Thousands of Asgardians crowd around for the big day, their excited chatter filling the air, and all I can think is what a waste of day this is. We're not doing the wedding yet, we're not officially King and Queen yet, what's the point? Sure they're gonna announce Thor will be the one to take his place by my side, he'll propose, get his hammer, and I finally receive my sword... fine, so maybe it is a big deal. But I find these occasions to be irritating. Exaggerated.

The crowd roars with cheers as Thor raises the hammer in the air and I reframe from rolling my eyes at the dramatics. I would love to be sliding my sword into it's place holder right now and fleeing outside to begin working with it. I've been waiting my entire life to receive what my father specially hand-crafted himself and left for me. Training with regular swords is nothing when there's a weapon that was made for my hands, and my hands only. If anyone dared to use my sword they will be sucked into the black depths of nothingness, it's perfect. It's mine.

Thor holds out his arm for me and I take a moment before sliding my arm through his and resting my hand on his armored-bicep as he struts and tosses the hammer up and down while we make our way down the isle. Kill me now. And why does he get to wear his armor and I don't?

I glance around as we move slowly, first looking over to Lady Sif, one of Thor's little friends, as she rolls her eyes and mutters "Oh please". I might've found it funny if I didn't want to do the same thing five seconds ago, and if I actually liked her. We've always been civil around one another, but when I see her practice or we're in battle she always seems to try too hard. I know it's because she feels the need to prove herself, but whenever you have nothing to prove it's just... annoying.

But, then again, if I made even the slightest effort with anyone other than Thor and Loki, perhaps I would've liked Thor's little friends. Yeah, right, I needed a good laugh. He also associates with the Warriors Three, who are completely useless as far as I'm concerned. I don't get why Thor and I can't go into battles ourselves, would be far more efficient.

I move my attention over to Frigga, who shakes her head at Thor's behavior. And then there's Odin, sitting on his throne all mighty, looking even more unimpressed than I.

Odin has always treated me well, as if I were one of his own, but I can never shake the feeling I get, knowing he hides so many things, and the way he treats Thor and Loki, or more so mistreats Loki.

Thor cheers loudly and I force out a smile. This will all be over soon, Ebony. Just smile and perform, it'll be over before you know it.

Finally we make it to the end of the aisle, stopping at the bottom of the stairs. We  kneel as Thor takes off his stupid helmet and winks at Frigga, throwing her off guard before she gives a subtle nod and her look that says 'no'. I chuckle quietly. Thor smiles to the Warriors Three who are standing off the side of us. I shoot Frigga a 'help me' look and she smiles in return.

Odin stands, slamming down his spear resulting in immediate silence. Ah, that's better. "Ebony Absaardottir, the heir and only child born of our beloved Absaar. He left you his greatest creation, other than yourself, the dark sword Svera, crafted out of remains of Calysto and Absaar's own sword, Svero. No warrior will match in it's strength and power. 'Tis perfectly suited for you, as a queen. Absaar would be proud of the woman that stands here today." That's the nicest thing Oden's ever said, not just to me, but in general. I curse the gods everyday, wishing to have met my father. To know the great, noble man he is always described. The beloved, inspiring leader.

I sigh peacefully as I take in the cool metal in my hands, lifting it carefully as if it could shatter in matter of seconds.

Odin then moves to Thor. "Thor Odinson, my heir, my firstborn." I can't help but glance at Loki, looking miserable as he adverts his gaze to the ground.  "So long entrusted with the mighty hammer Mjolinir, forged in the heart of a dying star, its power has no equal other than Svera. As a weapon to destroy or as a tool to build. 'Tis a fit companion for a king." Thor nods. "I have defended Asgard and the lives of the innocent across the Nine Realms from the time of the great beginning. Though the day has come..." As Odin drones on, I find myself looking towards to Loki again. This time he has the tiniest  smirk on his face. I narrow my eyes, what is he up to?

I tune back in as I hear Odin ask. "Do you swear to guard the Nine Realms?"

"I swear." Thor and I answer together. We have practiced this a million times.

"And do you swear to preserve the peace?" He continues. Where's the fun in that?

"I swear." We repeat. It's been engraved in my brain since I was but a child.

"Do you swear to cast aside all selfish ambition and to pledge yourself only to the good of the Realms?" Odin's voice grows louder.

"I swear." Thor's voice booms over mine as he raises his hammer high above his head.

