Chapter 6
It was near dinnertime when Loki smuggled me back into the palace and into Lady Eir’s office. I remained invisible as Loki pulled Lady Eir aside and spoke to her in private. A few minutes later, they emerged, and she immediately cleared out her staff and had a servant send word to Frigga. Only when Loki was certain no one else was around did he lift the spell, making me visible once more.
Lady Eir escorted me to a large table in the middle of the room, and with Loki’s help, I lay down upon it. She made some adjustments, and suddenly, a three-dimensional holographic image of my body appeared above me. Before I could ask Loki anything, the door opened, and I heard someone enter.
“Loki, what happened? Is she hurt?” Frigga’s worried voice sounded behind me. Moments later, she appeared next to the table, concern clearly etched across her face.
“She is fine, Mother, but I have a theory about why she was asleep for two years, and Lady Eir is helping me test it. That is why she is currently in the Soul Forge,” he explained, and I saw some relief wash over her face.
Lady Eir tinkered with the three-dimensional image. After a few adjustments, the hologram shifted. My body’s outline remained, but now a bluish-green, almost teal glow pulsed through the image. I saw Lady Eir’s eyes widen in shock.
“You were right, my Prince,” she said to Loki. “I do not know how this is possible. When you brought her in two years ago, we scanned her with the Soul Forge, and this was certainly not present at that time.”
Loki shook his head in disbelief. “But how is this possible? Direct contact with the dark magic in Fenrir’s blood should have killed her. The dark magic contained in him is deadly to a mortal. If it indeed entered her body, it should have been lethal.”
“Can someone explain what I am seeing?” Frigga asked, looking between Lady Eir and Loki.
Loki took a deep breath. “Today, I took Aurora to see Fenrir. I know you asked her to stay in her room, but I ensured she was not seen, and I thought it would help her relax. When we arrived, it seemed that she could hear Fenrir.”
I saw the shock in Frigga and Lady Eir’s eyes, but they remained silent so Loki could continue.
“The three of us discussed what happened the night she and Fenrir met, and it seems Aurora was wounded. She had multiple cuts and bruises, and, most notably, a large cut on her hand—the same hand she used to try and stop Fenrir’s bleeding. From what he and she told me, as soon as she pressed her injured hand against his wound, Aurora passed out.”
Frigga turned her gaze to me. “So, you believe when their blood mixed, the magic inside Fenrir’s blood might have entered her?”
Lying there, listening to them talk about me as though I was not present, made me uneasy. Lady Eir continued adjusting the Soul Forge, but the whole situation set me on edge. After a few moments, she finished and told me I could sit up, which I did.
“So, can you please tell me what is wrong?” I asked Lady Eir. “What is that glow, and why can I hear Fenrir? Also, why were my wounds healed by the time Loki got me back here? Fenrir told us he saw them heal and close.”
“First of all, I can see nothing wrong with you,” Lady Eir began calmly. “There is no indication that Fenrir’s blood damaged you in any way. However, there are clear signs that between when I scanned you two years ago and now, you have changed. From what I can tell, your body is now somewhat of a hybrid between a human and an Æsir. Your nervous system resembles that of an Æsir. While your body has changed, it is not as strong as a full Æsir’s would be—but still a vast improvement over that of a human.”
I took a moment to process her words, staring at her. Finally, I managed to ask, “And the teal glow?”
Loki answered, “That was your seiðr .”
“My what?” I gasped, turning toward him so quickly that dizziness overtook me. I was grateful to still be sitting.
“This cannot be,” Frigga interjected. “Even if she were fully Æsir, it would still be too much seiðr to contain within one’s body.”
“My Queen, the Prince is correct,” Lady Eir added. “I know it should not be possible, but that is what the Soul Forge showed us. The glow we saw in her body was her seiðr . To be honest, we do not yet know what effects such a high concentration of seiðr might have on her body.”
