*IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE* Greetings, my dear readers. Unfortunately, I've been having an incredibly rough past few months. I've had medical emergencies, surgery, lots of other crap that's just been affecting my already fragile psyche. Also, unfortunately, my writing reflects my emotions, and I've been in a very dark place since April. This chapter has sensitive content within it, including sexual abuse. I will provide a BOLD warning before the scene. Please, please, please, if you are affected, in any way, by this kind of content, end this chapter at its warning. I've never written anything like this before, and I'm unsure what to make of it, myself. Loki and Aura are my all-time favorite OTP, but they're also the ones I torture most. Thank you all for your incredible patience and understanding.

The handmaiden Asgard knew as Sigyn danced around the queen's personal chambers, delicately dropping flowers into their respective vases. Her feet barely graced the floor as they carried her from one corner of the room to the other. The light skirt of her dress ebbed and flowed with her movements, hair twirling around her shoulders.

She sang a gentle song to herself. One she learned as a child. One of a soldier dying in glorious battle and guided to Valhalla by the Valkyries. It spoke of the winged warrior women visiting the widow and comforting her. Spun the take of how the widow took up her husband's sword, leading a regiment to an outstanding victory and celebration.

But underneath the tones of war weaved the elements of love. The bond of soldier to his cause, a Valkyrie to her duty, a wife to her husband, a woman to life itself. Despite the verse about the death, the song was joyous and uplifting. For there was life after death, a chance for something new to be born.

"Well, good morning, my joyous elf."

Aura froze in her tracks. Hair and dress floating down under gravity's usual spell. Her cheeks reddened. Then she curtsied. "Good morning, your majesty. Please beg my pardon. I-I was just…"

"It's quite alright, my dear. There's nothing wrong with enjoying yourself." Frigga approached her desk. Smiling, she smelled the largest bloom in the vase sitting off to one side. "I take it yesterday went well?"

"I…I'm not sure what you mean."

"You saw Loki, didn't you?"

Aura's face flushed even more, and she quickly walked onto the balcony. Setting the mostly empty basket at her feet.

The goddess approached. "Come now. What's the point of hiding your long-known infatuations from me?"

She pivoted, hands clutched against her chest. Her upturned eyes slightly widened. "It's not that. I-I think he's on to me. I think he knows who I am."

Frigga erupted into amused laughter. "Of course he is, my dear. He's a master of disguise. He doesn't need magic to see through one."

The panic in her voice rose. "Is there something I should do about it? What do I do?"

"What you've been doing." She clasped the younger's hands in her own. "Your disguise is meant more for Odin, Heimdall, and the rest of Asgard. Not Loki."

"But it was for him," Aura softened, "initially."

"Do you honestly still want him not knowing it's you?"

She all but threw herself at the queen. Buried her head in her chest. "No. I don't like playing this game with him. I feel like I'm lying. It's one thing, fooling guards, but it's another to fool him. He's so lonely and distraught. I don't want him thinking I'm not here for him."

"Aura, dear, look at me." Frigga brushed the other's cheek with a thumb when the deep blue gaze found her. "He knows you support him. He knows he can rely on you. Even if he didn't see through our illusion, he knows he can count on your love."

The partial light elf's brows knitted. "He wouldn't let me help him at first. He kept fighting with me. I had to beg and plead with him before he let me cut the threads. I assumed he would be happy, but he was so full of despair. Why would he let himself be so miserable?"

Inhaling a long breath, Frigga took her time gathering her thoughts. "Sometimes, a part of the healing process is feeling what we often push aside. It's not until we accept our reactions that we can properly handle our emotions and learn from the experiences that made us feel certain ways. He's suffered through more than what we know. You've seen his physical scars; I couldn't begin imagining his mental ones. It's okay for him to be sad, to be hurt. Do you remember how long you were sad?"

She rubbed an arm. Dropped her gaze. "I occasionally dream about what happened on Midgard. They make me feel sad all over again."

"And that's okay, too. There's nothing wrong with feeling the bad emotions. Don't forget what I've taught you. Sadness, anger, regret, shame, and all those alike, are not inherently bad emotions. It's how we act upon those feelings that determines their intentions. Take yourself, for example. Although you experienced trauma on Midgard, you let me help you."

Aura nodded. "You've been so patient with me and haven't give up on me. I'm forever grateful."

Frigga grinned. "So, we can't give up on Loki, either. Did he let you help him, even though he fought you?"

