Chapter 1:
"Have you seen Bragi's daughter?"
"I heard she is the mirror image of her mother."
"Oh, but she has the fighting spirit of her father."
"That would suite her ill! She'll scare away any courtiers!"
"I'm sure any man would overlook her battle prowess so that he may claim her beauty as his own."
"The crown prince ought to win her hand."
"You do mean Thor!"
"Why of course! He's a valiant warrior such as her taste."
The servants' whispers hushed as she strode around the corner and into the hallway, clutching several books against her chest. Glaring at them as she passed, she hoped they would silence their gossiping with the threat of what she would unleash upon them if she caught them again. She strode outside where two stone archways gave way to a marvelous garden where birds were singing and the sunlight was ever its warmest.
Losing her sandals as she walked, she reveled in the cushioning of the grass beneath her feet. She felt weightless, and for once the cares of the court were not of concern. She wanted to hear no more talk of her future that seemed to be preordained by her mother's reputation. For the moment, she only needed the solace of a shaded tree and the books the AllFather had allowed for her to borrow from his extensive library.
Nestled beneath a tree farthest away from the stone archways, she set her books next to herself and opened the first one. Girls her age found interest in fairytales and mythology, stories of valiant warriors, daring swordfights, and beautiful damsels. But none of that was of any importance to her. She read books on the strategies employed by the great kings of Asgard in their pursuit of protecting the nine realms.
One day, as she told herself a thousand times over in her prayers at night, she would be a great military leader as her father had been. She had been cursed by being born a woman. She had as stout a heart as any young warrior, and no one seemed to doubt her ability with a sword. But she was doomed to become a lady of the court if her mother had her way.
The prospect of being paraded around as the most beautiful woman in Asgard was less daunting than the chances of her being wed to a crown prince. She was of the courting age at sixteen, which made her miss those days where she'd run around the palace with her two dearest friends. And to think that the servants' gossip suggested that Thor would ask for her hand in marriage! He was like a brother to her, and admittedly she found him to be quite obnoxious.
Shaking her head while flipping the page of her book, something began to glint in the corner of her eye. With a glance to her left, she was startled by a tiny green light dancing before her eyes. She squinted to get a better look, making out the image of a faerie that was spinning around so that her wings tickled her nose. When she began to laugh, the illusion faded into the sunlight. She frowned for a moment until she heard the rustling of tree branches. Looking up, she smiled as Loki lowered himself down to the ground.
"Alas, I have found the elusive Sigyn," he jested.
She nudged her shoulder with his when he sat beside her, "You know me too well."
"I make it my duty to know your whereabouts." He laughed to himself, "It allows me to assist you in hiding from my brother."
"I might need that later tonight…" She decided to close her book, knowing she wasn't going to read it much with Loki having joined her, "Are you excited for your celebration?"
Loki shrugged, "Another birthday shared with my brother? Not nearly as thrilling as it sounds."
"So you don't like having the entire court summoned to an occasion meant for just you and your brother?"
"Well…the attention is worthwhile, but only from some people."
He eyed her for a moment, earning a blush from her face while she tried to brush off his implication, "Already considering a potential wife?"
"What?!" He tried to laugh through his embarrassment at that suggestion, "I'm only in my seventeenth year. Besides…" He nudged her with his shoulder, "You should be the one concerned about marriage-"
"Thor does not count as a suitor!" she wailed, trying to tune out his laughter.
"Oh, but he's so smitten with you!" He grabbed her wrists to keep her from punching him, "And according to the servant's talk, he's just your type!"
"Loki, I'm going to throttle you!"
"I heard Thor prefers that kind of foreplay-"
"Loki!"
"I'm sure he'd love to hear you scream his name like that-"
She finally broke her hand free and landed a punch to his chest, knocking him backwards into the grass, though he pulled her down with himself. Lying overtop him, she struggled to keep punching him, but he had taken her wrists again and rolled over top her to pin her down. Hair fanning out across the lush green grass, she wrinkled her nose at his apparent victory. As children, this would have been a simple wrestling match that she had ultimately lost with a pout as usual.
But he didn't release her. Instead, he leaned back a bit, seemingly admiring the way she lay beneath him still seething from being in a compromising position. Her chest heaved as she tried to subside her frustration, her cheeks a rosy pink the longer he stared down at her. Her arms sprawled above her head locked beneath his grasp made him shiver as he imaged her wrists bound in silk to the head of his bed.
