CHAPTER 20

Loki awoke the next morning before his mate. His wife . The thought alone made him smile. She was now his in every way possible. Not only was she his wife and mate, but also the mother of his soon to be children. Laying a hand on her exposed belly, he felt for the essences that he knew belonged to their sons. He could feel their power already and knew what element each would possess once they were born. Darcy would be surprised to learn that the one that would take after her would hold the power of fire and light. The one that would take after him though wouldn't come as much of a surprise because of his very nature being what it was. But he would also possess the power of darkness. It seemed fitting really that one would be of fire and the other ice. One of light the other of dark. They went hand in hand after all. Loki had learned that not all darkness was to be feared and he hoped that his son would know this as well.

Darcy moaned in her sleep before settling down again. Loki placed a quick kiss to her temple and got out of bed, placing the covers over her as he did. He then dressed quickly and left the room as silently as he could.

He went to the library only to find his father, Odin, there. "Father, may I ask why you choose Darissa and I to rule after you?" he asked after taking a seat.

"Because Loki, you are the best person for the job and to be honest Thor doesn't want the throne. He told me that I should give it to you."

"I made a mistake years ago in thinking that I took an unwanted child when in fact you were wanted and loved. I took that from you. Now because of what happened you no longer want anything to do with your true people and that is my fault. I do have a request of you and it is something that pertains to the coronation. Because you are of Frost Giant descent there must be a representative from Jotunheim here to witness the event. I know that you do not want them to know that it was you who killed their king and consequently your own father but I think we can keep that to ourselves for now. There is no need for them to know but they do need to see that you are alive and hear from your own lips that you do not want their throne."

"Jane has said that they told Darissa and her that one of your descendants could take the Jotun throne and that Darissa wishes to give them that heir. Is this true?"

Loki nodded and then said, "Yes, it is true and Father she is already carrying both the next king of Asgard as well as Jotunheim."

"What?" Odin was shocked.

"It is true. I do not know if you know this or if you have seen the mark below her left ear but she is my mate. The day they came back from Jotunheim I claimed Darissa as such and when I did she conceived. She is at this very moment carrying twin sons within her womb."

"I wondered where that mark came from but Frigga refused to tell me though I know she knew."

"Yes, but Father if a representative must come to Asgard then could we go right now to invite them here? I mean it is time that they knew the truth and the truce re-signed."

Odin stared at Loki for a few moments wondering what had happened to the son that had been so bitter because of his heritage. "Son? What has happened to make you change your mind about the Frost Giants?"

"Darissa," was the only thing he said and it explained everything to Odin.

"Well, I am grateful to her for this change in you, son."

"I am too, Father. She made me see that I wasn't the monster that I saw myself as."

"You never were a monster, Loki."

"I know that now, Father."

"By the way, when is the coronation to take place? Because Darissa would like the Avenger Team there if it is possible and I know that they were set to leave in a few days."

"A week from now. They will be informed that their stay has been extended if you wish."

"Thank you," Loki said with a tilt of his head.

Just then Odin thought of something, "Loki should you not be with your lovely wife right now?"

"Yes, but she asked that I talk to you as soon as possible about the coronation and so here I am."

"Ah, I see."

"So when do you want to leave?" Odin asked after a moment.

"As soon as possible. I would like to be back before she wakes up if that is possible."

Odin nodded and got up as he and Loki left the library.

Once the Asgardian king was dressed for the harsh weather of Jotunheim they made their way to the bridge dome.

"My King, My Prince, are you sure you wish to do this?" Heimdall asked as soon as they stepped into the dome. (Though he was addressing Loki and not Odin when asking this.)

"Yes, Heimdall. I need to do this. They have waited for my return for my whole life. It is only right that they know who their true heir is but also that they will have their heir in less than nine months. We will also be bringing at least one if not two back with us."

"I understand, my Prince."

"Well, shall we go?"

Heimdall readied the Bifrost and soon the two were standing on the cold wasteland that was Jotunheim.

Loki walked to the palace with Odin following close behind. Loki was nervous but he hid it well. He would have to thank his wife for giving him the courage to do this one day.

They entered the palace and found it exactly the way Darcy and Jane had described it to be. The Jotun warriors were lined up on either side of the throne awaiting their heir just the way they had been told they would be.

"Why have you come One Eye?" one of the warriors practically growled at Odin.

Their reaction to Odin was exactly as the king had expected. After all he did take from them their source of power and their heir from them. So he had expected animosity.

"We are here to invite you to the coronation of my son, Loki."

"You, Allfather, would invite Frost Giants to the Great Halls of Asgard for the coronation of your son, would you?"

Loki who had yet to say anything had been staring at the throne that stood empty since he had murdered his own father. Ever since he had learned that Laufey had loved him and he had not been abandoned as an infant, he had felt remorse for slaying his own father.

"Forgive us, noble warriors, but what the Allfather has said is true. But there is more than one reason for this invitation. As you know you have an empty throne before you. A throne that will be filled shortly in fact." the statement was followed by both surprise and outrage from the giants before them.

Loki held up his had to quite the giants and at once the room fell silent. he continued on, "A few weeks ago my mate and her sister came to you asking about the renewal of the treaty. At that point you told them that only a Jotun of royal blood could sign that treaty. Jotun's today I would like to reveal to you the identity of your heir. He, is me."

The warriors were skeptical at his claim as he knew they would be without proof and so he took a deep breath and changed to his Jotun form.

As soon as he was revealed to them as their missing heir every Jotun in the throne room knelt paying homage to their heir.

"My kindred, do not kneel to me for I will not be the one to rule over you," Loki said.

"But you have returned just as your father said you would one day. You are the true heir."

"I know this, but my mate carries within her womb at this very moment, your new heir. He will be of Frost Giant descent as well as Elven."

"We remember the two Elves that came here weeks ago, one whom asked a lot of questions about the heir and the mating ritual. Would she by any chance be your mate?" one of the taller of the Giants asked.

"That would have been her, yes."

"Then you have chosen a very good mate for yourself, Loki Laufeyson."

"Why do you say that?" he asked completely ignoring the fact that they had addressed him by his real name.

"She reminds us of your mother actually. Queen Julietta was a truly magnificent creature and your mate is much like her. And just like your mother, your mate will make a truly magnificent queen. You may not know this but your mother was also the Goddess of Compassion and Truthful Understanding, which we know is also your mate's dominion of power as well."

"I will be sure to tell her that, but first we need to have at least one if not two volunteers to come back with us for the coronation. It is to be held in one week's time. You will be honored guests and will not be treated as any other guest on Asgard so long as no harm comes to any there."

"You have our word and solemn oath that no harm shall come to any one on Asgard for the duration of our stay."

With that two of the smaller giants volunteered and they left to return to Asgard.

Xxx

Darcy awoke alone in bed and wondered where her husband had gone off too. She then wondered what time it was.

Looking out the balcony doors, she could see that it was nearing midday and with a yelp she leaped out of bed which wasn't such a good idea. It was at that moment her pregnancy decided to make itself known physically and she was racing to the bathing chamber.

After emptying the contents of her stomach she cleaned herself up, dressed and left to find either her husband, sister or mother-in-law.