Loyalty and Mischief (WIP)

Chapter 20 - I'm right out here for you, just let me in

"How is she?"

Loki looked up as Thor entered the healing room. He quickly put a finger to his lips, and his brother froze in the middle of the room, afraid to move any further. They both held their breath as Sigyn stirred, but she remained with huddled under the covers. Loki drew closer, finding she was still asleep, thank Odin.
Sigyn had woken up a few times during the night, crying and screaming in terror, her dreams filled with the dreadful memories of what had happened. At first, Loki had rocked his wife back to sleep with whispering words of comfort and love, but after the fourth time, he could no longer bear to witness her agony. He had prepared a sleeping draught, ensuring a dreamless slumber. It should have allowed Loki to rest as well, but his concern for Sigyn kept him awake, jerking toward her at the slightest stirring, the slightest change in her breathing. Frigga had returned shortly after dawn, but Loki had still refused to leave his beloved. 

Loki beckoned his brother to the window, so they could speak without disturbing Sigyn. He briefly peered outside. The sky was grey, packed clouds blocking out any sunlight, and the usual turbulent waters underneath the Bifrost were still. There was not a bird in sight, and the city below was silent. It seemed Asgard itself had joined him in his anguish.

"How fares she?" asked Thor again, trying to keep his voice low. 

"In pain," answered Loki, wearily. "The healers have done the best they could, but her body and her mind are broken. And..."

Loki pressed his lips together when he realised how hard it was to say it out loud. He averted and swallowed the lump in his throat before he continued in an almost inaudible murmur, "We lost our baby."

Thor gasped and glanced sadly at Sigyn's sleeping figure before putting a comforting hand on Loki's shoulder. "I am sorry, brother. Truly."

Loki shrugged him off. He did not care for apologies. Fortunately, Thor's limited attention span allowed for a change in the topic as his eyes searched the room. He asked, "Where is Astrid? I know the two of you are not the best of friends, but that should not have stopped her from coming here. Not with Sigyn hurt."

"Astrid is no longer with us."

Thor furrowed his brow at Loki's sudden bitter tone of voice. "What do you mean?"

"She was Lady's Sunna's spy in Asgard. She informed her of everything; Mother's search for a bride for you, your arguments, our marriage, of Sigyn being..."

Loki's voice constricted in his throat. It was too damn painful to speak of the child he would never know. He took a deep breath, willing himself to remain calm in front of his brother. But it seemed like Thor himself was about to lose his temper at the revelation. 

"Astrid should stand trial as well," he spoke with gritted teeth and balled fists. "Tell me where she has gone, and I will —"

"Thor, you are not hearing me. She is no longer with us."

His brother drew back a little, his eyes narrowed at Loki. Then he nodded, understanding without words what he truly meant. 

"How?" he asked. 

"Doesn't matter," said Loki. "She is dead; that is all you need to know. Please do not press the issue further. For Sigyn's sake."

He shot Thor an intense but pleading look. He couldn't let his brother discover the truth about Astrid. Thor could keep a secret most of the time, but no longer after drinking his fair share of mead. And if something were to slip out in his drunken state to Volstagg, the whole of Asgard would know in little less than an hour.

"Very well," consented Thor upon noting Loki's insistence. "But have a story ready when you next see Fandrall. Astrid finally answered his advances, and he will wonder where she is."