Loyalty and Mischief (WIP)

Chapter 16 - Don't forget it, you'll regret it; mother knows best

As predicted, the feasting continued for several days until after the wedding. Dignitaries from most of the Nine Realms came to pay their respects and congratulate Sigyn and Loki. The couple entertained their guests and celebrated with them, but they never stayed too long. And none said anything about it. They were newlyweds, after all. They had far better things to do than converse with this ambassador or dance with that representative.

The apartments that had so hastily been made ready for the Crown Prince and his bride were now Loki and Sigyn's. All their belongings were brought to their new lodgings on the far side of the palace. The rooms themselves were similar yet smaller to what Frigga and Odin had — a newly wedded couple had no need for separate bedrooms, after all. 
Loki and Sigyn could entertain guests in their presence chamber, finely decorated with tapestries and art and a great chandelier with ornate gold leaves. A private parlour and study, with a grand bookcase and many magical objects Loki had collected, gave more privacy but still allowed family and dear friends to be welcomed as well. 
The private bed chamber held a grand canopy bed, a vanity for Sigyn, and an opulent wardrobe. The balcony, big enough to hold a smaller golden version of the Yggdrasil Tree and a loveseat swing, gave out on the most spectacular view. No longer of the city, as in Sigyn's previous room, but of the forests, the rivers, the mountains... 
And just beside the bedchamber, an enclosure with a step-in alabaster bath basin carved into the floor, large enough to immerse oneself entirely. One other room remained, but Loki insisted on it remaining locked. A surprise, he said. And not the only one.

When the Prince brought his wife to their new home, Sigyn wept with joy at seeing the blushing tulips in the presence-chamber, the fair lilies in the parlour, the delicate orchids in the enclosure, and, of course, the treasured roses in their bedchamber. Each flower bloomed and bloomed, never to wither. The snow-white petals held a crimson edge; each blue vein bore a magical golden glistening. No longer were they the product of merely Loki's magic, but of them both. Sigyn's union with him could not have been better represented. Timeless. Flawless. And all theirs.
For the first time in Sigyn's life, she felt no desire to escape. Being with Loki, sleeping and waking in his arms without worrying if someone were to discover them, hearing him say he loved her in that alluring voice, not caring if another heard, and having him make love to her, ravishing her utterly, no longer in fear of what it could lead to, was pure bliss. Sigyn was where she wanted to be. Where she was meant to be. She, at long last, found her happily ever after.

If only that joy could have lasted for a little while longer. If only the monster of Sigyn's past had been kept at bay.

***

Loki awoke, sensing the light of dawn upon his face. It peered through the curtains at the open balcony, a soft morning breeze making the drapes rustle. He sighed contently and looked down at his beloved wife. Sigyn lay perfectly aligned with his body, her hand over his chest and her head resting on his shoulder, as Loki's arm held her in his embrace. He smiled and drew her closer to press a gentle kiss on her brow. Carefully, he slipped away, but when he sat at the edge of the bed, he suddenly found Sigyn's arms around him. Her naked breasts pressed against his back as she leaned in over his shoulder to ask, "And where do you think you are going, dear husband?"

"Thor asked me to meet with him. Go back to sleep. It's early still."

"So you would rather spend your morning with your brother than with me? I doubt he has the same activity in mind that I have."

Loki chuckled at his wife's obvious intent. "How are you not exhausted after what we did last night? Or this past week, for that matter?"

"Hmm," Sigyn brushed her lips against his neck, "I could ask you the same thing."