Author's Note: …WOW. Can I just note that this story has garnered a heck of a lot more attention than I ever thought could be possible! Seriously, almost 60 followers, over 30 favorites, and over 100 reviews (101 to be exact)! Never in my wildest dreams did I see that coming! Thank you all so much for your support! Regarding this chapter, it is rated 'M,' but only for one itty bitty part in it. Also, it is about to cover a bit of information in a short amount of time. I normally try not to do that since it means a couple of things are going to be a bit glossed over, but I needed to set up the events of the next three chapters pretty quickly so sorry about that! Guest I am so excited that you consider Sigyn to be a stronger female character than those that simply take Loki back without hesitation. I can't imagine doing so, so there was just simply no way I could allow Sigyn to! MithrilEvanesco it is true, Theoric is no Loki. I wish they could both be happy as well, but I suppose we both know that just isn't possible. JaviMason19691 so you have already come to the conclusion that Theoric is going to die? Hmmm I guess we will just have to see if you are correct. It is true Loki has kept an eye out on her, but he does have a few other important things on his plate right now to focus on as well. Little Bird hehehe I didn't realize Captain Jack Sparrow was reading my story ;) What will Loki do? That always seems to be the question. Anonymous1662 haha I am so glad you like the story so far! I hope that these next few chapters do not disappoint.


Lithasblot was in a day, and Loki was already dreading it. Another celebration just meant that he had to spend another evening feigning love for Amora, and that was becoming more and more difficult to do. Loki had kept as close of an eye on Theoric and Sigyn's developing relationship as possible, but it had been more difficult these past few weeks due to an increase in less than savory activity along the outskirts of Asgard. These next couple of weeks were going to be tricky enough without these latest threats, and Loki was going to have to be at his top form to pull off this latest infiltration scheme of his successfully while still assisting with these other issues. Needless to say this is why he really didn't need Lithasblot or Theoric's courtship of Sigyn distracting him at the moment, and Theoric was most assuredly courting Sigyn now. Loki's informants had seen them together quite frequently, and not even three days ago had they been spotted frolicking about an empty marketplace acting ridiculous. Well, at least Loki thought it sounded ridiculous…

In all honesty, Loki was surprised Theoric had been able to take Sigyn in so easily. Didn't she know he was a member of the Crimson Hawks? Didn't she know what that entailed? If Loki had learned anything about Theoric these past many months, it was that he had a long list of ghosts that haunted him. Loki had done his research. He had read the details of Theoric's missions and he been making subtle inquiries where he could. After all the studying, Loki had only been able to come to one conclusion: Theoric's work with the Crimson Hawks made Loki look as innocent as a newborn child. He was bathed in so much blood that he could wash a thousand times over. The deaths of men, women, even children rested on his head. All had been killed for the good of Asgard by order of the AllFather himself, but Loki was beginning to question if Odin always had the good of Asgard in mind. Odin was certainly wise, Loki wouldn't argue that, but even wise people could make poor choices…

Amora came to mind…

As it were, Odin was not so free from passion or emotion as most of his subjects might guess, and Loki wondered if some of his orders came from a desire to protect Asgard or from old grudges that had carried over into this time of "peace" for the Nine Realms. Peace, Loki wanted to laugh at the idea. When was Asgard, or any of the other Realms, ever really at peace? From what he could see, never.

Sigyn.

Theoric.

Amora.

What a mess…

The thought of Theoric ravishing Sigyn nauseated Loki. He couldn't stand the image of a man with so much blood on his hands caressing Sigyn's naked body as he had so often done. Part of him wondered how many times the pair had slept together, and if Theoric was able to satisfy Sigyn the way he had. Did he know what words to murmur into her ear to cause her heart to quicken? Did he know where to touch Sigyn if he wished to hear her sigh his name? Did he know just the right angle of penetration that would have Sigyn arching shamelessly into him? Loki highly doubted he did. No one knew Sigyn's body like he did, and as far as Loki was concerned, no one ever would.

