Though it had been many a century since Loki had last laid eyes upon the Queen of Olympus, he found almost no change in Hera. Her golden hair was braided around her hair like a coronet, and her rich burgundy and green garbs echoed the majesty of her sacred peacock. She was much like Frigga, with an ageless beauty and greatness befitting her standing in the pantheon. Yet despite her grace and physical attractiveness, none had a more vindictive nature.
Loyalty was something very few among the Grecians understood. Many of them were unfaithful with mortals or each other, and even took men and women against their will or through trickery and magic, following the King of Olympus' example. Zeus had spat at the concept of marriage despite having chosen Hera as his wife, and since the Goddess wasn't strong enough to deal with him directly, she set upon his conquests and whatever offspring came from them.

Loki grew even more anxious when he recalled all the stories. Sigyn had come to Asgard under the belief she was to be Thor's. Would Hera consider that as unfaithfulness, even though Sigyn and Thor had done nothing more than kiss? And what of him? He had never cheated on any of his bedmates as long as he was with them, but that alone wouldn't be enough for a being such as Hera.
Before Sigyn, Loki hadn't even considered what true love entailed. He'd been under the belief saying 'I love you' was enough, yet both people he'd spoken those words to had betrayed him without a moment's hesitation. Loki had sworn to do better and not hurt anyone like he'd been hurt each time. Yet his mischievousness had made him forsake that vow. He had used the multitude of his fleeting partners to serve his needs in either a mere temporary sexual release or to gain power and knowledge. He'd even allowed himself to be used if that ultimately benefitted him.

I wouldn't blame Hera if she rules against me, thought Loki miserably. Every misfortune Sigyn has had to endure has been because of me. We lost our children because those I wronged in the past sought vengeance. There are countless others who could come after me, after her... so how can I let Sigyn put herself in danger by staying with me?

Loki lingered at the bottom of the steps as Sigyn, Rúna, and Fandrall climbed the steps of Hera's temple. If he left now, he could protect Sigyn from any further misery. He would return to Asgard and have their marriage dissolved, so she would be free of him.

By all the Norns, what am I thinking? Odin and Frigga won't accept a divorce unless Sigyn consents as well, or unless I provide probable cause. Besides, if l leave her now after all she has done for me, it will only further the rumours about our marriage being a scam. Nobody will believe I'm stepping aside for her sake. They'll just think I finally got what I wanted from her, or worse, that I'm cutting my losses. And I refuse to let Thor have another chance to marry her. He's even less deserving of her than I am. But what can I do?

"Why do you stay back?"

Loki's head jerked toward Hermes. The Greek Trickster regarded him with curiosity... and concern. It was the same expression Loki had beheld the day before in the tavern.

"Making sure this isn't a trap," he answered, not wanting to reveal the true reason for his delay.

"It isn't," said Hermes. "You can trust Hera and me."

Loki scoffed and moved forward, but was abruptly pulled back as Hermes gripped his arm. The Grecian gasped, and Loki met his shocked, wide-eyed gaze as he realised too late Hermes was using his abilities on him again.

"You can't," whispered Hermes. "Please... not that."

"Mind your own business, Hermes." Loki tried to pry himself free, but was up against an unyielding clutch.

"It is my business if you're planning to kill yourself. By all the Fates, Loki, how can you even think that will solve anything? Do you not know by now Sigyn will either join you in the afterlife or change the very fabric of the universe to have you in her arms again?"

Of course, how could he have forgotten? He had only recently been given proof of it. Sigyn had risked everything in facing Mephisto to reclaim his soul and life, so it was fair to assume she would go beyond that if she believed there was even a sliver of a chance of being reunited. That desire would fuel her fire until it consumed her, as it had countless fire mages before her. Her power was one of the greatest Loki had ever sensed, and he wasn't sure even the Allfather himself could stop her if she gave in to her grief and single-mindedly pursued her desire to have him back... Norns, she could destroy the Nine Realms and kill millions.

"Loki, hear me, please," pleaded Hermes. "I've come upon many kinds of love when guiding souls to Hades, and I swear to you, none were ever as pure as what I sense in both your hearts. Were Eros here with us now, he would echo my words. You are reaching your truest potential thanks to Sigyn, and she hers thanks to you. Do not leave her to fend for herself, for she will never leave you."

Loki shook his head. Hermes giving him advice on matters of love... it was the definition of cruel irony and an utter joke.

