "Please, come in with me."

Loki followed at what he deemed a safe distance. He didn't believe Odin would ever harm him, but the man had a temper, and it didn't bode well he wanted to discuss something away from interruption and without Frigga's interference. The son scrutinised the father as they descended into the Vault, wondering what he had planned.

"How have you been, Loki?" asked Odin casually. "Since returning to Asgard, I mean? You were gone for a long time."

"Um... well enough, I suppose. Not much has changed in thirty years."

"And yet, everything has."

Loki cocked his head questioningly when Odin beckoned him down with him. He hesitated a moment, looking to see if the Destroyer was still tucked away before finally sitting beside his father on the steps.

"How is Sigyn?"

His father's question caught Loki by surprise. Odin talked to Sigyn plenty of times. He knew perfectly well how she was. "Why do you ask?" 

"Can I not inquire how my daughter fares?"

Now Loki knew something was wrong. Odin had never called Sigyn his daughter aloud before — not before they left for Midgard, nor since they returned two months ago. Despite the occasional public sign of affection and their conversations at the dinner table, Loki knew Odin yet feared Sigyn. If he even had the slightest reason for believing the fire mage was a threat, he would act, removing the most important obstacle first. 
Loki prepared himself for the worst, expecting that at any moment, the Destroyer or Heimdall would jump out to contain him while Odin ordered for his wife's arrest or worse. His father noted his caution and spoke, "You have nothing to fear, Loki. I promise I truly only wish to know how she is."

"Sigyn is well," answered Loki carefully. "She is happy to be with family."

"And we are happy with her," Odin reacted. "Apart from being a rare beauty, Sigyn is one of the most intelligent and caring beings I have ever encountered. And our people have taken her into their heart."

"As she has them."

The Allfather nodded. "She would have made an excellent Queen."

Loki scoffed under his breath. As if Odin would have ever allowed his precious firstborn to be bound in matrimony to a fire mage. That (pretend) arrangement had been Thor's idea, not his. Odin would have given them a few days, perhaps a week or two, and then he would have ensured something to befall Sigyn. An accident, or an assassination attempt on the Crown Prince where his new bride instead got caught in the crossfire. And if this terrible tragedy had then turned out to kill Loki's illegitimate child as well, all the better. 

"She may yet be," said Loki, deciding to stir up the pot. "Sigyn is the second Lady of Asgard, as long as Thor remains unwed. And the way his standards are set, I believe that may yet be a while."

Odin's hearty chuckle made Loki narrow his eyes. Since when did his father laugh — or show any emotion — at quips? He watched as Odin looked ahead, his arms resting on his knees. The casualness wasn't a good look on him. This wasn't a mighty King in the mightiest of the Nine Realms, but a simple man, old and weary, who seemed to contemplate what to say next. 

"Loki," began Odin then, "I owe you an apology. Until recently, I believed you seduced and married Sigyn for your own gain or your next grand scheme. But I have watched you closely these past two months and found I couldn't have been more wrong. A person's truest love only happens once in a lifetime, even one as long as ours. It warms my heart to see you have found yours. I did not believe it possible, but I must admit I now see what Frigga sees. I am truly sorry I did not see that before."

Loki stared at his father, completely lost for words. He tried to see past the lie. He tried to look beyond the seemingly contrite man before him to find the harsh King he knew Odin to be. But it was almost as if that King had made way for this whole new person. This stranger who filled Loki's heart and mind with even more fear and suspicion. How far would Odin go in his deception? And if he was speaking the truth, what had possibly brought this sudden epiphany on? 

"You have nothing to say?" Odin glanced up at his silence. 

"I'm not sure what to say," admitted Loki. "You've never apologised for anything to me before. Not directly, anyway. You usually sent Mother to be your voice."

"In this, I thought it best if I spoke the words myself." 

"I... I thank you. Truly. This means a lot to me."

Odin nodded, his mouth curled up in a slight smile. "There is one more thing I wished to discuss with you, though. Starting today, you will be the Keeper of the Vault."

Loki's mouth dropped as his eyes widened in shock. Odin was naming him, the Trickster, as guardian of the most powerful objects in the whole of Asgard? "Me? You jest, surely."