"I do believe this is the first time I've pinned you," he chirped.
There was something different this time and it was making her stomach tie up in knots. She hadn't ever realized just how blue his eyes were, icy and cold, piercing and contemptuous. She blushed, alarmed by the feel of his hips shifting so her thighs parted to rise against his waist, "Fortunate for you that I do not have my sword."
"I'm sure I'd be losing my manhood if you did."
"Among other things…"
"Oh? And what else?" He let her wrists go, tickling the exposed skin of her neck with his fingertip as he dragged out a caress that lit her cheeks scarlet, "I can't say there's much of me that's worth removing."
"Your mouth would be second," she hissed.
"My mouth has many uses, Sigyn." He chuckled at her perturbed expression, "It doesn't just tease with words…"
"Loki!" She gave him a forceful shove, throwing him backwards and off herself while he howled with laughter, "What's gotten into you?"
In between his breathless gasps to control himself, he chuckled, "Ah, Sigyn, I simply jest."
Her heart was thundering and she was wondering what it would have been like to kiss him or to kiss any boy for that matter. What else would that damned mouth of his be good for? He was always taunting and lying his way around the palace. But having been pinned beneath him on the grass, she wanted him to steal her first kiss, claim it as his prize that his brother could never have.
"You aren't angry, are you?"
She shook her head, "How could I be angry with you?"
"You were threatening my manhood…"
"Alas, I jest as well." She waved her hand dismissively as he sighed with relief. Standing and retrieving her books, she decided it was best she return home as the sun was setting, "I shall see you this evening."
"So you are coming?" He seemed to perk up at that, "Don't forget my present!"
She scowled at him, "Be glad I even show up."
Watching her leave struck his chest, a dull panging that sunk his heart. He wasn't sure at what point he noticed that drop of his stomach and the shiver that streaked down his spine as her womanly silhouette vanished from view. She was stunning, despite her protests and desire to be seen as something other than the daughter of the Sunshine of Valhalla. He'd never laid eyes on her mother, but seeing Sigyn was proof enough to him that the divinely beautiful creatures of myth and legend did walk amongst them.
. . . .
She hid behind the curtained pillars of the hallway leading into ballroom where all of Asgard was gathered. Hoping her parents wouldn't come looking for her, she glanced down at the dress she had been forced into by her vain mother who thought now of all times she ought to look her best for Thor. She was practically naked, draped in sheer white silk that was stitched with dark green vines entwining with one another and silvery blue flowers blossoming from them to obscure her maidenhood. Blush pink doves stretched their wings to cover her blooming breasts, stitched also into the sheer skirt and at her hips.
She may as well have shown up naked as she felt there was no difference. She hated drawing attention to herself outside of her battle prowess, wanting a few more years to deny her womanhood. But her body was dictating otherwise as full hips and budding breasts were developing further. Pressing her back against the wall, she breathed steadily as nausea warped her vision. Escaping to the garden seemed a better idea, but guilt settled in her stomach at the thought of disappointing her best friends.
Watching the shadows of passing nobles, she peeked out from behind the curtain and began creeping behind them so as to go unnoticed. If she could avoid being announced by the herald, she would be saved one less embarrassment on the evening. But as she came close to the entrance of the ballroom, she heard someone sigh behind her, an exaggerated sound to draw her attention. Abruptly spinning around, nearly tripping on the train of her dress, her skin grew hot enough to melt off her cheekbones as she turned her eyes to the floor to avoid looking at Loki's dropped jaw and wide eyes.
"You look…" He cleared his throat, gathering himself a moment, "Exquisite."
She absentmindedly began tugging at her blonde hair that had been straightened to pass below her chest, "Have you only just noticed?"
Loki bit his lip, scowling as he drew blood, unsure of how to approach her. Just noticed? Never. He'd been admiring her ascent into maidenhood from afar, but she looked delectable in front of him, a blushing cherry blossom afraid of the sunlight. He wanted to pluck her from the tree and press her velvet petals to his lips. Slowly regaining his senses, he sketched a deep bow to her, "My apologies. I have been a fool all these years, only seeing the warrior in my best friend, not the girl flowering into womanhood."
She shook her head in hopes he wouldn't see the scarlet in her cheeks, "A fool indeed…" Turning around in a desperate attempt to find an escape from the suffocating heat that enveloped her, she felt Loki grab her elbow in a gentle, but firm grip. Her voice caught in her throat when she met his ice blue eyes that she had only begun to notice were so beautiful and gentle. His simple smile made her heart surge in her chest and beat with the wings of the doves on her gown.
