The murmur died down, and people returned to their dancing and talking. Loki took another swig of his champagne, then set the glass down and walked across the dance floor. Everyone parted around him, but I’m not sure if it was out of fear or respect.

He wore al black, even his shirt. I’m not sure where he got the clothes from, but he did look debonair.

“May I have this dance?” Loki asked my dance partner, but his eyes were on me.

“Um, I don’t know if you should,” the Markis fumbled, but I was already moving away from him.

“No, it’s alright,” I said.

Uncertainly, the Markis stepped back, and Loki took my hand.

When he placed his hand on my back, a shiver ran up my spine, but I tried to hide it and put my hand on his shoulder.

“You know, you weren’t invited to this,” I told him, but he merely smirked as we danced.

“So throw me out.”

“I might.” I raised my head defiantly, and that only made him laugh.

“Oh, this party would be so dul without me,” Loki said.

“You didn’t hear about the ceremony, then?” I asked. “Oren came to wish me wel.”

“I heard one of the guards talking about it,” Loki said, his caramel eyes growing serious. “They said you did wel and that you stood up for yourself.”

“I tried to anyway,” I shrugged. “He’s looking for you.”

“The King?” Loki asked, and I nodded. “Are you going to hand me over to him?”

“I haven’t decided yet,” I teased, and he smiled again, erasing his momentary seriousness. “So, where’d you get the suit?”

“Believe it or not, that lovely friend of yours, Wila,” Loki said.

“She brought me a whole slew of clothes last night. When I asked her why she was being so generous, she said it was out of fear that I would run around naked.”

“That does sound like something you would do,” I smiled.

“Why are you wearing al black, though? Didn’t you know you were going to a wedding?”

“On the contrary,” he said, doing his best to look unhappy. “I’m in mourning over the wedding.”

“Oh, because it’s too late?” I asked.

“No, Princess, it’s never too late.” His voice was light, but his eyes were solemn.

“May I cut in?” the Best Man asked.

“No, you may not,” Loki said. I’d started to move away from him, but he held fast onto me.

“Loki,” I said, and my eyes widened.

“I’m stil dancing with her,” Loki said, turning to look at him.

“You can have her when I’m done.”

“Loki,” I said again, but he was already twirling me away. “You can’t do that.”

“I just did,” he grinned. “Oh, Princess, don’t look so appaled.