The guests had filed into the hall after dinner where Odin had called for drinking and dancing. The Ladies dispersed to other guests, entertaining them with stories or gossip and convincing some to dance. Kaia, unused to such a large crowd, made her way to the edge of the room and leaned against the wall. She breathed in deeply, trying to calm the sudden rush of anxiety that washed over her. Maybe if she stayed very still, no one would notice she was there.

When Kaia had seated at the table earlier, she felt every eye on her. Never before had she experienced the searing heat of jealousy that seemed to radiate off of every woman in the room, save the Ladies and the Queen. She didn't want to feel that again, so she tried to make herself invisible once dinner was finished.

She still had her eyes closed when she felt a presence beside her. Cautiously peering through her eyelashes, she saw a woman standing before her. She was the most beautiful woman Kaia had ever seen; incredibly tall with long dark hair that curled at her waist, wearing a deep green gown lined with silver attached to silver bands that clasped around her upper arms and wrists. Her lovely hazel eyes regarded Kaia thoughtfully.

"No use in hiding. Everyone has already seen you," she said. Her voice was strong and friendly and her expression was curious. "And it's not hard to see why. You truly do stand out."

"That's inconvenient, since I wish to blend in," Kaia replied. The woman laughed.

"You cannot; I've tried for most of my life. But instead of trying to fight it, I've used it to my advantage." She bowed her head to a passerby and turned back to Kaia with a smirk. "No one suspects a beautiful woman to be so skilled in the art of war. Their ignorance is my best weapon."

"War?" Kaia questioned. Another nobleman passed the pair and acknowledged the woman by her name, making Kaia's eyes widen in surprise. "You are the Lady Sif?"

"Yes, I am. And now that you know my name, I should like to know yours."

"I-My name in Kaia." Sif set the goblet she was holding down on a table and held out her hand. "I have heard many stories about you, my lady. My mother was a great admirer of yours."

"Really? Well, I'm sure I would love to meet her one day." Sif noticed a dark look flash in Kaia's eyes before she looked away. "I'm sorry, have I said something wrong?"

Kaia shook her head and smiled brightly, but Sif saw it was half-hearted. When she was about to question why, Roslyn came running up to the two of them, her face flushed with excitement.

"Kaia! The Queen calls for you!" She turned to Sif. "Forgive me, my lady, I did not wish to disturb you."

"No need to worry. I shall some along as well; I have not had the chance to visit with her Highness today."

When they reached Frigga, she was seated with Odin, who laughed merrily at the joke of a nobleman who was waving his arms in the air as if some invisible being had captured him. He smiled when he saw the young women approaching him.

"Ah, Sif! You are more lovely each time I see you, and therefore more dangerous. And who is this you have brought with you?"

"My King, you remember Kaia, do you not?" Frigga reminded him before she turned back to the pair. "You had mentioned that you are a musician. Would you entertain us, my dear? Ama spoke of your gypsy songs and it would please me to hear you perform."

Kaia opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out to decline the Queen's request.

"I am sure she has no greater pleasure, your Highness," Sif said as she bowed and lightly took Kaia by the arm and began leading her to the centre of the room where the musicians played. Kaia was at once brought out of her reverie once they had stopped and glared at Sif. "Don't look at me like that. The Queen requested it of you, and now you must play," Sif scolded good-naturedly. "Besides, it's better to get it over with now. You have your pick of any instrument you see before you, and I shall sit right here to give you encouragement, should you decide to flee." Sif squeezed Kaia's hand with affection and placed herself on a stool directly in front of Kaia, who instantly felt her confidence return as the music died down. After all, is this any different than any other performance I had ever given before, she thought as she sat at a large bronze harp. Of course it is! This is the court of Asgard!

Her fingers trembled as she ran them across the strings of the harp lightly, the sound immediately bringing everyone's attention to her. She closed her eyes and searched through her mind for the appropriate song that she should play, when she suddenly felt herself strumming without even thinking and her voice rose clear and loud.

My love is gone from sight,

My love, from me, did part.

But though I shall never see him again,

I hold love in my heart.

For there he shall always forever be,

And I know that, come what may,

Upon the throne of my soul he shall sit,

Even after my dying day.

Here is but a passing glance

Where lovers meet by fate,

And I shall sing and play and dance

For my heart, for him, shall always wait.

She closed her eyes once she was finished and sat still in the silence that surrounded her. When she finally raised her head, she saw the Queen close to tears and was immediately seized with terror. She stood from her seat and hung her head, waiting to be reprimanded.

"My Queen, I am sorry to cause you distress," she said quickly, her voice unsteady. When she looked up, the Queen was standing before her, tears freely falling down her face. Frigga placed her hand underneath Kaia's chin, and smiled warmly.

"No, no, Kaia. You sang so beautifully, so...effortless. I heard every emotion in your voice; the pain the love the longing. Many times I felt this way when the Allfather went to war and never have I heard something that so expressed the love I feel for him. Thank you, my dear." She began applauding, and soon the entire room exploded in applause, which nearly made Kaia faint with relief. A crowd gathered around Kaia, each declaring their pleasure in the Queen's new songbird.

Loki watched as people swarmed around Kaia. He observed her face as she grew more terrified with each person who approached her; it was as if she withdrew into herself and became like a caged animal, desperate for escape. But she stood and endured despite her fear, which he found admirable. He moved around the outside circle of the mob, still watching her every move. She stiffened suddenly and then looked straight at him. He held his head high and stared back at her, feeling somewhat uneasy that she returned his gaze so boldly, but he dared not show it. No one ever looked at him as she did then; her face was a mask of unnerving calm and her dark brown eyes seemed to hold every secret of the cosmos. He unexpectedly felt the desire to grab her by the shoulders and shake her senseless until everything she knew came pouring out of her lovely shaped mouth, but kept his arms to his side and his hands balled into fists so tight, his knuckles turned white. He would be damned if she would win this little game of who would look away first, and kept his eyes locked with hers but with more strain than he'd like to admit.

Before he felt as if he would finally give in, Thor came into view. He had never been more grateful to see his elder brother as he moved to stand in between Kaia and himself, completely blocking Kaia from his view. He used the opportunity to move away and compose himself. He was Loki, Prince of Asgard, and he was not to be intimidated by some common gypsy slave. He dared one last look at her over his shoulder but she was lost among the crowd, much to his relief. He shook his head and straightened to his full height, wearing his own mask once more.