Soulbonds and Fairy Dust

Chapter 18

The entire court had to stand when Odin and Frigga entered the hall. Thor had to rush to stand by his seat next to Odin's, since he wasn't in the right spot. Oaf. The king and queen made their way to the head table and Frigga kissed Loki's cheek as she moved to take her own seat next to him.

Odin remained standing for a moment and it was he who made things worse on Sig's nerves. "It is my honor to announce that Lady Sigyn Freyadotir, duchess of Asgard, Goddess of Fidelity has been found and returned to us after so many centuries. Not only that but she and my son Loki have become soulbound," he announced, sounding proud of both of these occurrences. Loki was surprised that Odin sounded proud about him, though he kept his expression carefully neutral. He didn't want the court to see that he was wary of Odin's response. He kept his expression calm, especially since Sigyn was digging her nails into Loki's hand and had been since Odin spoke her full name with her titles. Loki covered her hand with his, trying to ease her nerves and fear. He sensed her emotions and didn't like them.

Names had power. Sigyn knew that better than most. And Odin had just announced hers for the entire court. Announced who and what she was like it was nothing.

And it scared the absolute shit out of her.

Odin finally sat and dinner was served. "Sorry," Sig murmured to Loki when she saw nail marks in his hand while they were being served. She used a drop of power to heal the marks she'd left.

Loki gave her a reassuring smile, gentle and loving and not at all like the dark prince that the court thought him to be. "Don't worry about it, darling,"

"I wish he hadn't done that," she said softly, still on edge from having her name announced like that. She was in the habit of hiding her truename. "Also where in the nine realms did 'Goddess of Fidelity' come from?" she asked in shock, finally getting to that part of the problem. She'd never had that title before she was taken.

"It was what you were supposed to be the goddess of before you were taken by the fae," Loki explained.

"I don't think I ever knew that..." she replied softly. She couldn't remember knowing that before and that didn't seem like something she'd forget or make herself forget.

"I didn't officially receive my godhead until I was around 500, but mother knew what I would be since I was a child. I imagine it was the same for you." Loki told her.

Sig considered that and nodded. "But you're a prince. Of course, you'd receive a godhead at some point. I'm not royalty," she reminded him quite logically in her opinion.

He chuckled. "Darling, you are my best friend and have been since we were children. You're close to my mother and a noble of Asgard. All nobles receive a godhead," he reminded her. Clearly she'd forgotten.

Sig closed her eyes and seemed to have remembered something when she opened them again. "Mama was goddess of beauty," she said softly as she remembered that tidbit. Loki gave her a small sad smile and wrapped an arm around her reassuringly. She gave him a small smile in return. "I think the court is about to blow a gasket over the dark prince touching a lady," she teased him to lighten the mood again.

He chuckled warmly and it was nice to hear the old familiar sound of his laughter again. "Like I care. They can think of me however they wish. It doesn't faze me,"

"Sure it doesn't, peacock," she teased him warmly.

Frigga turned to her son during dinner. "Have you been enjoying showing her lady around the palace?" she asked him kindly.

"I actually haven't had a chance to yet," he admitted a bit sheepishly. "Though, on that note, there is something we wish to speak to you about after dinner. Without Father," he added quickly, too vehemently.