My Best Friend's Brother

Chapter 23

My eyes softly fluttered open. I was lying on my side on my bed on top of the sheets. I'd dozed off for a bit there; it must be the heat. Yawning, I rolled over onto my side so I could stare up at the ceiling. It was the more boring shade of white, but then I didn't get to pick the colours they painted these rooms. After a few seconds of doing that, I sat up and gazed around lazily. That sudden rush of dizziness hit me but didn't last too long. I then looked over to a picture on my wall; it was one of Father holding me as a child. We were both laughing, looking really happy together. I smiled, relaxing my shoulders a bit. I looked out the window to see the sun only just rising. And since I was still a tad sleepy, I thought screw it, it's early. I'm going back to bed.

That didn't go away when there was this gentle tapping at my door. It opened a crack before I had time to call out. Sage stuck her head into my room.
"Hey, Willow."
"Hi, Sage. What's up?" I replied with another yawn, rolling over so I was face down on the pillow.
"It's nearly 10 in the morning and you are still in bed?" My sister stood at the door, arms crossed.
"I wanted a lazy morning but didn't realise the time," I pushed myself up onto my elbows, rubbing my eyes "What do you want?"
"Sophia and I were just about to go for a walk in the park. Do you wish to join us?"
"Thanks but I really should get some work done. My supervisor wants the rest of my work by the end of tomorrow."
"Ok, see you later then. Don't work too hard."
"Have a good walk." With one final grin, she quietly shut the door behind her. With Sage out of the house, I was officially home alone now. Still feeling rather lazy, I flung myself back down onto my bed, sprawling out my limbs. It really was a comfy bed. Then my phone suddenly started to ring. It was so random that it actually made me jump a little- I never get calls. But hurriedly, I rushed to check who it was. It was a foreign number I didn't recognize. Slightly nervous that someone was calling me, I pressed the green button. 
"Hello?"
"Hello there." Prince Dewitt's voice chimed through the speaker.
"Prince Dewitt?" My heart dropped in disappointment. But those negative feelings didn't last too long. He chuckled from his end.
"Was you hoping for someone else?" I guess he could detect the letdown in my voice "Did you think I was going to be lover boy?"
"No... How did you get my number?!" I was hoping it was the uni calling.
"How do you think? Your brother Heath? I think it was... one of them... gave it to me. You have too many siblings"
"Of course, he did," my hand rolled over my exasperated face. I heard more laughing.
"Don't worry, I promise not to abuse the privilege and send you pictures of myself."
"I should hope not. So what do I owe this pleasant surprise?" I grinned naturally.
"My Aunt, Leona Fjord- you remember her, don't you?"
"Oh yes, I remember her," how could I possibly forget? She was a nagging, old, busybody with nothing better to do than to meddle in people's relationships.
"She's got it into her head that you and I should go on a walk together." See what I said, the meddler.
"A walk? She suggested that?" I raised an eyebrow.
"more like hounded me about it. She thinks it's the perfect way for us to get better acquainted."
"But we already know each other?" I countered puzzled. He laughed gently.
"I think she means more intimately if you catch my drift. Of Course as intimate as two can be out in public with a chaperone. I'm sure Thor would like to join us. Please say he will, I really don't my aunt watching our every move."
"I will ensure that he days, Your Highness," I giggled. He chuckled too, a happy chuckle.
"No. It's Dewitt to you. Shall we say three o'clock this Friday?"
"Oh, I don't know...."
"I won't take no for an answer, Lady Featherwine!" He sighed. He then started to whisper "Save me... My aunt just walked in." I heard her say something on the Prince's side "Will you stop...I'm on the phone!"
"Ah," I pinched my lips together.
"How about, Three o'clock in front of the palace gardens? Don't make me come find you again." I could hear clapping on the other side.
"Stubborn man. Alright, alright; three o'clock it is! See you then."
"I'll be looking forward to it, Willow."
"Me too... Prince Dewitt."
"Laters," My phone lowered from my ear once the call ended. I sighed to myself. Well, I guess my Friday's booked up now. Was hoping to go back to the library again. My eyes gazed out of the window at some birds chirping in the trees. They looked so happy and free, out there in the sun. As I watched them fly about, this silent grin came to my face. There were some things about Asgard I enjoyed. But I do miss my home. I sat back on my bed and looked at my father's picture.
"I know you just want me to be happy, Father. That's all you've ever wanted for me. And I know why you set up the will the way you did... even if I hate it..." My eyes lowered in the corners as my grin began to fade "I don't blame you; I really don't. I'd be lying if I said I want to get married but I get why you did what you did. I know it wasn't your idea completely, Father. It's all the men in our family,"

I decided that I would go make myself some lunch. As I was making a fruit bowl, My phone rang again. It was another number I didn't recognize. A bit anxiously, I hit the accept button and lifted my phone back up to my ear.
"Hello?" I said shakily.
"Hello. Am I speaking to Lady Willow Featherwine?"
"This is she." I relaxed a little.
"Hi there. I'm calling from the University of Asgard. This is a good time?" Oh god, my heart. I took a seat at the table.
"Yes. yes; it is."
"I'm calling regarding your application to our PhD position on the main campus. The graduate department would like to set up an interview with you." I swear I nearly fainted.

