On your chamber door, a light tapping was heard. You promptly knew who resided on the other side based on the familiarity of their knock.

You gaze at Loki, whose naked body was wrapped around you while he slept. Clearly, the lengthy siege, the prior encampment outside the Embrodi walls, and the erotic reunion that he had only just took rest from had taken its toll on his body. He was exhausted, revealing that even gods require rest.

You decided to carefully disentangle his arms from around your waist and leave the bed, covering your naked body with your dressing gown before peeking through a small gap in the door. You did not want to subject your father to the unpleasantness of seeing Loki nude in his daughter's childhood bed.

"Good evening, Father." You greet him with slight embarrassment. You hoped that he nor anyone else was aware of the events that transpired behind your closed door.

"Dearest Eden. Maybe you should open your drapes. The moon has departed and been supplanted by the sun. The following morning has arrived."

"Has it really?" Your face conveyed surprise.

"Indeed. And I wonder, do you and your fiancé intend to exit the room and join us for breakfast?"

"Us?"

He turned his head to his left and peered down the long hallway. You followed his gaze and noticed a large number of familiar faces; your Jotun and Docat friends.

Everyone gave you a little wave and you awkwardly returned their gesture. It was evident from the expression on Ovahh's face that they were all aware of your erotic antics with Loki.

Your father leaned in and lowered his voice to a whisper. "They have not ceased feasting since the end of the siege. I fear that all of Embrodi's reserves will shortly be depleted."

You were amused.

"After your strategy of starvation, can you really blame them, father?"

"Hmm, I guess not. Anyway, will you join? I am missing you. And there is much to discuss."

You anticipated his eagerness to converse, and assumed he would need an explanation for your sudden transformation abilities. Likely wondering if you were still the same Eden.

"I am still me, father; I simply possess the ability to assume different forms."

"Oh, dear child. You are my daughter. I accept you regardless. I also need no explanation, as young Suri has explained it all to me. Her prunes and Loki's undying declaration of love saved you. I am eternally grateful."

"Oh, alright then," you smiled, "then I will of course join you for breakfast; please allow me a moment to get dres—"

Your door was abruptly opened farther, widening the small gap and providing your father with an unobstructed view of the destruction in your bedroom after your extremely wild sexual encounter.

You were now more appreciative of Loki's bed mending efforts. Had your father seen the pile of broken wood just a few hours ago, your current mortification would be even greater.

Loki stood tall behind you, smiling broadly as he observed the king.

"King Hoyd! The best of mornings to you!"

As he responded to Loki's cheerful salutation, your father couldn't decide where to direct his gaze and awkwardly stared at the floor.

"You are certainly in high spirits. I trust the gods bestowed upon you a pleasant and rejuvenating sleep?"

"The word 'pleasant' is so diminutive that it fails to adequately describe the incredible night I have had, during which I slept very little." Loki replied.

Your face flushed bright red as you understood what Loki was insinuating; however, you still pondered why your father avoided looking in his direction.

You hastily turned around to determine the cause and, to your horror, observed that Loki had adopted Jotun form and approached the door naked.

"Gods above! Why are you so bare?" You shriek.

"I think you know why, darling. Or do I need to explain?"

You gaze wide-eyed at his cheeky grin, unable to comprehend what could have prompted him to act so brazenly mischievous, especially in front of your father.

You quickly conceal his indecency with your body while reassuring your father that you will be out in just a moment. But as you attempted to close the door, Loki prevented you from doing so and continued his conversation with King Hoyd.

"Did you not say that anyone who entered the room while it was still under siege would be forced to endure a week alone with me? I believe that disobeying the direct command of the king and my future father-in-law would be extremely uncouth."

"Uh, I, I ..." King Hoyd stuttered.

"Oh, come now, King Hoyd. You stated it just yesterday. Surely your mind has not succumbed to dementia so young in age?"

King Hoyd frowned deeply. "I recall what I said, but I was unaware that Eden had entered the room."

"Nonetheless, an order is an order, and one must comply. Thus, Eden will remain here with me. Then, after the passage of six days, no more, no less, we will gladly join you at your table for breakfast."

Loki's brash assurance surprised you; he delivered his cunning in a way that your father could not possibly refute. You pondered whether he was indirectly causing your father a small amount of annoyance as retaliation for keeping you apart for so long.

