Chapter Three

As you can probably assume, there were no warm hugs and celebrations when we returned to Förening. Elora and Finn seemed to be waiting on us, both of them standing in the huge foyer when we all dragged through the front doors. Elora instructed Matt and Rhys to retire to their respective bedrooms, myself to shower because, quote, I was "absolutely disgusting", and she simply waved her hand toward Loki, indicating that she didn't necessarily care what he would do. I saw a smile twitch of his mouth and knew he was happy with her dismissal of him. Having come from such an oppressive leader such as Oren, I imagined that it would be a blessing to be waved off by the Queen of ice.

Elora announced that she was going to retire to her quarters then and made her way up the stairs toward her wing of the palace. Finn Holmes stood like a statue, hands clasped behind his back, feet at a shoulder's width apart. He regarded me cooly after Matt and Rhys trudged up the stairs and went to shower and rest. Staring at him across the foyer suddenly felt awkward, considering that his stiff demeanor was an indicator that he had probably heard about the upcoming nuptials.

"Princess, the Queen realizes that you and the Markis Loki Staad are engaged now, but she does not wish for you to share a bedroom yet." He cleared his throat, his discomfort almost showing through his facade. "Excuse me." His dark eyes landed on Loki and his expression changed very slightly: his jaw tightened a bit and his eyes became darker. "The Markis Loki Staad's quarters have been set across the hall from Rhys', next door to the Princess'. I'll leave you both to rest." He marched out of the foyer, heading toward the direction that Elora went in.

"Well, isn't he a charmer?" Loki joked, chuckling softly. I looked at him, standing there uncomfortably in this amazingly bright and grand foyer, hands stuffed into the pockets of his dark, neat jeans. His eyes met mine and he grinned, that mischievous glint forever in his eye. He was so quick to cover any emotion that wasn't sarcastic or funny. "How about you show me around a bit, Princess?"

"Can we take a shower first?" I almost begged, the thought of walking around the palace at that moment making me almost want to tear up. I was so exhausted and I felt gritty and dusty after being inside of Ondarike for the last few days. "And not together," I added quickly when I saw his grin turn wicked. He almost pouted, but followed me up the stairs and toward my wing of the palace.

"Nice digs," Loki complimented quietly as we walked side by side down the hallway. I felt like I was dragging myself through a very strong tidal wave. "Wendy, are you okay? You look a little pale, maybe even a little green." He smirked a little at his joke, knowing that very powerful Trylle have a green tint to their skin tone. Loki stopped walking and touched my shoulder softly. I turned toward him and he looked me over with concern. I rubbed my eyes with my fists and sighed heavily, miserable that I was even standing. He set his mouth into a determined line and then bent down, scooping me up into his arms.

I squeaked in shock, my senses waking back up. I felt like I was going to fall, so I wrapped my arms around Loki's neck and tensed my entire body. Loki was smiling happily and continued walking, seemingly so content with carrying me. I stopped squirming and protesting after a moment, realizing that I was very tired and that it felt nice to have someone touch me who wasn't afraid of wrecking my destiny. It felt nice to be wrapped up in Loki's strong, ropy arms. He was lean but hard and I could feel through his shirt the years of physical work he must have done that hardened his chest.

"My room is the last one at the very end of the hallway," I managed to mumble before I slipped into a half-sleep, lulled into euphoria by the soft movement of being carried. I heard Loki whisper something back, but I was deaf to the world as I slid deeper toward unconsciousness. I hoped that I remembered to ask him what he said later.

I woke up in my bedroom at the Förening palace, satin sheets slipping against my bare skin as I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I could tell that it was sometime in the middle of the night, but the moon was shining so brightly that it still shone from around the edges of my curtains. I slid out of bed, then realized that I was wearing pajama shorts and a tank top and didn't remember when I had changed myself. I remembered Loki carrying me to my room and my face blazed, wondering if he had actually changed me. Surely he wouldn't have, he probably woke me up enough to change and I just didn't remember it. I was going to keep telling myself that either way.

I went into the adjoining bathroom, flipping on the light and squinting at the mirror against the brightness. I looked like hell — wild curls, dark circles under my eyes, pale, and maybe even a little skinnier than before I had gone to Ondarike. I had refused to eat any of their food while inside, anxiety having been my fuel despite the lack of nourishment.

