LoA: Aftermath

“Loki,” Sigyn pleaded, almost pitifully. “Loki, please!”

Loki growled and continued to grind mercilessly into his wife, determined to finish what he’d started. She whimpered under him as her petite frame went rigid, another climax racing through her. In the midst of his growing frustration, he admired how beautiful she was like this; completely submissive to him and in the throws of pleasure. Her milky skin glowed in the dim light from the fire, shimmering with sweat, so irresistible to him that he could not stop his tongue from tasting her. There was no wine in all the Realms that tasted as sweetly as she did and he wondered for what had to be the millionth time, how he had survived in the darkness without her.

The image of a plasma whip flashed behind his eyes as Sigyn’s nails dug into his back, latticed with healed scars. She cried out, bringing him back to the present as the coppery flavor of blood coated his tongue. He’d bitten her, far harder than he’d ever intend to. Guilt flooded him and he grit his teeth, frustration rising within him. It dissolved quickly again as she pressed her lips to his and returned the favor by nipping his lip. He hardly minded and let her continue her nibbling as he panted hard against her mouth. He slammed into her with bruising force and he was getting tired. He knew she was exhausted too and he knew he was hurting her. Yet he could not stop. They could not have taken this from him too. Not this. He needed this like he needed air. He needed her. A desperate groan tore at his throat as he rolled onto his back, bringing Sigyn with him. Her arms shook as she planted her hands on his chest to brace herself. He held her hips in place and continued his onslaught and letting gravity do it’s work. It was better, bringing him that much closer, but still not enough, especially when Sigyn’s pained whimpers reached his ears. Still he he refused to yield and it was only a matter of time before he would have no choice.

“Please,” she pleaded. “Loki, stop.”

“No,” he groaned. “I need to…”

“No you don’t. Stop,” she said more firmly.

“I ca-“

“Stop!”

Quite suddenly, she forced her weight down on him, pinning his hips to the bed. The pained look that crossed her face dissolved into relief as they remained still. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears and he focused on watching Sigyn’s breasts rise and fall as she caught her breath to keep his frustration at bay. He slowly became aware of pain so intense he thought his nether region was on fire. He grit his teeth and bore it as Sigyn slid off of him.

“Damnit, Loki,” she hissed, and he looked to see what her complaint was about. His front was sticky with a light smearing of blood mingled with the remnants of Sigyn’s arousal, as were her thighs and he sighed heavily. There would be no trying again for some time and he did not want to try and guess which one of them was raw enough to be bleeding.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly, refusing to meet her eyes.

“What were you trying to prove?”

He tensed at her words, amazed that she could still read him. He said nothing, though, leaving her to figure it out for herself. She was, after all, a clever girl. He watched out of the corner of his eye as she fingered the purple bite mark he’d left her with, curious which plight of his she would settle on.

“It was just once,” she said and that hot anger rose up in the pit of his stomach again. “And nothing actually happened.”

“You are my wife,” he growled. “He had no right to touch you.”

“Loki…”

“And you had no right to open your legs to him. You are not some common whore, Sigyn. You are my wife.”

“I thought I was a widow, Loki,” she said irritably. “And Thor took care of me. Would you rather I turned to Fandral for comfort?”

“I would rather you behave in a way befitting your title. Unless you want the entire court to think you that lowly?”

“You would know all about whores, wouldn’t you, Loki? You seem to enjoy their company more than mine.”

Loki smirked, raising an eyebrow. “It would seem my kitten has grown claws in my absence. I am impressed, my lady.”

Sigyn glared at him and met it unflinchingly. He knew it bothered her that her anger hardly phased him. He’d seen worse, much worse and any wrath Sigyn could unleash on him would be nothing to him. He sat up, grimacing, and put his feet on the floor. He was fixing to rise and pour himself some wine when Sigyn’s warm fingers slipped up his back. Her lips followed, pressing a kiss to his shoulder.

“Loki, you know I am yours,” she purred.

“And yet you found yourself in Thor’s bed,” he replied coldly.

“Stop it. That is not fair.”

“Isn’t it? You are supposed to be Fidelity as I am Mischief and Chaos. And yet I find, after months of clinging to that thought alone, that my wife was mine alone…”

“I’m not the one who jumped from the bridge, Loki, you did,” she growled next to his ear and it was the angriest he’d ever heard her. “I thought you were dead and I had just lost our child. You are a fool if you think I was not prone to a moment of weakness under those circumstances.”

