Loki's Favorite

Part 11

As it turns out, I cannot cook for the life of me. My food comes out either burnt or undercooked. Hel, my cake was both. Needless to say, I come in last for cooking. Then we start the next event, which is manners.

"For this event each of you will take turns serving the Royal family." Freya announces. She, Loki, Thor, and Odin are seated around a dining table and everyone starts to serve them.

My turn comes and I take a deep breath. "What would you like Your Majesties?" I proceed to take their orders, but when I get to Loki my voice fails.

"Is there a problem dear?" He asks with a smirk.

"No, Prince Loki." His name tastes like venom in my mouth and I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from crying. "I will be right back with those." I excuse myself and fetch their orders.

As I distribute the orders I make an effort not to look at him. I keep my eyes averted and my head forward. I avoid eye contact, and unintentionally stiffen as I place his dish before him. I quickly try to move on, but he reaches out and yanked my wrist. I yell in pain, and turn back toward him.

"Is there anything else that you would like?" I force a smile on my face and fight back tears. I try to forge a telepathic connection with him, but I can't.

"I would like for you to sit and join us." Is he trying to make me fail? Should I refuse or accept? If I refuse then he will just keep bothering me, but who's to say he will stop if I join him.

"That would be inappropriate Your Highness." I bow my head to hide my wincing in pain. He pushes harder into the fresh brand and I can't stop a single tear from falling. "Please excuse me." I writhe my hand free and run back to my room.

I lock the door behind me and slide down to the floor. I can't hold back the tears any longer, and the floodgates burst. Why does he play with my emotions so much?

One minute he hates me, the next he's my friend. The next he's in love with me and then he's hurting me. It doesn't make sense. I guess that's what happens when a man who's heart is typically tundra is introduced to fire. He took what is usually a warm candle of love and created a raging inferno.

There's a knock on the door and I whisper "go away." An unfamiliar voice echoes from behind the door as I clench my teeth to choke back a sob.

"Miss Rose, the Queen would like to speak with you privately. She is waiting in the hedge garden. The All Father has also requested that you return to the competition for the final round."

"Who are you?" My voice is scratchy as I strain to calm myself.

"My name is Amber. I'm an Assist and one of the Queen's contestants." Amber turns the handle and I back away from the door. "I am so sorry that you had to be humiliated like that. I was actually hoping we could be friends, if you want."

"I would love that. Right now it feels like I'm all alone. Everyone I had has turned away from me and I could use a friend." In the dark crevices of my mind my thoughts worry about how this friendship will affect the competition. Although I suppose I'm really only competing against the other three girls that he chose. "Can you walk me to the garden please? I don't want to be alone."