A thunderous ring of laughter echoed through the meadows of Asgard. Brunette curls bounced and a white dress flowed from behind as a pretty bronze woman ran away from a dozen little children.

"You cannot catch me!" The princess' pretty voice chimed as she darted away from the village babes. She was barefoot and clutching the skirts of her dress in her hands, looking like every bit of a mystical fae.

Andromeda squealed as she was brought down by one of the boys in the group. "I've got you!" He yelled as the other children piled on top of her.

"Indeed you have!" She laughed lifting herself off the ground. She put a hand over her eyes and looked up at the sky, her face dropping once she saw the position of the sun. "Oh Gods…" She muttered, before clapping her hands, "Alright children, today was fun but now I have an appointment to attend!" The children pouted but Andromeda shushed them, waving her hand. "Do not fret for tomorrow I will tell you a tale of Aphrodite and her many suitors!" She bunched her skirts up in her hands and ran to the stables of the small town, freeing her son from the structure.

Sleipnir huffed and she quickly quieted him down, mounting him. "I know I am late but please just get us there, my beautiful boy." The horse nodded and waited until his mother had gotten a good grip on him before taking off. The pair arrived at the palace and Andromeda hopped off of the steed, patting him. "Thank you!" She chimed as the door was opened for her as she began to run through the halls.

The pads of her feet smacked against the golden floors of the palace. She came to the doors of her shared chambers and opened them, rushing to the balcony where her lover was sitting at a table full of food. He looked up at her with a raised eyebrow, saying so much and nothing at all.

Andromeda breathed heavily and took a seat across from him, a servant pouring her a chalice of ale. "I apologize for my tardiness. The children just would not let me slip away."

"They adore you." Loki replied dryly, his face expressing annoyance.

"I said I was sorry." Andromeda asserted, furrowing her brows, "What is the matter, love?"

Loki clenched his jaw and looked to the servants, they nodded and left the two lovers alone. He waited for the click of the door before turning his attention back to the princess. "I have just been informed that next week my father will announce Thor as the ruler of Asgard."

"Oh," Andromeda muttered, biting her lip, "That is what the ceremony is for?"

"Yes." Loki nodded once, sighing sadly, "It is not that I am not happy for my brother, I truly am, I am just… For some reason I was hoping that it would change."

"Of course." The princess nodded in understanding, she slid her hand across the table and held his in hers. "It is perfectly understandable. I would feel the same way if I had siblings...or a kingdom for that matter."

"I have always known it would be him." The dark prince looked out to the horizon, a pensive finger to his lips, "It has always been him." He let go of her hand joined it with his other hand, much to Andromeda's chagrin.

"Son of Odin," Andromeda chimed, getting up from her chair. She walked behind him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pressing her lips against his temple, "You must not dwell on such unhappiness."

Loki regarded her with a scowl, snapping, "How am I supposed to go to the revelries of the week when all I want to do is be alone?"

"So, what?" Andromeda questioned, dropping her arms from him and crossing them over her chest. "You want to wallow in your misery for the rest of the day? Isolating yourself from everyone, including me? What good will that do?" At Loki's silence she nodded victoriously, "Exactly. Did you invite me to lunch today to snap at me or did you want to actually enjoy my company?"

The prince did not reply, instead gazing blankly at the horizon with the same pensive finger to his lips. Andromeda sighed and pressed her lips to his forehead, muttering, "So be it." She stood straight and cast him one last worried glance before leaving her lover to his thoughts.

Andromeda closed the door behind her and shook her head, making her way down the hallway of the palace. Her bare feet padded against the cold linoleum floor as her dress flowed behind her. White had become her signature gown color and she would always be spotted in her two crowns; her mother's gold band and her flower crown that seemed to continuously bloom on her head.

When she arrived at her destination, she raised a petite fist to knock on the large golden door. She did not get an answer, so the princess opened the door with a roll of her eyes. Quietly, she made her way through the gold and ruby chambers, stopping in the doorway of the bedroom, where a sight was to be seen.

