My Best Friend's Brother

Chapter 18

I spent the next week lying in bed or basically moping around the house. Who knew a friendship ending could hit so hard in the emotional department? I'd never been dumped before but if it was anything like this then screw that, I'd rather die a spinster. I'll just spend the rest of my life eating fruit salad on Friday nights alone, thank you very much. I miss Midgard and their ice cream. A Cookie Dough Ben and Jerry's would be perfect right now.

No one in my family knew what happened about Loki apart from Sage and she didn't utter a word about it to the others (She was the only one in the hallway when Thor brought me home that day) On the plus side this stopped any awkward or intrusive questions. But on the bad side, everyone was confused as to why I was being so mopey and not wanting to leave my room the whole week. Sage told everyone that I was sad I didn't get to see everything I wanted to at the conference in North Asgard, which I didn't. By some miracle, they bought it and let me wallow in my grief most of the time. As I said though, this couldn't last forever and it ended the day my older brother knocked on my bedroom door.
"Willow? Are you doing ok?" The door opened a crack so he could pop his head in. I was laying on my stomach on my bed, My head was facing the wall so he couldn't see my vagrant expression. He shut the door behind him, coming over to sit on the edge of my bed. I think he felt genuinely bad for me without having any idea why I was so miserable. His hand reached out to rub the back of my head "Awe, don't worry, baby sis. There'll be other conferences. Your supervisor will understand; he'll just be happy you made an attempt to go."
"Alder, you never call me baby sis," I sighed, lowering my eyes a little. I just really wanted to still be alone right now "And yeah, I guess you are right," I just won't be able to go with Loki.
"These things happen, Willow. It's not your fault; that's just part of life."
"I know,"
"Everything will be ok, I promise," he gave my hair a pat. Another sad sigh fell from my lips.
"Thanks," though I didn't sound grateful. Sensing I was still upset, Alder clicked his tongue and thought to himself for a moment "I can hear the wheels turning in that brain of yours. Am I going to expect some dust falling out of your ears?" Then his face lit up. He clicked his fingers.
"I know what will cheer you up! The whole family's been invited to a brunch at the palace. That should be fun, there'll be a dessert bar and all the things you like!"
"I don't feel like going, Alder. You guys go without me; I want to stay home.
" He blinked perplexed. I wanted to curl up into a ball and hide away from the world.
"But baby sis, you've been formally invited. You can't stay home; it would look bad, like an insult to our hosts. You have to go. Besides, Thor will drag you along."
"But I don't want to. Please don't make me go. I really don't want to." I begged. Alder let out a sigh.
"I'm sorry, Willow, but you and I both know you can't refuse an invitation like this. You'll have fun! We're all going! And it's not just us, Loki will be there as well!" My heart skipped a beat. I hadn't heard his name said out loud in a couple of days and it still hurt to hear. I wasn't ready to see him again. I wasn't ready for this. Loki didn't want to be friends; he's made that crystal clear. He doesn't like me. So how can I face him now when I'm still in love with him?

I accepted sometime this week after talking it over for hours with my sister and Thor, that I was indeed in love with Loki. I still love him. I'm in love with him in the most hopeful, hopeless way. And now there's nothing I can do about it. Our story's ended, and it turns out it wasn't a love story, just a tragic comedy. My hands clenched onto the bottom of my pillow tighter. I can't help it; I can't stop loving him. I wish there was an off switch for things like this but tragically there's not.

I begrudgingly joined my siblings to Asgard Palace for the brunch. We wouldn't see the royal family (Apart from Thor and possibly Loki,) as this was the standard every high-racking family in Asgard was automatically invited. No one would notice if we went, but everyone would notice if we didn't go- how twisted and ironic is that? We were all dressed up in our fancy wear, with Thor leading everyone inside. Sage got the idea that I need to go looking fabulous and show Loki what he is missing. I was almost tempted but when I saw my face with makeup, I looked like a street worker.

