Free Ascend by Amanda Hocking Page B

overlook it. This time.”
    “A dick?” Loki pretended to be
offended. “I’m merely worried about your health. If you’re bodies aren’t used
to extraneous 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 poured from him.
    “What about you, Princess?”   Loki looked up at 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 that 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 preparing 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 with 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.
    “So, how did everyone sleep last night?” Loki asked between
sips of his mimosa.
    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.  
    “What are you doing here?” Finn looked appalled and pointed at
Loki.
    “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.
    “Hey, did you guys…” Duncan was saying when he walked into
my room. Apparently, since Finn had left the door open, he thought he could
waltz on in.
    “Sure, everybody just walk on in. It’s not like I’m a
Princess or anything, and this is my private chamber,” I sighed.
    When Duncan saw the bizarre scene, he stopped and motioned
to Loki. “Wait. Why is he here? He didn’t spend the night with you two, did
he?”
    “Wendy is into some very kinky things that you wouldn’t
understand,” Loki told him with a wink.
    “Why are you here?” Finn demanded, and his eyes blazed.
    “Will somebody please tell us what the hell is going on?”
Tove asked, exasperated.
    “I would, but this is a private conversation,” Finn kept his
icy gaze locked on Loki, who looked completely unabashed by it.
    “Come now, Finn, there are no secrets between us,” Loki
grinned and gestured widely to Tove and me.
    “Is it private as in Tove and Duncan should leave?” I asked
carefully. I didn’t know if