Erna made sure Tora was released as soon as she was able. Loki would have rather kept her confined "just for good measure," but she wouldn't have her punished for misplacing her trust in a fit of young love. Anyone who looked upon her could tell the girl was simply devastated when she learned the truth. And although physically she was no worse the wear from her time in the cell, she now had a guarded, wary look to her that Erna hoped would soften with time.

Though it was far from her fault, Erna felt she had to try and make amends for the devastation wrought by her father. She offered Tora several options and let the girl choose what she thought was best. But she surprised everyone by forgoing the generous offer of a country estate complete with enough gold to live in comfort the rest of her life. She didn't even want her old position in Alfheim back. No, she only wanted to stay in Erna's service to make up for the harm she'd done. And no matter how many times Erna explained that she didn't blame her for anything that happened and that she didn't need to make up anything, Tora just stubbornly shook her head and insisted. It was the first time Erna had ever see her stand up for herself.

Even using the impending birth as a potential deterrent didn't go as Erna planned. Instead of greeting the idea of sleepless nights and increased work to come with grim determination as Bera had, Tora's face lit up at the prospect of attending to the little princess. And even if Loki didn't care for the idea, he kept it to himself until they were alone that evening.

"You would have someone who tried to kill you care for our child?"

"Come now, Loki! You know she had no idea what she was doing and was duped into thinking she was helping. You'd think that after everything that happened she'd want as far from my family as possible, but no it's just ramped up her loyalty instead. I honestly think it would take a battalion of soldiers to keep her from our employ. You of all people should see the need for a second chance."

"It doesn't mean I have to like it."

"As long as you don't make that known to her, I'm fine with that."

"You know, you're quite a commanding queen," he appraised her with one raised eyebrow. She merely stared back placidly waiting for the jibe. "Now I don't know that giving you such power was a good idea. How can I possibly do as I please when the queen directs me otherwise?"

"Well, if you truly regret it, my king, then I can certainly retire to the estate in Alfheim and run that for the rest of my life." The dramatic gesture lost a bit of its impact when she had to struggle to get off of the couch, but he got the point.

Laughing, he drew her back down into his lap, simply grinning at the crossed arms and feigned pout. "Please pardon my impudence, oh great and glorious queen. You can count me as your most loyal servant." He made the pronouncement in florid, ringing tones reminiscent of a bad stage actor.

She fought back a smile and replied with frost dripping from her words. "I have no need of another servant. You'll have to fill another roll."

"I would be an excellent consort. I could lounge around all day in an appallingly revealing outfit, waiting for you to return from a day of wise governance. I would devote my nights to worshiping my queen and fulfilling her every wanton desire."

"You already do that," she grumbled. "Although more appallingly revealing outfits might be in order."

"You have but to ask, my queen."

Unable to stand it any longer, she flung her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a giggling kiss. "Like it or not, you're already mine, Loki."

"Oh I do like it, rest assured. Although I wish you would have mentioned my failings, little one."

"Failings?"

"Evidently I wear entirely too many clothes for your liking." Without any apparent strain, he scooped her up and carried her into their bedchamber. "I can rectify my mistake and demonstrate just how little clothing I can wear in the service to my queen."

"Be quick about it then."

Despite all the teasing, he laid her on the bed with the utmost care and removed her garments slowly and carefully. It wasn't that the passion with which they'd once torn at each other's clothing was gone, but her current state didn't really allow for that kind of vigor. But some new well of tenderness seemed to have taken Loki over since her return from Midgard. He treated her with such utter care and affection it never ceased to thrill her.

Now he slid into place behind her in the only position they were able to use of late. Slotted together on their sides, Loki's hands roved over her body, caressing and teasing as he pressed soft kisses to the back of her neck and shoulders. She felt absolutely cherished as he gently lifted her leg to rest on his hip as he readied her for him. Gone were the joking words, instead replaced with endearments murmured into her ear as he slid into her.

Loki did all the work, slowly thrusting in and out while using his dexterous hands to tempt even more pleasure from her body. Even as slow as he took it, her heightened hormones ensured her first orgasm came quickly. And despite the sensitivity, he coaxed two more from her before he reached his own climax.

