Chapter 14
There was a knock on my door, and Frigga called out to see who it was.
Lady Eir entered the room, her voice calm yet firm. “Princess Aurora, Prince Muriel asks to see you. I informed him you already had company, but he politely insisted that I ask if he would be welcome.” She regarded me with a steady gaze. “It is your choice, but I must ask you not to overexert yourself. I checked on you while you slept and had planned for you to rest in your own room tonight. However, if I feel you are too exhausted, I will keep you here another day.”
“I understand, Lady Eir,” I said with a nod. “I will do my best not to overexert myself. But please, tell Prince Muriel he’s welcome to enter.”
She left with a bow, and moments later, Muriel stepped inside. His expression remained calm, but I sensed the slightest relief in his presence. He was glad to see me awake. That alone gave me a glimmer of hope.
Frigga greeted him first. “Prince Muriel, good to see you again. I hope you do not mind me asking a favor of you, could you keep Aurora company for a moment? There is an urgent matter I must attend to, and I need my son's presence. Even though we are reluctant to leave Aurora alone.”
I could feel the daggers Loki was mentally shooting into the back of his mother’s head, and I had to suppress a grin. Clearly, he was going to be protective after this incident—not that I minded.
I focused on our link, hoping to ease his tension. Loki, please. It’s better if I talk to Muriel alone. If I sense he won’t take the news well, or if I need help, I promise I will use our link.
Loki's apprehension lessened slightly as Muriel answered Frigga. “It would be my honor, my Queen. I am grateful for the chance to speak with her.”
Frigga smiled and bent over to give me a gentle hug before departing. As she walked away, I saw Loki hesitate before following, his presence lingering just long enough to make sure I knew he was near.
“I will be nearby. If there is anything—anything at all—just let me know. I am only a teleport away if Muriel causes you any trouble.”
I gave him a small smile and a nod before he reluctantly left.
Wanting to be more comfortable for the conversation ahead, I tried adjusting the pillows behind me so I could sit up straighter. But there were far too many, and I was still too drained to manage it properly.
“Please, allow me,” Muriel offered, suddenly at my side. With practiced ease, he sorted the pillows, even gently lifting me so I could rest against them more comfortably. His kindness and attentiveness again gave me hope. He pulled a chair closer and sat down.
“You look much better now. I hope you feel better too?” he asked, his tone a mix of concern and awkwardness.
“Yes, thank you. I am still exhausted from overusing my magic, but physically, I am fine. A few days of rest should be enough.”
Silence settled between us, heavy and uncertain. I didn’t know how to begin, and clearly, he was struggling too. But after a moment, I decided it was best to just face this head-on.
“Muriel, I am sorry I threatened you,” I said, watching as he refocused on me. “I am truly grateful for your help, and I regret that I reacted the way I did.”
A wry smile touched his lips. “At the time, I took your words as a figure of speech—something said in anger. I even found it amusing because, frankly, I did not think you could follow through on the threat. But after what I witnessed, I must admit… you are powerful. And I would be lying if I said that does not concern me.”
I felt my shoulders sag, not because his words were cruel, but because they were true.
“I hope you believe me when I say that I would never have hurt you,” I said softly. “I might have pushed you away, but I would never have deliberately used my magic against you.” I met his gaze, searching for understanding.
Muriel seemed to weigh his words carefully before speaking. “I believe you. But tell me… could you have? If you had truly wanted to, for any reason, could you have harmed someone the same way you healed that horse?”
I understood his question. He had seen me use my powers and was astute enough to realize I had not cast some forgotten spell. I had wielded my seiðr in a way I shouldn’t have been capable of.
“To be honest, I do not know,” I admitted. “I have never used my powers in this way before. But yes, I believe I could, if I needed to. You see, I was sent to Asgard to train my seiðr . Shortly after I arrived, Loki discovered that my magic was different. Yes, I have seiðr , but don’t seem to be bound by spells.”
His eyes widened slightly, but he remained silent, allowing me to continue.
“Loki discovered this when we were in the library. I couldn’t read the books because I only knew my own language. At the time, I had not yet received the gift of Allspeak. I touched a book and traced my hand over its cover, wishing more than anything that I could read it. The next moment, the letters shifted, and I could understand the words. I was not consciously using magic—it just happened. I think it was instinct. But I used so much magic that I became dizzy and nearly collapsed. That was when Loki became suspicious. He had Lady Eir place me on a soul forge. When they scanned me, the results were… abnormal. The best way to describe it is that I have far more seiðr flowing through me than I should—more than anyone has ever seen.”