"May this fool have the honor of escorting you tonight?" he whispered as his fingers slid down her forearm to take her hand.
Feigning insult to regain her usual haughty demeanor, she curtly replied, "The fool may not." When his brows knitted together and his smile dropped, she slid her arm around his, "But my dearest friend may have that honor."
His face lit up and he stood a little taller with his chest puffed out. Each step toward the opened doors of the ballroom made her stomach twist into knots, but seeing Loki's brimming smile made all the butterflies flutter off. As they crossed the threshold where the nobles of Asgard gathered, the entire room swept into a hush, all movement halted and all sound dissipated. Her spine went rigid, her muscles tensing, she had started holding her breath as the herald cleared his throat and bellowed,
"Presenting Loki, Prince of Asgard, son of the AllFather and Queen Frigga. On his arm, I present Sigyn, daughter of Commander Bragi and Iðunn, the Sunshine of Valhalla."
She had finally stopped holding her breath as soon as the herald stopped speaking, but Loki bringing her hand up to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss to her skin swept her breath away. Staring up at him, watching as his mouth lingered for a moment, she discovered a newfound liking in the feeling that warmed her chest and ignited a flame of desire in her body. She wanted to be swept against him, wanted to taste the kiss her hand had stolen, but was distracted as he began walking down the red carpeted steps into the throng of nobles that parted as they passed.
Her steps hitched as she tried to ignore each hissed compliment that she was the spitting image of her mother while others chided that she had designs to sit upon Asgard's throne by gaining the courtship of the princes. They accused her of leading Loki and Thor on, but the claims were silenced by those that remembered her first love was war and she would fight to become Lord General like her father.
She only began to feel at ease when she came to stand before Odin, who rose from his throne to embrace his son. Glancing to her right, she saw her parents smiling as they raised their chalices to her. She offered them a wave with her fingers, though her attention was diverted when Frigga spoke.
"You look lovely, Sigyn."
Spine stiffening again, Sigyn quickly fell into a curtsy not as eloquent as she had practiced, "Thank you, Your Grace."
"You look more like your mother each day."
"I sincerely hope so."
She bowed her head as she scurried off to where her father and mother sat, burying herself in her father's chest as he opened his arms to embrace her.
"Did Prince Loki convince you to join the celebration?" Bragi asked.
Sigyn glanced over her shoulder, catching Loki's envious stare and the glimmer of desire to hold her even as her father did, "He played a part in it."
"Have you seen Prince Thor?" her mother chimed, reaching a polished finger out to trace the jawline of her daughter, "I'm sure he'd be speechless once he lays eyes on you."
Sigyn wrinkled her nose, "I think Thor is more preoccupied chasing servant girls and barmaids."
"Oh I'm sure he'll come to his senses."
Rolling her eyes, she dismissed herself from her mother's prodding to find where Loki had scurried off to. The last person in the entire kingdom she wanted to see was Thor when he was in a drunken courting mood. She offered smiles and pleasantries with each noble man and woman who tugged at her arm, weaving through the shining hall. Considering taking a chalice of wine from a passing servant, she was stopped by his deep voice resonating in her ears.
"Is that a faerie, my lords and ladies?"
She let a growl vibrate in her throat to avoid laughing as she met the dark blue eyes of Odin's firstborn, "Have you forgotten that faeries are associated with Dark Elves?"
Thor grinned cheek to cheek, "Tart with me as usual."
"Only when you disrespect me."
"Even when I have come to spare you a compliment?" He seemed pleased that she didn't dismiss him or scamper off, and he took the moment brush his fingers across her cheek and sweep away a stray strand of hair from her eyes, "You truly are the most beautiful woman to grace Valhalla's halls."
"I believe that honor belongs to my mother."
"Ah, but she's much too old for me!" Thor choked down his laugh when she glared at him, brows knitted above stormy grey eyes, "I simply jest, Sigyn."
She looked away from his eyes as they softened, wanting to avoid being captivated by the tender concern that crossed his face, "Save your jokes for another night. I don't have time to throttle you as I normally would when you insult me."
He seemed amused by her sharp reply, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips, "Then what do we have time for tonight? I could bathe you in words of admiration of the beauty you have let grace this hall. I could feed you delicacies of my wistful affections meant only to pleasure you. I could whisk you away from the hundreds of eyes that hungrily watch you so that I may be the only one to worship your flawless visage."
