Author's Note: I am alive! I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to post. I've been busy dealing with being an adult. Life is difficult. But I'm hoping I can get this story going on a far more regular basis. I can only apologize again for taking so long, and, as always, I hope you enjoy!

Midday sunlight glowed through the window, illuminating the array of bruises along Niya's arm. She traced her fingertips around the mottled edges where one bruise met another, careful not to apply too much pressure. Her hands held minor cuts and scrapes, a small slice along her chin would surely scar over, and a bump shadowed her temple at her hairline. Over all she was sore but would heal shortly. When she complained of a headache, the maids left her alone. None but she had seen the damage of the previous night's adventures.

A soft knock on the door pulled Niya from her investigations. Before she could shove her arms into a long-sleeved robe, though, Frigga entered. Her eyes skimmed over the bruising and scratches before catching Niya's eyes. She gave her small smile of pity. "Perhaps I should have told Thor to play gently."

"I—he…I'm fine," Niya stammered.

Frigga eyed her with a hint of admiration. "I know. But my son can be a touch rough."

Niya shook her head. "He didn't do this to me. It was some creature."

"Yes. But sometimes he forgets that not everyone can defend themselves the way he does."

"It was Thor who saved me." Realizing she was on the verge of arguing with the All Mother, Niya shied away and toyed with one of her loose curls.

Pity now softened Frigga's features. "If you would like, we can have our physicians look after you. I'm certain we've got some medicine to help."

"No. Thank you. I'll be fine."

Frigga stood before Niya and smiled. "Thor has always been so quick to make friends. He adores people and their opinions. He makes it his duty to make people smile." Her brow furrowed. "He means well, if he is a bit overzealous." She paused before continuing. "But Loki." She was no longer looking at Niya, but out the window. "Loki's cautious. He asses the situation and weighs the outcome before acting. He loves people from afar, befriends few, and lets even fewer close to him."

Niya sighed. "Is this the part where you tell me to give him some time? That he'll come round in the end?"

"I could, but what would be the point? You already know and accept it."

"I accept it?"

Frigga nodded. "Oh yes. You accept the same quality within yourself, and you see it in Loki."

Niya stepped half a step back, flummoxed. "And on what do you base these claims?"

"Observation, dear." She flashed Niya a knowing smile. "Loki's got his tricks, but where do you think he learned them?"

Niya wondered what that meant. Was the Allmother spying on her? Was Loki? "Certainly I am allowed my privacy during my stay."

Frigga smiled. "But of course, my dear. This is your home now, and I would expect you to treat it as such."

Niya frowned. "My home?"

"Had your father not told you?"

Niya remembered the argument she'd had with her father before coming to Asgard. He'd told her not to return until she'd secured a betrothal to a prince. If Frigga knew of the stipulations of her return, did that mean she knew it'd take years for that to happen? Or would Niya even want to return once she was betrothed? She nodded slowly in response. "No, he did. I suppose I haven't had much time to think it over."

"I'll leave you to your devices. I wanted to check on you before I rescue my sons from the Allfather's wrath." She smirked as though it were a great joke. "Just know that I'm grateful for your presence, Niya."

. . .

Odin loomed before his throne, casting his disappointment down on his sons. Thor stood with his jaw set, looking directly at his father. Loki stood beside him with arms crossed and eyes downcast to the base of the golden dais.

"How could I have two sons so careless as you?" Odin's voice filled the entire chamber.

"It was only a bit of fun. I meant only to make her feel welcome," Thor countered.

"Fun? Dark magic and death is fun? That girl's life is not a game."

"Only in politics," Thor growled.

"Speak not of what you don't understand."

"She has a life, father, which she has not yet been allowed to live." Thor was beginning to shout.

"Thor," Loki warned softly.

"How arrogant you are to think you have the authority to decide how she lives," Odin growled.

Thor scowled. "You're no better! you've not even spoken to her, and yet would cast her aside! Lock her in a room to use at a later time!"

"Such insolence will not be tolerated! And you, Loki! Do you not care for the life of your betrothed?"

Loki dropped his hands to his sides. "Of course—!"

"The why allow your brother to be so careless? She is to be your wife, Loki, not Thor's. Take control."

"She is her own person and will do as she pleases. She is not a play thing to command or toss aside." Loki's eyes flashed.

"I never said she was. I'm reminding you that she is to be your wife!"

"In an equal marriage!" Loki's voice cracked with the force of his rage. "I will have no command over her, nor will she over me."

Odin slumped back into his throne. "And here is one of many reasons Thor shall one day rule over Asgard, and not you. How are you to command the nine realms if you cannot command a single person?"

Loki's lips were drawn so tight they'd gone white. Fury blazed behind his emerald eyes. "A marriage is not a kingdom. A wife is not to be commanded." He pulled in a shaky, shallow breath. "Tell me, father, do you command mother?"

"In a manner of speaking."

"Is that what you think, my love?" Frigga had walked in and took her place between her sons. "If you have command over me, then I certainly have command over you. In all the ways that count." She smirked. She'd silenced Odin for the moment. "Now forgive my sons in their eagerness, and let them go. They've committed no crimes, and are not under trial." She stroked Thor's massive arm before turning to Loki. She smiled. "Go. Enjoy the day." She tilted her head to one side. "And do make an effort with Niya."

Thor and Loki turned and stormed from the hall. They turned a corner and Thor laughter lightly.

"What could possibly be amusing?" Loki hissed.

"That was like old times, was it not?"

he shot Thor a venomous glare. "This is not a game! Your mindless scheming put her life in peril!"