It was languid and sweet and more fulfilling than she thought possible. There was a time when she thought if she wasn't begging him to tear her clothes off it was somehow less, but now she knew better. As he held her while their breathing returned to normal, she felt how achingly intimate this was, and something she never expected to feel with this man that proposed marriage with the same shrewdness he used to govern his people.

Silent tears tracked down her face as she fully accepted what part of her had known for a long time. She loved him. And despite the fact that she could never tell him so, the acknowledgment of it was a kind of strange comfort. Letting go of the need to fight it was cathartic.

As soon as he noticed she was crying, he maneuvered her around to face her and gathered her against his chest. "Little one, what is it?"

"Just… overwhelmed." It wasn't a lie. The new awareness she felt was so weighty. And as freeing as it was to admit it to herself, the feelings were so vast and fierce.

He didn't reply immediately, piercing eyes searching her face for signs of distress. When he did speak, it was with grave seriousness that belied his concern. "What can I do?"

"You're doing it right now."

Loki quietly nodded and kissed the top of her head before pulling her closer. They stayed like that for a long time while thoughts swirled about her head in a silent storm.

-XXX-

The next morning, Erna decided it was time to settle the matter with her father once and for all. She wouldn't have any part of the business lingering over them while they made the final preparations for the birth of their daughter.

Loki didn't exactly agree with her, but he understood it all the same. He would have gladly dealt with the man himself to save Erna the effort, but they both knew that wouldn't stand. She needed the closure that would only come with a final confrontation with the man that tried to end her.

She gave the issue great thought, even weighing the options of where to carry out the sentencing. In the end, she decided the throne room would anger him more than anywhere else. That and she'd be able to sit without showing weakness during the proceedings. More than just for Reynard's sake, this would send a message to the entire court and it had to be carefully crafted.

She donned the finest gown that accommodated her belly, pinned a rich, thick cloak on, and let her circlet complete the ensemble. With all the health issues that had beset her, many at the hands of her father, it was important the court see her healthy and more than capable of holding her position. For many, this would be the first time seeing her in weeks. And for his part, Loki wore his full armor, complete with towering horned helmet. She had to admit to herself that they made a most imposing pair.

They sat on the dais as a small contingent of guards escorted Reynard across the hall. Loki looked briefly uncomfortable, as if remembering a distasteful memory as the man was brought forward, shackles jangling in the still air.

Without glancing her way, Loki reached over and took her hand as he spoke. "Reynard Skamkelson of Alfheim. You stand charged with treason of the highest degree." The prisoner remained silent, staring daggers at them. "Normally you would be afforded the right of a trial, but as you confessed your ill deeds directly to the queen, I see no need for that now."

A small ripple of surprise passed through the crowd. Erna assumed very little of what actually happened made it to the lords and ladies and this bit of information was likely a shock. Loki continued, ignoring the murmurs. "Before your sentence is passed, you will answer the queen's questions."

"She is not my queen."

"I'm sure she'd rather not claim you either." He waved his free hand in mock exasperation. "Yet here we are."

"I won't beg mercy from you, trickster."

A predatory grin spread slowly across Loki's sharp face. It was only a smile in name though and one Erna decided she would never want directed at her. The feral gleam in his eyes would have made a sane man cower, but Reynard was beyond reason and started stupidly back up at him. "Still haven't learned yet, have you? You're a fool, elf. I'm not the one you need to beg to." With that pronouncement he took their joined hands and brushed his lips lightly over her knuckles. "However you wish to proceed, my queen."

He gently squeezed her hand and brought it to rest on his leg, offering her silent support. It wasn't so much that she wanted it, but that he was offering it up if she had need of it. "Tell me of Rania. Where is she?" She asked more out of love for the children than her stepmother, but it did trouble her that no trace of the woman had been found. By all accounts she'd left the estate in Alfheim with a small personal guard never to make it to Asgard. Erna supposed she could be holed up somewhere waiting for Reynard, but she just wasn't sure.

Still defiant, he didn't soften the news. "Dead. She was all fine to talk about how undeserving you were of that throne, but when it came time to do something about it she wanted to run off and warn you."

