Loki and Astrid met with Thyra and Volund in the healing chamber where Astrid's mother was being held. Thyra's face fell at seeing her younger sister in magically induced pain and trailed her fingertips along her sister's arms. Loki went to Volund who was looking over the ingredients Egil had and his normal jovial personality was nowhere to be seen.

"Loki, you are sure this is what Egil was found with?" Volund questioned.

Loki simply nodded as Astrid sat by her mother's side. His heart tugged and fell as he saw Astrid stroking her mother's hand. Volund stole a glance at Astrid and sighed. Frode should have intercepted his father's work sooner so this tragedy could never occur.

"Forget-me-nots, lily of the valley plants, monkshood, rose thorns, moonstone, pearl dust, foxgloves, bottled spring water, orchid petals, hawk talons and peppermint…there's no sense to it…unless he's perfected one of the forbidden potions recipes." Volund murmured.

Loki raised an eyebrow since this was a first. He didn't think there was any magic in Vanaheim that would be forbidden. Based on what he's seen, he had a pretty good idea on what the effects of this potion could be.

"Do tell me…what are these forbidden potions you're speaking of? I am not aware there were such things."

"Of course you wouldn't know, your majesty; after all Asgard is somewhat magically inept in most areas. I'm sad to say some Vanirs are ignorant of potion making as well. It's a magical art most don't pursue unless it's part of a healing path." Volund sighed.

Thyra sighed as well since she was familiar with potion arts but felt disgusted she couldn't see it in her own sister.

"Egil and Frode's father grew more power hungry and lusted for more magical advancements and achievements. However he was tapping into some serious, dark, and taboo magic. He had a tome in which he worked on creating new spells, enhancements, and potions in order to help change the Nine Realms forever. The council and our majesties had to put a stop to his endeavors since what he was claiming he could do someday and wanted to do went against the will of others, the gods, and nature. He felt he could be better than all the gods and the All-Father and that our realm should be the ruling one. His ambition and desires nearly sent us to war again with Asgard. He had to turn in all of his work to be destroyed but I know one to still exist thanks to Frode. Only he and Egil could access their father's room and sadly when Frode went into their father's workshop…there were pages ripped out; pages that were for a love and obedience potions. Those potions rob the drinker of free will and instill feelings of extreme love and obsession to the drinker to the potion maker or whoever's hair is in the potion."

Loki looked to Astrid, who was carefully listening to Volund's words and her stomach dropped.

"You really think Egil is that crafty with potions? Everyone has been saying how horrible Egil is with magic." Loki asked.

Astrid scoffed angrily to a point where venom could spill from her lips in anger. He of all people should know that Egil has been deceiving them and they had the proof.

"Clearly not Loki since we saw in a flashback he's good with defensive magic and shields…based on my mother's sickened state he has to be a master potion maker and a master of apothecary. That's why my mother married him and I want to know why your mother even married them!"

Thyra glanced at her niece and there was a strong enraged aura around her niece.

"I know you're angry, we all are Astrid but don't fall into Asgardian behaviors. You should know better than to let anger consume your thoughts despite how horrid this whole situation is. My best guess as to why Frigga, bless her, married my sister to Egil is because the potions alter and distort free will. My sister once upon a time did truly love Egil of her own will so Frigga had no reason to question the marriage. If she'd known that Egil perfected Trygve's forbidden potions, she wouldn't have given her blessing as a goddess of marriage." Thyra hypothesized.

Astrid knew she couldn't be mad at Frigga, she was deceived just like everyone else. Did Egil ever have honor, a heart, a sense of morals…She'd hoped there was still a trace of the man she thought she knew and was a father to her…but more and more was coming out to paint a very ugly and selfish picture of the man. Volund went to Astrid and motioned her to raise from her mother's side. She did as she was motioned and Volund pulled her into a warm hug.

"He's going to suffer for his actions…he truly is a man that deserves to suffer the rest of his days and not be a common prisoner. I do want to know Loki…what will happen with Egil?" Volund asked.

Loki sighed as he glanced at Astrid.

"So far he's been stripped of everything and is forced to wear clothes that barely give him any dignity. I've told the guards to lash him every couple of hours to start since he needs to have some semblance of pain to mimic what he's caused. Maybe he will start to reflect on his actions in the interim. I do wish to give Egil to Vanaheim but I do want Egil to serve some punishment here since a large bulk of your broken laws took place in Asgard." Loki explained.

