I did as he asked, taking off my shoes to I could wouldn't ruin his mantel. I curled into a little ball, wrapping my arms around my knees.
There was something I needed to get off my chest, though I wasn't sure how to say it.
'I was wondering…' I began slowly, letting my eyes flicker between his face and the ground, 'why you are doing this? I do appreciate it, very much,' I hesitantly continued, 'but I do not understand. Why this change?'
Soft, pink hues appeared on the prince's cheeks, and I was quite stunned; suddenly, he seemed years younger, far more innocent than I had thought possible. He smiled, quietly, a bit ashamed, even.
'I have been… acting rather… - I have been… - I wanted to apologise, for my behaviour… I have been rather unkind, and I didn't realise… I misjudged you, Lady Xaeyera. I let my personal troubles cloud my judgement.'
I pressed my lips together, smiled, looked at my hands, and back at the prince.
'You didn't trust me,' I chuckled, 'I wouldn't have either. I might not trust myself right now… I mean, who knows where I come from?'
The young prince frowned. 'Do you not believe you are from the Valkyries?'
I sighed. 'I do not know. Honestly, if I am, it is not a good sign they kicked me out, right?'
'But did they?' he wondered, thoughtfully looking at me, his slender fingers pressed together against his lips. 'I have read many stories in which certain guardians, or chosen individuals, are sent, without knowing why. It is perhaps the way it should be – so you can find your own way, doing good and finding out what the right path is by yourself, instead of walking an already forethought path.'
'But must I feel so lost?' I sighed, desperately.
Loki was silent. He studied the girl. Did she not realise it was he who felt lost, and made her feel this way? Just as she had almost collapsed when he had lost his grip on his emotions. He shuddered to think what his family would think when they found out – not because he feared the physical pain Thor might bestow on him, but because he had already found enough reason for them to hate him.
What was he doing here again? Hadn't he decided to keep his distance?
Loki didn't understand what had come over him. He cursed the tugging sensation, that had driven him to this foolish decision.
Though he couldn't regret it; not while he sat there, in such a close proximity of the girl. Not while she was smiling so happily. Not while the golden sunlight reflected of her own golden hair.
Indeed, he could only cherish the moment.