Loki's Favorite

Part 7

"What do you mean by our?" I ask, fiddling with the necklace as we walk. He's just smirking and pulling me along as we make our way to the hedge garden. Queen Frigga is already there waiting, and she sees the necklace and his jacket that I'm still wearing.

"Rose, it would appear that you and my son have made amends." She addresses us. "My, what a lovely necklace."

"It was a gift Your Highness." I courtesy slightly. "Are we having our lesson together?"

"Well yes. It seems appropriate considering that if you win you will become his personal servant. It only makes sense to accustom yourself to spending time with him." For some reason, this makes sense. That doesn't make me any less antsy though. Prince Loki has been learning magic his whole life, he is obviously going to be leaps and bounds more advanced than I am.

"But won't I hinder his learning? I mean I'm sure he is on a much higher level." I voice my concerns, and realize that it probably sounds like I'm complaining.

"Rosie. It'll be so much fun to practice together." Prince Loki smirks. "I believe our magic mixes quite nicely."

"Prince Loki, I didn't-" he cuts me off.

"Please, just Loki."

"Okay... Loki," it rolls right off the tongue as if I had been saying his name all my life. "I mean no disrespect, but I think it best for our lessons to be as they were."

"Our lessons will be taught together in the afternoons. That is final." His eyes have a darkness to them, and his usual light of mischief is gone. His voice is extremely stern and suddenly I fear for my safety.

As if she sensed my emotions, Queen Frigga signals him to back off. "Our first co-lesson will be on emotions." She looks at Loki. "Son perhaps you should pay attention."

We go on to learn how to sense others emotions, but also how to alter them. Loki, being a master manipulator, was better at changing someone's feelings but I was better at sensing them. By the time we finish everyone is being called to the dining hall for dinner.

When we arrive in the dining hall I rush over to Benjamin. He had saved a seat for me and even had a plate of my favorite foods waiting. "Hey Rose!" He looks at my jacket, well Loki's jacket. "I thought you gave that back?"

"It's a long story." I proceed to tell him the events of last night and today. His expression is amused at first then becomes solemn after I mention the fact that he chose me. "What's wrong?"

"I don't want to scare you, but there are rumors." I lean in, intrigued. I know it's rude to gossip, but I'm willing to hear any explanation for Loki's strange behavior. "Well, people say that the Prince gets really attached to people he likes. They say that if you get too close to him, he won't let you get away. Ever."

"That has to be just gossip." I'm slightly unnerved, because even if I distance myself emotionally I'll still be around him for a lot of time. I fiddle with the emerald.

"I'm not gonna lie. I'm scared for your safety." He reaches over and grabs my free hand. I give it a squeeze thankful for his company. "Don't look now, but he's watching you."

I don't heed his warning and whip my around to look at the Royal table. Sure enough Loki's eyes are fixed on me. He notices that I see him, and flashes me his signature crooked grin. "See there's nothing to be worried about." I say remind back to Benjamin. "You're just paranoid Benji." I look at his face, and it's suddenly white as a sheet. "Benji?"