Muriel’s expression remained carefully neutral, his emotions guarded. “More than Loki?” he asked. “I know how much seiðr he possesses, and it surpasses anything on record.”
I nodded. “Yes, I believe so. I never asked directly, but I recall them saying it was more than ever recorded. I do not know how much more—you would have to ask Loki.”
I stared at my hands, the weight of this conversation settling heavily on me. Talking about this with someone other than Loki or Frigga felt strange. And with Muriel so hard to read, it was daunting.
“So you healed that horse without casting a spell?” he asked.
I nodded again. “Yes. I wasn’t sure if it would work, but I hoped it would be like when I tried to read the book. The difference was that this time, I intentionally reached for my magic and directed it into his wounds. Then I cleared my mind and focused on healing him. I needed to help him, and it worked.”
Muriel took a moment to process this, while I sat there, wringing my hands.
“Does using your magic that way always hurt you so much?” he suddenly asked.
I looked up in confusion and saw Muriel scanning my face.
Suddenly, I realized what he meant and shook my head. “No, when I use a lot, it makes me dizzy, but as I understand from Loki, that’s always the case when you use too much magic. No, using my magic like that doesn’t hurt.”
I could see the next question clearly written on his face, and I buried my own in my hands.
“Muriel, I’m telling you this in the hope that afterward, we can still be friends. I’m relying on your confidence regarding all I’ve revealed and am about to reveal because I don’t want other people to know—especially what I’m going to say next. But if we are to remain friends, I know I need to tell you. I just hope it won’t cost me your friendship.”
His posture stiffened in his chair as he waited for me to continue.
“The reason you saw me in pain when I touched Shadow was because I was feeling his pain. When I came here and started using my magic, something changed. It seems like it awakened something else.”
I hesitated, realizing I wasn’t making myself very clear. “What I’m trying to say is that since the library incident, we’ve also figured out that I’m an empath. I never had this ability before, but after using my seiðr in the library for the first time, I realized I could feel what other people were feeling. When I’m around people, I get a general sense of their emotions, depending on how strongly they feel them. When I touch someone, it’s even more distinct—I can clearly understand what they are feeling.
So, when I touched Shadow, I experienced all his pain as if the wounds were on my own body.”
I sat there looking at my hands, waiting for Muriel to say something, but he remained silent.
When I finally found the courage to look up, I saw him studying me intently.
“So that’s why you needed me to help you sit up? Not because you knew the magic would drain you, but because it hurt that much just to touch the horse?”
I nodded. “Yes. And again, thank you. I don’t think I could’ve helped Shadow if you hadn’t been there to keep me upright and focused.”
He furrowed his brow. “But why? Why go through all the pain and trouble to heal the animal?”
A tiny smile formed on my lips—I could see why he and Loki had been friends. They even thought alike.
“Loki asked me the same thing,” I said, hoping to explain my grin. “You see, what happened wasn’t Shadow’s fault. He hated his owner, and I agree with him completely. I was only in his company for a few minutes before I felt like I needed a hot bath just to wash off the creepiness.”
I shuddered. “So, with Loki’s help, we tricked Master Renfield into selling Shadow cheaply. I needed a horse for my trip, and I clicked well with Shadow.
This morning, when I went to check on him, I found that Master Renfield had taken him. He had him tied down in a back stable and was hurting him—because I had made him angry. When confronted, he tried to hit me with his whip, but Shadow bit him in my defense. In response, Master Renfield stabbed him, scaring him so much that he bolted—straight through a wooden stable wall and over Master Renfield to get away.”
Retelling the whole story made me emotional again, and I fought against my tears.
“So you see? This whole thing is my fault. If I hadn’t angered Master Renfield by helping Loki trick him, he wouldn’t have taken his aggression out on Shadow. And the only reason Shadow bit him was to protect me, knowing full well what kind of monster he was and that he’d be hurt for it.”
Tears spilled down my face. “How could I not do everything in my power to help him? His pain, his wounds, all of it—because of me. I just had to try.”
Guilt overwhelmed me, and the random tears turned into sobs. I buried my face in my hands, trying to shield myself from Muriel.
