The day for Thor's coronation dawned warm and fine. Maryn had been holding out hope that Odin and Frigga would realise they had made a mistake. However, when it had been announced to the population of Asgard that Thor would rule them once Odin stepped down, she had focussed all her attention on her Dark Prince.
Loki had been hiding his hurt since the day he was told he would not be king. He never showed any anger or sadness around Thor, projecting a completely supportive persona to the older Aesir, but she could see he felt betrayed and it put a strain on the relationship he had with his father and mother. Although he still sought the Allmother's council and comfort, Maryn saw the emotional wall he put up. If the coronation was ever brought up by either parents he would leave silently, no matter if it was during a feast or merely a quiet walk in the gardens. Everyone, save Thor, soon learned not to broach the subject if the Trickster was in earshot, and Maryn took to taking his mind off the upcoming affair by begging him for more magic and fighting lessons.
When the day of the celebrations came, the princess kept her husband abed for as long as she could, loving him as only she knew how and, in turn, allowing him to hold her in comfort while the sun rose over the horizon and the world around them awoke.
"This is not fair," Maryn huffed as she sat at her mirror running a golden brush through her silky hair.
Loki sat in bed with a spell book in his lap, Fenrir asleep on the covers near his feet. He had seen how frustrated Maryn was becoming as the days passed but did not comment on it for fear of losing his own temper and revealing his plan for this day. "We may be gods in the eyes of mortals, sweet one, but that does not mean our lives are any more just than theirs," he murmured, his gaze flying over the spells and incantations he was reading, memorizing them for the next lesson he had planned with Maryn for a few days' time.
Sighing and putting down her brush, Maryn stood and crossed the room, leaning her palms on the bed as she sent her handsome husband a coyly pleading look, "Can we not stay abed today? Perhaps enjoy a day of pleasure instead of hours of mind-numbing speeches and toasts."
Glancing up at her, Loki raised an inky eyebrow, studying the glint of lust in Maryn's eyes, "You wish to miss Thor's coronation, sweet one? Would he not be disappointed?"
Waving a hand dismissively, Maryn climbed onto the mattress and sat back on her heels looking at him, "Your brother's disappointment is not my concern, Loki." …Yours is, was left unsaid but he nodded in understanding.
Closing the tome, he put it to one side before reaching out to cup her cheek, "We must show our support for my brother, no matter how we feel of the decision made by the Allmother and Allfather." Seeing her roll her eyes at his words, he grinned and reached for her, pulling her down across his lap suddenly, "Perhaps you could entice me to stay abed a few hours more, little girl."
A shiver of heat slid down Maryn's spine at the teasing, velvety tone in his voice and the dark need in his gaze, "What would you have me do, my lord?" she whispered, lifting her hand to run her fingers over his lips, aching to have them on her own. Would she ever tire of this man and the way he could make her feel with one look or a simple touch?
The spark of mischief in his green gaze was enough to allude to the many wicked fantasies, which were no doubt running through his mind at her question. "That is a dangerous request, Maryn," he growled, his gaze flicking between her eyes and lips.
Sliding her hand up into his dark hair, Maryn smirked and arched up until her lips were only just brushing over his, "I am yours to command, Loki."
With a barely heard groan, the dark prince slanted his mouth over hers, his tongue flicking out across her bottom lip asking entrance. Gladly, Maryn opened her mouth to him, pulling him closer to her as she whined softly and tried to press her body harder against his.
A soft knock on the bedroom door caused Loki to wrench his mouth away from Maryn's, even as she continued to kiss down his jaw and neck, savouring the taste and scent of his skin. "Leave us!" he snapped before turning to lift his wife's head and kiss her delectable lips again.
Hearing the curt dismissal through the bedroom door, Tora rolled her eyes and turned the door handle, ignoring how her mistress jumped away from the prince at the sound of her entering the room and the dark glare the prince was sending her way.
"Forgive me," she curtsied, "But you asked me to wake you early so that you may dress, my lady, and I have already allowed you more time than I should have this morning."
Burying her face against Loki's neck as her cheeks flared crimson, Maryn groaned in frustration at her friend's interruption. After a few moments she sighed and regretfully looked up into his eyes, "I did ask her to wake us."
