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I was out of my cage. Upstairs, celebrating with them all. I was happy, I was dancing, I was laughing. But even then, I couldn't control the fire. I couldn't stop it from engulfing the grand hall, even when the screaming started. I didn't even try to stop it. I just gave up and let it out.

The fire climbed up the wooden banisters, ate the garland hung from the ceiling, boiled skin, and spread to the rest of the palace.

And my father was there. My father, who did not scream like the others as I watched the flame devour him. He simply looked at me with his large, hollow eyes. Looked at the monster he'd created as he crumpled to the ground in a lifeless heap of ash and bones. I could smell it.

I could smell the burning flesh even as I woke up to the sound of someone screaming my name.

I was disoriented at first in my dark cell, drenched in a cold sweat and heart racing a mile a minute. My whole body was shaking. Across from me, I heard Loki pound the glass of his own cell, and scream my name.

"Alivia!" I could hear anger in his voice. Though whether that anger was directed at me or at the cells that kept us apart, I couldn't tell.

Wearily, I pushed myself out of bed and drew my curtains open a fraction. Across the hall, Loki stood with his fist against the glass of his cell, hair mussed from sleep. I folded my arms against the chill that enveloped my body.

"Are you alright?" he asked, pressing his palm against the glass.

I frowned, nausea rising in my throat. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You were screaming," he answered flatly.

"I—" Had I been screaming in my sleep? The nightmares were quite common lately. None quite as violent as that. And my father had never appeared in one until now. And that smell... I could still taste it at the back of my throat. I didn't think I would ever forget that smell.

Loki watched me from his cage, head angled down. "Come here."

I wrapped my arms closer around me. I could go to him if I wanted. Odin had had a latch built into the cage so that it could be opened from either side. And I wanted nothing more than to be held by somebody. By him, my chest ached at the thought. But could I forgive myself for it?

I looked down at my scarred arms. Swallowed back my hesitance. And I opened my cell door, padding barefoot across the hall toward Loki's own cell. I went quickly, so as not to allow myself time to think about how stupid I was being.

But I wanted so desperately not to be alone. I could even tolerate his company so long as I had company at all. I tried to convince myself that was all it was. That I hadn't longed to be in his arms again for the past year. But the truth lurked at the back of my mind. I shoved it away, as I pressed open the door to Loki's cell.

We stood across from each other, him looking down at me, and me looking down at the floor. Slowly, I lifted my eyes to his. He opened his arms to me, brow turned down in a concerned frown. The last I'd seen an expression so sincere on his face had been months ago.

And I let myself fall into him, the warmth of his body soothing the aching cold of mine. His stillness calming my violent shaking.

"What did you see?" he asked, pulling back to look me in the face.

Eyes wide and frozen, I responded uneasily, "Asgard—burning. It was burning because of me. I saw my father too, he..."

I shook my head. Loki pulled me back into him. I crumpled like some broken creature against his chest.

"When I was young... My father and I got into an argument and I—I burned him. He had to go to the hospital. He still—he still has the scar," I didn't know why I was telling him this, or why I was thinking about it in the first place. Maybe because Loki knew what it was to be a monster. Maybe because I knew that he wouldn't judge me. Couldn't judge me.

"I know you think this power is something that isn't yours to control," Loki said, steadying me by the shoulders, "But you're wrong. It is as much a part of you as your Asgardian blood."

My face hardened. "Are you really starting this argument again?"

"—And your Midgardian blood."

My expression softened. "Well... I guess you did get your ass kicked by a bunch of Midgardians," I joked, "Explains your newfound respect for them."

"Careful," he warned, but his lip curled into a playful smile.

"But my powers, Loki..." I searched for the right words, "It doesn't feel like they're mine. It's feels too strong to ever be something that could belong to me. Something that listens to me."

Loki looked down at me for a long time, before stepping out of his cage and into the hallway. He stretched out his hand, and cautiously, I took it. He led me to the area where I usually trained with Odin. Then, he let go of my hands and turned so that we were face to face.

"Bring your fire," he said, gesturing at me to go ahead.

I cocked a brow. "Odin isn't here to get rid of it for me."

"They aren't Odin's powers to command," he said, "They are yours. Trust me."

Trust you? I almost laughed. But then I met his hard stare, and something in me shifted. I swallowed back, summoning a small flame.

"More," he ordered.

