Chapter 8
The next few hours were spent exploring, and indeed, there was much to see. The palace was vast and magnificent. First, Loki showed me the main areas—the throne room, ballroom, dining hall, gardens, and stables. Each was more breathtaking than the last. Though the palace was immense, I quickly realized I had an excellent sense of direction and memory. Loki tested me a few times, but I recalled everything he had shown me.
Then, he revealed the secret walkways and hidden passages commonly used by the servants to move discreetly through the castle. Some of these paths were incredibly useful, allowing for much quicker travel from one part of the palace to another. After that, he took me to the training yard, where warriors sparred fiercely. I watched, mouth slightly open, as they clashed with incredible speed and precision. Despite the intensity of their combat, none seemed to be seriously injured, much to my relief.
Our final stop came when Loki halted before two massive doors.
"And this, Aurora, is my favorite place in the castle. When I am not otherwise engaged or training, this is where you will find me." With a flick of his hand, he opened the doors.
Before me lay a grand library, stretching endlessly into the distance. Towering bookshelves lined the walls, reaching up toward the impossibly high ceiling. As I stepped inside, I took in the sheer vastness of the space. It was nearly as large as the throne room and housed what must have been millions of books.
Sunlight streamed in from large windows on one side of the room, casting a warm glow over the shelves. At the far end, a grand staircase led to an upper level.
I heard Loki chuckle behind me. "You know, Aurora, I do not think I have ever seen you speechless before. Do you like the library?"
I turned to him with a wide grin. "It’s amazing!" A delighted laugh bubbled from my lips as I hurried toward the nearest shelves. The books themselves were exquisite, bound in richly colored leather, embossed with silver or gold lettering. I reached for a volume, trying to read the title, but the script was unfamiliar. As I traced my fingers over the lettering, something strange happened—the words blurred before my eyes.
Startled, I pulled my hand away, and the letters sharpened once more, crisp yet unreadable. Tentatively, I touched the spine again, watching as the letters shifted, morphing into words I could suddenly understand.
Asgardian Fables.
I barely had time to process what had happened before a wave of dizziness crashed over me. My hands trembled, and the book slipped from my grasp. I staggered, my legs giving out beneath me. Before I could hit the floor, Loki’s arms were around me, steady and strong.
His voice held a hint of panic. "Aurora, what is wrong?"
I struggled to clear my mind, but the sensation was overwhelming. "Dizzy," I managed weakly. Without Loki’s support, I would have collapsed completely.
"I have you," he murmured. He effortlessly scooped me up, one arm beneath my knees, the other supporting my back. As he carried me up the stairs, I shut my eyes, trying to block out the disorienting blur of the library. My stomach churned at the movement, and I focused on steadying my breathing.
I felt the shift in lighting as we entered another space. Loki gently lowered me onto a soft surface, and after a moment, something cool pressed against my forehead. I heard him moving about the room, objects clinking softly, but I was still too dizzy to open my eyes.
Then, his hand found mine. "Aurora, open your eyes for me. I have something for you to drink."
I forced my eyes open, but the world remained a blur. Two Lokis stood before me, their features indistinct. He placed a hand behind my neck, carefully helping me sit up. A cup pressed against my lips, and I took a hesitant sip. The liquid was cool and sweet, soothing as it slid down my throat. Loki urged me to drink it all, and I obeyed. With each swallow, my dizziness ebbed, my vision clearing.
"I do not know what you gave me, but it is working," I said, offering him a weak smile. "There is only one of you now, and the room has almost stopped spinning." I blinked again, and everything finally steadied.
Loki set the cup aside and released his hold on my neck. I shifted my legs onto the plush sofa beneath me, propping myself up into a sitting position.
"What happened?" Loki asked, concern etched into his face as he settled beside me.
"I am not sure," I admitted. "I was trying to read the book titles when the letters became blurry. I picked up a book and focused on the title—it was in a language I didn’t recognize. Then, suddenly, the letters shifted, and I could read them. But right after that, I felt incredibly dizzy."
Loki regarded me intently. "You could read the title?"
I nodded. "Yes. When I touched the letters, they changed. The book I dropped—it was called Asgardian Fables." I saw his eyes widen.