Thyra and Volund were slightly taken aback by what Loki said since he didn't have that power. They looked at Astrid and she nodded.

"Odin is in Odin's sleep and with Thor banished….well Loki was next in line to be king."

"That explains why Egil is actually getting a violent punishment. Odin wouldn't dare inflict that on a friend, no matter the crime in his eye." Thrya expressed with a small crack of a smile.

Volund also nodded and he knew what he needed to do.

"Well if there's a slight chance of Egil getting out of prison, I want those forbidden pages out of his grasp. Where would that awful oaf keep them?" Volund pondered.

Astrid had an idea as she took Volund's hand and she teleported them out of the room. Loki sat where Astrid was and looked over Tove. Thyra glanced softly at her sister, biting her lip and feeling her forehead with the back of her palm.

"She's not going to get better here. Once she's able to move, I'm going to bring her back to Vanaheim by force to purge all the toxins that's built up in her over the centuries. It's going to be an intensive detox if you will, but I will have more to work with in Vanaheim. I know several potions that can help in her healing process since Egil isn't the only one who dabbled in potion magic for their uses."

Loki cracked a smile since there was hope for Tove. He wondered how Astrid would take to her mother leaving Asgard; but it would be for her mother's health. Loki took Tove's hand and spoke,

"I will look after your daughter like I always have. You just focus on becoming the woman you were before Egil's poison entered your veins. Astrid never hated you and wants you to get better."

Thyra admired and loved Loki's respect for her sister. He was a man that was worthy and it made her proud that Astrid loved him.

"Aside from you being with my niece…What are your plans now? Technically you're the All-Father until Odin wakes and you're the next in line until Thor's return. Your plans have changed haven't they?"

Loki sighed.

"Well thanks to Thor, I have to find a way to stop a war he brought upon us with Jotunheim. It's an uphill battle but I do think with me and Astrid perhaps going to speak with Laufey, we might reason with him. Sure I will be king for a short while but…well mischief is what I do. I will grow restless otherwise but not much people can do. Naturally I would comfort Astrid since she needs me after finding out Tove's been ill for centuries because of Egil."

Thyra nodded and patted down Tove's forehead with a rag and cold water.

"And what of marriage and children? How long before an announcement and little ones running about?" Thyra asked warmly.

Loki's blood ran cold and frowned. He wanted children but now he wasn't sure. Thyra felt Loki's apprehensions and expressed,

"If it's about you and Astrid feeling you're not ready, no one ever is. I do know with a whole long month's honeymoon, lots of honey mead, and Freya herself wanting to bless Astrid with a little one after your many missed opportunities for children…it will happen."

"And what if I don't want our child to be a monster, one that will be looked down upon. It's bad enough I went through not fitting in and that was before I learned Odin stole me."

Thyra raised an eyebrow since Loki was speaking nonsense.

"Monster?" she questioned.

Loki gulped and averted Thyra's gaze. She wasn't having this and she pressed,

"Loki; you must tell me now so I know whether to say you're over worrying or have every right to feel this way."

Loki's body shook as he managed to choke out,

"I-I'm a frost giant. I'm actually Laufey's runt that Odin took from the war with Jotunheim."

Thyra was unsettled at first and went up to Loki. She pressed her hands against his cheeks and channeled her energies to examine him deeper. Suddenly, Thyra felt colder and retracted her hands right away. Odin's magic, a spell to make Loki appear Aseir but the coldness she felt could only come from a frost giant.

"You speak no lies and no tricks…you are a frost giant.."

Loki nodded in defeat.

"Go ahead, speak on Tove's behalf that I am unworthy of Astrid."

Thyra shook her head and shook her index finger.

"If you were unworthy, the blood ritual would have never worked now would it?" Thyra expressed softly.

Loki's eyes widened and his mouth dropped.

"U-Uh but that's…"

"That's what; not the point? Look I am surprised that you're a frost giant; but you are a runt that was raised in magic by Frigga and in Asgard. You're no more a frost giant than I and I have no trace of Jotun blood. It's a metaphor, yes but in terms of knowledge and heart, you're as Aesir as they come with a love for magic that can match a proud Vanir's respect for it. I mean what I said all those years; you are a great man for my niece and I'm sure with the right precautions, your children will be magical and Vanir in looks."

"What precautions? I must know if I am to have children."

Thyra sighed as she returned her attention to her sister.

"One matter at a time Loki, one matter at a time. Unlike your childbearing problem, it's not life-threatening….yet."

