Chapter 47.
The week passed and Floria slowly recovered, her cheeks becoming more rosy and he eyes beginning to shine again. Loki rarely left her side, attending to her and offering kind words as she lay in his arms quietly some nights, reading books to her on others. She found herself loving the affections he gave, desiring more as she lay next to him. That night, she lay against him, his hair messy and his tunic loose over his leather pants as he held the book in his hands. His voice so very soothing to her, and her heart beating as he read on.
"Be it what gentle caress upon bare shoulder comes, be it what soft kiss on lips be placed, she is my home, and the stars shine in jealousy when she walks the garden path at night. Her body dressed in the moonlight, her heart whispering promises, and her caress enough to bring any man to his knees. May I kiss her tender breast, place my hand against belly so soft? Nae, for she is my desire, a phantom that tempts me with thighs of silk, and breasts tipped in rose..." He read and Floria blushed, She pulled at the book, Loki laughing but still reading as he fought her for control. "May she pull me into her body... Her legs tangled in mine up in dew covered grass..."
"That is not what it says." She laughed, pulling at the book and he laughed back. He closed it and tossed it aside, wrapping his arms around her and grinning at her.
"I like this version better. It is all the ways I want to show my affections for you." He said and lay her against the bed. His lips met hers and she kissed him back, her finger stopping him as he moved to claim her lips again and he kissed the warm digit.
"When the Healers say that I am well enough for such things." She said and he grinned down at her. He lay to the side then, his hand rubbing her stomach and he moved a bit of hair out of her face.
"I know, but I am so filled with desire for you." He said and smiled at her. The fire popped and crackled next to the bed, her eyes meeting his and she cradled his cheek in her hand.
"I did not mean to..." She started, but her stopped her by patting her lips with his fingers.
"Don't you dare finish that statement, you could not control your health one bit." He said and moved his fingers over her chin. "If it takes a lifetime to consummate our marriage, then so be it. I will not rush you, or cause you further illness. You are most precious to me, and I want you by my side always."
"I want to be there. Always." She said and frowned, a blush coming over her cheeks. "Tell me that poem again? With the bits you added."
"You do have a naughty streak Nightengale, shall I write one instead using you as my muse?" He asked and she laughed, her hands laying back on the mattress next to her head and he kissed her cheeks softly.
"If it pleases you." She said, and laughed up at him. "Make it romantic, and seductive. Tell me how I stir your desire."
"I can imagine how I would make it so. I would start by telling the story of the Prince with the Silver Tounge, and his lonely days. I would then describe how empty he felt, seeking only a calm in his journey to cool his wounded heart." He said and she frowned, her hands coming up and caressing his cheeks.
"Then it would not be happy, it would be tragic." She said and looked in his verdant eyes. Her fingers traced his lips, he kissing the fine digits, one at a time and smiling.
"It would become happy, for her would find her and his heart would beat to hear her laugh, his only goal as a King to bring her joy." Loki said and his fingers traced the lace collar over her chest. He had never been so bold in his touch, and his fingers found the bit of silk ribbon that held the shift closed. Her eyes widened, and she moved his hand away.
"I... I don't... I..." She stammered, her heart pounding and he looked down at her softly.
"Floria, I will nor force myself on you. It would make you fear me, and I would loose your love." He said and lay on his side next to her, he frowned and thought for a moment as he looked at her. "Are you afraid?"
"Yes." She said and her eyes filled with tears. She did not know why she was terrified of laying with her husband, he was always so careful with her. Would he not be careful with her now? She was afraid of his reaction to her confession, and watched him with wide eyes.
"Why?" He asked and she shook her head, too embarassed to tell him. "Please tell me Floria, it will help you to alleviate your fears."
"I have heard that it is awful, the pain to great to bear and the act cruel. That girls beg their husbands to stop, but they do not listen and use them for their own pleasure. It frightens me to think that I should have to do something that is painful." She replied and whimpered into her hands. She grimaced at herself, not liking how he would probably laugh in the end.
"That is because you have spoken to the wrong persons. I know that it can be most wonderful if affections are given to warm a Maiden to accept her lover into her embrace. And, it can bring her, a great deal of pleasure in return." He said and rested his head on his hand. He lounged, looking at her and he caressed her cheek with his knuckles and ran his thumb under her eye.
"Have you ever... With another girl?" She asked and he smiled at her. He calmed her trembling and leaned close to her, his fingers making small circles down her chin and over her shoulders.
"I have, a long time before you. And she felt no pain under my touch, it was hardly the rape you described." He said and she flushed, his fingers traced the lace again. The touch growing bold and he tugged the ribbon to open the neckline, her eyes looked sad and he kissed her.