As she withdrew from him, Loki caught her wrist and pulled her back. She came easily, resting her chin on his shoulder. He sighed, looking at her out of the corner of his eye. He did not feel the need to say anything and she seemed to understand, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

“I’m yours,” she said softly and slid from the bed. He watched her cross the room on shaky legs to the bathing room. After some time, his curiosity drove him to see what she was doing and he was pleasantly surprised to find that she had drawn a bath for them in the deep soaking tub. She smiled and slid into the hot water, beckoning to him. He followed without hesitation. Despite his Jotunn heritage, he thoroughly enjoyed a hot bath to relax his aching muscles.

“There is more,” she said as soon as he settled and he sighed. Again, he refused to answer, leaving her to figure it out. “It’s the child, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” he answered, his voice tight.

“There was nothing to be done. These things happen.”

“I know.”

Sigyn moved closer to him, pressing a kiss to his lips. He understood better than anyone how these things happened. It didn’t change that it had been the loss of his child and that she had to bear that pain alone. He’d never forgive himself for it. Not even the wounds the Chitauri inflicted on him could compare to the pain he felt over this. He loved each of his children dearly and it wounded him deeply that one had died.

He returned kiss, seeking the comfort of her, and pulled her close against him. Her body was soft against his and he wanted nothing more than to keep her there. Too  much time in a cold, hard place without an ounce of warmth made him appreciate and crave what Sigyn gave him. He couldn’t promise her his enduring fidelity, but for now, she was all he wanted.

“You’re healing nicely,” she said between kisses.

“Thanks to you,” he replied, and it was true. He had very few reminders of his run in with the Hulk. Sigyn was a skilled healer and the only one in Asgard willing to come near him.

“I’m glad you think so,” she said as she broke the kiss. Her hand slid down below the surface of the water and grasped him. He winced, despite her gentle touch, from the pain. He took her face in his hands and claimed her mouth again, well aware of what she was doing and grateful to be relieved of the pain.

“You are insatiable,” he growled.

“No, I’m not doing this for me.”

Her touch was still light, almost tentative as her fingers stroked him. His body’s response to her was instantaneous and he was hungry for her again, needing to claim her. She didn’t respond as he pulled at her, tried to have his way. She merely remained stubbornly where she was, touching him almost too gently. He let out a noise of frustration and she smirked.

“Trust me,” she cooed, pressing kisses along his jaw to his ear. “Relax. You’ll get what what you want.”

He did as he was told and surrendered himself to her, which came surprisingly easy to him despite everything. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back as her mouth sought his throat. He focused on the sensations she inspired and in that way she pulled a soft moan from him. She was whispering sweet little nothings into his skin and he tangled his fingers in her wet hair. He kissed her forehead, thoroughly enjoying her tender affection.

Loki groaned as Sigyn guided him into her slowly, he looked at her questioningly, knowing she was still in pain. She simply smiled and pressed another kiss to his lips. He gasped as she moved slowly on him and it took all he had to let her stay in control. Her movements were fluid and gentle and he the pressure coiling deep within him.

“Don’t worry about me, love,” she breathed. “Don’t hold back.”

He moaned, clinging to her. He was so close now that he nearly whimpered with the wanting of his release. Her mouth, so hot and her teeth grazing his shoulder pushed him that much closer. Sigyn’s walls pulsed and constricted around him, pulling one pleasured sound after another from him.

“I want to try again, Loki,” she purred. “I want a family.”

In his pleasure clouded mind, it struck him as a remarkable thing that she’d know his true parentage and still not only want to stay married to him, but bear his children as well. She knew what could happen, as she was well-acquainted with his other offspring and yet she was willing. He suddenly felt overwhelmed with his love for her and it was a welcome feeling after so much hate.

“You want to be with child again,” he asked through a groan, searching her pretty teal eyes for any deception, finding none.

“Yes,” she answered, kissing him deeply. Her tone was almost pleading and it sent a delicious shiver down his spine. “Please, Loki…”

It was the push he needed to send him over. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, unable to hold back the groans that tore their way through him. He held her close as he managed to thrust into her in the rush of his release. It was white-hot and blinding, sending a buzzing through his skull that raced then length of his spine. It was a beautiful jolt of electricity that thought would kill him before it would subside, and yet, he didn’t want it to stop.

