Loyalty and Mischief (WIP)

Chapter 41 - If I'm burning a bridge, let it burn

A/N Since Lady Loki is now in the story, I will gradually shift Loki's he/his pronouns to she/hers until it becomes definite in the next chapter. Characters will also discuss this change in the story.

Though the Olympians were quick in re-accommodating the Asgardians, Sigyn refused to stay. By dawn, she and the others were packed and more than ready to leave. It pained her to have to entrust Loki's safety to Rúna and have the young handmaiden support his still-unconscious form while on horseback, but Sigyn had no choice. She and Fandrall were the only ones properly trained in combat, and she was now the sole magic-wielder in their company. They'd briefly discussed the possibility of having Loki pulled on a stretcher behind a pair of horses, but the narrow mountain path and the danger of encountering another of Olympus' defences on their descent quickly made them reject that idea.

It'll have to do, mused Sigyn, as she gathered the last of her belongings. I would've preferred to summon the Bifrost and return straight to Asgard, but Loki went into a frenzy at the thought of Rúna and Fandrall seeing him in his current state. I don't even want to think about what he'll do if I take him to —

"I suppose I can't convince you to reconsider?"

Sigyn gave a frustrated groan at hearing Hermes' voice behind her. She turned to the Grecian. The way he so casually leaned against the doorway made her want to rethink her decision to take the high ground and give in to her fire's beckoning call. Though Aphrodite was the one who'd cursed Loki, Sigyn was certain Hermes had played a part in it. She folded her arms across her chest and replied, "No, you cannot. I want to take Loki away from here before he —"

"She."

Sigyn's brow pinched at the abrupt interruption. "What?"

"Loki isn't a 'he' anymore, but a 'she'," clarified Hermes. "She always insisted on using the correct pronoun when she was in this form, so best get used to it now."

It took every ounce of Sigyn's willpower to not set that stuck-up halfwit aflame. Especially with that taunting smirk at the corner of his mouth.

"Apollo is almost fully healed," he went on casually. "Asclepius had his work cut out for him, though. Had his father not made it, I doubt he would've allowed his eldest daughter to tend to Loki. We're quite a... rancorous lot when it comes to loved-ones."

"I'm surprised you know the meaning of that word."

Hermes raised a brow in amusement at Sigyn's sneer. "Olympians basically wrote the book on petty vengeance, so yes, I know that word and all others relating to it."

She pressed her lips into a thin line, not bothering to correct him. Hermes knew perfectly well what word she'd meant. "What do you want, Hermes?"

"Just making sure you have everything you need for the journey back."

"Why don't I believe that?"

The smirk widened. "Hm, you caught me."

Hermes pushed himself away from the door and sauntered toward the bed, his fingers tapping on the table's wooden surface as he passed it. He picked up the white bed sheets — the sheets Loki had been lying under just a few minutes ago — and held them against his nose. He shut his eyes as he inhaled deeply.

"Mmm, there it is. That is the scent I remember. Fresh pine clashing with the deep aroma of newly fallen snow and a hint of feminine frailty. Fates, even after all these centuries, it's still the most arousing fragrance I've ever —"

The echo of Sigyn's slap cut off his words. The Olympian slowly turned his head back to her, his fingertips touching where her palm had struck his cheek.