The Dark World | Book 3

Twenty-One: Reunited in the Shadows

Warm water caresses Sigyn's body. Hugging all parts of her and bringing warmth to her bones. It felt like a relief to be able to wash down her hair. She watched as the speckles of sand are washed out of her hair and drained into the bathwater. Her maiden sits behind her with a brush to bring the white back out in her hair and be rid of the sand in her hair. Asgard's moons and many stars shines an ethereal glow over the palace.

Sigyn sighed into the massage that the bristles on the brush gives. She takes the soap and washes away the grim on her arms. The events of today happened all at once. Everything at the same time when it felt like it should have been a long time to take place. She felt drained and burdened with the knowledge that Loki was now Odin.

"You have been quiet, Princess." her maidens says, tipping the jug of water over her hair and squeezing out the excess.

"It has been a dreary day." she replied, washing her legs inside the water. Soft billows of steam spiral up and fade into the air. "With recent events that have past."

"I wanted to give you my condolences for Loki." she mused. "Again."

"Again." repeated Sigyn, amused slightly. "Yes, again. And this time I am not upset. Is that strange?"

Her maiden stopped brushing, puzzled on how to answer this question.

Sigyn shrugged. "I suppose not since I have already done my mourning for his death. I feel I know my place in things now. The Princess of Asgard." she strongly assured.

"And you will be queen one day?"

"The future may hold many surprises for us still." Sigyn turned to her maiden. "Go and rest. I can finish up here." and her maiden nodded, obeying her Princess and left the bath chamber quickly without hesitation. Sigyn turned back and sunk into the water until just her chin was above the surface. She allowed her body to float weightlessly in the water.

She closed her eyes and breathed in.

That is when she heard voices in the next room over. Arguing. She recognised the voice of her maiden and... Odin. Sigyn sits up in the tub trying to make out the voices. "The Princess is bathing!" Her maiden stood in the pathway of Odin. "She requests to not be disturbed."

"Sigyn is my..." Odin stopped. "Will you tell her I require to see her. It is important... council matters."

"She is undressed, All-Father. You may not enter!"

Sigyn stands up and the water rushed down her body with the disturbance. She steps over the edge and onto the cold floor tile. She pulled her robe around her body and tied it flush. The silk fabric becoming wet and clings to her body. Sigyn rings the water from her hair and tucks her feet into slippers. She marches across the bathhouse and into the next chamber. A trail of water trickled behind her.

Odin stopped arguing with the maiden and looked up. "Ah!" he said, surprised.

Sigyn's maiden turned and gasped. She rushed over quickly and through a blanket over Sigyn's shoulder to cover her breast. "All-Father." spits Sigyn. "What brings you to my private bath chamber?"

Odin cleared his throat. "I needed to urgently speak with you. I was not aware you were being attended to."

"And what gave you the right to argue with my maiden when she was doing her duties and trying to protect my honour?" Sigyn's maiden stopped and blushed, looking to then see what Odin's horrible punishment would be.

Odin chuckled. "I would never compromise the Princess."

"Oh really?" laughed Sigyn. "You may all leave us." she announced. Her maiden and the two guards following Odin, turned and left them in the bathhouse. They did not hesitate when it came to the All-Father and the Princess. Sigyn stood in the doorway and waited for Odin to speak. She gestured a hand to him; silent.