Loki reached for me, and I took his hand as he steadied me while I climbed off the Soul Forge. The room was heavy with tension, stress, and heightened emotions, making me feel dizzy again. I felt Loki’s arm curl around my waist, holding me up.
“Aurora, are you all right?” he asked softly, worry evident in his voice.
I took a few moments to catch my breath, pushing my emotions into the background. My head cleared slightly. Then something clicked. The emotions I felt were not just my own. Thinking back over the past hours, I realized there had been other moments—times when I simply knew Loki was vulnerable or when Frigga was speaking the truth because her emotions felt so genuine. I looked at Loki, seeing him scanning my face, waiting for my answer. I could clearly sense his concern, Frigga’s amazement and worry, and Lady Eir’s curiosity more than fear.
“I think I’m fine. But I think there’s something else. Does having a large amount of seiðr have any side effects?” I asked. Loki’s brow furrowed as he continued holding me up. “Because—I hope this doesn’t sound crazy—but I think I got dizzy because I was overwhelmed by everyone’s emotions. They’re running a bit high right now,” I added, attempting to lighten the mood despite feeling self-conscious under their stares.
Loki just stared at me as I carefully examined their faces, searching for any sign of belief. It was Frigga who responded first.
“My dear, am I correct in understanding that you mean you can sense the emotions of others?”
I gave Loki’s arm a gentle squeeze, letting him know I could stand on my own again. Almost reluctantly, he released me.
I met Frigga’s concerned gaze. “I think so. But to be honest, with everything going on, I keep wondering if I’m dreaming. I just realized it now. Like yesterday—I don’t know how, but it felt like I could tell you both were telling the truth, even when what you said sounded surreal. And right now, I can tell that while you and Loki are worried, Lady Eir is more fascinated than concerned.”
I turned to Lady Eir, and she nodded. “Yes, this is true. I have scanned you, and there is no danger to you at this point. So, there is no reason for me to worry,” she said with a soft smile. “But I do find your case very interesting, as I am sure you can understand.”
I smiled and nodded. “Just now, when I got dizzy, I felt overwhelmed by the emotions. When I focused on their sources, it actually helped. Realizing they weren’t mine, I could push them back to their origins. That made the dizziness stop.”
I was thinking out loud now as thoughts rolled through my head.
“Also, I could feel Loki’s emotions much stronger when he touched me.” I looked at him and gave an apologetic smile. “But when he released me, his emotions returned to about the same level as what I seem to feel with the rest of you.”
This entire situation was stressing me out. It was surreal, and while I could articulate how it felt, I still had a hard time believing it was truly happening.
I watched as Frigga mulled over my words. After a few moments, she placed a hand on my shoulder, her expression tinged with sadness.
"Aurora, I believe you, and you are not the first to have this ability. Although very rare, others have been blessed with empathic gifts. But I do worry for you. This is not just a gift but also a great burden for one as young as yourself. If you ever need advice or simply someone to listen, I hope you know you can come to me."
Warmth and sincerity radiated from her, causing a lump to form in my throat. Before I could sort my feelings, Frigga drew me into a motherly embrace.
As I rested my head against her, I could not help but whisper softly, “Thank you for everything.”
She released me, and I struggled to stifle a yawn. This seemed to make her smile.
“Loki, while I know you had the best intentions in taking her out today, I am still a bit mad at you,” she said, turning to face him with me.
Loki clearly had not expected this turn of events.
“As you can see, Aurora is exhausted and still recovering,” she stated firmly.
I had to hide a smile. Loki now looked like a little boy being scolded by his mother. Before he could respond, Frigga’s expression softened with a small smile.
“Please be so kind as to escort Aurora back to her room. Unseen, if you will. She must be hungry and tired. I must speak to your father about these latest developments,” she said before turning back to me.
“I will visit you in the morning, my dear, to check on you.”
