Erna was entirely too warm and too comfortable to pay the rocking any mind. But it wouldn't stop and when it was joined with a faraway voice calling her name, she couldn't ignore it any longer. So she did what any sensible person would do: she pulled the covers over her head and told the voice no.
All Loki could hear through the fabric though, was a muffled string of protests. He finally had to resort to pulling the covers back, letting the sunlight hit her sullen face. It might have been cruel (and she said it was later), but it was necessary.
"You have to get up now, little elf. We have to make an appearance at breakfast."
"I've only been asleep for five minutes!"
"Almost five hours, actually." She squinted up at him to see he wasn't even ready himself, clad only in loose-fitting breeches that hung precariously low on his narrow hips.
"I can't get up yet. My husband kept me awake all night, because I kept coaxing him into having more sex with me."
"If you recall, there was no coaxing required." He pulled the blankets completely off of her and steeled himself to her whines about how cold it was in the room. "Now, little one, I would love to spend all day with you in this bed, but we're expected to show ourselves."
"Then why are you teasing me with all that exposed skin?" As her vision adjusted to the bright light, she started to see more details of said skin. When she saw the angry bruise on his left shoulder, she gasped in surprise. "Loki! What is that?" She sat up and pointed to the mark.
"Was last night really that forgettable?" He chuckled and sat down on the edge of the bed. "You did that when I had you against the wall."
"Oh." She now remembered the act, but still wasn't sure about the impulse behind it, just that it had been a strong one. "But last night it didn't look that bad." It had seemed no more than an angry red dent in his shoulder. She hadn't broken skin at least.
"It's already shaping up to be quite a bruise." He ran his fingers over it and winced slightly at the touch.
"I'm so sorry! I'll never do it again."
"No it's… I… I quite enjoyed it. Watching you let go like that was… well it was intoxicating."
He seemed almost dreamy about the memory and she thought his pupils even dilated a bit talking about it. "If you come closer I'll be happy to kiss it for you and make you feel better."
Despite her innocent face, he knew better than to take her up on the offer. Not then at least. Instead he stood just as one of her hands grabbed at the waist of his pants. "Not now, my ravenous little queen. Now we must prepare for breakfast."
She watched as he moved to his wardrobe and resumed dressing. In all their months together, she'd never seen him like this in the light of day. Lean and powerful, he was a fine specimen to behold, and as she reminded herself, he belonged to her. The sinewy muscle moving beneath his pale skin was mesmerizing and her hand started to drift between her thighs almost unconsciously.
Although he wasn't looking directly at her, he must have possessed some kind of sixth sense, scolding her before she could reach her goal. "None of that, little one. I'm sending for your handmaidens in two minutes and I'd rather not have to explain why the queen is pleasuring herself after her wedding night. People might think I didn't have it in me to satisfy you."
"Please, Loki?" She squirmed in place and tried to look as pitiful as possible. "We can be quick."
"The sooner you get dressed, the sooner we start the day and can attend to our duties. If we're quick and efficient, I can have you back in bed by midday."
"Midday? I thought it was just breakfast."
"Oh how quickly your memory is clouded by arousal." He was teasing her and she didn't even care. She didn't want any damn food and she didn't want to have to talk to anyone else. "We have to formally receive the wedding gifts in the throne room. It's traditional."
"And after that you promise I don't have to share you until tomorrow?"
"You have my word."
"Fine." She slid out of bed and marched into the bathroom. "But I don't have to like it," she called back to him before closing the door.
-XXX-
She may have been reluctant to join the rest of the world, but she did find it delightful to flaunt her happiness in her father's face. Reynard was forced to feign joy at watching Erna and Loki whisper over breakfast and trade occasional kisses. When the meal had been cleared away, he even pulled her into his lap with only a token protest from the new queen.
And while the show was as much for her father's benefit as anyone's, Erna found herself enjoying it. She was able to publicly broadcast that they officially belonged to one another, despite any obstacles thrown in their path. For her, it was the next best thing to humiliating her father in front of the whole court. It was enough that the three of them knew the true score of things.
Shortly thereafter, when they moved to the throne room, Erna was surprised to see the golden monstrosity that used to occupy the dais was gone. In its place were two smaller thrones, no less opulent, but equal in their placement. It sent a very clear message that the king wasn't solely in charge any longer. The excited chatter of the courtiers and guests indicated that this was an unexpected development.
But Loki paid the whispers no mind, as he guided her up the steps and saw her seated beside him. Their chairs were close enough together that he was able to hold her hand as the procession of well-wishers began.
