The Neutered Omega

by Samwise Baggins

Loki has been a voluntary prisoner as long as he can remember, but someone crashes into his life and turns his entire reality around. Omegaverse. M/M Thorki. Slash. Rape. Dedicated to Dorkylokifan for encouraging me to write my fantasies and to Pallyndrome for helping my plots.

21. Weapons of War

Chapter Title: Weapons of War

Author: Sam

Story: The Neutered Omega: 21 of 23

Series: The Omega Rights: part one

Settings: AU Omegaverse: Asgard

xxx

The night's banquet seemed the most lavish yet as everyone dressed in their best. Once it started, the food and drink would threaten to last the entire night and into the next morning: the day of the hand fastening of two acknowledged princes of Asgard. Voices competed with one another, and with roving entertainers, as the crowd called merrily back and forth in jovial anticipation of the third and final testing for the three claimants. With the public Tests of Honesty and Heredity no one doubted they had all three missing princes back. No, the test planned for that night was not proof of identity; it would reveal Odin's heir to the throne. Spirits were high for the testing followed by the eagerly anticipated feasting in celebration; they merely awaited the arrival of the guests of honor: Princes Baldur, Thor, and Loki.

Loki stood by the cracked open door leading from a back corridor to behind the royal dais. He took in the sight of the partying crowd, watching silently without feeling nervous. To him, it mattered not if he proved worthy to rule; he would do so if chosen, but he held no ambition for the throne. Rather, Loki carefully studied face after face, looking for someone specific: his dam, Laufey. As the hours had slowly slid into one another, closer to the hand fastening and his official bonding registration with his mate, Loki felt something would go terribly wrong.

They had made no secret of their plans, Thor and he, and so Laufey would not have failed to hear of this grand event. If ever he wanted vengeance on Loki, or even Odin, there would hardly be a better occasion than the public ceremony of bonding . . . unless the twisted madman chose to wait two more months for the royal wedding itself.

A hand gently pulled Loki from his vantage point and the door shut softly.

Loki looked to his long-time bodyguard and friend, Ingolf, who smiled just as softly as his actions. Barely above a whisper the older man said "they will prepare the dais now, and you are not permitted to see that."

Smiling back at the redhead, the raven-haired prince nodded and smoothed down his dark emerald and silver-worked tunic. "I have seen it before when Thor underwent the testing, but I have no interest in providing fodder for dissidents. I have no reason to cheat, Goth."

Ingolf smiled and turned Loki back to the two blond princes, his adopted brothers, one of which was his life mate. Also standing with the claimants were Volstagg, the red -haired newly minted royal guard, and Fandral, longtime acquaintance and confidant of Thor. Each prince would be tended by a guard throughout the ceremony, while the royal messenger Heimdall directed their coming and going. King Odin, the Allfather, wanted no claims of false choosing this time around. Even Mjolnir had been reclaimed by the Asgardian ruler to be used in the Test of Worthiness; she would have free choice of her companion once more. In his heart, Loki hoped she would again select Thor; the dark prince would love to see the naysayers put in their place for their doubts of Thor's worth and honesty.

Loki had ever been a vindictive man.

The guards positioned their princes with their backs towards the wall containing the door, and when it opened they were not permitted to turn . . . until after the ceremony, none of the royal sons would see the dining hall, table of weapons, or even the faces of those who witnessed the ceremony. Heimdall's voice came steady and quiet behind them. "You may blind the claimants."

A small stab of fear raced through Loki at the messenger's words, despite being fairly sure no permanent harm would be rendered upon them. At the feel of a silken cloth being drawn over his head, covering his eyes but not his mouth, Loki allowed himself to relax. With the cloth over his eyes, Loki found his sight cut off totally, as the material formed to the sides of his nose and the curve of his cheekbones. With so many claimants none of the viewers would trust them to honestly keep their eyes shut, though Loki knew none of them would dare cheat this test.

