Hues of pinks and yellows lit up the room. Pieces of clothing was strewn about. Some were on the floor, the edges of the bed, on the nearest furniture, and one lucky garment was somehow stuck to the ceiling.
Vali was laying on his back. His little fists were clenched as he gave out a small snore. The blanket was covering part of him. His golden garment he was swaddled in was keeping him warm as well.
His mother and father were wrapped in gold sheets. They were facing one another but the only parts of them were touching were their hands. His hand was placed over hers, cupping her hand. Her hand was relaxed but still gripping his fingers.
A familiar sensation tingled at the back of Sigyn's mind. She started to move when the grip on her hand was holding her back.
"Mm," Loki placed his leg around her, scooting her closer to him.
"Vali is going to be hungry," Sigyn explained as she tried to move away but his leg kept her close and tight. "Mm, I am sore all over." She felt the ache over her body but it was a nice ache. An ache that hurt but the pain was nothing to how good it felt earlier.
"As am I," Loki breathed. "We need to have more wild nights like those." He nuzzled into her.
Sigyn opened her eyes while her lips parted into a smile. She laid on her back. Her hand reached for his cheek. Loki brought his hand over it and positioned himself above her. His eyes opened to peer at her. Their lips meeting one another once again. Caressing movements and soft embraces.
A coo from the soft pink lips of their child stopped them continuing. Vali started to rustle and move, causing them stir from their bed. Sigyn grabbed a robe nearby to place on herself while she walked to the crib.
Loki grabbed his robe as he watched his son eat his breakfast. He tied his robe while walking over to them. He placed his hands by her stomach. His fingers were nimble as he tied her robe together while staring with affection to his son.
"You mustn't let your mother roam about like this when I am gone," Loki whispered as the infant suckled. "She won't catch a cold, but I am the only one to admire her like this."
Sigyn kissed his cheek. He was a doting father, a respectable man, and a riveting lover. He held her chin to plant a kiss. He still had a charade to keep up. It was time to get back to the illusion he wielded throughout Asgard.
A month past, to where Sigyn felt it was time to visit her family in Vanaheim with her child. She used a portal to get where she needed to go instead of the BiFrost. It was the first time back since the enchantment her parents put her under. She was heading to her home when she spied a familiar person.
"Lady Sigyn," his voice called.
"Heimdall," she paused, turning to face a large man with dreads and golden eyes. She could see that his banishment was giving him more freedom. "I forgot how rugged you are."
Heimdall chuckled as he wandered over. "It is a weight off my chest to see you are alive. What is this?" He glanced down at the bundle in her arms.
"My son, Vali," Sigyn moved fabric to show a curious infant. It stared into the golden eyes of Heimdall.
Heimdall knew who the father was. There was no doubt. The resemblance of black hair and green eyes belonged to one other being. He did not see the same mischief with this infant but gave a look of affection. The baby smiled at him. Heimdall could not help but smile back. "You must be on your way to visit your parents."
"Yes," Sigyn nodded, although there is another reason for coming here. Heimdall could sense it.
"I will be in the area still," Heimdall let the child play with his finger as the it reached out. "Rest assured no harm shall come to Vali."
"Thank you," Sigyn knew Heimdall sensed she had another motive but did not ask about it. The two parted, letting Sigyn meet with her parents.
Her parents were happy to see her but her mother was still hesitant from the wrong doings onto her only daughter. She felt that she had wronged her. Sigyn forgave her mother as she understood where she was coming from but to not allow it to ever happen again. She presented her son to them.
Her mother took Vali into her arms. "This is our grandson! How beautiful!"
"Little Vali," her father cooed as the baby laughed and smiled showing its pink gums.
"Who is the father?" Freya could not help but ask. She wondered if it was truly that man's.
Sigyn nodded, reading her thoughts. "It is his."
Freya held back what she was about to say but instead spoke about how beautiful he was. "Are you off to somewhere?" She knew her child enough.
"Yes," Sigyn nodded. "I must meet with someone. I thought that you might want to see your grandson as well."
"We will watch over him until you come back," Iwaldi reassured her.
"Thank you," Sigyn nodded. "I will be back soon." She started to head out.
"Does he know?" Freya asked. Sigyn paused by the door. Freya was asking if Loki knew that he had a son.
"Yes," Sigyn chuckled. "We may have a second on the way." She headed out without looking back. Her mother was surprised while her father tried to hide his smile.
Sigyn found a portal that led to Muspelheim. She walked past the green and forested Vanaheim to the blacked soil with bright orange veins of lava of Muspelheim. The ends of her clothes were covered in black soot as she traveled to the place where Surtur preceded.