 We got to the front gate and I paused, which was easy to do since I was bringing up the rear. I looked through the entrance into the interior, reluctant to go another step forward. I saw a shimmer of black hair. My hand lifted up to where my heart was. He's in there. I know he is. I can sense him. If you asked me a week ago, I would have given anything to see him again, but the more time we spent apart, the more nervous I grew to meet up face-to-face. How would I feel? How would I react? I'd never been in a situation like this before and had no idea what to do. Most people dealt with this in their younger but I skipped over that period. And I was paying for it. I didn't sign up for any of this; I should be in Midgard working on my dissertation right now.

I was about to turn around and march off when this guy down the street caught my eye. He seemed lost. like he was looking for a street sign. How you could be lost in front of Asgard Palace is beyond me. Deciding to ignore it, I spun around to head in the opposite direction until a voice caught my attention.
"Hey! Hey, you there! Is this Asgard's Palace?" The man called out. Immediately I could tell he had an ascent. I swear his mouth glowed when he spoke. Realizing he was not from around here, my politeness took over and I stopped to glance back over my shoulder at him. The guy took a few steps closer to me. I will admit that he was gorgeous that I forgot how to breathe. He's no Loki but he might just be the next best thing. I blinked a few times, trying to gather my composure.
"You are correct. This is Asgard Palace," I didn't sound as graceful as you might think. His head turned back to it.
"Thought so. How many palaces are there like this in Asgard?"
"This is the main one. All the other little ones are for the extended family," My own family was included.
"Ah, it's my own fault. I wanted to walk when I should have taken a carriage," he spoke so casually to me, it kinda caught me off guard. Is he normally this friendly, whoever he is? My cheeks blushed without my permission a tiny bit when he flashed me a brilliant smile "You going in too?"
"Yes, My family's inside. We were invited for the brunch," my eyes fell as I said this. Why did I open my mouth? Now I have to go inside. His grin widened.
"Ah, great! We can go in together!"
"Together?!" My head shot up. It was like he was speaking Latin to me. He shrugged.
"Sure, why not? You're invited, I'm invited."
"You were invited?" He laughed.
"Don't sound so surprised. Admittedly I haven't been in Asgard long, but I got my card back in Munich. You sound like a local, though."
"I am... Sort of... I wasn't born here in Asgard but I grew up here,"
"Makes sense. you seem a little more than your typical Asgard woman."
"What do you mean?!" I blinked, shocked by his audacity. Where is this guy from and yes I was right, his mouth glowed when he talked.
"Trust me, sweetheart, it's not an insult. But let's continue this little chat inside, shall we? I'm getting real hungry." I couldn't put my finger on it but there was something about him. His eyes, his mannerisms, even his voice. He's like Loki but on a whole new level. Loki made me feel safe. But this guy... It's hard to explain. When I was with Loki, I knew it was a new experience for both of us and he let me lead whenever I wanted and needed to. But this guy, it was obvious that he was the one in charge. His voice was like the promise of sin in both a good and bad way. I didn't want to be so quick to judge or demonize him, but I've never had good experiences with men being so blatantly upfront with me before.

