The day of the coronation had finally come, and all of Asgard was abuzz with excitement. Everyone in the realm (who was able) had shown up at the castle to witness the crowning of a new king, and the pressure for perfection was high. Taylor had been fitted with a long, flowy, sky blue dress that drug the floor when she walked. Her hair was down and her golden trusses cascaded down her back, ending just about her rear. Frigga had presented the young woman with a small tiara to wear at the ceremony, which sat atop her head neatly; she truly looked like a princess. Loki had thought so too, but he'd been calling her one for nearly two weeks. The ceremony had begun, as had Loki's plan to dethrone his brother before he even became king. It was a risky plan yes. But letting Thor become king was even riskier. Or so he and Taylor thought.

Thor had already made the walk to the throne where Odin sat and knelt before it, his usual charming smile in place. Whilst Odin was speaking, Loki's plan had been put into action and the Frost Giants were invading the Treasure Room. But Loki's mind was mostly on the gorgeous blonde across the room from him. The way the sun was hitting her curls had turned them into a shining waterfall that he couldn't take his eyes off of. Taylor had her eye on something, too, but it wasn't hair. Her ocean optics were glued to the horned helmet Loki wore. She'd never seen it until that day and she found it absolutely mesmerizing. The helmet's curves were holding the blonde's attention when she noticed the look on Loki's face; Odin had stopped talking. The room fell silent as the King, breathless bodies awaiting an explanation.

"Frost Giants." He said, turning his attention away from the room.

Taylor moved her eyes to Loki's, her breathing quickening. This was the moment they'd waited for, but would it go as planned? She gripped the necklace her mother had given her that hung around her neck, ocean eyes following Loki as he and Thor follow Odin from the room. Whatever happened down there, in the Throne Room, was beyond her.

Loki had nearly dragged Taylor into the chamber with him, but if the blame for the attack were to fall on him while down there… he didn't want her to see what the punishment would be. Odin had done nothing but scold Thor for his outbreak, but Loki had gotten what he wanted: Thor was not king. And by the looks of things, he wouldn't be for quite a long time.

The god returned to his room with a satisfied smirk on his face when all the details had been sorted about the Frost Giants. No blame had befallen him, as they assumed the Jotuns had found a way in on their own. Taylor, however, was not in his room as they'd planned. Furrowing his brow, he teleported himself to Taylor's room, but found nothing. That was when Loki began to worry that perhaps something had happened to her.

"Don't panic," he told himself as he worriedly searched the castle for her. Taylor had a habit of getting into trouble when she went off on her own in the castle which was what worried him, what fueled his search. He didn't have to search long though, as he soon found her in the kitchen, watching Thor flip over a table. He said nothing as he saw the tearful look in her beautiful eyes, only sighed. She wanted him to talk with Thor, that much he knew, so he teleported himself behind one of the pillars.

"It is unwise to be in my presence right now, brother." Thor growled as Loki emerged from behind said pillar, slowly sitting himself down beside his brother. "This," he began a bit quieter, "was to be my day of triumph."

"It'll come; in time." Loki said quietly, a new idea forming in his head. If he'd gotten Thor dethroned, what else could he be able to do? The Warriors Three and Sif entered the room, Volstagg immediately voicing his dislike for the spoiled food. Loki lowered his voice to a whisper as Taylor remained in the kitchen, unnoticed. "If it's any consolation, I think you're right; about the Frost Giants, about Laufey, about everything. If they found a way to penetrate Asgard's defenses once who's to sat they won't try again? Next time with an army."

"Exactly."

"There's nothing you can do without defying Father." Thor's head jerked towards his brother as he now had an idea of his own. "No, no, no, no. I know that look."

"It's the only way to secure the safety of our borders."

"Thor, its madness."

This time it was Volstagg who spoke, "madness? What sort of madness?"

Thor was standing now, a determined look in his blue eyes.

"We're going to Jötunheimr."

Everything went blank for Taylor after she heard the word 'Jötunheimr'. She'd heard stories about the horrible monsters that lived there and the thought of Loki being dragged along to such a place… she shuddered just imagining it. All that was said in the dining room was no longer heard by the mortal since her heartbeat was now resounding in her ears like a freight train. The blonde knew that Jötunheimr would spell trouble for everyone; somehow, she knew.

Loki had managed to sneak away from Thor and his friends for a moment, and made his way to the kitchen where he found Taylor curled in a ball in the floor. He knelt beside her silently.

"Don't go."

"Taylor…"

"Loki, please… something bad's gonna happen if you do."

"I have to go, darling… I'm sorry, but I can't back out now." He leaned forwards to softly claim Taylor's lips, and then stood back up to his full height. "I shall return shortly. I promise."

Taylor looked up at him with tearful eyes, but nodded anyway. She couldn't make him stay… but she needed to.

"Be safe." Her vice came out as but a whisper as she somehow managed to keep her emotions at bay. Though inside her emotions were waging a war of their own, she managed a small smile of encouragement.

The god forced a smile of his own, before he materialized into the stables with his friends.

The blonde watched from a castle window in awe as she saw the Bifrost begin to spin around; she'd never seen anything like it. Though it was breathtaking, she couldn't shake the feeling of dread. It was like a hundred pound weight on her chest, crushing her lungs so that she couldn't breathe. Perhaps that was what had made her breathless instead of the Bifrost…

Colors swirled around the five Asgardians as they traveled to the forbidden realm of the Frost Giants; landing as loudly as possible it seemed.