"What did I do now?" I sighed, leaning back against the sofa.
To my surprise, Loki was smiling. "Aurora, I think you just used your seiðr . The book you dropped was written in runes. Since you could not read them, I believe you unconsciously used your seiðr to translate them."
I searched his face for any trace of a joke, but he was completely serious.
"And that made me dizzy?"
"Yes. I felt something when you picked up the book—an unfamiliar surge of power filling the library. Before I could react, it was gone. My guess is that it was yours. Because you had no idea what you were doing, you likely used an excessive amount of seiðr to translate the words. Using too much too quickly can leave you dizzy."
I let out a small laugh. "Huh. I always thought magic required spells."
Loki took my hand again, his expression shifting to one of deep concern.
"That’s the whole point. To use their Seiðr , anyone—no matter how powerful—needs spells. A spell is just an instruction: what gesture to make, how much Seiðr to use. Even someone like me needs them. I don’t have to say them out loud, but I still have to know them. I have to think a certain way, sometimes make a hand gesture, to make the spell work."
He let go of my hand and crossed the small room, stopping at the window. Silence stretched between us as he gazed outside. Then, after a moment, he spoke again.
"For you to use your Seiðr like this is rare. The only beings who can shape their Seiðr freely, without spells, are the Norns."
I waited, expecting him to say more, but he seemed lost in thought.
"Loki, who are the Norns?" I asked.
He let out a deep sigh. "They are the rulers of destiny, and we Æsir see them as gods—just as mortals believe us to be gods because we are superior to them. We, the Æsir, recognize that the Norns are the most powerful, the most godlike of all."
"And only they have the power to use their Seiðr without spells?" I murmured, more to myself than to him.
Loki nodded as he walked back over and sat beside me. "We know you are a mix between mortal and Æsir. We know you have a higher concentration of Seiðr than we have ever seen. But do not worry, Aurora. We will begin your training tomorrow and see what comes of it. I only ask one thing—try not to use magic without me present. Can you promise me this? When you suspect you are using magic, stop what you are doing and clear your mind. Will you do this for me?" His gaze was steady, searching mine.
I could feel the weight behind his words, the concern in his voice.
"I promise. If I suspect I am using magic and you are not with me, I will try to clear my head and stop," I said instantly. I had no desire to use magic without Loki there. I had just experienced the consequences of uncontrolled Seiðr —I was not about to repeat that mistake.
Loki let out a small sigh as he studied my face, as if seeking the truth of my words. But I meant it, and I could tell he knew that. Looking away from his intense gaze, I finally took in my surroundings.
We were in a vast room, books scattered everywhere. Towering bookcases lined the walls, and stacks of books filled every available space. The comfortable sofa we sat on was tucked into a corner, while a large bay window with a window seat and flowing curtains graced the opposite side. A grand fireplace stood along one wall, flanked by plush chairs. At the room's center, a massive desk was covered in scrolls and books. One corner near the fireplace housed shelves filled with bottles and countless tiny drawers—like a miniature apothecary. The only thing I could not find was a door.
I turned to Loki and found him watching me.
"So... where are we?" I asked.
"This is my private library," he replied, as if it were nothing.
I blinked. "Your private library?" Then, before he could answer, I laughed. "Sorry, I keep forgetting you’re a prince."
He chuckled. "I think that might just be one of the reasons we are friends."
I smiled at that. "But where are the doors? How did we get in?"
Loki took my hand, pulling me from the sofa and toward one of the bookcases. With a small motion of his fingers, two book titles shimmered and changed. One now read Library, the other Chambers.
He placed his hand over the book labeled Library, and the bookcase silently swung open, revealing a passageway. I stepped through, finding myself on a landing overlooking the grand library. When I turned back, Loki stood behind me as the bookcase sealed itself once more. Curious, I inspected the shelves and spotted a book titled Loki. I pulled it, and the passageway reopened, revealing Loki on the other side, smirking.
I stepped back into the room, and the door vanished without a sound. "So, are you the only one who can enter?" I asked, watching the amusement dance in his eyes.
