Astrid sat in her chair, staring lifelessly into a mirror as a maid did her hair. Her mother sat nearby, supervising, and rattling on about the honor of being Thor's wife. Astrid bit her tongue to stop herself from telling her mother that maybe she should marry Thor herself.

It was to be a small ceremony, with just their parents in attendance. The Allfather would marry them himself.

When the maid was done with Astrid's hair, her mother dismissed her.

"I will help her finish."

The maid curtsied and left the room.

"Astrid," her mother said. She pulled her chair closer and spoke in her usual soft voice. "I know this is not what you want."

"Then why do you not do something about it?"

Her mother's eyes became stern, and Astrid knew the warning.

"You know that my marriage to your father was arranged."

"Yes."

"And you know how much I love him now, and have for a long time."

"Yes."

"So, you know it is possible." Her mother paused before continuing. "Did I ever tell you that I was in love with another when I wed your father?"

Astrid turned in her seat, eyes wide. "No. You never told me that."

She nodded. "He was a member of my father's staff. Obviously, you can see where that was already doomed."

"What happened?"

"I married your father."

"Yes, but... what happened with the other?"

"He courted me, secretly, of course, until I was given word of my betrothal. We knew that we had to end it, and so we did."

"How could you do that so easily?"

"My sweet child, I never said it was easy. There were nights of crying, and denial, and me believing that my life was over."

Astrid turned back to the mirror as her mother continued.

"But your father... he loved me. I gave him a chance, even though I was given no choice, and we are happy together."

"He was very harsh with me yesterday," Astrid whispered. "I have never seen him that way. Not directed at me, at least."

"He just wants what is best for your future."

"What is best... would that not be love?"

"Not always, my dear." She brushed some hair from Astrid's face. "If I had not married your father, we may have never had you. And you are my best."

Astrid smiled, and tears pooled in her eyes.

"Thank you, Mama."

"Oh, now, crying will just make you puffy."

She dabbed at Astrid's eyes, and Astrid couldn't help but laugh.

"I should finish getting ready."

"That's my girl."

Astrid tried to smile as she stood facing Thor, but found it difficult. She tried to imagine Loki standing before her, but it broke her heart. At last, she gave in, took a deep breath, and let it happen as it would. She thought of her mother leaving behind her love to wed a man she didn't want. She knew that her mother now loved her father. She had seen nothing less growing up. Maybe, just maybe, she could love Thor one day. Not as a friend, but as a husband.

When the time came for them to kiss, Astrid let go. She was Thor's wife.

That night, servants began to move Astrid's things into Thor's chambers. She hadn't thought that far ahead, and Thor could see the worry on her face. He pulled her into a corner of the bed chamber and shut the door, away from prying ears.

"I will not ask you for intimacy tonight," he said. "I know that this was forced upon you, and I will be damned if I force myself on you in what should be a blissful joining."

"Thank you, Thor."

"I will wait, for as long as it takes, for you to seek out that intimacy of your own will... but until then, all I ask is that you share my bed each night. If for no other reason than my pride. What gossip would start if my new wife suddenly ordered all her things back into her old room?"

Thor grinned, and Astrid couldn't help but smirk. Thor motioned to the bed.

"It is more than large enough for two, with room to spare." He took her hands. "I promise to keep my distance until you are ready."

She nodded her agreement, and Thor kissed her softly.

"Thank you, my sweet Astrid."

For the next few days, Thor didn't leave Astrid's side. They walked the grounds hand-in-hand, talking as friends would. They took riding trips to the countryside each day.

Thor was true to his word, and he never pushed her for anything more than a kiss. Though his hands began to travel during those kisses, he was respectful.

Almost a week after their wedding, Thor and Astrid were walking through the gardens. They came to a bench, and Thor motioned for Astrid to sit. He took her hands in his.

"Astrid, I know this has not been easy on you, but I want you to know how happy I am. How happy you have made me. I know our marriage is not ideal, but..." Thor reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then let his fingers graze her face. "You no longer pull back from my touch."

It was true. Astrid knew that to continue on with her insistence of not being touched or kissed would only make the situation worse. It would anger and hurt Thor, and would only leave her feeling constantly on guard and miserable.

There were times when she knew Thor wanted to kiss her more deeply. In those moments, she closed her eyes and pictured Loki. She knew that was the kind of kiss he was waiting for there in the garden. She leaned in a little to give him permission, then his lips crashed into hers. With one hand still touching her face, his other arm wrapped around her waist. Astrid imagined being in Loki's arms, and she wrapped her arms around Thor's shoulders. The image of Loki in her head was so clear that she heard him speak.

"Well, it looks like things have progressed in my absence."

It wasn't until Thor pulled away that Astrid realized Loki was really there. She looked into his eyes, and her face became a deep red. If Thor noticed, he surely thought it was just embarrassment at being caught in such an intimate moment.

"Brother! When did you return?"

"Only just now. I haven't even been to the palace yet."

She knew she was imagining it, but it felt like Loki's eyes never left her. She saw pain and anger there.