The palace was a buzz with activity the way it always was before any big celebration so once Loki had completed his training with Thor and the others, he went to hide away from the bustle in his room. He scanned the books on his shelf contemplating which one he would study today, when his eyes landed on a familiar small leather tome. He shook his head as if to shake the idea from his mind. He needed to study, not torture himself. Every time he considered the bindings of the other books however, his eyes always found their way back to that one volume. He finally gave up fighting his natural desire, and pulled Sigyn's book from off the shelf. He lounged out on the couch and read through the book leisurely. Just reading Sigyn's words caused him to feel near to her, and when he closed his eyes he could swear that he smelled her perfume. He leaned his head back against a pillow and let the scent take over. By the Norns, he had missed her smell. The scent continued to grow stronger, and Loki opened his eyes.

This was a dream; it had to be. Sitting quietly on the edge of the couch was Sigyn herself. She didn't say a word. Instead, she just sat there giving him a small smile. After a moment she removed the book from his chest and placed it on the table in front of the couch before leaning in and kissing him softly on the forehead. Loki cupped his hand behind her head and pulled her forehead to rest against his. He closed his eyes and just let her scent intoxicate his mind, and only after he felt drunk with the fragrance did he kiss her. This wasn't his first dream about Sigyn, but it was certainly more realistic than the others. Apparently he needed to read her book before he went to bed more often. His hands found her hips, and he began to massage them in a slow circle before bringing them up towards her breasts. As wonderful as this felt, he couldn't help but think that something wasn't quite right about it. Unless the Sigyn of his dreams had gained some weight, this wasn't actually Sigyn. There was one way to know for sure however, he cupped her breasts in his hands and began to knead them through her dress. "Sigyn" began to moan at the action, but it confirmed Loki's suspicion that it wasn't really her at all. One of the things Loki had loved most about Sigyn had been the perfection of her imperfections. Her hips were much more bony than most men in Asgard liked, she was shorter than all the other women of the court, and she was small chested with her right breast being distinctly smaller than her left one. Each aspect might have been considered unattractive to other men, but they were some of the things that Loki had loved most about her. Of course the last detail was one that no one else would be able to notice, but Loki had spent so much time engraving her body in his mind when they made love that it had become just one more of the quirks that he had loved about her. So since this wasn't Sigyn, there was only one other person it could be.

Amora.

Well this certainly wasn't a dream so either it was a nightmare, or Amora was trying to shape shift. Was it a bad thing that he knew it was Amora trying to shape shift, but that he would have much rather it just been a nightmare? He opened his eyes and studied "Sigyn" with a little more thought than he had when he first saw her.

Eye color?

Wrong.

Hair color?

Close.

Height?

Tough to say from a sitting position, but it was fairly accurate as far as he could tell.

Measurements?

Not even in the right Realm.

It was clear to Loki that this was an attempt based on only having seen Sigyn from a distance. The details were all wrong, and when it came to shape shifting into someone else it was the details that could kill you…in his case, literally. Now that he knew this was Amora, he was left with the question of what to do. He could ruin her fun now, or he could ruin it after he had gotten his own release. Easy choice. He sat up fully from the couch and brought "Sigyn" in for another kiss before standing and scooping her up in his arms. He reached his bed in a couple of strides and sort of tossed Amora onto it. He was straddling her waist in no time, and Amora in the form of Sigyn went to undo his belt. Loki allowed her to do so before pinning her arms over her head. He didn't take her gown off, but teased her relentlessly through her clothing. Amora squirmed and tried to find ways to rub herself against his covered erection to release some of the pressure that was building inside of her, but with no success. Once Loki tired of slowly torturing her, he flipped her onto her stomach and pulled his trousers down far enough to release himself. He entered Amora from behind, and it took only a couple of thrusts for him to release into her. Once he had reached his climax, he pulled out so Amora couldn't reach her own.

"Nice try." He stated before giving her behind a little swat.

Amora lay groaning in discomfort as her weak spell faded away.

"When did you figure it out?" She asked.

"When I noticed that you got Sigyn's measurements completely wrong." He answered while pulling his pants back up and tightening his belt.

"You know her measurements? How pathetic." She grumbled.

"From where I stand you are the pathetic one. Thor won't sleep with you, and you know I won't sleep with you, so you take on the form of my first love to get some kind of attention." Loki shot back while sitting down in a chair with a smug smile.

