Chapter 7.
She broke into a run, opening the door to her Chambers and paced across the floor in thought. Akima watched her put the basket down, tearing off her cloak and tossing it over a chair nearby. Agitation was on her face, her features pinched and she stopped suddenly with a knuckle in her teeth. She fell to her knees, gasping for air and shivered. The Maid ran to her friend and shook her, fear for her friend apparent.
"What is it? What has happened Elanora?" Akima querried, desperately trying not to shake her friend too hard.
"Loki... He..." Elanora gasped and rocked back and forth. She hyperventlated for a moment, her emotions pulling her in every direction at once and she gasped for air.
"Oh... No! Did he hurt you?" Akima gasped, shock crossing her face and Elanora shook her head.
"No. Wait. I am not sure." Elanora said, catching her breath. "He teased me, I admitted that I had never kissed a man before and he tried to take a liberty from me."
Akima stared in disbelief of what she was hearing from her friend, sitting back next to her and laughing after a moment. She squeaked in laughter, holding her stomach and groaned at the silly Princess before her. She howled in laughter, falling back on the floor to the annoyance of the stricken woman next to her. She fell to giggling after a moment, finding humor in the moment.
"What in the name of all that is sacred do you find so funny Akima?"
"You mean that he tried to kiss you?" She laughed, trying to stop and failing. "Fates be warned, a man tried to kiss the woman he was to marry... God's teeth Elanora! Men do that when they find the woman that they intend to marry attractive."
"Stop teasing me, you are acting like him." She groaned. "I do not want to kiss him... maybe my statement led him to believe that I invited him to do that? How do I undo that?"
"You said he tried, what stopped him?" Akima said and Elanora sighed.
"I did, I asked him to not kiss me and he backed away and he looked so hurt... Like I had wounded him terribly."
"He is a honorable man, I will give him that. But what do you plan to do during the ceremony when it comes time to seal your vows with a kiss? Do you plan to run away and hope for the best? Your father will disown you for sure." Her friend reasoned, shaking her head and leaning against the bed. "You are impossible sometimes, he tries to show you a kindness and you shove him away. When will you make up your mind and remove your blinders?"
"You sound like Mother Akima, I did not come here for a lecture. I was seeking advice, I don't want to marry him but he... I don't know what to think anymore!" Elanora moaned, she threw herself back on the floor and stared at the ceiling above her. He thoughts clouded by worry, her stomach settled from the odd fluttering sensation in it and she remembered the tender caress on her cheek. Elanora pinched her eyes shut, wanting to kick her heels and rage at herself.
"What is it Elanora?" Akima sighed, seeing the turmoil on her friends face.
"He is coming to these chambers later." She groaned, noticing a smirk on Akima's face. "Stop thinking that way, he wants to play cards as we normally do to pass the time. Say you will stay and watch us?"
"I am to keep your desires in check now? shall I sleep between you both on the wedding night as well?" Akima teased, poking her in the stomach and she glared at her friend in annoyance.
"I do not find that humorous at all, I will return to my Chambers after we are left alone for the evening. I will stay to my plan, and to the bargain as it was dealt." Elanora said, closing her eyes and pressing the heels of her hands to her eyelids. Why did his touch stir her heart so, why did she find that curious fluttering in her belly, and why was she angry with herself for stopping him? A giggle from Akima pulled her from her thoughts and she glared at her friend.
"You are a fool Elanora. You fail to see the world in front of you because you are too frightened to open your eyes." Akima said and she sat up and stared at her friend blandly.
"I know what I am doing, two years and then I am free from this obligation. Mother and Father cannot be angry at me for That, and I will be allowed to marry as my heart desires." She replied, huffing in annoyance at the girl.
"Do you truly know what you want?" She challenged, staring into her and waiting for her to respond. The truth terrifying Elanora and a shaking breath filled her lungs.
"Yes." She said, lying. Because she did not.
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"It seems you have nearly won your purse back." Elanora said, laying down another coin to match his bet. He glanced up at her, taking two new cards to replace the ones he discarded.
"Or doubled it for you." He grinned. "Have you heard more from your mother or father?"
