(LOKI/SIGYN)

(LOKI)

Humility wasn't one of my strong suits, and it certainly was an unfamiliar sensation. But the experience at the fountain was enough to keep me appropriately meek. Freyr didn't encourage me to talk about it on our way to the court hall and let me try to absorb what I saw instead. The fact I was welcomed and not seen as a threat gave me a new sense of acceptance I'd spent my life craving.

The building itself was filled with more people than it had been at Regin's first binding, and the party inside was audible before we crossed the doors. The men's hall had hardly any room to move and I was fortunate that Freyr hadn't entered with me, since he needed to prepare the water's offering for Idunn first. I held Regin's chalice tightly and refused the horn of ale offered to me when I stood against the wall; as if it were my first patrol after being given my armor, I wanted to earn the right to be part of the ritual.

Regin caught my eye from the center of the room and stood, yelling for all to hear, "Loki! Our great protector has come!" He gestured to me and applauded, which the others echoed. They collectively raised their horns my way with an expected, "Skál!"

I waved and lightly bowed my head. It was an honor as well as an embarrassment, yet how could I not oblige them with acknowledgment at least? I held up both hands, including the chalice, and addressed their excitement. "Good Vanir people, I thank you. It is my honor to be among you to celebrate this young man and his chosen companion."

The crowd split, inviting me to make my way toward Regin at the center, who remained standing for me to arrive.

"I came from far away to defend this realm from Gorr, and now I've trekked that path again with my sons and wife. She's next door telling stories of our exploits in the bedroom, no doubt. All of us who've kept happy homes know a few truths in this matter, do we not?" I looked Regin in the eye with a teasing smirk. It was all too easy to feed his, and the rest of the men's, curiosity. "You know better than to expect your wife to lay for you at every whim. But my dear boy, if she ever kneels before you, do not dare ask her to stand."

The older men who'd been bound for some time burst into laughter with this, while the boys who remained single glanced at one another for clarification—of course, other than the innuendo, I wouldn't say. I didn't give them anything more to carry on about and embraced Regin as soon as I was close enough to do so.

"I haven't forgotten what you already said the first time I tried to do this," Regin said to my ear. "Thanks to you, I'll now have the opportunity to dote on Idunn as she deserves."

"You won't regret it," I said, pulling away to look him in the eye. He was still quite a bit shorter than I was, but the clarity and youth he once had written all over his countenance was gone. It had only been weeks, but because of the battle, Regin was no longer a boy. He was a man, armed with experience if not real armor. His father would've been proud—so I was proud by proxy.

Freyr entered the men's chamber just as our exchange ended. He was met with cheers and applause of his own, somewhat diluting the seriousness of the occasion, though that was more appropriate in my eyes; the couple had enough poor surprises and deserved some semblance of a happy ending.

"Stay with us, Loki," Freyr said in a calculated manner. It hid an agenda behind his words that wasn't worth seeking now. "Hold out that chalice—the women have started."

The energy around the room was wholly different from the last attempt. While the men arranged in concentric circles with their backs to Regin, I was mesmerized by the sparkling quality of the sacred water as Freyr poured it next to me. He asked Regin the same monotonous questions I already knew by heart, though I answered them myself with greater appreciation for their gravity. Yes, I understand. And more than that, I know the secrets of this place...the river's waters come from no great fountain as it's said. Those precious drops are gifts without a guaranteed supply. One must be worthy. The concept of worthiness trailed through my life like poetry. Perhaps if the realm itself found value in me, there was still a chance my sons could seek their own worth anywhere they wished.

Freyr directed me to chant beside him, and all ears were piqued to any sound Regin made during the ritual. The minutes were tense for all in audience as we fought against a childish desire to turn around.

Regin broke the peace with his baritone timbre, this time far more subdued. "Aye, it is done."

Freyr turned to take the goblet from him and promptly handed it to me like a servant. "Have you learned something about what you fear, what you desire, and the obstacles you must avoid?"

Regin wiped his face of presumably joyful tears given the brightness in his cheeks. "I have."

"Do you feel true to your bride and prepared to bind with her as your chosen companion?"

"Of course," he said.

Freyr grinned and shifted his eyes to me. "You remember what comes next, don't you?"

A final custom, invented by Mother. Gods, it was a blur to me since I was so distracted. But in my mind, it was still beautiful. "I do. Regin, please stand."

(SIGYN)

Idunn was all smiles when her time with the river was over, and the same giddy girls who played with her hair eagerly blindfolded her for the final surprise. As Vanir, though, I felt it was unlikely she didn't know what awaited her in the hall—she was undoubtedly anxious to see her chosen one without the fear of monsters at the door.

