Chapter 44.
Floria stood before the large mirror, looking at her snow white gown. The sleeves and bodice were made of the finest Alfar silk, and the sheer silken overshirt that hung graceful over her was dotted with tiny diamonds. She looked at the high, regal collar that was embroidered with a traditional designs to signify fertility in white silk threads saw how it opened just above her breasts in the most beguiling way. It showed enough skin, and made any man looking at her desire to see more. She shifted in the dress and bit her lip, Frigga stringing the last pearl into her hair before sweeping it up into a delicate bun. The Queen then pinned her veil in place, adding the diamond and pearl tiara to truly make her a vision. She looked down, her hands trembling and Frigga lifted her chin.
"You are so very beautiful dear, don't fret. He will only see you as you walk toward him." She said and took her hand to stand her up. The gathered Maids gasped, their mouths opening and they all applauding her beauty. The tight corset around her chest and waist cut into her, feel like it was too much and she went pale for a moment. Sari walked over and handed her her bouquet, the white roses and lillies spilling from her hands and she blushed. She had liked the girl immediately, her kindness reminding her of her older sister and they became fast friends.
"You are so pretty! I can only wish to look like this on the day of my Wedding." Sari said, stamping her feet in excitement than giggling. The girl was always happy, and showed it by being so filled with energy all the time.
"Thank you." She said and swallowed hard again. She walked with the ladies, following them to her destiny and praying that Loki's plan to keep their Wedding Night a private moment between only two worked.
"Come along Dear." Frigga said, Floria not realizing that she was falling behind in her nervousness. She walked a bit faster, the ladies behind her carrying her train and giggling.
"I hear it hurts terribly." One girl said and blushed, referring to the loss of their maidenhood.
"It did for me, I begged my husband to stop but he kept on. Urging me that it would get better." Another responded, cringing at the memory.
"Did it?" Another girl asked and the woman laughed.
"I am still waiting for it to improve." She laughed, the girls around her giggling.
"Be brave Lady." Sari said, and Floria nodded. She set her mind that no audience would hear her cries or pleads that night and she lowered her eyes. She hated the idea of having to grit her teeth and let a man do her harm, but hated the idea of her shame being made evident by an audience of Councilmen more.
"She will be." One girl said and giggled. Frigga shot them a look, silencing all of them and she felt her knees want to give way as she stood in front of the hall doors. The Ladies straightened her skirts, making sure she was ready to enter after them and she stumbled a tiny bit as the doors opened. Frigga entered, looking regal and proud as she walked in and she waved to the guests. The Maids followed, Sari giving her a reassuring smile and Floria stood until the two Guards opened the doors again for her. She wished her Mother and Father were there, her eyes filling with tears that they would not be there to see her happiest day when a hand closed over hers and she looked up to see Hogun standing in front of her.
"You look so very beautiful, like a true goddess." He said and she gasped as she hugged him in shock.
"Papa." She whispered and he returned the embrace, his best Tunic and jacket warm from the sun. He wiped the tears from her eyes gently, smiling at his daughter.
"Loki wrote me a very long letter, convincing me that I was a fool to let you walk alone and... Thor further convinced me... Along with your Mother." He said before she could ask how he was there. She smiled and he looked at her gown, taking her hand and kissing her cheek. "I have no words for how hard this will be. To say hello, and then give you away again."
"I will always be your daughter Papa." She said and he smiled at her, offering her his elbow and facing the door.
"If he breaks your heart again, I will kill him." Hogun warned and Floria laughed to herself. He leaned close to her and gave her a small vial, his hand shaking as she looked at it.
"It will help you tonight. I heard that it had to be witnessed, put it in the wine for the toast and you will have no concerns." He said and she smiled, hiding amusment at the trick.
"My Husband would approve I assume." She said and laughed again, the Guards opened the doors and they walked forward, rose petals floating down on them from above and Loki blinked in awe of bow beautiful she looked. Her smile was brighter than the sun, and she blushed sweetly. The gown making her both regal and innocent at the same time, and the audience of Nobles gasped at the appearance of she and her father. Her Mother beamed in pride, holding her little brother and wiping tears from her eyes. The baby cooed, his sweet face chubby and his hands reaching for his sister. She paused her procession, stopping and hugged her Mother and gave her brother a kiss on his cheeks. Everyone laughing at the reunited family, and whispering at how sweet her demeanor was.
"You are so beautiful Floria." Velora said, her voice cracking with emotion and she blushed at her mother.
"I am so happy you are here Mama." She said and kissed her brother again. Loki watched as Hogun walked her on, reaching the steps and helping her up them. He placed her hand in Loki's, both of his holding on to hers and he declared openly his blessing.
"I give you my daughter in trust that you will honor her as your true wife, treat her with kindness and you will be the recipient of many rewards from her in time." Hogun said, and Loki looked only at her. Her hand remained in his, she not really hearing exactly what was said but she saying her vows at the appropiate moment.