"I do not," said his father. "I've pondered long about this, Loki. Were you still the man you used to be, I would not even have considered this. But I find you much changed. Love changed you. You opened your heart to Sigyn, something I never thought you would do for anyone, and she helped you grow into the man you are now. Not merely a Trickster, but a Prince Asgard can be proud of, as your recent actions speak for themselves. Tutoring your wife's handmaiden, working with the healers... and correct me if I'm wrong, but did I not see you join Sigyn's play with the courtiers' children in Frigga's garden a few days ago?"

Loki had indeed done all of that, but certainly not without reason. He'd agreed to teach Rúna how to read and write properly because he saw the merit of Sigyn's plan in making Rúna loyal to them. So far, it was working, too, as the girl's trust in him grew with each passing day. 
Working with the healers was another personal benefit, since they alone had access to the apothecary, where some of the more potent and dangerous herbs were kept. Loki sometimes took a bare minimum for his personal stock. One never knew when one might need it for a rainy day, after all. 
As to playing along with those children, he'll admit that was out of character. He'd been observing Sigyn as she was chased around and had been mesmerised by her. Her red hair shining like a flame-engulfed ruby in the sun, her emerald eyes sparkling with joy and the sound of her sweet laugh... It'd pulled Loki in, and before he knew it, she'd tagged him into the game, to the great amusement of the children and Frigga and Thor, who were once again discussing a potential marriage match. 

"I have shared my thoughts with your mother as well," continued Odin. "We are both in agreement you have earned this chance."

It was all Loki had ever dreamt of. His father's trust and approval. So why did this feel like a poisoned gift?

He's testing me. The strongest magic in Asgard is stowed in the Vault. Odin would never give me free rein to his treasures. Not unless he wants to see what I will do with all of this at my disposal. 

"I thank you," spoke Loki. "I will let you know my answer shortly."

"You hesitate?" Odin gave him a quizzical look. "I thought you would have leapt at this chance?"

"You asked your wife for advice, and I will do the same with mine."

The Allfather appeared taken aback by Loki's reply, as he straightened and regarded his son carefully. But Loki wouldn't be goaded into accepting the position. He had to speak to Sigyn first. She would undoubtedly have her own opinion of his father's motives. They would decide on what to do together. 

"Very well." Odin nodded in agreement. "Whenever you are ready."

The pair climbed back up the steps. Loki had to keep himself from glancing back. A single look into the Vault's vast hold could make Odin think his son was already concocting his next scheme, despite his refusal to commit. But when they reached the door, Loki halted, a thought striking him. Now that he had his father's ear and apparent trust, he might as well plunge in. 

"Father... if you would allow me just another moment of your time?" The King of Asgard turned to his son, silently prompting Loki to continue, "Forgive me if I am out of line, but I must speak my mind of my brother."

Odin sighed. "What has Thor done now?"

"My concern is not about Thor."

The Allfather's jaw clenched. Loki feared he had already overstepped, but to his surprise, Odin said, "I believe I know what you wish to say. Go on."

"I have been observing Baldur closely these past weeks, and I dislike what I see. He is out of control, Father. Arrogant and overconfident, even more so than Thor, to my great astonishment. He doesn't care about what his actions can bring about. There have been no further incidents since the courtyard two months ago, but I fear it is just a matter of time."

Loki waited for a reaction. If Odin confided in him, like he claimed he did, he would listen to him now. If not, he could be forced to deal with Baldur himself. Though, perhaps, the brat might just be his own undoing. Give a bad boy enough rope, and he'll soon make a jackass of himself. Loki would've gladly let that happen had he not seen with his own eyes what Baldur's magic was capable of. 

"I share your concern," Odin finally said. "I, too, see what you see and fear what you fear. Yet Frigga assures me she has it in hand. I put my faith in her when it comes to my children. Still, I appreciate you spoke to me, Loki. Perhaps we can ensure your brother does not cross the line together."

Not the answer he was hoping for, but still better than nothing. Loki bowed his head, accepting the Allfather's judgment. The Vault's big door closed behind them, and the guards resumed their post. Father and son were about to part ways when they perceived running footsteps through the corridor. Loki looked up to Sigyn's handmaiden coming straight toward him, waving wildly to get his attention. 

"My Lord Loki! My Lord, please, you must come quickly!" 