Wanton moans filled the large bedroom and the sound of a groaning bed was also heard. Masculine grunting was added to the mix of sounds and the smell of debauchery wafted through the room. A brawny bare back peeked from ruby-colored sheets that just covered the man's royal ass. Sweat trailed down his back and his hair was loose, swinging with every rough thrust. The woman under him was covered completely by his large frame, though she was easily heard to account for her absence of sight.

Andromeda rolled her eyes, completely unfazed by the sight, and made her way to the sitting room of the chambers, grabbing a book and sitting to read it. After about thirty more minutes, a young maiden was trotting out of the bedroom, her cheeks reddened when she saw the princess sitting on the couch. With a bow of her head, she was gone.

The princess snickered under her breath and put down her children's book, floating to the bedroom once again. She peeked inside and saw Thor at a bathing bowl, wiping himself down.

Andromeda walked in tsking her tongue teasingly. "Already reveling in your triumph, Prince Thor?"

The golden prince's head jerked up and he smiled at her wolfishly, doing nothing to hide his endowments. "Andromeda!" He greeted, dragging a cloth over his chest, "How do you dwell on this day?"

"I am well." She answered, opting to lean against a pillar of his bed. "Was she one of your chamber maidens again? You should really slow down, word is getting around and the maids are fighting for reassignments."

Thor bellowed out a laugh, wrapping a towel around his waist. "Careful princess, you sound jealous." He crossed his arms with a smile and leaned toward her, "Did you enjoy the show?"

"I did enjoy how embarrassed she was to see me." Andromeda replied without skipping a beat, "People seem to think that we are betrothed."

"I wonder where they got the idea." Thor muttered, a smirk on his face.

Andromeda rolled her eyes and pushed him away from her with a single finger. "Anyway, I came to congratulate you."

"Oh?" Thor chimed, a brow quirking up.

Andromeda hummed, examining the pieces of jewelry on his messy dresser. It was a far cry from his brother's neat vanity. "You will be crowned King of Asgard next week. The largest honor in all of the land, a dream since you were a babe."

"Yes, of course." Thor nodded, proudly beaming at her. "I am very pleased to be bestowed with such an honor by the Allfather."

The princess hummed again, pursuing her lips. "Thor I would like to ask you a favor." She announced finally, turning around and placing her ember eyes on his. Thor raised a hand to his beard and nodded for her to continue. "Loki is feeling...somber...about this whole ordeal. Now I do not think he is jealous of you, but I believe he is upset because he does not feel he has any importance in the royal court. I would just like to ask, when you are king, if you would place him in a position of high importance."

Thor regarded the princess for a moment, stroking his beard. He said nothing as he walked over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders, "I, King Thor of Asgard, give you, Princess Andromeda of Aethiopia, my word that I will do everything in my power to appoint my brother to be my Royal Advisor." His voice boomed and he placed a fist against his chest. He lowered one of his lids in a wink and moved his hand to cup her face, "Good?"

Andromeda smiled beautifully and nodded, "Perfect. I'm holding you to that, King Thor." She teased, before lowering her voice, "Do not tell your brother that I asked this of you."

"I will not," Thor agreed before smiling wolfishly once more, "If you give me a little assurance yourself, princess."

Andromeda slapped his hands away from her and glared up at him. "Must I remind you that I am to be your sister!"

"Aye," Thor nodded before adding teasingly, "But he did not propose to you yet; I may still have a chance."

"In your dreams!" Andromeda snapped, crossing her arms.

"Aye." The prince nodded again, "It is all I dream about."

Caught off guard, Andromeda's face flushed and her lashes fluttered. Her arms uncrossed themselves and her fingers went to her emerald pendant, twirling it between her fingers nervously.

"I am sorry," Thor muttered, though a smile tried to fight its way to his lips, "Did I offend you?"

