"Before we proceed," Odin's voice boomed from his throne as he glared down at Sky and Loki. He had seemingly backtracked in the last thirty seconds - his prerogative, certainly, but not a good sign. His gaze settled on Sky in particular. She may have been a Valkyrie, due all the honor and respect of that station, but Odin was king. He controlled the Valkyrie on Asgard. Respect was not hers by default, not merely because of her wings.

Sky stood her ground, refusing to be cowed. She was an Alpha, and Loki was rightfully under her protection for as long as they both chose. He wasn't foolish enough to reject a gift ally. He wouldn't be denying her protection anytime soon.

"Before we proceed," Odin repeated, ensuring he had their undivided attention, "what right have you to place the Omega-Prince under your protection? What gives you the right to speak on his behalf?"

Sky was an unknown to him. Of course, Odin would demand an answer.

She had known this was coming. That didn't mean she wanted to do this. She didn't want to give him her story. He didn't deserve it.

She glanced at Loki and saw the hint of worry in his eyes. He didn't know her either. He trusted her because of her wings.

Odin might not deserve the truth, but Loki did.

Sky closed her eyes and took a steadying breath before stepping forward. As they moved, their form shifted. Their new shape was neither male nor female, but somewhere in between. Their black wings remained. Their skin paled to a light blue hue, Jotun markings appearing across it. Their hair lost its dye, reverting to its natural black. One eye gleamed Jotun red, the other a brilliant green.

"I am Alpha Skylinar," they announced to the room at large, standing tall beneath Odin's scrutiny. They felt the ripple of shock around them but refused to let it faze them. "Child of the Valkyrie Helina, who sacrificed her wings and titles to save Queen Frigga's life."

It had happened before Frigga and Odin had married, centuries ago. Sky's mother had severed her own wings, the sacrifice granting her the power to heal Frigga from the lethal overdose of poison her kidnappers had used. Then, still bleeding, she had slain every one of them. She had been honored for her sacrifice—but she had lost her place among the Valkyrie and had gone to live on Midgard after, though only few knew that part of the story.

"Child also of Astilar, Under-King of Southern Jotunheim, as it was known before the Great War."

Gasps and murmurs of confusion rippled through the hall. Sky continued, mostly for the princes, who would have learned only the redacted history—not the truth.

"High-King Laufey ordered his Under-Kings of the North, South, East, and West to take groups of Jotun refugees to other realms, to establish colonies. He wished for at least some of his people to survive the war, even if it had to be elsewhere. The Jotuns spread among the stars. But enough remained behind to make it believable that their defeat had been absolute."

Loki's eyes widened, his mind already piecing together the implications. Sky could see the gears turning.

Thor, by contrast, was stunned. Poor princeling. He had never learned that history was written by the victors. He would learn soon enough.

"I am a Prince by blood and right and a Valkyrie by birth and training." Sky met Odin's gaze unflinchingly. "Those, Allfather, are my credentials for protecting Prince Loki."

Sky believed in Omega rights. Loki could make his own choices in courtship, and Sky would respect that. So they added,

"They are also the same credentials that grant me the right to court him—if he allows it."