"Rúna? Whoa, slow down." Loki held his hand up, making the girl halt in front of him. "What are you doing here? Where is Sigyn?"

"Sh-She's with... the healers," panted Rúna, trying desperately to catch her breath. "The... The Queen told me to... to come for you."

"She's what? What happened?"

"I don't know, she just fainted! My Lord, please hurry!"

***

Sigyn stared at Frigga in bewilderment. Her hands gripped the bedsheets bed tightly. Her lip quivered as she fully came to understand what she had just been told. Tears welled in her eyes. 

"Are... Are you sure?" she asked in a voice that was barely audible. 

"Yes, my dear," said Frigga. 

There was a bustle of loud voices outside, and suddenly, Loki burst into the room. He rushed to Sigyn's side and gripped her by her shaking shoulders. 

"What happened?" he demanded. "Are you all right?"

"I... I'm fine." Sigyn stifled a sob. 

"No, something's wrong. Tell me what happened!"

"I'm... I'm..."

"You're what? Sigyn, you're what?"

"Loki... I'm with child."

Loki stiffened. He drew back, his mouth agape and his eyes wide. He looked from Sigyn to his mother, silently asking for confirmation. 

"A little over seven weeks," Frigga said with a bright smile.

Loki faced Sigyn again, eyes moving down to her belly. He let go of her shoulders and carefully touched her abdomen with the tip of his fingers. Sigyn pressed his hand completely against her and let her own rest above his. She could have sworn she felt something inside of her then. Something stirring. Fluttering. 

"I'm with child." Her tears rolled down her cheeks as she spoke the words again, clearer this time.

Loki sobbed and laughed. He had never admitted it out loud for her sake, but Sigyn knew he had been hoping and praying just as hard as she had. His blue eyes were filled with relief, gratitude, but most of all, love.
The couple fell into each other's arms. Their pendants clung together, and the magic inside surged. The most wonderful sensation coursed through Sigyn's entire being, pooling in her belly, where the consummation of their bond was growing.
At long last.

***

"I heard Sigyn was taken to the healers. Have you heard anything?"

"No, I haven't seen her all day. Nor Loki or Mother, for that matter."

"You don't think something's wrong, do you? Something bad?"

Thor met Baldur's concerned look. His youngest brother might have a strained relationship with Loki and Sigyn, but he cared. Especially for her. 
The day after the incident in the courtyard, Sigyn had reprimanded all three Odinsons so severely, none had dared to speak against her. She had made Baldur swear he would be more careful with his magic and pay attention to both Loki and Frigga instead of getting enticed into reckless behaviour by Thor and the Warriors Three — he'd regrettably reverted to old habits already — whilst Thor and Loki had to promise they would genuinely help their brother in his training. 
Thor had been most surprised to see Sigyn scolded Loki as well that day. Though admittedly, in Sigyn's eyes, Loki's only fault was not acting more warmly and accommodating toward his sibling. Since then, they reached out to each other. Sometimes. Once a week, at the very least. It was better than nothing, anyway.

"I am certain there is nothing amiss," Thor spoke reassuringly, patting Baldur on the shoulder. "If there were, we would have heard by now. Now come, we must not be late for dinner."

He pulled his little brother along to the hall. They met with Sif on their way and then with the Warriors Three just outside. Thor instantly noticed an unusual tumult. He asked Volstagg about it, but the big brute only had eyes for the giant boar the servants brought in. Fandrall answered in his stead. "The Allfather and Queen called everyone to the hall for an announcement." 

Thor raised a brow. What could they possibly have to say? And without informing him first? He was the Crown Prince of Asgard. If something had happened within the borders of their realm, he should have been the first to learn. 
He peered toward the dais to see Loki standing with Odin and Frigga. His brother had his back turned to him, but from the look on his father's face, nothing bad appeared to be going on. Though with Loki, one could never really know. Once a Trickster, always a Trickster.

"Excuse me, Your Highness?"

Thor jumped at the sound of the young female voice behind him. When he turned, he found himself face to face with Sigyn's handmaiden, Rúna. The girl's ash brown hair hung loose around her shoulders, pushed back only by her headband. Her grey eyes were lightly made up with some blue and purple shades, matching the colours of her dress. 
Fandrall smiled kindly to her, bowing his head in greeting, and Rúna's cheeks flushed pink. The young warrior had that effect on most ladies at court, but Thor sincerely hoped he would remember this girl was barely into adulthood. Not to mention what Sigyn would do if Fandrall did anything to upset her. She might have been reluctant to accept Rúna at first, but the two were thick as thieves now. 