Astrid and Volund were looking through Egil's shed and it surprised Volund just how expansive the interior was whereas the shed looked rather miniscule. Oddly, a flood of nostalgia came to Astrid as she would often take swords to practice as Allister, learn a bit of botany from Egil when she was younger, and had to get her father for supper. She was angered that she thought of good memories since Egil was not the man she thought he was. Volund examined the weapons and he trailed his hands over the blades.

"Clearly the enhancements here aren't his work; clearly these are spoils from the dwarves, elves, and of course Vanirs through Odin. Still his weapons armory is quite impressive."

Astrid simply shrugged since this wasn't the focus of their search. She explored Egil's property and noticed a thick book on a low table near the hearth. Perhaps the pages would be hidden there Astrid thought as she examined the book. As Astrid opened the book, she was rather confused about the contents. Page after page were Egil's words, chronicling his thoughts about her, starting with her birth.

A girl…such a delicate thing. I can't bear to kill her even though I see Frode staring back at me when she does. Tove clearly named her what Frode wanted; but it fits her and is close to what I would call her, Astra. I will teach her warriors of pure physical might have their place, starting with taking her and Tove to Asgard. Once there, I will use my connections and ties to Odin to have her be friends with his son. Despite not being my blood, she will be my daughter and I want her to have the world.

Astrid sighed since it both sounded like the Egil she grew to know and the man he used to be. She skimmed the pages and this entry clearly was when their bond started to break.

I'm going to lose her someday, never a happy moment for a father. Astrid is growing into a beautiful and magical woman who clearly charmed both of Odin's sons. Tove stresses that Astrid has learned from me and to see the talents and good in everyone in a place where they aren't valued. How that is biting my ass since she's drawn to the other son of Odin and the opposite of what an Asgardian man is. So much like Frode yet like myself and I hate him even more. History is repeating itself here and it makes me sick with worry. I have to put some sense into Thor that Astrid is madly in love and is just putting on a subtle romantic charm. She cares for both; but it is in her best interest to marry Thor and be the Queen someday. A life with Loki would only tarnish my name, her life, and something about Loki just isn't right and my gut rarely betrays me.

She didn't know why she was still on the book since it was clear this was more of a journal and less of the potion pages she needed. As she read on; she read Egil's laments and guilt. What she would come across next infuriated Astrid and made her writhe in anger.

Thor's giving up. He is trying to court Astrid he says but I can tell he's been moving on to other ladies. With Thor not going after her, who knows what my daughter is up to with Loki. Least Tove is back to loving me like she should and I should have been giving the lovely teas again centuries ago. I do wonder with some more tweaks if I could brew something for Astrid to make her feel and see that Thor's her truest love…Alas I can't do that. Though I want more than anything for her to be with Thor, my brew isn't without faults…the very fault that nearly ruined my marriage. Even without giving Tove any more of my lovely elixirs; any attempts at her having children with me have failed. I do think back and wondered…what if I never gave her that tea on our wedding day. Would she have married me or ran off with Frode? Would we have been able to have the many children I wanted if I didn't brew that god forbidden potion? How I wish at times I could take it all back since if I could, perhaps Astrid…No she wouldn't be here if I took it all back. Yes she's not mine by blood; but I still love her like a father should. I should never have hated her for what my brother and wife did. She has all the right to hate me and who knows what she knows. If she'd ever learn the truth…I would never have her love or respect and my brother would always be to blame. He haunts me and I wish things could have been different; but I'm too deep now. I have a work in progress that might have Astrid love Thor but I need to get it right or else it could ruin Asgard. Thor needs heirs but my work clearly would leave them bare. Perhaps mixing my potion with a fertility and arousal potion will make Astrid not only long for Thor, but also help in her sex drive for him and get pregnant. I don't even care if it would be a marriage out of wedlock at this point; so long as Astrid and Thor are wed at all would bring good to me and show everyone I am superior to my father and brother. I only pray for forgiveness for my daughter when this is all done. I want her to be happy; but her life needs a purpose that suits me. I allowed her to live and bear my name out of the goodness of my heart and in return, she will have the life I want of her. She will be happy someday, but I might need to start working harder for that.

"That desperate, no good piece of horse shit! He was planning to do what he did to my mother to me so I would and he'd…and we'd…Norns why is he still allowed to breathe!" Astrid yelled as she threw the book across the room.