He found Amora's extreme discomfort to be more amusing than he probably should. If he was nice he would just go ahead and finish her off, but Amora deserved no kindness from him.

"That's not why I did it!" She protested.

"Really?" He asked while placing his hands behind his head, "So why did you?"

"To get back at you!"

"To get back at me? Whatever for?" He inquired in a mocking tone.

"You've been hindering my pursuit of your brother."

"Me!? How could I possibly do that?"

"You know exactly how, you have been using spells to block my love enchantments!"

"Well it certainly took you long enough to figure that one out." Loki responded nonchalantly.

He could care less that Amora had found him out; he would have thought that his interference would have been spotted a long time before this.

"The deal is off." She stated angrily. "I will not pretend to be consort to the younger and insignificant Prince of Asgard any longer!"

Loki's eyes flashed a dangerous shade of green, which shut Amora up.

"Yes, you are right. You will no longer be acting as my consort seeing as I have no further need of you. Now be a good girl and shut the door on your way out."

Loki's cold reaction was not the one Amora had been trying to bring out with her provocation, and she marched out of the room dissatisfied both sexually and emotionally.

Loki felt relief flood him as the door shut. He truly had no further use for Amora. It was time he took back what was rightfully his. Theoric could never love Sigyn the way he did, and while neither of them probably deserved her, Loki's claim on her came first so he would urge it.

He was in a rather good mood the next day, which Thor commented on. Loki revealed that he and Amora had split, to which Thor responded with more than a little enthusiasm. Though Loki had actually split with her long ago, he actually felt truly free of her now. It was almost as if a dark nagging shadow had been lifted from his mind, and for the first time in over three years he knew exactly what he wanted. The details of how Loki was going to approach Sigyn still weren't clear, but at least having a goal in mind was a pretty good start. Loki excused himself after training to go hunt down the one person who could give him some advice about how to win Sigyn back… his mother.

The Queen wasn't in her sitting room, but Eydís informed him that Frigga could be found in the gardens. Loki headed directly there, and after a bit of searching he spotted her picking out flowers with the head gardener to use for the celebration that evening. His mother excused herself upon spotting Loki, and looped her arm in his to take a turn about the garden.

"So to what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit?"

"I need your advice." Loki admitted.

"Really? About what?"

"About Sigyn. Mother, I need her, and I have to win her back somehow."

"Yes, you do need her, but have you considered that she may not wish to be won back."

Of course Loki hadn't considered that fact. Why wouldn't she want to be won back over to him?

Frigga shook her head as if she had read his thoughts.

"Do you really know so little about the way a woman thinks? From what I have heard Sigyn has moved on, and is happy. Why would she wish to leave that happiness to return to a man who, by all accounts, broke her heart?"

Because it was him, that's why. Sigyn had loved him long before she had met Theoric so wouldn't she rather return to her first love? He didn't give that reply to his mother however, since he didn't want her to shoot it down.

"Loki, I know this is going to sound cruel, but listen to me carefully. Let Sigyn be. You had your chance to be with her, to marry her even, but you chose to sleep with another woman instead. If Sigyn has moved on with her life, then the kindest thing you can do is let her go."

Marry her? He wasn't sure why, but Loki had never even thought about that before…

"How can I just let her go when I love her?"

"Do you love her though? Was it love that spurred you to bed another woman? Was it love that stopped you from going to Sigyn and begging her forgiveness once you were found out? Was it love that incited you to parade about your new consort while Sigyn was left to face the derision of your poorly thought out actions alone?"

Loki had no reply for that.

"Perhaps you should reevaluate your definition of love darling. If you truly loved her you would want to see her happy: with or without you." His mother stated.

How could Sigyn even be happy without him when he was miserable without her?

Frigga, perceptible as ever, gave Loki's arm a little squeeze.

"I better go help with the final preparations for tonight, you need some time alone with your thoughts."