"Forgive me, Your Highness," said Rúna, "but Lady Sigyn asked that I bring you to her." 

"Me? What for? Has something occurred?" 

"Please, come."

Thor immediately followed the girl out, entrusting Baldur to Sif and the others. Thousands of questions ran through his mind as Rúna led him to Frigga's garden. When he saw Sigyn standing at the Yggdrasil Fountain, he ran toward her. "What is it? Are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm fine." Sigyn smiled. "I'm sorry I made Rúna come and get you. I just wanted you to hear it from me first and not with everyone else when we announced it."

"Announced what?" asked Thor, his heart racing furiously in his chest.

Sigyn took his hands and pinched them lovingly. Her emerald eyes met his, and she beamed. "You are going to be an uncle."

Thor's breath caught. Had he heard her correctly? An uncle? So that meant... "You're with child?"

"I am."

Thor laughed and pulled her into his arms, embracing her lovingly. On the outside, he was quick to share his joy with Sigyn, yet inside, his heart wrenched. Even after thirty years, the Crown Prince had always maintained a sliver of hope Sigyn might grow tired of Loki or that they would fall apart because of his mischief and deceptions.
And he knew he shouldn't feel that way. He had brought them together, after all. Sigyn and Loki would never have married if it hadn't been for him. He had accepted their love and set the plan in motion that would determine the rest of their lives. But at times, Thor couldn't help but feel he'd made the wrong decision and wondered what would have happened if he had married Sigyn instead. 

Her family would never have taken her that day. She would never have lost the child she carried then. Even if it had been Loki's, and even if the whole of Asgard had known the truth, Thor truly believed he would have still loved it as his own. 
But Sigyn would not have been happy with him. Not like she was with Loki. And now, this baby was proof their bond, their love, stood stronger than ever. It was the last cut in the heart that was wounded so long ago. 

It was over. Thor had truly lost his Ysolde... for good.

***

They gathered in the darkest hour of the night. A single floating lantern guided each of them to their sacred shrine, at the foot of the highest mountain in Asgard. One came from the world of demons and men, one from the mystical land of the Fae, and one from the slumbering golden palace below. 
The three Queens unveiled themselves and embraced as sisters would. A bond of blood was unnecessary between them. They stood connected as rulers, as women, and as the most powerful magic wielders of their age. 

"Thank you both for coming on such short notice," started Frigga.

"We know you wouldn't have done so if you had no cause for it," said Aelsa. "Is it what I think it is?"

The Elf Queen's sapphire eyes twinkled at Frigga's confirming nod. Karnilla cleared her throat. "Am I to be included in this? Or must I guess to the reason for our gathering?"

"Do you remember the letter I sent you two months ago?" inquired Frigga.

"About Loki and his wife returning? Yes, of course. You asked that we consider Sigyn to join our sisterhood. You know my feelings towards the girl, Frigga."

"I do. Yet, the situation has changed." She paused a moment. "Sigyn is expecting."

Aelsa's impish grin broadened. She twirled around in glee; the moonlight making her silver hair dance and shimmer in the surrounding darkness. Karnilla, however, was less pleased with the news and eyed Frigga suspiciously. 

"What did you do?" she demanded.

"I don't know what you mean."

"Oh, please." Karnilla scoffed at Frigga's innocent reply. "I recall you told me a year ago Sigyn had failed to conceive these past thirty years. And now, the moment she returns to Asgard, she falls pregnant? Do you honestly expect me to believe you had no hand in this? Would you truly cross that line for the sake of your precious Loki? You know the price for that sort of magic, as well as Aelsa and I do. When life is created, another life must be forfeited. I'm frankly surprised you, of all people, would even do this, Frigga. You witnessed first-hand what happened centuries ago when that little minx tried to bend the ancient laws to suit her own desires and nearly destroyed both your sons in the process!"

"Karnilla, I assure you, I have done nothing of the sort," reacted Frigga. "I keep myself to the laws of both our sisterhood and the powers we wield. What happened in the past will never occur again, so I would appreciate you not mentioning that time or that person again."