Slowly, he regained his wits, becoming aware of Sigyn’s panting and her soft breasts against his chest, her walls clamped tightly around him. He nuzzled into her neck, biting her gently. He breathed in the sweet scent on her damp skin, savoring it like a fine wine. She caught his face in her hands, pulling his mouth to hers for a kiss that he drank deeply of. He shivered as she slid off of him, already lamenting at the loss of her warmth, despite the hot water.

“I love you,” he cooed tenderly to her. Her eyes went wide with the shock of it and he smirked only slightly. He said it far too little for her tastes, he knew. He used to declare it to her as often as he drew breath in a much simpler time. No matter how rarely he let the sentiment fall from his lips, he still loved her, deeply. She was the only thing in all the realms he could say he truly loved and he tried to show it in subtle gestures, especially in the wake of what happened on Midgard. But now, her selflessness and her devotion warranted a vocal declaration of his affection and he was pleased to see her cleave to it. Her eyes softened again and she nuzzled him as he pulled her close. She settled easily against him, curling into his side. He kissed her forehead and sighed contentedly.

“I love you too,” she purred from under his chin and he smiled. He’d missed her, and as things stood now, he didn’t want to be parted from her again. At least not for a very long time.

LoA: The Last Caress

Sigyn startled as slender fingers brushed her cheek, a loving caress meant especially for her. Automatically she turned searching for the owner of that tender touch to find he was not there. She was confused, sure she had felt her husband’s touch but she was clearly alone in the garden. She shook her head and resumed her reading, disappointment settling over her. Loki hadn’t spoken to her in days and she didn’t understand how he could undergo such a rapid change in just a single day.

Loki had followed Thor, Sif and the Warriors Three into Jotunheim on the heels of Thor’s ruined coronation. She knew her husband well enough to know that there was mischief involved and all he said to her, as he kissed her goodbye, was that she would understand soon enough. Loki had returned to their chambers that night and made love to her passionately, covering her questions with kisses and stilling her tongue with pleasure when that didn’t work. It had been a nice change from the delicate dance they were doing around each other’s frayed nerves in the wake of his brief affair with Lorelei. When dawn broke, she learned of the events in Jotunheim, Thor’s banishment, Odin’s slumber and Loki’s ascension to the throne.

Their fighting had started due to his ascension. She was happy for him, no doubt about it. It was his sexual appetite and certain things he tried to talk her into that sparked it. He took her refusal badly, as rejection she supposed, and had taken his revenge by bedding her dearest friend in a place where he knew she’d see. She’d left on horseback in the aftermath and he’d come after her and dragged her home. The result had been brutal, violent even. She still ached from forced submission, bruised by rough and gripping hands, wounded by venomous words she thought him incapable of. He’d left her, after, to tend to herself and she’d refused to stay in the chambers they shared, though she knew from the gossiping servants that he hadn’t returned to them either.

And yet, she felt his touch. She knew it was him. She shifted, drawing in a sharp breath as her still tender muscles screamed in protest, and reached out with her senses, trying to latch on to the traces of his magical signature. She found nothing though and found herself feeling a horrible chill that forced her to close herself off. Loki had closed his mind to her, but before she at least could feel him still, or rather, the mental blocks keeping her out. But now there was nothing and that scared her. The sound of boots falling heavily on the cobblestone walk of the garden pulled her from her thoughts and she looked up to see Thor. A smile instantly leaped to her face and she was on her feet.

“Thor! You’re home,” she exclaimed excitedly, running to him, though she stopped short when she noticed his pallor. Worry gripped her when he hardly acknowledged her presence. This was not like him. “Thor?”

“It is… good to see you, sister,” he said, finally, offering a half smile that faded all too quickly. She didn’t miss the fact that he was avoiding her eyes. She closed the space between them, embracing him cautiously and his arms were slow to encircle her. She pulled back enough to look up at him. The sight she saw caused the icy fingers of dread to grip her heart again.

“Thor?”

“Loki…. shall not return. He…” Thor paused a moment and looked away from her, the tears gathering in his electric eyes visible to her. “I had to break the bridge to keep him from destroying Jotunheim. We were left dangling from the edge. He… let go.”