"Thor we have talked about this." Andromeda whispered, looking up at the prince solemnly, "I love your brother, it will always be him. This infatuation cannot continue to manifest itself in our relationship. You are a wonderful friend and that is all you should stay."

"Do not speak to me as if I am some lovesick child, Andromeda." Thor warned her, his blue eyes stormy and his fists clenched, "I mourned for you just like he, I longed for you just like he. All those nights you cried on me when he was with another-!"

"Just stop!" Andromeda shouted, "Okay? Just stop. I did not come here to argue with you, I just wanted a favor: as a friend." She slowly padded to him, placing her petite hands on his fists, "Because you are my friend. My best friend. My best friend who is going to be a king."

Thor's eyes softened as he looked down at the beautiful bronze woman, his hands unclenching and lacing with hers. "All I want to do is make you a queen." He muttered, his eyes searching hers, "Any woman would fall at my feet to be my queen; but I only want you. I fill my bed with these maidens when all I want is to wake up with you next to me."

"Stop." Andromeda snapped again, yanking her hands away from his. "Stop saying that to me. I know how you feel and I do not feel the same so please. Just drop it."

Thor frowned deeply, breathing harshly through his nose, but he nodded nonetheless; he never wanted to upset his Andromeda. His friend. His…

Love was such a strong word to the young prince. He had never really put much thought to the notion before. But the moment Andromeda came running to him in tears, his heart seemed to burst from his chest. Every woman he bedded seem to transform into her, though none stood up to her beauty. When he would close his eyes, hers were the ones he saw, her skin was the one he touched and her full mouth emitted sounds that made his own self seem to whimper. But she was also kind and considerate. She was the only woman that would challenge him besides Sif, but Sif was his friend, a constant in his life. Andromeda was his brother's, heart, mind and soul, but he wanted her with every fiber in him. She should be his. His Queen, Queen Andromeda of Asgard. He could have anything in the whole nine realms, but all he wanted was her.

But he bowed his head and bit his tongue, like he always seemed to do. "I am sorry." He muttered, not reaching out for her for fear of her rejecting him. "I did not-!" He stopped himself, "Sorry."

"It is alright, let us just forget it." Andromeda managed a smile, and it lit up her face like the sun lit up the sky. "You have your first celebration tonight, right? I will do your hair just the way you like it!"

Thor nodded with a closed-lipped smile, even chuckling as the small woman pushed him to the bed. He sat on the ground while she sat on the settee in front of his large bed. He closed his eyes as he felt her fingers run through his hair and her nails scratch his scalp. His arms laid on her smooth legs and his neck felt the soft heat of her thick thighs. He wanted to bury his head in those thighs and suffocate. Her fingers skillfully braided little intricate plaits on both sides of his head, before pulling half up with a blue band.

"Thor…" Her beautiful voice called out to him, like an angel calling him to Valhalla, "I am finished."

The prince faked sleep stubbornly, evening out his breathing to fit the part. He heard her soft chuckle and felt her body lightly shake. "Wake up, Thor, do not play dead with me!"

"Your hands are so delicate and gentle," Thor grumbled, finally opening his eyes and looking up at her, "I cannot help but fall asleep."

"Yes, but you have to get ready." Andromeda said, rising from the settee, "You are the guest of honor after all." Thor smiled at her fauxly, the beam not meeting his eyes. Andromeda smiled back, "I have to go and make sure I look wonderful for your party, my liege," She teased the title, before bowing deeply, "See you in a little bit!"

Andromeda left his chambers with a fallen smile and a worried twitch, fiddling with her necklace. She went to her own chambers where Sylvi and Ragna were already waiting for her.

"You are late!" Ragna snapped, with all the maternity of a grandmother, "Get in that tub, the water is getting cold!"

Andromeda laughed and nodded stripping and hopping in the tub. Her body was scrubbed clean and scented with roses, retrieved for her by her wonderful lover during one of his many secret trips to Midgard. He always brought her roses back.

