Loki's Favorite

Part 6

I don't hear a knock on the door, but a soft voice whispers, "Rose." I don't move, I recognize the voice but I can't bring myself to face her. Queen Frigga says again, "Rose." I don't respond.

She comes and sits on the edge of my bed. I'm suddenly grateful for the little bit of organizing that I did last night, so that my room doesn't look like a disaster in front of the Queen. She reaches her arm out and places it gently on my back.

"I'm sorry for my son's behavior." It's not much, but the fact that the Queen apologized for him means something. I know I should respond now.

"Well, he is the God of Mischief." I say, my voice muffled by my pillow. "I guess it shouldn't have come as a surprise."

"That's true, but I have to ask- how did you get his coat?" I blush, grateful for my pillow hiding my face. It's an embarrassing story, especially given what he pulled this morning.

"He- he took me to the Winter Garden, and well, it was cold so he lent me his jacket and he never took it back." It sounds so dumb. I can't believe I thought that he had changed, that he wanted to be nice to me. "I'm sorry. I'm just. Just so stupid."

"You are many things Rose, but stupid is my one of them." Her hand warms with magic, and she changed my clothes to normal servant attire. "I wanted to tell you what happened after you left." She pauses. "You were selected to participate in the competition."

"Really?!" I exclaim, bolting upright. "Who chose me?"

"Well, I suppose they should tell you themselves..."

"So it wasn't you then?" This confused me because I thought that she was my best chance at getting chosen. She gestures for me to rise.

"I would like to change our lesson times. Instead of mornings I think it would be best if you came in the afternoons from this point forward." I nod appreciative of that fact that I can sleep in a little later. "You can the rest of the morning off." She says on her way out.

I try to figure out what I want to do, finally I decide to go back to the Winter Garden. When I get there I see a note on the gazebo table. I sit down and examine it.

Dear Rose,
I knew you would come back here. I hope that you don't hate me after this morning. It was only meant to be a joke. I hope this makes it up to you.
Your Prince,
Loki

I crumple up the stupid note and throw it into the rose bushes. How did he know I would come here? How? Am I really that predictable? The cool wind blows and I shiver slightly. I feel warm cloth cover my back, reflexively I pull it closer around me.

"I really am sorry." Prince Loki's voice whispers in my ear. I can feel his breath mingling with my hair. "Please accept my apology." An ice cold gem appears around my neck. It is a glittering emerald dangling on a gold chain.

"Why would a piece of jewelry make up for what you did?" I pull away from the table and back away from him.

"Well...that's not the only gift." He takes a deep breath. "I chose you." He walks forward and cups my face in his hands. "I chose you."

"What do you mean? Please explain."

"You are my servant in the competition." He pauses. "And well, I guess the clothes wasn't obvious enough, but I chose you. You are mine now."

"What? What kind of sick-" I stop speaking, because he starts squeezing my face hard. "Thank you for the opportunity." His hands release my face.

"Come, I believe it is time for our lesson."