"Yes."

"See? He's already working toward recovery. Whether he acts like it or not. Let him deal with his grief in how own way. But be there for him. Help him along his journey. He's incredibly stubborn. And all of my children are survivors. He'll be okay. I promise."

"He is stubborn."

The queen's nose scrunched in a playful manner. "But you love it, don't you?"

"I can't help it. I love everything about him," Aura blurted. She covered her mouth. Expression relaxing. Her hand slid down to her chest as her eyes fell with it.

"What's the matter, my dear?"

"I…there was, there was a point on Midgard where I believed my love for Loki was gone. I also believed he no longer loved me. We spent so long apart, I assumed he found someone else. Assumed he forgot about me. I was alone for so long." She hugged herself. "How do I deserve his love after doubting him like that? I didn't even think he was real when he rescued me. I don't—"

Frigga held up a hand. "Listen to me. Nobody deserves love. Love is a blessing, a gift. It's as old and uncontrollable as the Realms, and there's nothing we can do about it. Love is crazy enough, it makes an old king think his wife remains infatuated with him after the atrocities he's committed. No, that's arrogance, not love. But love is crazy enough to make a Jotun prince fall for a Muspel princess. You have been blessed by the Realms. Don't doubt that gift."

Aura searched the woman before her. Eventually nodded.

"There is someone else we can't give up on. With the passing of each day, I grow increasingly worried about Thor. He's indulged himself for too long."

Her brows furrowed. "I understand Thor is good at heart and doesn't mean to hurt anyone. I think he's lost right now, too. Does he not know how to properly grieve? Is that why he turns so much to mead?"

"You are exactly correct. Odin wasn't big on teaching Thor proper emotional self-care. But it's the understanding and compassion you carry that makes me ask this favor of you. Unfortunately, he doesn't want to listen to his mother in his current state. You've helped one of my sons already. Do you think you can try helping the other?"

Aura hesitated. "I'm not sure I know Thor well enough to get through to him."

"I think you know him more than you realize, and your empathy will guide you. Do you think you could attempt such a feat for me?"

She searched the ground. It wouldn't be easy, but she could most certainly try. Especially for one of her favorite people in all the Realms. Looking up, she finally nodded. "Yes, Queen Frigga."

The witch goddess hugged the younger maiden. "Thank you. Thank you so much, my dear. Heimdall has informed me Thor's favorite place is the Bloated Bilgesnipe, on the outskirts of the city. You should be able to find him there."

"I will do what I can."

"Thank you. He's hurting, and I fear he feels like he has no one to turn to. I know Sif and the Warriors Three have been keeping him from trouble, but I've heard Thor's hungover laments. He truly feels he can trust no one. Not even himself. Or Mjolnir."

Aura rubbed an arm. She knew what that felt like all too well. "I understand why, if he does feel that way, but it wasn't his fault. Odin was cruel to make him do such a thing. I even had a conversation with Loki about it. He wanted to be upset with Thor, and I explained Thor wasn't to blame."

"And what did Loki say in response?"

"Nothing. He was having trouble talking to begin with, but he seemed accepting of what I said."

Frigga brightened. "Tell Thor you care for Loki in my place. He loves his brother with the whole of his heart. Tell him what you told me."

"I will."

"Excellent. I would leave while it's still early in the day. Oh." The queen materialized a dagger from her pocket dimension. "Take this with you. I'm afraid outer Asgard is a little more lawless than what surrounds the palace. You shouldn't run into trouble, but just in case, I'd like you to have it."

Aura hesitated before accepting the weapon. "It's beautiful. Is it one of Loki's?"

She feigned offense, complete with fingertips resting on her collarbone. "My dear, where do you think his preference came from?"

The partial light elf giggled at the older woman's expression. Curtsied. "Please beg my pardon, Queen Frigga." She tucked the gilded dagger behind her back, nestled safely in the folds of the turquoise sash around her waist.

"Now, if you desire having time to visit Loki today, I suggest you run along. Not to mention, we need to catch up on your studies from yesterday. Seeing as you were gone for so long."

Aura's head sunk between her shoulders. "Yes, Queen Frigga." After receiving a motherly swat of encouragement, she left the chambers.

Her journey, for the most part, was enjoyable. She sought directions for the Bloated Bilgesnipe from a nice guard. Greeted the other servants as she traversed the palace. She stopped for a moment when she stepped outside, feeling the warmth of the day on her skin. Inhaled a deep breath of fresh air and continued on her way toward the outskirts of the city.