Something tightened in Erna's gut and she swallowed back the unexpected emotions that came along with the news. She'd never gotten along with her stepmother, but she didn't deserve her fate. "How did it happen?" She needed to know, not only for herself, but for the children. It might not be appropriate to tell them details now, but when they were older they had a right to know.

"She was the test. The same elixir you're familiar with, daughter." After everything he still seemed proud of himself. It sickened her to even be in the same room with him. She felt stirrings of the same intense heat that had protected her before, but sent a warning thought to the baby and it fizzled out as quickly as it had come. It was clearly the child's instinct to protect her mother, but the last thing they needed was the entire court to know of her abilities. She didn't want people to fear the little princess before she'd even properly joined the world. Fear would breed hate and… well it didn't bear thinking about unless it came to that.

Instead, she chose to ignore the jeering tone and focus on the information that she needed from him. "And her guard?"

"Enjoyed the same stew as she did while on the road to Asgard. If they would have kept a better guard over the pot, I wouldn't have been able to dose them so easily." The crowd grew restless, shocked at these new revelations and whispering amongst themselves. Erna couldn't blame them. The way he was coolly confessing his villainy would be shocking even if she hadn't known the man her whole life.

Suddenly the details of his deplorable scheme didn't matter to her any longer. He was getting far too much pleasure out of the questioning and she'd gained the major bit of information she'd been seeking. "Your evil deeds grow worse by the minute, old man. I won't have the court endure any more of your bile."

With that pronouncement the room again grew silent, everyone unsure of what was coming. Startling the assemblage, she turned to Loki and asked him a question in the same tone she'd use to inquire about dinner. "Husband, I once heard you threaten to banish my father to Hel without doing him the kindness of killing him first. That wasn't an empty offer, was it?"

"Oh no, my queen." She could feel the air crackle as he began to pull on his magic. "It would be the work of an instant to send him to Hel." Everyone, Reynard included, seemed taken aback by their exchange, conversing as if they were the only ones in the room.

"No doubt Hel would be a miserable place to die, but die he would, eventually."

"Ah, but it would be a most horrific death. If the dead didn't make quick work of the aberration in their realm, then Hel herself would see to him personally. But what she'd do with him… well that would be up to her. She has no love of the living."

"I don't know that this villain deserves the release of death. And Hel may be unpredictable." She made a show of considering the problem, everyone in the cavernous room hanging on the queen's next words. "What of Jotunheim?"

"The ice would take him far quicker than anything he'd encounter in Hel, my queen."

"Not if you worked a spell, husband. A spell trapping him in that realm, yet making him unable to succumb to the dangers of it." They'd never discussed anything specifically like this, but Erna recognized this as something he could grant. After her initial request to better understand his magic, Loki had explained many concepts to her over the past year. She had more than a basic understanding of his limits and capabilities. He'd traveled between realms before himself and could no doubt use all the skills he'd honed over centuries of practice. He could do this for her, of that she was sure.

"You mean to make him impervious to the cold and ice?"

"Impervious yes, but unfeeling no." She finally looked back at her now silent father. "I want him to feel every frost burn, every frigid wind, every misery the unforgiving landscape has to offer. I want him to wish for a death that will never come, because the mercy of death is too good for a man such as him." She was standing now, voice ringing across the hall, full of power and menace. "Think, Reynard. Think upon all you have done and those you have harmed with your treasonous plot."

Slowly, she walked down to where he stood, staying on the last step so she could look down upon him. "When you long for death and curse your existence, I want you to remember what led you there. You have nobody to blame but yourself." She turned to her husband, eyes bright with unshed tears that he alone was allowed to witness her shed. "That is how we will punish such vile treason, is it not?"

"I'll do as my queen decrees." He motioned to Reynard's guards. "Take him back to his cell. I must prepare for such a complicated task." Loki stood and joined his wife on the edge of the dais. "Enjoy your last hours of freedom, elf." Leaning down and all but whispering, he had one last thought to offer his father-in-law. "I warned you, Reynard. I warned you what would happen if you had so much as a cross word to say about her. You deserve all you get."

Without another glance back, the pair crossed the room, letting the crowd part around them in silent obeisance. No one present in the room that day would ever be able to look at the queen the same way again.