Chapter 7

"You really could have called for us, you know," Ingrid complained with a tight frown. Her nimble fingers pulled the laces together at the back of Sigrid's dress. "I would not have minded leaving the festival. Stars are boring, I see them every night."

"Yes, but these were constellations." Ingrid did not even lift a brow at her attempt at differentiation. "And there was no need to bother either of you. The princes were with me, so was the Queen."

"So you've said thrice now." Sigrid stayed silent. It was a blue moon when Ingrid would become agitated. The girl was so energetic on a daily that Sigrid often forgot how protective of her she could be. Through it all Sigrid was akin to a savior in her eyes. Without her intervention, there was no telling where Ingrid would have ended up.

"Ingrid?" Her hand reached behind her to rest on Ingrid's. "I'm sorry. You're right. I should have at least sent word to you." She tilted her head towards Agathe, who had exhibited unusual restraint in bestowing a tongue lashing on Sigrid since the morning began. "Both of you. It was just the last thing on my mind at the moment."

Agathe nodded. "I understand your thoughts would have been otherwise occupied. In future, just have a page send word to us so we know you're okay. We may just be your servants, but we care about you too."

"Precisely," she heard Ingrid mumble. If it was not against her, Sigrid would have been impressed that the two were on the same page for once.

"You're not just my servants, you're my friends." Ingrid pushed on Sigrid's shoulders for her to take a seat at her vanity. "Never forget that."

"We shan't." Agathe moved to stand behind her, already gathering pieces of her hair for a simple half up braid crown. "Would you like me to put those flowers in your hair? The ones on the pillow?"

She was referring to, Sigrid knew, the gardenias Loki had left. They were a beautiful white and smelled sweeter than the honey their childhood chef used to drizzle over her signature flaky pastries. She and Thor had developed a habit of sneaking away to eat them before supper until the chef caught on. "Yes, please."

"What do they stand for?"

"Hmm?" Sigrid looked to Agathe for clarification.

"The flowers. All flowers have a meaning." She plucked one from the pile and inserted it in one of the two thick braids held together behind Sigrid's head. "I'm well versed in Asgardian flora. Midgardian, not so much."

"I'm afraid I don't know what they mean, just the names." Sigrid twirled one between her thumb and forefinger. The tiered petals made for a captivating sight as it spun on its stem. "I should ask Loki. He left them so he must know."

"I should think a gorgeous prince leaving flowers for a gorgeous princess would point to one reason in particular," spoke Ingrid. The regular cheekiness was back in her voice, which meant Sigrid felt free to admonish her for her not so subtle comment. Before she could, however, a few solid raps sounded at her door. "I'll get it!" Ingrid hopped to her feet and towards the door. Magne was standing in the doorway when she opened it.

"Princess," he bowed low, dark blonde hair sweeping over his forehead. "Lady Agathe, Lady Ingrid." It could have been her imagination, but Sigrid swore Magne's eyes lingered on Ingrid just a moment too long.

"Hello, Magne." Ingrid curtsied,face flushed. A look to Agathe found her with the same baffled expression that she was sure mirrored her own. What in Odin's name had happened to their little firecracker?

"Good morning, Magne. What brings you here?" The sound of Sigrid's voice snapped the two youths out of staring at each other. Ingrid took a step back. Her face was almost as red as her hair as she made a hasty excuse to leave the room. Sigrid made a mental note to use Magne as her trump card anytime Ingrid decided to make any more allusions to her relationship with Loki.

"Sir Leif requests the pleasure of your company. He departs for Vanaheim in a few hours and would like to see you before he goes. I also have a message from Prince Loki." He waited for her nod to relay to message. "The prince says he is in a meeting with his brother and father, but he should not be long. He wants to know if you'll accompany him to town for lunch after the meeting is over."

"Tell the prince I accept. I'll just be in the courtyard." Magne nodded. "And please tell Sir Leif I'll be right with him.

ooOOoo

Leif was standing a few feet away from Sigrid's door when she exited her room. He simpered upon seeing her, pushing off the wall to extend a hand. "Leif."

"Sigrid." He kissed her hand in greeting. "You look stunning this morning." Sigrid gave him a little smile of her own. Leif was still as sweet as she had remembered, and she was glad that centuries of training and battle had not succeed in beating that out of him. "Not at all remnant of someone who pitched headfirst off a bridge." Sigrid let out a snort.