Volund picked up the book and found the page Astrid read and found. He frowned slightly and his words admitted that he had brewed a forbidden potion, the worst forbidden potion.

"Well if anything, this incriminates him. Why he had it out without any security shows how stupid Egil is despite his….Astrid?"

Astrid's breathing sped up and she started to trash Egil's space. She grabbed one of her father's swords and started to destroy his furniture and books. She roared in anger as she smashed potion vials, cut through his father's shelves and books, and threw furniture against the walls. Volund held Astrid in place with his magic so she couldn't do anymore damage and harm to their search. Astrid felt her body shake in anger and Volund approached her, giving her a gentle hug to calm her. He chanted a mantra that helped to further calm her in Vanir language and Astrid only sighed as she looked at what she'd done.

Volund kept the spell on Astrid so she wouldn't move and noticed something. He examined the potion table Astrid had slashed and thrown and noticed something was ajar. His eyes widened at the drawer that had been torn and that drawer had a secret compartment. Inside he smiled as he saw very old and tattered pages and a journal in Egil's handwriting. One quick glance at the weathered pages with the very elegant handwriting and Volund knew what this was.

"These are his father's pages for love potions. These are illegal since it forces someone to love someone against their will and directly challenges our beloved goddess Freyja. Egil's father was never able to get the right mixture of ingredients to work…but Egil succeeded. It seems like a severe downside…"

"Is the inability to conceive children." Astrid finished, trying to retain her composure.

Volund nodded and removed his spell on Astrid to allow her to move. He looked through Egil's notebook and it had a lot of incriminating evidence of illegal potion that didn't surprise Astrid and she sighed deeply.

"First he drugged my mother into marriage, then he killed Frode because he got through his curses and potions to free my mother from his control, and now this."

Volund's ears perked at kill and he asked,

"How do you know Egil killed him? While yes it would make sense, how do you know? Don't tell me you've been to see Laufey?"

Astrid nodded and used her magic to summon the crystal Laufey gave her. Volund looked at the crystal and was familiar with the memory preservation of giants thanks to Frode. What didn't make sense was how Astrid was able to access this. Red crystals were not normal and it would take more than one of Frode's blood to open it. It was a corrupted crystal in which the seal wasn't closed by the memory maker; but a third unrelated party. In this case, it had to be a frost giant, more so Laufey.

"How did you unlock the memory?"

Astrid saw color fading on Volund's face and his face contorted between confusion, anger, and sickness.

"Loki was able to help me break the seal."

Volund scoffed playfully but Astrid's dead eyes stopped him in his tracks.

"No matter how good Loki is in magic; you can't break the seal of something that needs blood. Heck, you can't even bypass this by using magic to become a frost giant. You need to be a frost giant for this to break and there's no way Loki's one of those cold miserable monsters."

Astrid gulped and avoided Volund's gaze. Volund couldn't understand Astrid's behavior since he knew Loki.

"Astrid…what aren't you telling me?"

"If I tell you, will you be calm about this?"

Volund forced a grin.

"Tell me what Astrid?"

Astrid took a deep breath and gathered her thoughts.

"When Loki and I needed to escape Jotunheim because of Thor's actions, a Jotun grabbed Loki's arm. Rather than a frost burn, it simply turned blue like the giants themselves. He learned that he's not Odin's son…he's not even an Asier. He's…he's a frost giant."

Frost giant, those words weighed heavy on Volund when Astrid explained everything to him. All these years, he was unknowingly helping, aiding, and supporting a frost giant with Frode's daughter. Just because his friend was fond of frost giants; it didn't mean Volund was as kind. It was because Frode kept seeing those beasts that he ended up dying in the snow. He used his magic to return to the healing chamber to confront Loki about his deception and tricks. Volund looked at Loki with a stern look and channeled his magic throughout his body to calm and focus on Loki. Volund swished his wrists and sunk Loki's feet into the ground, startling him as he was trapped.

"How could you lie and trick me Loki? You're not the man I thought I knew." Volund scolded coldly.

Loki looked at his feet and was shocked at Volund's actions.

" What's going on? What are you talking about?" Loki asked

Volund shook his head.

"You know what Astrid told me; she told me you and her were able to unlock the frozen monster crystals Frode was dabbling in from those ice monsters. But I know a damaged one and only Laufey's blood could help release it…you tell me how that's possible and the answer better be 'you killed Laufey and harvested his blood.' Well go on, is that the truth or the sickening one?"

