Sigyn stood in silence as the ceremony went forward. She closed her eyes. Vanaheim, her kingdom, was at the brink of destruction. She had no idea where her family was, or if they were even alive. There were so many invasions, so much trouble.

Sigyn opened her eyes. She was doing her best to end this.

A day earlier…

"Father, are you sure you want to go through with this?" Thor asked his father, suddenly walking in front of him and turning around.

"It is best for the kingdom, and all Nine Realms," Odin replied to his son, his tone indicating he didn't want to continue the conversation.

"Couldn't you just send Vanaheim support?" Thor asked.

"Then they wouldn't support us if we needed it. A diplomatic union is the only way," Odin insisted.

"There must be some other way…"
"Silence! The decision has been made: I'm going to marry the princess of Vanaheim tomorrow," Odin snapped at Thor. Thor just stared at him, clearly hurt. Odin sighed, and softened. "I know she won't replace your mother as queen, but this is an opportunity I cannot pass up. I would've offered you to be her husband, but I had the feeling Jane Foster wouldn't appreciate that movement."

Thor silenced and looked at the ground. He was being selfish, after all. It was true: he didn't want to see his mother replaced with a girl younger than he was, but that didn't change anything. Odin was doing what was best for the kingdom, and even what was best for him. Thor dipped his head.

"Thank you, father."

He didn't notice his father's sly smile as he entered the throne room.

The next day (back to present)…

Odin stood facing his new wife. She was quite beautiful, despite her tear-stained face. Her dark hair was pulled back in an elegant braid, her dress the most exquisite in the realm. Yet, her thoughts were elsewhere.

After the ceremony, the kingdom went into celebration. Odin, his new wife at his arm, searched the room for Thor. His son was nowhere to be seen.

"Now, my dear," Odin told Sigyn, "Would you rather eat or dance first?"

"Whatever you wish, my lord," Sigyn whispered, slightly bowing her head.

Inside, Sigyn was broken. Even if there was celebration here, there was death and destruction at home.

"My dear, are you alright?" Odin whispered, for a moment his voice sounding less old.

"Yes," she said immediately.

Sigyn had always been trained not to let her true feelings show. No matter how she felt, her husband couldn't know. He would help her, things would get better. They had to.

Odin led her to the table, and they joined the royal feast. Soon, Odin was up briefly talking to his people: the Asgardians. Sigyn stayed seated, briefly smiling at some who complimented her dress. Soon enough, she slipped away, asking a servant to be led to her room.

To her surprise, she was led to a huge chamber. She blushed when she realized that it was the king's bedchamber.

"Draw me a bath," she decided finally.

After her bath, she put on a flimsy nightgown, blushing slightly as she remembered again that she was in Odin's room. At that moment, he walked in.

"You're not going to kick me out of my own bedroom?" he teased her, as he saw her eyes widen.

"No, my lord," she responded.

Odin walked over to her, and pulled her by the waist to sit next to him on the bed. He was surprised that tears started streaming down her cheeks, and she buried her face in her hands.

"I'm sorry, my lord," she said immediately, but was unable to stop the tears.

"My dear," Odin said, again sounding less old, "I need you to keep a secret."

"What?" Sigyn asked, perplexed by the statement. Odin stood up, and went outside to talk to the guard.

"Don't disturb us tonight," she heard him warn the guard, "I will emerge to summon the servants tomorrow morning."

Odin came back in the room, making sure the door was shut behind him. He walked over to Sigyn, and pulled her into his arms, kissing her. Sigyn wanted to pull away, but knew she shouldn't. She was married to him, this was how it would have to be, no matter how disgusted she felt. In a strange way, as the kiss went on, it almost seemed more enjoyable.

They pulled apart and Sigyn felt his hand cover her mouth as she was about to scream. In front of her was not Odin, but a much younger man with dark hair and pale skin. He almost looked like…

"Loki!" she said, as he removed his hand. She'd never spoken to the prince of Asgard, but she had seen him at many events in the past. The destruction he brought onto Midgard was infamous, after all.

Loki smiled at her, clearly pleased at his trick.

"Correct," he said.

"You're dead!" Sigyn exclaimed, remembering hearing the news of his passing.

"I appreciate your concern," Loki replied, raising an eyebrow.

"How is this possible?" Sigyn asked, her mind finally off what was happening at home.

"Magic," Loki whispered, suddenly becoming Odin again, and then back to himself.

Loki pulled Sigyn close to him, kissing her again. She kissed him back, mystified at what was happening. She suddenly pulled back.

"Who am I married to?"

"By all ancient laws, you're married to me," Loki told her, "You never married Odin."

"What about the alliance?" Sigyn's thoughts immediately turned back to her homeland. It was foolish not to think of what this illusion meant for Vanaheim.

"It's still in place, as long as you keep this secret," Loki warned her.

At that moment, Sigyn realized the fragility of her position. Who knows what Loki had done to Odin: if he was ever found out he would be destroyed along with the alliance with Vanaheim. She was the only one who knew the truth, and the only one who could do the right thing.

The only problem was, the right thing would result in thousands of deaths in her own realm. Sigyn realized that her hands were tied.

"I won't tell a soul," she whispered.

Loki grinned.