"Father wants to see you," Balder showed his normal disregard for Loki's entreaties not to be disturbed while he was studying and nearly received a face full of ice magic as a result. However, messages from Odin that were met with anger on Loki's part usually ended in punishments both humiliating and inconvenient, so Loki curbed his temper.

"Did he say why?"

Balder shrugged. "No. But he seemed displeased."

Loki sighed. "When does he not? My thanks for informing me Balder."

His brother lingered in the doorway. "What were you doing?"

Loki repressed the urge to roll his eyes. "Magic, brother."

Balder shook his head. "I do not know why you waste your time on such things. You should concentrate on your archery, or have you lost interest since Sif ceased to be your instructor?" Loki's eyes flashed, and he pushed past his brother. Balder called after him. "I don't know why you're so touchy about the Lady Sif, Loki, you are, after all, the one who wronged her."

Loki did not bother to look back.

Frigga was not in the throne room when Loki entered. This did not bode well.

Odin was not wearing full regalia and his sceptre leant against the wall behind his throne. That he was sitting on the throne, however casually, meant this was to be a serious discussion. That he was not upstanding and shouting as soon as Loki walked in meant there would probably not be consequences too dire.

Yet.

Loki carefully arranged an expression of polite and slightly contrite interest, folding his hands in front of him. Odin raised an eyebrow at the display. "You enjoyed yourself at the Autumn Ball, child."

Loki's hands twitched. So it was to be this discussion.

"I am fond of a dance, as you well know father."

Odin's lips twitched. "Indeed. You should, however, be more careful with your choice of partners."

There were two ways Loki could deal with this. He could be belligerent, and prod Odin's wrath to peaking point quickly - likely ending the interview and allowing him to go back to his studies. The matter would boil over, and the punishment (for there would be punishment) would likely be less severe. Quick rage was short lived.

This matter, however, was somewhat closer to Loki's heart than he cared to admit, and if he provoked such rage Odin would likely extract a promise he did not, on this point, wish to give. If his equivocation failed, however, he could look forward to another stint of border patrol with Fandral and Hogun. While he did not find their company repellent he was in the middle of delicate studies and the delay could prove crucial.

He decided on the latter. "Oh, I enjoy dancing too well to worry overmuch who I dance with. Was there someone in particular I offended you by standing up with?"

Odin's fingers tapped on the arm of the throne. His patience was not infinite and Loki was definitely pushing it. "Lannis does not wish you to court his daughter, Loki."

Loki blinked. "I'm guessing Lannis does not wish for a lot of things. Why does he believe I am courting her? I do believe I only danced with her the once…? What was her name again…?"

"You know her name, Loki. Were I to press you you could recite the names of all the maids at the assembly, and their fathers names, and precisely what punishments you underwent for sullying their reputations with your advances."

Loki grinned and pressed his hand to his chest in mock offense. "You mean improved their reputations, surely, father…?"

"Enough!"

Loki shut his mouth.

"Lannis has arranged the match between the Lady Sigyn and Theoric. It is a good match — their families will do well with a closer bond. Theoric's family is traditional and there is little love lost between you and he, of that I am well aware."

"Theoric is a fool and a bully and deserves no lady, let alone one as fine as Sigyn."

Odin smiled. There was no harm in letting him know that Loki did favour Sigyn, after all. So long as he did not extract Loki's word not to court her.. "Do not toy with the lady's affections merely because you dislike her betrothed."

Loki scowled. "What if I am not toying with her? What if I actually wished to court her? What then? Surely a match between the Lady Sigyn and a prince of the realm would be more advantageous to Lannis' family than…"

Odin's lip twtiched. "If I believed for a second that you intended to court the lady for the purpose of marriage and not your own amusement, my son, I would speak with Lannis myself."

Loki tilted his head. "You would?"

"I would. But the point is moot. Lannis is not fond of you, Loki, and would deny you access to his daughter from spite even if he believed, as I do not, that you intended to court her for marriage."

"Obviously Lannis likes Theoric for a reason."

Odin let out an explosive sigh. "I wish you would not be so flippant about such things, Loki. You are a prince of the realm and you have been at a loss since your… unfortunate falling out with the Lady Sif…"

"We did not fall out…"

"You need to focus on something other than your magics. But this… pursuit of women should not be it…"

"I am not pursuing…"

"Loki so help me if you interrupt me one more time I will skewer you to the throne room floor."

Loki gritted his teeth.

"You will cease this pursuit of Sigyn Lannisdottir. I do not wish to hear of any communication between the two of you. If you are so desperate for a spouse, I will consult with your mother and she will look into more suitable candidates for your hand." Odin paused, and the look he gave to Loki was almost sympathetic. "You have many many years, my son, before you need think about it too carefully. Do not be hasty and settle on a woman who will not be a suitable queen."

Loki cocked an eyebrow. "Thor is to be king, father. Why must I be constrained by…"

Odin stared at him, one eye glinting. "All of you are of royal blood, Loki. The future is not set in stone, and you must prepare for every eventuality." Odin waved a hand. "This discussion is over, child. Do not disappoint me in this."

No promise was extracted. Loki felt that the interview had gone remarkably well. As he walked back to his quarters, however, he remembered the feel of Sigyn's waist under his palm, and the curve of her cheek as she smiled, the shine of moisture on her lips, and his pace quickened.

I will show father how a woman is properly courted.

He made a detour to the gardens, carefully choosing a flower and preserving it with a small touch of magic. Back in his quarters, he smiled to himself as he smoothed a new sheet of parchment and began to write…