She smiled at every individual who recognized her as Sigyn and wanted to say hello. The only thing dampening her elated mood was the small wish they would treat her, as Aura, the same. Before her banishment, she hardly ever left the palace. If she did, she only made it as far as the royal gardens. She was never allowed to mingle with Asgard's people. However, there was no use getting upset over it. She could speak with them freely now.

Something else caught her attention. The further away she walked from the palace, the less joyous the Asgardians were, the more the buildings were deteriorated. She rubbed her arms. Even the air felt colder here. Swallowing, she turned down the street that would take her to the tavern. Noticing the loiterers along either side of the road. They all looked her up and down, but none of them moved. She understood why Queen Frigga gave her the dagger.

The Bloated Bilgesnipe was a typical drinking establishment. Three levels high and patrons milling around the outside. However, this was much more run-down than the ones she had seen near the palace.

Aura brightened upon seeing the Warrior's Three outside the door. Frowned at their exhausted faces. Had they not slept in some time? "Good morning, gentlemen."

Fandral and Hogun mumbled incoherently, but Volstagg lifted his head. "Ah, good morning, Sigyn. How goes the palace life?"

"Very well, thank you. How are you? None of you seem in your usual spirits."

Hogun, who had his arms crossed, sank further into the bench. "It's Thor. We can't keep up with him anymore."

Fandral rubbed his face with his hands. "That man has out-drunk Volstagg. Volstagg, of all people. I can hold my mead longer, but Volstagg can hold much more of it than I can. I did not realize Thor had no limit on his stamina."

The more rotund warrior nodded. "We thought we could wear this phase out of him, but we gave up. This is the only tavern in Asgard that will continue serving him."

Hogun scoffed. "We tried convincing the owner to concede, but he prefers gold too much. And Thor has plenty to sling around. Sif abandoned our endeavors after yesterday's incident."

Fandral snickered, a piece of his jolly nature returning. "I don't see why. She's always wanted to be with him. The one time he kisses her, and she turns her back on him. She blew the only chance she'll have with him."

Volstagg sighed. "Like you know the intricacies of true romance, lover boy."

Aura's brows knitted. "Is Thor inside? Queen Frigga sent me. She thinks I may be able to reason with him."

Hogun examined her thin frame. "I wouldn't go in there, if I were you. He's been dangerous."

Fandral massaged the bridge of his nose. "Please don't take this the wrong way, fair maiden, but why does Frigga think you can reason with him? Even she's tried, and he hasn't listened to her."

Aura rubbed an arm. "I'm honestly not sure. But I've spoken with Loki, and—"

"Loki?" Volstagg rose as the other two straightened. "What does he have to do with this? Did he do something to Thor? Is this a spell or some kind of trick? If it is, and I ever get my hands on that weasel, I'll...I'll do something."

She clamped her jaw shut. She assumed they knew what happened. Between Queen Frigga and Thor's ravings, she assumed they knew.

Hogun unfolded himself and stood, as well. His head slightly tilted. "You know what caused this, don't you?"

Her eyes darted toward the Vanir warrior.

Fandral pushed himself onto his feet. Placed a hand on the maiden's shoulder. "We are Thor's friends. You must believe we only want the best for him. We can't provide him the proper aid in a battle we're blind in."

Aura inhaled a deep breath. "I'm not sure I should say anything."

Volstagg's eyes narrowed. "But it involves the traitorous Loki, right?"

"Loki is not a traitor." She bit her tongue. What was she saying? The truth, yes, but not an easily accepted truth. She knew better.

Another heavy sigh came from him. "I wish we could believe you, but he's always been sly. We've been around Loki a lot longer than you have."

She knew she should leave the matter be. Yet, she couldn't help it. The disguise gave her much more confidence than she had before. And she had actually been around him a lot longer than they had. "Then you know of a servant named Aura?"

Fandral stroked his goatee. "Name sounds familiar."

"She was very meek, had hair of fire? Odin hated her." That was too forward. "From what I've heard."

The three glanced between each other with blank expressions.

Aura slightly nodded. They didn't know of her, either. "Odin banished her years ago all because she and Loki loved each other."

The trio looked at one another again before all breaking into laughter.

Hogun shook his head. Trying to hide is smile. "No. That's impossible."