She greeted the first few purely on instinct, as her mind was still processing everything. She really was the queen, sitting on her throne, gorgeous new crown perched on her brow, surveying the room from a place of prominence. It was starting to sink in that these were her subjects.
After the third lord presented a set of jeweled goblets they had no use for, she felt Loki squeeze her hand and murmur, "Just breathe and you'll be fine."
She nodded and squeezed back, forcing her thoughts to the task at hand. She would focus on what had to be done and the rest could be contemplated later.
Although only the most prominent lords, ladies, and ministers were allowed this personal interaction with the king and queen, there were still a lot of them to get through. They endured hours of posturing and the presentation of gifts neither wanted, nor needed. It was a way for the powerful to show just how wealthy they were by showering the royals with expensive trinkets. She wondered if this was all just added to the treasury, because surely there would be a way it could help the kingdom beyond just taking up space and collecting dust.
But those were questions for later. Now she was making a concerted effort to smile and make comments where she could so the gift-giver would feel like they had a genuine moment with their rulers. Tedious though it may be, she understood the purpose.
Once the last well-wisher was attended to, Erna took a deep breath and decided to go with the plan she'd come up with. Clearing her throat, she looked the nearest guard in the eye and spoke, "Bring the royal metalsmiths to me now, please."
The young man hesitated a beat too long before replying and Loki noticed immediately. "Do as your queen bids and be quick about it!"
He stammered an apology while retreating out of the room. The courtiers milled about in confusion, unsure as to the direction this gathering was taking, but they stayed a respectful distance away from the dais.
Loki spoke in a low voice and she was happy to hear only mild curiosity in his words. "What are you up to, little one?"
"Hopefully rectifying a mistake you made." Her tone wasn't harsh or scolding and she leaned over to kiss his cheek before continuing. "Loki, we want the people to love you and threatening to torture the palace craftsmen is not the way to do it."
"Iwant people to fear me."
"And those that need a healthy dose of fear, like my idiot father, are one thing, but we want the common folk to love you."
"That is an impossible task, Erna. I'm lucky I didn't have a full-scale insurrection on my hands when I ascended to the throne."
"The people have long memories and I think they still have fond ones of you as a boy. Loki, it's not impossible that you could be loved."
He gave her a pointed look and she was sure to hold his gaze so he could see that she truly believed what she said. "Erna, you must understand that I can't-"
Whatever he was about to say was cut off by the return of the guard with a pair of wizened old men. The boy addressed Erna directly this time. "My queen, the men you asked for." He stepped away with a fearful glance at Loki, as if further demonstrating her point. People were afraid of their king.
Erna beckoned the men forward and they took a few tentative steps up the platform. "Gentlemen, it would please me to know who I'm addressing. What are your names?"
The taller of the pair bowed low and answered her in a shaking voice. "I am Eilif, your majesty, and this," he motioned towards his companion, "is Bragi."
She stood and took the few steps down to meet them in the middle. "I just wanted to thank you for making such a beautiful crown for me. It's absolutely exquisite. May I shake your hands?"
The two men stared at her, eyes wide with surprise, only able to silently goggle at her for several heartbeats. Finally, Bragi spoke up and snapped himself out of his stupor. "We would be honored, your grace."
She had to give him credit, for although his was shaking heartily, he reached out and shook her proffered hand. Eilif followed, still seemingly unable to find any words.
They chatted for a few minutes, well, Erna did most of the talking, but she wanted to leave them at ease. She casually mentioned how nervous she'd been that the crown might slip from her head and how the king had assured her it would fit perfectly. Hopefully that would at least go part of the way to explaining his behavior and it wasn't even a total lie.
When they left a few minutes later, both bowing and grinning at their new queen, she rejoined Loki. He didn't bother to disguise the amused grin on his face. "I'm not allowed to threaten the servants any longer, am I?"
"No, you're not. Step one of redeeming you in the eyes of your subjects is complete."
"How many steps are there?"
"As many as it takes, husband."
He considered the determined set to her jaw and knew there was no arguing with her. So he tried changing the subject slightly, as he found her strange confidence in him confusing and rather unnerving. "You have to start thinking of them as your subjects too, little one."
"That will take some getting used to still."
"What if I was able to soundly distract you from any of your new queenly duties? So as to not overwhelm you on your first day, of course." Something in his eyes belied the virtuous look on his face.
"Where would such a distraction take place?"
"In our bedchamber. I promised a certain little queen that I'd get her back to bed as soon as possible."
"Then by all means make our excuses, your majesty."
It was only a matter of minutes before they closed their door on the rest of the world.