Loki sighed since he gathered Astrid told him.

" I am Laufey's son by blood, so yes I am a frost giant." Loki admitted

Volund glared at Loki and sank Loki more into the ground to his knees. He knows Thyra bounded them together by a blood ritual and that infuriated him. He deceived Astrid to form a bond with him, a bond with a disgusting primal blood lust monster.

"You mixed your filthy giant blood with hers; when did you learn the truth?!"

Loki's spine shivered at Volund's venomous tone. He was never like this; even with heated diplomatic discussions...but he had a right to be so furious. Loki was even worried and furious at himself for what he truly is, that he was lied to, and that Astrid was bound to him by the blood ritual.

"I learned that recently, after the blood ritual was done, we would have talked about it if I knew sooner. I am shocked too. My father lied to me my entire life." Loki expressed in a frustrated tone.

"Yet you should have been smarter. No wonder you never got cold; I should have guessed something along those lines. Magically gifted or not; you really think you're going to be the man Astrid wants children with? Her carrying a deformed beast or a giant brute that will sap everything from her. You have no idea what happens when frost giants breed outside their species do you?" Volund spoke with concern and fear for Astrid.

Loki gulped since that thought was lingering on his mind. He didn't want to hurt his beloved.

"Astrid has been careful to not get her pregnant but don't you think that has been my worry as well since I found out?" Loki expressed, since that was a thorn in his heart.

Thyra scoffed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"If you're going to be a bigot Volund, can you and Loki handle this outside! My sister doesn't need this nor do I! Besides you of all people Volund should know that it's only frost giant monsters that aren't compatible with other races with bearing children! You really need to read up on biologys for Norms sake! Besides, Vanirs and Aesirs are the only races that can reproduce with them, albeit with major difficulties." Thyra exclaimed while putting some sage around Tove.

" What do you mean by that?" Loki asked since Thyra mentioned it earlier about children but didn't divulge into detail

"I swear, does no one reads anymore or bothers to read Frode's notes. When frost rut or have sex in their natural states in their heats; their full seed impregnates the woman quickly. Most species can't handle the girth or sapping of energy that a frost giant baby does; more so since they are a ravenous race that need constant food and nutrition. Now Vanirs are one of the only exceptions because of their magic and body type being not too thin like the elves but not short like dwarves. My hunch is that Vanir women with their innate magic can help the child come to term, but it would be painful for the woman unless…" Thyra trailed off since Loki and Volund would hate what she would say.

"Unless what?" Loki asked cautiously. He really needed to read up frost giants since he needed to know more.

Thyra sighed.

"Unless the woman shifts her form to become a frost giantess for the 11 month gestation a giant baby would need. However, when some woman tried to become a frost giant just to see if a shift was possible; it alters their mind and biology. They become feral, confused, and violent; almost as if they truly think they are frost giants. I worry what might occur with an impregnated Vanir with a Jotun younging shifts into one. They would perhaps be even more violent, protective, and aggressive." Thyra shuddered as she trailed thin scars that graced her neck, scars she normally hid from everyone.

"Have you ever tried that Lady Thyra? The way you speak it seems you have had experience?"

Volund scoffed and shook her head.

"Heavens no! She's seen several of her students, both young and adult foolishly do that and it's like they fully became the beasts you are. One lacerated her neck before Thyra was able to reverse the spell." Volund spoke in horror.

Loki now felt color drain from his own face. He and Astrid have made love but what if one of those times would have resulted in… he didn't want Astrid to suffer nor shift into a frost giantess just to be able to carry his children… if she would even want them after knowing that

Thyra approached Loki and trailed her magic to examine Odin's spell. At first her focus was sharp and didn't say a word. Her fingers tingled with magic sparks and she breathed a sigh of relief. Color returned to her face and she was smiling from ear to ear.

"Thank the All-Father for his glorious magic; there is hope." Thyra murmured softly.

"Please clarify what you talk about. I don't think fragments are helpful to me" Loki expressed trying to free himself, to no avail.

Thyra nodded.

"Odin's spell has completely altered your body and biology to be that of an Asier male, meaning if you lay with Astrid in this form; it would be an almost normal pregnancy. There will be traditional side effects, maybe the baby being slightly bigger than a Vanir offspring and maybe it being a slightly longer pregnancy, but nothing too severe. Like I said, the worst cases are if frost giants have sex with other races in their natural Jotun forms…but this form to you is your natural one. So long as you don't become a true Jotun in outer looks and biology…I don't think there's much to worry about if at all."

