Authors Note: I am sooooo soooo very sorry about the wait! I promised that I would not forget about you! Happy Holidays to everyone and I hope you enjoy this holiday gift. Stay classy! ~B.R.13

Chapter 10

Everything that I need to do runs wildly through my head. Move everything to the new room. Find Kirra and tell her what happened. Find Loki and give him my answer. Servants I knew, stopped and stared at me as I rushed passed them, undoubtedly confused by my attire. I continued passed them without a second glance until I reached the servant's quarters that I would no longer call home. Opening the door, I descend the stairs and head to the tiny chamber that I shared with Kirra. To my relief, Kirra was sitting on her bed, reading a book. Upon my entrance, she looks up at me, closing her book.

"So?" She asks looking at me worriedly.

"Well," I move and sit next to her, "The Queen is moving me permanently to the Resident Noble Wing. She is allowing you to be my lady in waiting and chamber maid. She is also allowing me to continue my duties as Loki's maid throughout the courtship. If we are to be wed, I will no longer be his chamber maid and will become a full time resident noble."

"Oh Saphyra!" The younger woman wraps her arms around me, holding me tightly. "I'm so happy for you!" She releases me and looks at me with bright eyes. "So you've decided then? To agree to the courtship?" I nod in agreement and she squeals in delight. "Although everyone likes Thor because of his muscles, there was always something about Loki that captivated anyone. So what do we need to do?"

"First things first are move what little I have over to my room in the resident noble wing. Then I need to go find Loki and give him my answer."

"Shall we get started then?"

"We shall!" I smile and find two empty baskets that we can shove my things into. Kirra takes care of folding all my servant dresses while I pack what little memories I have of my family. Once we are packed, we head to my new room. The room is huge. Once we put everything in the proper places, I look around. The walk in closet is already full of dresses, undoubtedly from the Queen. The private bathroom is just as big with a giant tub, separate shower and two sinks. I freshen up while Kirra, busies herself with cleaning. Butterflies fill my stomach as I finish getting ready, my hands shaking ever so slightly.

"Saphyra?" Kirra pokes her head into the bathroom looking at me curiously. "Are you alright? You look a little pale." She walks in, stopping beside me, staring at me through the reflections in the mirror.

"Yeah…" I say after a moment. "Just nervous is all."

"There's no need to be nervous. You're going to be fine and everything will work out, you'll see." She fawns over my hair for a minute before nodding in satisfaction. "Now, if you're ready."

"I'll never be ready to confess that I… love him." I sigh and follow her from the bathroom. We walk down the hall, heading towards his room. With each step, my nerves grow and scenarios run through my head like a wild boar.

"Relax. He'll say yes. He loves you too much to let you go. Even if he doesn't show it outside." She pats my arm and leaves me standing in front of the familiar doors of Loki's room. Tentatively I raise my hand and knock twice. The wait for his reply is suffocating and I contemplate leaving and never looking back when the door is wrenched open. Loki stands there in his simple green tunic and leather pants that hug his toned legs, his feet bare.

"My Lord, I require but a moment of your time." I murmur, looking at him through my lashes. He steps aside without a word, motioning for me to come in. I shuffle past him, walking down the few steps and turn back to him. He regards me with a blank expression, his eyes dancing with what looks like anxiousness. "Loki… I apologize for my disappearance last night; I just had a lot to think about and wanted to make sure that I made the right decision." He carefully steps down leaving a few feet between us, regarding me wearily. "I was visited by my parents and they offered me council on the matter at hand. They encouraged me to follow what I believed to be the right path and would pray for my happiness no matter what." I let out a shaky breath averting my eyes from his piercing green ones. "Courting you would be an honor…"

"But?" He says hesitantly, picking up on my hesitation.

"You opened up to me once before, Loki." I look at him with question. "You keep everything inside no matter how hard I try to break through your walls. I feel that courting you would be a detriment to me and you if we don't convey our emotions properly. Keeping everything inside isn't healthy or helpful. I want to understand you, Loki. More than I do now. I do want to court you, Loki."

Sighing, he paces before stopping with his back to me. "So you are agreeing to let me court you but in order for you to agree, I have to open myself up for all to see?"

"Not for everyone to see!" I step toward him, hesitating to touch his arm. "Just for me…" Wringing my hands, I look at the floor. "You're not a monster at all. You are a Prince and a man that is capable of love and compassion. I want to share that with you if you are willing to share that with me as well." Minutes pass, anxiety filling my being as I wait for his answer.

Just as I am thinking of leaving, his hand snakes under my chin, tilting my head so I look him in the eyes. "Very well, I accept." He leans in and gently presses his lips against mine and I place my hands against his hard chest. He pulls away resting his forehead on mine, looking me in the eyes. "Show me what it means to love a woman like you. I will follow you to the edge of the universe and back if I have to. Nothing will stand in my way of getting what I want. And what I want is you. Please, show me how to love you in a way that only I can and will be able to see. But please promise that you will do the same?"

"I already do." I lean up, pressing my lips to his as he crushes my body to his in a tight embrace.

~FIN

Authors Note: Well folks, that's it! It's the last chapter! I apologize if this is not what you were looking for but I don't like leaving pieces unfinished. There is a possibility of a little epilogue if I get enough reviews. Anywho, I hope you enjoyed this story and will still be writing and hopefully posting more often. Stay classy and thank you so much for your patience! ~BlackRoses13