Heimdall's voice called out "let them be brought forward," and Loki felt Ingolf take his arm firmly to guide the youngest prince into the dining hall. They moved easily to a spot on the dais, but the long royal dining table seemed to not be there - - probably moved to ease the passage of the claimants. Loki knew the table, laden with weapons and such, would still be on the raised platform.

From somewhere to Loki's far right Odin's calm voice rang out. "When called, the named prince will step forward and choose something from the table. No one is to speak or make noises. Nothing is to be done to give hints, encouragement, or even disapproval to the claimants. Once each of the princes have chosen, I will reveal the results . . . and hopefully my new heir."

After a suitably long pause, Heimdall intoned "Baldur Odinson." Not far from Loki the sound of a gentle tread came to his ears. Loki mentally followed his eldest brother's movements as the priest apparently made his way up and down the table. Finally, the crowd let out a loud, unified gasp, interrupted by Odin's roar.

"Hush! You will be silent or leave! I will not have you giving any indication of the results until all have been tested!" The Allfather's anger effectively cowed the spectators, and not one murmur rose from the audience. "Have you chosen, Prince Baldur?"

"Yes, Allfather. We have chosen," came the odd reply.

Loki recalled how Thor had formerly mentioned the his hammer, Mjolnir would sing, so perhaps Baldur found such a weapon. Suddenly, the youngest prince realized that it was quite likely Mjolnir had chosen Baldur this time around. Somehow, the thought felt disappointing; the former prostitute liked the idea of the former gladiator proving his worth as a ruler.

"Very well," Odin broke into Loki's thoughts. "Guard, assist him back to his spot, please."

The heavy tread of Volstagg sounded as the former temple guard assisted the priest back against the wall.

Once Baldur had apparently been situated, Odin called out "Thor Odinson." Beside Loki, Thor stepped out with his familiar confident step. He seemed to take far less time than Baldur and, upon his choosing, the crowd seemed to almost vibrate in response - - though no sound came from the spectators.

With a neutral tone, not giving away anything, Odin called "Prince Thor, have you chosen?"

"Yes, Allfather," Thor called back. "We have chosen." Loki heard the swish of exotic material from beside him, signaling Fandral's movement to retrieve Thor. The pair settled into their spot to Loki's right, against the wall.

To Loki's left side, Ingolf reached over and gently touched Loki's sleeve. As if on cue, Odin's voice boomed out "Loki of Asgard," a reminder that as an Omega Child, Loki belonged to all of Asgard not a specific couple.

Stepping forward confidently, Loki stretched out one hand, palm down, letting his seidr flow. Feeling a faint hum, Loki turned and began to stride down the length of the large table. Sometimes his seidr would fluctuate, as if responding to something specific. Other times, Loki could almost hear a voice. Once or twice, the dark prince felt nauseous, even terror emanating in waves from one or more area of the table. Upon reaching the end of the table - - Loki could sense nothing further in that direction - - he turned and began the journey back down the table, this time covering the second half in his slow, graceful journey.

A strong sense of peace overcame the twenty year old and he paused, hand outstretched, fingers curling slightly towards his palm. Soft humming, nearly audible but just below the register of hearing. Loki backed up and let his seidr probe. He stepped forward again and the gentle mental song came back. A soft smile gracing his face, Loki deliberately walked past that welcome music to sense the rest of the table's offerings. Nothing else of note happened and Loki knew he'd found his match. Slowly, he turned and held out his other hand, stepping carefully back towards that sensation of a few minutes before.

Yes, she hummed once more, welcoming and gentle, with an underlying fierceness running counter-harmony to her soft song. Loki gently let his hand fall to cover the slim weapon in her sheath. Instantly, without the use of his eyes, Loki knew he'd chosen the dagger he'd so admired during Thor's initial trial. Or she had chosen the dark prince. A smile of serenity crossed Loki's beautiful features and the crowd gasped even louder than they had for Baldur's choice.

It mattered not to the young prince.

For the third time, Odin's voice called "have you made your choice, Prince Loki?" Apparently the Allfather chose not to hush the audience this time.