Her muscles were taut as he pressed a kiss to the top of her hand, cursing his name over and over in her head. Where had he learned to speak of longing? And why was it that she wanted him to sweep her into his arms and carry her off to his bedchambers. She began to wonder what had become of his body, now hardened by war and manhood. She wanted to find each scar and hear the story that left it there to mar his skin. She wanted to kiss each bruise and cut as if she could heal him after his tireless battles.
Tearing herself away from him without so much as a "goodbye", she searched for a servant carrying a tray of chalices. Unsure of which wine she would be tasting, she anxiously gulped down the warm, red liquid, though was left with a scowl at the bitter aftertaste that made her mouth run dry. She found it hard to breathe as she fought to subside the pit of want in her stomach that threatened to tear her apart from the inside. Eyes panning across the room in hopes that she had lost Thor in her desperate attempt to flee from her sudden emotions, she darted toward the farthest corner of the chamber to avoid being asked to dance as music began to play.
She leaned her back against the wall, sighing at the cold stone that extinguished the fire between her legs. Keening her ear towards the music, she tried to avoid thinking about the unknown realm of her sexuality that she had yet to explore. But Loki and Thor had awoken the awareness of her womanhood with words and gestures she once scoffed at.
"You don't look so well." Jumping in alarm, she offered Loki a smile as he fought past nobles that wished him "Happy Birthday". He straightened out his leather tunic and offered her a bow, "Might I have this dance?"
Her eyes widened, "You know I'm not proficient at dancing…"
His laughter brought back those butterflies from earlier, and she became focused on how his lips moved to form his next words, "Well, neither am I, so we would make a fine pair!"
He held his hand out to her, and she felt obligated to take it despite her earlier protest. Trailing a step behind him, she nearly tripped when he spun her under his arm before pulling her against his chest. She immediately pushed off from him when she saw that none of the other nobles were dancing so close. Palms pressed together as they circled each other, she nervously glanced at the couples surrounding them to catch their cues with the music. When Loki's arm slipped around her waist and held her loosely, she began to regret the space she forced between them.
As they spun around and around, Sigyn became aware of how close he had brought her against his chest. His hands grasped her waist and he lifted her into the air, completing a half turn before setting her back on her feet. A bit unsteady, she laughed when he spun her once more under his arm and she tripped against him.
He steadied her with his fingertips pressing into her hips, feeling for her skin beneath the sheer fabric of her dress. Staring down at her, he could see small rivulets of sweat forming at the edge of her hair and pooling in the hollow of her throat. The oil she bathed her skin in blinded his sense of smell, clouding his mind with succulent pomegranates and lavender nectar.
"I thought you weren't proficient at dancing?" Sigyn giggled.
"I had to say something to make you agree to dance with me."
She stood up on her toes, pressing her lips to his cheek and leaving an imprint of gossamer pink, "Happy Birthday, Loki."
She left him there, surrounded by dancing nobles as she went to find her parents. Disappointed that her father was conversing with Odin and her mother was gossiping amongst the noblewoman, she glanced over her shoulder to see Loki still staring at her. His face burst bright with color as he bowed his head and hurried off. She seated herself at one of the blue clothed tables and accepted a chalice of wine. Sipping it slowly this time, she was pleased that she had been given a wine rosier in color.
"Join me for a dance, my fiery faerie?"
Rolling her eyes as Thor nearly tripped in his bow to her, "I don't think you're sober enough to dance."
"Of course I am!" He drained his wine and took her hand when he tossed his goblet aside, "Do you deny me this chance?"
Even she couldn't help her laugh this time, "And what chance would this be?"
He leaned his face down to hers and she shied away from his wine stale breath, "The chance to hold you in my arms as my brother had so that I may sweep you off your feet."
Allowing him to pull her from her seat, she followed each of his unsteady steps as they walked to the center of the ballroom. He captured her waist with one arm, holding her tightly against himself as his hand slid from her shoulder to her forearm and closed her fingers over his. He led her through several turns, her skin running cold when he would spin her out of his arms, though returned her with more fervor each time. The music quieted the longer she stared up into his eyes and she laughed when he dropped her into a dip. She clung to his shoulders, almost afraid she would fall. But he had grown so strong over the years for her to only notice now as the ballroom hushed to leave them at peace with their fluttering hearts.