The Queen walked back to finish talking with the head gardener, and Loki found a bench in one of the far corners of the garden where he wouldn't be disturbed. His mother had been far less helpful than Loki would have liked, but maybe she did have a point. Maybe Sigyn could be happy without him, but in Loki's mind that wasn't the important question to consider. Of course Sigyn could be happy without him, but would she be as happy without him as she would be with him? No. It didn't matter how infatuated Sigyn was with Theoric, once Loki told her the truth about her suitor she would be all too willing to seek refuge in him. If she knew that the warrior seeking her hand was more akin to a monster than a man she would reconsider her desire to be with him. It was as much for her own good as his own gain that Loki must caution Sigyn against Theoric. He was dangerous, and would put her right in the path of that danger.

It wasn't often that Loki disregarded his mother's advice, but this was going to have to be one of those rare occasions. Simply letting Sigyn go was not an option.

Standing on the stairs to the throne watching the guests arrive for the celebration was never Loki's favorite thing to do. Thor stood winking and smiling at the pretty girls as he always did, but Loki couldn't even manage a smile. Why did he even have to be up here? Thor was the future King so of course he should be forced to suffer the formalities, but why him!?

The second son.

The lesser of two Princes.

Why on Midgard was he forced to endure these mundane formalities? What had he ever done wrong to deserve this aside from being born, which he had no control over to begin with!? By the Norns he was already fed up with… what in the Nine Realms? Who was that at the foot of the stairs? It couldn't be, and yet it had to be… Sigyn, but she hadn't attended a celebration at the palace in years! It had to be fate that she was here on the exact day he had determined to take her as his own again; this just couldn't be a coincidence. Loki watched silently as Theoric bowed to the royal family and Sigyn curtsied. Frigga addressed Sigyn, but Loki neither heard what his mother said nor Sigyn's response. His mind could only process the sight of her. Her dark blonde hair was pulled up in a mass of soft curls exposing her slender neck. Her dress was a deep blue, which emphasized the blue in her blue-green eyes, and her lips were painted a deep red that reminded Loki of the AllFather's wine. She looked stunning, and the lights of the grand hall set her golden jewelry gleaming only adding to her radiance.

Sigyn wrapped her hand over Theoric's bicep, and as they were about to turn away from the throne Loki noticed Theoric's perceptive eyes studying him. Loki gave the couple a small nod, which Theoric returned and Sigyn either didn't notice or pretended not to. Loki could practically feel the slight pressure of Sigyn's hand upon his own arm as he watched the pair walk away from the throne and into the growing crowd. How many times had her hand rested so gently against his arm? More times than he could count, that was for sure. His heart was racing, and he continued to watch Sigyn's form move in and out amongst the guests not heeding those that came to pay their respects to Odin's house. Once the feast had started Thor leaned over to Loki.

"Are you ok Loki?" He asked in a hushed tone.

"Of course I am. Why would I not be?"

"You know very well why you might not be. Sigyn is here, and with another man no less." Thor pointed out.

"Yes, I can see that. I still fail to see why I shouldn't be ok." Loki replied.

"I just thought you might be, I don't know, a little surprised…a tad envious perhaps."

"Why should I be envious?"

… Especially when Sigyn wouldn't be on Theoric's arm for much longer…

"It can't be easy seeing her with someone else after all the years you spent together." Thor pointed out.

"I'll manage." Loki assured his brother before falling silent once more.

Loki and Theoric's eyes would meet every so often during the meal, but Loki kept his face impassive while his insides churned with excitement.

"Yes, smile and enjoy her while you can…" he gloated inwardly.

To avoid looking too eager, Loki danced the first several dances with his mother and a few other notable women. Theoric and Sigyn only danced once, and she spent the other dances talking with Thor, Lady Sif, and the Warriors Three. She looked genuinely happy to speak with them, and they seemed equally as happy to see her… well everyone except perhaps Lady Sif. Theoric had gone off to chat with a few companions of his own, and Loki decided it was time that he move in. The dance floor would be a perfect place for him to talk to Sigyn about Theoric without anything appearing to be amiss. He approached Thor and the group from behind Sigyn in an attempt to pretend that he didn't realize it was Sigyn talking with them.

"Thor, might I have a wor…"

Sigyn turned at the sound of Loki's voice, and Loki gave an "embarrassed" little half bow.