"Gods." She covered her mouth, a bit humiliated by the sound she had just made. "I hate when that happens."

Leif's eyes sparked with an unreadable emotion. "Don't be. I'm glad I can still elicit such a reaction from you." He offered her an arm and she took it without a second thought. "All jokes aside, are you sure you're okay? You took quite the fall last night."

"I'm fine." Sigrid had said those words so many times in the past twelve hours that they had lost all meaning to her. "A little shaken up but I'm alive and that's what matters."

"I'm sorry I didn't do more." Leif's confession drew her attention to his face. A morbid expression donned his features. "You fell and I just froze. I never freeze. Prince Loki was quite irate at my lack of reaction, although I cannot blame him. And I must say his magic is quite terrifying." Sigrid winced.

"I know you're not fond of each other, and I'm not making an excuse for him," here, Leif lifted a brow in confusion, "but he was just afraid. You must understand that Loki was just trying to save me."

"Sigrid, you've read me all wrong." Leif placed a hand on hers. It was warm and calloused, fingers thick from years of using a sword. They were so unlike Loki's slender, long digits. "Of course, the prince was just trying to save you. I'm saying it was impressive. I've never encountered magic that was not used against me in battle. It was truly magnificent to see it in a different light."

They had crossed into the hallway now, allowing the sun to shine right into Sigrid's eye. She brought a hand up to her forehead to shield her face from the rays. "We share different views on magic here on Asgard. Unlike the Vanir, we believe it can also be used for good. Our healers have been using it for some decades well to heal wounds and illnesses that would otherwise kill our citizens."

"Is that why the prince learned it?" Leif questioned. This answer she knew.

"At first he learned it because his mother wanted him to have his own hobby to set him apart. Frigga always said Loki had a talent for seidr, but it was not until years later did she realize just how good he would become." Sigrid gave a small giggle. "When we were little, he liked to use it for silly things. He'd put snakes in Thor's bed or make his food levitate so he could not reach it."

"Did these pranks extend to you?"

"Not at all. I got flowers and little fireworks shows." Leif quirked his lips in a knowing manner. "What?"

"Nothing," he replied. "I'm just wondering how it is you never bothered to learn it yourself."

Sigrid shrugged. "Some Vanir beliefs die hard, I guess. Although I am quite comfortable with Loki using it near me. I can't count the number of times he's had to heal minor injuries from me getting hurt. He says I'm the clumsiest person he's ever known. Can you believe that?"

"I can." Sigrid gave him a look. "Sigrid, you have always been a clumsy girl. Do you remember when we were learning to ride horses? You stepped onto the stirrup and fell right over the other side of the poor creature."

"I told you that stirrup was broken!"

"Is that why it dislodged itself and got tangled in your foot?" Leif had begun to laugh at her. "You were so tiny. Just dangling over the edge of the horse whilst the instructor attempted to right you."

Sigrid shoved him with all her might. Against his large stature, it did nothing. "I'll have you know I'm a fine rider now. And that horse back home never liked me anyway. He was always nudging me with his head."

"I think he just wanted to play with you," Leif's grey eyes were still dancing. She had always thought they resembled the colour of the sky before a storm. The calm, quiet eeriness that signaled the onslaught of violent rainfall. "Everything here is so different. I'm sure to miss it when I leave."

Sigrid deflated. She had known he was due to leave that day before she had gone to meet him. Yet their conversation had occurred with such a naturality that the sudden mention of his departure revealed how much she had enjoyed having him here. "Perhaps you can visit again?"

Her suggestion shocked not only her, but her companion as well. "Are you certain?"

"Yes." Ah. Loki is just going to love this. "Yes I am. We are old friends are we not?"

"Friends?" came a new voice. "Is that what you were? Because I heard it went deeper than that."

Leif was the first to react to the voice. Both his eyebrows knit—the voice clearly one he knew—before he turned to the golden-haired girl. "Eva?"

"Leif," she gave him a tight smile, then let her eyes wander to Sigrid. "Princess."

"Lady Eva." Just like the first time she had met her, all the hairs on Sigrid's body stood up. She felt like a cat that had just had cold water poured on it. There was something about this woman that continued to rub her the wrong way. "You two know each other?" It was Leif who answered.

"Yes. Her mother is one of the king's advisors. We know each other from living at the palace."