At the thought of her love her smile faded. As Ragna washed the suds from her curls, she began to think. Maybe she could cheer Loki up tonight, and really plant the possibilities of being in the royal court in his head. Make him feel bigger, like he already was her king.

A smile played on her lips, that was it. She would make such good love to him that he would forget about the crown and give her a ring.

The princess was stood up in the tub and a towel was wrapped around her. She was dried meticulously and then was dressed in a robe and seated at her vanity.

"Ragna," Andromeda chimed as her hair was detangled expertly, after all these years Ragna and Sylvi had it down pact, even with the styling, "I would like some very pretty undergarments tonight."

Ragna snickered, "Trying to get the ring, are you?"

"I would suggest an absence of undergarments for that purpose, Princess." Sylvi muttered, yelping when Ragna hit her with a decorative comb.

"Filthy girl!" The elder maid snapped and Andromeda laughed.

"That is a swell idea…" The princess trailed before smirking, "Let's go with that."

"By the nine…" Ragna sighed, securing her long braid with a white ribbon-tied down the length of it. "You are going to get the child pregnant!"

"If she is not pregnant by now…" Sylvi muttered, "But then again, he does work with potions…"

"Girl!" Ragna snapped again, "Go get her dress, filthy!"

Andromeda chuckled at their banter, watching as Ragna brushed gold on to her cheeks to make them shimmer in the light. A light gloss was painted on to her lips and she stood up to be tied into her gown.

It was white, as always, and it had a golden trim. One of her shoulders was bare and the other was covered in a sheer sleeve that flowed as she walked. It cinched at her waist and flowed the rest of the way down, flowing to her feet.

She lowered her head and a golden band was on her head, signifying her nobility. Even if it was Midgardian, the Asgardian still respected her title. A golden cuff was placed on her wrist and golden sandals on her feet, much to her chagrin; she had grown so used to being barefoot.

"I think I am ready ladies, would not want to miss the debauchery!" The princess teased, her teeth standing out against her dark skin.

Ragna shook her head and Sylvi laughed, winking at her.

Andromeda left her chambers and walked through the halls of the palace, going to the grand hall. The moons were just coming up over Asgard and the night was beautiful. The double doors to the hall were already opened and the festivities were in full effect.

Andromeda smiled in greeting at the many people she saw. She grabbed a cup of ale and walked to the main table of the party, throwing an arm around her friend. "How beautiful you look in the moonlight, Lady Sif!" She mocked in a deep voice.

Sif turned around with a glare only for her to boom out a laugh. "You cow!" She greeted, pushing Andromeda's arm off of her, "I thought you were some man!"

"I could be!" Andromeda teased, winking.

Sif laughed once more and shoved her friend. "Shut up! Where is your prince? The youngest one not the King to be." She clarified much to Andromeda's an annoyance.

"I only have one Sif!" The princess called over the music, "And I am not sure! I have not seen him since earlier!"

"Hmm…" Sif hummed with a smirk, "Trouble in the throne room?"

Andromeda's face flushed, "No, we just do not spend every waking moment with another."

"Since when?" Sif asked with a raised brow.

Andromeda narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to reply but two burly arms went around both of their shoulders. "My two favorite maidens!" Thor greeted the two of them with sloppy kisses on their cheeks. "How are the both of you?"

"We should be asking you that, King Thor." Sif teased with a smirk and he threw his head back in a laugh.

"Oh careful Sif, you might inflate my head larger than it already is!" Thor warned her jestingly.

"Yes please stop," Andromeda added, "His helm might not fit."

Thor boomed out a laugh again, shaking the room like thunder and padded the women on the back. "Enjoy the festivities, girls, I will be back!" With that, he walked back into the awaiting crowd.

"Gods, he is already drunker than a fish." Andromeda sighed, taking a sip of her ale.

"He is enjoying himself." Sif waved it off, she looked over Andromeda's shoulder, "It seems your prince is enjoying himself, too."

Andromeda blinked and looked behind her, watching her lover sip out of a chalice. "Excuse me, Sif." She muttered, getting up from the table.