"Excuse me Lady Sigyn, I didn't realize it was you who was speaking with my brother."

Sigyn raised an eyebrow. Loki knew that while she didn't buy his lie, she wasn't going to call him out on it in front of the others.

"That is quite all right, Prince Loki." She returned with a little nod of her head.

The two held gazes for a few moments before Thor cleared his throat.

"You needed to have a word with me brother?"

Loki turned his gaze back to Thor.

"Yes, though it was nothing of importance. It could stand to wait for one dance… Lady Sigyn, would you do me the honor?"

Loki held out his hand for Sigyn to take, and watched her reaction carefully. She made no motion to accept his extended hand, but looked at it as if it was some foreign object. Loki could see the conflict swirling in her eyes. She didn't wish to offend a Prince by refusing to dance with him, but she still did not trust him enough to allow him to touch her. The reaction was not unexpected. Loki would have admittedly been disappointed if she wasn't at least a little leery of him. Winning her back from Theoric wouldn't be any fun if she made it too easy for him.

"Lady Sigyn?" He inquired once more.

"I fear Lady Sigyn has already promised this dance to me." Theoric's voice interjected from behind Loki.

"damn…" Loki cursed silently.

He had wanted to see what Sigyn would do with this delicate situation, and Theoric had given her an easy escape. Sigyn looked relieved by Theoric's intervention, and went to stand by her escort.

"Indeed, I have." She concurred.

"Another time then." Loki noted.

"Another time." Sigyn replied before giving a curtsy to the group and allowing Theoric to lead her on to the dance floor.

"I imagine that didn't go as planned." Lady Sif remarked in amusement.

Loki shot her an un-amused look and folded his arms over his chest.

"So you are jealous." Thor stated, obviously proud that he had been correct in his assessment earlier.

"Hardly, I just thought it would be rude of me not to offer her a dance given our history." Loki countered.

Loki shot a furtive glance at the pair as they danced. Sigyn beamed up at Theoric, and he studied her face like a man who couldn't believe he wasn't dreaming. Loki's chest began to burn ever so slightly. They cared for one another much more than Loki had originally anticipated. It wasn't going to make his conquest impossible, but it would make it a little trickier.

"Oh yes, of course your offer was simply borne out of civility." Fandral replied with an unmistakable undertone of sarcasm.

Loki promptly dismissed himself from the group, and went to go brood in a corner for a bit. He was determined to speak to Sigyn before the evening was out, so he would wait for the perfect opportunity to get her alone where Theoric could not save her from facing the truth. As the evening wore on though, Loki became less and less sure that the pair was going to separate again. They danced, they talked, they smiled, and Loki was fairly certain that they snuck a few subtle kisses in. This was getting out of hand. Theoric had no right to touch Sigyn, let alone kiss her. Finally Loki tired of waiting, and approached the both of them. If they weren't going to separate of their own accord, he was just going to have to do it for them.

"Prince Loki," Theoric greeted upon Loki's arrival, "to what do we owe this honor?"

"I wish to speak with Sigyn, in private, if that does not bother you."

"It is hardly my place to be bothered. It is Sigyn who you will need permission from, not I." Theoric responded while looking down to Sigyn. "I trust she is intelligent enough to weigh the situation and judge for herself whether she wishes to speak with you alone or not."

Loki looked towards Sigyn and smiled.

"And will the Lady speak with me?" He inquired.

Momentary doubt flashed in Sigyn's eyes, but it quickly faded and a look of self-assurance took its place.

"I can see no harm in it." She answered calmly.

Loki offered Sigyn his arm, which she ignored, and made her way towards one of the doors leading out of the dining hall. Theoric smirked at the obvious snub, and Loki tried to keep his blood from getting too hot.

"She has every right to still be a little upset with you, you almost strangled her to death after all." Loki reminded himself to keep his temper in check as he followed her out the doors.

Whatever happened, he could not lose his temper the way he had in the library. It took Sigyn three years to get over that incident, and if it happened again there was no guarantee that she would ever speak to him again. This very well could be his one and only chance to convince Sigyn that Theoric was not right for her.

"Silver tongue, don't fail me now…"