The Norn Queen huffed and crossed her arms. Her luscious black locks fell forward at her disapproving head motion, and her dark brown eyes averted from the other Queens. She was the youngest among them, and it was times like these when the age difference was more than noticeable. 
Though Aelsa was the eldest — Frigga didn't know how old exactly and did not think it proper to ask — she had the most youthful appearance and mind. It was only by her knowledge, and perhaps her temper, too, one could tell she had lived a hundred, if not a thousand lifetimes.
Frigga herself was often considered the wise woman among them, knowing both the pleasures and struggles of a husband and children, but in logic and order, Karnilla far outdid either of them. Because of this, the Mistress of Magic was often seen as cruel and rather cold-hearted. 

Yet to her sisters, Karnilla was a kind and benevolent woman who only sought the best for her people. For this reason, both Frigga and Aelsa understood Karnilla's reservations about accepting Sigyn as one of their own.
To give a fire mage even a bit more power could have disastrous consequences. But seeing the current situation, they might not have a choice anymore. The time had come to lay all cards out on the table.

"Sigyn's problem was not in that she could not conceive," explained Frigga to Karnilla. "Far from it, in fact."

"Our fiery ruby can make babies in the usual fun way," chipped Aelsa in as she spun around Karnilla. "She needs no help with that. All she needs is her husband, which I can't imagine ever going wrong, considering who that is."

She winked at Frigga and then swayed in place before the Norn Queen, whose annoyance radiated around her like flares bursting from the sun. Aelsa was unperturbed and continued, "The main issue is Sigyn's fire. A tiny embryo growing in the womb has no way of defending itself against such a force. Only one in a hundred children conceived are actually born to a fire mage. I won't bore you with the details, but let's just say if the mage's flame is not passed on during conception, death is the only outcome. I doubt Sigyn ever knew whether she carried a child these past decades; either it burned away without a trace or she miscarried in such an early stage it could've easily been misinterpreted as a late course. The wounds she sustained from her brothers didn't help much either, I reckon."

Aelsa's rocking movements stopped. Her cheerful demeanour saddened. She looked from Karnilla to Frigga with such dolefulness, Frigga's motherly instinct screamed at her to offer comfort.

"That first baby would've been a new mage," spoke Aelsa. "I felt the remnants of another fire inside of Sigyn when I saw her last. As if it was still clinging, hoping for some miracle, maybe."

Frigga gazed silently at the Elf Queen. Aelsa rarely revealed this side of her. It was something different from the raging fury or the playful visionary she was most of the time. Yet, the heritage her mother had passed on was always a delicate subject. For the longest time, Aelsa had stood as the last fire mage, unable to conceive anything but Elfen children because of her own heritage. With Sigyn, whose bloodline Aelsa had traced back to the very first fire mage, thus rendering it the purest, a whole new generation could follow. Something the Elf Queen yearned for beyond anything.

"Regardless," Karnilla clicked her tongue, "my point still stands. You just said there was a one in a hundred chance her baby would live. None did in the thirty years they spend on Midgard, and I think we can all agree Loki and Sigyn have shared their marital bed plenty during that period. They return to Asgard, and suddenly, she has a living baby growing in her belly. Tell me again she was not aided in this."

Ever the voice of logic and reason, thought Frigga.

"You're right, Karnilla. Sigyn was aided, but not in the way you believe. Protecting a life already created, even when still in a woman's womb, does not break any of our laws."

"Mercy's sake, speak plainly, Frigga! What did you do?"

"During my last visit to Alfheim," explained Frigga, "I voiced my concerns about Sigyn to Aelsa. She was kind enough to tell me a story of a fire mage who found a way to safeguard all children in their mother's womb, regardless of them having their own fire."

The Norn Queen turned to the silver-haired Elf, who resumed her swaying, basking once again in the clear white moonlight. "It took a while for someone to finally understand this," said Aelsa, "when really it's quite simple; a balance must be created with a mage's flame. A natural balance."

"Natural?" Karnilla raised her brow at Aelsa. "Oh, you don't mean... the Frost Giants?"