Sigyn felt herself go numb as she stared at her brother-in-law. This was a dream. It had to be. She shook her head almost imperceptibly, unable to grasp this horror that he brought to her. She struggled to draw a breath, gasping out, “what?”

“He is lost to us… he fell into the oblivion,” he said, his large hands resting on her shoulders as he bowed his head. “If it would keep him here I would have taken that leap for him. Forgive me, sister.”

His tears began to fall as a deep roll of thunder rumbled through the Asgardian sky; long and mournful sounding in comparison to the sharp crack heard when he rode into battle. It resonated deeply within her, reverberating between her ribs so powerfully she thought her heart would stop beating. The sound of it would haunt her dreams until the end of her days and somehow, it seemed right that it would.

“I’m sorry,” he said through gritted teeth, his voice thick with his sorrow.

Sigyn shook her head and pulled him close, stroking his golden hair. His arms encircled her and he held onto her tightly, his large frame trembling under the weight of his sorrow. Regret rose up in her, acidic and bitter, like bile. She should have gone to Loki. She should have tried to fix things. She should have done something, anything to make the wrongs right. But she hadn’t even tried. Instead she’d hidden from him like a coward and now he was gone forever.

“I don’t blame you, Thor,” she said softly, nuzzling into his neck. “I could never blame you.”

“It does not eliminate my guilt,” he said quietly. “I feel I ought to have done something more, but I know not what.”

Thor sighed and guided her over to the bench she had previously occupied and sat with her. He pulled her close and she went willingly, knowing he was trying to comfort her while seeking comfort for himself. His feeling of guilt did not sit right with her and she took his face in her hands.

“Listen to me,” she said gently. “Loki has not been himself. I know not why but he…” She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes falling on her bruised wrists and released him, pulling her sleeves down. She shook her head, biting her lip, deciding not to say anymore.

“He sent the Destroyer after me. He destroyed so much with that thing, harming innocent people in the process,” Thor said, his eyebrows furrowed and she knew he picked up on her unspoken words. She stared at him in disbelief. She knew Loki was always jealous of Thor but she never thought he’d try to kill him. But then, she didn’t think Loki would do a lot of things that he had done. “What else has he done?”

“He grew angry with me at the littlest things. Took revenge by forcing my… f-friend to…” Sigyn couldn’t bring herself to say what Loki had done to Alof. The woman was loyal to the royal family and Loki took advantage of that in the worst way. She shook her head, clearing the memory from her mind. “And then reminded me of my place when I left. Other than that I do not know. I have not been in his presence since.”

“What madness….” Thor breathed as he looked at her like someone had stabbed him. She looked away from him as he sat back, and for a moment the air crackled as the anger passed through his eyes. She knew Thor understood perfectly what she implied and was relieved when his anger flowed back into sorrow. “I cannot fathom why it would come to such cruelty. Is your friend well? Are you?”

“I suspect she is. He was far kinder to her,” Sigyn replied. “I will heal in time.”

Thor remained quiet as he leaned forward, elbows on his knees and his face in his hands. She would heal, physically, though she was not sure if she could forgive what had happened. Alof was hardly to blame but part of Sigyn resented the woman for not being more defiant. Loki had known that what he forced Alof to do would wound her deeply. As for forgiving Loki, it didn’t matter anymore because he was gone.

“I did not know you were banished when Loki returned from Jotunheim,” she said, watching him. “Nor did I know that your father had fallen into the Odinsleep. Loki was tender and kind and… he changed so quickly. At dawn I helped him put on his armor and it was as if the Loki I knew had dissolved with the night.”

“He is…” Thor began, hesitating for a long moment. “Not of Odin’s blood.”

“What,” Sigyn gasped. “Why would you say that?”

“He is… of the giants.”

“No…” Sigyn just stared at him. This had to be the most absurd thing she’d ever heard. “That’s not…”

“Father told me after Loki’s fall,” Thor said, cutting her off.

“How can you jest,” she demanded, rising to her feet and shaking her head. “He is your brother, Thor and he is…” She choked on the sob that rose up in her throat. She was shaking again, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. “How could you say something like that?”