Fandral doubled over, slapping a hand on his Vanir counterpart's shoulder for support. "Loki? Getting a woman to fall in love with him? That's the best thing I've heard in weeks."

Volstagg wiped a tear from his eyes. "I'm sorry, but the whole story is quite ridiculous."

Aura crossed her arms. There was no stopping this now. "This comes from Queen Frigga, herself. You really think she has reason to lie about her sons and husband?"

Their smiles faded.

"Loki launched a war against Midgard because he discovered they not only held Aura as a prisoner, they tortured her for information about Asgard. Thor sided with him, by the way, then the three returned home. Loki addressed Odin for banishing his love. Odin responded with nearly killing Loki and making Thor sew his brother's mouth shut. And that's why Thor has been upset for so long."

They remained silent.

Her shoulders squared. "Odin grew suspicious of Queen Frigga visiting her son in prison, so she's been sending me in her place. Aura has obviously been in hiding. If I can tell Thor that Loki is alive and doesn't hate him, that could snap him out of this whole thing."

Volstagg cleared his throat. "If what you're saying is, indeed, true..."

Hogun's gaze lifted. "Odin has used worse punishments. It's not that far-fetched."

Fandral rubbed the back of his neck. "That may be so, but to make Thor do such a thing?"

The prince in question shattered through one of the tavern windows. He rolled a few times on the street before standing. A wicked grin on his face. "Is that all you got?"

All eyes turned toward the tavern.

An Asgardian larger than Thor stepped through the broken glass. "For insulting my mother? No."

Fandral groaned. "Here we go again."

The Warriors Three stepped between the pair of combatants. Volstagg facing the Asgardian, and Hogun and Fandral trying to restrain Thor.

The thunder god fought the pair on his arms. "Allow me to put this brute out of his misery. I will be doing his mother a favor."

The unnamed patron easily shoved Volstagg aside. Marched forward. "I don't care who you are. You could sit on the throne yourself, and I would still take you for being so disrespectful."

Thor's grin expanded.

Mjolnir flew from the Bloated Bilgesnipe, straight into the back of the large man's head.

The patron's eyes widened. He fell flat on his face.

Hogun and Fandral released the prince, who spat at the unconscious man on the ground.

Volstagg ushered Sigyn toward him. "She needs to speak with you."

Thor hung his hammer off his belt. "A maiden impressed with my victory? Of course, I shall speak with you." He wrapped an arm around her waist. "Not that we will do much talking." His free hand found the back of her head, and he pulled her into a long kiss.

Aura momentarily froze. This was not what she expected at all. She struggled against his relentless grip. Planted her hands against his chest and attempted pushing herself away. This was too familiar. Too constraining. She needed to be free. Now. She retrieved the dagger. Sunk it into his armor.

Despite not piercing his skin, the motion was enough to make him let her go.

She stumbled away from him. Wiped her mouth and caught her breath. Tears welled in her eyes. The only thing in her mind was the hauntingly crazed look in Galensar's eyes as he eagerly pinned her against the wall.

"Thor!" Volstagg chastised, hitting him on the back of the head. "That is not how we treat maidens. We've had this discussion I don't know how many times."

Aura hugged herself. She took off down the street in a panic. Her tears streaking her face. She heard Fandral shout her false name, but she didn't pay it any mind. She was overwhelmed. Didn't know how to process what just happened. All she could smell was stale mead. She wiped her mouth again, turning down the roads she thought she took on her way to the tavern.

Her blind pace stopped when a wall greeted her. She blinked past her tears. Faced the direction she came.

Two narrow streets fed into this alley.

She swallowed. Which one did she come down? She was closest to a building on her right, so she took the street on her right. Attempted retracing her steps. Except none of these buildings looked familiar. Not that she paid attention to the buildings during her fleeing. Rubbing her arms, she followed the various roads to the best of her ability. Not a soul was in sight.

"Are you lost?"

Aura whirled around. A kind-looking man stood in front of her with his hands in his trouser pockets. "I-I'm supposed to be meeting friends at the Bloated Bilgesnipe. I think, I think I got turned around."

"Oh, I know where that is. It's actually in the opposite direction you're heading. I can show you, if you like? This is no place for a maiden like you to be wandering around unattended."

She clutched her hands against her chest. She didn't know whether or not this man could be trusted because she never met him before. And she didn't have the dagger anymore. It was true, Queen Frigga helped her control her fire, but she still wasn't comfortable using it. She searched the man. What did Queen Frigga say? Trust her empathy? Well...his eyes seemed honest, at least.