My head shook as I made myself come back down to reality. The mystery man was still waiting for a reply, after all.
"Sir, I cannot just walk in with you. I don't even know you."
"The name is Dewitt," he stuck out his gloved hand for mine. I stared at it for a second, thinking to myself. Dewitt... that's a familiar-sounding name. Where have I heard it before? I've heard it, but I can't put my finger on where. To be polite, I smiled and put my hand against his.
"Lady Willow Featherwine." That's when he surprised me by holding onto my hand rather than shaking it. His strong fingers curled around my palm, squeezing my hand before letting out. His eyes lit up in realization once I revealed who I was.
"Featherwine? Don't tell me you're The Lady Willow Featherwine? The Princess of Alfhiem?" I inwardly groaned and rolled my eyes simultaneously.
"No?" This made him laugh again.
"Heh, well can't say I'm surprised. No wonder you're so famous. you're beautiful!"
"I am not famous!" I miss being a nobody.
"Are you on social media? You are very famous. Do you know how many guys would cut off their right arm to talk to you?" I don't care about them; I only want to hear from one man. My heart rate did increase, however when Dewitt suddenly touched my arm out of the blue. He acted like this was completely normal, but it was gigantic to me. My heart sped up and couldn't slow down so long as he had his hand on me "Now I get it. That explains so much."
"Explains what?"
"Nothing. Come on, let's go inside." I felt like I was going to explode when he tugged my arm in to wrap around his and I don't know if it was in a good way. Why does he keep touching me so much? Loki never did this. I had to give myself a punishing mental slap.
"No Willow! Stop thinking about him! No more Loki! That's all done now!" Besides, my eyes nervously gazed up at the glowing man "You have more pressing matters at hand," How do I get my arm away from him?! It's not that I thought he was gross or anything; I actually thought he was rather attractive. But I just don't hold men's arms like that! Not unless they are trusted people and this man is not one of them. Dewitt blinked baffled when I unexpectedly yanked myself away from him. His head spun to me in surprise.
"Is something wrong?"
"NO. I should probably get back to my family."
"Is that all? Then come; I'll take you to them." Dewitt went to grab my hand again.
"You don't have to do that. Plus you don't know where they are," I smirked a little. He chuckled softly.
"I can hazard a guess. they're probably in the dining room and waiting for you. Come, we'll go in together." I couldn't help but blush at him saying this. Why does he want to go in with me? We don't even know each other, and he's already smiling so much. The Muspulhiem man took a few steps until he was standing right beside me. He flashed me another award-winning grin.
"You're shy, aren't you?"
"I guess you could say that." And totally hung up on someone who was never mine.
"Come on. No one's going to think the lesser of you for showing up with a Muspulhiem"
"You're from Muspulhiem?" My jaw dropped. This man is a sworn enemy of King Odin. Why is he here?
"Let's go in together. I don't know a lot of people inside, but I'd still like to make an entrance." He's so blunt! My smirk widened.
"What makes you think we'll make an entrance?" His own smile grew; his eyes clapped onto mine.
"Because I'll come through those doors with the most gorgeous lady in Asgard at my side. If that's not making an entrance, I don't know what is."

I was blushing head to toe as we entered the palace together. He acted so casual and open with me, something you didn't see a lot of in high Asgardian society. I knew he must be someone important, seeing as he had an invitation to Asgard Palace. So he must have been invited by King Odin. But I couldn't for the life of me think of who he might be. This is one time not having social media is a negative.

