“Don’t.” I walked up to him. “If it ever comes down to asituation between me and you, save yourself. I’m not worth dyingfor.”“Princess, I-”“None of us are,” I said, looking at him seriously. “Not theQueen or any of the Markis or Marksinna. That’s a direct order fromthe Princess, and you have to follow it. Save yourself.”“I don’t understand.” Duncan’s whole face scrunched inconfusion. “But… if it’s as you wish, Princess.”“It is. Thank you,” I smiled at him and walked into the palace.”

“It was lovely meeting you.Tell Ember I said good-bye.""You're welcome here anytime, Princess," Thomas said, and I could actually hear Annali hitting him in the arm as I walked out of the cottage.”

“Loki," I said."Hey, Princess." He smiled dazedly as he looked up at me. "What's wrong?""Nothing." I smiled and shook my head. "Not anymore.""What's this?" He took my hair and held it out so i could see. A curl near the front had gone completely silver. "I take a nap, and you go gray?""You didn't take a nap." I laughed. "Don't you remember what happened?"He furrowed his brow, trying to remember, and understanding flashed in his eyes. "I remember..." Loki touched my face. "I remember that I love you." I bent down, kissing him full on the mouth, and he held me to him.”

“Princess." He smiled up at me, but it was weak. "If i'd known that this is what it would take to get you to hold me, I would've collapsed a long time ago.”

“If I'd known you'd look so beautiful, I would've gotten dressed up," Loki teased when Finn and Thomas brought him into the War Room. Finn shoved him into a seat unnecessarily hard,but Loki didn't protest."Don't get familiar with the Princess, Duncant told him,giving him a stony look."My apologies," Loki said. "I wouldn't want to get familiar with anyone."Loki looked about the room. Duncan, Finn, Thomas, Tove,the Chancellor, and I were the ones set to meet Sara. The rest of the house was on standby, should we need them,but we didn't want to look like we were ambushing Sara when she arrived."Did you change your mind and decide to execute me?" Loki asked,looking us over. "Because you all look like you're going to a funeral.""Not now," I said, fidgeting with my bracelet and watching the clock."Then when,Princess?" Loki asked. "Because we only have about fifteen minutes until I leave."I rolled my eyes and ignored him.”

“Can't you get a guard or something to take me to the bathroom?" I asked."I am the guard," Ludlow snapped, sounding huffy."Oh,really?" I smirked at him, realizing this might be far easier than I thought."Don't underestimate me, Princess," Ludlow growled. "I eat girls like you for breakfast.""So you're a cannibal?" I wrinkled my nose."Ludlow, are you harassing the poor girl?" came a voice from behind Ludlow. He moved to the side, and through the slot I saw Loki swaggering toward us."She's harassing me," Ludlow complained."Yes,talking to a beautiful Princess-what a rough lot you have in life," Loki said dryly, and Matt snorted behind me.”

“Don’t be a hero,” I told him sternly. “Protect yourself.”