Consequences

12

The next morning, Loki woke in Sigyn's bed and hated himself just a little more for not being able to break her spell. He had tried, but whatever magic she used was powerful and whispered to him that he had agreed to this every time he tested the limits of resistance. He prayed that somehow Brynja would forgive him.

Sigyn awoke shortly after and commanded him to dress. She was particularly gleeful, forcing him to kiss her good morning and to then create the illusion of his full armour. She walked around him, inspecting the illusion, and kissed his cheek.

"Loki, darling, today we begin the best part of this little revenge plot- the bit where you destroy your own life. You are going to take a walk into the city square today. And when you do, you are going to get everyone's attention and announce that Loki of Jotunheim seeks to reclaim his rightful place in the halls of his true father. You will announce to all who hear that you are Jotun, not of Asgard, a foundling Odin brought home as a trophy from his war. You will reveal the form of your birth, and then you will vanish and return to me. Is that clear? Oh, and given that today is a public holiday, the day Bor vanquished Svartalfheim, you will do so at the peak of the celebration."

Loki was terrified by this entire prospect and tried to protest, but she placed a finger to his lips, "Nope. You don't get to protest. You will do this proudly, as though you have been planning this all along. And you will threaten Bel somewhere during this little display so that word will inevitably get to him of your treachery."

"I wish to write my letter." Sigyn started to say no, but Loki interrupted, "You agreed to let me write one letter to each of those who are my blood, in addition to my wife. A letter you do not see, a letter I can send when I need it most."

Sigyn angrily went to her desk and pulled out a rumpled stack of paper and a pen, "Write quickly. You will not miss the peak of this celebration for your letter. You cannot avoid my commands this way."

"I do not intend to. But I do intend to write a letter."

Sigyn walked away and let him sit, "Who is this one to?"

"My brother's son."

"You have no brother."

The corners of Loki's lips curled up in a small smile, "No, you are right- I killed him. But his son still lives."

Confused, Sigyn asked, "Where?"

"In Jotunheim." After writing the letter and sealing it, Loki made it vanish and then turned to Sigyn, "You do not get to see it. That was our agreement."

She pressed her lips together and huffed, "You will pay for that, sorcerer. Tonight. But first this realm has an announcement to hear from its dark prince. You'd best be going, there's not much time before you need to be in the square."