I nodded. She was right; I was both tired and hungry. Loki, as expected, obeyed his mother’s wishes, and within an hour, I was back in my bed, my stomach full from a pleasant dinner, and I had no trouble falling asleep.
The next morning, I woke to the sound of Yara opening my curtains.
“Good morning, Princess Aurora,” she greeted me with a smile. “The queen and the prince have requested to join you for breakfast and are awaiting your response.”
“Thank you, Yara, and good morning to you too. You may tell them I would like that very much.”
With that, our morning ritual began. I showered while Yara helped me dress, style my hair, and apply my makeup. Just as I was ready and Yara was setting the table, Loki and Frigga entered my room.
“Good morning,” I greeted them warmly, motioning for them to take their seats. Loki sat beside me, while Frigga took the seat across from us.
A tense atmosphere filled the room, and I could feel the unease emanating from them.
“Okay, what’s wrong? You know I can feel when something is off, right?”
My remark earned a small smile from Frigga, but Loki remained visibly tense.
“My dear, there is nothing wrong, but I spoke to the Allfather last night about the new developments. I wanted to adjust the official story of your arrival in Asgard slightly, but it had an unintended effect.”
“Oh...?” was all I could manage.
“You see, my dear, Loki told me you know how Fenrir came to be and that you are aware of the prophecy foretelling him as the one who will bring about the Allfather’s end. When I mentioned your ability to hear Fenrir, Odin argued that you might be an accomplice in the prophecy—a potential danger to Asgard,” she explained, her voice laced with sadness.
I struggled to swallow a bite of fruit and quickly took a sip from my goblet. A dark energy emanated from Loki as his mother spoke. When our eyes met, I marveled at how he could appear so calm yet feel so terrifying. Under the table, I gently took his hand and gave it a soft squeeze. I did not want Frigga to know he was… well, the only word that fit was furious. And I didn’t like it one bit.
After a few moments of holding his hand, I felt his anger subside.
“So what does this mean for me?” I asked Frigga. “I hope you both know I do not mean any harm to Asgard, the Allfather, or anyone at all. Though, to be honest, I do understand the king’s perspective. This is all so strange, and I don’t even know what to make of it.” I sighed, suddenly losing my appetite.
“The Allfather has requested a private meeting with you after breakfast,” Loki said quietly. “He wants to meet you himself, and this meeting will determine your future in Asgard.”
Fear gripped me, and it must have shown on my face, as Loki now held my hand, gently rubbing his thumb over it in reassurance.
“My dear, my husband may seem harsh and cold, but my advice is to be polite and honest. No matter what happens, Loki and I will help you. But you must at least meet with him so he can form his own opinion of you, as we have done,” Frigga said gently.
I took a moment to think. In all fairness, I knew this was inevitable. I was afraid, but I was also a foreigner in a kingdom where my fate rested in the hands of its king. I would have to face him eventually. The tension Frigga and Loki radiated didn’t help, but I could feel the honesty in her words—they would help me no matter what. Still, I just wanted this ordeal to be over. The past few days had been filled with fear, and I longed for some peace of mind.
“When does the king wish to meet me?” I asked, straightening my shoulders and gently lifting my hand from Loki’s.
Frigga offered me a small, reassuring smile. “He is ready for you now, if you are. Loki will transport you to his chambers.”
“Okay,” I thought, taking a deep breath. “Let’s get this over with.”
I stood. “Anything else I should know before I meet him? I know how to address him, but is there anything more?”
Frigga embraced me. “When you meet him, bow your head and wait for him to speak first. Be polite and answer honestly, and all should be well.”
I nodded, inhaling deeply. Loki approached and placed his arms around my waist, and asked if I was ready. I nodded, closing my eyes. The familiar sensation of plummeting filled me, and I instinctively clutched Loki tighter. When my feet touched solid ground, I opened my eyes. I stood in a regal chamber, and by the window, a figure with gray hair gazed outward. Loki released me and walked toward him.