"An advisor?" Sigrid echoed. "Your mother?"

"Yes," Eva lifted a brow in challenge. "Have you an issue?"

"I was not aware my father took on women as advisors. I'm glad to see he's changed his mind." Sigrid wondered if she had offended this girl in some way. Lady Eva always came across a little standoffish to her. Or maybe her own feelings were colouring her perception. "How come neither of you knew the other was here?"

"I've been on the hunt for months and I came straight here when I returned," Leif explained with a frown. "Honestly, we're not that close."

"Come now Leif," Lady Eva purred. "We don't want to give the princess the wrong idea." She said the word 'princess' with such disdain it almost made Sigrid's head spin. "We run in the same circles. How else would I know the real reason the king sent you here?"

Sigrid's eyes flicked to Leif. She found him glaring at Lady Eva, jaw clenched in the first real hint of anger she had ever seen him portray. "Leif, what is she on about? Did my father not send you here for a visit?"

Lady Eva let out a snort of laughter. "A visit? Is that that what he told you?"

"My time here has nothing to do with you, Eva." Leif warned. "I think it best you mind your business." Lady Eva set her chin. Despite her obvious plans to cause trouble, Sigrid had to admit there was an air of confidence about her that was not to be denied.

"I disagree. Your visit here may very well spell change for Vanaheim, and instead of doing as you were told you're leaving." She tossed her golden hair with a roll of her ocean eyes. "It's a good thing I came here. I knew you wouldn't be able to go through with it."

"Go through with what?" Sigrid had grown very cross with the two Vanir in front of her. It was one thing for Eva to insert herself where she was not needed. Add to that some dirty looks and some obvious secret keeping and now she just wanted answers. "I'm going to ask one more time," she announced in her best princess voice. "What is going on?"

Eva looked to her, then Leif, then gave a shrug. "If you won't tell her, I will." Leif gave a sigh of relent.

"Okay." He turned to Sigrid. "Okay. I have not been totally forthcoming with you. You see, your father did send me here for a visit, but the terms were conditional."

Sigrid lifted a brow. Unease had already begun to stir in the pits of her stomach. "Conditional upon what?"

"Sigrid," Leif took one of her hands in his. "Your father, the king… I was sent here to court you."

"I- What?" She brought her hand back to her side. "Why? And why didn't you tell me before?" Leif's look was frantic.

"You have to understand that neither I nor your father meant no harm. He wants you to take his throne and become the Queen you are meant to be. Unfortunately…" he trailed off.

"Unfortunately, what?"

"Vanaheim has laws," explained Leif, "and the laws state that an unmarried princess cannot become a queen."

"My father would never force me to adhere to such a law!" Sigrid was livid. "Countless princesses have been made queen in the past without being married! Why should I have to be the exception?"

Lady Eva folded her hands together. "Because you are not just of the Vanir. Your mother was Midgardian. There are people who want to make sure you marry a full-bred Vanir and not surprise them with a Midgardian after your coronation like your father. They don't want the bloodline to be anymore watered-down." The look Sigrid gave her was scathing. "Their words, not mine. I could care less about your heritage."

"Leif, is that what you were trying to tell me last night on the bridge?" Her mind wandered back to their conversation, right before she had cut him off and changed the subject. "You said we needed to have a discussion. Was it about it this?"

"Yes," he admitted. "I wanted to tell you, and I felt so terrible coming here with an ulterior motive. Sigrid, I meant what I said the first day I got here. It truly has been a pleasure getting to know you again."

"You should have told me what was going on! And why would my father think that I would be so open to this?"

"Perhaps he thought you would not mind," Eva said, "seeing as you and Leif were once lovers." A strangled noise alerted her that another person was witness to the tête-à-tête. Even worse than the eavesdropping was the fact that she knew without fail who had made the noise.

"Loki." He was already retreating by the time she turned around, long legs taking him away from her in quick strides. It only took a few steps for his lanky form to disappear into the palace. "Oh Gods!" Sigrid placed a hand to her forehead. When she returned to the two Vanir, there was a smug expression on Eva's face.

"You knew he was there!" Sigrid swung a finger up to her face. She felt Leif put a restraining hand on her arm. "Didn't you?" Eva gave an innocent blink.

"I am not in charge of the prince's whereabouts."

"Bitch." Savagery dripped off the snarl, causing Eva's face to drop at the swear. "You absolute bitch!"