Lips pressed into a flat frown, Loki nodded and helped her to her feet, his large hands settling onto her hips before he kissed the back of her head and then stepped away, "I will see you outside the throne room," he murmured and then left before she had a chance to call him back.
Frustrated, Maryn moved to the smaller chamber, which served as her dressing room. Tora was already laying out her gown as Gaia and Kersin set out her jewellery and the golden pins Tora would use to secure her hair.
"You asked me to wake you," Tora chided her gently as she turned to start weaving Maryn's dark locks into a low bun constructed of a glossy mass of curls and braids held in place by the shining pins.
"I did," the princess agreed but still wished she and Loki had been allowed even half an hour more alone.
Tora watched her through the mirror while she put the finishing touches on her hair style, the other two maids gossiping quietly in the background, "Are you with child?"
A deafening silence filled the room at Tora's forthright question, even Kersin and Gaia had frozen in place waiting for their mistress's answer.
A blush blooming across Maryn's cheeks was all the answer the two seemed to need, and in a moment they were squealing and giggling with joy, causing Fenrir to huff out a breath and lope out of the room to find a quieter place to doze. Standing quickly, Maryn shook her head at the two young women trying to settle them down, "I-I do not know if I am," she spoke over the quietening noise, "After the coronation I will speak to the prince and we will visit the healers." She looked pointedly at her two younger ladies-in-waiting, "Until then you will not breathe a word of this to anyone outside of this room. Do I make myself clear?"
Gaia, Kersin and Tora curtsied and nodded in understanding before the younger two launched into a discussion on their ideas of pregnancy, childbirth, and babies.
While they were talking, Tora pulled Maryn into a tight hug, "Valhalla be praised, I am so happy for you, sister of my heart."
Feeling tears of happiness well in her eyes, Maryn hugged her back just as tightly, "I pray it is true."
Pulling back a little to look her in the eyes, Tora smiled gently, "If it is not then I am sure your Trickster will be happy to enthusiastically continue trying to make that dream a reality." At Maryn's violent blush she laughed, "If he is half as amorous as Brant then I believe that after the coronation today you will not leave your chambers for some time."
"Do you enjoy embarrassing me?" Maryn asked pressing her palms to her flaming cheeks.
Throwing back her head the redheaded maid laughed, "I enjoy seeing you happy my lady, that is all."
Once Maryn was dressed in her gown and silk slippers, she slipped on a gold filigree cuff, and her filigree ring, which reached from her first knuckle to the nail of the middle finger of her right hand. She also tucked Loki's pendant safely beneath the neckline of her gown before she stepped out of her dressing chamber to find Loki waiting patiently for her. Green magic sparked between his fingers as he cast a spell.
He turned when he sensed her behind him and then stilled, his gaze sliding over her in a gentle caress she could almost feel. "You are wearing my colours," he spoke quietly, not sounding surprised even though she could read it in his eyes.
Looking down at the gown she wore made of the softest, emerald silk overlaid with chiffon in the same green shot with gold, Maryn smiled. Wrapping around her waist, crossing at her stomach, and then sweeping up and over the back of the gown before twisting in a thin band around her neck were long sequins and beads of greenish-gold made to look like scales or feathers. The bodice of the gown met at a point where the band came together at the hollow of her throat leaving her shoulders bare. "We were told to wear our colours. Why should I not dress in your emerald green and gold?" she asked him.
He studied her for a few moments more before crossing the small distance between them.
As he loomed over her Maryn marvelled at how handsome he looked in his dress armour, his cape billowing around him and his horned helmet covering the inky blackness of his hair.
Her breath caught in her lungs when he leaned down, his cool breath caressing her cheek and neck before he murmured lowly for her ears only, "You fascinate me, dear wife. No matter how long we have known each other, you still manage to surprise me."
She shuddered as his lips ghosted over the sensitive skin under her earlobe, even as his large hand cupped her cheek, tilting her head to the side to give him more access to her throat. A sudden heaviness at her earlobe made her blink but she didn't move for Loki was tilting her head the other way, repeating his actions. When he pulled back, she glanced at the mirror beside them and saw beautiful gold earrings set with oblong emeralds of different shades hanging from her ears. She smiled up at her lover, "You spoil me, Loki. Thank you."
He shrugged, seemingly careless, but she could see the enjoyment he took from her praise flashing through his eyes.