Was she pretty? More than I am?" Floria asked and Loki nodded. His fingers finding the skin between her breasts and feeling her heart pound under the flesh, she trembled at his touch and she gasped as he slipped his hand under her shift and caressed her breast.
"She was, but you are so different, and surpass her in beauty. You are my Wife, and my future." He said and he kissed her shoulder softly as he pushed the fabric aside. "You have my heart, my soul, my thoughts, and my dreams. She only had me for a passing moment."
"I have you for eternity?" She asked, her hand slipping his tunic up his stomach and he let her hands explore his chest. He stopped touching her long enough to let her take the garment off over his head, and lay back to allow her to explore him. He noticed that she let the shift slip off her shoulders and he caressed one softly, her boldness making him feel more desire as her hand moved over his smooth chest. He hope she was disappointed by his lack of muscle tone, and she shocked him as she placed a kiss on his chest over his heart.
"You have every last piece of me Floria, and I pray you keep it all safe." He said and her fingers trembled over his chest as she moved. He held her close to him, rolling over and laying her back on the bed. His kisses soft on her lips and she felt a warmth spread over her, his smile on her as he slid his hand up over her soft leg.
"I shall, for this is our magic alone, and my heart and body are in your trust." She said, and she kissed his shoulder, her teeth grazing over it and he hissed with desire. He returned her attentions, his fingers circling higher and he felt a tremble in her hips in sudden lust. He explored higher and she gasped, her toes pointing into the mattress and the shift falling down her her back and she hand to clutch it to her chest to keep from exposing herself. He caressed, his fingers working slowly to bring her pleasure and she arched her back toward him. Slowly his kissed downward, kissing the tops of her breasts and a gasp escaped her lips. She felt like she was falling for a moment, her hands ghosting over his arms as his fingers found a secret place between her thighs. Her fingers held his biceps and she tensed, his name on her lips like a prayer and he kissed her. His hand on her back to support her as she calmed her breathing. She opened her mouth then, her hands giving into a soft trembling the act shaking her into a reaction he never expected. He kissed her, her body so very warm and felt his need grow as he lifted her into his lap and cradled her gently. Her lips sought out his and he smiled at her, his fingers tangling in her hair.
"Gods and men Floria, let me worship you as you deserve to be." He groaned and she stopped him. Her fingers shook and she took the hem of her shift in her hands, raising it slowly and removing it. His eyes widened at her, laying her back and lay his hands on the sort plane of her belly. She was more beautiful than he imagined, and she moved her arms to cover her soft breasts. He stopped her, her eyes turning shy and he shook his head.
"You are so beautiful, let me see you and remember this always." He said and she blushed softly, he felt her pull him into her embrace and they kissed again. His hands holding her to him and never wanting to let go, her delicate body against his and their desire building into a raging flame.
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She rested back in the warm water, fingers massaging shampoo into her long hair and relaxing her with their ministrations. Loki rinsed the locks, his hands caressing them and he dried her hair in a towel. She had never felt this way before, so worshiped, so cared for, so fragile, so very loved. The last hours playing over and over in her mind, a small shudder running through her body and he felt a soft kiss on her bare shoulder.
"What are you thinking about my Sweet Nightengale?" He asked, the question like a purr in her ear and she let her damp fingers caress her cheek.
"Men do not care for the thoughts of women. they are trivial and silly." She replied, her amber eyes opening and he laughed in her ear. His hand took the soap and he began to wash her gently, taking his time to ensure that she felt nothing but luxury.
"You thoughts are never trivial, nor are they silly. I treasure them, and pray you always share them with me." He said and she smiled back, her toes nudging a rose petal aside and she blushed. She watched the pink petals float on the water, and inhaled their fragrance and leaned close to him. Something in her felt seductive, beautiful almost and she allowed herself to be brave.
"I was thinking about how loving and tender you were, how you made me to feel so adored as you took me into your embrace. I was also thinking how I liked it all very much, and how silly I was to fear the act." She said and he smiled at her, sitting on the stool next to the tub. His hand caressed up her neck and cradled her cheek, his thumb tracing her lower lip.
"I only wish for you to feel as I do. You are so precious to me, and I was afraid that I hurt you." He said and she leaned up to kiss him.
"No. It was so very beautiful, all that a woman could wish for and more. I felt as if my body were so perfect with yours, and we were nearly becoming one in that moment. And now, I am afraid I will never be able to get closer to you." She said and he smiled at her. In the next room, Sari changed the sheets with a giggle and he smiled at the knowledge of the girl's discovery.
"You are my heart Floria, and I would do anything to keep you closer than that myself." He said and Floria blushed. Her lips brushed his, and he helped her to stand so he could dry her off. He knew that the Maid had found the evidence of their consummation, the tiny drop of blood mingled with his essence and she was probably blushing as she worked. He wrapped Floria in the large towel, drying her and not caring about the gossip that would come as she lifted her foot and then the other so he could dry her.