"Yes, Allfather," Loki replied confidently. "We have chosen." And he knew what Baldur and Thor had meant before him: the selection had been mutual, done by both weapon and wielder. A soft touch came to Loki's arm, and he allowed Ingolf to guide him back to his spot by the wall.

The sound of weapons being removed from the table fought with the rising voices of the crowd. Onlookers whispered among themselves, but no voices rose high enough to distinguish their words from the cacophony of noise. Finally, Odin's voice rang out over the dining hall.

"Each of you have chosen an artifact to prove your worth to Asgard. Now, remove your blindfolds. I shall tell you what you hold."

Loki felt Ingolf's gentle hands remove his blindfold, drawing a deep breath in relief; he had not enjoyed the encompassing feeling of the clinging cloth. Looking down, a smile came to the raven-haired man's lips; the dagger he so coveted truly had chosen him. A soft, gentle glow emanated from the blade as Loki pulled the dagger from her sheath, silver runes etched down the gleaming surface. Next to him, Thor held Mjolnir once more, and pride swelled the dark prince's heart. That alone should put the naysayers in their place. Glancing beyond the tall blond, Loki eyed the shield in Baldur's hands . . . and wondered just how that artifact could be used in more than defense of the Nine Realms.

With a nod, Odin intoned, "Baldur, my son, you hold Svalinn, the Shield of the Sun." He gestured for Baldur to display the silver with the sunburst pattern embossed on Allfather continued, "this is an artifact used to defend Asgard from her enemies. He will emanate a cold field to crush enemy fires and is ever known as the Shield of the Bright One." He paused then nodded, looking satisfied. "A fitting artifact for a priest and protector." The crowd murmured softly, though it was not clear if they felt joy or despair at the result.

"Thor, you hold Mjolnir," Odin interrupted the onlookers. He nodded towards his second son. "She is a weapon of destruction and a tool of building. She harnesses the weather your seidr harkens to. A fitting companion for you." He nodded once at the pleased sounds from the watching crowd, letting them compare the merits of both choices.

Then Odin turned to the third prince. "Loki, you hold Angurvadal. She is a weapon of war and peace. She will herald the war by glowing bright as a sun, and she will rejoice in the peace by softly illuminating as the moon. A fitting weapon for . . . a queen." Pride warred with excitement as Loki understood immediately what Odin hinted at.

The crowd gasped and Odin held up his hands. "Silence!" When he got his demand, he went on. "Yes, in favor of the good my eldest son can do in the temple and on behalf of all Omegas, I will ask him to step back from his claim unless something happens to Thor. In face of the choice of Mjolnir, I claim Thor to be my heir. As is custom, forevermore only he who is worthy of ruling Asgard will be able to lift Mjolnir. And I thank you, Mjolnir, for allowing this testing and letting down your seidr to allow any of these three to pick you up, should your seidr and worthiness be matched."

The crowd stayed silent, though, and Loki smiled wide. He leaned over and whispered to his puzzled mate, "It means Mjolnir let herself be used in the test. She was ever the one who selects the next ruler, and she chose you."

With apparent sudden understanding, Thor looked proud and bowed to Loki. "And Angurvadal has chosen my proper queen?"

Loki quirked an eyebrow and chuckled. "No, your future queen and Angurvadal have come to an accord and will work together to warn and protect all of Asgard . . . perhaps fitting for an Omega Child of Asgard, think you not?"

xxx

The morning dawned bright and pleasantly warm, promising a wonderful venue for the garden feast planned to follow the royal hand fastening. A smile curved Loki's lips as he stretched luxuriously beside his still sleeping mate. Turning over, reaching for the bedside table, his hand fell almost caressingly on the unsheathed dagger, glowing like soft moonlight, sitting there. Quietly Loki greeted Angurvadal before picking her up in a confident grip. He sat up, completely nude except the tooled leather belt and ornate sheath he'd slept in, long accustomed to wearing a dagger sheath in bed. The lithe brunet slid his weapon home into her sheath then rolled over to lay his head on Thor's shoulder.