"For Zeus's sake, why are you so determined at ruining all you have?" demanded Hermes then.

"I have nothing," answered Loki miserably.

"You have Sigyn. You have her heart. And you deserve her, Loki."

"I don't. And she certainly doesn't deserve someone like me. I've brought her nothing but pain."

"And have you not shared her sorrow? Were you not also grieved by others? Loki, don't you see? If you didn't love Sigyn as you did, or if she didn't love you, would there even be any pain to speak of? It is the sacrifice that comes with such great love. It is the balance of the most natural and primordial magic in existence. Life and death, love and hatred, comfort and agony... One needs both in their existence. Else, what is the point of it all?"

Hermes' words made sense, yet Loki refused to take them in. For if that was truly what love was, he didn't care for it.

"Join your wife," said Hermes then. "Speak with Hera. Be strong. For yourself, and for Sigyn. You are in this together, Loki. She will not forsake you if don't forsake her."

"Since when did you become so insightful?"

The tip of Hermes' fingers caressed Loki's jawline. "Since I learned that lesson the hard way... Agapi mia."

A breeze swept Loki's hair in his face. The brush of the other's lips against his was so fleeting, Loki was certain he had imagined it. Yet the lingering faint impression prickling his senses was far too great for it to have been a reverie. As he put his hair back behind his ear, he found the Greek God of Messengers and Mischief was gone.

***

"Dearest sister of the North, I bid you welcome to Olympus." Hera took Sigyn by her hands and kissed her cheeks in greeting. "I am so glad at finally making your acquaintance, Sigyn. Freya spoke of you with much fondness."

Sigyn raised a brow at that. "How? I've never met her."

"She is the guardian of the daughter you lost. She knows you through her."

The mention of her baby girl made Sigyn press her lips together. She glanced over her shoulder, finding Rúna and Fandrall silently standing on the side and Loki still at the bottom of the steps, speaking with Hermes. He seemed to be in an argument with the Greek God, whose panicked expression didn't bode well.

"You worry."

Sigyn returned her attention to Hera as the Queen spoke to her. Those upturned, dark-violet eyes appeared kind and all-knowing, but like everything in Olympus, it was a mere cover for the blight festering inside. The books Sigyn and Rúna had perused had described many of the Grecians as spiteful creatures, since they took great offense in the slightest of insult. Yet Hera and her fellow ruler, Aphrodite, were renowned for their jealousy and quick tempers. Neither forget an injury and 'punished' with a fierce vengeance. It still puzzled Sigyn why Freya would send her and Loki to them.

"I do," she finally said, replying to Hera's comment. "Loki is... He hasn't been well. What happened to him and our daughter took a heavy toll on him. On both of us. I wish I could relieve him of his fears and anger, but I shoulder my own."

"Understandable, of course. Did neither of you consider a memory spell?"

"You mean... forget what happened?"

"Not forget. Alter. Change your memories and perceptions. Loki needn't recall he died. He could've simply been poisoned or cursed. And neither of you need experience the loss of your baby if you don't remember carrying her."

Sigyn stared at Hera in abhorrence. What she suggested was the same thing Frigga had done to protect Loki from his actions against a naïve young woman who gave him her heart and body, believing he loved her. What Loki had asked her to do thirty years ago to make a grieving mother forget about her dead daughters. No... Never that!

"I see that is not an option." The corner of Hera's mouth curled up. "Very well. We will have to find another approach to your... predicament."

Chills ran over Sigyn's body. She pulled her hands out of Hera's and stepped back... right into Loki's arms. He steadied her against his chest, his magic surging from his pendant to hers in a fortifying embrace.

"Great Hera," he addressed the Olympian Goddess. "I thank you for welcoming us so graciously to your realm. Forgive me for taking a moment longer in greeting you. I had hoped to strengthen myself before setting undeserving eyes upon you, but it was to no avail, as you strip even the sun itself from its radiance."

The compliment seemed quite farfetched in Sigyn's opinion, but Loki was the diplomat of the family for a reason. A mere whisper of that smooth silver tongue, and any who heard his words were instantly wrapped around his finger.

"You flatter me, Odinson." Hera offered a wide smile. "How is dear Frigga? And my darling godson?"

"The Queen is well, and Baldur is... a tempestuous youngling. He yet has much to learn."

"Hm, no doubt Frigga and Odin will raise him as well as they raised you and Thor. They stand strong in their marriage and their devotion to you all. But enough of them. You must refresh after your travels. A banquet is being prepared in your honour, so I would ask you join us at the Agora at sundown."