"We shouldn't be here."

And how true it was. If only they'd listened to Hogan, perhaps they wouldn't have awakened the sleeping giant in its den…

Back at the castle, Taylor impatiently paced back and forth in her room, her hands tightly gripping the necklace that still hung around her neck. It had brought her comfort and today comfort was sorely needed. Her oceanic orbs were glossed over with tears of worry not just for Loki, but for his brother and friends as well.

"Loki.." she gripped the window's edge with one hand as she blinked away tears, her eyes still glued to the Bifrost. She longed for it to begin spinning again, or whatever it did when people returned to the Realm Eternal.

Hours passed, or so it seemed anyway. The day had faded into night, and still the woman stood by the window. Her thoughts drifted away to the day she and Loki had met, and the Asgardian music slowly took over her mind. She quietly began to hum and move away from the window; she felt all would be all right. It was then, when she allowed herself to drift away, that she felt a twinge of pain in her chest. Her sea colored eyes popped open as a trembling hand flew to her chest. The pain grew almost unbearable, and she nearly collapsed to the floor. Then, just as suddenly as it came, the pain vanished like the wind, leaving a breathless Taylor to collapse on to the bed behind her.

Meanwhile on Jötunheimr, a battle had started, and Thor was its cause. Had not been for one of the Jotun's comment about 'Little Princess', the battle could have been easily avoided. Loki had tried to stay out of as much of the fighting as possible, but when needed, he would gladly jump in to assist. It was during one of his assists that a Jotun grabbed him by the wrist, shattering the small bit of protective armor he had there. Not but a few moment before, Volstagg had warned for the others not let the Jotuns touch them, but the god of mischief had no choice. He had expected his arm to receive Frost Bite of Volstagg's did, but it was not the case. The moment the Jotun's hand touched Loki's skin, rather than burning it from sheer cold, a blue coloring began to creep its way up his arm, reveiling the awful truth to Loki about his true heritage.

That was when Taylor had felt the pain.

She had felt it when Loki did, that awful gnawing feeling that had always signaled bad news had befallen them both at the same time. Something like that was unheard of on Asgard. Then again, so was the Prince falling for a mortal.

The unmistakable noise of the Bifrost starting up echoed through the castle, and Taylor's room; thinking it to be Loki returning, she flew to the window again, only to be gravely disappointed that it was not; that feeling had risen up in her stomach again, and this time it was here to stay.

Within moments of being surrounded by Frost Giants, the Asgardians had been swept away and back to Asgard where all but two of the group had been sent away to the healing room. Thor, Loki, and Odin no remained in the Bifrost's chamber, and Taylor had been patiently awaiting their return, but instead she watched in shock as the Bifrost opened again and in confusion as Loki ran from it. What had happened when they had returned was unknown to her, and she quickly made her way down to Loki.

"Loki!" She flung herself into his arms without a thought of who could be watching. He was upset, and she wanted to know why. "What happened? Where's Thor?"

Loki gladly welcomed the mortal woman into his arms, allowing her to become his balm. Tears stung his eyes, and a sob escaped his throat as he buried his face in her hair.

"Father banished him..."

"WHAT?! WHY?!" She asked, tears pricking her own eyes.

"I…he…" the god trailed off, eyes widening at what he saw behind them.

"What? Loki?" Taylor let go of him and spun around, her jaw dropping. Odin was standing behind them, his staff gripped tightly in his hand and a glare on his face.

"Loki, get inside," he commanded, "now."

Loki grabbed Taylor's shaking hand in an act of sheer defiance, pulling her behind him.

"Whatever you wish to say to her, you may say in front of me also."

"Very well," Odin said, "Taylor Stark, you are hereby banished from the Realm Eternal, otherwise known as Asgard, and you are to be sent home immediately."

Taylor's heart broke into a million pieces as the Allfather spoke, tears pouring from her eyes. She felt Loki's tight grip go slack as Odin spoke, which only made her cry more. She didn't want to leave; she couldn't. She still had places to see, things to do, and she still hadn't told Loki she loved him…

"No…" Loki breathed out, trying not to let his overwhelming emotions get the best of him. "Father, please—"

"Silence!" Odin continued to glare at the young couple a long moment, before grabbing the blonde's wrist and dragging her, yes dragging, back to the Bifrost. He was angry, and perhaps he had let it get the best of him, but Taylor Stark was a mortal, and she needed to go. The Allfather threw the girl onto the ground in front of the shoot and exited the Birfrost chamber without another word. Taylor was sobbing then, and nothing could stop her. Heimdall, the Gatekeeper, silent as ever, began to place his sword into the column that would send Taylor home, but was stopped by the only remaining prince.

"Stop!" Loki panted, leaning on the doorway to catch his breath. "I need to speak with her first…"

Taylor turned her tearstained face to the god who had knelt before her, mascara marking where the tears had been. She clung to him desperately, sobbing into his chest.

"Th- there has to be a.. a way…"

The god shook his head, unable to hold back tears of his own as he ran his hand through her golden trusses one last time. He would miss them…

"No… I'm so sorry, Taylor…so sorry…"

"But, Loki…" She sobbed into his chest, her finger clawing at the metal breath plate. "I…"

He let loose a sob, pulling her away from his chest as Heimdall cleared his throat; it was time. The two stood up together, and Loki wasted no time in pulling her in for a lasting kiss, then softly pulled away to whisper but three small words:

"I love you."