"Only those who can see the titles of the enchanted books can enter," he explained. "If I do not want you in this room, you will not see the books that control the doors. This room is my sanctuary. It is heavily warded—I practice my magic here. No one enters without my permission. At this moment, no one but me has access. I usually prefer peace and quiet."
Realization dawned. "So when you waved your hand, you allowed me to see the books?"
He nodded. "Yes. I granted you permission to enter my personal library. As you saw, pulling the Library book leads here. Pulling Chambers takes you to my personal quarters. A convenient shortcut between the places I frequent most."
I tried to push that last bit of information from my mind. I absolutely would not think about the fact that he had just given me access to his private chambers—or I would surely die of blushing.
"Thank you for sharing your sanctuary with me, Loki," I said with a sincere smile. I had the distinct feeling he didn’t let just anyone in here.
He returned my smile with a small bow. "Now, if you do not mind, Aurora, I believe it is time we made our way to the ballroom. The feast will begin soon, and it would be best for us to arrive early."
Grinning, I pulled the Library book again, enjoying the way the hidden door smoothly opened and closed. Loki decided to test my navigation skills, letting me lead the way through the palace halls. To my own surprise, I found the dining room in one go. Though calling it a room was an understatement—it was a grand dining hall, large enough to seat hundreds.
The entire hall was festively decorated, with long tables lining the sides for the nobles. At the head of the room sat a massive table reserved for the royal family and their closest companions. I spotted Odin and Frigga already seated. Loki escorted me forward, where we exchanged greetings and pleasantries with the nobles on Frigga’s side. Then, we took our seats on Odin’s side, leaving a few chairs empty.
I cast a questioning glance at Loki. He answered before I could even ask. "The spare seats are for Thor, Lady Sif, and the Warriors Three."
Before I could respond, a booming voice filled the hall. "Princess Aurora! What a pleasure to see you again!"
Thor strode toward me, his grin wide, and took the empty seat beside me, placing me between him and Loki. "I was most pleased when I heard my father’s announcement that you would be staying with us while studying Seiðr . If you would do me the honor, I would like to introduce you to my friends."
With grand gestures, he motioned to the group settling into their seats.
"This is Lady Sif, Lord Volstagg, Lord Hogun, and Lord Fandral—the latter also known as the Warriors Three."
Each of them met my gaze and dipped their heads in acknowledgment. Thor, seemingly too preoccupied filling his plate to continue, left the next step to me.
Smiling, I took the initiative. "It is a pleasure to meet you all. I am Princess Aurora, and I hope to see much of you during my stay."
The Warriors Three responded with warm smiles, but Lady Sif’s was more polite than genuine. I decided to ignore that—for now.
Lord Fandral, the aparent charmer, leaned forward. "My princess, it would be my honor to show you around the palace and help you settle in. There are many beautiful, secluded places I could introduce you to. If you desire a tour, I am your man."
His tone was dripping with confidence, his grin wide, his eyebrows wiggling slightly. From the corner of my eye, I saw Lady Sif roll her eyes. To my surprise, Loki let out a small, irritated groan. I suddenly felt the overwhelming urge to tease Fandral.
"A most generous offer, my lord," I said sweetly. "But I fear Loki has already bested you—he has shown me much of the castle. As for beautiful and secluded places, I find the library most enchanting."
Expressions of disbelief flickered across the faces of Thor, the Warriors Three, and even Lady Sif. But Fandral pressed on. "I see Loki has pulled out all the stops if he has already taken you to the library," he said with a slight sneer. "But I assure you, princess, the palace—and myself—have far more to offer than dusty books."
I could feel Loki shift in his seat next to me.
"Well, my lord, it seems Loki knows my tastes better, as I find it the most amazing place I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing." I paused, pretending to think. "But perhaps I’m a bit biased, and it’s not the library that made it special, but rather the company of a good friend."
Thor glanced at Loki with obvious disbelief, while the rest of the Warriors Three and Lady Sif struggled to contain their laughter. Lord Fandral looked utterly shocked, as though he had never faced difficulty charming a woman. I suspected that my preference for Loki over him stung even more.
He opened his mouth to speak but produced no sound, prompting the table to erupt in laughter.