The Greek Goddess clapped her hands and two slaves rushed forward to guide Rúna and Fandrall to their lodgings. Sigyn had preferred for them to stay together, but they had to play by the Olympians' rules. They wouldn't be far, and there was only an hour left for sunset. She had to trust they would manage until then.
Hera herself led Loki and Sigyn through her sanctuary. Taking advantage of walking a few steps behind her husband and their hostess, Sigyn noted Hera's so-called temple was actually a small palace, with rooms behind the stately Ionic pillars left and right. Bronze effigies of cows stood amid the stone statues depicting the Goddess, and peacocks strutted around freely, bringing colour to the otherwise white and cream-tinted interior.

"Here we are." Hera halted at an ornate mahogany door. "All comfort has been provided, and you have a secluded garden and bathing pool as well. I must warn you, though; the nymphs have no regard for privacy. Unless you feel inclined to have them join you, I would advise on keeping your amorous activities indoors."

Sigyn glanced at Loki as he nodded in gratitude. Apart from a kiss or a caress, there had been nothing that could even be described as amorous activities between them for weeks. Yet indulging in her yearnings while residing with the Grecians was far from Sigyn's mind. A place so outwardly fake, with such degradation in its heart, was far from ideal to rekindle the flame of passion. Their unions had always been pure. She would not have it stained with whatever depravity lurked in the shadows of Olympus.
They bade farewell to Hera and entered a single circular room built from the same white stone as the temple, yet far more richly decorated. Mosaics depicting peacocks, dryads, and people dancing adorned the walls. Under a grand, colourful fresco stood a round bed with purple sheets of purest silk. A bathroom with an alabaster basin was built inside an alcove, and a single wooden desk and bookcase stood near an open doorway. The velvet curtains billowed in the breeze, revealing the garden and pool Hera spoke of. Had this room been anywhere else, Sigyn might have appreciated its beauty. Instead, it felt like another deception.

"I wish we didn't have to stay here," she said, dropping onto a settee in the circular sitting area. "This entire place feels so... rotten."

"I'm not looking forward to it either," said Loki as he joined her. "But it was Hera's sole condition. I had no choice but to concede."

"Hmm, we'll have to make do, I suppose." Sigyn picked up a pomegranate from the fruit bowl, but placed it back, deciding she wouldn't eat anything without being assured it was safe to do so. She then glanced back at Loki. "I didn't know Hera was Baldur's godmother."

"Neither did I. Mother only told me after I informed her we would contact the Olympians. I should have guessed, though, considering Hera's role in Baldur's conception."

"What do you mean?"

"Frigga and Hera became friends after the war," explained Loki. "It's not quite the sisterhood and alliance my mother maintains with Aelsa and Karnilla, but equally important. Since Zeus left, the Allfather relies on Frigga to keep the peace between our realms, so they visit each other every three years, either in Asgard or here. Hera came to us a month before your arrival, on the date of my parents' wedding anniversary. As the Goddess of Marital Harmony, she bestowed her blessing."

"Tch, her curse, more like." Sigyn scoffed bitterly.

What little fondness she used to have for the Asgardian princeling was long gone. Much of what had befallen them was his doing, after all. Not to mention he pursued Rúna every chance he had, even though she'd already made it clear she wasn't interested in being with him. It was why Sigyn sincerely hoped Loki would accept Fandrall to court her handmaiden.
She was about to ask if they should have their companions brought here when she caught her husband watching the fresco above the bed. She had paid little attention to it earlier, and gasped when she finally looked at the scene. A man and woman lay entwined in a field of grass and flowers. The ecstasy on the woman's face as her partner drove into her was so wild, so raw, it made the Asgardian Princess clench her knees at the familiar heat surging through her lower extremities.

Sigyn's eyes travelled to Loki's back as he continued to look at the piece. Was he studying the art or... was he thinking of...? He turned around, meeting Sigyn's wondering gaze with his own. Despite her apprehension of being intimate whilst in Olympus, she didn't believe she could deny him if he truly wished it. She could scarcely remember the last time he'd been inside her, and her core coiled at the prospect of feeling him again.
Loki tentatively leaned in, then paused a few inches in front of Sigyn's face. Their eyes locked. The tattoo of Sigyn's heart increased as Loki lightly pressed his mouth to hers. They parted and peered at each other again. Spurred on by the fire growing within, Sigyn gathered her skirts and straddled Loki. Her fingers raked his soft, raven hair away from his face.