Running his fingers down the large blond's chest, caressing over the man's strong abdomen, Loki turned his face to kiss Thor's wide shoulder, eliciting a soft rumble from the sleepy man. "It's time to awaken, my love," the raven-haired man murmured, kissing the warm flesh once more. Leaning close, Loki breathed in the scent of his lover.

Thor rumbled and stretched. "A few more hours, Loki," he smiled widely at the darker man.

"Yes, and I need all of them," Loki replied with a soft laugh. He slid from their bed, stretching again, and strode towards their bathing chamber. The sound of Thor scrambling from the bed followed Loki's soft tread, and the raven-haired prince laughed again. The prince removed his belt and placed it, and its protected dagger, on the vanity near the doorway. Stepping into the shower, he welcomed Thor's larger bulk sliding in behind him, sharing the hot water and sweet-scented soap . . . and gentle, morning kisses and touches.

The bathing took longer than it should have, but Loki didn't begrudge the love-making which had interferred. Rather, as he finally made his way into their open wardrobe room, Loki's body seemed to hum with energy. Walking to the free-standing clothing frame kept towards the back of the large room, Loki reached for a white, silk-wrapped package hanging there. He took the entire parcel out to lay on the bed, opening the silken cover to reveal his hand fastening outfit: a matching pair of trousers and knee-length tunic of palest jade with silver and gold worked belt. Silver and gold braid adorned the sleeves, hem, and neckline, as well as the waistline and cuffs. Stockings of softest silk colored to match the outfit would be enhanced by soft leather shoes of pale jade. Soon someone was due to arrive and tend to his hair, weaving silver, gold, and jade ribbons into the curls, forming a long, decorative braid - - acceptable for a man, but lovely enough for the mate of a prince. Looking up, towards the vanity mirror across the room, Loki repressed a shudder at his image, though he, alone, appeared in the mirror.,

Turning his back on the vanity, Loki began to dress, starting with his stockings then trousers and tunic. He turned his smile towards Thor, who finally padded, completely nude, past him towards the clothing stores. "The tailor wrapped your outfit in white silk, Thor," he called. Hearing his mate's grunt of acknowledgement, Loki moved back to the vanity, drew a deep breath, and reached for his dagger belt. The brunet braced himself for the sight of Thor passing behind him in the mirror and counted slowly to himself as he watched his large, beautiful mate make his way to the bed.

With a brief glance, Thor's eyes met Loki's in the reflective surface than slid away, back to his own outfit. Loki continued to count slowly, silently, watching the man's every move and reminding himself that his mate would not hurt him, would protect and care for him. Finally, slowly, Loki changed his dagger sheath to his dress belt and fastened the belt over his handfasting outfit, feeling Angurvadal settle comfortably sheathed on his left hip. Confidence filled him, and Loki glanced back into the mirror. 'Does she bring soothing peace as well as a warning of war?' The answer came to him as a feeling rather than a statement: yes, she does. Loki smiled in acceptance.

A gentle rap at the door drew the attention of both princes and Thor boomed out, sounding happy, "enter!"

Swinging open the door, Fandral strode into the room and grinned. "Pale blue? A good color for you, Thor, my friend." Turning, he nodded approvingly. "You look lovely, Loki. I'm here to bring Thor to the garden while you finish up, if I have your permission to steal him away?"

Loki cocked a haughty eyebrow and turned to face Fandral rather than the mirror. "As long as you return him to me, untouched, by the time of the ceremony. I am the one marrying him, not you," the prince responded, amusement weaving through his voice.

Fandral threw his head back and laughed, letting his hands fall to his hips. Grinning at the darker man, the guard flirted, "oh, it is not Thor I would marry if given the choice of the pair of you."

"He is my mate," Thor growled, his tone playful yet warning.