"Yes." She said, studying his intentions carefully and trying to read his face. He raised his eyebrows in question, waiting for her to reply. "All is well. Farrin has a daughter now and his wife is healthy. There was a small issue at Court with a Noble's son, but that is cleared up and he is to wed the girl before she shows her secret. and Varko is still being hunted, and they hope to find him soon. Father has given his wife comfortable surroundings, and he intends to allow her some liberties when she has her child."
"It seems that Vanir Nobles have issue with keeping themselves away from scandal as well." Loki laughed and looked at Akima. She sat near the fire sewing, his wishing she would leave so he could have a true conversation with Elanora.
"The girl is lucky in one respect." She replied and he returned his attention to Elanora.
"How is that?" He asked and showed her his cards. He had a pair of Twos, and a pair of Knaves.
"She is marrying someone she loves." She replied and lay down her cards. He laughed at her hand, the Royal Flush beating his hand and he gestured for her to claim her prize.
"Well played... The cards I mean." He said and she pulled the pile of coins to her side of the table. He purposefully ignored her comment, his depression at her distaste for their upcoming nuptuals growing. He felt a pang in his heart and glanced at the clock on the mantle, it was getting late and he shuffled the cards again.
"Another hand?" She asked him and he shook his head, tapping the deck on the table and thinking. He had to do something, and he could not say what was on his mind.
"No. It is getting late and I imagine that Lady Akima wishes to retire." He said and she started putting the coins in the purse.
"I did like the Unicorn today, it was truly beautiful. Thank you for showing me that." She said, and he smiled at her. Her fingers picked at the frayed threads of the pouch, her own thoughts guarded as she sat in silence.
"I am happy you liked that." He replied ad Akima watched them as they sat across from one another. He cleared his throat, Elanora jumping a bit and looking at him. "What do you plan to use all your winnings on? You have acquired a small fortune."
"There is a fair tomorrow, perhaps I will spend it on small trinkets and a new dress." She said and smiled. Her heart pounded, and she prayed silently that he would not request and invitation. She did not want to feign an illness, she had never gone to an Asgardian celebration before and was hoping she could see it.
"I almost forgot about the Solstice. Is Akima going with you?"
"Yes. She wishes to see the city as well, I am told it is very grand. A spectacle to hold in wonder." She said and he smiled at her. Her niaevete somewhat endearing, and he frowned a bit.
"You should have a man accompany you. Theves and other less than scrupulous individuals wander among the crowds, I would be saddened to hear that you or Akima were injured or... worse."
"Do you wish to come?" She asked, her heart sinking. She would have to play the part of the proper and mannerly Princess then, removing her chance for any leisure or amusment. Her eyes blinking back frustrated tears, and she thought of an illness to get her out of the chore of being with him.
"I imagine you would want to dance the Maypole, and sample the wines and meads?" He asked and grinned.
"It is not proper for a Lady of my standing to do such things. I was going to view the cattle and tapestries."
"Those can be seen at any time. It is much more fun to do what I suggest, be wild and free in your celebration. Bowever, I can suggest a Guard that will do his best not to fall asleep on his feet as you view 'the Cattle and Tapestries.'" He replied and she blinked at him. She was going to nod, but Akima coughed softly and she looked over at her friend. She shook her head for her to decline, pointing at Loki to be the one who accompanied them. She felt confused, not understanding her friend's motive and she sighed.
"I couldn't put a Guard through such a torture. I suppose I will change my plans and finish learning the new song on my harp." She said, her heart sinking and Loki standing to take his leave. He gave her a polite bow and he grinned for a moment, turning the deck of cards in his hands.
"I will be performing in the Archery tournament in the morning, I may be able to show you some entertaining places, should you change your mind." Loki said and she looked up at him, nodding her head and he walked through the doors. Akima sighed, shaking her head and groaning at Elanora in exasperation.
"Go tomorrow, you will regret it if you do not and I hate watching you pout." She said, setting her sewing said and stretching her neck.
"I can't. You see how awful he is." Elanora retorted, not wanting to be lectured again about her affairs. Akima merely shook her head and sighed, not wanting to tell her friend how she saw Loki ruin winning hands on purpose so that she would win each time. He gave her a purse, and then more. He was caring for a woman with no means, with the exception of her fine dresses and jewels.
"I am tired, let's go to the Fair and watch the Archery. It will be fun, and maybe he will find your wild streak too much to handle." Akima said and took her leave, closing the door behind her.
