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The doors burst open, startling me awake. I nearly jumped out of bed. Tove groaned next to me, since I did this weird mind-slap thing whenever I woke up scared, and it always hit him the worst. I'd forgotten about it because it had been a few months since the last time it happened.
"Good morning, good morning, good morning," Loki chirped, wheeling in a table covered with silver domes.
"What are you doing?" I asked, squinting at him. He'd pulled up the shades. I was tired as hell, and I was not happy.
"I thought you two lovebirds would like breakfast," Loki said. "So I had the chef whip you up something fantastic." As he set up the table in the sitting area, he looked over at us. "Although you two are sleeping awfully far apart for newlyweds."
"Oh, my god." I groaned and pulled the covers over my head.
"You know, I think you're being a dick," Tove told him as he got out of bed. "But I'm starving. So I'm willing to overlook it. This time."
"A dick?" Loki pretended to be offended. "I'm merely worried about your health. If your bodies aren't used to strenuous activities, like a long night of lovemaking, you could waste away if you don't get plenty of protein and rehydrate. I'm concerned for you."
"Yes, we both believe that's why you're here," Tove said sarcastically and took a glass of orange juice that Loki had poured for him.
"What about you, Princess?" Loki's gaze cut to me as he filled another glass.
"I'm not hungry." I sighed and sat up.
"Oh, really?" Loki arched an eyebrow. "Does that mean that last night-"
"It means that last night is none of your business," I snapped.
I got up and hobbled over to Elora's satin robe, which had been left on a nearby chair. My feet and ankles ached from all the dancing I'd done the night before.
"Don't cover up on my account," Loki said as I put on the robe. "You don't have anything I haven't seen."
"Oh, I have plenty you haven't seen," I said and pulled the robe around me.
"You should get married more often," Loki teased. "It makes you feisty."
I rolled my eyes and went over to the table. Loki had set it all up, complete with a flower in a vase in the center, and he'd pulled off the domed lids to reveal a plentiful breakfast. I took a seat across from Tove, only to realize that Loki had pulled up a third chair for himself.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Well, I went to all the trouble of having someone prepare it, so I might as well eat it." Loki sat down and handed me a flute filled with orange liquid. "I made mimosas."
"Thanks," I said, and I exchanged a look with Tove to see if it was okay if Loki stayed.
"He's a dick," Tove said over a mouthful of food, and shrugged. "But I don't care."
In all honesty, I think we both preferred having Loki there. He was a buffer between the two of us so we didn't have to deal with any awkward morning-after conversations. And though I'd never admit it aloud, Loki made me laugh, and right now I needed a little levity in my life.
"So, how did everyone sleep last night?" Loki asked.
There was a quick knock at the bedroom doors, but they opened before I could answer. Finn strode inside, and my stomach dropped. He was the last person I'd expected to see. I didn't even think he would be here anymore. After the other night I assumed he'd left, especially when I didn't see him at the wedding.
"Princess, I'm sorry-" Finn started to say as he hurried in, but then he saw Loki and stopped abruptly.
"Finn?" I asked, stunned.
Finn looked appalled and pointed at Loki. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm drinking a mimosa." Loki leaned back in his chair. "What are you doing here?"
"What is he doing here?" Finn asked, turning his attention to me.
"Never mind him." I waved it off. "What's going on?"
"See, Finn, you should've told me when I asked," Loki said between sips of his drink.
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