Chapter 15
From the corner of my eye, I saw a tiny ray of sunlight brightening my room. I’d been awake for a few minutes, contemplating the amazing night’s sleep. I couldn’t remember ever feeling this comfortable and well-rested before. Still facing Loki’s chest, I felt his breath softly ruffle the hairs on the top of my head. He was deep asleep, his arms still protectively wrapped around me. I was enjoying the relaxed feeling he emanated until curiosity got the better of me—I really wanted to see his face.
I wiggled slightly, hoping I wouldn’t wake him. After a few careful movements, I had just enough room to tilt my head back. Now, I could see him.
I had never seen Loki so relaxed, so carefree. His long lashes rested gently on his cheeks, his hair loose and wavy around his head. A single lock had fallen over his forehead, trailing across his face. Slowly, I reached up and tucked it behind his ear. He stirred but didn’t wake. Instead, he unconsciously pulled me even closer, and I felt a flutter in my stomach.
I had always found Loki attractive, but being this close, wrapped in his arms, just felt right. I sobered quickly, trying to push the feeling away. Who was I kidding? We were here because of the guardian spell. This sense of safety, this warmth—it was because of the magic. A pang of sadness hit me. He was here because he was my guardian, my friend. I had no right to spin it into something more. It would only lead to pain and awkwardness between us.
If anything, I would rather have Loki as my best friend than risk losing him over foolish hopes. Besides, that would never happen. I was an empath—I would know if he felt anything more than friendship for me. And I knew for a fact that he didn’t. Yes, he cared—he cared a great deal—but he wasn’t in love with me. Not even a little crush or anything.
So, I pushed the feelings to the back of my mind and simply watched as he started to wake. His fingers flexed against my back as if trying to determine what was in his arms. A slight frown appeared on his face, his eyes fluttering open. When he saw me looking back at him, he closed them again and pulled me tightly against his chest, stretching like an oversized cat.
“Good morning,” he yawned into my hair. “I do not think I have ever slept this well in my whole life. Did you sleep well?” He pulled back slightly, his gaze meeting mine. “After the bad dream, I mean.” His voice held a hint of worry.
“I slept very well,” I admitted with a smile. “It seems the god of lies and mischief has another calling.”
One of his eyebrows lifted in question.
“You make an excellent mattress.” I grinned.
Slowly, his sleepy face transformed into one of pure mischief. “Why, you insolent—”
Before he could finish, he moved in a blur, and suddenly, I was pinned beneath him. He grabbed both my hands in one of his, using his free hand to tickle the life out of me.
To my horror, I discovered that I was really ticklish. I nearly woke the entire palace with my shrieks and laughter. But he did not relent. His weight pinned me down, making escape impossible. Tears streamed down my face as I gasped for breath between peals of laughter.
“Loki—stop! Please!” I begged, barely able to form words.
With a triumphant laugh, he finally released me and rolled onto his back, giving me a moment to recover. I lay there, panting, as he turned his head to smirk at me.
“I hope that teaches you a lesson,” he said smugly. “Never claim that the best use of a god is as a mattress.” He winked.
His gaze flicked to the clock. I followed his line of sight and saw it was nearly eleven in the morning. Confusion flickered through me—Yara usually woke me around nine.
Loki must have noticed my expression because he explained, “Lady Eir told Yara to let you rest and wake on your own. It is better for your body to set its own pace for the next few days.” His brow furrowed slightly. “How do you feel?”
I took a moment to assess myself. To be honest, I felt good. Normal, even. I wasn’t tired or dizzy or anything.
“I feel… normal, actually. Like I am fine.”
I could feel Loki scanning my words, trying to determine if I was telling the truth. Sadness tugged at my chest—he worried so much. I had never meant to cause him pain or stress.
I focused on our link. Loki, I really feel fine. If it helps, you can feel for yourself.
A small smile crossed his face, and I watched as the tension in his shoulders eased. “Thank you. That was kind.” His voice softened. “Sorry if it seemed like I did not trust you. I was afraid you were just saying that to make me feel better. I know you would not lie to me—I would sense it—but people can omit things to get past me. Though, I should have known better. I know you are sincere.”
I just smiled, but a flicker of sadness remained. Before he could misinterpret it, I explained, “I am just sorry I made you feel that way. I never meant to cause you pain or trouble. But, Loki, if you ever doubt me—just use the link. I want no secrets between us. It would only even the playing field, since you would have access to my feelings like I have access to yours.”
That earned me another smile. I had the strange sensation that our bond had strengthened overnight. I trusted him more than I already had, and I felt at ease letting him feel everything through our link.
But before I could dwell on it, Loki spoke again. “I have a meeting with my father today. We are discussing Master Renfield.” He sighed. “I prepared a statement on your behalf, and I hoped you could read and sign it.”