“Father, I have brought Aurora as you requested,” Loki said, his voice devoid of emotion.
The grey-haired man turned, his single golden brown eye fixing on me. I bowed my head as Frigga had instructed, clasping my hands behind my back while I waited. My mind raced, analysing everything I had observed in those few seconds. He was an older man, regal and imposing, with an air of authority that demanded respect. Though dressed in formal attire, there was an undeniable sense that this was his private space, a place where he felt at ease. He had one eye, the other was covered with an golden eyepatch making his whole demeanour very intimidating
I tried to sense something more, but the only emotions I could pick up were from Loki. Darkness stirred within him once again.
“Thank you, my son. You may leave,” the man said, his deep voice carrying the weight of his years.
As Loki passed me, his fingers lightly brushed over my arm in a reassuring gesture. Then, I heard the door open and close, leaving me alone in the presence of the Allfather. Still bowing, I waited in silence.
After what felt like an eternity, his voice filled the room.
“My wife tells me your name is Aurora and that you are from Midgard.”
“Yes, my King,” I replied, lifting my head to meet his gaze.
He had seated himself in a chair by the fireplace, his single eye scrutinizing my face.
“She and my son seem to have taken quite a liking to you,” he continued.
I could not help but smile slightly at his words. “I am very lucky, my King. They have been great friends, and I would have been lost without them.”
After a moment, he gestured to the chair in next to him.
“Please, take a seat.”
I obeyed, settling into the chair and waiting for him to speak again.
“Do you know why you are here?” he asked suddenly, his tone edged with something that sent unease prickling through me.
My fear returned in full force, and uncertain of my voice, I merely nodded.
“I asked you a question, girl,” he barked, making me jump in my seat. “I expect an answer. Tell me why you believe you are here.”
“I—I am sorry, my King,” I stammered, gripping the arms of the chair to steady myself. But once I started speaking, the words tumbled out in a rush.
“I am here because Frigga informed you of my ability to use Seiðr . We discovered yesterday that I could hear Fenrir, which led to Lady Eir examining me. She found that I have a high concentration of magic. Loki’s theory is that my blood mixing with Fenrir’s—who was created with dark magic—somehow changed me, making me something between Æsir and human. Because of the prophecy about Fenrir bringing your end, you now see me as a potential threat. But Frigga, being the kind woman she is, likely convinced you to speak with me first instead of casting me out or maybe something worse.”
I thought I heard a quiet chuckle from him, though I could have imagined it. His piercing gaze remained locked onto me.
“And are you a threat?” he asked, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees, his full focus on me.
His unwavering stare made me uncomfortable, but I forced myself to hold eye contact. “No, I am not,” I said softly.
One of his brows lifted, silently demanding further explanation. My anxiety surged, but I continued.
“This entire situation has been a nightmare. I don’t know who I am—I have no memories prior to waking in the forest. And now, I don’t even know what I am, since apparently, I am not fully human anymore. To make matters worse, I am not even on my own planet. I am entirely at the mercy of others. I couldn’t return home even if I wanted to because I have somehow traveled through time.”
I realized I was growing louder and took a shaky breath to regain control. My bottom lip trembled, and I bit down on it to keep my emotions in check.
“To be honest, I am terrified. I have no intention of harming anyone, let alone those related to Frigga and Loki. They have been my only friends in these past few days, and I would never hurt them intentionally.”
The last words came out angrier than I had intended, but it was either let the anger surface or break down into tears. And I was tired of crying in front of people.
The king’s gaze remained on me, though now I couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes. Instead, I stared at nothing, trying to steady my emotions. When I finally looked up, he was deep in thought, leaning back in his chair as he contemplated something. I decided to let him be. He was the king—he could take as long as he wanted.
With nothing more to say, I leaned back slightly and waited. We sat in silence for a long time. My eyes wandered, settling on the fire, but every time I glanced back at him, he was watching me.