“Do not think I would jest on a matter as this,” he growled, clenching his fists. She glared at him, though not because she didn’t believe him. She didn’t want to believe him, though his words rang with truth.

“I won’t believe this,” she hissed. “Not until I hear it from Odin himself.”

“Very well, speak to him, Sigyn. Know I do not lie. I will take you to Father.”

Thor stood, offering her his hand. She hesitated before slipping her hand into his. He watched her for a moment as he ran his thumb over her knuckles before he led her through the palace to Odin. When they entered the chambers, Frigga was openly weeping in Odin’s arms, mourning the loss of her son. Sigyn could not bear to see the queen in such a state. The woman was her role model and she loved her dearly. Seeing her pain only increased her own and she didn’t know if she could stand before the rulers of the realm and demand the answers she needed.

“Sigyn needs to know the truth, father,” said Thor, eyeing his parents

“Tell me it’s not true, All-father,” she pleaded in a voice that was tight with emotion.

Frigga wiped at her eyes as she pulled away from Odin. Thor wasted no time going to his mother, pulling her close and holding her. She held onto him tightly. Odin stood, fixing his single-eyed gaze on her, and Sigyn thought he looked worn and aged. She knew he was aware of what Thor told her, as he saw all.

“It’s true, what Thor has told you.”

“I don’t…” Sigyn closed her eyes, fighting back a new wave of tears. “I don’t understand. How is it even possible?”

“I took him as a babe from Jotunheim, a bid to create peace between our realms, and kept his true lineage from all but Frigga and Heimdall. Thor’s foolish journey to Jotunheim with the warriors revealed the truth to Loki,” Odin explained and Sigyn’s hands flew to her mouth to hide the horrified expression that took over. Suddenly, everything made sense. “He sought to impress me, to cut all ties to his true blood. But that no longer matters. Loki defeated the enemy of Asgard… he will be known for that, and celebrated.”

Sigyn let her hands fall from her face as Odin came forward. His hands came to rest on her shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze. It was the only comfort he’d give her. The tears pricked at her eyes before spilling over, the awful truth reflected in Odin’s eye completely undeniable. Regret welled up in her again and threatened to crush her into oblivion.

“I- I could have done something,” she whispered. “If he had told me… I could have…”

“It is done, Sigyn. He sought to destroy the Jotuns entirely. He would have not told you and be counted among them.”

“But I would…” Sigyn stopped herself mid-sentence as she met Odin’s gaze and saw her doubts reflected there. Would she have stayed by Loki’s side? Did him being a Jotun change anything? Of course not. She loved him, no matter what he was. She’d said it to him a million times in their youth that he would always and forever be ‘just Loki’ to her. It hurt her deeply that Loki didn’t put faith in her. “I wouldn’t have. He had to know that?”

“His lineage must remain unspoken,” said Odin. “And Asgard will remember him as the end of Laufey’s tyranny.”

He moved away then, and she knew the conversation was over. Frigga moved to her husband and a twinge of jealousy shot through her. Thor was at her side and it was only a mild comfort somewhere in the numbness that was spreading from her core again as his arm slid around her shoulders.

“Of course, All-father,” she submitted, her eyes falling to the floor. “Thank you for your trust and honesty.”

“Go and mourn, Sigyn, it is best,” sighed Odin.

Sigyn merely nodded, her voice stopped up behind the sobs that were threatening to tear from her throat. Thor gently led her away then, hugging her close to his side. She found that she was exceedingly grateful for his solid frame as she began to tremble again. In the corridor, her knees buckled under her and Thor eased her gently to the floor, kneeling beside her. She doubled over herself, her face buried in her hands and openly cried. It didn’t matter to her if anyone saw her in this state. her husband was dead. Princess or not, she entitled to weep for him. Thor rubbed her back gently, trying to soothe her. She reached for him and he scooped her into an embrace, holding her tightly against him until she stopped shaking and then he held her some more.

Eventually, Sigyn pulled out of Thor’s arms and picked herself up off the floor, refusing the hand he offered. She smoothed her clothes and and tried to compose herself. Thor watched her, his eyes full of emotion and concern. They had always been close friends and she loved him as dearly as her own blood.

“Thank you, Thor,” she said. “Forgive me for doubting your word.”