He helped her dress, rolling her stockings on her perfectly shaped legs and slipping her feet into her shoes. His hands smoothing her petticoats over her body, and wrapping the corset around her. He was careful to lace her gently, his lips kissing each cross over her back and he lifted her hair to adjust the garment. He then brought her dress over, pulling it over her head and closing the buttons on her back. The intimacy and complete trust she had in him was appealing in ways that words could never describe, his hands smoothing the skirts of the lavender dress he chose for her and picking up her brush.
"I don't need such attentions. I can dress myself." She said and he began running the brush over her damp hair. He kissed the back of her neck, smiling and she shivered in delight.
"Can you do that?" He asked and she blushed. "I want to keep worshiping you, you gave me something very precious and I want to show you what it means to me."
"I am sure." She said and turned in his arms. "I love you."
"I love you Floria." He said and her fingers found his hair, he smiled at her and kissed her softly. The low hum on her came back, and he felt the energy again on her skin. A soft knock at the door got their attention, pulling him from his curiosity and they paused to look at it.
"Yes?" Loki said and someone cleared their throat behind them, her blush showing suddenly and she turned to see who had interrupted them.
"It is only me Loki, I cam to see how Floria was feeling." Frigga said and he opened the door for his Mother. She looked at her daughter, smiling and took the brush from him. She smiled, seeing something vaguely different about the girl and walked to her.
"I am so happy you are recovered, I was frightened when I saw you collapse." Frigga said and embraced her. Loki watched, feeling a warmth at the scene and Frigga took her hand to help her sit.
"I feel much better My Queen, thank you for coming to see me." Floria replied and Frigga smiled at her softly. She blushed, nodding softly to her new Mother and the older woman looked at Loki slyly.
"I will help her with her hair Loki. You should rest as you have been so busy caring for your wife this past week." She said and Loki laughed to himself. He knew that Frigga would want the gossip about their coupling, Sari walking in to attend to her Lady and giggling. He left the room, listening somewhat and he sat in his chair by the fire. He opened his book, scanning the page and he looked at the other one, frowning at it and he thought of something then. The chair should be hers, she could warm herself and embroider in it. Caress a growing belly, their child sleeping and growing as she became more and more beautiful by the day. His imagination saw her holding a baby in her arms, the child knowing nothing but love from its parents and growing into a Monarch by right alone. He became lost in his imaginings, nearly missing when the Bathing Chamber door opened and she stepped through. Frigga held her hand, and Sari the other. He sat forward, worry on his mind as she stumbled a bit. He walked to her, his heart pounding and he pointed to the chair.
"What happened? Why is she pale again?" He asked and Frigga waved him away.
"Loki, she has not eaten yet. She will be fine." Frigga said and helped Floria sit. Sari brought a fur over and put it over her Mistress's lap, and Floria sat calmly.
"It is fine, I am just a little shaky." Floria said and a knock came from the door, Sari opened it and Lady Yolanda entered and walked to Floria.
"My Princess, I heard you were ill so I brought you a gift of flowers." She said and Loki noticed the still small but growing belly under her dress. Floria smiled up at the Lady, her hands opening to touch the blooms.
"Thank you very much Lady Yolanda, they are so pretty. I am so suprised by your belly as well, is your baby still healthy as I hoped?" She asked and Loki repressed a groan of disghust as the woman set the flowers on the table and turned sideways, smoothing the loose dress overherself.
"It is. And I am so happy for this blessing, and overjoyed to see you out of bed as well." She replied and Floria smiled at the woman, she looked at the growing belly and her hands cradled her own. Loki could see the hope in her eyes that he had put a child in her, and promised himself that he would very soon.
"Thank you again. Would you like to have tea in the garden tomorrow?" Floria asked and Yolanda smiled. She gave a curtsy and lowered her eyes, cursing herself as she noticed the sheets in the basket and wanted to scream that Floria's illness did not turn Loki away but brought them closer. She frowned, thinking about how her sister had failed and was now thinking of new ways to put the girl out of his mind. She only had to be rid of her husband first, and preferably quickly.
"I would be honored, and will bring sweet cakes to eat." Yolanda said and took her leave. "I do need to see to some things now, but I wanted to wish you a fast recovery."
"Thank you Lady Yolanda." She said, Loki watching the woman leave and growing suspicious at her sudden interest in Floria. He returned his gaze to her, Sari handing her some bread and cheese. Floria ate, her cheeks blushing and he hoping the same as she did.
Hope that she would soon have a child inside her, and that her ill health was was at an end.