The royal guard let out another laugh and grasped Thor's arm, steering the man towards the door. Loki watched the pair, though he spent the short time studying his mate rather than their friend. Thor, dressed identically to Loki, had been clothed in pale sapphire. He'd pulled his hair back in a simple leather thong, which made sense since, though long, the blond's hair was much shorter than Loki's. The warrior carried Mjolnir loosely, comfortably, in his right hand as he strode from the room.

A chubby brown-haired woman bowed to the pair then entered the room with a murmur of respect. She bowed over her arm to Loki and quickly set about fixing his dark curls, which caressed just below his shoulders. As she worked, she remained perfectly silent, not yet comfortable enough around any of the restored princes to chatter in a friendly, informal manner. At the moment, Loki appreciated the quiet from the woman he'd only met once before, during the vetting of the servants that would attend him regularly; normally, he cared for his own hair and so little needed a regular hairdresser.

As she made the final twist, tying off the thick braid, Loki reached up and placed a hand over her's, drawing it forward where he could see it. He turned the plump, pink appendage over to study her work-worn palm. Slowly, the prince lifted his ice green eyes to meet her proud grey ones, no sign of fear or humility in those steel-colored depths.

Loki smiled. "You are an Omega," he commented softly." He knew female Omegas were more common than males, but he had still only met two in his short life. "Did Mother send only Omegas to me after I refused the tailor?"

"Yes, my prince," she clarified, subtly shifting her generous frame, plump but not overly so, and well endowed. "I am from the temple and arrived with several others. You met us all at the same time, but the perfumed air was so heavy, I do not think our scents were very discernable.

Turning on his vanity stool, Loki looked over the brown-haired woman, rather plain at the moment but she would look fairly pretty in finery and a less blunt hairstyle. "Do you, too, spurn any idea of being mated?" he asked, referring to the opinion held by his personal healer, Lady Eir.

Smiling at last, the servant shook her head and eased her hand from Loki's gentle grasp. "I do not spurn it, my prince. But I wish to find a good mate who will love me and our children. I know my choices are very limited, as most prospective mates do not travel to the temple, but I saw my opportunity when told an Omega chose to live at the palace and would need caring for. I am clever at hair but can do hard labor if needed." Her tone did not imply begging; the woman stated her skills calmly, letting her merits display her worth rather than a clever tongue plead her case.

Respecting such forthrightness, his personal preference for manipulation notwithstanding, Loki nodded. "Feel free to borrow some finery and attend my handfasting . . . and give me your name." Loki rose. He stood above her by a mere four inches . . . a tall woman, as he stood almost six foot two inches. "You will be safe from accosting at my party and may talk freely with anyone you wish: Alpha, Beta, Omega, or Gamma."

"Hildegund," the young woman stated. "And thank you, my prince. I will be honored to attend your party and diligently try to find a mate."

"You do not have to find one here," Loki rolled his eyes. "I merely offer an opportunity. If you join the diners in the evening, you may meet even more possible mates, but the atmosphere can be raucous and unfit for an Omega at times."

Bowing over her arm once more, Hildegund said, "none the less, my prince, I will take full advantage of this opportunity. The legend states that an Omega's hand fastening is a time when true love blossoms."

"It does?" Loki felt surprised. He had not yet come across that tale and now wished very much to research it. With a smile for his servant, Loki nodded. "I shall study the Omega legends when I find time, be sure. But I can believe in true love . . . especially when the Omega hand fastening is my own."

Hildegund hummed in return and nodded, her chubby face wreathed in a friendly, pleased smile. "I am glad you have found love, my prince." She fell silent once more, as if uncertain what more to say.

Loki took the burden of conversation from her, turning and stepping from the room. "I will look for you after my ceremony, Hildegund." He offered a smile over his shoulder then joined Ingolf in the corridor to walk towards the grand entrance of the gardens.