"My Prince, my Lady," Tora called from the doorway gaining the attention of the two royals, "The Allfather has asked that everyone make their way to the throne room."
Nodding silently, Loki offered Maryn his arm and then led the way toward the largest receiving hall in the palace.
The Warriors Three, Sif and Frigga met them outside the large double doors, Loki kissing Maryn before handing her off to Hogun, and then slipping away to find his brother who was no doubt deep into his cups.
Maryn smiled at Frigga where she stood in an extravagant gown of silver and yellow decorated with golden crystals before she followed Sif to step up to the large doors which were about to open.
When they did a wave of cheering and clapping exploded around them. Fandral, Hogun, Sif and Volstagg walked toward the dais at the end of the aisle, Maryn a few steps behind them smiling and nodding at the Aesir around her. Once at the dais steps she stopped about half way up them, Sif at the bottom, and Hogun, Fandral and Volstagg, in that order, from the top of the stairs to the bottom opposite her. Loki and Frigga walked in next, the Allmother's hand looped around her younger son's elbow and a genteel smile on her face. When his mother stood at the top of the stairs, Loki stepped down to stand behind Maryn, his hands folded before him but his presence wrapping around her.
Finally, Odin motioned from his throne and the doors opened once more to allow Thor to step through, an explosion of cheering and shouting accompanying his journey toward the throne. He made a show of throwing his hammer up and catching it again with ease, his booming laugh meeting Maryn's ears even through the noise of the crowd. The God of Thunder played up his entrance for his soon-to-be subjects, raising his hammer and encouraging more screams and applause.
Glancing at the Allfather, Maryn could see the disappointment on his face as his oldest foolishly ignored the gravity of what was about to happen and instead preened and flaunted in front of his adoring supporters like a creature of the forest during its mating season. A small curl of satisfaction flared in her belly at the thought that Odin would now see how unsuited Thor was to rule but she squashed it immediately ashamed of herself.
Thor finally made it to the foot of the dais steps and put down his hammer, removing his helmet to sit it at his feet as he took a knee, winking at his mother with a boyish, arrogant grin.
Seeing the Allmother shake her head in a smiling warning, Maryn leaned back a little into Loki and allowed one of her hands to slip back and lace with his much larger one. She squeezed his fingers gently as Odin stood from his throne.
The Allfather smacked the butt of his spear, Gungnir, onto the flagstones beneath his feet causing the entire chamber to fall silent as his subjects waited for him to speak. "Thor…Odinson…my heir," Maryn felt Loki tense minutely behind her and bit back a wince at the feeling of betrayal that washed over her for a mere second thanks to their link, and then it was gone and she focussed on Odin's speech once more. "My first born," Odin spoke with feeling, his voice wavering a little as he smiled, "So long entrusted with the mighty hammer, Mjolnir, forged in the heart of a dying star."
Hearing his words the princess lowered her gaze to the steps beneath her feet, her awareness of Loki behind her rising up even as Odin's words faded into the background. Truly, she should be listening to the Allfather's address and Thor's oath, but she couldn't hold onto the words. Was it this way for all those in love, she wondered? Were they all as affected by their partner as she was by the strong, tall Aesir whom she loved so completely.
"Maryn," the shock of having Loki's voice enter her thoughts caused her to tense for a moment before she relaxed and let her gaze turn glassy as she followed his voice into the plains of her mind.
"We should be listening to your father's speech," she said to him, as he stepped from the shadows of her mind, a mischievous smirk curling up the corners of his inviting lips making her heart skip a beat.
"You weren't really listening to him, were you sweet one?" he asked, his strong arms wrapping around her and pulling her flush with his body.
Her rebuke died on her lips when he leaned down, his lips brushing hers before he kissed her jaw and then the pulse hammering in her throat. "Is this distraction for me or for you, my love?" she asked softly.
He pulled back and opened his mouth to answer only for Maryn to tense as what looked like a door opened behind him. Curious she stepped around him toward the portal.
A deep voice echoed from beyond it, "As you wish little prince," it said, the cool emotionless tone of it sending shivers down Maryn's back and the hair on her arms standing on end.
Loki's hand wrapped around her upper arm and he pulled her back toward him. She looked up at him, her brows furrowed; "Who was that, Loki?" she asked.
He seemed about to answer her when something pulled her away from the recesses of her mind. She focused on those around her only to see Odin with a faraway look in his eyes.