At last, he spoke, his tone softened, almost friendly.
“I can see why my wife likes you, little one. You speak your mind when questioned and do so with passion. Yet, there is also a calmness about you—an ability to let people be who they are without pressure. Therefore, I will release you into her care. But I will hold you to your words. If I find you a threat to my realm or my family, I will take measures to stop you.”
The weight of his words was undeniable. Even now, when he spoke to me with kindness, he remained an intimidating presence. I had no doubt he would make good on his promise if necessary.
“I would expect nothing less, my King,” I replied, meaning every word. He was the ruler of Asgard—his realm and family meant everything to him.
He nodded in approval, and I could feel a subtle warmth radiating from him.
“You will keep your title as Princess of Midgard, but the story must change. We will tell the people that you have come to our realm to study Seiðr , and in honor of your father, the king, we have granted you this privilege. As you are already on a first-name basis with my wife and youngest son, it is clear you have won their trust. To support this story, I will claim that your father is a valued ally of Asgard.
“As a further sign of my esteem, I will grant you the privilege of addressing me as Odin.”
The shock must have been plain on my face, for Odin chuckled.
“It is refreshing to see someone whose emotions are so easily read,” he said, then his expression turned serious. “But be warned—the royal court of Asgard can be a dangerous place for those close to the throne. While you will be under our protection, it would be wise to keep your expressions guarded when not in private company.”
I nodded. “Thank you for your advice, and for everything you have done for me. I will do my best to live up to the honor and trust you have placed in me. I hope that, in time, I can prove to you that your trust was justified. And, if it pleases you, I would be honored if you would call me by my first name as well.”
Odin smiled. “I think you will fit in here, Aurora. Moreover, I truly hope you will live up to your words. It is not just for my wife that I have agreed to this talk. I know my youngest son, and for him to befriend someone so quickly is quite unusual. If possible, I would not want to take a friend from him unless I must. Now, if you do not mind, I will ask my son to join us. He has been pacing behind that door for the last hour. I do not think he can take much more waiting.”
I laughed, picturing Loki's anxious face as he paced outside Odin’s room. With a flick of his wrist, the door opened, and Loki nearly burst in. Seeing Odin and me seated by the fireplace, he quickly regained his composure.
“My son, please teleport Aurora back to her chambers. Frigga and I must deliberate before her formal introduction tomorrow.”
Loki’s brows shot up in surprise. I stood from my chair and walked over to him. Before reaching him, I turned to Odin and bowed. “Odin, I thank you again for all you have done for me. I will do my best to be worthy of your trust.” When I looked up, I saw a genuine smile on his face.
“You are welcome, Aurora. Now go with my son so I can prepare for tomorrow.”
I smiled and felt Loki’s arms around me. With a bow to his father, we transported back to my room.
Once there, I stepped out of Loki's embrace, feeling the weight of stress lift from my shoulders.
"That was the most intimidating thing I have ever done,” I confessed, dropping into a chair. "Your father might be the most nerve-wracking and terrifying person I have ever met." I exhaled deeply.
Loki chuckled and took the chair opposite me. "I cannot believe he allowed you to maintain your claim as a princess. And you called him Odin!" He ran a hand through his hair, tension leaving his shoulders. "I was certain that with this revelation, he would banish you back to Earth, even if it meant sending you into the past, leaving you alone and unprotected."
I heard the lingering strain in his voice.
Smiling, I replied, "I'm glad you didn’t tell me that beforehand. I was nervous enough as it was. Now that it's over, I feel relieved. But I don’t know if my new cover story will make things easier or more complicated at court."
Loki's curiosity was evident, so I shared what Odin had told me.
"Instead of running from danger, my story is now that I came to Asgard to study magic. Because my father is such a great friend to the crown, they graciously accepted me and permitted me to use his first name."
Loki’s eyes nearly popped out of his skull.