Their lips met in another kiss. Loki gripped Sigyn by her hips, pushing her further up against him. She hummed when her sex stroked his leather-covered manhood and swayed. The kiss deepened, growing more passionate as their tongues found each other. Loki's fingers dug into Sigyn, making her sway faster. Her undergarments were already soaked because of the friction, but it didn't seem to have any effect on Loki.
Sigyn halted her movements and parted from their kiss, panting from the lack of breath. She leaned her forehead against her husband's, finding his eyes shut firmly. Loki never asked. His pride wouldn't let him. But Sigyn knew what he needed. Yet it had only been on the rarest occasions he surrendered in complete submission to her. In those moments, Sigyn believed to see another side of him. One Loki kept locked away in the depths of his being. For what reason, she could only guess.

Deftly, Sigyn opened Loki's belt and slipped her hand into his pants. He drew his breath in as her fingers closed around his member. With a strong but gentle hand, Sigyn kneaded up and down, squeezing each time she came at his hilt. She caught his lips in another ensnaring kiss, but Loki wasn't as arduous as before. Her hand pumped harder and faster. Still, nothing happened.
Eventually, Loki gripped her wrist to cease her. He drew away, averting in shame. Sigyn's heart bled for him. It was too soon. The wounds inflicted on his being hadn't healed yet. She wouldn't hold that against him. Nor should he hold it against himself. Yet...

"I'm sorry." Loki uttered a strangled sob. "Sigyn, I'm so sorry."

"Don't be," she spoke kindly. "Hush, my love, it's all right. There is no rush."

Tears shimmered in Loki's despondent eyes. Sigyn kissed them away when they fell. He gripped her body in urgency and moved a hand between them, but Sigyn stopped him when she realised his intent.

"No," she said.

"Please," he pleaded. "I can still do this."

"Loki, I don't want you to do anything merely because you believe it's your duty as my husband or because you want to prove you can pleasure me. I know you can. You've never failed me before, and you're not failing me now. We can wait until we're both healed and ready to be with each other as one again."

"You shouldn't be left wanting because I'm... Maybe another can —"

"I do not want any other in my bed. How dare you even suggest that? You didn't take a mistress when I needed time thirty years ago, did you?"

"No!" exclaimed Loki hastily. "Sigyn, I would never!"

"Nor would I," said Sigyn, "so I will hear no more of this, understood? All I want and need is your love, Loki. Yours and yours alone."

"You have it. I swear, by all the Norns and ancestors in Valhalla, there is nobody else. Nobody."

He kissed her feverishly. Sigyn responded eagerly, satisfying the coil inside her with this simple act. She held Loki in her warm, comforting embrace, his head against her bosom, and caressed his hair.

"You hold my body," she whispered, "my soul, my love. I bind myself to you and will always find you, no matter where you are. For I am yours, now and far longer than forever."

"And I am yours," murmured Loki. "Always."

A breeze swept through the room again. Sigyn peeked through her lashes. A white wing fluttered past the open doorway. Was it a bird or... had someone been watching?

***

The Asgardians joined the Olympians in the heart of their abode. Similar to Alfheim's open arena-like banquet hall, the Greek Agora echoed the splendour and grandeur of all the epics and tragedies Sigyn had read in her lonely tower during her youth.
Galvanised sculptures of heroes shone in the glow of the torches around them. Nymphs darted between water features to create sculptures in little waterfalls, as dryads build intricate benches and seats around the tables with a mere flick of their wrists. Gods and Goddesses engaged in jovial conversation, while young demi-gods rode the backs of centaurs or played with their animal companions. The soft melodies of satyrs' flutes and lyres resonated all around them. The illusion finally seemed genuine enough for Sigyn to believe it.

"Take care not to partake in ambrosia or apple wine," warned Loki, as they made their way through the gathered crowd. "You'll recognise both by their sharp, sweet scent. Stick to honey nectar and regular Greek wine, and don't let anyone but the slaves fill your cup."

"You expect trickery?" inquired Fandrall.

"I expect anything I would do as well."

Sigyn saw Fandrall inch closer to Rúna. She felt assured he so fiercely protected her handmaiden, even if they weren't currently speaking to one another, and didn't have to worry about either of them herself. All her concern was for her husband.