He gave a short laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Right. I'm a stranger." Then he extended his hand. "I'm Nafni."

"Sigyn." She placed her hand in his.

Nafni gently lifted it and barely kissed the back of her hand. "At least we're strangers with names now."

Aura giggled at his cock-eyed grin. It reminded her of Loki. Although, this man had a mess of wild red hair flowing down his back.

He placed her hand in the crook of his elbow. Escorted her through the alleys. "This is going to sound, well, suspicious, but you're not from around here, are you?"

Her eyes darted up to him. "Is it that obvious?"

"Somewhat. But it's your dress that gives it away more than your attitude. Everyone's scared of the outskirts, even those that live here, so not a lot of merchants set up shop. We don't get such fine materials for clothes."

She glanced down. Then at his simple tunic and trousers. "Do you live here?"

"Unfortunately. My father used to be a wealthy man, but he blew our family's savings with his gambling addiction. My mother left him when that happened. My father eventually left Asgard. I have no idea where either of them resides now."

"I'm so sorry that happened to you."

Nafni shrugged, turning them down another alley. "I do what I can to make a living. It's not palace riches, by any means, but I get by. Sometimes, the simpler way of life is better, I've found."

She nodded. "I've seen how the wealthy live, and it's not for me." She glanced around. They approached another wall. "Are we almost there?"

"Yes." He opened a door in the middle of the wall. "This tunnel leads to back of the tavern. It's not the most pleasant experience, but it's better than taking the other way, which passes the most ruthless gang's territory." He lifted his tunic. A nasty scar tracing the side of his abs. "That's a mistake I won't make again."

Her brows knitted. "Are there healers out here?"

He gave a cynical laugh. "Only the ones who figure it out for themselves. I was sick for two weeks with an infection before my wound healed. I honestly thought I was going to die."

"That's so horrible. Why aren't there any healers? Why does no one offer this area aid?"

"It's what happens when you're low on the priority list. But if you take this tunnel straight down, you'll pop out behind the tavern. Good luck to you."

Aura stared down the black expanse. A knot forming in her throat. She turned toward the man walking away. "Wait."

Nafni paused.

"Do you, do you think you can take me the rest of the way there?"

His head tilted. "Are you sure? There's nothing in those tunnels. Maybe a few mice, but that's it. No one lives in them. Not anymore, at least."

She backed away from the door. People used to live in those tunnels? How did he know no one lived in them now? "You've been so kind to me, I hate to bother you for longer. I just...I don't want to go in there alone. I'm afraid I'll be lost; my sense of direction isn't that good."

Nafni returned to her. "It's no bother at all. It honestly gives me something to do. We don't get much entertainment. There are days when we're all bored out of our minds. Let's get you to your friends."

Wrapping her hands around his arm, she stayed close beside him as they entered the darkness. The dim light provided by torches nearly swallowed by the shadows.

"It'll be okay. I promise."

She nodded, though she never tore her vision away from the space in front of her. Until something collided with the back of her skull. With enough force to knock her down. She lifted her head. Eyes blurred and mind spinning. A small moan released from her lips, and unconsciousness consumed her.

*CONTENT WARNING*

THE FOLLOWING SCENE DEPICTS TRAUMA

PLEASE STOP READING FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO AVOID THE SENSITIVE CONTENT MENTIONED IN THE AUTHOR'S NOTE

*THANK YOU*

Aura's eyes slowly opened, a deep breath escaping her chest. She blinked a few times. What happened? Where was she? Her skin bristled with a rush of air. Arms numb above her head. Grimacing at a spike of pain in the back of her skull, she tried pulling her wrists down.

They never moved.

Her gaze travelled upwards, and she frowned. Her wrists were bound in chains to a crude headboard. A sensation on her leg made her gasp. It was cold. She glanced down. Chest rising and falling rapidly. Her heart tightened at her indecency. Where were her clothes?

She squirmed as something tickled her thigh once more. Lifted her head and froze. Her legs were chained apart, and there was a man between them, kissing her calves and thighs.

Nafni met her gaze. "Good, you're awake."

Voice emerging as a whimper, she trembled. "What are you doing?"

"Like I said, we don't get much entertainment. So we have to make our own." He sat up, revealing his own nakedness.

Aura squeezed her eyes shut. She didn't want to see anyone indecent.