"Please have the maids deliver breakfast to our room for the remainder of our punishment," Loki added.

Your father, incapable of objecting, merely nodded. You tenderly kissed his cheek and gave him apologetic eyes.

"Just six more days, father, then we will dine together and discuss whatever you wish."

You observed him as he proceeded down the hallway with slumped shoulders, returning to the Docats and Jotuns.

Loki unexpectedly slammed the door shut, and pressed you up against it. Encasing you wishing his strong Jotun arms.

"Leaving my bed is a crime. A crime that is punishable under my rule."

"I believe it is my bed you lay in. And you are presently residing in Embrodi... under my rule."

His eyes narrowed before his lips turned up into a smile.

"Touché, my queen."

"Now... Is there a reason why you were intentionally crude around my father? I'm confident he'd rather be whipped repeatedly than go through that awkward exchange again."

Loki's brows suddenly rose.  "Whipped!" He exclaimed.

Loki hurriedly shifted you aside so he could reopen the door, and as he scanned the corridor, he was relieved to see your father still present. He called out to him, prompting King Hoyd to immediately turn around and meet Loki's gaze.

"Please add whipped cream as an essential item with every mealtime order. Thank you." Loki once again slammed the door shut and turned to see you perched on the bed.

"Whipped cream?" You curiously ask.

"Yes, darling. An indispensable addition for our dessert."

"But we have no dessert."

He stalked towards you with hungry eyes.

"You," he declared, his fingers stroking your arm, "are my dessert."

You bite your lower lip as a mental picture of Loki licking whipped cream from your body flashes within your mind.

You were so engrossed in your thoughts that you did not feel Loki enter the bed until he physically drew you down. His flowing hair tickled your cheek as he hovered above you.

"We have six full days, darling. Six days of tranquility within this room prior to the announcement of our unity to all realms. One that will either elicit opposition or acceptance. So, I ask of you now, while we have this peaceful atmosphere within our secure bubble... will you lay with me and forget about the world?"

You suddenly grasp Loki's behaviour around your father.

"You don't believe that we will have this level of peace again, do you? That's why you advocated for us to remain in this room, away from the outside world."

He sighed.

You gently cradled his face.

"Then let us make the most of our peace. Making beautiful memories before any hardships arise. Six days in which nothing else matters; only you and I exist."

