Astrid had fallen asleep on her stomach, exhausted after making love. She opened her eyes and saw Loki propped up on his elbow, his head resting in his hand, as he rubbed her back.

"Good morning, darling."

"Good morning."

Astrid moved closer to him and wrapped her arms around his him.

"I can finally wake up next to you," she whispered in his ear.

"For as long as you wish."

"Is forever too long?"

"Not long enough."

Loki kissed her as he lay her on her back. He brushed his fingers through her hair, and sighed.

"I want to move you into my chambers," Loki said. "We obviously cannot remain in these."

"No, but will that be allowed before we're married?"

"I am King, darling," he said with a smile. "Or have you forgotten?"

"I have not forgotten, my King."

Loki groaned and kissed her hard.

"We need to get up," he said. "I have a full day, I'm sure."

"Can we not lie here all day, my King?"

Loki gave her hip a playful squeeze.

"You are a temptress."

"Am I?"

He kissed the tip of her nose.

"A seductress."

"And you so innocently kiss the nose of such a woman?"

"When I am in love with her, yes." Loki ran his nose along the side of her neck, and sighed. "Tell me you love me, darling."

Astrid took Loki's face in her hands to make him look into her eyes.

"I love you more than my life, my love."

Loki ran his thumb over her cheek, then leaned in for a soft kiss. He pulled Astrid's legs around his waist and ground his hips against hers, and she gasped.

"You will be late," she said.

"Let them wait... I am King, after all."

Astrid giggled before Loki captured her lips again.

Loki sent a few servants to move Astrid's things from Thor's chambers to his. While she packed and organized, Astrid could see the questioning faces. Some of them held a judgement that she knew she didn't deserve. So, when everything was moved, she asked them to remain a moment.

"I can imagine the rumors making their way through the palace," she said. "I want to clear up one thing right now. I am no longer Thor's wife. Our marriage was annulled by the Allfather the day of Thor's coronation celebration. We all know that many events happened that day, tragic and sobering events, and I can see accusations in the eyes of many around the palace, but I can assure you I am just as saddened as you are. When the Allfather awakens, everything will be made clear, and we will hopefully get Thor back."

The servants gave a slight bow of the head, and left. Astrid looked at her things in Loki's chambers. This was where she was meant to be. She felt at home.

But this wasn't her home now; not since she was no longer Thor's wife. As much as she and Loki loved each other, and they knew they would be together, she was once again a guest of the palace.

She still hadn't spoken to her parents. Frigga's response to her father's inquiry had held his tongue and his questions, but that wouldn't last. They were still in the palace, but would be leaving that day. He would seek her out.

She decided not to wait. She went to the guest chamber where her parents slept. Her mother hugged her and ushered her in to sit.

"So much has happened," her mother said. "Are you all right?"

"I am fine."

"Your husband is banished," her father said, "and you are fine? This cannot bode well for your future."

Astrid took a deep breath and looked her father directly in the eyes.

"Thor is no longer my husband."

"I beg your pardon?"

"The Allfather annulled the marriage after the Frost Giants appeared, before Thor ran off to Jotunheim."

Her father stood. "How could he? Why?"

"It was at my request."

"Your request?"

"And I was supported by Queen Frigga. She actually listened to me."

Astrid's mother placed her hand on her husband's arm, and he sat down.

"I'm listening."

"The day I was informed of my betrothal to Thor, I made it plain that I was in love with another."

"Not this foolishness again," her father mumbled.

"That other is Loki."

"Prince Loki?" Her mother leaned forward.

"I have loved him for many years, but was afraid to tell him for fear of losing my dearest friend. As it turns out, he felt the same about me. We confessed our love to one another when I returned from our trip."

"Well," Astrid's mother said, "Loki is still a fine match."

"Nonsense," her father said, "Loki will not be King."

Astrid stood. "Loki is King. At least until the Allfather awakens. Then, we will be married."

"Surely, the Allfather had some reason other than this silly romance to annul your marriage to Thor?"

"Yes. Loki and I continued to see each other in secret. Thor discovered us."

Her father stood. "You've brought this shame on our family? You are lucky he agreed to your request of annulment!"

"He agreed because I never gave myself to Thor as his wife! When Thor discovered Loki, he threatened to take his right as a husband, without my consent, on the night of his coronation. That is when I went to Queen Frigga. She spoke to the Allfather."

"Astrid," he mother stood and embraced her, "poor child."

"Poor child?"