His hands ran up her torso. Stopped around her breasts. "You've never been touched this way, have you? I can tell by your fear."

Tears slipped out of the corners of her eyes. "Please. Please let me go."

"I can't do that; I've only just begun. Why won't you look at me?"

"I-it's not, it's not right."

"I want you to look at me."

She shook her head back and forth.

He seized her by the necklace and forced her head forward. "Look at me."

Fighting the jewelry, she pushed her head backwards. She had no desire to look at an indecent person, much less a man she didn't know.

"I said, look at me!" He pulled on the necklace harder.

The strand snapped against the pressure. All of the pearls jumping off the string, clattering across the wooden floor. Ward broken, the disguise faded.

A pause ensued.

Nafni released a low chuckle. "My, my. Look at this. Why would you hide such beauty?"

Aura barely opened an eye, glancing off to the side. What she thought happened was true. The luscious, sun-kissed skin was replaced with her pale elven skin. And she caught a glimpse of the platinum, orange, and red hues making up her hair. Her eye closed once more.

He traced the scar on the inside of her right bicep. Then the one on her thigh. "Somebody else has marked you, haven't they? Tell me. Did they get this far with you?"

Her voice squeaked. "N-no. Please. Let me go. Please."

His lips lowered next to her ear. "This will hurt less if you relax. I'm only helping you with a warning this one time."

Relax? How was she supposed to relax? There was an indecent man on top of her indecent body. This didn't call for relaxing. It...it called for fire. Yes, fire! She searched the darkness of her mind for a flame, for a spark. For anything that radiated light. She could summon her demon form and scare this man away.

But all she found was fear. She wanted nothing to do with this. Why did she run away from the others? Why did she listen to her blind panic instead of Fandral? Not that she made the conscious choice to listen. It was just her instinctual reaction. Right now, her instincts told her to do whatever was necessary to get away from this man. But she could only tremble. And whimper as he kissed her chest.

She hated it. Hated the sensitivity of the skin on her breasts as his tongue brushed across it. Hated the sensitivity of her feminine region as he rubbed his masculine region against her. Hated how he picked up with fervor as if he was trying to consume her flesh without actually biting it off. She hated everything about this.

Of course, she would be lying if she said she hadn't thought about being romantic with Loki. But in her daydreams, they were married. And fully clothed. And only passionately kissing. She knew there were more intimate ways to show affection, but she knew Loki would be patient with her journey. He would never hurt her, and he was always so gentle with her.

Aura's eyes snapped wide. Gasping, her back arched as Nafni entered her. The pain was unlike any punishment she faced before. It burned, her skin awkwardly stretched, and her brain demanded the foreign object be out of her body now. She squirmed and fought against the chains keeping her in place for this man's pleasure. Pleaded for the emergence of her fire.

Nafni thrust further into her. Chuckling at her jerking reaction. "I suppose I should be honored to be your first."

Tears streamed down both sides of her face. No. No, this wasn't right. It was supposed to be Loki. They were supposed to get married. At least, that was what she hoped for. Now, it was all thrown away.

"Oh, don't cry. You'll learn to love it. Talk to me."

Her head moved from side to side. She would not indulge this man. No. He wasn't a man. No self-respecting person would do this. He was a monster.

He groaned as he continued his pelvic movements. "Say something to me."

She couldn't take it. Her sobs were audible as she stared at the ceiling though squinted eyes. He squeezed her breasts hard, and she released a cry of exclamation.

"Yes. Scream for me. Beg me to stop."

Scream...maybe if she screamed loud enough, someone outside would hear her. "Help! Please! Someone, anyone. Help me, please!"

Nafni grabbed her waist. Pulled her closer against him. His momentum increased. Throwing his head back, he exhaled through his mouth. "You're so new, so fresh. I love the way you feel. Keep screaming."

Aura's voice cracked. She could only continue her heavy crying. Her wrists bled from the bonds chaffing her skin. Her ankles bruised as the back and forth motion pulled on them.

He continued defiling her. Faster and faster.

Her eyes squeezed shut once more. Everything was raw, on fire. A fire she couldn't control or contain. It was like sand grating her insides over and over. Was this what torture was like? Because she would much rather have her cold room than this.

He slowed his speed, but he never stopped. Moving, instead, to long, hard thrusts. He lowered next to her ear again. "When I finish and have my fill, I'm leaving you here. So that way I can come back anytime I want. You'll be here for me, won't you? You're such a good girl."

