If looks were capable of killing, Thor by all rights should have been dead. Loki glared at his brother as Thor spoke, and then he would not shut up and Loki jumped to his feet, pulling himself to his full height. "I do not need the protection of my brother! You know what I have done!" he shouted, trying to drown out Thor's speaking of a wager.

Loki too, was silenced by Gungnir striking the ground. Odin looked at him, and cold washed down Loki's spine, because he saw that his father knew.

But he was accepting the lie all the same.

Is this what it means to be king? Loki thought numbly. Is this--? But he dropped back down to his knees, bowing his head again, as Thor nodded.

He hated the court for their cheering. He hated Thor, for not keeping his mouth shut, for agreeing to do this. And somehow, it just seemed to make everyone love him more.

The back of his throat tasted bitter. Loki clenched his hands into fists so they would not shake, and waited. There was nothing else he could do.