"You weren't jesting when you said the Olympians would rather see you dead," muttered Sigyn, as she found them all glaring at Loki.

"I was responsible for many of their losses during the war," he said. "Do you have a weapon with you?"

"Two daggers concealed in my —"

"Well, well, look at what the satyr dragged in." A gruff, burly specimen of a man dressed completely in black armour blocked Loki and Sigyn's way. He looked like Thor's dark twin, only a lot meaner and without the wavy blond hair. The Agora fell into utter silence as the Greek God sneered at the Prince of Asgard. "You have a lot of nerve showing your face here, Odinson."

"Nice to see you too, Ares," said Loki calmly.

"That brother of yours here?" Ares stretched his neck to look past Loki. "He and I have a score to settle."

"Thor is otherwise engaged at the moment, but I will let him know you said hi."

Loki took Sigyn's hand and attempted to walk around Ares, but the Grecian pushed him back with one hand. Both Sigyn and Fandrall moved to defend him, but Loki held them off with a single glare.

"Ares!" Hermes forced his way toward them, his expression twisted in rage. "What in Zeus's name do you think you're doing?"

"Private conversation, half-breed," snapped Ares. "Go take yourself for a walk before I set my hounds on you."

"Go ahead. I'm sure it's been a while since they had a decent exercise. Now kindly stop making a spectacle of yourself. You're embarrassing Hera by attacking her guests."

"Your guests, you mean. Don't pretend otherwise, Hermes. We all know what happened between you and Loki. What, were you perhaps hoping to have another go at him? Take a round with his whore too, while you're at it? Can you even handle a woman?"

"Can you?" reacted Sigyn with a loud scoff.

All heads turned to her. Ares stared at her in bewilderment, while Hermes's gaze held a surprised wonder. Sigyn couldn't see Loki's face as he stood in front of her, yet imagined he wasn't too happy. She probably should have kept her mouth shut, but she wasn't one to let an insult go by.

"Well?" she dared. "Nothing further to say? What a shame. Here I am, hoping for a man to show us all how to handle a woman, but you appear to be unarmed. For one known as the God of War, that is most unfortunate."

Some of the other deities snickered at her jab. Hermes kept a straight face, but his eyes glistened with delight. Ares, though, looked like he was ready to rip her apart. His nostrils flared, and his chest heaved with every breath. "What did you say to me?"

"Apologies, was that too hard to comprehend? I'm sure someone can explain it to you. Perhaps ask a toddler, since they are certain to have the crayons."

The crowd burst into a fit of laughter. Satyrs rolled off the dais, arms clutching their bellies, hooves kicking the air. Nymphs and dryads fell into each other's arms to keep themselves upright. Even the slaves snorted and chuckled in the shadows. The only one not amused was Ares.
He let out a furious roar and shoved Hermes aside as the latter moved to intervene. Sigyn reached for the daggers in her corset as a sword appeared in Ares's hand. Yet before she could draw them, Loki had already incapacitated her attacker. In the blink of an eye, the God of War was stripped of his weapon and his breath as Loki's fingers dug into his thick neck, driving him to his knees.

"Insult me all you like," he hissed. "I neither care nor concern myself with the village idiot. But you insult my wife or threaten the peace between our realms again, and I will destroy you, Ares. I decimated half your forces last time, and I can easily do so again. Best remember that."

The anger and hatred radiating from her husband stunned Sigyn. A dangerous red gleam shimmered in his icy eyes. His magic pulsed through the pendant, itching to burst forth and consume whatever stood in its path. It felt just like when he had lost his temper in their chambers in Asgard a few nights ago.
After what felt like an eternity, Loki finally released Ares from his death-grip. The God of War coughed and massaged his throat as he stumbled back. His frenzied eyes flicked between Sigyn and her husband. For a moment, she believed he would retaliate, but Ares eventually crudely pushed his way through the Olympians behind them.
Sigyn looked at Loki. Every muscle in his body stood rigid, like a wolf's before it pounced a prey. She hesitantly lay a hand on his shoulder. Her husband's head snapped toward her. Though every instinct urged her to let go, she stood her ground, facing his rabid expression. Slowly, the red in his eyes went away. He inhaled deeply and then nodded at her. She let out her breath, only now realising she'd been holding it.

"Well, that was... delightful," said Hermes. "My apologies for my half-brother's behaviour. I wish there was a way to excuse it, but unfortunately, that's just how Ares is. Please, join me. Meet some of my more pleasant siblings."

