Loki went two weeks without seeing Astrid. Thor carried out his threat and had her under constant guard. When she was dining, riding, or just walking through the gardens, a guard was there. Usually more than one. Loki knew he couldn't risk seeing her so soon after they were caught. Thor would be expecting it.

The only communication they had was through Loki's telepathy. He reminded her that he loved her, and that he knew she loved him in return. He told her they would be together; to be patient. He only wished she could speak back.

As Thor's coronation drew near, Astrid confined herself to her chambers. Even with Loki speaking to her, she felt alone. The entire situation seemed hopeless.

The morning before the ceremony, Thor reminded Astrid that she would fulfill her wifely duties the following night.

Thor would be in conference all day with the Allfather, in preparation for the coronation. Loki took that as an opportunity to see Astrid. He projected an image of himself past several guards, making it appear as if he had left the palace. After some time passed, he shifted into the form of Thor and strode through the corridors to Astrid's chambers. The guards bowed as he entered the room. Inside the bedroom, Astrid sat up in bed.

"You said you would let me have today alone."

Thor's image faded to reveal Loki as he put a finger to his lips. Astrid threw back the covers and ran to Loki's arms. She kissed his face and neck as he whispered; his voice the calm and soothing balm she needed.

"I am here, darling. It will be all right."

"I love you, so much."

"I love you, too."

Loki backed her toward the bed and gently lay her down. Despite the fact that Thor could return to his bedroom at any moment, his promise to leave Astrid alone for the day gave them hope that he wouldn't. They would take their time together. Loki's hand slipped beneath her dress and traveled across her thigh and hip. He squeezed her rear before pulling her up to sit. His hands pulled at the lacing on the back of her dress as they kissed, until it was loose enough to fall from her shoulders. Astrid removed her arms, and the dress pooled at her waist. Loki lay her back once more, then pulled the dress down and off. Astrid lay naked before him. She made no move to cover herself out of modesty. She was his to consume. His eyes roamed her body as he undressed and crawled back over her. He kissed her neck and traveled down until his lips reached her thighs. He kissed inward, and felt her body stiffen as he raised her legs onto his shoulders.

"Relax, darling," he said before he kissed the inside of each thigh. "Let this silver tongue work its magic."

Astrid closed her eyes and moaned. Loki chuckled, then covered her with his mouth, probing with his tongue. Astrid writhed beneath him. Her hands fisted his hair as she tried to push herself against his mouth, but he held her down with an arm across her hips.

He moaned against her flesh, and she gasped at the vibration. Her breath came faster and more ragged as she neared her peak.

"Loki... Loki..."

He sucked the little bundle of nerves into his mouth and rolled his tongue around it, and Astrid broke. Her back arched, and Loki removed his arm from her hips.

He released her from his mouth as her hips fell back to the bed. He kissed her thighs, and she shivered. Loki continued his path of kisses upward, stopping at her breasts for just a moment before capturing her lips.

Astrid pulled him down until she felt the weight of him on top of her. She couldn't ignore the large hardness she felt pressed between the two of them.

"Loki?"

"Yes, my love."

"Your tongue is a treasure."

Loki laughed and buried his face in Astrid's neck.

"Ah, my darling," Loki sighed. "I would love to spend every second of the day pleasuring you."

"Would no one pleasure you?"

Loki reached down and guided himself into Astrid.

"That is what this is for," Loki whispered.

Loki lowered his head and licked at the dip at the base of Astrid's throat. She moaned and ran her hands over his back and shoulders.

He used every ounce of control he had to keep a slow and steady pace, determined to push Astrid to the edge again. Lips and hands roamed as they made love, and the moment Astrid's body spasmed, Loki let go.

He rolled them over so that Astrid was lying on top of him. They kissed for a while, and then Astrid began trailing her lips down his chest and stomach. Loki knew she headed below his waist as repayment, but he pulled her back up to his lips.

"As much as I would love to get this going again, we should not linger any longer than we have."

Astrid kissed his neck. He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her.

"Whatever happens tomorrow," Loki said as he ran a hand through her hair, "remember that I love you."

"I love you, too," she said, her face still buried in his neck.

"I have never been happier than I am with you in my arms."

The throne room was packed with citizens from all over Asgard. Thor, in all his glory, passed down the aisle made clear among the sea of people. He played to the crowd, raising his hands and shouting with joy, until he reached the steps of the throne. Frigga and Loki stood to one side. Astrid and the warriors stood on the other.