We arrived at the dining hall entrance, only for my feet to come to a sudden, unexpected halt. Dewitt blinked back at me, going forward a few steps until he noticed I was no longer beside him. I hugged myself nervously.
"Hey, you ok?"
"I don't want to go inside." He glanced into the room and then back at me confused.
"Why not?"
"I don't want to... I don't do well around people," I lied. Well, half-lied. The thought of seeing Loki again made me feel weak and awkward; it never used to be that way. And it hurt to even think about it. Completely unaware of this, Dewitt chuckled to himself. He came over to stand back at my side.
"Come on, sweetie; you got nothing to worry about. Look, we're going in together. Nothing bad's gonna happen."
"I'll be fine. You go in; I'll just... stay out here.... forever," I didn't mean to say forever out loud; I wanted to say it in my head but it just kind of slipped out. This cute, clever smirk returned to his lips- the kind of smirk Loki used to give me when we first met.
"You're the cutest thing in the world, you know that?"
"What?!" Blushing even redder my head shot up in his direction. But his grin simply widened.
"You better stop blushing so much 'cause we're about to enter."
"But I don't wanna go in"
"Yeah, I know you say that, baby girl, but there's no way I'm going to leave you out here all by yourself. Can't have a bit of sugar like you getting lost in this big palace now, can we?" Dewitt cut me off. My eyes grew a little. No one's ever talked to me like that before and I think it was right then that it clicked for me. he's a bad boy! But not like the Lord Farquad... more like the type you'd see in Midgardian movies. I'd never met someone like him before in real life and honestly, I had no idea how to react. I mean, Loki was kinda of a bad boy too, but more in the elite, classy way. Dewitt, on the other hand, looked at me like I was a prize to be won.
"I know this place better than you," I crossed my arms. Seeing my contorted face, the Muspulhiem guy laughed again "I still don't want to go in,"
"Don't worry, I'll be right there beside you." Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of; my eyes lowered unimpressed. Just the way this man talked to me. Of course, I hesitated.
"I don't know," Why can't Thor or Alder come running through those doors? Sage would be preferable at this point.
"Ok, here's what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna go through those doors now and then look beside me. If you're not there, I'm gonna come straight back out here and find you. Don't make me come to fetch you now, girl; I'm starving enough as it is." All I could do was gawk in disbelief. My hand rose up to my pounding heart. Why is he talking to me like this? Why is he so insistent we enter together? I just can't tell with him. Or maybe, a part of me already knows and doesn't want my brain to acknowledge it. Either way, the way he spoke to me just now. I suddenly felt like couldn't say no. With cheeks still crimson red, I awkwardly nodded my head. Beaming, he proceeded to lead me into the packed dining room.

It was like going out onto a stage in a full theatre. Though my family and the duke were nowhere to be seen initially, there were lots of other individuals, and all their eyes were on us the moment we stepped through the threshold. It was then I realized I might have underestimated who my escort was. He obviously knew who I was, but I still had no clue about him beyond his name and that he was from Muspulhiem. I wish the floor would just open up and swallow me whole. I couldn't look any of them in the eye, too mortified to even budge. Turns out we didn't have to move either. The hostess of the buffet- the god damn hostess- rushed over to us, or should I say Dewitt, excitedly.

"Dewitt! My dear nephew!" Lady Fjord threw her arms around his neck. Dewitt hugged her back warmly "I was waiting for you to get here! So glad you could make it, my dear. Oh, look at you! Look, you've grown so tall! Your parents must be so pleased. How's your mother, by the by?"
"Better, thank you. Her fever broke last night," he gave a slight bow in respect. She patted the side of his arm.
"That's good. I really must visit her," She was then spoken to by a waiter "Excuse me,"
"Aunt Leona is from my mother's side," Dewitt whispered in my ear while his aunt was distracted. I nodded. That made more sense.
"I'm just so happy you made it! You naughty boy; why didn't you call me when you arrived? I've been waiting for hours, you know."
"Sorry, It won't happen again," the Muspulhiem guy grinned.
"It'd better not! Oh, but no matter, you're here now! Just in time too! Come, I've got several people I'd like you to...." Lady Fjord's voice trailed off when she finally noticed me standing there uncomfortably. Her gaze shifted between Dewitt and me. like she was trying to figure out what was going on "You two have met already?"
"Yes, she helped me find my way here," Dewitt said with an air of casualness. Her head nodded in this slow, contemplative manner. Her eyes kept drifting to me ponderingly.
"I see. Well, I believe a proper introduction is in order! Dewitt, this is Lady Willow Featherwine,  daughter of the late Prince Birch Featherwine and Princess of Alfhiem." He chuckled, spinning his head toward me.
"Yes, I know who she is."
"But I do not know who you are," Then the lady looked at me.
"Lady Featherwine, this is my nephew, Declan Dewitt, Prince of Muspulhiem."
"Prince?!" I hadn't meant to say that aloud, but there it is. Lady Fjord looked a bit startled by this little outburst while Dewitt covered a smile with his hand "You never told me you were a prince," I hissed at him in a whisper.
"You never asked," was his curt, playful reply.
"My nephew doesn't have a lot of acquaintances here in England and you and your family are a quality community," Lady Fjord told me. I nodded a bit awkwardly "Lady Featherwine is just visiting Asgard for a break. She's attending university in Midgard, you know."
"Is that so?" His eyebrow raised a little, though I'm sure he already was aware of that too. Honestly, I don't know why his aunt was suddenly so eager that we should know each other. I mean, don't get me wrong! Dewitt seemed like a nice enough guy. Why was Lady Fjord so excited that we met? The pieces started to fall together when my best friend eventually turned up. He spotted me through the crowd and waved his hand up in the air.
"Willow!" He called out for me, making us all look in his direction. By the time he reached me, he realized something was going on and was now staring at the prince and Lady Fjord perplexed.

