Loyalty and Mischief (WIP)

Chapter 26 - The sweet fulfilment of their secret longing

Of all the places the Allfather could have summoned him to, the Vault was the last place Loki had expected. Asgard's treasury was strictly off-limits, especially to him. There had been the occasional visit with Thor under his father's watchful eye in his childhood, but since then, Loki hadn't been permitted anywhere near the room. 
He' tried to get in once, when he was still a princeling. Not necessarily to cause mischief, but to test his skills. To his astonishment, the door had opened rather easily for his magic, but it'd been a trap. Odin had known about Loki's intent the moment he'd appeared in the corridor leading to the Vault and had allowed him access, only to awaken the Destroyer once inside. His father had waited outside, mildly amused by Loki's failed attempt but also impressed by his narrow escape of the great sentinel. He'd warned him not to try again, a warning Loki had taken to heart.

Father knows I've not come near the Vault again, he pondered. I may test the limits of his patience a lot, but not on this. Why would he ask we meet there instead of the throne room, or even his chambers? 

Anxious, Loki turned the corner, halting to find the Allfather already awaiting his arrival. Odin's usual stern expression was soft today, almost kind even. Loki did not trust this at all. He greeted Odin cautiously. "Father... you wanted to see me?" 

"Yes, thank you for coming so quickly." The door to the Vault opened. "Please, come in with me."

Loki followed at what he deemed a safe distance. He didn't believe Odin would ever harm him, but the man had a temper, and it didn't bode well he wanted to discuss something away from interruption and without Frigga's interference. The son scrutinised the father as they descended into the Vault, wondering what he had planned.

"How have you been, Loki?" asked Odin casually. "Since returning to Asgard, I mean? You were gone for a long time."

"Um... well enough, I suppose. Not much has changed in thirty years."

"And yet, everything has."

Loki cocked his head questioningly when Odin beckoned him down with him. He hesitated a moment, looking to see if the Destroyer was still tucked away before finally sitting beside his father on the steps.

"How is Sigyn?"

His father's question caught Loki by surprise. Odin talked to Sigyn plenty of times. He knew perfectly well how she was. "Why do you ask?" 

"Can I not inquire how my daughter fares?"

Now Loki knew something was wrong. Odin had never called Sigyn his daughter aloud before — not before they left for Midgard, nor since they returned two months ago. Despite the occasional public sign of affection and their conversations at the dinner table, Loki knew Odin yet feared Sigyn. If he even had the slightest reason for believing the fire mage was a threat, he would act, removing the most important obstacle first. 
Loki prepared himself for the worst, expecting that at any moment, the Destroyer or Heimdall would jump out to contain him while Odin ordered for his wife's arrest or worse. His father noted his caution and spoke, "You have nothing to fear, Loki. I promise I truly only wish to know how she is."

"Sigyn is well," answered Loki carefully. "She is happy to be with family."

"And we are happy with her," Odin reacted. "Apart from being a rare beauty, Sigyn is one of the most intelligent and caring beings I have ever encountered. And our people have taken her into their heart."

"As she has them."

The Allfather nodded. "She would have made an excellent Queen."

Loki scoffed under his breath. As if Odin would have ever allowed his precious firstborn to be bound in matrimony to a fire mage. That (pretend) arrangement had been Thor's idea, not his. Odin would have given them a few days, perhaps a week or two, and then he would have ensured something to befall Sigyn. An accident, or an assassination attempt on the Crown Prince where his new bride instead got caught in the crossfire. And if this terrible tragedy had then turned out to kill Loki's illegitimate child as well, all the better.