Our revelry extended far into the night as we went for several more rounds, until we were left wasted and glowing. In a strange bed on an even stranger world, I couldn't have felt more at home. I fell asleep to awaken the next day in my own bed, safe and sound as if nothing had happened. My leg ached from the desperation of his lovemaking the night before. I felt used and in a wicked way I love it. I had never been a virtuous girl. I had had sex before, but it was the disappointing boring teenage kind of sex that makes you question what a loveless marriage is like. It had never been passionate, and it had most definitely never been attached to the promise of a relationship. It had been never like this.

My heart sank a bit as eased myself off the bed. I wondered how long I was going to have to live this double life. I pulled my nightgown down, revealing the little satin bruises that his mouth left along my breasts. It couldn't go on forever, none of this could. He could be mysterious and aloof and sexy… I bit my lip, tracing along where his mouth had been... But sooner or later the truth would have to come out. He wanted more than my body. He wanted my power. Almost just as much as I wanted his power, but for what I didn't know. My magic felt like nothing in comparison to his.

He was a God. There was no doubt about in my mind now. No mortal man or simple sorcerer could create paths between worlds without the Bifrost or the help of Odin. He was incredible, and it I would have been a lie to say to that I wasn't the smallest bit afraid of him, even if that fear made me want him more.

The sounds of the court bell tolling jolted me from my thoughts, and I hustled out of bed. I completely forgot that Odin was going to call the court into session today in preparation for Uncle Loki's return. I ran over to my wardrobe and hastily dressed before bounding down the stairs. I just finished plaiting my hair as I entered the court kitchen to grab a breakfast roll and cheese. I was left absolutely starving from the excitement of the night before. I quickly ate as I slipped around the columns that lined the entrance to the main reception hall. I stopped dead in my track as I heard Odin's booming voice coming from behind the imposing doors. It had begun without me.

"Alright. Alright." I said to myself trying to calm myself down. "I'll just go in through the back way. Right? No one will notice I'm missing anyway."

I swiftly started heading around to the back entrance, making my way up a small flight of stairs that were tucked behind the columns. The stairs wound around to a secluded upper balcony that overlooked the Grand Hall. From here I could see everything and everybody.

"Despite his many transgressions, Loki is still my son and your prince." Odin's authoritarian tone sent chills through my body as he rested upon the throne. "He is to be respected as such in Asgard and across the realms. Any mention of his previous wrongdoings or misdemeanors will be seen as a crime against Asgard."

The court held themselves in obedient and grim silence. I was amazed as I had never seen anything like this before, not since Odin had declared war on Svartalfheim, and even that had some joyous bloodthirstiness to it. I crept slowly in the shadows, not sure if I should go down and risk interrupting.

"His past is forgotten to us. He is Odinson." Odin let the foot of his scepter hit the floor with a deafening boom. "He is restored."

A stilted round of fanfare rang out from the crowd. Using this distraction, I snuck down the central stairway from the balcony and descended into the hall. A couple of eyes tracked me, lurking around the edge of the crowd, but I managed to not cause a scene as I slipped into the background of the royal party. A sour pit formed in my stomach as I saw Jane glare at me. Apparently my absence had not gone unnoticed. We smiled for a few more seconds as the court's fake joy began to painfully evaporate. The speech was over, people wanted to get on with their lives. Sighing, Odin rose and dismissed the crowd, before heading into his royal reception room with Thor close on his heels.

"What is with you!" Jane said furiously under breath, as she brought me to the side, grabbing me before I went anywhere.

"I'm sorry. I forgot it was today." I said, hanging my head low.

"I suppose you also forgot to sleep too? When Lady Maria came to room this morning she said you weren't there." She looked at me with wide eyes.

"I didn't really sleep last night," I said, cautiously. "Actually, I didn't sleep well at all. I had nightmares." My voice trembled because it was it true that I did have nightmares often, the kind of nightmares that made me sweat. "At first light I went out into the garden to walk, hoping to clear my mind. I often do so when I am troubled."

An excruciating long pause transpired between the two of us.

"You're just like him aren't you." Jane coldly whispered.

"What?"

"You're a liar." She hissed. "Just. Like. Him."

"Who?" I asked in confusion, my stomach turning because for once her accusations had some truth to them.

"Loki, that's who. That silver tongued serpent! You and him are cut from the same cloth. Love is lost on you."

Her words whipped into me. "You know nothing-"

"-Wake up Ophelia!" She snapped, "Before one day you find yourself trapped in your own web with no one to help you. Rest assured, I will find out where you were last night, if not from you but from the palace guards. I will not have another Loki festering under my nose. My house will not be brought down with wickedness like Odin's was."

Friga glanced our way from the conversation she was having nearby with some ladies of the court. Any anger I that I had toward Jane in that moment transformed into bitter shame. I had felt disgrace and dishonor before when I was mocked for my abilities, but at least then I had some comfort in knowing that deep down they were baseless. But now there was no defense. I was what she said I was, a liar, and what worse is that this felt like only the beginning of the many more sins that I would commit in the name of freedom. I looked down at the floor, trying to compose myself.

"Can I leave now." I pleaded.

"Yes, you may go." Jane waved her hand dismissively.

I practically bolted for the door. I ran out into the massive hall and just kept on going. I didn't even know where I was heading, just somewhere far away from them. I flew through the gardens and the corridors and before I knew it I had wound up in the secluded library. Hidden behind the rows and rows of books and relics, no one could see me there. I drew myself into the most concealed reading nook that I could find. I shakily ran my fingers through my hair.

"Am I wicked?" I murmured, my head resting in my hands as unsure tears pooling my eyes. "I know you can hear me. So don't pretend you can't."

A tendril of green smoke brushed by me.

"My sweet," He said, placing his finger under my chin and drawing it up so that I would at him. "Everyone's wicked every once in a while."