He made a small motion with his hand, and suddenly, a document and pen appeared in it. He handed them to me.
As I read through his words, I noticed that the statement reflected what I had told him the previous night—except for one detail. The part about my magic had been altered. Instead of describing what really happened, the document claimed Shadow’s wounds had not been severe and that Muriel had used elvish herbs to stop the bleeding and speed up the healing process.
I looked up, about to question this, but Loki spoke first. “We do not want the court knowing about your abilities,” he explained. “Muriel agreed that if the wounds had not been severe, elven remedies could have helped them heal quickly. That should be enough to explain why Shadow is fine. Not that I expect them to demand an inspection, but it is best to cover all bases.”
I nodded slowly as he continued, “To be honest, the best way to ensure Renfield’s punishment is not by focusing on Shadow. It is through what he did to you—how he threatened and nearly struck you, how he hoped you would fall and hurt yourself, how he scared Shadow so badly that your life was in danger. You are royalty under Odin’s protection. If found guilty, Renfield will not get off lightly.”
I nodded again, unsure how I felt. For me, the worst part had been what he did to Shadow—the rest paled in comparison. But I trusted Loki. I would never fabricate anything just to convict the man, but what Loki said was true. If that was enough to hold Renfield accountable, then who was I to argue?
“In that case, I agree with the statement. But why a written statement? Don’t I need to testify? Also, does Odin know what really happened?” I couldn’t help but ask as I signed the document.
“We simply cannot tell the court about your magical exhaustion. So, the story is that with the stress and shock of the whole ordeal, and you being half Æsir, you got sick. Sick enough to have been brought to the healers and for you to need rest before you can attend to anything. As to your other question, yes, Father knows, but I have no idea how he feels about the whole thing. Mother had already told him about your Seiðr , but I could not help but sense some unease from him when I told him how you healed Shadow. He is a magic user himself, so he understands the workings of magic. Mother and I did our best to get him to see you are not dangerous, and I hope he is fine with it now.”
Loki waved his hands, and I saw him change his sleep clothing to his formal leathers. He had also redone his hair, now neatly back in place. He looked at me as I remained sitting in bed, wrapped in the bedding to stay warm, and smiled.
“I do not think there will be much difficulty with this trial. It is not just your statement, but also Muriel’s and the stable hands’, who saw him lead Shadow away. They will deliver their statements as well today. It all depends on Master Renfield’s defense, but I hope he understands the seriousness of his actions and will show some remorse. It will most likely be over soon, and I will hopefully be able to tell you the verdict tonight.”
I felt uneasy. I hated the lies, but to be honest, I also hated the fact that I would now appear frail in the eyes of all the nobles—the frail little half Æsir. I knew I was being silly and vain, but it still bugged me. Not to mention the fact that once more, people would have to lie on my behalf. It only proved that you could not simply tell a single big lie; you were constantly covering up that one lie with more little lies.
“I just wish we did not have to lie about things,” I admitted. “And it might sound dumb, but it bugs me that the nobles will think me a scared, frail idiot after this.” I huffed, drawing the blankets tighter around me.
Loki took a few steps and sat next to me on the bed, placing his hand reassuringly on my leg.
“Do not worry, Aurora. The people who know you will not think any differently of you for falling sick. As far as I can tell, the nobles are more upset with Master Renfield attacking someone of high station than with you being unwell. If something like this had befallen a highborn lady, she probably would also spend the day after in her chambers—but in that case, it would just be to add a layer of drama to the whole thing. They do like to make a spectacle of themselves. But in this case, they are really riled. Because if a princess under the protection of Odin might not be safe at court, then what could happen to their cushy lives? That is what troubles them, and why Odin must make an example of Master Renfield. Otherwise, this might undermine his credibility. As for the nobles, they feel themselves above the normal people and merchants who live outside the palace. So for one of them to do something like this—let us just say I think they will be on your side.”
I could feel the disdain pouring off Loki as he described the nobles. To be honest, I was glad that, despite being born a prince, he still felt this way. It was a small irritation I had with Thor sometimes—he was so wrapped up in being a prince, a warrior, and probably future king that the normal people or soldiers in his stories were always nothing more than a nuisance or cannon fodder.
Loki stood, ready to leave. “I think it is best for me to be seen coming out of my own room. Would you mind me using the passageway? We might not want people to see me coming from your room in the morning,” he added with a mischievous smile, daring me to disagree.
I just smiled and waved my hand. “Let’s not tarnish my reputation any more, then. Or yours,” I grinned. “You, after all, would be taking advantage of a frail little half Æsir girl who is scared out of her wits.”
With a laugh, Loki left through the bookcase.
I contemplated going back to sleep but decided against it. So, I called for Yara. After a few moments, she entered my bedroom and smiled as she saw me sitting up.
“Princess Aurora, how are you feeling this morning?” she asked cheerfully.