My mood had been high since the interview. I was trying not to get too optimistic; the interviewers didn't show a lot of positive emotion, but my supervisor and Mrs Clark reassured me that it was nothing to worry about. It's just the way they are. I did my best to keep my absolute happiness and joy under wraps, but everyone could tell something was up. Heath noticed that I was even walking differently; there was a little bounce in my step now. Alder thought that Prince Dewitt had done something to make me happy. It didn't help matters that I was smiling like a child.

Thor noticed my sudden change in mood and assumed it was a positive sign that I was feeling better physically, which was true. However, stress can exacerbate my condition. Unfortunately, Sage let me know that everyone believed my change in demeanour was due to being in love. This news dampened my spirits. It's challenging to correct such a misconception, but I suppose it's not entirely bad that they assume that. Technically, they are correct, just not in the way they believe.

Thor and I arrived at the palace gardens to meet up with Prince Prince Dewitt. Imagine our shock and horror when Prince Dewitt's loud, obnoxious aunt, Lady Fjord, decided to accompany us. Even Prince Dewitt cringed at her antics. As usual, she was brash and constantly nudging Prince Dewitt to stand closer to me. I think at some point Thor wanted to intervene but she shot him a look which told him to butt out. No one was doing any talking but her, at least for the first little while. Prince Dewitt and I walked side-by-side in front of my brother and Lady Fjord, who stayed close behind; close enough that we could hear them perfectly. I was willing to bet that she'd deliberately set us up that way- the scheming woman.
"Ah! Just look at them! Did you ever see a more handsome pair, my lord?" Lady Fjord asked Thor very loudly. I rolled my eyes and Prince Dewitt was enough of a gentleman not to crack a smile. That didn't stop me though. I was slightly enjoying Thor's discomfort. This will teach him to try to set me up with someone.
"No, my lady," poor Thor sounded beaten down.
"Such an adorable couple. Her father, Lord Birch would be so happy; don't you think?"
"Yes," Thor sighed to himself. I think he was more tired of having to listen to her no matter what she said. Not like Prince Dewitt or I were fairing any better. We merely gave each other a pained side glare.
"Oh, how I wish her dear father was here to see this. He would be impressed by my handwork and ingenuity, of course," I'm not sure Father would call this ingenuity. Father hated Lady Fjord.
"Yes, my lady," poor Thor, I inwardly groaned. Did I really want to marry into this family? I had to shut my eyes. Just think of the PhD.

We had reached the centre of the garden by now. I guess Lady Fjord finally realized she had been doing all the talking since he took Thor by the arm- something he reluctantly conceded.
"Come, dear boy. Let's give these two some privacy. Ah, but not too much privacy now; we won't want anyone to talk. Speaking of which, do you have Twitter? Lady Boylen is a marvellous source for all the latest gossip in London high society. Let me tell you all about it, Lord Thor!" Oh, poor, poor Thor. I could hear his internal cries from here as she practically dragged him away.
"You owe me one," He mouthed over his shoulder. Once they were fifteen feet or so away, Prince Dewitt let out a long-relieved sigh.
"And I thought she would never leave," Then he held his arm for me "Shall we?" Grinning, I took it letting him guide me further into the garden over to the rose bushes.