You feel his love for you oozing out of him as he softly presses his lips against yours. And in that precise moment, you wished time would cease, forever allowing you to live within his passionate embrace.

~~~

As Loki had foreseen, serenity did not return after those six blissful days of seclusion within your tranquil bedroom.

In the months that followed, a storm began to form. Opinions differed among the domains, with some siding with Caspian and the majority, to Loki's surprise, supporting him.

However, the small number of those who opposed him presented problems not only for your union, but also for the realms that actively supported Embrodi and Jotunheim.

Conflict was everywhere, and each passing day grew darker as you drowned in repetition, continually rebutting accusations levelled against Loki with the real truth, only to have your arguments fall on deaf ears.

It appeared as though there was no way out, until a glimmer of divine power caused people to heed.

They began to listen attentively to the tale of you, the coveted princess who braved the harsh climate to save Jotunheim from a kellite catastrophe.

The story rapidly spread. Surpassing Caspian's fabricated version, which had initially gained more traction due to Magritte's influence.

As more realms began to see through Caspian's falsehoods and recognise that Jotunheim was not a realm to be disregarded, Loki felt renewed optimism. He no longer felt plagued by guilt over his perception that he was dragging Embrodi down with him.

Loki knew that your tireless efforts, persuasive speeches, and public displays of affection towards him were what convinced the realm's leaders of the truth. He was perpetually appreciative of your abilities.

Though you and Loki endured the tribulations of horrible opinions, you still found solace each night to plan your wedding. It was your one opportunity per day to cast everything else out of your minds and concentrate on one another.

Eventually, after many months of hardship, that wonderful day arrived, and in the presence of all those you loved, the two of you finally united in marriage, becoming one.

Celebrations could be heard from all over the realms, with Jotunheim, Embrodi, and Asgard holding the grandest celebration in the entirety of recorded history. Reigning supreme over all others.

Even in inaccessible regions beyond the domains, word of your unity spread. A beautiful love tale that inspired those who struggled to be together to fight for their love. Soon, the names Eden and Loki became emblems of hope.

One individual, however, grew more incensed by the day.

Caspian.

Now disfigured with Loki's handprint on his face, a constant reminder of his failure to obtain you and obliterate Jotunheim, he was regarded as the exiled elf.

Still resentful and seeking vengeance, he enlisted Magritte to devise a plan.

A deplorable plan that even Magritte found difficult to digest. However, Caspian had become deranged with desire—a terrible urge to start an unholy war. He knew the only way to obtain it was to commit an act so heinous that Loki would be forced to rise up.

"Come sit, Magritte, and let us go over the plan again."

Magritte swallowed nervously. Her stomach could not endure hearing more of the horrifying injuries he intended to inflict upon you. For even her heart, as dark as it was, had never been this evil. She complied, however, out of fear of him and in the hope that he would one day honour his words and consider her his queen.

She approached him as he sat on his regal chair and settled in her customary position, at his feet, like an obedient dog. His hand moved to the crown of her head and he began to stroke her hair.

She cherished his attention despite his degrading cruelty and was so lost in the love she had for him that she was oblivious to the fact that he despised her. As false hope crept into her mind again, she made the error of looking up at him with eyes filled with affection.

"Why can't I be your queen now? Open your heart to me and forget about all of this," she foolishly implored.

His hand moved to her chin and he tightly grasped it. "You? My queen?" He snickered maliciously, "such a title is not easily attained. But if I were to abandon this scheme and resume my royal position as a prince, I would not choose a common harlot who is familiar with the taste of every nobleman's cock."

He shoved her downward, causing her to collapse beneath his feet. "Your position right now is that of my slave, my personal footstool. I will only consider you a bride after you have successfully assisted me with my plan. Do I make myself clear?"

She shed silent tears as her face was pressed firmly against the floor, but responded with a robotic tone that concealed her wounded emotions.

"Yes, my prince."

~~~

Now married and having gained the title of Queen of Jotunheim, you reigned primarily in Jotunheim besides Loki—your king. However, on occasion it was necessary to venture back to Embrodi, as though your title of queen took superiority over that of princess, you still had responsibilities to uphold in your own realm.

It was agreed that you would return to Embrodi today and stay for a few days. You were looking forward to seeing your father and Sanfil, and, without admitting it to Loki, to giving your skin some warmth from the natural sun, which you saw very little of because it was winter in Jotunheim.

"I will see you the day after tomorrow, my queen. Please forgive me for not accompanying you." Loki remarked with remorse.

"Your kingly duties hold you here. I recognise the difficulty and would never hold it against you."

Loki cradled your face, then placed his lips against yours.

"How did I become so fortunate as to win your heart?" He inquired.

"There was no luck involved, my love. Our fates were already entwined before we were born. We would have always met. For it was destiny."

As he assisted you into the carriage, Loki sighed, feeling sad that he was unable to join you on this occasion.

"Be safe, my heart, and I will soon be with you." He closed the door, and you glanced out the window.

As the carriage began to move, you blew him a kiss and kept your eyes glued to his form until it became a distant blur.

You sat back in your seat, your eyes hazy from crying, and felt a warm palm touch yours. You looked over to Suri, who was sitting beside you, giving you a comforting smile.

"It is just two days. It is not forever," she reassured.

"I agree. However, we have not been separated since our reunion. During which we have been practically inseparable. It is strange to not sense him next to me."

"You will welcome the break," Suri chuckles, "once you get into a double bed without a frost giant besides you, it will not feel so bad. Space to sprawl out is glorious," she claimed amusingly.

You laughed alongside her. "Does Ovahh still occupy all the bed?"

"He does. Such a selfish frost giant!"

"No, not selfish," you correct. "Just affectionate. He clearly loves the closeness of your body against his."

She smiled as she thought of Ovahh.

"I know. I am being impolite. But when I heard you were leaving for Embrodi and required an escort, I jumped at the opportunity for a good night's rest."

