(LOKI)

"You're wasting time," Pluto screamed, rattling the white walls of our conduction space. Without his usually calm temper, he projected himself as more menacing than ever, tall enough to cast shadows that nearly swallowed me whole.

"Again, I was roused mere hours ago. What would you have me do? Disappear without a word or ally on the ground?" I shrugged with a smirk of overconfidence. "Surely even you can see the value in patience."

"I've been patient enough." He stood directly across from me, making the barrier between us seem as thin as a single sheet of parchment for all that I was protected from his physical reach. "Delay my plans further, and you will know real pain."

An empty threat. What more could he do that hadn't already been done? I was immune to pain. The Vanir could heal anything. Still, he knew the bounty on my head was no small obstacle. It was best not to provoke him.

I sucked in my cheeks. "Understood. You still have my word. Give me a fortnight to reach The Don City and plan our route into Asgard. I've no reason not to do everything possible to squash those who've stolen my crown."

"Fill your time wisely." He grumbled before turning from me and dissipated, fading back to the underworld and the horrors of his own legends. Why Thor would want to destroy his home in the first place, I couldn't know, but no one who wanted the same thing I did owed me an explanation. I didn't care, and it didn't matter.

Alone again, I stared at the projection of my hands. Perhaps it was a mistake to update him before I could be sure of my abilities or resources, but it was too late now. The clock was ticking ever faster. It wasn't long before the room darkened and I slipped back into consciousness, foregoing real rest in favor of letting my mind race with strategies.

Sigyn was in my arms on the ground, the same position she fell asleep in. Her quiet snores spoke volumes of her own exhaustion. Before succumbing to the insect calls that lulled her into dreamland, she welcomed me into and against her body with fervor. It wasn't unlike the first night we spent together, if only for the fact that I was again too weak to be vigorous; yet that was fitting, since I presumed neither of us had ever whispered verses of love while engaging with another. It added weight to what was otherwise familiar, making every last sweep of our hands and coupling of our lips more than remarkable.

But in the approaching light of morning, either from my own inner cold or Pluto's wont to rush, our connection was covered in rime ice. Passion and care were no longer my concern. The inferno of vengeance against what I left behind pulled all my attention and trivialized everything else.

I slid my arm out from under her shoulders, doing my best not to wake her—if Sigyn caught me moving, she'd surely insist that I stay where I was so she could coddle me. Unacceptable. Fortunately, I was slick enough to escape her grasp and lucky enough that my tunic wasn't lost in the pile of covers and clothes, so I'd have more than trousers before venturing out to find Freyr. An empty corner of blanket remained when I stood, so when Sigyn curled her knees up, I draped it over her in hopes that she wouldn't interrupt me.

The village center around the bonfire was surprisingly void of evidence from last night's celebrations. Nothing but crowded footprints gave any indication of the swarming residents that danced and drank for hours. A few groups of Vanir busied themselves packing carts—some with sacks of clothing and other belongings for travel, and others with tools. Without doubt, many were preparing to reap whatever bounty they'd prayed for from the land.

On the south end of the fortress, only finding him by chance, Freyr sat in council with a circle of other men. They were all older than myself by far save for one; he playfully fought with a young child who demanded his attention by crawling on his shoulders, keeping him from really listening. She covered his eyes and giggled with a chime that made the birds reply.

It sent a rush through my chest. I'd given up the fantasy of someday seeing my own progeny rise to something I could not achieve; with Pluto's help and Asgard in my sights, that future felt possible again. But before I could smile to see them at play, the sound of her voice went from charming to annoying.

No. One aim. One focus. One goal. I forced myself to stay on target.

"Gentlemen." I stepped up gingerly to the edge of the circle. "Pardon my intrusion."

"Nonsense. Here," said Freyr, waving me near to sit. "There are but hours before they leave our village and return to The Don City. Leaving sooner than expected. All of them wish to know any secrets you would tell them about your illusions."