The brunette warrior watched her with worried eyes, shaking her head and returning to her drink.

The princess walked up to the dark prince and tapped him on the shoulder before wrapping her arms around him. She stood on the tips of her toes, "I see you are having a good time." She muttered into his ear.

He turned around in her arms and managed a smile, pressing his lips against her forehead. "Hello, my love."

"Hello to yourself." Andromeda replied with a smile, "Are you feeling better?"

"As much as one could with being always overlooked for one's sibling." Loki bitterly replied as he emptied his chalice in one gulp. He refilled it with a flick of his wrist and sipped the red liquid.

"Alright now," Andromeda uttered, watching him with narrowed eyes, "Please do not get too intoxicated. I have a surprise for you that calls for you to be lucid."

"Oh?" He inquired, a dark brow quirking up, "And what might that surprise be?" His emerald eyes trailed down her body before meeting her eyes once more. "You look ravishing by the way."

"If I told you," Andromeda slipped her hand around his neck, pressing her lips against his lightly, "It would not be a surprise, now would it? Just meet me in your chambers in the first hour of the morning." She nuzzled her nose against his sweetly, "But only if you are positive for the rest of the night. That means," She paused, taking his drink from his hand and taking a sip of her own, "No more drinking, my prince." The princess twirled away from him with a smirk and downed his glass, rejoining her friend seated at the table.

"You are a witch." Sif informed her with a smirk, "You must be a sorcerer to have such a hold on him." Andromeda shrugged with a sheepish smile, putting her chalice down on the table and grabbing a bite to eat. "Or you are not as virtuous as the kingdom would like to believe…"

"Sif!" Andromeda exclaimed, slapping her brunette friend on the arm. The warrior just laughed and stood up from the table, tugging the princess up with her. "I am just jesting! Let us dance!"

Andromeda rolled her eyes but laughed nonetheless, joining her friend on the dance floor. They joined the dance line that was forming and stood in front of each other, bowing jokingly. They stepped forward with their right, then stepped backward. They stepped forward with their left and stepped backward. They moved toward each other and pressed one of their hands against the others, circling around, then stepped back into their line. The music picked up and they stepped forward again, though this time they wrapped a hand around each other's waist and twirled together.

The pair of friends laughed as they took each others hands and spun around, the pretty woman getting amused looks from the crowd. Andromeda cackled so loud she started to snort, causing Sif to laugh louder. They separated and started to dance in front of each other, the traditional dance being forgotten by the two. Sif twirled around with a smile, while Andromeda danced as she once did in Aethiopia, her hips swaying sensually. The princess grabbed the skirts of her gown and flourished them around, making her look like a flying fae.

The song ended and another began, but Andromeda need a moment to catch her breath. "I am going to the wash room, I will be back!" She announced to her warrior friend, casting her a smile as she made her way through the crowd.

She walked into the woman's powder room and took a towel from the waiting servant, casting a friend smile to her. "Thank you." She muttered, as she always did. She wiped the sweat from her breast and her brow, checking her face in the mirror. The loud chatter of a group of women echoed through the room and Andromeda rolled her eyes, moving to leave. As soon as she was seen, the chatter ceased. Being smarter than she was rumored to be, Andromeda paused in the doorway and waited for the conversation to continue.

"Did you see the amount of ale Prince Loki was consuming tonight?" One of the women chatted loudly. "The rumors of his depression must be true."

"Depression? More like envy! Everyone knows that the youngest prince wants to be king." Another woman said with a snort.

"That harpy in his ear is probably not helping." The first woman replied, a smirk no doubt on her lips, "The desperate bitch has lost her kingdom and wants ours, anyone with eyes can see that. That is why she leads on both princes."

"If I were her," The second woman started, puckering her lips, "I would marry Thor and continue to sleep with Loki. Then I would have a kingdom and a tongue to ride."

"Who says she stops there?" The first woman questions, "She probably takes both of them at the same time. The only thing the princes will share is a wanton maiden."