Thor said nothing, but smiled tenderly at her, reaching out and brushing the tears from from her cheeks. His gentle touch threatened to undo her again and she bowed her head respectfully to him before turning away and going to her bedchamber alone before he could stop her.

It was the first time in days that she had set foot in this room and it felt like she was truly seeing it for the first time. It had been Loki’s alone before they shared it and everything about it was so utterly him. From the dark colors, to the scattered books that did not fit on any of the already  overstuffed bookshelves, to herbs and vials for potions left lying about. The coat he wore to Jotunheim was tossed over the chaise where he’d left it upon his return. She picked it up and hugged it to her, burying her face in the fabric. It smelled like him and she choked on a sob before it could tear out of her.

The rustling of papers caught her attention and she looked over to see the small black cat Loki had given her after their wedding, stretching on his desk. Clutching his coat close, she moved over to the feline, now mewling for her affection and scratched under its chin. The cat began to purr and rolled, seeking a thorough stroking and revealing the last thing Loki had been working on. Normally, she would ignore whatever Loki left on his desk, feeling he deserved some sense of privacy inside their marriage, but her name in his cramped handwriting caught her eye, and he was no longer living to care besides. It was a half-written letter addressed to her.

“My Dearest Wife,

I know what I have done is unforgivable and that there is nothing I can ever do to rectify the wrongs I have done to you. I am unworthy of the vows you made to me, for I have failed to honor mine in the worst way. I am unworthy of your love, your loyalty and your devotion to me. So, I leave my ring in your care until such a day comes that I can be worthy of you, my love.

Oh yes, my Sigyn, I love you. You are all that I truly love in these nine realms. My heart is yours, Dear One, and there is naught that can ever take it from you. I know in the wake of my atrocities, my pretty confessions of love must mean nothing to you and that no matter how many times I apologize, it will never change anything.

I'd give anything to have you in my arms, taste your kisses, and know that you are still mine. I can never apologize enough to you, never repair your broken trust. I can only hope that, with time, I may find a way to atone for my transgressions against you. And if I never can, it is more than I deserve.

There is much that has happened that I fear has changed me for the worst, though it is no excuse. But my love for you remains as strong -”

It was clear that Loki had been interrupted, never to return to his desk to finish this letter. She wished he had. Maybe then they would have had the chance to reconcile and maybe he would still be alive. Maybe this whole disaster could have been averted. Maybe....

The aching that filled her was too much and she sank into the chair with a heavy sigh. She didn’t think she had it in her to cry anymore right now. Not even as she picked up the ring that matched her own; a band of intricately knotted gold with a pale green amethyst. Part of her hated it that he did not die wearing his wedding ring and yet part of her was grateful to have this piece of him. She would keep this with her always, no matter what. He would forever be her first love and the only one who truly owned her heart completely and this ring was a symbol of that.

Her hand covered her stomach instinctually at a stirring and the aching in her heart threatened to break her again. Her sorrow was not entirely for herself, nor for Thor and the family that had raised and loved Loki like their own. Her sorrow was shared with the life that she sheltered within her. She had not been sure until days ago when she and Loki had fought. She had gone to him to tell him of their good fortune and instead they had clashed and quarrelled and he’d hurt her. She wondered, briefly, if she had realized sooner that she was with child, if it would have changed anything. Her thoughts turned to Loki’s other children: Sleipnir, his twin daughters Eisa and Einmyria from his arranged marriage, his brood from Angrboda who were now exiled and imprisoned. He loved his children and would do anything for them. His fatherly pride had always been his best trait and she had looked forward to giving him the family he desired. Had he known that his seed had taken hold in her womb, would his actions have been any different?

She decided it didn’t matter. It was too late to ponder the what ifs and maybes. Only two things were certain right now: Loki was dead and she was carrying his child. She wasn’t willing to share the news, though it would be a welcome blessing inside this tragedy for his family. She wanted to selfishly keep it to herself for the time being. Realizing that Odin must already know, she silently thanked the All-father for his discretion and giving her this private time with the last living part of Loki left to her.

She wrapped his coat around her, becoming enveloped in the lingering essence of him, and lost her battle to heartache. She lay her head on her arms on the desk and wept, the cat nuzzling her elbow. She regretted deeply that their last moments together had been of bitterness and hate and wished that if things had to be this way, that they had parted with a warm embrace, that the aching of her muscles was from vigorous and heated love-making instead of his brutal assault, and that his last words to her had dripped with honey instead of cutting like a dagger. She wished that their final moments together had been of love.