"Yes! If she denied herself to Thor, then she must truly love Loki. When I gave myself to you as wife, I knew my previous love had not been as strong as I thought. Yet, Astrid endured so much time without her love, and never submitted to Thor's affections. Darling, we cannot keep them apart if marriage to the future King could not." She looked to Astrid again. "And to think that Thor would take what was not willingly offered..."

"Part of me hopes he was only blustering. I cannot imagine the man I called friend for so long treating me that way, but he was so angry."

"Understandably so," her father added.

"Yes. I do agree," Astrid said.

"And if Thor's banishment is ended, and he takes the throne as intended, will he not be angry still?"

"He may be."

"And what will you do, then?"

Astrid thought a moment. She had not considered this possibility.

"Loki and I will face whatever the consequences may be."

"This is absurd! You will-"

He was interrupted by a knock on the door. It was one of Loki's guards.

"Forgive the intrusion, sir, but Loki sent me to seek out Miss Astrid."

Astrid stepped forward. "Is something wrong?"

"I am to escort you to the throne room."

"Good," her father said. "We can all go."

"Father-"

"I will confront the man who ruined my daughter's future."

Astrid sighed as her father took her mother's arm and followed the guard. She was right behind them.

Loki couldn't hide the surprise on his face when Astrid's parents entered the throne room. They bowed, but Astrid just smiled at Loki.

"Bow, child," her father said through clenched teeth.

"Astrid does not bow to me," Loki said.

He stood and walked to her, took her hand and tilted his head in a slight bow. Astrid's mother gasped, but Loki ignored it as he kissed Astrid's hand.

"I did not know you were bringing guests, my love."

"Father insisted."

Loki returned to the throne and sat.

"You wish to speak with me, sir?" Loki asked.

"Yes... my King. You and my daughter have caused a lot of trouble. You may think you can have whomever you-"

"Let me stop you, sir. I understand your hostility toward me. I was hoping to talk things over with you privately, man to man, hopefully very soon."

"What is wrong with the present?"

"I wish to speak man to man, not King to servant."

"I am no servant."

Loki stood and descended the stairs once more.

"You are a servant of the Throne of Asgard. You serve its interests, and the will of the man who sits on it. Is that not true?"

"It... it is."

"Unlike most kings, we do not wear crowns. Would you say then that this helmet is the symbol of my power?"

"If you wish, my King."

"Very well."

Loki took off his horned helmet, bent down, and placed it at Astrid's feet. When he stood again, he faced her father.

"I would trade that throne, this palace, my title even as Prince, to make your daughter happy. Yet, at the moment, I have a duty to my father that I must fulfill in Thor's absence. When my father awakens, and my duty is over, I will come to you as a humble man who is so in love with your daughter that I, sir, will then bow to you and ask for her hand in marriage."

Astrid's mother gasped and grabbed her husband's arm. His eyes were wide.

"Even then you will be Prince. To bow to me would be-"

"My right, and an expression of my love for Astrid."

He took Astrid's hand and smiled at her. Tears moistened her eyes, and Loki wiped one away with his thumb as it slid down her cheek.

Astrid's father cleared his throat. "There is no need. Any man who treats my daughter with such tenderness and devotion is more than worthy of her. You have my blessing."

Astrid's eyes landed on her father. Her eyes widened, and a hint of a smile played at her lips, hesitant to come out fully.

"Truly, Father?"

Her father held his hand out to her, and she took it.

"I have only ever wanted your happiness, Astrid. Everything I have done has been to secure your future with a good husband. You always seemed to love Thor, and so I thought it the perfect much."

"I do love Thor, Father, but only-"

"I know that now, child. I thought your behavior was simply an act of rebellion against me making the arrangement. I had no idea that you truly did not want to marry Thor. I want you to be happy."

"Loki makes me happy."

"I can see that. Your face speaks volumes at the mention of his name."

Astrid blushed and could no longer contain her smile.

"Thank you, Father," she said as she hugged him.

"I love you, Astrid."

"I love you, too."

He took her hand and placed it in Loki's.

"I am entrusting my daughter's life to you. King or Prince, if you should fall short, you will answer to me."

"Well understood, sir," Loki said.

Astrid picked up Loki's helmet and helped him put it on again.

"My King," she whispered.

Loki smiled and kissed her hand, then turned to her parents.

"I must ask you to excuse us. I did call for Astrid alone, and I still wish to speak with her."

"Of course," her father said.

Her parents gave a slight bow, then left the room.