The men traded glances and nods. While they didn't fawn over my arrival, their wide eyes were childlike and curious. I was an anomaly amongst them in many ways—youthful, powerful, tall, dark, and virtually hairless by comparison. If Odin hadn't made it his business to alert the realms of where I really came from, it wouldn't have mattered anyway. None of these sorcerers would believe that I was truly begotten by Frigga. And Freyr, the grey-blond and even-tempered man, my uncle? Only now did I understand how foolish I was to have believed the lie at all.

Yet this moment was an opportunity, perhaps the only one I had to blend in without raising too many suspicions. "The Don City?" I sat and knocked my knuckles against my chin. "As much as I'd like to rush through the intricacies of what I know, it would be best to enlighten you on the journey instead. Give us real time to explore your skills and mine."

Freyr narrowed his eyes. "You want to leave so soon?"

"I'm well enough to pick up where things were when I arrived. My aim has not changed. The Don City remains my destination, at least for the time being. There's business to attend to." I rubbed my palms together and made eye contact with all the others in the circle, hoping at least one of them would be willing to express interest in my offer.

I underestimated Freyr's power, though. Without him saying anything, all of them stood to leave, leaving the two of us alone.

"Is there a concern?" I asked.

He folded his arms and leaned back, watching my every move. "I'm curious what business you might have if those you knew think you are dead."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "Come now, Uncle. Surely you can understand how I can't let Odin get away with all he did to me."

"And what was that, exactly?" He cocked a brow without changing his position otherwise, keeping his skeptical posture and tone. "What made him wish so much ill upon you?"

The mere mention of it made my heart jump with anger, which was amplified by Freyr's incredulity. "He tortured me for merely claiming my birthright."

"But Odin lives. You claimed a birthright while he was still alive?"

"A technicality. He left me no other choice." I stood and stretched to make myself taller. "The throne was given to me when Odin was incapacitated before. Thor left Asgard, presenting me with a renewed opportunity. I simply put my former father in a...sustained condition for a bit."

"For what purpose?"

I snapped, "To prove my worth. To prove that I wasn't meant to die before he stole me from the Jotuns. Tell me, Uncle, were you aware of my false heritage? Or had he kept his secret so closely guarded that even Mother's family didn't know the truth?"

Freyr averted his gaze and sighed. "Loki..."

"Which is it?" I wondered if Mother told him—if she said anything about it at all. Did she teach me her skills because I had no others? Was I destined for sorcery from some hidden talent innate within my Jotun blood? My many questions came out as a biting accusation. "Have I come to Vanaheim for refuge and found my doom instead? Are you a traitor, too?"

"Mind your tongue when addressing me." Freyr stood as well, merely coming up to my shoulder, though his imposing presence came from the buzz of energy surrounding him instead of his size. Hidden skills I couldn't compete with. Anyone walking nearby stopped to stare.

"You are the son of my sister," he said. "That's all that matters, isn't it?"

I twitched in place with balled fists. This wasn't the time or place to release my resentment. I'd need to bottle it at the back of my mind until the right moment.

"I am not so naïve, Loki. I know about your exploits on Midgard. It's no surprise that you were penalized for taking innocent lives. But what's passed is past. You have little choice but to trust in Vanaheim. We granted you our most sacred resource. I saved your life. The woman you brought here—she saved your life. Your existence is heavy with debt, Loki. It's time you had a shift of purpose."

"Oh, but I have. My purpose is now to burn Odin as he did to me. Sacrifice Thor. Scar them all. I have not a shred of doubt that it will happen." I calmed, putting my hand on his shoulder. "Your gift showed me everything. All I need is a chance to defeat them. Help from you will hasten my claim."

"I'm a man of peace."

"Peace is precisely why I need you. Peace is impossible as long as Odin stays where he is. His empty chest is incapable of seeing what's best for anyone other than himself. You, on the other hand, have access to everything I could ever need. Uncle—"

"Access to what, exactly?" He looked through me when he turned, as if my motives could be read from the outside. "Don't tell me you expect another chance to see your fate."