"Lady Fjord?" Thor tilted his head.
"Ah! Wonderful, you're here!" She motioned Thor to come stand beside her "Declan, This is Prince Thor Odinson, King Odin's eldest son and heir. The First Prince of Asgard," she immediately introduced Thor to Dewitt.
"There's more than one?" Still confused as to what was happening but wanting to be polite, he shook hands with the prince. Yes, there is more than one. Maybe he should have done his homework.
"A pleasure to meet you." Thor nodded his head.
"Likewise," Dewitt nodded.
"This is my Nephew, Thor: Prince Declan Dewitt of Muspulhiem," she then relayed to Thor. His jaw dropped instantaneously.
"Prince of Muspulhiem?" It was rare for Thor to stutter like that; he must have really been shocked. Lady Fjord went on to nod affirmingly.
"And it appears your lovely ward here has already made his acquaintance," her hand motioned for me.
"She has?!" Thor blinked at me in shock. Lady Fjord nodded, then paused to think for a moment before glancing back at my brother. Her lips parted a little in that knowing way; kind of like how Sage always opened her mouth slightly before saying something insightful.
"Dear boy, did you orchestrate this? Well done! Lady Featherwine's father would be so pleased!" We ogled her as if she had just grown an extra head, but soon enough my brother's eyes wandered out in a thoughtful fashion.
"Yes, He would, wouldn't he?" Thor then replied while he and I looked at one another. It wasn't just him looking at me; I was surveying his expression on the matter too to gauge what he thought. He seemed conflicted, but perhaps not in a bad way. You could see the wheels start to turn in his head. He never did this. He hates the Muspulhiems. Why would Thor set me up with one?

While that was happening, Lady Fjord gave my arm a gentle tap.
"You must allow Dewitt to join your table! It is the perfect opportunity for you all to get more acquainted. Isn't that right, Thor dear?" Thor perked up, coming out of his daze.
"Oh! Of course! You are welcome to join us, Your Highness," Thor extended the invitation.
"If it wouldn't be an imposition," Since the first time I met him Dewitt hesitated. This made me look at him curiously. Huh, so he does have some class, after all. Too bad his aunt had to butt in again.
"Of course, it wouldn't be! You can take the seat to Lady Featherwine's right, where the gentleman sits, dear cousin."
"Yes, Auntie," I think we were all a little intimidated by her.
"I'll swing by later to see how everyone's getting on. Enjoy the meal."
"Yes, ma'am," we answered in unison. She left us with a wave. Dewitt looked at me, I looked at Thor, and Thor looked out into space. I don't think any of us really had any idea of what to make of what just transpired. Or at least Thor and I didn't.

It was Prince Dewitt who broke the silence first.
"Well, shall we go get something to eat?" He smiled. Thor flinched a second time, coming to. He blinked back at Dewitt with wide eyes.
"Oh yes, by all means!" While he was unsure what to do next, Dewitt saw his chance and took it. He swooped in beside me, extending his arm out once more.
"Shall we?" Just the way he moved, the way he looked at me, even the tone of his voice: it all radiated Sauvé and confidence. I couldn't put my finger on what it was about him. He didn't make my heart flutter uncontrollably like Loki, but it still felt weird in a tingly sort of way whenever he flashed me that dazzling smirk of his. It's like he's charming and he knew it. I was reluctant to take his arm but not as much as before, more so wondering what it would mean if I did take it. Even once?