"Princess, I’m in awe," Lady Sif managed between laughs. "It’s an absolute pleasure to see someone render Fandral speechless. I must say, it’s a sight I find most becoming on him."
This time, her smile was genuine, and I couldn’t help but return it.
"Please, call me Aurora," I said warmly.
She nodded. "It would be an honor, Aurora. Please, call me Sif in return."
Fandral, regaining his composure, spoke again, sincerity evident in his voice. "Princess, on behalf of the Warriors Three, may I ask that you honor us by using our first names?"
Hogun and Volstagg nodded in agreement, looking at me expectantly.
"Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg—it would be my honor. Please, call me Aurora." I smiled, comforted by the idea of having a few friends in this unfamiliar place.
The evening carried on with stories of past battles—though more often, they spoke of the chaos surrounding them rather than the glory. Laughter filled the hall as they recounted mishaps and misfortunes. Yet, while they spoke freely, I noticed Loki remained somewhat on the periphery. Whenever he was mentioned, it was always in reference to his magic, usually when saving them from trouble.
They also ate an enormous amount of food. After two plates, I sat back, simply enjoying the lively atmosphere.
I caught Loki watching me again. "And what are you looking at?" I whispered when our eyes met once more.
"Just marveling at how effortlessly you make friends. I have never seen Sif lower her guard so quickly. And as for silencing Fandral when he had his heart set on wooing someone—now that was truly impressive." Amusement danced in his eyes.
"Well, Fandral was too smug and sure of himself. That needed correcting." I smirked, wondering if I wore the same mischievous glint Loki did. "Sif surprised me too. Now that she’s more open, I find her quite admirable. I loved how she carried herself in the stories I just heard. Being the only female warrior at court must be difficult. I imagine she faced a great deal of struggle and competition before proving herself. That kind of perseverance deserves admiration. She carved her own path, and from what I see, she has succeeded."
Loki nodded. "That she did. But she had a lot of help from Thor and the Warriors Three."
There was nothing inherently wrong with his words, yet beneath them, I sensed a touch of envy. It felt as though he was diminishing her achievement by attributing it to the help she received.
I frowned slightly. "Where would any of us be without friends?" Leaning in closer, I lowered my voice even more. "I can think of a certain princess who would have met a very different fate without friends at this palace. But you make it sound as though having friends is a weakness. The only fault in friendship is not deserving it or taking it for granted. Having a true friend who helps you and, in turn, supporting them in their dreams—that is something to be grateful for."
Loki placed his hand over mine beneath the table, hidden from the others.
"You’re right, Aurora. Friendship isn’t something to hold against someone. It’s just that…"
Before he could finish, Thor’s voice boomed across the table.
"And what could the two of you possibly be discussing that is more interesting than the tale of how we tricked the elves of Alfheim into granting us the ever-flowing chalice of ale?"
I heard Loki mutter a curse under his breath, something that sounded suspiciously like, "Must that oaf always be so loud?"
Turning to Thor, I couldn’t resist teasing him. "Well, I couldn’t help but notice that in all your grand tales, whenever trouble arose, it was Loki’s magic that saved you. Since he is to be my seiðr tutor, we were discussing my lessons. From what I hear in your stories, I am quite fortunate to have such a skilled teacher."
Thor’s expression softened into a warm smile. "Then you are in safe hands, Aurora. It is as you say—Loki has saved us more times with his magic than I care to admit in public."
With that, he turned back to his meal.
I glanced at Loki and found him looking genuinely surprised by his brother’s words. I supposed he wasn’t used to Thor openly acknowledging his worth.
My thoughts were interrupted when a peculiar-looking man approached the table. He was unlike the Æsir I had seen in the castle. Tall and slender, he possessed clear musculature, though not as bulky as was typical in Asgard. His long, sleek blond hair framed a face completely devoid of facial hair, a rarity among Asgardian men. He moved with a grace that put the Æsir to shame. As I observed him, I found myself comparing him to Loki; they shared a similar build, though Loki's muscles were more defined. However, it was the way he carried himself, fluid and controlled, that truly mirrored Loki. Then, I noticed his ears—slightly longer than those of a human or Æsir, tapering to a fine point. They peeked through his hair, giving him an otherworldly appearance. His bright blue eyes held a distant, almost imperious gaze.
