"The king has begun to court my daughter and he doesn't even have the decency to speak to me first!" Reynard was already in a rage, likely fueled by wine. She saw evidence of that in the fresh stains on his robes.

"He's not courting me, father. We talk occasionally, that's all."

"You've talked several times. Trust me, he's courting you, Erna. You're just too dazzled by attention from the king to notice."

It took every ounce of self-control not to roll her eyes at his assessment of her situational perception. "Father," she kept her tone as patient as possible, "he can't possibly court me without speaking to me some. How would he even know if moving further is something he wanted?"

"In the last weeks there have been three dinners, six walks, and now he wants to take you on a state visit! That's more than just getting to know you!" Only he would think a handful of public talks, for that's all Reynard knew of, was enough to constitute proposing marriage.

"It's not a state visit. It is a jaunt to a nearby village that is probably just an excuse for a hunting trip. I will be one of dozens of courtiers present."

"But he asked you to come, you specifically. And yesterday he refused to come to dinner when you took yours in your chambers."

"Father, I'm sure if his intentions change, he'll speak to you immediately."

"What makes you so sure? Has he mentioned anything to you that you haven't told me?" The eagerness in his tone turned her stomach.

"Of course not, father. You know everything." If he only knew the real situation, she thought, smiling inwardly. Stupid lout.

"I'd better. I'll grant my permission for this trip of yours, but if he continues much longer I'll be forced to demand a meeting with him. He may well be the king, but I'm your father." No talk of her own wishes. This just emphasized how she'd made the right choice to partner with Loki.

As much as it galled her, she kissed his cheek and smiled benignly up at him. "Thank you, father!" He probably only saw the infatuated maid she wanted him to see.

-XXX-

When Loki joined her for a glass of mead that night, she wasted no time in filling him in on the conversation with her father.

"He's going to do something stupid if you don't officially declare your intentions soon."

"Something more idiotic than assume you're just a pretty face?"

She ignored the flush brought about by his words and continued. "Decidedly so. You're going to have to meet with him after the trip."

He sighed heavily and sunk down beside her on the couch. "Fine. I suppose I can't avoid it any longer."

"We can send him home as soon as the wedding's over, Loki. He can't bother us for much longer."

"Providing you don't kill him before then." He took her hand and brushed his lips across her palm. "It must be maddening for you to get interrogated every time we're seen together."

"You know there's no one here to see us, Loki. You don't have to put on a show now."

"I'll have you know I wanted to do that." He slunk down in his seat, sullen set to his face. Suddenly he looked much younger, like a boy playing the part of a king in a mummer's show. But she spotted hurt in his expression as well and mentally castigated herself for speaking so rashly.

"I didn't mean to be rude, Loki. I'm sorry." She scooted closer and laid her head on his shoulder. "Sometimes I can't tell what's real and what's for show."

"I do genuinely care for you, Erna. And if I'm completely honest, I've given the physical aspect of our relationship quite a lot of thought lately."

"Have you?" It wasn't surprising. Spending time in such close proximity, they were both constantly aware that it had to happen eventually if children were to be conceived.

"Yes. I'm a man like any other. But I know that will come in due time." His arm came around her shoulder and brought her close. "Does this bother you, little elf? Would you prefer I keep my hands to myself until we're wed?"

"I don't mind," she said softly. Being held felt better than it probably should. She'd likely thought of bedding him more often than he did, but she didn't divulge that secret.

"Good." The reply was equally soft and he said nothing further for several minutes.

By the time he spoke again, she'd relaxed in her seat, more comfortable with his proximity. "I don't want our first true kiss to be in front of strangers," he declared.

"Nor do I." Neither wanted to count the chaste peck he'd given her after their talk about her mother.

"Should we remedy that now?"

"Is it awkward that we're deciding this calmly and rationally?"

"Calm and rational though I may appear, I'd rather like to kiss you breathless right now. I'm just willing to obtain your consent first."

"Oh." Without conscious thought, her eyes darted to his crotch and she thought she spied a healthy erection beneath the layers of leather and fabric. "Well by all means, sire. Consent given."

He pulled her roughly into his lap. She moved so quick, she wasn't sure if magic was involved or not. But logistics flew out of her mind as soon as his lips crushed against hers.

Eagerly, she parted her lips for him and enjoyed his tongue darting around her mouth. The king was a skilled kisser and clearly used to taking charge. She let him.

Before she'd realized it, she moved to straddle his hips and offer him more direct access. As his hands went to her waist, hers buried themselves in his thick, black hair. She pushed back hungrily against his mouth, emboldened when he moaned at the change of positions.

The new position also offered her a slight height advantage she wasn't used to. She enjoyed being taller than him for once, even if it was only by a small margin.

She began to buck her hips without thought and stopped herself as soon as she realized what she was doing.

He pulled away and growled into her ear. "Take what you want, little one."

That was all the encouragement she needed and she began to rut against him again. Although still clothed, the fabric bunching between them offered her a decent amount of friction. She found his lips again and rode him harder, hoping she was offering him some pleasure in return.

It was only the work of a few minutes before she was embarrassingly close. She stopped their kiss, but stayed close, pressing her slick forehead against his. "Loki, I'm close, are you..."

"Yes, little one. Whatever you need, don't stop."

Moments later she felt herself begin to fall, but kept up her pace as the pleasure coursed through her. And while she didn't feel it, she knew he'd found his own climax when he let out a low, guttural moan.

They stilled and she collapsed against him, burying her face in his neck. She felt his strong arms encircle her and managed to press her lips to the side of his neck before giving into her fatigue. It was only minutes before she was asleep.

-XXX-

The next morning, she awoke in a state of confusion. The last she'd remembered, she was with Loki after they... after they'd behaved like a pair of randy teenagers too impatient to remove their clothes. She felt no shame though. They'd each found release and no harm was done. It was bound to happen eventually.

She sat up and noticed that the sun was just rising, too early for even her maids to be up. She would have at least a few minutes of solitude before the day began.

Donning her dressing gown, she felt something in the pocket and drew out a sealed note. She cracked open the now familiar gold seal and read the contents.

Erna,

You were clearly in need of rest after our activities last night. I must admit how surprisingly gratifying I found your attentions. I learn more about you every day.

I hope you don't mind that I put you to bed without waking you. You were clearly exhausted. We set off for Holmsa tomorrow and you'll need your energy for a full day in the saddle. Join me for breakfast if you're up to it.

L

The smile that crept across her face was both amused and chagrined. He'd taken a risk leaving this where her maids might have found it before her. But it didn't surprise her. Still, it pained her a bit to burn it for safety's sake before she roused her handmaidens and began her morning ablutions.