He led them to the far end of the Agora, where a small group chatted amongst themselves. The two men and the woman smiled heartily as Hermes introduced them. "Asgardians, allow me to present Dionysus, Apollo, and Artemis."

The trio inclined their heads in greeting. Sigyn watched Loki's reaction first to see if they were friend or foe, and was pleased to see he met them kindly. She took each of their appearances in as her husband continued to introduce her, Rúna, and Fandrall.
Apollo was a handsome, clean-shaven man. He had strong facial features, and his skin was a few tints lighter than Hermes'. A laurel wreath decorated his long, golden hair — the likes of which would even make Thor jealous — and a lyre was strapped at the hip of his orange tunic. He had his arm draped around the shoulders of his blonde twin.
Even at a celebration, Artemis sported her signature bow and quiver with her short hunting dress. She was taller than most other women there and had lean hips and small breasts. Rúna gazed at her in fascination, which Sigyn couldn't blame her for.
Then there was Dionysus. His neat brown beard and curls gave him an older appearance, yet there was no denying the youthfulness in his sparkling green eyes. There was a certain intriguing femininity about him as well. He called for more wine and eagerly passed the cups around the group.

"Thank you so much for that bit of entertainment, Lady Sigyn," he addressed her with a big smile. "Nice to see someone other than Hera can stand up to that brute. This has got to be, without a doubt, the single most humiliating day of his life."

"Indeed," agreed Apollo with a smirk. "And we'll never make him forget."

"No doubt Aphrodite will open her door and legs for him later to make up for the offense," chimed Artemis in.

"Speaking of Aphrodite, where are our esteemed rulers, sis? It's unlike them to miss a banquet, especially when we have guests."

"They'll be here shortly," answered Hermes in Artemis's stead. "Now are we going to keep talking of others or are we going to give our guests the attention they deserve and show them how Olympians feast?"

"Feast!" jubilated Dionysus loudly.

Cheers resounded among and around them, and in a few minutes, the entire Agora had forgotten the altercation with Ares. The wine flowed lavishly; the food tasted exquisite; and the music was invigorating. It was just like the celebrations back in Asgard, and Sigyn enjoyed every moment. She and Rúna conversed with Artemis on hunting and archery before all three were swept away by Apollo, Dionysus, and Fandrall, respectively. As Sigyn danced with the golden God of Music and Light, she noticed Hera and Aphrodite still had failed to make an appearance. It would not have concerned her, were it not that two others had gone missing as well.

She bade Apollo a reprieve and searched for Hermes and Loki, but there wasn't a trace of them. Sigyn recalled them talking that afternoon before meeting Hera. For the briefest moment, she believed the two former lovers had stalked away with each other, but quickly dismissed it. After what had been said and done in their room, she knew Loki wouldn't betray her, and least of all, with Hermes.
Subtly, Sigyn created an illusion of herself to keep the Olympians busy and not worry Rúna and Fandrall, after which she vanished through the bushes. She opened the door to her mirror-world in the nearest body of water. Loki had warned her not to use her magic, but she couldn't afford to waste any time in finding him.

Taking a deep breath, Sigyn plunged through the portal, landing gracefully in the void with a thousand reflections. She pushed back the dread she felt since her dream-walk and looked for the pool outside their room in Hera's temple. It didn't take her long to find it, as she felt Loki's magic swelling from within her pendant. He was near.
Sigyn ran into the room. A sudden iciness at her bosom halted her in her tracks and made her shiver. She summoned a flame to her hand, casting out the darkness from the room. Her eyes searched for any sign of her husband, widening when she found his discarded clothes on the floor.

"Loki?" she called for him. "Are you here?"

A scuffle in the alcove caught her attention. A figure sat huddled underneath the alabaster basin.

"Loki? My love, are you all right? What is —?"

Sigyn's words were cut short when the light of her flame shone on a naked woman, perhaps a little older than she was. Her oval face was fair, yet her cheekbones were sharp. There wasn't the slightest blemish on her slender, snow-white body — at least, not as far as Sigyn could detect, as the woman sat with her arms wrapped around her knees.
Sigyn was about to demand who she was, but then noticed the pendant with two entangled snakes around the woman's neck. She held the fire in her hand closer to her. When a pair of piercing blue, tear-stained eyes stained gazed up at her from between messy tresses of long, raven-black hair, she gasped in horror.

"Loki?"