Aelsa flashed her pearly teeth. "My mother's friend Gilda fell into a trap set up by her King and lover in her youth and was sold to those perverse creatures. During her captivity, she learned she was with child. She was convinced she would miscarriage, like the times before, but to her great surprise, the baby lived. A fellow mage saved Gilda two days after giving birth. They came to the obvious conclusion that being in those harsh temperatures, surrounded by ice and snow, saved her baby, despite it not possessing a flame. Together, they set up a network for other female mages to travel to those frozen wastelands as quickly as possible, keeping them safe from the Frost Giants and aiding them in the delivery. Even now, there are still many born from fire mages who were spared from Bor and Odin's genocide because they do not have the flame."

"But surely the Frost Giants would have known if a fire mage entered their domain and remained there for months?" demanded Karnilla. "They might be brainless brutes, but a fire mage is no simple sorcerer. Such a force would have been spotted, even by those beasts."

"I'll not deny the few incidents that took place. But because Gilda had been their captive for so long, she learned much from observing the Frost Giants and their land. Many mages and their children survived, thanks to her. Including my mother."

The Elf Queen fell silent once more. She turned away, looking up at the moon above. Both Karnilla and Frigga allowed her to reminisce a moment and continued between themselves.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but Sigyn is still in Asgard, is she not?" inquired Karnilla. "I highly doubt the Allfather would allow his fire mage to fall into Laufey's hands. How do you plan on taking her to Jotünheim and keeping her there until the birth without her absence being noticed? Even you cannot fool your husband and maintain an illusion for that long, Frigga."

"Sigyn can stay here with us," answered Frigga. "All has been taken care of."

"In what way?"

"Apart from being a powerful fire mage, Aelsa's mother, Iridessa, may she rest in peace, was also a very skilled alchemist. She worked with Gilda to find another way to help the mages, without needing to endanger themselves to the Frost Giants. Unfortunately, this was around the same time Bor decided the fire mages were growing too powerful, and they could not complete their work. Gilda was among the first slain. Iridessa later gave herself up after years of running to protect her daughter, but not before passing her knowledge on to Aelsa. We finished what Gilda and Iridessa started when Sigyn and Loki told us they were coming back home, so we could help them."

The Norn Queen's dark eyes flashed from Frigga to Aelsa. She disliked things being kept from her, especially since openness and honesty were pivotal in the sisterhood. But there had been no time to inform Karnilla of anything. And frankly, Frigga didn't need anyone's permission to aid her family; she'd done what she had to do.
Finally, Karnilla gave an exasperated sigh and asked, "Do you mind telling me then what you did to Sigyn, or am I to be kept in the dark?"

"I gave her a compound made with the essence of ice magic. Now, no matter where Sigyn is, she will always carry ice and frost within her."

"And how, pray tell, did you manage this?"

"I didn't." Frigga smiled. "It was Loki who provided the key element for the spell."

Karnilla's irritation wavered. Her eyes widened as she grasped Frigga's meaning. She looked toward Aelsa, who threw a mischievous glance underneath her long eyelashes.

"I thought Loki could not access his true powers outside Jotünheim?" she questioned then. 

"He can't," replied Frigga. "But we did not tap into his powers, only his core magic. Thanks to our work, that will now forever be present inside Sigyn, only coming out when she falls pregnant. It will balance her fire, ensuring her baby doesn't get consumed by it. As long as Sigyn doesn't attempt to use her fire, neither she nor Loki need to know of this."

"And what if she does?"

Aelsa smirked and chuckled. "I will offer advice, of course. From one fire mage to another."

Karnilla shook her head and ran a hand through her hair. "All this for a fire mage and her halfbreed husband... Tread carefully, Frigga. There will come a day when they will discover the truth. When it does, you best hope Loki loves his family enough to overlook the lie you have been feeding him his entire life."

"He does. I know he does."

But even as she said it, Frigga's heart twisted in doubt. There was only one person Loki loved unconditionally, and that was Sigyn. If she turned him away because of what he truly was or if Loki, for some reason, convinced himself she was in on the deception...
Odin's voice echoed in Frigga's mind. His warning about Sigyn lashing out at losing Loki's love suddenly seemed more real now than ever before. Frigga hoped her daughter was strong enough to face whatever was thrown at her. The fate of not only their family but all within the Nine Realms and beyond might come to rest on Sigyn's shoulders after all.