Chapter 22.

Floria stood with Queen Frigga and the rest of the Handmaidens to the side of the Hall, all of them dressed in fine gowns and Floria shifted nervously on her feet. She looked down at the rich, blue gown of silk she wore, the shining beads of silver, twinkling like stars against a twilight sky on the skirt. Frigga smiled at her, and she blushed and tucked an errant strand of her hair under the hairband of gold. She took in a breath, waiting quietly and the other girls giggled and whispered to eachother.

Odin took his place then, Banging the handle of his staff on the floor and commanding silence of all who had gathered. The girls fell silent, all of them folding their hands and looking like proper ladies as they stood around the Queen. Floria watched, the doors at the end of the hall opening and Loki entering. His cane tapping the ground as he walked and eyes falling on her from the audience as the person who was the cause og his injury. She felt a pang of guilt, and she looked down at the marble floor and bit her lip. She felt another set of eyes on her, and looked up to see him staring up at her. She blushed, wishing the off shoulder gown she wore covered more of her. He bowed then, the public display causing people in the audience to whisper. She returned the gesture with a curtsey, and he walked to stand before the throne. He went down onto his knee, wincing in pain and Odin stopped him with a gesture and Loki looked at him in suspicion.

"We can forego this act before we begin, due to your injuries." Odin said and Loki lowered his head. It was painful enough to wear his armor, and he anticipated removing it before the feast for more comfortable clothes. His mind went to Floria, and he hardly regestered a thing as his mind pictured her walking in that gown through the snow outside. Odin rose from his seat, a hush falling over the audience and he stepped down the stairs to come eye to eye with Loki. He put his hand on his shoulder, and continued to walk toward the gathered masses.

"We are here today, to recognize Loki." Odin started, and the audience watched the Old King in earnest. "Though darkness once came and claimed him, he is returned and ready to take his rightful place as my son once again. He has proven, through many unselfish acts. One of which nearly costing him his life, that he is worthy to bear the Title of Prince of Asgard."

The audience applauded, and Floria saw Thor and his friends frowning at the show. The blonde Prince standing with his arms crossed, and his eyes glaring at his darker haired brother. Her father, on the other hand, was applauding and her mother smiling widely at his side. She said something to Hogun, and he laughed at her statement and nodded.

"Loki, I ask several vows from you and I pray you will keep them." Odin said, and silence fell again." Odin stepped back up and sat in his throne, looking down at his son. "Do you swear to use your Title to uphold the laws of Asgard, and be humble in the face of your subordinates?"

"I do so swear." Loki said, his wound aching and Odin nodded.

"Do you swear to be loyal to your King, whoever he may be."

"I shall, as long as he does nothing to upset my conscience." Loki replied, and Thor hid a laugh behind his hand.

"Do you swear to be caring and honest to those who serve you, and to not cause them grief or harm in any way. Nor will you allow harm to come to them?" Odin asked and Loki turned his head to look at Floria, her heart slipped a beat and she blushed.

"I swear it with my life." He said and the audience cheered in a roar. Odin slammed the handle of the staff into the floor and the hall fell silent again. A few persons still whispered, pointing at Floria and she looked down again.

"Then I recognize you, and restore your title as Prince of Asgard." Odin said and everyone applauded, Loki stood and felt triumph wash over him. He was returned to the Line of Succession, and now faced the chance of becoming King of Asgard one day. Floria clapped her hands together, all the girls smiling brightly and Loki found her eyes. He saw a light in them that he found beautiful, and feared that any action of his that would cause it to burn out.

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"May I have this dance?" Loki asked Floria, she turning around and smiling at him. She dipped into a curtsy, her skirts flowing about her like azure smoke and she lowered her eyes.

"If it pleases you My Prince." She said and offered him her hand. He took it in his, guiding her to the floor and he smiled at her.

