Chapter 14
Sylvie woke to see golden sunlight streaming in between heavy curtains and illuminating a tapestry on the adjacent wall. She was warm and more comfortable than she could remember feeling in recent years.
Sylvie yawned softly and looked to her left to see Loki sleeping soundly beside her. His hair was mussed with sleep and his well defined arm lay on the bed between them.
She brushed his long hair back gently from his face as he slept and admired the look of peace on his features. His breathing was slow and even and she smiled fondly at the calm she felt in his presence.
Loki stirred softly and she caressed his cheek to soothe him. He hummed in his sleep and settled further into the pillow making her grin fondly.
Sylvie lifted the soft blanket and climbed carefully off the bed, not wanting to wake him. She walked silently over to the folding screen to look over the dress Frigga had left behind it for her.
It was a flowing dark emerald green which faded to a lighter shade with gold straps criss crossing the chest. It felt oddly appropriate, despite its impracticality. She slipped the soft sleep clothes off letting them fall to the floor. She lifted the dress over her head and pulled the fine garment into place on her frame.
Sylvie smiled at how it fit her perfectly and knelt to pick up a pair of gold sandals from the floor.
She walked out from behind it and glanced at the bed where Loki still slept. She smiled warmly before slipping quietly out the door.
Sylvie sought out the palace kitchens and requested a few items she knew Loki liked best. She noticed a few knowing looks from servants who obviously knew his tastes as well and blushed at the implication.
She intended to carry them back herself but a handmaid from the Queen’s personal staff insisted upon taking them up for her. Sylvie thanked her self consciously and left with an apple to eat while she explored.
The palace was buzzing with excitement for the coronation and she smiled nervously when greeted by enthusiastic courtiers. Soon the sounds of cheering and horns trumpeting echoed through the halls and she knew the moment had come.
She headed back to the room where she and Loki had stayed and knocked softly before stepping inside.
Loki was still in bed but the window was now fully open and he was sitting propped up on one arm eating from the tray Sylvie had requested for them. He looked up when she came in and his eyes swept over her.
“Sylvie…” he whispered reverently.
She blushed and tugged at the dress nervously before bringing a hand up to rub self-consciously against her arm.
Loki’s eyes were fond with compassion and he got up to walk over to her. She watched the way his lean muscular form moved appreciatively as he approached her.
“You look… incredibly beautiful,” he said softly and took her hand to kiss, every bit the prince she so often forgot he was.
“I feel a bit silly,” she murmured.
His brows drew in empathy, “if you’re uncomfortable, I’m sure mother would completely understand if you wore something else,” he said kindly.
Sylvie heaved a sigh, “no, it’s fine, it’s a beautiful dress… I’m just not used to wearing clothes like this,” she met his eyes somewhat sadly, “it’s nice to feel like a princess again.”
His heart broke for her and he pulled her into a warm embrace. Sylvie sighed and enjoyed his warm chest against her. He seemed to have forgotten and once again the closeness of skin on skin had them both a bit flushed when he drew back. His eyes flickered between her eyes and soft parted lips.
“Kiss me,” she whispered and he complied immediately.
Though it began light, Loki soon tilted his head to deepen the kiss pulling Sylvie close. She tasted the sweet tartness of cherries which lingered on his tongue and hummed into his lips. She opened her mouth to chase the flavor and savored the sensuousness of the kiss.
When Loki pulled back slowly they were both breathing heavy. They opened their eyes to look at each other, the moment stretching on as the tension simmered between them.
Loki eventually swallowed nervously, eyes breaking contact to glance down at her dress as he felt his heart pound wildly in his chest. He wanted to make a more conscious effort not to lose himself since they had decided to take things slowly.
“Come eat,” he said thickly, gesturing to the food on the bed.
Sylvie smiled with amusement, “you’re starting to sound like your mother,” she teased.
He hissed a breath as if wounded and gave her look of mock reproach. She laughed and adjusted the dress to sit on the edge of the bed and eat from the tray.
Loki laid casually atop the unmade bed, eating absentmindedly while occasionally glancing over to watch her with affectionate eyes.
“So, did you sleep well?” She asked shyly.
“I did, amazingly so, in fact. I didn’t realize how much I needed the rest,” he smiled at her fondly then looked away and cleared his throat, “uh, how did, uhm, how did you sleep?”
Sylvie smiled widely, “very well… I’ve grown so accustomed to only sleeping a few hours at a time that I’d forgotten how good it feels to get a full night’s rest.”
Loki looked at her with compassion, “if you want to get any more rest I’m happy to let you sleep,” he said softly.
“I don’t think I could sleep longer if I tried, that’s honestly the most uninterrupted rest I’ve had in years.”
“Good,” Loki smiled, then looked a little shy as he glanced at her, “I’m glad you slept well… you look beautiful.”
Sylvie blushed and rolled her eyes giving him a gentle nudge in the arm, “come on, much as I’d love to sit here and let you shower me with affection we do need to formulate a plan.”
Loki grinned at her teasing and they went back to eating while they started to brainstorm their next move.