Frozen heart

Chapter 2

Holy fucking shit, did he just hear me say all that?
I'm paralyzed, I'm fucking paralyzed. Loki walks into the room, taking careful and calculated steps, somehow without looking at the floor in front of him, he just... keeps eye contact with me.
I'm not a weak woman, but damn do I suck at eye contact. It's like he's cutting me down to nothing with his icy red eyes. How are red eyes icy? He closes the door behind him, a chill follows him as he walks up in front of me.
Finally, he speaks.
.
"It's nice to not be the shortest one here anymore. And I thought I was a midget." He chuckles, which is like slit through my words. Who does he think he is?!

"Excuse me?" I'm hoping he'd correct himself, or even apologize. But he just smiles that weird, oddly attractive smile. It's a sweet smile for a comment that degrading, it's the one that shows no teeth, that's usually just wholesome.
I just want to slap him.

Loki takes another step forward, until he's practically in my personal space. I take a step back in retaliation.
"Do manners not exist in this palace? Or is it just your little quirk?" I quip.

That fucker says, "Just my own little quirk."
I hate this man.
I sit down on my bed, about to ask why he came here, when he speaks again. "So how tall are you? 4'11?"

"5'4," I correct him, "Not that it's relevant, why are you here?"

"Am I not allowed to roam my own palace? I am crown prince, it's only polite that I greet each of my guests personally." Loki keeps his ruby eyes locked on mine, and I try not to meet his gaze.

"You don't seem very polite, not very gentlemanly."
I say, just trying to one up his ridiculous excuses.

"I am a gentleman, most of the time."
He tilts his head down to almost force me to look at him, and I do, not trying to show any weakness.

Guess I'm the 'lucky' exception.
"Well, you greeted me, so you can go." I'm just trying to get him out of my hair at this point.

"Not sure about that, Lady Y/N," He bends down so our faces are close. "I'll be keeping an eye on you, you've caught my interest, and that doesn't happen often."

He stands up straight, pivoting and walking to the door, but before he leaves, he says

"And don't wear red again, I want to see you in green."

That night, at the dining hall:
Thor is damn lucky, being able to adapt to the cold so quick; while I had to be given a heating spell. I'm wearing my favorite green dress, one not too over the top. I walk with Thor into the dining hall, but he pulls me aside.

"Why're you wearing that? Are you trying to seduce the prince? You know that's 'his color' right?" Thor whispers.

My eyebrows raise. Is that why he asked me to wear it? So I can be his accessory? Or maybe.... No, don't jump to conclusions. And why does Thor think I'm trying to seduce him. I keep my mouth shut, too confused to answer.

Thor sighs, giving me his black cloak over my dress. We finally walk in, and I immediately feel a blazing gaze on my back.

Loki.

Fuck. I can feel himwalking up to me, but I just try to steer myself in the opposite direction. His longer legs have an advantage, catching up to me as he puts his hand on my shoulder, which makes me halt. I turn to face him, and his expression looks... caring?

"Lady Y/n, why are you wearing a cape over that gorgeous green gown? Are you still cold? Must I cast another heating spell?" His eyebrows furrow in worry.

My heart just about melts. "No, I'm just... I thought it'd look nice with the cape." So he does care? Maybe he was just trying to act tough or something?
Before I know it, his soft hands reach for the clasp of the cape, undoing it and sliding the material off my shoulders. His touch is... gentle and cool. He rolls the cape up in his hands, handing it to his servant.

"There, aren't you adorable ? Just like a little pet."
He smirks, but in a soft way.

I brush off the 'pet' comment, because it could be just a cultural difference. Maybe it's a normal compliment in Jotunhiem? I smile back, attempting to be sweet at least once.
"Thank you."

The look in his eyes, how it changed when he saw me smile. Oh. My. Gods. He looked like he never wanted to look away. My heart pitters and patters rapidly, and I swear I almost thought it was heart palpitations. Maybe I should just blame it on heart palpitations.

He takes my hand, I freeze again. Why am I so jumpy with him?! He leads me like a lost dog to my seat, he pulls out my chair for me, pushing it in after I sit down. But he sits a few seats away?

What the fuck? Was he just being nice for a second? Was he not interested in—
No, I'm not going to think about that. I'm a mortal, he's the damn prince of Jotunhiem. Snap out of it!

The food was served cold, which I suppose shouldn't have been a surprise, but they cooked my food for my health, and it really felt like the people (or giants?) here were actually welcoming me.

After dinner, I'm walking back to my chambers, when I'm stopped by king Laufey in the halls. He stands in front of me, his arms crossed like he's some regal bodyguard. And not the hot kind.

"You know, I would not normally treat a mortal this well," he spit out the word 'mortal' like it was poison on his tongue, "but you're lucky that one of those in power has some fort of favoritism towards you. I might even say they're fascinated by you."

Before I can react, he spins on his heel and walks away. My mouth is left hung open like I'm some idiot, so I snap it closed.

Who in the castle could favor me?

Wait...