Having Suri to keep you company made the arduous journey fly by as your continuous bouts of laughter rang throughout the air.

~~~

As soon as you returned to Embrodi, you dove into your princess duties, becoming extremely occupied. The following day, however, you took a respite, and tended to your garden that was in dire need of weeding.

As you lazily lounged in the grass with your eyes closed, soaking up the sun, your peace was abruptly disturbed as a dark shadow cast above you, obscuring the sun's warming beams.

You opened your eyes, and to your shock, Magritte hovered in front of you. Her appearance a bit more dishevelled than her usual glamorous self.

"Hello, Eden," she greeted.

You rapidly sat up and surveyed your surroundings; finding it odd that there were no guards patrolling the walls. It prompted suspicion.

"How did you gain access to the palace?"

"I've got my methods." She grinned. "In any case, I am not here to engage in a dispute. In fact, to propose a ceasefire. A truce. Let the past remain in the past."

You snorted. "A truce? You were on Caspian's side, promoting his false version of the Kellite story. You asserted that Loki intentionally branded Caspian out of spite, and not as retribution for his attempt at genocide and my forced paralysis!"

"I see the error of my ways, and I plan to make amends by speaking the truth. I've finally broken away from Caspian and his hellish torment towards me."

You looked at her with confusion. "Hellish torment? What are you talking about?"

"Don't you see, I too was a victim. He threatened to murder my elderly father if I did not comply with his demands. I was forced to assist him in planting the kellite and to distribute the falsehoods of his story. But I escaped his deranged mind and am now seeking your help."

"My help?" You repeated incredulously.

She knelt beside you and beseeched you with her tired looking eyes. "I am aware that I am unworthy of redemption. However, I must request it. For the sake of my father."

You observed that she consistently looked towards the palace wall whenever she spoke. When you looked in that direction, you noticed a hooded individual standing just outside the gate.

"That is my father. He seeks urgent medical treatment. But we cannot afford it. When Embrodi terminated his trading contracts, his finances deteriorated. Now, we are poor, but I cannot go back to Caspian and beg. He will surely kill me. So I seek your aid."

You sighed deeply.

You were uncertain as to the credibility of her entire story, but you were aware that her father's finances were dwindling—they were indeed impoverished. You knew this because you were the one who, out of spite, shut down his Embrodi enterprises. And now, upon learning of his declining health, you felt a degree of responsibility.

"What is it you need, Magritte?"

"I am aware that you are adept at locating the source of ailments in plants—being a skilled Gaia, but I also know that your expertise extends to people as well."

"I am unable to cure the illness of your father, Magritte. I lack expertise in Asir healing. This is Loki and Queen Frigga's area of expertise."

"I know, and I don't expect you to. I just want to know the source of it so that I may find a specialist healer. Please, Eden, will you help? I swear, I will speak the truth, ending the divide between realms and clearing Loki's name. He will finally be seen by all as innocent."

You contemplated her proposition for a moment, hesitant to accept it. But the premise that Loki would be completely seen as innocent after her confession was too alluring to simply dismiss.

"Then bring him inside. I will help you."

"He is frail. Weak. That is why he resumes outside the palace borders. Can you simply walk to him? It would make things easier, not to mention quicker."

You reluctantly nodded in agreement and began to follow her. But quickly noted her erratic behaviour as she constantly surveyed her surroundings as though nervous. Something seemed awry—you sensed it.

"I believe you are aware of my abilities to transform into Jotun, are you not?"

"I am. It is remarkable," she replied, keeping her back to you as she walked slightly ahead.

You roughly gripped her arm and drew her close. "Then try anything sinister, Magritte, and my icy touch will claim it's first victim."

She stared at you in fright and violently freed her arm, deciding to remain mute for the duration of your walk to the palace's outermost walls.

As you stepped outside the gate, no longer on royal grounds but on common paths, you once again spotted the hooded figure. You stopped and beckoned her father to come closer, unwilling to proceed any further.

Despite your obvious hesitancy, Magritte incessantly urged you to approach him, almost imploringly, which only served to heighten your suspicions.

"If he does not wish to come a mere few feet towards me, then I refuse to offer any help!" You lost your temper and retreated towards the sanctuary of the royal gardens.

