Thank you to Commanderlexatrash and kathrynrose42 for the comments!

When Eliza woke up the following morning she felt like she had a bad wine hangover, which was odd because she hadn't drank at the party, her next thought was why was she naked; all these thoughts were pushed out of her head as someone stirred sleepily next to her. Her eyes moved slowly to see the sleeping form laying next to her and her brain couldn't seem to process that it was Loki's black hair splayed on the pillow, and his naked back facing her.

The next thing that popped into her head was her first boyfriend, who as it turned out, had only been with her to get closer to Lore. Sure he spoke sweetly to her and the first time they slept together he was kind and respected her, but the second Lore decided that she could be interested he left her side in a flash.

Wrapping the thin sheet around her, she slid carefully out of bed and darted into her bathroom. Trying to ignore the sweet ache that she felt between her legs and catching the bright purple marks that Loki's mouth left on her breast in the mirror. Eliza was mortified. She could hear her parents sitting down and start eating their breakfast on the other side of the wall; the thought of having to try and sneak Loki out made her stomach churn. She quickly began to run hot water from the tap and slipped into the tub and quickly started to scrub Loki off of her skin.

Loki…

Eliza looked nothing like the rest of her family, all of them tall and regal. Many of royal visits often mistook them for part of the royal family, but when their eyes traveled to where Eliza stood next to her siblings they thought she was simply a servant assigned to them; something Lore found amusing. Her family stood a full head above her and, as she rubbed the soapy cloth over her body, she certainly wasn't as slender as them either. Their bright blonde hair was attempted to be passed on to her but it somehow got muddled up along the way. She was horrified that Loki had seen her naked, and as the anxiety continued to build in her gut, she knew if he didn't like her before, he wouldn't know.

She used to tease him about the girls he would fawn over, most like her sister, he could have bedded anyone he wanted, and often he did.

Eliza jumped causing some water to splash on the floor when there was a knock on her bathroom door.

"Eliza?" Loki's voice sounded concerned.

"I'm taking a bath." She called back, and after rinsing she stepped carefully out of the tub, she wrapped a fluffy towel around her.

"Can I come in?"

"Yeah, it's unlocked."

She felt her breath catch as he walked into the bathroom, his pants slung low on his hips and a serious case of bed head, and when he saw her face he immediately began to apologize.

"I'm sorry," He began wrapping his arms around her, "I feel like I took advantage of you and I shouldn't have…. I just shouldn't have."

Eliza buried her face in his chest, "I didn't exactly stop you." Her voice was muffled.

"I know, but I still shouldn't have, we were both upset and I am sorry."

"Where do we go from here?"

Loki pulled back, "Well for one, I think we stop this charade and start actually courting."

"Are you just saying that because I slept with you?"

"No!" He said loudly, causing the murmuring on the other side of the wall falter for a moment, "And yes." Eliza raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue, "Yes because it made me realize how stupid I had been in not seeing how beautiful and wonderful you are. And no, because I would be fine if we never slept together again, just being with you is enough for me."

"Are you serious?"

To answer, he pulled her into a deep kiss.

"I guess you are serious." She sighed when they finally broke apart.

"I am always serious when it comes to you, and I always plan to be."

Eliza blinked stupidly and then cleared her throat, "Well, I guess we have to figure out a way to get you out of here."

"We can figure it out, but in the meantime, come lay down with me." He offered her a hand and led her back to the bed.

The next few weeks were where the best of Eliza's life. She and Loki spent every possible moment together, learning about one another in this new relationship, neither one of them could believe they had settled on just being friends.

"So do the two of you have any plans?" Odin asked as they all ate together one night. Eliza wasn't hungry and had been trying to ignore the nausea that plagued her all day, and pushed her food around on her plate.

"Plans?" Loki asked.

"Don't be stupid, Loki. When do the two of you plan to be married? You have been courting for almost a year."

"We are enjoying each other."

"You can "enjoy" each other when you are married."

"I don't see what the rush is…"

Loki and Odin's bickering whirled inside Eliza's head as she fought the urge to vomit all over the table-scape, and the smell of whatever fish they were eating did not help the matter.

"Excuse me," She stood rather shakily.

"Now look what you did," Loki threw his napkin on the table and started to stand but Eliza motioned for him to stay.

"No, its fine, I'm just going to go and see Eir, and try and get something for this nausea, I really haven't been feeling well all day."

"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you."

"No you stay," She looked at Odin and the others, "Stay and enjoy your dinner."

Once away from the dining hall and away from the smell of fish her nausea subsided somewhat, but she still wanted to visit the healer and see what kind of potion she could give her.

"Lady Eliza, what brings you here?" Eir asked, looking up from her books when Eliza entered the healing ward.

"Just something to help with nausea."

"Oh? Something you ate?"

"No, just woke up feeling nauseous. I haven't been able to eat anything all day."

"Hmmm, well, come here and let me have a look at you." Eir motioned to the soul-forge.

"That's not necessary."

"I just cant give you a potion without knowing the cause, hop on up."

Eliza gave a quick nod and then groaned as the hop on up caused her stomach to roll uncomfortable.

"Now just lay back and stay still."

Eir was silent as she began to work the soul-forge above Eliza, who kept her eyes shut as the swirling colors and shapes made the need to vomit reach a dangerous level.

"Ahh ha," Eir explained.

"What?"

"Well, Lady Eliza, it seems you are pregnant," Eir said gently.

Eliza's eyes shot open, "I'm what?"