Suddenly, I felt the bed sag with extra weight. Peeking through my fingers, I saw Muriel beside me before he pulled me into a hug. I couldn’t help but take the comfort he offered, resting my head against his chest as he slowly stroked my back.
When I calmed a bit, he gently placed me back into my pillows but remained seated on my bed.
“I’m sorry for what you went through, Aurora,” he said softly. “But this was not your fault. If you need to place blame, then blame Master Renfield. I’m sure Loki and the Allfather will make sure he receives his due punishment.”
I gave him a watery smile. “Thank you.”
He took my hand. “As for the other things we discussed, thank you for your explanation. I understand why you felt the need to keep it a secret, and I swear I will not betray your trust. If you don’t mind, though, I’d like to speak with Loki more about your seiðr . Not because I fear you, but out of curiosity. Would that be acceptable?”
I could feel the sincerity in his words and knew I could trust him, so I nodded.
“Thank you, Muriel. I’ll tell him that I don’t mind you asking questions and that I hope he will answer them.”
He glanced down at our hands and back up again. “I also don’t mind the fact that you’re an empath. The only thing I ask is that you keep what I feel private. I don’t mind general emotions that people can deduce on their own. But I’m a private person, and I don’t like the idea of you sharing my personal or political emotions with others.
As an ambassador, there are many situations where it would be devastating for the Allfather to know how I truly feel. I don’t think I could be friends with you if you used that part of your power against me and betrayed the trust I’m placing in you.”
I understood completely. “Muriel, I swear that I will not use my empathic abilities to cause you trouble or harm. I will not let Odin or anyone else use my abilities for political gain, let alone to harm my friends. You have my word.”
A smile formed on Muriel’s lips. “Then, Aurora, I fear there’s no other option for us but to remain friends.”
I nearly squeaked with happiness. “Thank you, Muriel. And please know, if you have more questions about all of this, I’ll do my best to answer them. But I reserve the right not to answer a question I don’t want to. If that happens, I’ll simply tell you I don’t want to answer rather than lie.”
Muriel laughed loudly. “I see you’ve been spending time with the God of Lies—he’s creating another silver tongue.
But all joking aside, I see the honesty in your words, Aurora. I will extend the same courtesy. As your friend, I promise not to lie to you. However, I reserve the right not to answer a question if doing so would break that promise.
The only addendum is that when I act in my role as ambassador, my first loyalty must be to my kingdom. If that ever happens, I will address you by your full title, so you know it is the Elven ambassador speaking, not your friend Muriel. Is that acceptable?”
“That is acceptable, Muriel, and thank you for your trust and secrecy. I am glad I didn’t lose a friend over this,” I admitted. “But just to be sure, know that it is only you, Loki, Queen Frigga, and King Odin who know of this. And I would like it to remain that way.”
A slight tingle prickled the back of my neck as Loki's voice echoed in my mind. “Is everything alright? My mother is done pestering me, and I really want to come back to see you, but I do not want to interrupt. But if he is being an ass... I am coming in anyway!”
“I am fine, Loki. We are done talking. You can come back if you like,” I reassured him.
Muriel stood and returned to his seat. “I understand, Aurora. I will not betray your trust.”
A knock on the door followed. “Who is it?” I asked, though I already knew.
“Aurora, I am sorry to interrupt,” Loki said, stepping in with an apologetic look, though I knew he was faking it. “It is nearing dinner, and if I do not liberate you soon, I think Lady Eir will keep you another night. I thought it best to teleport you back to your room, where maybe we could have some dinner?” He turned to Muriel. “If Aurora is up for it, you could join us too.”
Muriel looked surprised. “Thank you, but I am afraid I must decline. I have meetings during dinner that I cannot postpone,” he said, rising from his chair. “But if you do not mind, I would like to speak with you later about Aurora's ability. There are some questions I wish to ask.” He glanced at me, then back at Loki. “She told me she would not mind me discussing the topic with you.”
Loki looked to me for confirmation. I nodded.
“Okay, but for the sake of transparency, I would like Aurora to be present when you ask them,” Loki said. “Also, I will only discuss her powers in private and in a secure space. Either in my personal library or somewhere outside the castle. I temporarily warded this room against intrusion when I left, but simple wards can be broken if someone is determined enough. The ones around my room or library are far stronger. Once she is feeling better, I will be glad to answer your questions in an appropriate place. Is this acceptable?”