"It pleases me greatly, as I am the one honored by your gentle grace." He replied and she blushed. They began to dance, Loki leading and others in the Hall taking notice of the duo as they moved. Floria and Loki only gazed at one another however, and no person around them seemed to cause them any concern.

"You look so beautiful tonight. I am thinking of having a painting of you commissioned, in this gown and this exact light." He said and she giggled at the compliment.

"Thank you Sir. I fear it may only be a memory however, and would fade with time." She replied and he laughed at her statement.

"You may be right, but memories can be sweet." He teased and she giggled at him again. He saw Thor approaching, frowning at the Oaf and sighed. Hogun crossed his path however, and Loki thanked the man silently as he returned his attention to Floria.

"I am finding myself creating the sweetest of memories now, and I like it all very much." She whispered and he looked down into her eyes The music ending and he hiding that his wound ached terribly, she frowned and he shook his head.

"Perhaps I should sit. I am starting to ache again, and do regret keeping you from enjoying this evening." He said and she shook her head gently.

"No, you are still healing and your company is plesant enough. I do not mind not dancing, conversation is just as wonderful." She said and they walked togethwr to the table, sitting in two of the chairs and Loki held his cane again in his hand. He laid it on the table, and Floria looked at the large stone with wide eyes.

"Sometimes, I do like something ostentatious. It is my guiltiest of pleasures and it makes me feel like I matter." He said, wishing he had gone a bit more plain with his accessory, no matter how temporary it was meant to be. She shook her head, laughing and looked back at him.

"No, It is just that I have never seen such a large stone before. And you do matter to me." She said and he nodded. "It shines so perfectly as well, the way it catches the light."

"That is magic Dear Nightengale, nothing more." He whispered into her ear and she laughed, trying to hide the catch in her breath as his lips brushed her neck.

"You are so very talented with such things, so skilled with them as well." She giggled and he waved his hand, reaching out to turn her chin toward him. Their eyes met, and he leaned close to her.

"I believe you are a witch as well, with your own talents. As you have bewitched me and made me adore you." He said and she blushed.

"You told me to never use what you taught me to bend another's will Sir." She said and he leaned closer to her. His thumb brushed over her cheek and she trembled, her heart pounding.

"Loki." He corrected her with a whisper and she nodded shily.

"Loki." She said back, and her eyes closed as their lips met in a kiss. She gasped through her nose, her hand holding his shoulder and she returned it as willingly as he gave it to her. They broke, Loki having to clear his head and she looking around her in amazement.

"I have never..." She gasped and he smiled at her gently. He cradled her face in her hands, and she let out a shaky breath as he thin fingers cradled his hand to her.

"I should have asked, I was lost in the moment." He said and she shook her head gently. Her eyes looking at him and she leaned back toward him again and kissed him, her heart jumping like a rabbit as they held eachother. They seperated, noticing that they had an audience of Frigga and Thor, one of them smiling at the couple.

"Please don't think me wicked, but I like yours so much better than Thor's." She said and blushed crimson. He laughed, and leaned back in the chair as he watched her smooth her hands over her gown.

"How so? And I do not find you wicked at all." He said, picking up his cane and gesturing toward the red haired Handmaiden and her Suitor. They were locked in an embrace, their lips locked in a battle for dominance. Floria blushed, looking away and covered her mouth with her hand.

"You are more gentle, and you don't have an awful beard that smells like your last meal." She said and he laughed, his howls of amusment carrying over the crowd. He tapped the floor with the end if his cane, Floria turning back and smiling at him.

"I surpass him in that aspect I suppose. Thank you Dear Nightengale, my ego needed that boost and it was most welcome." He said and she smiled at him, he stood and offered her his hand and she took it. He leading her toward the balcony and out to gaze at the night sky, she looked up at the stars but he could not take his eyes off her.

"One night, in the Summer of course, I should take you stargazing." He said, his eyes following the curve of her neck and shoulder.

"I would like that very much." She said and he smiled, letting her watch the procession above them and basking in her innocent wonder.