Suddenly, Sigyn was struck with startling clarity. Their final moment had been exactly as she wished it. He’d reached out to her with all the tenderness he felt for her. He’d asked her forgiveness, professed his love, and said goodbye to her. The epiphany shook her to the core and her steady weeping turned to heaving sobs. He had made everything right in the moments before Thor had appeared to give her the news and would never know that he had. All of it had been held in his final gesture of affection, even if it was through the use of a spell and she could not deny his intent in that one final act of love; his last caress.

LoA: The Morning After

Asgard always had a golden glow. But at the setting and rising of the sun was when it was at its most brilliant. This sunrise was no exception. In fact, to Sigyn, this sunrise was probably more stunning than any other she had seen. She watched, through dreamy, half closed eyes from her marriage bed. Loki was gone before she woke but the bed still smelled like him and she snuggled with the pillow he’d used. She was still giddy from the wedding yesterday and smiled into the pillow, thinking about the way Loki looked as they exchanged vows, the way he held her as they danced at the banquet after, his warmth as she slept in his arms. A blush crept over her as she thought about what they still had left to do. They did not consummate their marriage in the night, simply because they were exhausted after the festivities. Thor had coaxed his brother into drinking too much mead and she had danced until she could hardly stand.

The door opened slowly and Loki appeared carrying a tray. He set it down on a nearby table and continued to the bed. He seemed almost surprised to see Sigyn awake already, but nevertheless, he smiled that trickster’s smile before kissing her. His lips were soft, gently curious, but never forceful.

“Good morning,” he said softly, barely breaking the kiss.

“Good morning,” she replied.

“Did you sleep well?”

“I slept better than I ever have before, and you?”

“I slept well,” he replied standing again. “Breakfast?”

Sigyn smiled demurely in response and watched him retrieve the tray. He set it on the bed between them. There was an assortment of fruits and berries upon the tray and she couldnt help but feel elated that Loki remembered how much she enjoyed them. She took a slice of apple and chewed it slowly, enjoying the explosion of sweet juices on her tongue.

“Arent you going to eat,” she asked when Loki simply watched her.

“No,” he replied. “This is for you.”

“But, I want to share this with you,” she said, picking up another slice of apple, a hopeful smile on her lips. “You’re my husband, Loki.”

Loki watched her for another moment as a smile began to pull at the corners of his mouth. He parted his lips and waited patiently as she slipped the apple slice into his mouth. When he had finished swallowing, he licked his lips slowly. The motion was mesmerizing to her and she could not help but be drawn in by it. She leaned across the tray and claimed his lips, still sticky from the apple. He answered by flicking his tongue over her own lips, coaxing hers out to touch softly, acquainting themselves with another.

“You’re not eating your breakfast,” Loki said between kisses.

“Breakfast can wait,” she replied breathlessly, heat rising in her to an unbearable level.

Loki broke away from her and sighed, looking down at the tray between them. He stood, picking it up and walked it back over to the table. He put it down in seemed to be a regretful manner and then sighed again.

“And to think I spent so much time putting this together,” he said.

“And it was and will be appreciated greatly,” cooed Sigyn. “Come, sweet husband and let me show you how grateful I am.”

“Ungrateful woman,” he mumbled, laughter in his eyes.

Sigyn smiled as Loki made his way back to her. She lay back, into the pillows as he crawled over and kissed her again, this time harder and more demanding than before. She answered by wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him closer and forcing him to settle on his elbows. She could feel his desire for her as her own heated her body, making her feel like she couldn’t get close enough to him, though he was pressed against her.

It wasnt long before they had both managed to wiggle out of what little clothing they had on. Loki had kissed and caressed every inch of her, wracking her body with unbearable amounts of pleasure with just the touch of his finger tips. He was over her again, kissing her, pressing himself against her. She laced her fingers in his black hair and moaned softly against his lips.

“Loki, please?”

