I awoke to birdsong, the fire had gone out in the night and a chill swept through the cabin. I grabbed a leather strap and quickly braided my hair to keep it off my face.

I could hear everyone's even breathing as I sat up blearily looking at their restful faces.

Erland's wife and children slept closely together, and I smiled as I looked at his children's angelic faces. 

I shivered and sighed as I reluctantly pulled myself out from under my pelts. I pulled my boots on and suddenly remembered who else I was sharing a cabin with.

When I had come in the night before the everyone was asleep and I didn't wish to bother them so I had crept to my bed and crawled under the covers almost immediately falling asleep.

Prince Loki's raven hair was mussed slightly and his lips were parted as he breathed deeply.

Blood rushed to my face as I remembered that heated kiss in the woods. I had to shake myself.

'Sigyn. there is no point in imagining what cannot be. Verdandi said something is coming. And that is what takes precedence.' 

I returned to my task and knelt down on the hard packed earthern floor to start up the fire.

I watched as the flames grew, their orange lights casting shadows on the walls.

my eyes traveled back unbidden to where Loki lay. I had the strangest desire to run my fingers through his hair...

But I had grown careless with the fire and the hungry flames had found my finger.

I hissed. Suddenly much more awake, and grit my teeth as Loki stired.

"Sigyn?" Loki asked his voice low and gravelly. "Are you alright?" He asked as he sat up, looking at my angry red finger. 

"Ya I just... er..." I waved my hand shamefully at the fire, doing my best not to loose myself in those wondrous green eyes. How could he look so beautiful the moment he woke up? That in itself was magic!

"...Burned yourself... Let me see." He asked extending his hand toward me. 

I hesitated for a moment looking at his outstretched hand.

"Let me see, Sigyn I can help you." He urged in a quiet voice. 

I relinquished my hand and shivered as his cold hands met mine.

"Watch this." Loki smirked as he placed his other hand on mine.

A green glow emanated from his hand and I gasped as I felt the pain leave my finger. I pulled away from him staring gobsmacked at my hand.

"Loki, that's amazing! You're amazing!"  

He blinked at me his face turning crimson. 

I stood up and stired the pot that sat over the rekindled flames.

Loki scuffed at the floor with his boot. 

"G'morning." I heard a tiny voice mumble. 

I looked up to see Erland's youngest child Brenna sitting up in her bed. Her curly blond hair fell about her shoulders in reckless abandon. 

"Good Morning Brenna!" I smiled.

"Auntie Sigyn where where you last night?" She asked cocking her head to the side.

"Ah, well I had some people to talk to! Now, what do you say to waking the household and having some food?" I smiled mischievously. 

Her green eyes lit up as she smiled back at me.

She bounded over to where her brother lay sleeping and shook him comically. "Colby Colby! Auntie Sigyn has our day meal ready!"

I smiled as Colby sat up abruptly and rubbed his eyes.

"Daddy daddy! Wake up!" Colby demanded, the promise of food no doubt motivating him to wake the rest of the clan.

Erland playfully shoved Colby off of his chest and greeted his wife with a kiss. I heard my mother stir in the other corner of the cabin. 

"Stew?" I asked Loki filling a bowl with the savory meat.

Loki took the bowl our fingers brushing, I shivered as Erland greeted everyone with a cheerful.

"Good-morning."