Astrid dared a glance at Loki. His face was down, with a sour expression. She feared that his plan had fallen through. Loki was watching his brother become King. His celebration prize? The woman Loki loved. Herself. She tried to fight the tears that filled her eyes. This should be a happy occasion. One of her best friends was being crowned as the ruler of Asgard. But that friendship was gone. If he could honestly force her to be with him when she told him repeatedly that she didn't want to be, and now that he knew that she didn't love him, but loved Loki... what kind of friendship was that?

To the horror of her parents in the audience, Astrid quickly went behind the throne as Odin began his speech. She made her way to Frigga, who eyed her with curiosity, if not worry.

"My Queen, I must speak with you quickly."

"Astrid," Loki whispered, "what are you doing?"

"Taking control." She turned her attention back to Frigga. "I know the disrespect it would show if I were to stop this ceremony. I need you to stop the Allfather."

"Astrid," Loki whispered, but his voice was harsh.

"Please," she said, ignoring him.

"What is wrong, child?"

"I am not-"

"Frost giants."

At those words, uttered softly by Odin, every eye around the thrown looked to him. The room went quiet as Odin quickly moved toward the door. Thor and Loki were at his heels.

Astrid knew better than to follow. She felt Frigga's hand on her arm.

"Finish what you were saying, dear."

"It... does not seem important at the moment."

"Will it be important again when the coronation continues? Will you still want me to stop it?"

Astrid almost stared into Frigga's eyes. She hadn't lied to Thor about loving his mother. Astrid always felt comfortable with her, never intimidated.

"Yes, I will."

Frigga led Astrid into a private room behind the throne. "Then continue."

Astrid took a breath. "I do not love Thor."

"Yes, you have expressed that."

"I love Loki... and he loves me."

"Is this a new development?"

"No, My Queen."

"I see." She took Astrid's hand. "Why did neither of you say anything?"

"Loki thought, because of my parents, that it would not matter. He thought we would be kept apart, and I do not think he was wrong."

"You underestimate your parents. The both of you."

"I estimate my father perfectly."

"But now you are married to Thor."

Astrid chose her words carefully. "Only by ceremony."

"Why come to me, now, child?"

"Because... Once Thor is King, he expects... I must..."

Frigga put her hand to Astrid's face. "I am sure Thor would understand."

"He did, at first, but he discovered Loki and I in a private moment, and he feels betrayed. He would not let me explain that I loved Loki before our marriage. We have made an awful mess of things. He has kept us apart the last few weeks."

"I thought he seemed different. I assumed it was the pressure of becoming King, but this makes everything clearer."

"Will you speak with the Allfather?"

"Is there no chance you will love Thor?"

"None."

"And you truly love Loki?"

"With everything that I am."

Frigga stared at Astrid, then nodded. "I will speak with him."

Astrid almost laughed with relief. Frigga hugged her and held her a moment.

"You know I think of you as my own daughter. You can always come to me."

"Thank you."

When they left the room, Astrid's parents were waiting right outside. Her father eyed her.

"What is the matter?" he asked.

"Nothing to concern yourself over," Frigga said. "Odin will take care of it."

"I am sorry, My Queen, but I meant with my daughter."

"So did I."

Odin was soon back in the throne room. An announcement was made that the coronation was to be postponed. As the crowd dispersed, he approached Frigga. Astrid made a move to leave, but Frigga held her arm.

"Your son," Odin said to Frigga, "is still an immature child. A warrior, not a king."

"How long will you postpone?"

"I am unsure."

"I have some news that may help you decide," Frigga said as she looked to Astrid. "Tell him."

After a deep breath, Astrid told Odin everything she had told to Frigga. Unlike Frigga, Odin listened without comment until she was finished.

"It seems we are surrounded by children," he said. "Do you and Loki realize what your secret could have cost?"

"I believe Loki thought he could fix it sooner, and we surely did not expect such a quick wedding, My King. We never intended to let it get that far."

Astrid spoke with tears in her eyes. Odin sighed before glancing at his wife. "You are more in tune with matters of the heart. Your advice?"

"I think you know."

He nodded. "I believe I do." Odin looked at Astrid, who was staring at Odin's feet. "Henceforth, the marriage of Thor and Astrid is annulled, and the betrothal is broken. You are free to be with whomever you choose."

Tears filled Astrid's eyes. "Thank you. My King! Thank you, so much!"

Odin waved her off with a nod, and she ran from the room to find Loki.