"Frost Giants," the Allfather murmured and then slammed the end of his spear into the flagstones once more.
Panic erupted a moment later as the Allfather's words were heard by those nearest to him, and the word spread to others in the crowd.
"They would dare to come here!" Thor roared standing up as he grabbed his helmet and hammer.
Odin turned to Frigga, "Take Maryn with you to your chambers. Guards protect the Allmother!" he ordered, waving the Warriors Three and Sif toward the chamber entrance to help with crowd control. "Loki, Thor, with me!" he growled out.
Shocked and confused, Maryn tightened her grip on Loki's hand, "What is happening?" she whorled around to ask him.
He cupped her cheek, "Go with mother, I will come for you when it is safe."
She shook her head wanting to refuse but Frigga caught her arm and Loki slipped his hand from hers before disappearing into the swirl of panicked Aesir after his brother and father.
"Mother, what is happening?" Maryn asked Frigga as she and the Allmother were ushered from the throne room and toward the royal chambers surrounded by guards on all sides.
With a worried look, Frigga pulled her closer, "There are Frost Giants in the palace."
Paling at her words, Maryn kept pace with her silently as they walked briskly toward the Allmother's private rooms. She had heard of the war between Asgard and the Frost Giants, as all in the galaxy had, but she thought that there was peace between the Aesir and those that inhabited Jotunheim.
When she and Frigga were shut in the Allmother's rooms with two guards posted inside, and two guards posted outside each exit, as well as others down the hall, Maryn stood with Frigga on the balcony and looked out over Asgard to see its defences enabled. Skiffs started to patrol the skies and if she looked down over the edge of the balcony, she could see armed groups of three or four soldiers moving about in the pathways around the palace and gardens.
The wait was tense but short. Loki was the one to come to them when the danger had passed.
Frigga hugged her son, pulling away to let him gather his wife into his arms before she asked what had happened.
"Three Jotun warriors found their way into the weapon's vault and tried to steal the Casket," he explained, his arm still around Maryn keeping her pressed to his side.
"What was your father's ruling on the matter?" Frigga asked seeing the sharp look her good-daughter gave her son at the mention of the vault.
"Thor wished to go to Jotunheim and start a battle but father chose to drop the matter entirely as the perpetrators had been dealt with before they could smuggle out the Casket." Loki said ignoring the confused and mildly suspicious look Maryn was giving him from beneath lowered eyelashes, her body rigid against his.
"Who dealt with them?" Maryn asked, her mind reeling the moment he spoke of the weapon's vault.
Frigga sent her a confused look, "The Destroyer protects the relics in that chamber, dear one. It would have devastated any intruder in a matter of seconds."
Nodding, Maryn pulled away from Loki's touch, a thought tickling the back of her mind, which she struggled to push away, an icy finger of doubt rising in her as she glanced at her husband.
"Where is Thor now?" she asked struggling to keep her voice level.
The Trickster smiled easily, "He is sulking in the feast hall he requested to be prepared for us and our friends as a private celebration after he was crowned. Odin has postponed the coronation."
Frigga gasped, turning to speak with Loki about how his brother was as Maryn took another step away from them, her thoughts falling to what had happened. It was a little too convenient that this attack happened right as Thor was about to speak his oath and take the crown. Nevertheless, Loki would never hurt his brother in such a way, would he? She knew he felt that his parents choosing Thor over him was a slap in the face, but he would never use his power to instigate such a dangerous trick…would he?
Feeling almost dizzy from the way her thoughts were spiralling through her mind, Maryn didn't notice the hand on her arm until Loki caught her chin and lifted her gaze to his. "Maryn?" he spoke softly, his eyebrows drawn together in worry, his sharp gaze softening as he looked down at her.
"I-I am alright, my love," she lied, her stomach churning as she looked up into his eyes. "We should go and make sure your brother is not too filled with resentment. You know how his temper gets the best of him when he doesn't get his way."
Loki still studied her but nodded his agreement, walking at her side as they left the Allmother's chambers. Once they were out of earshot of the guards and away from prying eyes, Maryn turned, pulling Loki into a small, empty audience chamber and closing the door behind them.
Turning to him she glared accusingly, throwing her hand out in the direction of the weapon's vault, "Tell me what you did, Loki."