Among the riot of colorful flowers, dotting lush green grass, Loki stepped softly towards a canopied pavilion set in a smooth, flat central location often used for garden parties at the palace. Guests would arrive all throughout the morning, so Loki didn't look for any specific faces among the crowd . . . but one. He always, in any large group, kept a watchful eye out for any indication of his dam, Laufey. Soon, however, the brunet's stress eased as he saw the High Priestess Freyja standing with the Allfather and Allmother, three of the most powerful seidr users he'd ever known. The twenty year old spent the rest of the morning by his parents and the High Priestess, greeting people as they approached and generally making himself available and pleasant to all. About half an hour after arriving, Loki's mate jointed them to greet guests and discuss light topics.

A large, black-haired man dressed in rich fabrics and an over-abundance of jewelry approached the couple. He tucked his hands into his wide leather and silver-etched belt and offered a large grin. "Well, my princes, a happy day today, is it not?"

Thor laughed. "Indeed it is. A more glorious day could not be had for our hand fastening."

The large man nodded, "yes . . . yes . . . controlling weather seidr can be truly helpful for such times." He winked a deep brown eye knowingly.

Puzzlement crossed Thor's tone as he said, "I did not change this morn's weather."

"Of course not," the man winked again then chuckled. "And a betrothal from birth always keeps the goods in the family . . . clever to get your Omega pregnant right off to ensure an heir."

Loki felt anger settle over him, and Thor's mouth dropped open in obvious shock; however, a gentle, admonishing voice from behind the couple drew attention from the pair.

"You confuse things, as the uninformed often do. You see, I was the one betrothed, not my brothers." Baldur smiled softly. "The Alpha does not do the choosing and so an heir is never assured unless the Omega wishes to allow the child to become an heir. An Omega's child is first and foremost permitted any occupation available on Asgard or the other Nine Realms . . . and often chooses the temple to avoid uneducated, backwards-thinking people. And an Omega only breeds with the mate designated by divine intervention. To question such a pairing is akin to questioning the Norns themselves." The young priest offered a serene smile, though the silent sympathy in his sapphire eyes let everyone know that he felt the man's education and intelligence sorely lacking.

"Humph!" the large man frowned, indignant. "You are a rude one . . . for being just a priest," he sneered at the golden-haired man dressed in white linen.

"I treat all with courtesy and an attempt at understanding, even those who are condescending, rude, and insulting." Baldur bowed over his arm to the man in a sign of utmost respect, though when he straightened, the eldest prince added, "your attitude has been indulged long enough, my lord. As you seem adverse to this joyous event, I shall have you escorted to an area more amenable to your bias. Volstagg!"

As the dark-haired man sputtered and protested, the even larger red-haired royal guard stepped forward, carrying Svalinn for the priest and a large axe for himself. Like a massive bull, Volstagg strode directly at the man, who squeaked and backed up. The redhead continued to herd the recalcitrant man until both disappeared from view.

"Imbecile!" Loki seethed.

"Often they swarm to official functions," intoned Odin in an undertone. "And they ever try to disrupt events. The happier the occasion, the more seem to erupt. Ignore him and enjoy your hand fastening, Loki . . . Thor, but recall his face as a possible dissenter in your future."

The youngest prince nodded, green eyes narrowed as he still watched the merrily talking crowd through which the dark-haired man had been driven.

Baldur touched his little brother's shoulder gently. "It is time for the hand fastening, Loki."

Looking at the gentle priest, Loki forced himself to relax and smile. "Finally," he murmured.

Odin clapped his hands and called out "Peace, friends. We are starting!" All eyes turned to the Allfather; all voices fell respectfully silent. The guests turned, eager joy practically vibrating through the onlookers.

Softly, Baldur instructed his brothers, "both of you hold out your seidr hand, the one you use for most things." Without question, Loki gracefully stretched out his left hand in front of him, while Thor thrust out his right. Nodding, Baldur said "Thor, stand beside Loki so you are able to match your hand to his." The tall, well-built former gladiator moved to stand beside his mate, smiling at the crowd then turning his attention on his older brother once more. He slid his outstretched hand and arm over the smaller, more delicate one of the darker prince. The former prostitute turned a smile on his mate and turned his hand to entwine fingers with Thor's. Their brother smiled, pleasure settling over his face.

