The matter of the marriage had finally become official enough to require a gathering. Both families occupied the great council chamber, with Odin and Frigga seated at the head beside Eirlys's parents from Vanaheim. Thor sat nearby, looking considerably less interested in the proceedings than everyone else, while Loki appeared perfectly composed. At least, from the outside.
Eirlys sat across from him, making Loki have a remarkably difficult time listening to anyone. She looked beautiful, that was the first problem. The second was that she seemed entirely unaware of the effect she had on him. She wore a gown in soft shades of pink, that complemented her fair complexion, her long hair falling loosely over one shoulder. She was sitting perfectly straight, listening politely as their families discussed dates, ceremonies, guests, and the arrangements between Asgard and Vanaheim.
Loki heard perhaps one word in five. His attention kept returning to her. Her hands resting in her lap. The slight movement of her fingers whenever she considered something. The way her lips curved when she smiled at one of the older Vanaheim nobles. And that damn neckline, Loki silently cursed himself. He was supposed to be discussing a diplomatic marriage. Instead, his mind had apparently decided that this was an excellent opportunity to remind him that his future wife was extraordinarily attractive.
Get a grip. He looked away. Three seconds later, his eyes wandered back. This time, Eirlys caught him, her eyebrow lifted. Loki immediately adopted an expression of innocent interest. She gave him the faintest smile before turning back toward the discussion. That smile did absolutely nothing to improve his concentration.
Across the room, Thor had noticed. He noticed everything. He bit the inside of his cheek, hard enough to remind himself not to speak. Because if Loki looked at Eirlys like that one more time, Thor was fairly certain he was going to interrupt the entire bloody meeting. Not that he knew what he would say. Perhaps, Stop staring at her? Have some dignity. Or, something considerably less diplomatic. He swallowed his irritation. Their mothers were discussing the ceremony.
"Vanaheim's spring celebrations would make a fitting occasion," one of the elders suggested.
"Provided the arrangements can be completed by then," Frigga replied.
Odin nodded. "Then we shall begin preparations immediately."
Eirlys finally spoke, making the people turned toward her.. "I would prefer something simple."
"Simple?" Loki repeated.
She glanced at him. "Yes."
His mouth curved. "I'm afraid you've agreed to marry a prince. Simplicity may already be beyond our reach."
Eirlys stared down at him. "Then perhaps I should have married someone less troublesome."
Frigga laughed as Loki leaned back on his chair. "I suspect you would have been terribly bored."
Her eyes met his. "I suspect I would."
The exchange lasted only seconds. Yet Thor watched them with increasing irritation. There it was again, that look between them. Something quiet, something neither seemed willing to explain. He bit his cheek again. For the love of the Norns, just get through one meeting without flirting.
The discussion continued, guest lists were considered, the ceremony was debated and then the conversations about Vanaheim traditions, Asgardian customs, the joining of their households, and where the newly married couple would reside. Loki listened more carefully this time. At least, he tried.
When the question of their future residence arose, Odin looked toward him. "You will remain in Asgard."
Loki nodded and Eirlys glanced at him. "And I?"
Loki looked directly at her with disbelief at that stupid query. "With me, I hope."
There was something unexpectedly sincere in his voice. Eirlys studied him for a moment before nodding. "Mhm, I guess that's the only normal answer."
Thor looked away. He had absolutely no idea why those words bothered him so much. Meanwhile, Loki smiled to himself at her assertion. The meeting continued around them but for a brief moment, he found himself thinking less about schemes, power, and what this marriage might gain him. He simply looked at Eirlys, his future wife. And for once, that thought did not feel like a strategy, it felt suddenly very real.
Thor had remained unusually quiet through the rest of the discussion, but his mind had already wandered far from the council chamber. Jane. He remembered the promise he had made to her before returning to Asgard. He had told her he would come back. More than that, he had promised to bring her to his realm one day, to show her Asgard properly, rather than leaving her with fragments of stories and his hurried explanations. He had meant to keep that promise. And now, perhaps, the timing could not have been more convenient.
Thor's gaze drifted toward Eirlys. She was listening as Frigga and her mother discussed the practical details of the wedding, occasionally offering her own suggestions. She looked composed, but Thor knew enough about Eirlys to realize she was probably overwhelmed by half the things being discussed. There were dresses to choose, ceremonial ornaments, flowers, fabrics, invitations, decorations, and countless other details that seemed to multiply every time someone opened their mouth.
Sif could fight an army without blinking. She could probably tell Eirlys exactly how to hold a sword, how to mount a horse, and where to strike an opponent if necessary. But ask her about bridal gowns or cosmetics? Thor glanced toward Sif, she was sitting with the expression of someone who would rather be facing an army. Precisely. Eirlys needed someone who actually understood such things. And suddenly Thor knew exactly who could help. Jane. His eyes brightened slightly, it was perfect.
He could return to Midgard, bring Jane to Asgard, introduce her properly to everyone, and have her help Eirlys with the wedding preparations. Jane would have opinions about dresses, flowers, hairstyles, and whatever else women apparently considered essential to surviving a wedding. More importantly, Eirlys would see that Thor had not simply vanished into Asgard and forgotten about the woman he had spoken about so often. She would know he had someone waiting for him. Someone he intended to bring home. The thought gave him an odd sense of satisfaction. Perhaps it would finally make things clear. Whatever strange tension had existed between himself, Loki, and Eirlys lately, Jane's presence would put everything back into its proper place.
He leaned forward slightly. "I have an idea."
The conversation quieted. Odin looked at him. "That is rarely a promising beginning."
Thor ignored him. "I should return to Midgard."
Loki's attention immediately shifted toward him. "For what purpose?"
"To bring Jane."
Silence fell before Eirlys looked up. Thor continued, "I promised her I would return and show her Asgard. And with the wedding approaching, she could help Eirlys with the preparations."
Eirlys's expression softened with surprise. "Jane?"
"Yes." Thor smiled. "She knows more about Midgardian fashion than any of us. And I imagine she would enjoy helping."
Frigga smiled warmly. "That is a thoughtful idea."
Thor nodded, feeling increasingly pleased with himself. "And Sif…" He glanced toward the warrior.
Sif's eyebrow rose. "You are going to insult me, aren't you?"
Thor grinned. "I was merely going to say that your talents lie elsewhere."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning you could probably plan an invasion more easily than you could choose a wedding dress."
The elders laughed as Sif rolled her eyes. "I could choose a dress."
"Armor is not a dress."
"It can be."
"No, Sif."
Eirlys laughed softly, and Thor found himself smiling at the sound. "Then perhaps Jane can help," Eirlys said. "If she is willing."
"She will be." Thor said it with absolute certainty.
Across the chamber, Loki watched his brother carefully. Something about Thor's sudden determination interested him. Thor had not merely thought of Jane as someone useful for the wedding. He wanted Eirlys to know about her, Loki could see it. And for reasons he did not entirely understand, that realization irritated him. Thor, however, was already imagining the journey. He would return to Midgard, find Jane, and bring her through the Bifrost himself. Then he would show her the palace, the throne room, gardens, the observatory, and every place he had once spoken about with such pride. And Eirlys would see them together, she would understand.
Thor told himself that was all he wanted. Clarity. Nothing more. Yet as his eyes briefly met Eirlys's across the room, he wondered why the thought of her seeing him with Jane felt strangely important. And why, despite everything, he could not quite stop thinking about what Eirlys had said that night. It might one day But for now, he really needed to stop thinking about that.