Beside me, Loki tensed, his expression darkening as he shot an irritated glare at Thor. Thor, noticing, made an apologetic face before sighing and turning his attention back to the approaching man.
“Prince Muriel, to what do we owe the pleasure of your company tonight?” Thor asked, his voice carrying through the hall.
“Good evening, Prince Thor,” the man responded smoothly, his voice melodic and velvety. “I couldn’t help but overhear your discussion about Alfheim and the chalice. I was curious to hear your rendition of this great tale.”
Though Prince Muriel's face remained serene, a coldness radiated from him. Thor, oblivious, continued in his usual carefree tone.
“Alas, my prince, the story has already been told. Though it seems Princess Aurora was more intrigued by the magic involved than the chalice itself.”
The prince’s gaze shifted to me, his piercing eyes locking onto mine. Loki took the opportunity to speak.
“Prince Muriel, allow me to introduce you to Princess Aurora.”
The prince inclined his head slightly, acknowledging me. I mirrored the gesture, uncertain of what to say, but Loki continued smoothly.
“I apologize for my brother’s loud boasting. He was inconsiderate toward the Elves of Alfheim, and for that, we offer our regrets. You know how he tends to embellish, making events sound far more glorious than they truly were.”
Thor’s expression shifted as realization dawned. “I’m sorry, Prince Muriel, if my words have caused offense. That was never my intention, and I hope you will forgive me.”
The Elven prince flicked his gaze to Loki, a flash of something—anger? resentment?—passing over his features before his expression smoothed into neutrality. He turned back to Thor, deliberately ignoring Loki. “Thank you, Prince Thor, for your kind words. No offense was taken.”
Then, his attention returned to me. “Princess Aurora, it is a pleasure to meet you. I hope we may converse more on a later date. Since you take an interest in Seiðr , I believe we have much to discuss.”
With a graceful bow, he departed as swiftly as he had arrived.
From the other end of the table, Sif and the Warriors Three teased Thor about his booming voice and how far it carried.
“What the hell was that about?” I murmured to Loki once the prince was out of earshot.
Loki sighed. “My oaf of a brother forgets that elves have keen hearing,” he muttered, glancing around before continuing. “Prince Muriel is the son of King Merinor of Alfheim. He serves as an ambassador between Odin’s court and the light elves. The story of how we acquired the chalice is… complicated. It remains a sore subject between our realms.”
“Is that why he ignored you and made a point of addressing only me and Thor?” I asked.
Loki's gaze sharpened. “You're observant to have caught that.”
I rolled my eyes. “That, and the fact that his presence felt like a cold wind cutting through the room. Hard to miss.”
Loki hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “Muriel and I were once close friends. I spent years in Alfheim training my magic and serving as ambassador between our realms. But things soured. When Thor and I tricked his father into giving us the chalice, our friendship shattered. It was already strained, but that last trick sealed our friendship. I hadn’t realized how much it would wound him, given his distant relationship with his father. But it did. We argued—nearly fought. Other matters ended badly as well, and I decided it was best to return to Asgard. Now, even in Odin’s court, he only speaks to me when duty requires it.”
A shadow of regret passed over Loki's face, but more than anything, he seemed determined to leave the past behind. I had countless questions about what had happened between them, but I knew I would get no answers tonight—not here, and certainly not in public. So I let it rest. Instead, I reached under the table, placing my hand over his and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“Losing a friend is never easy. I’m sorry you lost him,” I said softly.
Loki turned his hand to entwine our fingers. “Fortunately, I learn from my mistakes,” he murmured, offering a small smile. “I have learned that when someone worthy offers you their friendship, you fight for it. You do not let it break over petty things. But sometimes, one must first lose something valuable to understand that lesson.”
He withdrew his hand, and we turned our attention back to the conversation at the table. The main part of the evening had drawn to a close, and the lower tables were being cleared to allow space for mingling and dancing.