I couldn’t help but smile as her warmth and soothing presence filled the room.
“Yara, if I proposed something to you that I know was not the norm, would you promise you will not get mad at me?”
Yara smiled a very big smile. “You know I already promised you I would not, Princess Aurora.”
Indeed, she had, but I just wanted to make sure. I waved at her, motioning for her to sit on my bed, and she did.
“I do not want to offend you, and I hope you will see this as it is meant. It is meant as a token of friendship, as I am totally lost without your help. Whenever we are alone in the privacy of my room, would you mind calling me by my first name and no title? It would mean a lot to me, but I do not want to make you uncomfortable.”
She sat there for a moment, her eyes huge, just looking at me. But after the first shock, she seemed to compose herself again. A big smile formed on her lips.
“I would consider it a huge honor.” And after a short silence, she added, “It would be a huge honor indeed, Aurora.”
“Thank you, Yara. It makes me happy,” I said, smiling back. “It really helps me in this foreign land and court to have friends who will call me by my first name. It makes me feel more at home. So thank you for doing this for me.”
After that, we chatted for a while until I got restless. So, we decided to get me dressed. I knew I had to stay in my room today, being ‘sick’ and all. Knowing that, I chose another beautiful nightgown and a wonderfully comfy overcoat suited for receiving guests.
Around one o’clock, there was a knock on my door. I hoped it would be Loki, but as Yara opened the door, I was surprised to see Sif standing there.
“Aurora, it is good to see you up and about.” She smiled, and I could feel her relief. “We were worried about you. Thor and the Warriors Three are at the trial, hoping they can get their hands on Master Renfield. But I thought I would come and check on you. I hoped you would be well enough to share lunch together?”
I smiled and nodded. I really liked Sif now that we knew each other better. And since we hadn’t had much one-on-one girl time, I loved her idea.
“I think that’s a great idea. Thanks for thinking of me.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Yara signal that she would make sure we got some lunch.
Spending time alone with Sif was a blast. We had our lunch, and at her insistence, I drank more wine than I normally would. This made us both quite giddy. She was in the middle of telling a new story about Fandral getting into trouble while pursuing the ladies.
“So, we were in the ballroom with King Odin and the former ambassador of Alfheim,” she laughed. “As they reached the corner of the ballroom, Fandral fell from behind one of the pillars with one of his conquests right on top of him. Thank the Norns, her dress obscured most of their coupling, but you can imagine the look on the Elven dignitary’s face. He was so shocked and furious that he left that same night, swearing he had never witnessed such debauchery and vowing never to return to Asgard.” She snickered. “After that, they had a hard time filling the position. That is how we eventually got Prince Muriel as ambassador. At least he does not have any trouble with our Asgardian norms.” She laughed.
I couldn’t help but burst into an all-out giggle fit over the story, doing my best not to imagine Odin’s face when he saw Fandral fall from behind the pillar mid conquest.
“Oh my god,” I hiccupped. “Did Fandral get over the embarrassment?” I asked between giggles.
Sif looked at me as if I had grown feathers and laughed even harder. “Fandral and embarrassed?” She snorted. “Oh, Aurora, he was far from embarrassed. He is quite the exhibitionist. When the ambassador stormed off, he just got up and went back to it behind the pillar—or so I later heard from the woman he was with. The whole thing turned him on, and he took her three more times after that. She could not walk straight for days.”
I nearly choked on a sip of wine, making Sif laugh even harder.
“Aurora, you look like a shocked maiden,” she teased, setting me off into another fit of laughter.
But as the laughter faded, I realized something unsettling—I didn’t even know if I was a virgin or not. It was such a strange thing not to know, and it freaked me out a little. I tried to push the anxiety aside for now, but the whole conversation also had me wondering what the norms were in Asgard regarding sex. I figured Sif was the best person to ask—Loki certainly wasn’t someone I wanted to consult about it.
“What are the rules here at court about sex and relationships? I know that in an Elven court, people can only touch hands, and while they might do more behind closed doors, getting caught is a huge taboo,” I admitted.
Sif’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “And who told you about the rules of intimacy in Alfheim?” she cooed, making me blush.
“Well, it was Muriel. But it wasn’t like you think!” I said, perhaps a bit too loudly. Her eyes widened, and the grin on her face grew even bigger. “I asked him for tips on navigating the Elvish court, and after some talking, the subject just came up.”
The mischievous smile on Sif’s face remained as she teased, “Yes, Aurora, I am sure that is the only reason an Elf would openly discuss such a subject with a female. And do not think I did not notice that you are on a first-name basis with Prince Muriel. Not to mention our little conversation about what type of men you like.”
I laughed hard, grabbing a pillow and pressing it over my burning face. Sif only laughed harder. When I finally removed the pillow, she was looking at me expectantly.