This is it. All that's after the proclamation is Thor's proposal. I swallow, hard, suddenly finding it difficult to breathe, though my air supply has been cut by this dress the whole time.

"Then, on this day, I, Odin Allfather, proclaim you..." He pauses, looking up. "The Frost Giants." What? Here, now? I tighten my grip on my sword. Odin slams his spear on the tile.

Odin, Thor, Loki, and I move quickly to the vault to see what took place. We find frozen ground littered with frozen bodies. Oh. Lovely.

"The Jotuns must pay for what they've done!" Thor says angrily.

"They have paid, with their lives." Odin speaks calmly. "The Destroyer did its work, the Casket is safe, and all is well."

Odin has always been this way, he says it is thanks to my father's counselling. Calm, non-reactive, simple about situations as these. Something Thor is the opposite of. Thor is explosive, driven by his emotions too much.

I find myself in the middle. Molded to react a certain way since I was a child, for training, I have learnt if you want such things as revenge or to make someone pay, you must be methodical, strategic, patient.

I feel Loki's eyes upon me, burning down my body, feeling like he can read my thoughts. As if he can see how each part of my brain works, quietly, keeping most things in, knowing better than to let them out.

I know when to speak out about such things and when to stay observant. Today, the dress, I voiced my opinion, though it did not matter, and to Frigga of all people. Knowing who to speak your mind to is also very, very important.

"All is well?" Thor, to surprise, argues. "They broke into the weapons vault! If the Frost Giants had stolen even one of these relics..." But they didn't.

"They didn't." Odin states. See?

"Well, I want to know why!" Thor shouts. He does speak of truth, it is odd for them to break in without a purpose, without taking something with them.

I turn to Loki as he looks taken aback, eyes quickly moving to Odin, awaiting Odin's response to Thor's outburst.

"Thor..." My voice is barely audible but enough to gain his attention in hopes to calm him down.

"I have a truce with Laufey, King of the Jotuns." Odin explains.

But Thor pushes. "He just broke your truce! They know you are vulnerable!"

Odin turns. "What action would you take?"

"March into Jotunheim as you once did." He emphasizes. "Teach them a lesson. Break their spirits. So they'll never dare try to cross our borders again." He sounds correct, they did trespass, but that is not the answer Odin is going to like.

"You're thinking only as a warrior." Odin claims.

"This was an act of war!" Thor gestures.

"It was the act of but a few, doomed to fail." Odin speaks.

"Look how far they got!" Thor yells, pointing behind us.

Odin turns to me. "Ebony?"

I snap my head back to him from the frozen ground Thor pointed out. "Mmm?" Odin waits. I hold my sigh, and turn to Thor. "We mustn't act without knowing their full intent." I look at Thor.

"Is this not intent enough?" He takes a step towards me and Loki straightens before I hold my hands out at both of them before grabbing Thor's arm.

"You cannot start a fire on merely a spark." I say.

Odin nods in approval. "Precisely. We will find the breach in our defenses and it will be sealed."

"As King of Asgard..." Thor proceeds to shout.

"But you're not King!" Odin yells, finally having enough. I drop Thor's arm, his anger and desperation for revenge bubbling inside of me, darkness tingling my fingertips. Breathe, breathe. Loki looks at me worried. "Not yet." Odin's voice lowers.

Thor's face trembles as Odin stares him down as he leaves, anger dripping off of him.

"Are you alright?" Loki asks, he begins to reach for me before stopping himself.

My chest feels lighter once Odin's made his distance and the feeling returns to my fingers.

"Fine." I reframe from looking at him, keeping my focus on Thor as he begins to shake. "Thor..." He storms out. "Thor." I call after him, sighing irritably.

"Ebony-" Loki says softly.

"Don't." I can't, we can't. I fight every bone in my body wanting to relax in his embrace and follow after Thor, leaving the swarm of envy seeping out of the room behind.

♛ ⚔︎ ♛ ⚔︎ ♛ ⚔︎

Author's Note: Hellooo... long time no see, lmao.

This book severely needs editing, but I've had this most of this chapter written since LAST summer, and sooo I thought it'd be the perfect time to finish it in honor of LOKI DAY!!

I'm so so excited for season 2, y'all have no idea. And I can't believe how many people are too because it was SO hated on when it first came out and I defended it with my lifeeee.

Anyways, hope it's good and hope y'all enjoy the first episode anddd enjoyed this chapter <3

Ebony's story IS going to continue to the Loki series fyi, but we have a long way to go sooo stay tuned!!