"Why not?" I flashed my teeth in a wide grin.

He glared. "Vanaheim's fountains aren't to be exploited for selfish reasons. You are neither an elder, nor—"

"A what? A great sorcerer? Thought you said you weren't naïve."

Freyr scowled further, and the disappointment I'd felt from Mother resurfaced again. He'd called her presence to our quarrel. "For everything your mother did for you, this is how you intend to repay her people? Repay me? By dragging us into a battle we have no business in?" He shook his head slowly, not changing our eye contact.

"You said it yourself what a shred of knowledge can do. Just a taste, and I'd be able to see the whole picture."

"It doesn't work that way. You're wrong. And if you don't leave your petty sibling rivalry behind, you'll lose what's actually important in this universe." He sat again, rubbing his hands together over the small fire. "There is no shortcut to seeing the future. Give up your plan to try."

You're wrong. There is. All this power at your fingertips, and yet you choose to remain second to Asgard and Odin's fist. I folded my arms, too irritated with him to fight. Pluto's deadline couldn't be postponed, but I needed Freyr on my side, and I couldn't give up the chance to see more of what was to come. The first vision nagged at the back of my mind like a drug, and I needed more. It was too easy. Too delicious.

Before I could justify another excuse, Sigyn's voice screeched my scheming to a jarring halt. "There you are!"

I closed my eyes and took in a breath to hide my irritation. When I turned to her, I tried to emulate the softness she undoubtedly expected after our night together. "And so are you."

"Please don't disappear like that again without telling me." She nodded at Freyr on her way, then put her right hand on my cheek. "So many of my nightmares have started with not knowing where you are."

"Yet you always seem to find me, don't you?"

"It appears that way." She smiled—a gentle curl of her lip that was more relaxed than what was typical of her. "What was so pressing that you left anyway?"

"I came to meet the sorcerers who are leaving the fortress today. I suggest we do the same."

"And go where?" she asked with a laugh.

"Have you forgotten what we said before finding this place? We need to make our way to The Don City."

Sigyn stepped back. "Loki, you've only just opened your eyes not even a full day ago."

"And every day that's passed since we arrived is another that Odin and Thor have reveled in all they did to us."

"Yes, but—"

"They deserve everything they have coming to them." I took her shoulders, hoping she wouldn't have Freyr's hesitance. "Everything."

"I don't understand why you'd want to leave this place. We have everything we need and none of the heartache. There's a chance to find the happiness you said you wanted."

Happiness. How trite. She'd fight to keep me from leaving her behind, so what could I do to force her hand? What would be enough?

In that instant, I recalled what Freyr said while I was barely half-listening. Drunk on the vision and craving more, about to fade into my dark healing sleep. There was another way to get what I wanted. He might be able to restrict me as a sorcerer, but Freyr wouldn't dare deny me something my ties to Frigga would guarantee. A privilege of tradition.

And all the luck—Sigyn's devotion would bury all suspicion.

"Fine. If it pleases you, I will leave their treachery behind." I stroked her arms down to her hands and kissed her knuckles, playing the part I knew I'd have to so she'd agree without question. "Though concerning this place, you're wrong to claim it has everything. The city offers what isn't found here. We still must leave as soon as possible."

"But I..."—she cleared her throat and moved a bit closer to whisper—"...I have something to discuss with you."

"Whatever it is, it can wait." I touched her cheek the way she did to me minutes before. "It's the only suitable place for our celebration, Ginny. We need an official with authority."

Freyr jolted to his feet.

I used his panic to my advantage. He wouldn't dare question my motives with her present. "Uncle, you can arrange for it on the fortnight, can't you?"

"What are you talking about?" Sigyn said, staring with wide eyes as if I'd gone mad.

"Come now, my love." I sighed and teased her lips with mine. "I've been apart from you too long. It's time I make you my wife."