A hand suddenly covered your mouth from behind you, stifling your cries, and the familiar aroma of caspian entered your nose. Before you could make your transition into Jotun form, you felt a sharp pinch in your neck and your eyes began to grow tired.

Your limp body was spun around, and in a hazy blur, you saw Caspian's horribly scarred face grinning back at you. The gentle touch of his hand on your face was followed by a painfully tight squeeze of your cheeks—puckering your lips to a agonising degree.

"Oh, Eden, what I will do to you while you are partially comatose will be the stuff of nightmares. You will be aware of and sense everything, but you will be unable to scream or call out to your lover. And after I've taken pleasure from every orifice of your body, I will torture you, cut away everything that Loki adores about you. Starting with your Embrodi hair, following with your breasts, and ending with the removal of your beautiful eyes—because I want you to see all that I will do."

Before your limbs could buckle, he swiftly lifted you into his arms and held you close. You gazed up at the Embrodi blue skies with your arms flailing outward. Not able to move. Incapable of fleeing.

Within the cloudless skies, you could make out a bird, its outstretched wings providing relief from the blinding glare of the sun. You felt tranquility upon seeing it. A wild bird, soaring free. It was soothing in light of the situation.

You are violently thrown onto the floor of a carriage, and as Caspian opened the opposite door to enter, you see two guards who usually patrolled the Embrodi walls, their bodies strewn behind a bush with their throats slashed.

You were incapable of moving due to the drug that had been forced into your bloodstream. However, this was not enough to stop your eyes from leaking genuine tears upon recognising Finn's body. His once vibrant, youthful visage was now cold, pale, and bloody.

Your heart was ravaged by sorrow for Finn's beloved, Anya, and as a result, your contempt for both Magritte and Caspian intensified.

The carriage had been in motion for some time prior to its eventual halt, at which point you were carried out into a dark forest.

In the gloomy woods, you noticed a tired looking shack. As you were taken inside, you saw a bed decorated to appear romantic with rose petals that littered the sheets, mimicking an atmosphere of romance.

It sickened you.

Caspian felt your heart pound more rapidly within your chest. As he held you captive within his arms, he gazed at you with a menacing grin.

"Are you not pleased with my efforts?" His smug tone was like venom, "no matter how much you've angered me, or degraded me, I still desire you, Eden. If that is not love, I don't know what is. Or perhaps my father is right; you are merely an obsession. Either way, you are mine now. And I'll do with you what I wish," he gently laid you down onto the bed and whispered into your ear, "these rose petals are for you to focus on, to escape in the floral scent as I thrust into your body, stretching you wide open while I indulge in the real pleasures of your cunt instead of just fantasising about it."

"—So, what now?" Magritte asks, getting impatient with his slow pace.

Her interruption irritated Caspian, and he huffed as he removed himself from your body. He stepped back, allowing you a full view of his form.

"Now we get to work," he said as he began unbuttoning his shirt while candidly eyeing you sprawled out on the bed.

As his sexual desire for you increased, his hands fumbled with his buttons, and in a fit of rage, he ripped open his shirt, sending the buttons soaring. After loosening more of his clothing to make removing them easier, he raced towards your legs and forcibly separated them.

"Are you seriously going to have her body now?" Magritte questioned. "Should we not conceal our tracks first? We are vulnerable and easily traceable!"

Caspian grew more enraged as a result of Magritte's incessant interruptions and grating voice.

"Yes!" He raged, "I will have her body without delay!  I have scant hours until we are discovered. Just barely enough time to accomplish everything I desire. I must commence now!" 

"And what if they come before you finish your torture? How will we flee?"

"You pathetic whore, don't you understand by now? I never planned on fleeing! I will die, taking Eden with me. Going to the afterlife with the satisfaction of knowing that I took away the only thing that Loki ever loved. I will be slain as a martyr, and on entrance to Valhalla, such martyrs are given one wish. I will wish for Eden; that her soul be mine. In life, we may not have been destined, but in death, I will have her!"

Magritte staggered back in disbelief at his deception. She realised now that he had been misleading her the entire time.

"You said we would escape and conquer Jotunheim together! You said you'd consider me your queen if I was successful in her capture!"