Muriel nodded. “Yes, this is acceptable.” He turned and bowed to me. “Aurora, I wish you a speedy recovery and hope to see you soon.”
“Thank you, Muriel. I am really grateful we are still friends now that the truth is out in the open.”
“So am I,” he said with a grin and left.
“Now!” Loki said with a mischievous smile. “I believe I was rescuing you from this dreadful place.” He launched himself onto the bed beside me, wrapped his arms around me, and, with a surge of magic, the world shifted. When it refocused, I found myself lying on the comfortable sofa in my room.
A loud scream rang out as Yara entered, nearly jumping out of her skin.
I couldn’t help but laugh as Loki, ever the trickster, disentangled himself and acted as though he’d done nothing at all and people appearing from midair was an everyday occurrence.
“Yara, I am so sorry,” I said between chuckles. “Loki just liberated me from the healing ward by teleporting me here. We did not mean to startle you.”
Luckily, Yara recovered almost instantly.
“It is no problem, Princess Aurora. What can I do to help you?”
Loki answered for me. “Would you be so kind as to help Aurora bathe and dress in something comfortable? She is still very tired, so I would appreciate it if you stayed with her while she bathes. I do not want her accidentally drowning in a bath. In the meantime, I will arrange for some food to be sent up for the two of us as we will dine together.”
“Yes, my Prince. It would be my honor,” Yara said with a curtsy. “But if you prefer, you may rest, and I will bring you both a meal once Princess Aurora is finished bathing and dressing.”
Loki waved his hand. “No need. This way, her dinner will be ready and waiting for her when she is dressed.”
As Loki moved toward the door, Yara helped me to the bathroom. I was grateful for her support; once upright, I felt just how weak I still was. She quickly helped me bathe and then asked what kind of dress I wanted to wear.
I winced at the thought of struggling into a full Asgardian gown.
“Yara, is there a way I can receive company without having to hoist myself into a full dress? I would much rather wear my o so comfortable sleeping gown, but I imagine that would be frowned upon if I am still expecting company.”
Yara smiled. “Yes, there is a way.” She wrapped me in a towel and led me to my bed to sit. Then she rummaged through my vast collection of clothing, now even more extensive due to preparations for my trip. She pulled out a long, elegant nightgown and, to my surprise, a floor-length Victorian-style overcoat made of the same soft fabric but adorned with intricate embroidery.
She held it up. “This serves as a top layer to your nightgown. Each of your nightgowns has its own complementary boudoir coat. It is acceptable to entertain close friends and family in this attire. And I think we both agree that the prince qualifies as your inner circle of friends,” she said with a grin.
I loved that she felt comfortable enough to joke with me. She helped me into the nightgown and coat—not that it was difficult, but in my exhaustion, every bit of help was welcome.
As I entered the main room, I saw Loki placing the last of an impressive spread of food onto a small table beside the sofa. The setup allowed me to lounge comfortably while eating. He had stuffed one side of the sofa with a pile of green cushions.
Yara helped me settle in, ensuring I had enough support to sit comfortably. I chuckled. Little by little, my room was turning greener and greener. Loki’s magic was always thoughtful, but I wondered if he even realized that everything he conjured bore his signature shade of green.
The food smelled wonderful—rich, fragrant, and distinctly different from what I usually ate at the castle.
Loki must have seen my expression because he grinned mischievously. “Since you liked the Elven soup Muriel brought you, I thought I would give you a bigger selection of Elven cuisine tonight.”
There was such a glint in his eyes that I couldn’t help but laugh.
“And will Muriel have anything to eat tonight? Because I don’t think the kitchen just had this ready for you in the short time I bathed.”
Loki laughed. “Do not worry, I did not steal his food. He voluntarily surrendered it. Although… I might have insinuated that the lightness of Elven cuisine would be very beneficial to your recovery.” He looked very innocent—until he gave me a mischievous wink. “In return, he was most willing to part with his dinner and eat some Asgardian cuisine tonight.”
I couldn’t help but tease him. “Then I really should thank Muriel when I see him. It smells delicious.”
