The Dark World | Book 3

Twenty: Dawn of A New Age

Her dreams often painted a different scene—a grander one, a brighter vision. In those dreams, the throne room gleamed with light, the throne itself pristine and glorious. It was a symbol of power, a conqueror's chair. A king's seat. The steps she had climbed all her life now felt like the peak of a mountain she had only dared to dream of. It was a surreal vision, one she could almost touch.

Sigyn's fingers reached out, grazing the golden armrest, expecting the warmth of the precious metal, as though it held the sun itself. Instead, the cold metal stung her fingertips like ice, sending a shiver through her. Was this truly the throne of Asgard? Grand, but cold. Destroyed. The gold that once shone bright had been crumpled, melted, twisted into ruins, scattered across the steps. Chunks of what had once formed the backrest of the throne lay in fragments, scattered like the broken dreams of an empire.

"Princess," came the voice of Odin.

Sigyn quickly withdrew her hand, turning to face him with a smile. "All-Father," she greeted warmly, as though she were still the princess in the court, always poised for polite conversation, speaking the formal words she had learned. "A fine afternoon," she added, the words flowing with practiced ease.

"Yes," Odin grunted, his gaze heavy as he settled into the remains of the throne. "It is time. He is here."

The weight of their situation pressed down on Sigyn. She hadn't felt the full extent of their scheme until now. Thor. The one person who could see through Loki's illusions. The one person who could expose them both if they weren't careful. Would he see the truth in Odin's eyes? Would he sense that something was wrong? The stakes were higher than ever, and for a moment, Sigyn faltered in her resolve. She glanced at Odin, her heart racing. She feared for what might come next.

They hadn't been granted a moment alone since their return from Svartalheim. Sigyn still had to play her part, to maintain the illusion that she was simply a princess, and he was still the All-Father, as if nothing had changed. As if everything were still as it once was.

And yet, in her mind, she couldn't shake the nagging worry. What if Thor saw through them? What if, despite everything, he could tell that this wasn't his father sitting upon the throne? Would the illusion hold? Could they truly deceive him?

Sigyn stepped back from the throne, her eyes lingering on the ruin of what should have been. She took a step down, distancing herself from the image that once had been the symbol of authority.

"Let him in!" Odin commanded, his voice thick with authority, though Sigyn could sense the tension beneath it. He, too, was worried. His confidence in their plan wavered just as hers did.

The doors of the throne room opened, and Prince Thor strode in with purpose. The god of thunder, in full regalia—his red cape billowing behind him, Mjolnir in hand—walked confidently down the long corridor toward the throne. He knelt before Odin, his stance one of triumph. His very presence was a testament to his success.

"Father," Thor greeted, still kneeling, his voice filled with respect and determination. "I have returned with news of my triumph and to explain my actions."

Odin remained silent for a moment longer than was usual, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied his son. Sigyn held her breath, her heart racing as the tension between them thickened. Was this the moment? Would Thor realize the truth?

For just a moment, Sigyn wondered if the façade would hold. Would their web of deception unravel now?

"Please, Father, I beg you," Thor began, his voice heavy with guilt. "First, I ask that you spare Sigyn from any punishment. She does not deserve it. I brought her into this mess, and I plead that she not suffer for my actions. They were mine alone. She is kind, good, and she loved Loki more than anything. I am the one who broke him out of his cell. Not Sigyn. I am the one who deceived Loki, Sigyn, and all my warrior friends into following my plan to steal the ship, take Jane Foster, and lure Malekith to Svartalheim. It was my intention to cure Jane of The Aether, but in my foolishness, I allowed Malekith to take it. I allowed Loki to die."