"Well," Thor said, "I doubt Father would be too upset if we shared the happy news with you ourselves."

"What news?"

Thor took Astrid's hand and she stood slowly, but kept her eyes down. She didn't want to see the look on Loki's face.

"Loki," Thor said, "meet your sister-in-law."

He motioned toward Astrid. She couldn't see Loki's face, but she heard his silence. She felt it all around her.

"I thought the ceremony was to be held after your coronation?"

"Our fathers decided to do a small one to make it official sooner. There will be a grand wedding after."

"Well, then, I am happy for you both! Since I was deprived of your wedding, may I hug the bride?"

"Of course!"

Loki wrapped his arms around Astrid and spoke in her mind.

I need to talk to you. Come to my room after dinner. I will shield you.

"Congratulations, Astrid."

"Thank you."

The day moved slowly for Astrid. Yet the end of dinner came too soon. For all the wishing she had done for Loki, now she couldn't bear to face him. As they cleared the plates and everyone slipped into conversation, Astrid heard Loki.

Tell Thor you are going for a ride, but head for my room once you are in the corridor. I will be there soon.

It wasn't odd for Astrid to go for a ride after dark. She loved to ride, and everyone knew she did so whenever she could.

She excused herself. Thor leaned in for a kiss before she stood. Astrid hesitated, but kissed him gently. Once in the corridor, she heard Loki tell her she was hidden from sight. She went to his chambers and slipped inside when she was sure no one was around. She paced inside his sitting room while she waited for him. He wouldn't be able to leave right away, or it might raise suspicion.

So she waited.

When Loki finally came into the room, he held his finger up to his lips and locked the door. Without so much as a glance at her, he walked into the bed chamber and held the door open for her to pass through. His eyes were on the floor. Once she was inside, Loki closed the door and looked up at her.

They stared at each other, neither speaking. Astrid wanted to jump into his arms and kiss him, but she was another man's wife now, and Loki had seemed so hurt before. She didn't want to make it worse.

"This is not the welcome I was expecting upon my return," Loki finally said.

"I'm sorry." Astrid fought back tears.

"Do you love him?"

"How could you ask me that?"

"You married him."

"I had no choice! You were not here. I did not know what to do. My father-"

"This kiss I interrupted seemed-"

"I was imagining you, Loki. He is my husband now. I could no longer reject his kiss."

Loki's eyes darkened, and his lips formed a tight, straight line.

"And, as your husband, have you accepted him where you rejected me?"

Astrid felt her stomach clench. "Thor has graciously given me time to accept our marriage before we consummate it."

"How sweet." Loki's voice dripped with contempt.

"What would you have me do, Loki? My father would have dragged me to the marriage altar kicking and screaming. I'm sure that is why they insisted on the private ceremony; to avoid a spectacle. So, tell me, what would you have me do!"

Her voice had steadily risen, and tears threatened to spill. Loki took a step forward.

"Tell me you love me," he whispered.

Astrid ran into his arms and her tears fell down her cheeks.

"I love you." She kissed his neck. "I love you so much. Only you."

Loki pulled her face to his and kissed her.

"Forgive me," she whispered against his lips.

"There is nothing to forgive, my love. I know you had no choice. I just cannot bear the thought of another man touching what is mine."

Astrid wiped her eyes. "But I am no longer yours."

"Like hell you're not."

Loki scooped her into his arms and kissed her hard. Astrid wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the intensity of the kiss, despite the warning in her head. What they were doing was dangerous, but her heart didn't care. Loki was the man she loved. He was the man she wanted.

Loki set her back on her feet beside the bed, and began to pull at the few laces on the back of her dress.

"Wait, Loki."

"Is something wrong?" Loki asked as he pulled away.

"I am supposed to be out on a ride."

"Yes."

"We do not have time for this. I do not want our first time together to be rushed; just a frenzy of passion."

Loki put a hand to her face. "Is that all this hesitation is?"

Astrid kissed him hard, but pulled away quick. "It is not a hesitation. I love only you. I want only you. But I want time to enjoy being with you. Not a tryst after dinner. Not this time."

"Very well," he said. "I will fix your lacing, and you can return to your husband. I shall think of some way for us to meet for a longer time."

He turned her, and straightened out her clothing. When she faced him again, she saw the sadness in his eyes.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you, my darling."

"Can you shield me from sight until I reach the stables?"

"What for?"

"I think I actually would like to ride. Just for a bit."

Loki nodded. "I can do that."

As Astrid approached the main gate of the stables she heard Thor's voice. Her pace slowed, but she didn't dare stop in case someone might see her hesitate. When she stepped inside, Thor turned around to her.

"Are you going somewhere?" She asked him.

"It would only be to look for you if I were. Where were you?"

She didn't hesitate. "I went for a walk first."

Thor went to her and kissed her forehead. "You should tell me these things. I was going to wait for you to return, and when your horse was still here I feared something had happened to you."

"I am fine."

"So I see."

"Care to join me on my ride?"

"I would love to."