Loki pouted slightly, and I grinned. “And, of course, the biggest thanks goes to you, my knight in shining armor, who arranged this meal for me. Thank you, Loki, it smells wonderful. I know things are still weird between you and Muriel, so I appreciate you asking him for a favor. Now… is that the soup I like so much?”
“For you, anything,” he said dramatically, bowing deeply in an exaggerated fashion that made me laugh. When he straightened, the delicious bowl of soup had magically appeared in his hand, and he placed it in front of me. I still admired the smoothness of his magic—how effortlessly he could make things appear and disappear.
We had a lovely dinner, full of laughter, but before long, I was full—and exhausted. We discussed a few things we needed to do before our trip, deciding that I would take the next day to rest. If all went well, we would start some basic riding training the day after, and if I was up for it, I could begin some Seiðr lessons later in the week. When I couldn’t suppress a yawn, Loki decided it was time for me to go to bed.
It was then that I noticed the vulnerable look on his face, and I could feel he wanted to ask something but was unsure if he should.
“Loki, if you want to ask something, just do it,” I told him gently. “You know I promised you that you could ask me anything without me getting upset.”
He shifted uncomfortably. “It is just that… after what happened, I still feel very protective of you. The last few days, it was impossible for me to sleep knowing you were not near. So I… kind of teleported to the healing ward at night to watch over you. Sitting in the chair next to your bed was the only way I could get any rest.” He hunched his shoulders. “I know it sounds obsessive. Creepy, even. I think it might be a guardian thing. I just feel better when I am near you when you are vulnerable.”
His confession surprised me. If it had been anyone else, it might have been obsessive and creepy indeed. But with the bond between us, it just… made sense in a weird way. I realized he was growing more nervous as I mulled over his words.
“Don’t be nervous,” I reassured him quickly. “I don’t think it’s obsessive or creepy. If it were anyone else, maybe, but you already know how safe your presence makes me feel. And I’ve felt the calming effect I have on you when you hold me. I guess there will be side effects from our bond that we’ll have to discover and learn to deal with as they come along. But I still don’t regret it.”
He nodded in understanding but remained silent.
“So, what would make you feel better right now?” I asked. “What would help?”
He hesitated, then got all nervous again. I gave him a small, reassuring smile.
“Could I stay with you tonight?” he asked timidly, his nerves spiking. “I would make sure Yara does not see me. I would be fine just sitting in a chair next to your bed and sleeping like I did in the healing ward. But if you would rather I go to my own room, I understand. Please do not feel like you have to say yes if you are uncomfortable with it. I will not die from a little sleep deprivation, and I am sure this overprotectiveness will pass soon now that I know you are safe.”
I reached out and took his hand in mine. “You can stay, Loki. If that’s what you need, I’m fine with it. This bond works both ways—it shouldn’t only be about me getting comfort when I need it. I vowed to keep you safe, too, and even though the words were ceremonial, I meant them. So please, don’t ever feel ashamed to ask for something you need in return—especially when you already do so much for me.”
I felt his emotions shift as he struggled to form a reply. In the end, he simply nodded and pulled me into a hug. As he wrapped his arms around me, I felt that same strange calming sensation wash over us both—like, at this moment, everything was as it should be, and I wanted to be here with him, nowhere else.
Gently, he led me into the bedroom. I removed my overcoat and climbed under the bedding. With a flick of his hand, a comfortable chair appeared on the other side of the bed near the window. He positioned it to have a clear view of the room and its exits, angled slightly away from the bed—probably to give me some privacy. With another wave, his clothing changed to a more comfortable tunic and pants, and he took his seat. I wished him goodnight, and almost instantly, I dozed off.
A strange feeling crept over me, and slowly, my surroundings became clear as I opened my eyes. It did not make sense—I was outside, but I didn’t know why.
Then a high-pitched squeal split the air, one I instantly recognized—Shadow. And he was in pain.
A bloody trail stained the ground, and panic seized me as I followed it. There was so much blood that I slipped and fell several times. My dress and hands were covered in it. When I rounded a corner, I saw Shadow standing in the darkness. One side of him was beautiful and black, but the other…
It was sickening.
Bones jutted from his body like a living skeleton, large pieces of flesh hanging loosely from his side. Blood gushed from his wounds.
I took a step forward, but a chilling, familiar voice froze me in place. Master Renfield. He was screaming furiously at us both.
Shadow startled and bolted away from me.
