Chapter 52.
As Autumn closed and the first hints of Winter began to show in frost on the grass, two women stood on the scaffold. The both of them staring over the crowd that shouted obsenities at them, their defiance evident as they glared out at the crowd. Floria stood at Loki's side sickened by the display, her cloak fluttering around her and she whimpered slightly. Her gloved hand closed over his, and she shivered at what she was about to witness. He looked at her, kissing her head and covering her eyes as the ax took one woman and then the other. The crowd was overjoyed, their applause signaling the end of the traitors that nearly caused the end of their Ruling Family.
After, Loki led Floria to warm herself by the fire in the Hall, taking her gloves from her and holding her delicate fingers in his as he rubbed them. She looked ill, and had vomited that morning. All believing that it was caused by her nerves at the execution and she treated it as such. He still watched her closely however, making sure she was not unwell again to the point of worrying everyone. He could not endure her being bedridden again, and silently prayed that it would be of no concern in the end.
"That was awful. I know little of the other woman, but seeing life end will haunt me." She said and he nodded grimly, still holding her hands and he kissed her softly.
"But it was necessary, her son will be raised by a good woman and never meet the same fate as his mother. Amora, on the other hand, was a thorn in the side of this family for years. We made attempts to control her after their father was removed from the Council, but it was all for naught. I should have realized earlier that the sisters were both behind it, and am angry with myself for not remembering that they were related sooner." Loki said and she nodded but still looked pale. She looked at him, her eyes filled with a light he had never seen before and she kissed him.
"She was awful, Sif and Sari told me about her ill deeds. I am happy the little boy was spared, Lady Blum introduced us. She is besotted by that child and with good reason, he has the sweetest face and plumpest cheeks. I wish to make him a blanket, to keep him warm." She said and frowned. "Must you go to Vanenheim for so long? I will be horribly lonely here without you, and still am afraid to be so alone at court."
"I do Nightengale, but I promise to be back before Yule. And Frigga will keep you safe, trust her as I do." He said and leaned close to her and made her shiver. "Shall I make you scream my name in ecstasy, and perhaps you will have your dream of a child yet?"
"Behave yourself!" She said and mock slapped his arm in play, a blush on her cheeks and she giggled. "I am a Lady, and should be treated as such, I do not believe that Queen Frigga raised you to act so."
He laughed at her mock outrage, wrapping his arms around her and sat her in his lap. He kissed her, his lips drinking from her sweetness and she blushed. She giggled, putting her arms around his neck and he smiled up at her. His hand slid to the hem of her skirts and she slapped it away. Her mouth opening in shock and she wiggled to stand, but he held her tighter.
"What fun is it being good when you have a Wife that tempts you to misbehave so?" He asked and she waved a finger in his face.
"It is not the proper actions of a man who is to be King one day." She said and he laughed, kissing the tip of her nose and he let her stand. She walked to the window and gazed over Asgard, her smiled fading in her sadness at their impending parting. He walked toward her, holding her from behind as he looked out the window over her shoulder and kissed her cheek.
"I would give up that throne to be loved so by you, and who are you to say that a King should act a certain way. I think my Wife is forgetting herself, and needs to be reminded of her place." He said and gave her a playful tap on her bottom. She laughed, turning to face him and she held his face close to hers.
"My place is at your side, and it always will be. Just please come home to me." She said and he held her cheeks in both hands.
"I shall, and bring you many gifts to spoil you, and an agreeable treaty for Odin. You have my word Nightingale, for you are my home. Pray for my success." He said and she smiled at him.
"I don't worry about you not succeeding at this task, because I know you. You will excel, and make everyone so very proud. Especially me, and I shall be very happy to call you my Intelligent Husband." She said and looked at him. "Because I think you so great, and wise."
"Floria." He said and looked into her eyes while swallowing a lump in his throat. He had never recieved such praise and his heart trembled at her words. He held her to him, his hand cradling the back of her head and he kissed her. He bore so many cruel words his life, that the small and kind words from him made him feel pride for the first time in his life.
"Have I wounded you?" She asked him and he shook his head, smiling at her.
"Not at all. You have made me want to earn your praise." He said and kissed her softly.
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She tied the leather lacing to hold his bracer in place, her cheeks still blushing from their morning activities as her fingers worked. He studied her, comitting every soft curve and line to memory, and he smiled at her work. He approved of her help and she tied his cloak around him, giving him a final kiss before he left for the Bifrost. He paused and waved to her before mounting his horse and she blinked back tears, her eyes growing puffy with them. She smiled however, and looked brave for him alone. Her heart pounding and a tremble coming to her lips, not a hair out of place as she bore her grief in grace and dignity.
"He will be safe Dear, do not worry for him. Before long, he will be home and only wish to see you again." Frigga said and she nodded at her Queen.
"I know he will, and I will wait for him in the promise that he will ride home soon." She said and he kicked his horse with his heels, riding through the gates and down the road. She hugged the Queen suddenly, the matronly woman returning the embrace and let the girl cry silently. Lady Blum stroked her back, both women offering the stricken girl comfort.
"Fear not Princess, he is a good and clever man." Lady Blum said and Floria nodded.
"They have never been apart." Frigga said, understanding how it felt by remembering when Odin left for a battle or diplomatic visit in another realm. They took Floria back into the castle, and watched her as she walked back to her chambers alone.
On her arrival, Floria gave Sari her cloak and sipped some tea to calm herself. However, her stomach had other ideas. As soon as the scent of the fragrant herbs hit her nose, her stomach lurched and she nearly dropped the cup. She ran for the Bathing Chamber, leaning over the privy and vomited. When she was done she shook and sank to her knees, Sari helping her to stand again.
"Lady! Let me help you." She said and Floria waved to her friend.
"I feel better now, I think it was my sadness at seeing him leave that made me ill. I feel foolish now, please dont worry for me." She said and walked to the tray of food left for her to eat. She picked up some bread, and gazed at the peaches. Her mouth watering at it and she held it in her hands, bringing it to her nose and inhaling the sweet aroma. She ate it, savoring the juice from the fruit and took the other one from the tray to eat later.
"Sari, could you have more peaches brought here for later?" She asked and the Maid smiled. "I have the strangest desire for them, as if I cannot have enough."
"Above all other foods Lady?" Sari asked, a look of shy joy on her face and Floria smiled and nodded.
"Yes. I find them to be of comfort to me. As if I could never have enough of them, and could dine on them alone." She said and Sari curtsied. A delicate smile on her lips as she walked over to her Mistress. The girl took her hands and giggled, a small blush on her cheeks.
"Forgive me Lady, but I have noticed it has been two months since your last bleed, as is my duty to notice such things. Could you? Possibly... be with child?" Sari asked and Floria stopped, her eyes going wide and her hand falling to her stomach. She looked at Sari, reaching for her Maid and smiled.
"I don't know. But please keep our suspicions secret, between you and I alone." Floria said and blushed. "What if he comes home and I tell him first that I am carrying his child? Do you think he would be pleased?"
"It would be a delightful suprise Lady." She replied and pinched her lips shut to signal that the secret was safe with her fingers. Both women giggled, holding eachother and they laughed in joy.