Loki pointed out various dances, and I did my best to memorize the steps. Thor, Loki, and even Fandral assured me they would force me to dance at the next opportunity. Luckily, they let it slide tonight, though Fandral eagerly offered to be my tutor, earning him an exaggerated eye roll from Sif and laughter from the Warriors Three.
As the night waned and the hall emptied, our group made our way back to our rooms. I walked beside Sif, both of us slightly tipsy, enjoying a moment of girl talk.
Our conversation drifted toward men.
“So, Aurora, tell me—what do you look for in a man?” Sif asked mischievously, slowing her pace to put some distance between us and the others.
I giggled at the unexpected question. Coming from the fierce warrior woman, it was oddly endearing.
“What do you mean? His character, or his appearance?”
“Both,” she replied with a grin. “This is something I could never discuss with them.” She motioned toward the Warriors Three, Loki, and Thor ahead of us.
“I can imagine,” I chuckled. “As for character, I need to be treated as an equal. I could never respect a man who does not respect me in return, or who expects things of me simply because he is a man and I’m a woman. Beyond that, I think attraction depends on the person. You might love one man for his sense of humor, another for his intelligence. But for me, respect and equality must come first before I would even consider looking further.”
Sif mulled over my words before smiling at me.
“I agree with you. Mutual respect and equality are essential in a relationship. Also I could never love a man who would force me to give up my warrior title and stay home.”
I returned her smile, sensing the strength behind her words.
“But what about appearance?” she asked coyly. “Did anyone at court catch your eye?”
I laughed at her girlish curiosity, catching the flicker of Loki’s amusement as well. He had to be using magic to eavesdrop—there was quite a bit of space between us, and the other men seemed none the wiser. Still, I doubted he cared much for our actual conversation. More likely, he was entertained by Sif’s tipsiness, which he had already teased her about several times that evening.
Sif nudged me, pulling me back to the conversation.
“Well, if we’re only talking about looks,” I warned, “and not about me actually being interested in anyone… I’d say Prince Muriel is quite handsome. I don’t have any other elves to compare him to, but I think I like the Elven physique. It’s very different from the typical Asgardian male.”
Sif’s eyes widened, and I swear I heard Loki cough—loudly.
Of course, I found Loki just as handsome. Maybe even more so than Muriel. But I wasn’t about to admit that. Not to Sif. And definitely not with Loki listening in.
“You find the Elven prince handsome?” she repeated, as if trying to process my words.
“Yes. He’s tall, strong, but not overly muscular like Thor. The only downside?” I shrugged. “He’s blond. I tend to prefer darker hair—it brings out a man’s eyes more. And since everyone I meet here has beautiful eyes…”
I watched as Sif considered my answer, clearly surprised.
“I take it Asgardian tastes are different?” I asked, amused.
That earned me a small smile.
“You guessed right. Most Asgardian women like their men big and muscular. We almost prefer blond hair and have a great fondness for beards. While the Elves are skilled warriors and greatly respected, they’re not exactly the ideal image of masculinity here.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “So, in other words, Thor isn’t just a prince—he’s also Asgard’s pinnacle of male beauty?”
Sif’s face turned bright red. Her gaze flickered toward Thor, who was still walking ahead of us, and for the first time, I noticed the longing in her eyes.
Realization hit me. If given the chance, she would want more than just friendship with him. And suddenly, her earlier coldness toward me made sense. She might have seen me as a rival.
Sif said nothing, but I wanted to ease the tension.
“Well, the women of Asgard have nothing to worry about, then,” I teased lightly. “Considering my tastes, their men are perfectly safe.”
I slipped my arm through hers, hoping to signal that I had no interest in Thor whatsoever. I felt her emotions settle, and after a brief pause, she gave me a small nod. She understood.
We walked on in comfortable silence until we reached the point where Sif and the warriors had to part ways for their quarters. Thor, Loki, and I continued toward the wing where our rooms were located.
At the door, Thor bid me goodnight and left. Loki lingered just long enough to remind me about training in the morning—sparring first, then studying.
I nodded, wished him goodnight, and stepped into my room. Yara helped me out of my dress, but exhaustion weighed on me too heavily to bother with a bath. Instead, I slipped into my long sleeping gown and asked her to wake me in the morning.