Loki considered this for a moment.
"The second option would take more time. It would be harder."
"Yes," Vidar agreed. "But it would be real. And power without freedom is not power at all—it is slavery with a golden crown."
Loki nodded slowly, processing.
"There is something else," Vidar added. "This council... if they are willing to manipulate you, what do you think they are willing to do to make sure Laufey falls?"
Loki's eyes widened with understanding.
"You think they are going to..."
"I think you should be prepared for anything," Vidar said. "And I think you should decide now: will you be an accomplice to whatever they are planning? Or will you take your own path?"
The next night, Loki had another visitor.
This time it was only Járnsaxa.
"You have considered our offer," she said. It was not a question.
"Yes," Loki replied carefully.
"And?"
Loki studied her. He could play this two ways. He could reject it directly—and possibly make enemies. Or he could...
Be the God of Deceit.
"I accept," he said. "But with my own conditions."
Járnsaxa arched an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Which ones?"
"First, I will be nobody's puppet. I will consult with the council, yes, but the final decisions will be mine. Second, I need to know exactly what you are planning. All the details."
Járnsaxa studied him for a long moment.
"You are more cunning than I expected. Fine. I will tell you."
She sat down, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"During the final trial, there will be an... accident. Laufey has insisted on observing personally. The ice beneath his viewing platform will collapse. He will fall. And in his weakened state, with only one arm..."
She did not need to finish.
"And I will be conveniently nearby to claim the throne in the chaos that follows," Loki completed, keeping his voice neutral.
"Exactly," Járnsaxa smiled. "The son who saves the kingdom in crisis. Perfect, isn't it?"
Loki nodded slowly, as if considering it.
"And if I refuse?"
Járnsaxa's smile turned cold.
"Then the accident could expand. It could include certain visiting Asgardians. Your brother, for example. It would be terrible if something happened to someone so powerful. Especially when he already mutilated our king."
A clear threat.
Loki kept his expression carefully neutral, though inside, his mind was racing.
"I understand. Then we are in agreement."
"Excellent," Járnsaxa said, standing. "In three days, Jotunheim will have a new king. And that king will owe us everything."
After she left, Loki remained seated in silence.
Then, slowly, he smiled.
Because Járnsaxa had made a mistake. She had assumed Loki was like her—willing to do anything for power. She had shown her entire hand, revealed her whole plan.
And now Loki knew exactly what to do.
The next morning, Loki gathered Vidar and Hela in his chamber.
"We have a problem," he announced. "And I need your help to solve it."
He told them everything—the council's plan, the threat against them, the planned murder of Laufey.
Hela whistled softly.
"Clever bastards. I have to admit, it's a good plan."
"We are not going to let it happen," Vidar said firmly.
"No," Loki agreed. "But here's the tricky part: I can't simply tell Laufey. First, he wouldn't believe me—he thinks I'm an infiltrated Asgardian. Second, even if he did believe me, he would crush the council so brutally that it could cause a civil war."
"So what do you propose?" Vidar asked.
Loki smiled—his "I have a twisted plan" smile.
"I propose that we deceive them. We let them think their plan is working, right up until the last moment. And then..." his eyes gleamed with green malice, "we show them why they should never have underestimated the God of Deceit."
Vidar studied his brother and saw something that made him smile as well.
Loki was finally accepting what he was. Not trying to be Thor. Not trying to be Odin's perfect son. Being Loki—cunning, manipulative, brilliant.
"Very well," Vidar said. "What's the plan?"
Loki leaned forward, and for the next hour, he explained exactly how they were going to turn the council's conspiracy against themselves.
It was twisted. It was complicated. And it was absolutely brilliant.
Hela laughed with genuine delight when Loki finished.
"Now that," she said, "is worthy of a true prince of Asgard. Or of Jotunheim. Or whatever you decide to be."
Loki smiled.
"Just Loki," he said. "I am going to be just Loki. And that is enough."
END OF CHAPTER