He pressed his forehead against hers, closing his eyes as he breathed in her scent, but she gave him a gentle push until he returned her upright. His hands slid up to her forearms and held her steady in case she tried to flee, "I meant no disrespect when I complimented you earlier. You left in such a rush-"
"Only because I'd never been spoken to in such a way…" She reached up and brushed a strand of golden hair from his forehead, not wanting to obscure his blue eyed gaze she began to admire, "Perhaps that shan't be the last time I hear such tempting words from your mouth?"
"Perhaps you would let me tempt you with something else?"
Fingers dragging beneath her chin, he titled her head up as he lowered his lips against hers. A rush of heat ripped through her chest, igniting desire in her stomach and fire between her legs. Her arms swung around his neck as he deepened their kiss, his tongue flicking against hers, tasting of wine and lust. His hand buried in her hair as he tilted her head to the side to better explore the warm, wet crevices of her mouth. She drew away, maddened by the pulsing in her body that ached for his skin sliding over hers in frantic lovemaking.
"Not what you expected, my lascivious faerie?"
She licked her lips, blushing when he softly moaned as he watched her tongue, "For my first kiss, I wasn't sure what to expect."
"First kiss?" He smiled as she turned her gaze away, "I am honored to have unhallowed your chaste lips."
She sighed wistfully, "Where did you learn to speak like that?"
"Loki isn't the only one with secrets."
The music in the ballroom blasted back into her ears and she became aware of the hundreds of people who had been watching them. Pushing Thor away, Sigyn lifted up the skirt of her dress and fled from the ballroom. She elbowed past anyone who got in her way and shoved aside two of the palace guards as she hid behind the curtained pillars she had become acquainted with at the beginning of the evening.
Palms digging into her eyes, she furiously wiped away her tears. Her first kiss witnessed by the entire Asgardian court, stolen by that brutish pervert! Not once had she considered Thor to be the one to steal her breath or offer her beautiful words that left her swooning. But her heart was thudding until her head began to ache, praying that Loki hadn't seen them.
"I hear my brother is more charming when he's drunk."
Sigyn spun around, words fighting to form as she saw Loki standing behind her with that "know-it-all" smirk on his face, "Loki, it wasn't like that-"
"Oh, I'm sure." He shook his head, "Thor has a way of imposing himself on women."
"Yes…he can be quite demanding…"
Loki beckoned her to come closer with his finger, pleased to see her hesitantly close the space between them. He took her by the shoulders and shoved her up against the wall, muffling her astonished cries with his hand, "I can be quite demanding too, Sigyn." His hand dropped and traced over her quivering throat, silencing her with each tiny caress, "Thor steals yet another victory over me."
"It was just one kiss, Loki," she muttered.
"One kiss?" He laughed mirthlessly, breathing hotly against her cheeks, "One kiss he may forget by tomorrow."
"I hope that I am fortunate enough to do the same."
"Perhaps you should let me give you something you'll never forget." She braced her hands against his chest as he leaned his face closer to hers, but he lingered for a moment to let his lips prickle hers. He chuckled, "You're going to have to beg for it, Darling."
She felt empowered for a moment, amused by how Loki threw himself after her in his jealous rage. He just couldn't stand when Thor got anything before him. Her hands slid up his chest, but instead of hooking her arms around his neck, she slammed his helmet over his eyes. Loki tumbled back into the floor with a howl, tossing the horned thing to his right, "Begging isn't in my nature, Loki."
He stared up at her and grinned, despite his bruised pride, "Oh, I'll change that in a week."
"I dare you to try!" She sashayed around him, aroused by the hungry glare in his eyes that devoured her image as she circled her prey, "Don't get too jealous…" She disappeared beyond the curtains at the sound of her parents voices, barely hearing him whisper,
"Jealousy fuels my hunger for you…"
Sigyn swept up beside her father, linking her arm with his.
"How was your evening?" her father asked.
She glanced at her mother who looked to be bursting from the seams of her dress, "How was dancing with Thor?"
"It really wasn't anything-"
"Oh nonsense!" Her mother's laughter rung off the walls, "You both looked smitten! Imagine! You as the Queen of Asgard!"
Sigyn decided to ignore the rest of her mother's rant while mulling over what had transpired. If this was how she was meant to navigate her womanhood, she would beg her father to send her away so that she wouldn't act on the impulses she had almost fallen victim to tonight. Thor's kiss still burned her lips, but she was trying to imagine what it would have felt like to let Loki's jealousy consume her.