"Sigrid." It was Leif, hand still strong on her upper arm. "Go after Loki. Explain everything to him."

"But my father-"

"Sigrid, I will handle your father. He's quite fond of me." Leif's eyes were earnest as he peered down at her. "Don't worry about me. Go. I'll take Eva back home with me."

Eva made a noise of protest. "You cannot—"

"I can. You've caused enough trouble." Leif's tone was final. "Sigrid, go. I'll write you soon."

"Thank you," she whispered. Her mind was a mess as she gathered her skirts. "I-I'll write you back, I promise."

"Sigrid, go." She did not need to be told another time.

Sigrid ran down the path Loki had taken as fast as her feet would carry her. The decision to wear a lifted heel had turned out be an incorrect one, for they were not built for more than a gentle walk. With a loud curse, she reached down and tore the things off. Bare feet would help her catch up to Loki faster, anyway.

"Loki!" She spotted him as she rounded the corner.

"Leave me be, Sigrid." His tone was clipped, back still to her as he made his way to the library doors. He pushed them open with more force than was necessary and stomped inside. Sigrid entered just a few moments behind him.

He was hunched over a desk when she spotted him, scribbling with such fury that the sound of nib touching paper scratched through the air. She knew that he was aware of her presence. It was hard to sneak up on him, having the powers he possessed, so she knew his ignorance was purposeful. "Loki, let me explain."

"There's nothing to explain. I heard it all." He still would not look at her. "Please close the door on your way out." Sigrid pretended she did not hear his attempt at a dismissal.

"You did not hear it all," she insisted. "There was some truth to what Eva said but not entirely—"

"How can there be some truth?" Loki looked at her then, and a million and one emotions rippled over his face. His eyes, though, were shining with the most unhinged fury. "It's either you were his lover, or you weren't, so which was it?"

"We liked each other," she admitted. There was no point in hiding the truth from him anymore. "A lot. At first I thought he was just spending time with me as a favour to our fathers but the more we talked the more I came to understand that he genuinely wanted to be around me. And I, him."

"So, he was your first love."

"Yes, or at least what I thought was love." Loki lifted a brow. "I was fourteen, Loki. I was not well versed in matters of the heart."

"And the night of the fire? When you two were in the stables together?" He gave a small shrug. "You've never mentioned that before."

"I- We used to sneak out to the stables at night because it was the only place that would not have servants." Sigrid clasped her hands together at her waist. "I was afforded even less mistakes than a full-blooded Vanir princess would have been. If anyone caught me with Leif, they would have tried to question my virtue and therefore my claim to the throne. More than they already were, that is."

"So, am I to believe that two teenagers snuck out to be alone just to talk?"

Sigrid folded her arms. So far, she had answered all of his questions without hesitating, so she did not appreciate what he was implying. "If you're asking if I fucked Leif, the answer is no. Although it would not be any of your concern if I had, and you have no right to be mad about that."

Loki scoffed. "You've made it quite clear what is and is not my business. It's funny, though. I never took you for a liar."

"Don't be an ass," she spat. She unfolded her arms and walked right up to him. Her neck hurt with the effort it took to keep her eyes on his from this angle. It was only the sheer refusal to look away from his glare that sustained her. "I never lied to you."

"You lied by omission." His tone was matter of fact. "Of course it's not my business who you choose to sleep with. That's not what I'm mad about. I'm mad that you chose to omit Leif from your story, and you chose to let me believe he was a mere acquaintance." He spread his hands with a flourish. "Lies."

"Now I know the God of Lies is not giving me a lecture on the truth." Her voice had risen past the acceptable decibel level for the library. "You are dishonest all the time."

Loki's jaw clenched. "I am not-"

"Yes, you are! You are!"

"Not to you!" He growled. "I do not lie to you; I have never lied to you!" Loki was shouting by the time he finished, and it shocked Sigrid well out of her wits. Never had she been on the receiving end of his vexation. Now that she was, she did not like it one bit. "Does that count for nothing?"

Sigrid's breath caught in her throat. Part of her knew that Loki had always treated her differently than everyone else. He did not snap at her, or raise his voice, or prank her like he did to everyone else. Throughout their entire friendship she had been the exception. So why, now, had things begun to change?

