There are two days left before the wedding of Loki and Sigyn, and the two have hardly seen each other at all since they arrived. Sigyn's new following of young girls, anxious to see her as a bride, continue to throw extravagant colored clothing her way, planning the whole event for her. Sigyn would prefer the ceremony be private and small, but it seems that Loki's reputation has spread throughout the Don City; after all, the son of Frigga was indeed the Prince of Asgard. As effect, Sigyn is to become a princess, and therefore the people require the best materials for her royal wedding.
Sigyn's final task is to find a ring for her husband, and she toils through the market with Grid at her side. She has left the other ladies in the dark for this errand; the girl wishes to feel the comfort of someone she can trust.
"What troubles you, my dear?" Grid notices that Sigyn looks more anxious than excited, and has been since they arrived in the Don City. "Are you not finding what you're looking for?"
Sigyn returns the gaze and shakes her head. How can I explain to her that the lover that brought me to Vanaheim is not the same man I am due to marry? His words to me have been so cold, so empty, even though they said everything I wanted them to say. What is missing?
"I think I'm just feeling apprehensive about our future, Grid." Sigyn isn't so naïve as to think that Loki's time away from her has been spent planning an extravagant ceremony; despite her trust of him, she is aware of his nature to seek out revenge hastily. Still, Sigyn keeps searching for a ring, not sure what will suit this new Loki best.
As she searches the silver and ornate-jeweled choices, Sigyn's mind drifts to the first night she truly met Loki, when he unveiled himself to her. He granted her mercy, and chose to keep her alive. He was cold, but forgiving, even trusting. She remembers later on Loki's hand taking hers, pressing it against his cheek, and letting tears of longing flow from his striking eyes. Sigyn remembers the sensation of his lips upon hers, so cold to the touch but so warm with emotion. How she wishes he would touch her as he did the night his bandages came off, when Loki told her that he loved her. The thoughts fill Sigyn with warmth, giving her enough encouragement to keep looking until she finds the perfect band.
...
Loki is on the same errand as Sigyn, being forced to the market by his uncle. Freyr takes the opportunity with Loki to ask him about his true intentions.
"What is it really that you came to the Don City for, Loki? I know it wasn't to marry that poor girl." Freyr feels sorry for Sigyn, though he hasn't spoken with her at all since they came to the city. He has seen, however, Loki's interactions with the other sorcerers. Loki is plotting a vengeful attack on Asgard with an unknown ally, whom he seems desperate to establish contact with. Freyr cannot imagine that the son of his sister, Frigga, turned out so harsh and brutal over the last few weeks since his healing just on his own.
"My plans are my concern and my concern only, dear Uncle." His response is hissed back at Freyr, surprising him. "And as for Sigyn, she is to be my wife, to stand at my side, and I will do with her as I please." This added comment gives Freyr pause. He did not expect the previously gushing Loki to be so dismissive.
"Is that what my sister raised you to be? A husband that does not respect his wife? A man that treats his spouse as an object to be brought from place to place, not to be given honor in her home?" Freyr is playing into the grief that he knew Loki felt for Frigga back in the mountains. He sees that these questions make Loki uncomfortable. Yet Freyr presses on: "What happened to the proclamations of love and adoration that you kept spouting on our journey here?"
Loki's hands are clamped in tight fists of frustration. Why should I have to defend myself for my uncle's pleasure? How dare he invoke my mother's name during this quarrel! Loki closes his eyes and breathes in to keep from exploding at Freyr.
"Uncle, I will honor my mother's wishes for me as a husband. I am not a monster." The words escape his lips, but his fingers might as well be crossed in deception. "Now, we are here to find Sigyn a ring, and I intend to do just that."
They search the selections, unsatisfied. After an hour, Loki decides to not use the rings he's faced with and, to show his uncle a hint of care for Sigyn, designs one himself with the last bit of thoughtfulness and love existing in his poisoned heart.
...
The night before the wedding is a celebration of the whole Don City. Loki and Sigyn are forced into separate parties, great feasts in their honor, and blessings from strangers. The halls are filled with loud music, crackling with spells and tricks to pass the time. In their respective places, both Sigyn and Loki are apprehensive about the next day.
Sigyn's gala is all women, playing games with each other and parading through the hall with Sigyn's intended wedding dress. The gown is a gauzy black, but includes a golden breastplate with green symbols to match the groom. None of the women know how Loki will be dressed, but assume that the Prince will be predictable enough. Since arriving in the Don City, he has been seen wearing the minor armor he tends to dress himself in for business, which does not stray from what Sigyn confirmed to be his general color scheme.
In her hair, the women intertwine long vines with white flowers, a sample of one potential style for tomorrow. Sigyn sits and allows the women to do as they will; she closes her eyes and travels away, consulting with her own thoughts. Isn't this what I wanted? To stay with Loki? Did I not declare as much to Odin on the rock, that I would remain at his side, no matter the cost? But Loki barely knows me, so why would he make such a rash decision? She tries to relive the warmth she felt yesterday, imagining what life with Loki would be like. But who she wants is the Loki she cared for after the Chitauri attack, the Loki that squeezed her hand in affirmation. Am I so selfish as to only want Loki when he cannot act in opposition?
Sigyn can't help but wonder if this wedding is a good idea. She smiles when the girls present her with a mirror to see their work, and nods in approval.
..
In Loki's party, the men are drinking heavily. They are yelling and singing old songs while surrounding Loki, who is regally sitting in the center of their celebration. This is the night he has been waiting for, anxious to see the outcome of his battle with Thor. After this night, he can engulf his senses in revenge.
He looks out over the men, thinking that they look pitiful and too easily amused by this ceremony. Freyr stands to speak:
"We of Vanaheim are here to celebrate the marriage of Loki, the son of my dear sister Frigga, to his princess Sigyn!" The men cheer; Loki only raises his head and cocks and eyebrow at her meaningless title. Freyr turns to Loki and raises a glass to him. "Loki, my dear nephew, I could not have expected to see you again after the Bifrost on Asgard was destroyed, but I am glad you fell into our hands. With us, you have allies!" The men cheer again, and Loki echoes his toast and takes a drink.
The anticipation of the night's final custom is consuming him.