It was a tedious journey as she had to jump over veins of lava and watch out for steam vents that went off without warning. She refrained from using her powers, for it may let him know she was on her way. Within a few hours she was covered in black soot, her clothes burnt, but Sigyn made it to the black palace.
Surtur was sitting upon his throne of blackened stone. "What being dares to come into my land, my palace, before my throne room without permission?"
Sigyn curtsied paying her respects to him. "I do." Her voice reached him.
Surtur glanced around until he found the small being of an Asgardian woman. She was a tiny thing in front of him. He could squash her with his foot. He tilted his head to the side. "What is an Asgardian doing here? Wanting to end your life earlier then the doom that awaits?" His laugh echoed throughout the room. He could have squashed her in moments, but the soot covered Asgardian was unwavering, this made him wait for a moment.
Sigyn wanted to glance up but did not want to move just yet. "I came to see if you will answer some of my questions?"
"Your questions?" He bent down to view upon her more. His hot breath blew the soot off her. He wanted a better view of who had mustered the courage to come bother him. "Ah, such beautiful hair." He noticed her red hair. "Stand, let me see who you really are." Sigyn raised herself. Surtur was intrigued but still curious. "You remind me of someone long ago."
"Will you answer or not?" Sigyn did have a schedule to keep. Her son was waiting for her.
"Yes, but if you can surpass this," Surtur grabbed her. Sigyn squirmed a bit. Her clothes searing off by the heat from his body. Surtur set her down on his arm rest. He leaned the opposite to see her. "No burns."
Sigyn's sleeves were burnt in half. Her slip underneath could be seen in certain places. Sigyn stared him down waiting when he was done with his games. "I have dreams about flames." Surtur perked up. "Dreams of watching Asgard burn from a balcony where the Norn's spoke of one flame sparking an end. Dreams of birthing a child of flames only for it to set Asgard ablaze by everything the child touches." Surtur was intrigued. He placed a hand on his chin with his index finger grazing over his lips. "Tell me, what is the meaning of these dreams?"
Surtur was silent for a moment. He leaned over to her once again. "Do you not know who I am?"
"You are Surtur, King of Fire Demons and banished to stay in Muspelheim," Sigyn spoke. "Odin has defeated you once and stole the Eternal Flame from you."
"What is your name, little one?" Surtur was curious yet his anger was rising.
"Sigyn," she did not tremble from his gaze.
"Sigyn, a beautiful name," Surtur complimented as he placed his hand near her. She did not move once. His body shrunk to her size upon the arm rest. He walked around her. "Hm. Now I remember. You must come from a family of smiths."
"Yes," Sigyn did not want to read his thoughts in fear he could sense it.
Surtur grabbed her hand. She casted her eyes down at his grip. The blackened fire from his hand seeped onto hers. She tried to take her hand back but he didn't let her. Her whole body turned a dark red, blackened where the joints moved such as her hands and feet. She had etchings of bright orange lines similar in color to that of lava over her body. Surtur let go. He let out another laugh. Sigyn glanced over herself to see everything was different. Her hair glowed like fire but near the hairline it was darker and almost black. Sigyn created a mirror to see herself. Her clothes were sizzling with embers, being destroyed inch by inch. Her eyes were bright orange like the lines running across her body. She made the mirror disappear before staring at him.
"It has been generations since I have seen the gift I gave to your family," Surtur was proud of himself. "Your ancestor trudged through dangers just to ask me to give part of myself to her. She wanted to be a wielder of flames, a smith as herself wanted to wield the very flame she worked with. I never got to see her ever again yet here is the next wielder of my gift."
"Is this why I see Asgard in flames?" Sigyn wanted to know the truth.
"Yes," he morphed back into his bigger form. "I will bring destruction upon Asgard. I will bring the end to its reign."
"When shall you start on your reign?" Sigyn continued her search for answers.
"You are not here to stop me?" Surtur found her more interesting.
"No, one cannot stop of what is foretold by the Norns," Sigyn changed herself back. "You are the bringer of Ragnarock, yet they spoke that Loki is the one who will start it."
"I will bring the end to Asgard, not him!" Surtur yelled as he pounded his fists into the stone. "Soon I will end it. Odin is no longer in Asgard. I will make my move soon enough."
"Thank you, now I understand why I am having these visions," Sigyn curtsied. "I must head back." She started to think of excuses to tell Loki why she would not live in Asgard anymore. They have a son together and possibility another on the way. Their home is safe from everything. Sigyn must stay there. Surtur could sense that she was preoccupied with her thoughts.
"Wait," Surtur placed a hand in front of her. "You have the remnants of the Eternal Flame on you, does it still burn as strong?"
"Yes," Sigyn eyed him. "It has helped me create many weapons."