"I do so promise, with my life, and very soul to never hold any other man in the same esteem that I hold you. May I always be your constant companion, and offer you all comforts that I can. Be the proud mother to your children, and to love them and nurture them with my heart and hands. And may I be your kind ear when you falter, offering strong advice and loving words to give you strength in weaknes. Until my life should end." She promised. Loki smiled at her, stealing a kiss and the audience laughed at it. Some of the women sighing at the swet gesture, and fanning themselves.
"I do so promise, with my heart and soul, to never hold a woman in the same esteem as I hold you now. To be your strength in times of need, and to ensure that your table and that of our children never finds itself empty. I swear my loyalty to you alone, and to cherish your gentle nature as my Wife. Until my life should end." He said and put her ring on her finger. She smiled at him, and she heard herself declared his wife, true and just. He kissed her again, holding her to him and many women blushed at the passion in it as more rose petals fell on them from above. She looked in his eyes, and he saw in hers a pride there at being his wife he never thought to see in anyone.
"I love you my beautiful wife." He said, and she kissed him again.
"And I love you My Husband." She said, and blushed. "Thank you so much for convincing my Father to forgive me."
"It was not hard, he missed you horribly from what I understand." Loki said, the guests smiling and a silence falling over the crowd as Odin stepped forward. He took Floria's hand in his, and took her to another altar. He dipped his fingers into the oil, pressing them to her forehead and smiling at her.
"I Odin, King of Asgard and Allfather, declare and anoint this woman Princess Floria. She now holds this title until her death, or a crown should be placed upon her head that declares her a Queen." He said, removing his fingers and placing a dab of the oil in the palm of each of her hands. "May these hands do great things with thos title, and my you take your vow with a sober and steadfast heart."
"I shall My King." She said and a cushion was brought forward for her to kneel upon. She sank to it, positioning herself with grace and lowered her head to make her promises to her station with piety.
"Do you, Lady Floria promise to obey and honor the Laws of this realm and to keep them sacred?" Odin asked and she pressed her palms together in front of her.
"I do so swear, for they are so very good and just." She said and Odin smiled.
"Do you promise to be graceful and caring, as a mother cares for children in your dealings with your subordinates?" He asked and she smiled gently.
"I do, for their happiness is my happiness, and I could never cause an innocent person harm." She said and everyone clapped their hands softly at her response.
"Should you find yourself Queen, how would you rule?" He asked her and she looked up at him and smiled again.
"As a mother, and I would give all my children gentle guidance so that they may be happy and grow to better lives. I would act in accordance to my conscience, and not let my emotions dictate my actions." She replied and he stepped forward, holding out his hand.
"Rise Princess Floria, Wife of Loki and beloved of all gathered. I declare you one of my family, and welcome you with open arms." Odin said and the cheers from the audience echoed off the walls of the hall. The only person not applauding was Yolanda, her husband next to her and her frown deepening as time passed.
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While no one watched, Yolanda slipped from the hall and through the city. Her cloak billowing behind her as she hurried, making her way through an alley. She had left before sh would be missed, taking her time at the banquet and frowning at the happy duo. She came to a door in time, knocking on it and the blonde haired woman behind it greeted her with a terse statement.
"Do you have it?" Amora said, holding out her hand. Yolanda placed the packet with the four brown hairs in it and a purse of gold in the hand, Amora closing it and smiling darkly.
"She will never ascend to higher stations, never have a child?" Yolanda asked and Amora nodded. Her eyes looked at her own belly, the child in it growing and she smiled to herself.
"The wretch will know nothing but disappointment, suffering, and pain as madness takes hold of her. Loki will grow tired of her, and she will be shamed when her infirmity and inability to consumate the union becomes evident." Amora said, and walked to the bubbling cauldron. She dropped the hairs into it, grinning and added the final ingredient. The spell was set, and the curse lifted in a green haze and floated through the city.
"No one insults me for a Slave Girl." Yolanda said, smiling and looked at Amora. "You always were a good sister, mother would be proud of the both of us."
"She would, and soon you will have a child and house of Odin will fall. Loki will find her repulsive as well over time, and tonight and every night after, there will be no consummation to brag of." Amora said, embracing her sister. "Take care of yourself, the one growing in you must be cared for."
"I will Amora, this child will be that whore's downfall. I cannot wait to see her when I grow and Loki can barely stand to look at her." She laughed, pulling her hood up and leaving with a smile.
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Floria stood in her Chambers, the lace hood of white over her head like a veil and nervously waited to be presented to her husband for their Wedding Night. The curtains billowed with the breeze, and she shivered from the cool night air. The haze of the curse filled the room, she breathing it in without knowing and feeling dizzy suddenly. She coughed, holding her stomach as she tightened her robe around her.
She held onto the post of her bed, gasping and felt worse. Her fingers clutching at it and she drew in the last of the posion, the spell taking hold over her and she gasped for clear air. Her eyes watered and Frigga and Velora entered the chambers, they ran to the girl and held her. Both women thinking that it was just nerves that caused her to become unsteady, and comforted the ailing Princess. She carefully took each breath, and cleared her eyes of the tears. Her stomach ached then, a hollow feeling filling her and she let the women lead her to the Bathing Chamber and through it to her Husband.