Chapter 13.
His head pounded, and he groaned as he tried to push something cold on his skin away. He heard voices, his thoughts blurry and he opened his eyes to see the sweetest face looking down at him. Loki reached up, touching the soft cheek and smiling at the woman. Her eyes were filled with so much worry, and he longed to comfort the owner of them. She brought the cloth back up, and he allowed her to press it to his aching head.
"You have the most gentle hands." He mumbled out, and his hand fell from her cheek. Floria looked up and he saw Frigga sitting on the other side of the bed, his eyes closing as he groaned to himself in realization of who he was speaking to.
"I think he will be well Floria, go on and rest for the night. I will sit with my more foolish son, and see that he recovers." Frigga said, smiling at the girl. She stood, giving her Mistress a quick curtsey and he reached out for her. His fingers only closed on air, and he saw her back as she left his chambers through the Bathing Chamber.
"If you are going to scold me, save your breath, for I am not ashamed for protecting her. Thor bruised her shoulder in an unwanted advance." Loki said and Frigga shook her head. She took the cloth from his head and folded It, her disappointment etched on her face.
"You both acted like fools, and far beneath your stations. Your father... "
"He is not my father, and Thor makes himself a nusiance on her. She was weeping and trembling at my feet because he forced her into a kiss she did not want." He said and groaned again at the pain in his head, it felt as if it were splitting and he took a deep breath to calm himself before it did. Frigga stood, pacing and thinking as she did. Her hands folded, and she looked at him.
"And where did acting so violently get you? You are injured, and Odin is considering throwing you back in the Dungeon and sending Floria to a temple in the North." She said, her eyes showing concern for him. "I cannot loose you again, just when you are newly freed and are able to act as my son. It will now take much for me to convince him to leave this matter be, and not dismiss Floria."
"I am not your son, nor was I ever." He groaned, pressing his fingers to his eyes and trying not to be nauseous.
"It takes more than blood to be a mother Loki, and I am still willing to be that to you if you would stop being so damned arrogant." She snapped and he looked at her in shock. He sat up and his stomach lurched, his face becoming pale at the reaction. Frigga picked up a pail and gave it to him before he vomited, she sat next to him and let him heave into it. He heaved and groaned to himself as his stomach rejected its contents, the smell from the pail awful.
"How bloody hard did he hit me?" He groaned, Frigga taking the pail and putting it in the Servant's Hall to be taken away. She motioned for him to lay down and he did so, knowing he was in no position to argue with her.
"Rather hard. And then your head struck a pillar, you are lucky to be alive." She said and sat next to him. "Floria screamed out of fear, because she truly thought you had gone to Valhalla."
"I will apologise to her in the morning for frightening her." He said, and opened one eye. "If I were not half Jotun, I would probably be at the gates now."
I do not find that at all amusing Loki. And I wish to ask you a question, and desire an answer to it in kind." She said and he swallowed hard. She looked at him, and folded her hands and thought how to word what she had to say.
"Are you in love with Floria?" She asked and he blinked at her. His eyes closed and he shook his head, unable to bring himself to admit to anything more than friendship.
"No. I care for her as a friend, and I want her to feel safe here as long as she remains in your service." He replied and Frigga pressed her lips together, nodding at his response. Her eyes said she did not believe him however, and she sat quietly for a while.
"I will speak to Thor about her answer, she does not want him as a Suitor and he is angry at how she reacted to your falling at the moment. I am so weary of this rivalry between the two of you." She sighed, shaking her head. "He is not used to being rejected by any girl, and will try again. Do I need to remind you to watch your temper?"
"No, and it is hardly a rivalry anymore." He said and covered his eyes with the cloth. "You do not need to remind me of anything further, I need sleep now if it pleases you. My head aches, and I need to continue to instruct Floria in the morning."
"Rest well then, and I will pray that you recover quickly Loki." She said, and he smiled at her, feeling somewhat ashamed with himself for being so cruel to her. He lifted the rag, looking at her and smiled.
"Goodnight Mother." He said and saw tears of joy fill her eyes. She walked to the bed, pulling a blanket over him and kissed his forehead. Her hand squeezing his, and offering comfort before dimming the lights and leaving.
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He woke, the sun nearly blinding him and he groaned as he sat up. He felt like he had fallen from his horse, his muscles aching and stiff. He knocked at the Bathing Chamber door to see if Floria was using it, and got no answer. His hand shifted the latch and he limped inside to find it neat and tidy, as she always left it. He stared I'm the mirror for a moment and saw that his eye was swollen and purple again, he groaned letting out a disgusted breath at the sight. His jaw faring no better he noticed, a dark bruise forming there. He pulled his tunic off over his head and saw his shoulder bruising as well, but not as bad as his face. He groaned, filling the copper bathtub with hot water and starting to unlace his pants. He sat on the edge of it, and tossed his clothes aside. Slowly, he sank into the water and let himself relax into the calming warmth and sighed. His thoughts turned to how he would explain to Floria about last night, and he decided to trouble himself with it later. Some bridges being easier to cross than others.
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Floria had finished her practice for the day, and also done the chores that the other Maids had given her. Now she wandered the halls of the Castle, a book tucked under her arm and found a quiet place to read it. Her pale blue gown flowed around her, and she opened the book to the page she left off on. Her eyes scanned the page, when she heard someone approach and a shadow fell over the page she was reading. She looked up, seeing Loki standing over her and froze. Her eyes looked down, and she closed the book in her lap.
"Hello Sir." She said, not wanting to upset him. He looked pained for a moment and he sat next to her on the step, his cheek bruised and his eyes scanning her a moment.
"I was waiting on my Appretence, and I now find her here with her nose stuck into a book." He said, she looking down at her hands as if she were a child caught doing something very bad.
"I thought that you would wish to rest today Sir. After the events last night that caused you such injury." She replied and he let out a slow breath, she looked afraid and he debated if he should leave her alone.
"I make you afraid." He said and he stood, he began to walk away and she stood quickly. She followed him down the stairs, and saw him walking down the hall.
"Sir." She called, running after him and he stopped. "You don't, I am afraid of many things, and some men, but not you."
He turned, looking at her and cupped her cheek in his hand. Her thin fingers wrapped in his and he smiled down at her, a curse for himself on his mind for assuming that she did not care for him.
"I should never have assumed, I am truly a fool now." He said, letting his hand fall. "I will rest today, it is a good suggestion that you gave me. Keep yourself safe Floria."
"Yes Sir." She replied, looking up at him and he left her standing in the hall. She touched her cheek, the feeling of his hand faded but the memory of it lingering on.