"Loki? What am I missing here?" A headache loomed. Navigating Asgardian court life was exhausting, and I had no experience in its intricate politics. I must have looked distressed because Loki quickly sat up and took my hand.
"Do not worry, Aurora. This is not a bad thing. By crafting this story, Odin is telling the court you are part Æsir. Humans cannot wield seiðr , let alone study it. Everyone will assume your mother was Æsir, which will make your life here much easier. There have been other half-blood Æsir who held important titles and ranks, so your presence will not be seen as unusual or unwelcome."
The implications stunned me. I blinked, trying to process it all.
"But why would they assume my mother was Æsir and not my father?" I asked.
Loki smiled. "If your father had been Æsir, you would not be a princess. There is no Æsir royalty on Earth. While Æsir do fall in love and have children with mortals, they do not marry them due to the vast difference in lifespan. People will assume your mortal father was a noble and powerful warrior because he won the heart of an Æsir woman. By having you, it shows she loved him deeply and granted him the right to claim you as his own. History has seen similar situations among Earth's kings and queens, resulting in renowned and enduring bloodlines."
While I could see the many layers to this carefully crafted tale, I felt uneasy. Pretending to be a princess did not sit well with me. The truth about my seiðr abilities was one thing, but I had no experience in courtly life. How would I convince anyone I was a princess by birth? At least I had Loki, and with Frigga and Odin now on my side, I hoped things would turn out all right.
The rest of the day was spent with Loki and Frigga. Meanwhile, Yara made a grand show of moving my belongings into a specially selected new room. It was customary for a princess to send her belongings ahead. Frigga explained that now that I was recognized as part Æsir and a princess, I was to receive a more fitting residence. The biggest surprise came when Frigga asked to see my jewelry again.
Retrieving the pieces from my bedroom, I laid them out before her on the table.
"It is customary in Asgard to wear jewelry for formal occasions,” she explained. “Your arrival tomorrow, as well as the banquet that follows, will be such an occasion. While your jewelry is made of white gold, its style is quite different from what is expected in Asgard. Even in Midgard the simplicity of your jewelry would be strange for a princess. I would like your permission to alter their appearance so they match your new royal status."
I had no sentimental attachment to them, so I had no objections. "If you think it will help my situation, I have no issue with it. I know I must look the part of a princess, and I will not let you and Odin down. Please do what you think is best."
She smiled warmly, but before she could act, Loki placed a hand on her arm.
"Mother, may I do this? I believe I know what you have in mind, and I think I can add a little surprise." His eyes gleamed with mischief.
Frigga's smile widened as she gestured toward the jewelry with a nod.
Watching Loki work his magic was mesmerizing. His long fingers delicately arranged my necklace and earrings on the table. The air shimmered as his hands glided over them, a subtle green glow emanating from his fingertips. Before my eyes, the jewelry transformed.
Instead of a single necklace and a pair of earrings, an entire collection of breathtaking jewelry now lay before me. My eyes were drawn to an exquisite Victorian-style necklace—several layers of delicate white gold chains adorned with large teardrop gemstones. It had a matching bracelet and earrings, each just as stunning.
Beside them sat a set of solid bracelets, the kind I had seen on Frigga’s arm the other day—cuffs meant to rest on the upper arms. Nearby were two delicate, comb-like pieces, intricately designed to be worn in the hair. But the piece that truly stole my breath was a tiara—simple yet mesmerizing. Unlike the more elaborate jewelry, it had an understated elegance, resembling braided leaves with tiny sparkling flowers crafted from gemstones. Every piece shimmered with the same deep blue-green stones, their color as rich as the ocean at dusk.
Loki picked up one of the bracelets and placed it in my hand.
“Aurora, could you do me a favor? Focus on the bracelet for a moment. While you’re concentrating, try picturing any color other than the one the gemstone currently holds.”