Loki breathed a sigh of relief.

" I want to have children with Astrid, but I was worried ever since I found out about my true heritage. It's been a concern" Loki expressed

Volund listened carefully and undid his magic so Loki could walk freely. He crossed his arms though and examined Loki carefully. Soon he felt a bit sick that he was treating Loki this way.

"You swear you had no idea you were a frost giant and were not lying to us Loki? Frode might have cared for the frost giants, but it was for their needs and not because they liked him that Frode was revered." Volund asked.

" I had no idea. I do like mischief but I would never want to put Astrid in any danger or hurt her. I love her truly. That's why this news was so shocking since I was afraid she may never want to have a child with me if she knew."

Volund saw the compassion and worry in Loki's face and nodded. He knew Loki wasn't anything like those monsters thanks to Frigga, Astrid, and Thyra. A smile formed and he expressed,

"Do forgive me, your highness. I was acting out of fear as well. You must understand; I've become like an uncle to Astrid and I would hate for her life to have any more sorrow. You understand my fears, albeit I was hasty and cruel."

" Well at least you understandably worried. I love Astrid so of course I want children it is relief to know its possible without hurting Astrid" Loki expressed softly

Volund chuckled.

"Oh pregnancy will have its own pain, but so long as you keep these looks they will be mostly typical. Now go to Astrid since she's been here ever since I waltzed back here with magic but you know her, she will take any chance to learn info by any means."

Loki raised an eyebrow as he exited the rooms to see Astrid waiting outside. His heart fell slightly and he asked,

"How much did you overhear?"

" Volund threatened you because you're a Jotun and you're worrying about having children with me since you found out about who you are.. Basically everything." Astrid said.

Loki scoffed a bit angrily since she was here while he was being sunk down into the ground by Volund. She was supposed to be at his side and protect him, but she just stood outside.

"Yeah thanks by the way for not coming in but the way. Volund was sinking my body into the ground while you stood outside listening." Loki spoke bitterly.

Astrid cringed and took Loki's hand

" I am sorry... But I know you. I could see you were worried about something and it wasn't just because my mother was poisoned. I know you love me and would never want to hurt me, but Volund and Thyra know that and can see that" Astrid comforted softly rubbing her thumbs along the back of his hand.

Loki cracked a faint smile and simply embraced Astrid. He might have hated Odin for lying to him all these years and giving him so much stress, but his lie had a positive effect. So long as he remained this way when he and Astrid have sex, she would have normal enough children with usual pregnancy pains and little variance. Astrid brought Loki up to speed on what she learned and he felt sick once more.

"He was going to drug you to love Thor to a point of making you like a bitch in heat?"

Astrid sighed and nodded.

"He didn't get far based on the notes Volund found. The love potion will make it impossible for children to be conceived, hence why my mother couldn't have children with Egil but did with Frode. But parts of his journal; the non potion one, almost made him sound like the man I used to know before all this. But now...I can't even understand why he would drug my mother despite knowing it's wrong and that it would make him happy yet miserable."

Loki sighed and stroked her back.

"Egil was desperate to hold on to the only good thing he had going despite his honors from Asgard. He might have seen Tove for her looks, but he truly cared for her otherwise why go through all this. He thought maybe their love was real and the potion would just confirm it and it wasn't fully against Tove's will. We know now that it was but Egil must have truly felt they had this connection that no one could break...sadly your mother did find her soulmate but it wasn't Egil."

Astrid's head hurt and she just wanted her mother better for her and Loki to never become like Tove and Egil. She knew Loki would never hurt her like Egil had to her own mother and the fact he was worrying about ever harming her made Astrid safe with Loki, frost giant or not. She stared softly at Loki and rested her head on his chest.

"Clearly...you'd never hurt me like that."

"Of course not, hence my fears ever since learning what I am. I want us to be happy but not at the cost of you suffering." Loki stated calmly.

Astrid nodded and could see Loki was clearly tired and traced under his eyes with her fingertips.

"I'm feeling extremely tired…you must be too, right darling?"

" I am, do you want to go to bed?" Astrid asked

"Will you lie with me as we sleep? It would be a comfort to us both.

" I wouldn't have it any other way" Astrid said and kissed Loki

Loki managed to chuckle and grin as he took Astrid to his chambers. He did worry about her and how things would be once they met with Laufey tomorrow; but at least for now they were at each other's sides.