"She looks like she enjoys taking two cocks," The second woman noted, with a snicker, "Look at the way she is shaped. Her hips are so large she can probably take them both in her cunt at once. And her lips are so plump she probably takes the youngest prince in her mouth with no problem."

"Urania did say that the Loki's cock was as long as her forearm, she probably swallows it as if it were candy."

"I can attest to Urania's word," The second woman added, "When he bedded me, I could barely fit half of it in my mouth. He was such a giving lover, not selfish like his brother."

"Thor is not selfish!" The first woman protested, "When he bedded me he made me climax twice."

"You told me he took you from behind and called you that harpy's name." Her friend reminded her, making the woman huff.

"That was only once."

Andromeda shook her head and left the room, putting a hand on her forehead. She felt annoyed by the bitter women's words, but she still had a party to attend. They did not matter, they were just bitter young women.

The princess walked back into the Grand Hall and looked for her prince, furrowing her eyebrows. "Have you seen Loki?" She inquired of Sif, who was currently consuming her weight in food.

"I have not." Sif told her, shrugging, "Ask Thor."

Andromeda nodded and shoved through the crowd to find the soon-to-be King, drinking a large cup of ale and surrounded by busty women. When he saw her, his eyes lit up. "Andromeda!" He exclaimed, a large grin growing on his face. All of the women narrowed their eyes at the pretty woman for taking his attention. He got up from his seat and wrapped his arms around her for the second time that day, lifting her up. "Are you enjoying yourself?" He questioned once he sat her down.

Andromeda nodded with a smile, "I am, thank you for asking, Prince Thor." She finished before adding lowly, "Have you seen your brother?"

Thor's smile fell just a bit before spreading again. "I have not! He might have just gone outside for some air."

"Thank you." Andromeda nodded with a smirk, "You can get back to your harem now."

Thor boomed out a laugh and nodded, winking at her. He turned around with open arms, "Now ladies, who wants to hear of my triumph over the elves of the mountains?"

Andromeda playfully rolled her eyes and left the prince to his disciples, looking for her prince. She pulled her braid over her shoulder and stroked it as she walked outside. The garden was lit with multiple lamps going down the walkway, and the flowers were blooming even without sun.

She walked through the garden, her eyes trying to find the prince. She furrowed her brows when she heard rustling on the other side of the garden. She put a little more speed in her steps and walked around the stone canopy, hoping to find her prince. And she did.

She found her prince with his trousers at his ankles. She found her prince with sweat on his brow. She found her prince inside of a woman who looked nothing like her.

She did not yell, nor did she scream. She just simply turned around and silently made her way back to the Hall.

This had happened before.

The first time was enough to almost kill her; though she almost killed the other woman. She didn't speak to Loki for a whole year, vowing to be silent. Somehow, he wooed her into forgetting, because he always does and she forgave him.

The second time hurt less.

The third time hurt a little more.

The fourth time she chased the woman with a dagger.

He insisted that he loved her, and she knew he did, but he was mischievous. The God of Lies was his title. She always knew when he was lying; at least she thought she did.

But not now. He promised he was true, spending every moment with her and hinting at calls of marriage. He promised.

When she was younger, she caught her father in the arms of another woman. It made her cry and she raced to tell her mother, knowing that it would break her heart. But to her surprise, her mother just smiled at her and nodded, primping her like she always did. Her mother told her that it was healthy and that a man was a man.

Love meant forgiveness and because she loved her husband she would always forgive. Love meant giving up your right to hurt the other person because they hurt you.

"Andromeda!" Thor called for her, cheeks pink with drunkenness, once she was inside the hallway. "Did you find him?"

Andromeda looked up at the blonde prince with a blank face before a pretty smile spread across her features. "No I did not. He probably is in his chambers. Now let us get back to the party, I am dying to try that new ale you were gifted."

As Andromeda placed a hand on Thor's thick bicep and smiled up at him, she decided; she was not her mother.