I glanced at him before shifting my attention to the bracelet. Taking a deep breath, I followed his instructions, picturing a deep purple in my mind. To my amazement, the gemstone responded instantly, its hue shifting before my eyes. A small gasp escaped Frigga as the color of every gemstone on the table transformed in unison.
Loki chuckled.
“Did you just read my mind and change the color?” I asked, looking up at him in disbelief.
He shook his head, amusement flickering in his gaze. “No, that was all you. My magic allowed the gemstones to change color at will, but it was your magic that made it happen.” His smile deepened. “I must admit, I underestimated the strength of your seiðr . You didn’t just alter the bracelet you were touching—you changed the entire set without even realizing it. If you want different pieces to have separate colors in the future, try focusing a little less.” He gestured toward the jewelry. “But aside from that, you can change them however you like. They’ll match any outfit now.”
Frigga picked up the necklace, running her fingers over the newly colored stones with a grin.
“My son has excellent taste,” she mused. “Though I like to think he inherited that from his mother.” She turned to Loki, her expression a mix of amusement and mild reproach. “However, this isn’t exactly what I had in mind.”
Loki’s mischievous smile only widened.
Frigga glanced at me before explaining. “I had intended to give you a similar set, but it would have been a simple illusion cast on your existing belongings.” She exhaled, shaking her head fondly. “It seems my son decided to create the real thing instead. This set is not an illusion—it’s entirely genuine.”
Loki shrugged, as if it were the most logical course of action. “This way is safer. An illusion could be counteracted, and I will not risk that. Aurora is being granted all the formal titles of a princess—it’s only right she has the proper jewelry to accompany that status.”
Frigga smiled, though she still shook her head at her son’s audacity.
Meanwhile, I sat there, overwhelmed as the weight of Loki’s gift settled over me. My heart pounded, and a blush crept up my cheeks. How could I ever repay this? My debt to Loki and Frigga only seemed to grow.
“My dear,” Frigga said gently, rising from her seat, “I’ll leave you to rest for today. Tomorrow at midday, Loki will teleport you to the Bifröst. It will appear as though you’ve just arrived on Asgard with him as your chaperone. My other son will also be there to escort you to the palace, where you’ll be formally introduced. After that, you can settle into your new chambers, and Loki will return later to escort you to the banquet in your honor.”
I stood and hugged Frigga, thanking her once again for her kindness before she left the room. But as I turned back to Loki, I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at me.
“Aurora, what’s wrong?” he asked, tilting his head. “You’ve been awfully quiet since I created the jewelry. You haven’t even asked a single question about the magic,” he added, his lips quirking in an attempt to lighten the mood.
He was right, and with Loki, honesty felt like the only approach worth taking.
“I’m sorry, Loki, but I feel… a little uncomfortable,” I admitted, sitting down again. “Please don’t misunderstand—the jewelry is breathtaking. It’s thoughtful, kind, and more beautiful than I could ever have imagined. But I already felt indebted to you and your mother, and now… now I don’t even know how to begin repaying you.” I exhaled, feeling the weight of my own words. “All I can do is thank you, and that just doesn’t feel like enough. There’s nothing I could ever do to match this generosity—except promise to wear them with pride.”
Loki walked over, taking my hand gently in his. His gaze was softer now, serious.
“I’m glad you like them,” he said, “but please don’t feel indebted to me. We are friends, and I know that if our positions were reversed, you would have done the same for me.” His thumb brushed lightly over my fingers before he continued. “Besides, I wasn’t willing to risk an illusion failing and jeopardizing your place here at the palace. This was for you—but it was also for my family.”
A warm, comforting feeling spread through my chest, and I realized how truly lucky I was to have Loki as my friend.
“Thank you,” I said, offering him a bright smile. “You’re the best friend a girl could ever wish for.”
He returned my smile, and we spent the rest of the evening talking and joking until he finally had to leave.
As the night settled in, I decided to enjoy a peaceful dinner in my chambers before turning in early.