King Loki

Chapter 45
Years passed. Thor had not learned his lesson in those years and so never got crowned King of Asgard, but for a short time Loki did. The decision came as a complete surprise. Odin had been so impressed with Loki's work to gain Jotunheim as his own through non violent means, that Odin decided that it was time for him to enter the Odinsleep.
Loki was a temporary ruler, but a King all the same. He'd thought of many things he could do during that time, but acted on none of his selfish desires for they could have unravelled everything he'd worked so hard for.
He acted as Odin would have. Content with this outcome. His Mother looked on proudly, whilst Thor, angry, left for Midgard and did not return. Thor was Odin's problem, not Loki's.
When Odin broke from sleep he retook mantle as Alfather and soon after Loki took his own crown. Their lands in disarray and their people dying, Laufay finally agreed to this new turn of events as his own health was deteriorating. He anointed his wayward son as his heir and after spending more time than he liked in Jotunheim, Laufay died.
Loki took his place as the Jotuns King, much to their displeasure, but they did not complain. Loki was given the Cask of Ancient Winters and per his request he built a fortress of his own on the edge of Asgards void.
From there he had access to go between Asgard and Jotunheim without living in ether palace. A portal to the frozen lands, only Loki could enter, stood open on the edge of a long catwalk that stretched into the abyssal darkness of the Void.
From this catwalk he could see the Byfrost Observatory below in the distance. The view from Loki's bedroom overlooked Asgard in one of the highest towers in his stronghold. The Cask of Ancient Winters was locked safely away behind wards and runes, casting its bright blue glow around its wide chamber. The chamber itself was a room in the middle of his stronghold encased in Bycrystal. Those visiting could see the ancient item but those thinking to steal it would be met with a gruesome fate.
The design was helped along by his Mother. Loki had not told her why he needed it to be appealing, but Loki had Cephera in mind when he created this home.
The time had come. In this year Cephera would be coming to the emotional end in her relationship with Krystoff and Loki would arrive to push her over that edge sooner rather than later.
Loki needed many things in Jotunheim. The lands had suffered many hardships after Odin had beaten them and their power had been taken. Loki could only do so much to save them, and what kind of a King would he if he didn't try to make smart, convenient alliances.
XxX
In his absence the Cask was transferred to Odin's vault once more. Loki was forced to travel the long way to Mechanova where Cephera lived. It took months to get there.
He'd worn his finest armor for the occasion. His ship landed and was greeted by warriors whom eventually escorted Loki to see their King. Cephera hadn't said much to Loki of their customs and he wasn't sure what to expect.
He did not meet with their King inside a throne room, but rather a man who was wrestling with a woman in the middle of what looked to be an eating area. Tables were splintered and benches were broken. The woman was shouting for the man to let her go.
She was locked beneath his arm by her neck struggling to get out by punching the King in the gut, which seemed to do nothing but tickle him.
"Look we have a guest." King Yorin said to the girl, turning so she could look up, but not letting her go. If anything, his grip tightened.
"King Yorin," Loki tried to ignore the oddity of the situation as he gave a formal bow. "I am Loki, of Asgard. King of Jotunheim." His introduction made the King smile.
"A Norse god among us." He began rubbing the girls short hair with his knuckles making her cringe and attempt to pull away.
"Stop!" She yelled trying to glare up at the blue skinned alien. Loki noticed her eyes then. The same violet as Cephera's. He knew then that this was Seraphina, Cephera's twin sister.
"I've come to speak of a trade alliance between our Kingdoms. I've heard many good things about the quality of your goods." Loki had been doing his homework regarding what Mechanova had to offer Jotunheim.
"Interesting. Usually I have to go find people, they never come to me." He finally let Seraphina go while she'd been attempting to pull her head from his grip. She flew backwards onto her ass to sprawl on the floor. "Sera, where are your manners. Get to your feet and greet our guest properly."
"You're such an asshole." Seraphina growled to her father, but climbed to her feet all the same. She didn't bother fixing her hair before standing beside her father and staring at Loki. "Awfully skinny King. Can you even fight?" She asked him.
"I'm skilled in battle, but my skills are more attributed to magic." Loki replied. Seraphina raised a thin brow.
"My sister would be interested in that." She replied. Loki just smiled, but tried not to look too interest in the subject of her sister.
"Would you're interested in hearing my offer?" Loki asked King Yorin.
"We will. My daughter has a lot to learn in the ways of negotiation, she'll accompany us to our meeting table." Loki nodded agreement and followed the King who literally sat down at the nearest intacted table.
Loki expected to at least go to a different room, somewhere private, but it would seem that wasn't the way things were done here. He sat across from the King and his heir, removing his helmet and placing it on the bench beside him.
The talks began. The King didn't seem interested in the first few things Loki had to offer which worried him. "Our land also has an abundance of Yeti throughout its mountains. Their fur makes for high quality fabric when treated properly and their claws fashion into blades that are more durable than most alloys."
"Fur? Are we talking trades?" Loki recognized Cephera's voice immediately. He turned and laid eyes on her for the first time since his timejump. She was as he remembered though her mannerism was different.
She was at home here. Calm and peaceful, despite the man who stood behind her.
"We've no business prying in this business." Krystoff told Cephera grabbing her hand and attempting to tug her away.
"But I want to stay." Cephera insisted, her voice remaining soft, almost afraid to be firm.
"Krystoff leave Cephera be, she can stay." King Yorin shot a look to the young Mechanovian. Disgruntled, Krystoff let go of the younger twin who sat next to her sister. When Krystoff moved to join them the King spoke again. "I said she can stay, not you."
It was clear King Yorin was impatient with Krystoff, perhaps didn't even like him. Shocked, but unwilling to make a scene, Krystoff left.
Loki was staring at Cephera from across the way. He couldn't help it. She looked vibrant sat among her family. A bright smile set to her lips and curiosity alight in her eyes. The only stress she felt here was from her relationship. Here she had no baggage of looming death or war.
The dress she wore suited her. Long, but made of light weight fabric. No sleeves and tight at the waist. It seemed like a lifetime since he'd touched her.
"She's beautiful, like her mother." King Yorin commented, bringing Loki back to reality. Loki snapped his eyes up to look at the King.
"My apologies. I didn't mean to stare." Loki couldn't think of anything else to say.
"You were talking about furs." Cephera urged, trying to bring the conversation back on track and away from her.
"Yes, we were." Loki agreed and continued to speak of all the things Jotunhiem had for trade.

Notes