Thor grinned. "You do care, then."

Loki recoiled. "She means nothing." With that, he stalked away.

. . .

Niya stayed in her room the remainder of the day, wanting to avoid the gaze of curious Asgardians. Their curiosity would only be piqued by her visible injuries. She also wasn't certain she could handle the disapproving, fiery gaze of the Allfather. Word spread quickly, and one of her maids heard from one of the kitchen maids who was betrothed to one of the Allfather's servants that the princes received a scolding not heard in these halls since the were boys. On the one hand, it served them right for dragging her on a death-defying midnight adventure. But on the other, hand, she couldn't stop the seed of guilt from rooting to the corners of her heart. If she was capable of feeling even that small twinge of guilt, then likely the Allfather would lay the blame also with her, in part, and display his wrath.

So she read, and napped, and tended to her wounds, and read some more, and took her meals on the balcony. It was mindless, but nothing she wasn't already used to in her own home. When she fell asleep that night, she dreamed of that ruined palace. Sweet music lured her back to the overgrown garden. She felt the slimy, scaly tendrils wrapping around her limbs, brushing against her skin in a faux caress, only to tighten into a strangling bind.

Niya's eyes shot open in her panicked dream state, and she gasped for air. A sheen of sweat made her nightdress cling to her collar, and the sateen bedding entrapped her legs. Attempting sleep was futile, and she knew it, so Niya got up and took a moment to freshen herself in the water basin and dressed quickly. This was to be her home. Surely it would be acceptable for her to wander its halls and learn the layout.

The lighting alternated between silver moonlight casting beams through the windows, and golden torchlight flickering in recesses. The golden walls and glittering stone floors reflected the lights in a warm glow. The long corridors, much like her own back home, were dotted with doors and alcoves, and seemed to wind in an endless maze. A mural ran the length of one wall, and Niya gazed in wonder at the detail, continuing on her walk. The scene was of a battle between the Jotuns and Asgardians with Midgardians caught in the middle. Some had been torn to shreds, others were frozen solid. The surviving Midgardians ran in terror or wept in grief. Neither Jotuns or Asgardians paid them attention.

"My father's most glorious success."

Niya suppressed her gasp and eased her breathing. She wasn't particularly pleased to see Loki, but she'd try to behave as long as he did. "Glorious success?" She traced the outline of a Midgardian man cradling the remains of his child. "Define success."

Loki moved to stand beside her. "My father is blind to the cost of his actions, but all he does is for the good of the nine realms." His tone was soft, but Niya thought his eyes betrayed a hint of malice. She blinked and the look was gone. Perhaps it had been shadow tricks.

"I suppose you and Thor are proud to be his sons."

"Proud to be the heir of a man who would pit his sons against each other?" He laughed wryly.

"Yet you're so desperate to please him." A surge of empathy crashed over her as she watched him.

A small frown creased his features. "What makes you say that?"

She shook her head. "Nothing. I don't know what I'm talking about." She forced a smile. Loki took a moment to assess Niya's face. She could feel her cheeks turn pink under his gaze. She looked away and toyed with the neckline of her dress.

"The night changes you." He seemed caught between amusement and concern.

"How do you mean?"

His head ticked to the side. "You're easier to talk with, but your convictions are lacking."

She shrugged. "Perhaps I simply tire of arguing. It's all we've done this far."

He grinned. "But don't you find that spark enticing?"

"I can see you do."

"There are few I've met whose intellect challenges mine."

Niya raised her eyebrows. "How humble you are."

Loki laughed softly. "My apologies. I meant only to pay you a compliment."

"While admiring yourself in the process. Your skills are astounding." Niya smiled despite herself.

The two watched each other in the flicker of the torchlight. He leaned against the mural, arms crossed over his chest, and allowed his eyes to graze over her features. The low light seemed to soften his expression, and Niya found herself thinking Loki a touch handsome. She silently cursed herself with a frown.

He furrowed his brows, one dipping lower than the other. "You are unhappy here."

Niya shook her head. "No more than in my own home."

"If it is something I've done, I apologize greatly."

"No. It's not you in particular." She twisted a curl between two fingertips. "It's…well, I wouldn't expect you to understand."

"You feel imprisoned by expectation."

She nodded slowly. "I suppose that's a good way to describe it."

"So goes the story of my life." His expression hardened. "Ah, well. I won't bore you with that." He forced a tight smile.

Niya cocked an eyebrow. "I'm sure I can imagine. After all, isn't it universal law that children disappoint their parents?"

Loki shrugged. "Perhaps. But there may be one or two out there who've managed to make their fathers proud." His eyes grazed over her wounds. "I can't imagine you've done much to disappoint your own father."

She dipped her head low to shy away from his attention. "You don't know me well." She could still feel Loki's eyes on her. "If you'll excuse me, it's getting late."

"Of course. Please allow me to escort you to your room."

"I can manage. Beisdes, I wasn't finished with my tour."

"Were you not show around upon your arrival?"

"I prefer to see the grounds as they are, not some censored version I'm allowed to see. If you'll excuse me." Niya started to move around him.

"Are you not enjoying our little chat?" Loki asked, grabbing her arm lightly.

She held her head high. "As pleasant as you are forcing yourself to be, I'd rather spend the remainder of my evening alone." She pulled her arm free.

"How dreadfully dull."

She clenched her jaw. "No less so than dredging through mundane conversation with you."

"Well. Don't let me ruin your night. I'll see you tomorrow then."

She forced a smile. "It's inevitable, I'm sure." She turned away from him and strolled down the hallway.