A Fallen God and An Angel

06. Guests of Honour

Summary:

The prince and princess enjoy Alfheim's warm hospitality and attend the royal ball.

The twins made true to their promise of pampering. After meticulously taking our measurements and walking us through several options of fabrics, they brought us to the inner bathing hall adjoining our wing.

The entire bathing hall was cast in beautiful white marble adorned with various vines and branches. The sunken bathtub made up the majority of the hall with a staircase leading directly into it. The warmth of the hall indicated it had already been heated to a comfortable temperature. The visible pinkish colouring and scent displayed the many oils and soaps mixed within it. The entirety of it is nothing short of a magnificent work of art.

Camellia had fallen in love with my hair and announced that she will be the one to tend to it. She expertly combed it into a coiled bun above my head to ease the bathing process. The twins altered between assisting my prince and me as they helped us out of our clothes and into the water, then, rushed about collecting various items for our bath from the cabinets stationed all around.

I descended the marble staircase into the tub, closed my eyes and sighed as I slowly submerged into the opaque waters. My muscles immediately relaxed as the scented warmth engulfed me. Once, fully immersed, I swam into the left corner where the twins sat readily with different bottles and vials.

"Perhaps Alfheim may not be such a bad idea after all." Prince Loki's timbre echoed through the wide chamber. He sat next to me on the protruding ledge under the water.

"Perhaps." I agreed as Calla began scrubbing my back gently. Again, the twins split the work evenly between them, whispering and giggling as they did.

"Which would you prefer, my Lady?" Camellia asked softly as she presented two glass vials, one red and one yellow. I carefully sniffed both options before tapping the second one, for its distinct vanilla scent. She grinned excitedly and worked the contents of the vial into my hair.

Before long, the elf maidens were satisfied with their work. They gathered all the used items strewn about the large hall and excused themselves to fetch our soon-to-be tailored garments, leaving the prince and me unchaperoned.

I dived into the water letting my hair flow freely behind me. The tingling sensations of the warm temperature and vastness of the tub made this bath much more enjoyable than any other. I was almost completely spellbound by the intensity of the warm water that it took me a while before realising the trickster god hadn't moved.

I plunged my head out of the water to catch my breath, flicking my long wet hair beside me, and throwing myself back into the water. He sat completely still on the ledge the pink waves crashing softly at his shoulders with my motion. Yet, his piercing green eyes followed me like a predator stalking his prey.

"Like what you see, my prince?" I called out innocently, resting my forearms on the opposite edge of the tub.

"Sweet princess, you look just about good enough to eat." He grinned gliding through the water toward me.

"Do I now?" I smirked turning to face him, my hair fanning around me as I moved. He hummed in response, as he lifted a strand of my hair twirling it between his fingers before kissing it.

"Too bad I'm not edible," I answered in a mocking tone, swimming backwards and pulling my hair out of his reach. He grunted loudly, following me deeper into the hall before diving into the clouded water. I made an effort to swim faster before he reached me, but just as I turned to change direction, a hand grabbed my ankle pulling me deep into the pool.