Neither of us spoke right away, but once we were by the roses my lips felt confident enough to part.
"So, when are you going back to Muspulhiem?"
"Next week, after the July ball this weekend. You're going to the ball, aren't you?"
"Thor would shoot me if I missed it," I chuckled softly. Prince Dewitt gazed forward in front of us.
"Good. Then maybe I'll have a chance to finally dance with you." This made me look up at him as I began thinking to myself. Prince Dewitt released my arm and went over to smell a particularly beautiful long-stemmed rose. Then he flashed me his classic relaxed grin "And you? When do you return to Midgard?"
"Soon. I uh, just have to finish a few things up here first," I lied while rubbing the back of my head. Boy, when did I become this awkward? Still looking my way, Prince Dewitt straightened up. His feet stepped over to me.
"Be sure to write once in and while. I'd hate to lose touch with someone like you," As he said this his fingers crept up to run along my hair. My lips snapped open as I reminded myself to keep my composure. Sensing that I didn't take it with humour, his head lowered slightly "That was a joke. No one writes letters anymore. Not since Thor's Midgardian friend introduced technology to the world,"
"Oh, yes; of course!" My back flinched. The prince watched me a second more, then went back to the flowers. He curled down so he was close to the ground to get a better look. All I did was observe him with fear... fear and resolve. But I don't know if that's because I know what this going to lead to or because he is a Prince of Muspulhiem. I was always taught to fear the fire giants. But I need to put all that to the back of my mind. My PhD is in sight, I can almost grasp it. I can't fail at this marriage thing. Not when I've come this far.
"Aren't these lovely? They look a lot like the flowers we have in our estate garden back in Muspulhiem."
"You have roses in Muspulhiem?" I crossed my arms "Things grow in lava?"
"So that's what they are called. Muspulhiem isn't all fire and lava. There as some green parts that the fire did not touch" His eyes returned to me. I blinked, collecting myself for what felt like the millionth time that day "Which flowers are your favourite?"
"roses," my hand rose up to my pounding chest. He turned back to the blooming buds.
"You should know that I would pick you one if they didn't have some many thorns." Who would have thought that a man made of fire would be afraid of a thorn?" I thought you were used to little pricks," I smiled, surprised by my boldness.
"Lady Featherwine! I never knew words could come out of your dainty little mouth," Prince Dewitt pretended to be shocked. I shrugged "But even with little pricks, Picking a rose for you is the least I could do. It is such a joy to have such lovely company agree to go on a walk with me," he chuckled. My mouth began to open on its own accord.
"Prince Dewitt, may I ask you something?" His head slowly spun back in my direction, happily so. My expression grew serious for a moment "If I married you, would you let me go to PhD anywhere I want? Anywhere on the continent?" He could only ogle me for what felt like an eternity. His eyes grew very, very wide. Eventually, he cracked a small grin- a forced grin.
"Marriage? Who said anything about marriage?" I didn't say anything verbally in reply. Instead, my head lowered a little; this warm summer breeze rustled my hair gently in front of me. The prince watched me, still wide-eyed, come over to crouch down beside him. Then I did something I'd never done before in my life. My hand reached out to take him. I had never reached for a man's hand before, and the moment our fingers and palms touched, my heart skipped the moment our fingers and palms touched, my heart skipped a beat- and not for the reason you'd expect. I shut my gaping eyes. I envision that it wasn't Prince Dewitt's hand I was holding just now.

When my eyes reopened, I found myself lying on a bed in a familiar room. I was lying in bed with the covers on; I was in my pyjamas. My arm was stretched out and something was holding onto my hand. Peering down I saw Loki sitting there on the floor leaning up against the side of my bed. He was currently holding onto my hand, protectively so. He smiled at me; oh how he was smiling at me just then..... I know this scene; I know it. I've lived through it before. Loki and I were holding hands..... He took hold of my hand while I was in bed, and I remember why. Loki's hand gave mine a tender squeeze.
"I'll hold your hand until you're sleeping. I'll let go... when I leave." Loki, my eyes widened. No, don't go; I don't want you to leave. Stay; let's stay like this... for as long as humanly possible. My fingers cradled his so affectionately. Please stay, Loki. What can I say to make you stay? Please stay with me... His smile grew; his eyes lowered onto me in the most tender way ever "Have a good sleep, Willow."

I soon heard the clicking of fingers. This snapped me back to reality.
"Willow? Hello? Earth to Willow?" I couldn't have blinked harder. All that sweetness, all that ecstasy I just experienced- out the window. My head shot beside me to see not Loki but Prince Dewitt there at my side; our hands still clasped together. My expression was so entirely floored just then. The prince looked concerned "You feeling alright?"
"I... I... Urm... yes. Just my heart playing up," He didn't appear convinced, helping me stand back up. The whole time he didn't let go of my hand. Instead, he held it firmer. He finally grinned a tad playfully.
"Well, this is a first. You've never tried to hold my hand before." I kept my eyes down, hesitant to say anything. But I need to do this...
"Prince Dewitt, let me be plain with you. There's something I want and in order to get what I want, I need to do something about it,"
"Hey, wait. I thought you wanted a PhD?" His eyebrow raised. My lips sputtered a tiny bit.
"I do," Unable to physically say any more, Prince Dewitt only watched me, letting this quiet pause slip in. Eventually, our hands lowered, still clasped against each other.
"Me too." My eyes peeked back up to his face. His met mine straight on, locking our gazes solid.
"You remember me telling you there's something I want too." My mouth very slowly opened in realization.
"Yes, I remember,"
"Well, time's running out. I want it, and I want you to give it to me, Willow." My eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. But he was not deterred. He simply drew his head in closer to mine; so close that our foreheads were nearly touching "Give me what I want, Willow. And then I'll see about getting you what you want."
"Prince Dewitt," I was both terrified and slightly hopeful. Everything I did now was for PhD, after all. His eyes lowered ever so little "What do you want?"
"Give me five minutes alone in a room with you."