Frigga had tensed, both because the subject was difficult and because she was braced for another verbal barrage from Loki. She was halfway prepared for him to take yet another truth and twist it to wound them both; she was not at all prepared for compassion or understanding.

She did not make a sound when he wrapped his arms around her, not at first, and neither did the strain leave her body. Then she exhaled, shut her eyes, and wrapped her arms around her son, clinging to him tightly.