In her distressed emotional state, she rushed forward and began pounding her balled fists onto his back as he remained positioned over you. Caspian became furious and lost control, whirling around and shoving Magritte to the ground.

She watched in terror as he strutted towards her, pulling at his leather belt as he walked. With one swift movement, his belt was free, and as he began speaking in an intimidating tone, the snap of the belt striking his palm deepened her dread.

"Oh, Magritte. You were good at influencing others with your elaborate soirées, which I found mediocre at best. But not me. I always saw you for what you were. A sewer-dwelling street rodent who rose to prominence by pure luck. You were never going to be a part of my existence. After your usefulness had expired, I intended to dispose of you. Which is precisely the case at present."

As Magritte glanced at you for the last time, her eyes betrayed a depth of emotion that was both sincere and convincing. Her utter terror was palpable, and it was difficult not to feel sympathy for her.

Caspian rushed towards Magritte and speedily coiled the belt around her neck. Her thrashing body writhed on the floor in panic until a deep gurgle escaped her throat and she went limp.

He wiped the perspiration from his forehead and smirked at you, delighted that you had witnessed her grisly death.

"I did that for you, my love. Mostly for me, but also for you." He chuckled and kicked her foot out of his path as he approached you.

"Now, where were we? Ah yes, I was about to penetrate you, wasn't I? Sorry to keep you waiting."

As he propelled himself forward and pressed his entire body weight onto yours, the sharp sound of a bird's squawk was heard. Caspian jerked his head towards the exit of the cabin and froze.

"It can't be?" He whispered.

He became terrified upon spotting a shadowy figure blocking the doorway. However, the silhouette did not appear to be wholly human. Its outline resembled a hybrid of man and avian.

"Why are you here? You are a free bird, no longer under command!" Caspian yelled.

The raven man's sudden speech startled you.

"I may not be Odin's raven anymore, but I offer my services when needed. Watching Eden when she is separated from Loki is a service I occasionally partake in."

His stunning golden eyes met yours, and he smiled. "I apologise for my tardiness, flower."

"Leave now, and I swear on my honour, I will pay you whatever you want!" Caspian bargained.

Huggin, a former raven soldier of Odin, smirked. "Any amount?" He asked, arching a brow.

"Anything! The entire vault of Alfheim, if you wish. Just leave, go now!" Caspian screamed incessantly.

Huggin immediately retreated two steps and vanished from the doorway.

You silently screamed in anguish, devastated that your would-be saviour decided to accept an offer of unlimited coin rather than save your life. Now, all hope felt lost.

Caspian glanced down at you and tore roughly at your dress, but a sudden, loud crash from the rear of the hut caused him to stumble backwards. His eyes were riveted on the door that had been ripped off and replaced by a glaring Loki.

Loki's wrath filled the air as he menacingly eyed Caspian, but when he caught sight of Magritte's lifeless body on the floor, you could see his resolve momentarily waver.

He did not anticipate seeing Magritte already deceased. He intended to punish her appropriately for her involvement.

"I knew elves were untrustworthy," he sneered, "you murdered the only person who would have stood by your side through all of your evil endeavours. Your heart is truly back, Caspian."

As Loki crept closer, Caspian relived the phantom pain of Loki's last torturous touch, which had left a lasting disfigurement on his face. Afraid of experiencing the same agony again, he retreated in the opposite direction.

"I told you, elf, you'll never lay a hand on my queen again."

Caspian dashed towards the other door, sensing Loki's murderous intent, but as soon as he reached it, Huggin, the hybrid raven, blocked it once more.

"You didn't seriously think that I could be bought with coins, did you?" He chuckled.

Huggin's razor-sharp talons protruded, and he leisurely picked at his teeth. "According to Loki, elf tastes like poultry. However, I must disagree. You have a much more gamey flavour, comparable to a wild hare. Not pleasant to consume, but edible when hungry."

"And are you hungry?" Loki asked.

Loki's question prompted Caspian to spin around and look at him. He was shocked to see you safely nestled within his arms and realised that Huggin had served as a diversion for him to retrieve you.

"Oh, I'm famished." Huggin grinned, exposing his sharpened teeth.

Caspian, deathly afraid, sprinted right past Huggin, and into the brutal environment of the forest.

Huggin snickered as he glanced at Loki. "I'm not one for fast food. But on this occasion..."

"Make sure there isn't anything left of him," Loki ordered.

Huggin nodded, and with the speed of light, he whooshed away in pursuit of Caspian.

Now alone, you felt Loki's tender touch on your chin as he gazed down at you, cradled in his arms.