Desperation surged in my chest. I ran after him with everything I had, but no matter how fast I moved, he was always just out of reach. I kept slipping, kept falling, the sickly warmth of the blood covering me like a fevered sweat.
There was a sound behind me, and when I turned, I saw Master Renfield standing there, his whip raised in one hand, the other stretched toward me. I was frozen in place, unable to move, as his hand reached my shoulder and he started to shake me. I tried to fight him off, but he was too strong. I couldn’t pry his hands from my shoulders. Horror gripped me as I squeezed my eyes shut and screamed. I could hear Master Renfield shouting my name with disgust, and I was certain he was going to kill me.
Then—his voice changed. The anger faded into something else. Concern? As I focused on the voice, it shifted again, morphing into something familiar. Loki’s voice.
“Aurora, please wake up. You’re having a bad dream.”
I was still struggling against the hands, but when I opened my eyes, it wasn’t Master Renfield I saw—it was Loki. Reality crashed back in. I was in my room. Loki was with me. I was safe.
Shivering all over, I glanced around once more, just to be sure Master Renfield wasn’t lurking in the shadows. But all I could see was my own room, and Loki, his expression filled with worry.
His voice was gentle as he continued speaking. “Aurora, I’m here. You are safe. It was just a dream. I’m here and will not let anything happen to you.”
His arms wrapped around me, pulling me into his chest, offering warmth and comfort. It took time, but eventually, my ragged breathing slowed, and I sank into his embrace. He held me close until my shivering subsided.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked softly in my ear.
I refused to move from the safety of his arms and simply mumbled into his chest. “It was Master Renfield. He was hurting Shadow again. Shadow ran away, and I couldn’t reach him. I ran as fast as I could, but there was blood everywhere, and I kept slipping and falling. Then Master Renfield was there. He wanted to hurt me. He grabbed me and shook me, and then… you woke me.”
Loki pressed a gentle kiss to the top of my head. “Master Renfield will never hurt you or anyone else again, Aurora. I promise you. I’ll make sure you’re safe from him.”
I nodded against his chest, letting his presence calm me. Then, unexpectedly, a wry laugh escaped my lips.
“What?” Loki asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
I shifted slightly in his arms, looking up at him. My eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and I could just make out his features in the pale moonlight filtering through the window.
“Here I am, letting you stay in my room to make you feel better,” I said with a touch of sarcasm. “And yet, once again, it ends with you saving me while I’m a frightened mess in your arms. I’m sorry.” I sighed, letting my head drop.
He shifted, supporting me with one arm while using his free hand to gently lift my chin, his gaze locking onto mine.
“Do not ever be sorry for this,” he said firmly. “To be brutally honest with you, it feels good to be able to help you—to be there for you like this. I know it sounds self-centered, but I want to be needed and trusted. I have been alone for a very long time, and I never knew how much I needed this—needed you. It is beyond reassuring to know you need my friendship as much as I need yours.”
“I guess you’re stuck with me, then,” I murmured with a small smile. I wanted to say more, but a massive yawn escaped my lips. Loki took that as his cue, swiftly tucking me back into bed before returning to his seat.
But as soon as his warmth left me, a wave of pure panic crashed over me, making me shoot up with a squeak.
“Loki?” My voice came out high-pitched, barely above a croak. “Remember when we talked about asking for something if we needed it, without feeling embarrassed?”
He looked a bit confused but nodded.
“Could you… stay here beside me? And hold me while I sleep?” I asked, feeling vulnerable. “I’m afraid if you move to the chair, the dream will come back.”
I knew I was being childish, but the lingering fear made it impossible to think rationally. I just needed him close.
A small smile formed on his lips, and I knew he didn’t mind my request. Without hesitation, he moved back onto the bed and tucked me in again. This time, he lay on top of the covers beside me, leaving a little space between us.
But as the chill crept over me again, I instinctively closed the gap, placing a hand against his chest. He rolled to his side, facing me, and opened his arms in silent invitation. Without hesitation, I curled up against him, my head resting on his arm just below his chin, my arms folded between us. He wrapped his other arm protectively over me, securing me snugly in his embrace.
Instantly, warmth returned to my body. The shivers stopped. My eyes grew heavy. Master Renfield was gone from my mind, replaced by the overwhelming sense of safety in Loki’s arms. I was asleep within seconds.