Stepping around the couple so that his back was to the courtiers and he faced the pair, Baldur raised his hands, a trio of white ribbons in one. Golden glints trailing through his hair, his voice still quiet but heard in the hush of the garden, the Omega priest clearly called out, "the joining of two mates is a precious sacrament, to be celebrated and honored. With these ties, let these men be bound by their love and life blood." Lowering the ribbons, Baldur examined to the couple with a serious look. "A union of lives is a promise before all. "As he spoke, Baldur wove the ribbon around the joined hands and arms of the mated pair. "To protect, to defend, to respect, to honor, to air, to support, to advice, and to counsel, through all the trials and gift presented by this life. Live well, live long, and may your joining be as blessed as the stars are varied and numbered."

With the last spoken words, Baldur lay the tail end of the triple ribbons over the back of Thor's hand. A glow of seidr rose up, as if from the ribbons themselves, bright, shining, as color ran through each ribbon: one of dark jade, one of electric yellow, and the third which appeared to transition continually from deep aquamarine to light turquoise. The seidr seared into the flesh of the couple . . . though Loki felt no pain. In a near-blinding flash the three ribbons disappeared and a jolt of pressure shot through the dark prince. Thor glanced at him, eyes worried, and the brunet was certain the large blond had felt the odd sensation as well. A faint woven mark, as an old, deep burn scar, traced over their joined hands, glowing briefly, then fading completely. The ribbons had disappeared.

Lifting his hands into the air, palms out toward the spectators, Baldur called out, "and what we have tied together, nothing may tear asunder."

"Oh, many things can, I believe."

The delight of the crowd fractured at the comment. A tall, blue-skinned man, taller than any other there, strode right past the suddenly dozing guards. The large, gaunt man glared at those in the central clearing, ignoring all others around them, his red eyes narrowed and intense. Though dressed in the very finest of clothing and jewelry, Loki held no doubts who the familiar interloper was who had come to disrupt the celebration.

"Of course," the stranger continued coldly, "infidelity is the first betrayal which comes to mind." The man eyed the former prostitute, and Loki felt a chill run through him. "Lies often work well to cause disharmony. But death . . . death will do nicely, I think," and the man threw an unexpected bolt of blue seidr at the young couple.

Moving swiftly, as gracefully as in a long-practiced dance, Loki drew Angurvadal and threw himself in front of his lifemate, the seidr slamming into the blade and causing the lithe brunet to stagger into Lady Freyja. Thor let out a roar and lifted his empty right hand just as Frigga threw her body over the stunned Freyja. Loki rolled to his feet, crouching. Odin raised both hands over his head. Thunder echoed around the garden, clashing from two different fronts and causing the crowd to scream. Baldur threw his hands up and called out "inside the walls. Now!" as seidr flowed from his hands in a fluttering protective field. The crowd surged, many towards the palace as instructed, while a handful protectively shielded the civilians.

Sneering, Laufey flicked his fingers and his seidr pulled from behind trees and large bushes, rising from the grasses, and spraying up from the flowing waters all around. The madman sent his energies woven through natural weapons to siege the small group of defenders. "You dare rise up against me, whore! I birthed you! You, planted like a malignant seed to destroy me from the inside!"

Lifting his head and dagger, Loki noted the insanity in his dam's eyes and realized this attack was no longer about Odin. Laufey wanted to destroy the son he'd brought into the world . . . apparently convinced Loki had destroyed everything . . . did that include the destruction of Farbauti in the man's twisted memories?

A rip of yellow slammed across the garden as Thor lashed out in a wild seidr attack aimed at Laufey. Rolling to his feet, Loki took one step forward to aid his mate in the battle when his mother's voice called out "No! Ast, down!" Obeying instinctively, Loki threw himself back to the ground, but pain ripped through the side of his head and an explosion of blue-white light nearly burned his eyes.

Darkness encompassed the brunet's mind as he collapsed at the feet of his husband.

xxx

Continued in Chapter Twenty-Two: A Fate Decided