"I am aware that you will likely disapprove of my decision to keep a guard on you at all times. However, I believe I should be forgiven. Huggin's prompt action in notifying me saved the day."

You now realise that the bird that circled above you when Caspian first captured you was actually Huggin, tasked by Loki to keep a watch on you.

"I'm taking your silence as a sign that you forgive me," he grinned mischievously, knowing full well that you couldn't speak. "Oh, and while you're in a forgiving mood, I must also admit that I accidentally told my mother that she will soon have another nursery to decorate, in addition to Thor and Sif's. I know, I know, I am a terrible secret keeper. But I lacked self-control. My intellect and mouth were out of sync."

Loki breathed a sigh of relief as he continued to observe you.

"It feels so good to get that off my chest," he exclaimed as he kissed the top of your head. "I must confess that I am surprised. I anticipated receiving even the slightest amount of disapproval from you. However, your sustained silence demonstrates your forgiving nature, darling."

While Loki's playful behaviour amused you, you made a mental note to scorn him when you regained the use of your vocal cords. Firstly, for his decision to put a guard on you without prior consent, and secondly, for the error of announcing your pregnancy.

A sudden, loud scream pierced your eardrums, however, Loki did not react. He merely looked towards the open door and out into the darkened forest, wearing a broad grin as the screams continued. He delighted in the sound of Caspian's cries reverberating through the trees as Huggin slowly and excruciatingly devoured him. A request he specifically asked for.

When the forest fell silent, Loki knew the task had been accomplished. He hurriedly transported you to the carriage, where he gently deposited you on conjured bed of plush blankets that felt comfortable against your body.

You wondered why he was in such a rush to secure you and why he didn't immediately depart. However, the sound of leaves rustling on the forest floor alerted you to the presence of an approaching individual.

It was Huggin.

Loki met him near the open carriage door and spoke in gentle whispers in an attempt to conceal what was said, but your keen hearing allowed you to overhear.

"Did he suffer?" Loki asked.

"As per your request, the elf, suffered a great deal."

Loki let out a smooth sinister laugh.  "Good," he replied as he stepped aside to enable Huggin to mount the carriage.

When Loki's body no longer obscured your view of Huggin, you exclaimed audibly. The bloody mess that had accumulated on his feathers caused you to take a sharp inhalation, alerting Loki that you had been observing his conversation. He hurriedly closed the carriage door, but cast you an apologetic glance through the window.

As Huggin prepared to steer the horses back to Embrodi, Loki entered the carriage. His arms drew you close to his body as he laid down next to you.

"I am regretful, my queen, that you witnessed the bloody aftermath of Caspian's execution. It was not my intention for you to see, and I only hope that you can forgive me." He gently stroked your cheek with his fingertip.

"I am not, however, remorseful of his gruesome fate. I only wish that I personally had a hand at disembowelling the man who threatened my wife and unborn child. But alas, I curbed my desire to do so because I do not want you to see me as a monster capable of such heinous torture. Yet, if I open my heart to you, my queen, and speak nothing but the truth, I am surely capable of such actions. Especially when you, my whole world and reason for existing is jeopardised."

You attempted to move your body and to awaken your vocal chords, but you could only twitch your fingers as you stared into Loki's features. 

Loki displayed remorse as he recognised your determined efforts to move.

"Soon, darling. You will move soon enough. Just rest." He spoke softly.

As he ran his fingers through your hair, it lessened your pressing need to reassure him. To indicate your appreciation for his directive to pursue vengeance.

You were in fact relieved that Caspian died in the worst way possible. It was punishment for Finn and all the suffering he had caused others.

You erase your previous mental note to discipline him for announcing your pregnancy and created a new one. One that instead expressed gratitude for his continuous love and protection.

After returning home, he placed you safely in your Embrodi bed, where you overcame your paralysis while you slept. As you began to awaken, you roused to the sight of Loki hovering above you.

A grin spread across his face as you reached up and tucked a lock of hair behind his ear. Having finally regained control of your voice, you uttered the words you had longed to say.

"Let those who see you as a monster be brought down by one. I am prepared to battle anyone who stands between us, my king."