"Loki—"

"Forget it." His mask slipped back into place. All the hurt and disbelief was now replaced by a blank stare. "I've known this was going to happen one day. I suppose it was foolish of me to assume our friendship would make it through this."

"What are you talking about?" Her voice was overcome with puzzlement. "Make it through what?"

"You have to be married to be queen, do you not?" Sigrid blinked. Loki caught her unspoken question and answered with a wave of his hand. "I've always known the Vanir laws. I did not, however, know that your spouse would already be chosen for you."

"Loki, that's not what's happening here. I'm not marrying anyone. My father—"

"Your father concealed the truth from you because he knew as well as I do that you would not react well to being forced. But the fact is that you have two choices; you can choose to marry Leif and take the throne you've always wanted, or you can refuse and give it up." Loki shook his head. "Since you've no siblings, there's really only one path is there?"

Sigrid threw her hands up. "I still do not see what that has to do with our friendship! Nothing has to change—"

"Sigrid, it has already changed!" Frustration lined the edge of the trickster's tone. "It changed the moment that letter was sent. Do you really think we can maintain the friendship we have when you go back to Vanaheim? I doubt your husband would take kindly to me sleeping in your bed when I pop in for a visit."

"You're talking about things that have not yet happened," she enunciated each word as though he were slow. "Any romantic feelings I had for Leif are long gone. He's just a friend now, one that I barely know anymore."

"Because you had to leave."

A beat passed. "What?"

"The only reason your feelings for him went away is because you were forced to leave," Loki elaborated. "You were thrown into an unimaginable situation, and you adapted better than I ever could have. If you had stayed on Vanir, you two would have already been wed, but you didn't and that's why your feelings went away; because they had too." Loki took a pause, gauging his next words with care. "How am I to believe that your return to Vanaheim will not result in the same for me?"

Sigrid's mouth opened and closed a few times before she finally figured out what to say. "That's not the same thing and you know it."

"Do I?" He took a step closer to her. Their noses were nearly touching now. In the past Sigrid had never been bothered by his being near her. He was one of the few people she allowed to touch her without asking permission each time. This time, however, she found herself a bit jittery under the intensity of his gaze. "Do I really know that? Because I think you'll throw yourself into your role as queen so well that you'll convince yourself you a love a man we both know is not the one for you."

"We royals do not always get the privilege of following our hearts." The breathlessness in her voice was most unexpected. "You and I have always known that."

"Hmm." Loki lifted a hand to cup her cheek. Her eyes closed as the smooth pad of his thumb dragged across her skin. "Yes. I suppose we have."

A warmth appeared in her curled fist. She opened her eyes, unfurling her fingers to see a dark, crimson rose in her palm. "What does this mean?"

"Pardon me?" His voice was a murmur.

"The flowers," she held up the rose in her palm. "You would always give me pink tulips before. Why have they changed?"

Loki stared at her for a while. His thumb was still caressing her face, leaving goosebumps on her skin with every stroke. "I do not know," he said. "I don't pick the flowers before I conjure them. My mood chooses them for me and they just appear."

Sigrid ran a finger over the petal. It was not the usual red rose she was used to, hue too deep and resembling clotted blood rather than a fresh bleed. "What do you feel now?"

"I feel as though I am at a funeral," he told her, "for I know a tide has turned and we shall never be the same again." Sigrid knew not what to say. She just let Loki pull her forward to place a kiss on her forehead. "I must go now. Thor is waiting for me. Father is sending us to Alfheim again and I cannot be late."

"How long will you be gone?" She was still reeling from his words but managed to get out this simple inquiry.

"Not long. A few days to a week." His hand dropped from her face. "You should not worry about me. I will be fine." He moved towards the door in record time, cape floating with the speed of his steps. "Perhaps I may catch Leif at the bridge if I'm quick. I owe him an apology for my insolence."

"I already spoke to him. He understands you're just protective."

Loki gave her a half smile over his shoulder that did not quite reach his eyes. "Ever my defender. What would I do without you?" She gave no answer. If his words were true, he would have to figure it out soon enough. "Take care of yourself while I'm away. And for the love of Odin, don't go falling off anymore bridges. I'll see you soon."

Sigrid wanted to say something. A well wish? A 'take care'? Anything would have been better than nothing. Instead she stayed silent, her attention turned to the rose in her palm. And when she heard the door close—silent, so as not to startle her—the tears slipped down her face, gathering in the crevices of the petals.