A wave of nostalgia flowed over me when the minder of Idunn's ritual directed the rest of us out to the hallway. I missed Grid more than ever, and the secondhand excitement of the young woman's last kiss as a maiden was infectious; at least, I chose to believe that I wasn't alone with my fluttering heart.

The crowd of men approached, and all left a bubble of open space for the couple to meet. Freyr, with his arm locked around Regin's elbow, nodded at the woman's leader with Idunn, and their hands were brought together. No words were shared—as I'd predicted, they knew what to expect.

Loki, always a head above everyone else like myself, grinned at the presentation. He was somehow more handsome—his hair flowed with shiny softness over his shoulders. His face was bright and angular, etched with time, so much more appealing than the soft youth of Regin. Was it the light? The wine? Or was I simply wistful for the thrill of first times?

Regin stroked Idunn's hair slowly, smiling and sniffling with joy, but not yet leaning in for more contact. She couldn't stop giggling.

"What are you waiting for?" Loki said, stoking the crowd into cheers.

Taking his cue, Regin took the girl's face in both hands and leaned down to her. She lifted her right foot reflexively, lifted in spirit if not in reality. Their kiss made my arms break out in goosebumps and sent a shiver up my back. Oh, such sweet romance.

Applause rang out through the wide halls and a few let off snapping spells and yells of "Skál!" I clapped and bit my lower lip without thinking, only becoming aware of my expression when Loki raised a brow at me. Heat flooded my cheeks like it hadn't in years, and I reveled in flirting with him from a distance.

Regin removed his blindfold and Idunn's, then addressed all of us, raising his hands to quiet the celebration. "My friends, I am so grateful for your presence and your care. When Idunn and I first tried to start our lives together, we saw misfortune in our future instead of delight." With this, the crowd grumbled, nodding in understanding. He waited for their reactions to settle before continuing. "After that night, my father—may he rest in Valhalla—told me that another couple came before us who met a similar fate."

My heart jumped. I felt as if my feet were on a pedestal, though no one looked at me, so why was I so exposed?

"He said they overcame their strife and found the happiness they hoped for. Had they not, our fight with Gorr might have ended with far more bloodshed."

Loki blinked quickly and tried to catch Freyr's gaze, though the old man avoided him on purpose and watched Regin instead. A smile laced with suspicious trickery hid beneath the old man's beard.

"Aye," Freyr said, stepping forward. "Hriedmar saw them bound together in this hall. Some of us were here and witnessed their final unbound kiss, did we not? Quite a tearful event."

"Aye!" many people cried, and the few women around me backed away, setting me apart on purpose. My instincts were correct, but why?

Regin took Idunn's hand and held her close, like they'd already been together for ages and not a shred of doubt remained between them. They were happy, secure, and like many young couples, were certain they had all the secrets of success decoded. There was room in their celebration for a little gratitude. "My dearest and I believe we should extend our thanks with a gift they can only give each other."

It was another cue—this time, to everyone else. The women produced some kind of stepping stool to meet my height and tie a blindfold over my face while I anxiously gasped and forced myself to hold still. My body wobbled from the drink, but someone grasped my hand to keep me steady. Loki's low chuckle met my ears, and I focused on him alone. His sound. His breath. How beautiful he was a moment ago when I saw him with my eyes. I painted his image in my mind the way I'd done in adolescence when I dreamed of him and prayed he'd someday notice me.

Freyr's callused hand took mine and he spoke quietly under the crowd's delight. "Do you remember what I told you, Sigyn?"

How could I not? It was etched within me. "You told me to take him well, for he needs me."

"And I was right, wasn't I, Loki?"

My dear husband laughed openly. "Yes, Uncle. You were right. And I need her still."

"I feel you were owed another chance at this. Are you ready?"

"Yes," I said in unison with Loki, beyond grateful that given this opportunity, he welcomed it. Again and again, he proved how much he'd changed and grown. With one hand against mine, Loki lightly caressed my cheek, spurring more shivers all over me.

He leaned down, but not with a kiss. With a whisper. "Let's give them a good show, shall we?"

I hummed affirmatively, welcoming his forceful kiss, which earned us louder applause than I remembered all those years ago. But he didn't disappoint. Loki swept me into his arms and spun, making me grip his shoulders tightly. Under my hands, cold metal appeared. My frock became looser and flowed over my legs. Our impressed spectators cooed at Loki's power, and before putting me down, he removed my blindfold and tossed it to the floor. Before me was a scene from my distant memories—his formal horns and armor, flowing cape, and perfect recreation of my own black binding gown.

"Behold, my Princess Sigyn!" Loki yelled, presenting me with a light bow.

I curtseyed, though I couldn't stop giggling, and my body buzzed. Idunn was right—he was my prince, my companion, my great love. Finding his lips in the absence of tears was a second chance I didn't know I needed.