"Someone's bossy," I commented coolly, focusing my attention on the fire. It grew by a fraction.

"Now mold it," he said, stepping back.

"Let me guess, you want a blade?"

"If it isn't much trouble," he smirked.

I rolled my eyes. Strained to mold the fire. It elongated slightly, but moved no further than that.

"For a moment, pretend you believe this power is yours. Don't allow any thoughts telling you otherwise to surface. In your mind, you must fortify that conviction, that these powers belong to you. Build a sturdy wall that will block out doubt, fear, anger. Picture it."

I didn't question where all of this sage advice was coming from, desperate to find a method of controlling my powers that actually worked. I was willing to try anything at that point.

I did as he said, visualizing a strong wall surrounding my mind. A wall of bricks and metal. I filled every crack and hole until there was no means of entry for negative thoughts. And in my mind, I let only one thought resonate: these powers are mine.

I hadn't realized it, but my eyes had fallen shut. When I opened them, something like a blade of fire flickered in and out of shape in front of me. It was weak and misshapen, but it was something.

"Now put it out," he tipped his head.

I imagined the strong walls around that one thought. These powers are mine. These powers are mine.

I strained against a force that told me otherwise. Fought with all my might. And suddenly, the flame in my palm flickered out. My mouth hinged open, and I looked up at Loki. A genuine smile graced his lips, and I couldn't help but lunge forward to hug him. My chest swelled with pride.

I pulled back, but his hand against my back held me firm against him. I looked up to meet his downturned gaze. I noticed the proximity of our faces. Our lips. I felt his warm breath on my skin.

I pushed myself back.

"You should get back to your cell," I said distantly. "Before the morning rounds."

His smile faded and he nodded shortly, wordlessly floating back to his cell. I shut it behind him. Looked him in the eye. Turned my back and left.

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The next day, I brought the fire, shaped it, and dispelled it for Odin. I used the same technique from the previous night, fortifying that barrier to guard against the negative thoughts preventing me from using my powers.

The shape of my fire could still use work, it flickered in between a stick and and a blob in my attempt to form a sword, but it was progress.

As I made the flame disappear, much to Odin's surprise, I couldn't help but glance up toward Loki's cell. He sat against the wall, pretending to read, but really just watching me train. A smirk graced his lips as our eyes met, and he tipped his head.

"I'm impressed, Alivia," Odin said, and I snapped my attention back to him, "And very proud. You've made great strides today."

"It was just like you said," I answered, trying to ignore the feeling of Loki's eyes on me, "It's a mental task. I just needed to convince myself the powers are mine."

He nodded thoughtfully. "I'll continue to visit you for training. But this is happy news, to be celebrated. Perhaps it means you'll soon be gone from this cage."

I pressed my lips together. I didn't think I would be leaving the cage anytime soon.

I glanced back at Loki, locking eyes with him. I couldn't help but let my mind wonder to last night. The wonderful feeling I'd gotten when he'd wrapped his arms around me. The ache in my chest I'd felt when we'd almost kissed. And he hadn't tried to escape. He'd stayed in his cell, even though I naively had let him out.

I shook the thoughts away, turning my attention to the dungeon's entrance, where quick footsteps sounded.

Suddenly, Frigga appeared, blonde hair and white robe stark against the dark dungeon.

"You are needed in by the healers," Frigga said to Odin, "Thor has returned from Midgard."

My jaw tightened. I hadn't even known he'd gone to Midgard.

Odin nodded, bidding me goodbye and leaving. But Frigga lingered, taking me aside.

"Thor has returned to Asgard with Jane," Frigga informed me.

I had learned about Jane in the months following my return to Asgard. She was a Midgardian woman that Thor had met during his time on earth.

I leaned in, frowning. "And?" I asked hesitantly, "Why are you telling me this?"

"There is something not right with her," Frigga explained slowly, "She seems to be host to some dark power."

The world slowed around me. Could there be another Midgardian like me? Could her powers perhaps give some insight into my own? My heart accelerated as I turned to glance back at my cell.

"You should come with me," Frigga urged, "Meet her. Converse with Odin. You may find answers in Jane."

I nodded, slowly, my eyes lingering on my cell. Then flickering to Loki, who watched me intently, waiting to see what I would do.

I inhaled deeply. Looked to my scarred arms. And nodded again.

Frigga took me by the hand, and together we left the dungeon.

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