I took a shower fairly quickly, scrubbing the remnants of Ondarike from my skin and hair before wrapping myself in a fluffy towel. Everything about Ondarike and Förening was different: Ondarike was the dark and dreadful evil king's palace, while Förening was so covered in light and soft natural colors that it exuded elegance and safety. I definitely had started to feel safe at this palace, grateful that I wasn't a physical prisoner anymore. Duty still imprisoned me, but my father wasn't the warden here.

I pulled on a clean pair of pajama shorts and a big tee shirt, tossing the towel and my dirty clothing into a heap on the bathroom floor. I would get those later, but first I wanted to check on Loki. I remembered Finn's stiff exchange and mini speech about Loki and I not sharing a bedroom and that his room was next door to mine. My face burned again: I was going to have to share a bedroom with Loki soon — a bed with him. I wiped that from my mind and crept out into the hallway, turning the door knob to Loki's assigned bedroom quietly.

He was awake already. He turned toward the door immediately, his eyes fuzzy, dark hair standing up all around his head, and sitting on the edge of his bed, half naked. He only wore a pair of black boxers — everything this man owned must have been black — and that definitely did not help my fading blush. It came back with vengeance when Loki smiled sleepily at me.

"Come to check on me, Princess?" he asked as he stood, stretching his arms above his head. "I couldn't sleep very well either, you know. Too many weird dreams and too much going on in here." He tapped the side of his head with two fingers, moving toward me. His voice was thick with exhaustion but he tried to keep a light hearted tone, though his eyes were troubled. "You took a shower, I see."

I nodded. "I felt disgusting." I sighed through my nose, and even though my face burned hotly, I knew I had to ask before I lost my courage. "Did you change me before I went to bed?"

Loki tilted his head, genuine confusion in his eyes. "I know that Marksinna girl — Willow, Willa, something like that — was here when I carried you into your room. I thought her eyes were going to pop out of her head and she scared the hell out of me, but she didn't question anything. She probably changed you." Relief flooded through me, though I was still a bit embarrassed that Willa had seen me unclothed. I still greatly appreciated her thoughtfulness, and was definitely thankful that Loki hadn't been the one to see me in such a vulnerable state.

"Though, if you wanted to get undressed while I'm here, I wouldn't be opposed." He grinned wickedly and I managed a smile. I was still a bit nervous around him, but I wouldn't say that I was uncomfortable. There was so obviously an attraction between us that it kept me from feeling like sold cattle. I actually liked Loki, maybe I could figure out how to love him.

"Keep holding your breath," I countered, stepping further into his bedroom and shutting the door quietly. I didn't want to risk the off chance that Rhys or Matt were awake as well, eavesdropping on our conversation. The last thing I needed was Matt punching Loki for making suggestive comments.

"So what brings the Princess into my quarters this lovely night?" Loki's tone was teasing as he walked over, stopping right in front of me. We were so close that I had to look up to see his eyes. "Couldn't sleep?"

"Something like that," I agreed softly. His teasing smile faltered, showing some of his nerves, before he slid his fingers over mine. The unspoken request for me to come with him was received as he pulled me toward the bed and I followed.

We stood beside the bed, all tousled satin sheets and fluffy feather pillows. It was there, the moonlight the only light in the room, that Loki carefully slid his hands on either side of my neck, right under my ears. I shivered, mostly in delight but also in nervousness. I had only ever kissed Finn, and that was the road Loki and I were barreling down as fast as (non) humanly possible.

Loki's eyes asked a silent question and his eyebrow arching up very slightly, May I? I answered him by leaning up on my toes and softly pressing my lips against his. He got the message, moving his hands from the sides of my neck to my waist. He didn't hold me too tightly against him, still giving me the option to pull away if I wanted to. I didn't.

Our kissing lasted mere moments, but it felt like years. It was nothing like kissing Finn had been. Finn had always been frenzied, so caught up his own emotions that he had enough breach in judgement to grab me and kiss me desperately. Loki's kisses were patient and slow, surprisingly gentle and intimate. I felt how much he cared for me when he kissed me and I felt warm all over, my stomach fluttering.

The click of the door opening went unheard until someone angrily snarled, "What the hell are you two doing?"