This made Surtur laugh again. "Wait, let my people take you to the dragon. It will be faster than your small body."
A few fire demons came out of hiding. They led her to a massive fire dragon. Sigyn climbed on the back of it. It flew across the molten land. She placed the image of the area she needed to be in its mind. It turned and flew to that spot. She patted its head before it flew off again. Sigyn came back to the forested Vanaheim covered in black soot with clothes barely covering her.
Her father had a cloak ready for her when she came through the trees. He knew where she had ventured. "Our family had always paid our respects to him." He explained as he placed it on her shoulders. "I did not want you to ever meet him, in case he wanted to take back his gift or keep you by his side." Sigyn lifted the hood upon hear. They started walking back. "You did not show him your Jotun side?" Sigyn shook her head. "Good."
"Did you know about Ragnarock?" Sigyn gazed at the path ahead, hoping for answers.
"Yes, since the time of your ancestor, we all knew that one day he was going to destroy Asgard even if Odin had defeated him once before," Iwaldi sighed. "That is why we live in Vanaheim. Close to him, as to pay our respects for gifting us, but far from Asgard. You will not stay in Asgard anymore, will you?"
"For the safety of my child and those along the way," Sigyn looked to her father. "I cannot, even though they have our blood, he is Jotun. I have a place, safe from Asgard and all the realms. I will be fine."
Sigyn brought her child back to Asgard. She placed Vali in his crib while she bathed herself once again. She bathed once at her parent's place. She met with the healers for her son's checkup as well as her own. She still remembered the words of Surtur. It will be troubling to not let Loki know about the situation. She did not want to make it seem as there would be a rift. It was a delicate situation.
Loki came back with a platter of food. He set it down next to the crib. He picked his son who reached for him with both fists clenched. Loki brought him close to his body. The little fingers were stretching out to his face. Vali's little hand placed a small smack on his father's lips. Loki grabbed the hand to kiss its little fingers. He told his son about his day.
Sigyn came out of the bathing area, a comb in her hands. She paused to see them bonding. Her heart squeezed. She did not want to have this conversation. It needed to happen. Sigyn glided over to her husband. Loki turned to face her.
"You're beautiful and mesmerizing mother has arrived," Loki glanced over to her. "She has the look of torment in her eyes." He explained to his son. "A look your father knows all too well. What torment is waiting for us?"
Sigyn kissed her son. "No torment. Just that I feel better living in our home."
Loki let Vali into his mother's arms. "Our home?"
"Our home," Sigyn smiled glancing from her son to him. Loki furrowed is brow in confusion. "A place where we can raise our children as a family."
"Children?" Loki perked an eyebrow up as his lips curled into a smirk. "Have we a second on the way?" His hands reaching to caress her stomach. They glided to her hips and pulled her forward. Their son playing with her hair. Loki stared into her shining eyes. Her smile gave away the answer. Loki let out a breath of astonishment. He grabbed his son from her arms. "You are going to be a brother! You are going to have to help your mother out now." Vali spoke back to him in mumbles and smiles. "Yes, you are going to have to take care of her and your sibling while I am away. I'll have to teach you all of my tricks sooner rather than later." He kissed his cheek. He then headed back to Sigyn. "And mother here, is going to be banished to our home, that way she can not go on any more adventures until I escort her." He planted a kiss upon her lips.
"Locking me away," Sigyn teased.
"Locking the outside world away," Loki pulled her in close. "I do not want it to tarnish this beautiful scene."
He led the two of them back through the portals to their hidden home. Loki and Sigyn created another bed in the nursery to accommodate their next child. Sigyn was not far enough along to tell whether it was a boy or a girl.
Loki would visit every time he had the chance. On one occasion, he asked his wife a pending question that had been bothering him, even though he knew the answer. It was something he had to hear from her.
Sigyn was tending to the garden while Loki was helping his son Vali how to walk. "You have something you want to ask me?"
"Leave it to my wife to read my mind," he chuckled. Sigyn looked up trying not to roll her eyes. She went back to pulling weeds and moving dirt. "I know the answer, but I want to hear it from your lips."
"I am loyal only to you, my husband," Sigyn spoke matter of fact. "However, I know my husband may not always be."
"Vali tell your mother that's a lie," he helped Vali move a step on the grass. Vali looked up and spoke in sounds and mumbles. "Correct, a lie is what she spoke."
"He may not always be due to his mischievous nature and cunning abilities," Sigyn picked a few vegetables that were ready to harvest. "It is him who I love, if that is his vice, then I love him all the same."
Vali giggled and laughed, his pink gums showing protruding of white bone.
"Exactly, and that is why your mother shall be the only one I will ever love," Loki let Vali move again even though he was wobbly and unbalanced.