With a groan, he pushed into her, eliciting a gasp that she could not stop. He stayed there a moment, perfectly still, blatantly savoring the feeling of being one with her. She quivered under him, watching him as he began to breathe heavily, his rising lust causing him to visibly shiver. She leaned up and kissed him again, biting his bottom lip softly. He let out a small moan and seized control of her mouth, slipping his tongue between her lips and she submitted happily to his exploration. One of his hands found hers and he laced his fingers through hers, holding her hand tightly. His eyes found hers and they gazed at each other for a long moment.

“I love you,” said Loki in the sincerest tone she had ever heard from him. Before she could reply, he kissed her again, but as softly as their very first kiss had been and she knew he didnt want this to be about lust. This was about love. Their love.

Much to her shuddering pleasure he began to thrust, at first in long, deep strokes that slowly made her rise closer to peak of pleasure. He kissed a line to her neck where nibbled gently, causing her whole body to tingle in a wave of goosebumps as she moaned softly in his ear. They became so wrapped in each other and their steady love-making that they lost all sense of time. She didnt know how many times he brought her to climax, how many times he’d whispered a sweet nothing against her flesh, how many scratches her nails left on his back, or even how many MAY have heard their moans. She didnt care either. She was blissful in his arms, happier than she had ever been before. Here she had the man she loved more than anything in the entire realm and he loved her equally as much.

A very bold idea struck her suddenly. Here Loki had showed her in every physical way he could think of and had yet to be fully pleased himself. She grinned up at him before suddenly throwing her weight against him and rolling him quite suddenly onto his back. The look of shock still hadn’t left his face as she finished adjusting herself on him. She was lightheaded and for some reason that made her feel bolder.

“It’s my turn, love,” she said heavily, kissing his chest, his neck, and finally his mouth. His hands snaked over her, touching her everywhere before finally settling on her hips as she moved on him. “Just lay back and enjoy.”

“No,” he moaned. He sat up and wrapped his arms around her back. “I want to be close. I want…”

“Yes?”

“I want…” he trailed off, a hand running up her spine and into her hair. He moaned against her mouth while she moved. “I want this.”

Loki held her tighter as he began to move in unison with her, his lips pressed firmly against hers as he moaned. It wasnt long before she was at the peak of pleasure again, her muscles aching. This time, he gripped her hard, his nails biting at her flesh, as he shuddered beneath her. His final groan reverberated inside her as she shivered in the aftermath of their shared climax. After a moment to recover, Loki covered her in kisses before he fell back into the plush bed. He was still breathing hard when she curled up beside him, snuggling into his neck.

“What time do you think it is,” she asked, still breathless herself.

“I dont even want to think about it,” he said with a chuckle.

“Loki…”

“Hmm?”

“I love you too.”

Loki smiled and kissed her forehead, pulling her closer to him. She began to drift off and settled in a murky state between sleep and and half-sleep. It seemed like only minutes but when she opened her eyes, evening had set in. She thought she was alone until she heard him breathing. She rolled over and found Loki still asleep, his back to her, the covers kicked off. She lightly ran her fingers over the scratches she had left on him. She kissed his shoulder where it was the worst as her hand ran over his ribs to his hip and over his pelvis.

“You are insatiable, woman” he said clearly, his hand catching hers as he turned his head to look at her out of the corner of his eye.

“No,” she replied smiling. “I just cant resist you.”

Loki rolled over and propped himself up on his elbow, still holding her hand, fingers entwined. He kissed her hand, her wrist, up to her elbow before something caught his eye. He released her hand and gently touched a spot on her side. She looked, to see what had him so interested and found a bruise under his fingertips.

“I must’ve done this when…” Loki trailed off and found her eyes again. “I’m sorry. I never meant to-”

Sigyn silenced him with a finger to his lips. She smiled lovingly at him and kissed hating to see him so distressed.

“I quite like it,” she said. “It goes nicely with the love-bites I know you left behind. Not to mention, that set of scratches I gave you.”

“Masochist,” he purred, kissing her again.

“No,” she smiled smugly. “I’m just proud to be marked by my husband.”

“The come here and let me give you more marks to be proud of.”

Loki smiled and with a playful cackle, he grabbed her and pulled her on top of him. She squealed in delight, which faded into a soft moan as he kissed her passionately, holding her face between his hands.

“I hope they don’t mind us missing dinner,” she giggled.

“They don’t expect us till morning,” Loki replied with a grunt, flipping her onto her back and grinning down at her.

“Well then,” she replied. “Mark away.”