"Get off her right now. Do not make me repeat myself."

Nafni froze, eyes wide. He glanced at the tip of a large sword at his throat. Swallowed.

"Slowly. I will not have you hurt her anymore."

The man complied. Inching his way off the bed. He tried quickly leaving, but a large hand found his hair.

"Aura, look away."

She did as she was told. Flinching when she heard the squish of flesh. And the resulting blood splatter. One by one, the chains were cut in half, and she curled into a fetal position. Her rescuer standing before her.

Heimdall wrapped a blanket around.

Aura burst into tears when he picked her up. Overcome by what happened. Scared at the consequences of him finding her. "Are you…will you, will you send me away?"

The Gatekeeper released a deep sigh. "No. I regret sending you away the first time, and you should know I'm truly sorry. It was on that day I learned my king no longer makes rational decisions. No, I will take you to Frigga."

"Heimdall!"

He turned around.

Thor stood in the doorway, staring at the decapitated body on the floor. "What has happened here?"

"I saw this man abusing this maiden, and I acted as swiftly as I could. Though, I regret not getting here sooner. I have no flying or teleportation magic."

Asgard's prince sobered when he saw the tri colored hair. "Aura?" He removed his cape and tucked it around her, as well. "What are you doing all the way out here?"

She shook her head, still weeping into her coverings.

Heimdall spoke in her stead. "She came to help you. Your mother's magic shielded her through those pearls. She's been Sigyn this whole time."

Thor surveyed the scattered gems across the floor. Then he paled. "I kissed Loki's love…?"

"Indeed, you did. Among a myriad of other transgressions. Shall I list them?"

He placed a short line, chastising himself. Rubbed his face with his hands. "I will take her to Mother."

Heimdall looked at the bundle in his arms. "Do you approve of this?"

Aura nodded. Sniffing and wiping away her tears. "I trust him."

Thor's brows knitted. He hesitated before taking her into his grasp.

"Aura?"

She regarded the tall Gatekeeper.

"Do not hide this from Loki."

Her eyes fell. She hadn't even thought about how she would tell Loki, yet. She wasn't entirely sure she wanted to. Everything was ruined now. Everything was ruined because of her. How could she face him after this? Let alone tell him what happened?

"And take this." He held out a glimmering dagger. "There are runes on the ceiling of his cell. Disfigure the one that's the farthest to the back left, and he'll have his magic restored."

She nodded as she accepted the weapon.

Thor's eyes widened. "Is that not treason? Helping a prisoner, especially one as prominent as Loki?"

Heimdall remained silent for a few moments. "If I had listened to myself and not allowed her to be banished, the Nine Realms wouldn't be in the chaos they are now. They have been many resurgences since Loki's invasion on Midgard. Groups who have followed his lead and used this time to strike. I could've prevented all of this. It won't be long before the chaos reaches Asgard. When it does, we'll need every available fighter. Loki included. But that's a discussion for another time. Take Aura to the queen and make sure no one sees her."

He gave a determined nod. Addressed Aura as he walked out of the building. "May I beg for your forgiveness, though I do not deserve it? This is my fault, and there is nothing I can do to make up for it."

Aura wrapped her arms around his neck. Prepared for when he took flight. Her voice was small. But sincere. "I don't blame you for what happened." It was no one's fault but her own. There were many opportunities where she could've broken free, if only she hadn't been so scared.

Retrieving Mjolnir from his belt, he paused. "You should. I accept full responsibility for my actions. Being drunk does not give me an excuse to do as I please. I offended you and your honor as a maiden. That is something I will not take lightly. And I will tell Loki what I did, myself; you need not worry about it."

She quieted. "I'm not sure that's a good idea. He hasn't forgiven you for sewing his mouth. I've tried reasoning with him, but—"

"It is alright. He is right not to forgive me. He is usually right on most matters. I miss him. I miss his wit and his cunning plans. I miss his pranks. Hel, I miss him randomly stabbing me. Do you think I could visit him?"

"I'm not sure. He's still a little unstable. The only reason I'm able to still see him is because Odin told guards Sigyn was allowed there. If you can get past Odin, I can see what I can do about Loki."

"Thank you, Aura. You are truly a wonderful being."

She held tightly as he propelled himself with Mjolnir. Turned her head away from the wind. She most certainly did not feel any type of wonderful.