I think this all amused him greatly, shown in the way Dewitt's grin grew in its corners. His eyes softened upon me.
"Come on, sweetheart. There's nothing to be afraid of." My eyes widened, as did Thor's; he wasn't used to hearing other men talk to me that way either. I didn't make a move right away but slowly my hand began to lift up. I was about to touch Dewitt's arm when all of a sudden, from out of nowhere. Loki emerged from the crowds and he was looking straight at us. I immediately froze, ogling him with gigantic eyes. Only one thought ran through my head in that instance.

It's him. it's really him. He's here. Both Dewitt and Thor watched my stunned reaction with confusion, and then my brother checked behind him over his shoulder. His face lit up when he saw it was Loki standing there with the utmost intensity. He did not look happy not at all.
"Ah, Loki! There you are. We found Willow."
"I can see that," his tone just low. he was not happy, though I couldn't figure out why. He's the one who friend-dumped me. And it felt as if a ton of bricks had hit me all over again. My eyes lowered, also unhappily so. Obviously, he wouldn't be thrilled to see me again; he doesn't want anything to do with me. He's made that painfully clear. I had to expect that there was no room for me in his heart; he didn't want to make room.

I wasn't watching anymore when Loki's eyes shifted from me over to the prince standing very near me. You could tell he was waiting for me to take his arm by the way it was extended out. Their stares locked, which caught Thor's attention. He glanced between the two men, suddenly remembering his manners.
"Oh yes, Right. Introductions. This is the new Loki Odinson. Second Prince of Asgard."
"Pleasure," Dewitt gave Loki a nod, not taking a single step away from me. Now of course I was too dense at the time to realize that this was a power move on his part; the closer he stayed to me, the more distance Loki could not traverse. Still, the gentlemen remained civil, not exacting smiling but not scowling at one another either. Gaging Dewitt's reaction, Thor next turned to his dear friend.
"Loki, this is Prince Declan Dewitt of Muspulhiem."
"Muspulhiem?!" Loki gasped. This caused Dewitt to chuckle, though not out of malice I think.
"You seem to share their reaction." Thor rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. He was clearly being very cautious about how to proceed, especially considering what Lady Fjord said about Father being pleased. Why would he care about my meeting Prince Dewitt? I suddenly felt a little sick to my stomach, and I got more nauseous the more I thought about it. Yes, Father would have been over the moon if he'd known about me meeting Prince Dewitt. Should that be taken into account for anything? After all, it was decided by the men in my family that I would marry and bring the family to a higher standard a long time ago. And I suppose I could do worse than someone like Dewitt. If I can't have the man I love, then second place isn't so bad.

My train of thought came to a crashing halt. What is wrong with me?! I can't be thinking about marriage! I still have a dissertation to finish which is due next week and what about my PhD? No, this is not the time to get married to anyone! My eyes very slowly drifted back up to Loki, then over to the prince; neither man was looking at me currently, allowing me to contemplate my thoughts. I don't feel the same when I look at Dewitt, but then I didn't have butterflies right off the bat with Loki either. I wonder if I could come to care for someone else the same way.

I can't tell you how hard my back arched at Dewitt suddenly turning his head in my direction. My eyes widened, and my heart skipped a beat as if I were some child caught in the act. He smiled, of course.
"You must be getting hungry; I know I am. Let's go get something to eat, Willow." All three of our eyes grew in response to this. He said my first name; he called me Willow. Talk about skipping over the formalities. I'm not into formalities, don't get me wrong; but that means something in our society. It meant something, and we all knew what it was.