Chapter 18
Loki explained everything that had led to his invasion of New York, deciding to be as candid about his actions and motivations as possible.
“I felt disenchanted, Odin had raised me on the belief that I was born to be a king… then he punished me for my ambition…”
Loki sighed, casting his eyes down absently.
“He punished me for becoming blinded by my ambition…”
Sylvie studied his face, “Odin never saw as clearly as he would have liked to think…”
Loki gave her a soft smile, “he wanted me to be someone that I wasn’t… I don’t think either of us knew how to speak to each other.”
“I think you’re the last person to have difficulty speaking,” she said with mock seriousness making him chuckle quietly.
“Either way, the discovery of my Jötun birth drove a dagger into my heart… We were told from childhood that the frost giants of Jotunheim were cruel and cold, and not to be trusted… it gave me permission to be the monster all Asgardians feared…”
Loki looked back at her eyes and they were ringed with tears. His brow knit in remorse for causing her pain, hand wiping a tear from her cheek. Sylvie closed her eyes and shook her head softly on the pillow.
“I had no idea…” she said softly, “it’s one thing not to tell you the truth from the start, but to teach your children something so hateful, knowing that one of them was born of that world… it’s reprehensible, it’s monstrous.”
Loki felt his eyes burn, but blinked the moisture away in awe of the remarkable woman who somehow loved him so strongly.
“He thought he was being kind,” Loki whispered faintly.
Sylvie scoffed, wiping her cheeks self consciously, and sniffed in derision.
“I think it hurt him, to see the mistake he’d made… perhaps he hadn’t realized he would grow to care for me, maybe he didn’t want to…” Loki heaved a breath a resignation, “I was a means to an end… but sadly, the end far from justified the ghastly means…”
Here in the safety of their shared space, this cocoon of fine linens and acceptance Loki felt more raw and honest than he ever had in his life. Sylvie stared into his eyes, searching for something he couldn’t comprehend.
Sylvie touched his cheek softly, “show me…”
Loki met her eyes nervously, realizing what she meant he took a deep breath, closing his eyes and allowing his skin to change.
The frost giant blue crept across his face, beautiful markings appearing on his cheeks, forehead, and chin. His skin felt cool to the touch and he took her hand from his cheek, not wanting her to feel the cold.
Sylvie furrowed her brow, then leaned forward and kissed him. She pressed all of her love and acceptance into his lips and felt as the cool temperature dissipated. She opened her eyes, expecting he had returned his color in fear, but met his red amber eyes with her own, which now matched his.
Loki’s eyes widened as the blue spread across her face and down her neck. He gasped in surprise but was struck by how lovely she still was. The markings on her face matched his and her hair now looked much darker. The amber of her eyes was rich and danced like the embers of a smoldering fire.
Sylvie sat up to glance at the mirror and her breath caught. A small smile graced her lips as she touched her cheek absently, but the blue faded as her fingers made contact with her skin. She looked back to Loki who was watching her, his eyes a mix of longing and affection tinged with the barest hint of sadness.
“I never knew frost giants could be beautiful…” he whispered reverently from below her on the bed as the blue slowly receded from his face.
Sylvie smiled sadly, “you’re every bit as handsome without the illusion…” she touched his cheek, thumb grazing the place where once the Jotun markings had been.
Loki’s brow drew together as if pained by her tenderness, heart aching with feeling. He had felt so ashamed of his heritage, the abandoned orphan of a reviled people, but seeing Sylvie in her true form had given him pause. He was no longer certain that the frost giants were inherently bad.
Sylvie was everything to Loki, she was his path and his reason, and somehow he’d forgotten that she was Jotun. Not only that, she wasn’t ashamed of where she came from. She gave him hope that one day he might better reconcile his two identities: a Prince of Asgard, and of Jotunheim.
Sylvie brushed her hair behind her ear and cleared her throat, moving to slide back under the blankets, “So… Earth tomorrow, did you have a time in mind?”
“What?” Loki looked puzzled for a moment as his mind came back to their earlier conversation, “Earth—yes—it’s a delicate situation, but I believe it’s worth a try,” he looked earnest for a moment as she settled back beside him, “I want to make some small recompense, hopefully ease the tension Thor must feel as an Asgardian… as my brother…”
“I’m sure he’ll just be happy to have his brother back…” she said softly, “even if he can’t keep you, I’m afraid you’re mine now,” she said with a faux haughtiness which made him chuckle.
“Body and soul…” he murmured in agreement, “I’m yours entirely,” he leaned in to kiss her softly, his words sealed in a promise against her lips.