“No, there is nothing going on between me and Muriel,” I grinned. “While he is very handsome, he’s been a good friend. He hasn’t made any move to suggest he’s otherwise interested.”
“Well, then you make a move!” Sif exclaimed.
My jaw dropped.
She was absolutely serious. But I could also see a light bulb going off in her mind.
“Do you really not know how these things work in Asgard?” she asked.
I shook my head. “Nope. I was sent here to study seiðr , and it wasn’t like they thought to inform me about these kinds of things beforehand.”
“In Asgard, things are much simpler compared to Alfheim,” she explained. “There is no stigma for a man or woman to have sex. When both partners are willing and not otherwise courting anyone, sex is a normal part of life. While we’re usually not as overactive as Fandral, it is common for men and women to enjoy it. Even if they do not want a relationship and just want to have fun, it is completely accepted. Same-sex relationships are also considered normal.”
This was news to me, but to be honest, I was relieved. I had always believed that if people liked each other, they should be free to be together, regardless of gender.
Sif watched me carefully, gauging my reaction.
“Honestly, I’m glad it’s not as uptight as Alfheim,” I admitted, earning a smile from her. “But—and forgive me if this is a stupid question—what about pregnancy? If people are free to engage in sex without a relationship or marriage, are there a lot of illegitimate children? I’ve heard Volstagg curse, and since he uses the word ‘bastard’ for the angrier ones, it doesn’t seem like having a child out of marriage is a good thing.”
Sif’s expression softened into an almost sad smile.
“Bastard is an old term that was used for mixed-race children. These days, being a half-blood is much more common and tolerated compared to the past.
You see, it is actually quite difficult for an Asgardian female to conceive. Even when actively trying, most women will never be blessed with a child. And if they are, it is usually the result of hundreds of years of effort.”
She gazed into the distance for a moment before continuing. “That is why there are so few children in and around the palace. In the old days, it created resentment toward parents of mixed-race children, likely out of envy that they could conceive so easily. But over time, the desire to produce offspring grew, leading to more and more mixed-race children being born, until it became normal. To be fair, there are still certain races my people deem beneath them, and now the term 'bastard' refers to any child born of such a union.”
She shook her head and smiled slightly, as if trying to lighten the mood. “But I am getting off topic. If a child is conceived through casual relations, the parents are generally happy. Some choose to marry, believing it to be a sign from the Norns that they are meant to be together. Others acknowledge their child and remain deeply involved in their life, knowing what a blessing it is to have one.”
I had noticed the lack of children in the castle, but I had assumed they were housed in another part of the palace, away from the nobles to avoid disturbances.
I looked at her and could not ignore the longing in her eyes. It seemed she longed to be a mother someday.
“And when two people are in love? What is the usual custom then?” I asked, hoping to steer the conversation to a lighter topic.
Sif smiled. “It depends on social status. The lower-born simply declare their love and usually receive their parents' blessing before marrying, but this is not needed. Nobles, however, require suitors to seek parental approval, after which they enter a courting period. During this time, they may show affection in public, such as holding hands or kissing. After an appropriate period, this typically leads to marriage.”
I nodded, though I noticed a shadow cross Sif’s face as she spoke. So much for my attempt at lightening the mood.
“For royalty like Thor, it is even more complex.” She added. “He likely will not marry for love. His union will be for the good of the realm, probably with a princess from another kingdom or the daughter of a powerful noble family whose wealth and connections will benefit the throne. They formally court, and during that time, the woman wears his colors, signaling she is meant for him. If they develop mutual affection, they marry. The duration of the courtship is flexible—the faster they get to know and like each other, the shorter it is. While they will not be forced to marry if they despise each other, duty often prevails, and they find an understanding for the good of the nation.”
I placed my hand on Sif’s leg, feeling the full weight of her sadness. “I am sorry.”
She gave me a small, sorrowful smile before speaking softly. “That is why I was somewhat cold to you at first,” she admitted. “You are a princess, so I thought you might have come here as a potential match for Thor.”
My eyes widened as I turned to her. “Sif, I promise I am not here to find myself a husband. I will not be married off to anyone. If I marry, it will be for love, and I can honestly say I have no such feelings for Thor. He is like a brother to me, a dear friend, but nothing more.”
Sif gave me a genuine but bittersweet smile.
“Thank you, Aurora. I know I cannot have Thor the way I would like, but it will still break my heart when he finally finds his intended. We are great friends, but I fear that once he marries, I will lose even that. I have always imagined that one day he might fall in love with me, that his mother would make his father see reason and allow us to wed. I am a highborn noblewoman, after all, so our union would not bring him shame. But of course, it is all just fantasy—Thor does not see me as anything more than one of the guys. Sometimes, I wonder if he even realizes I am a woman.”
A mischievous thought bubbled up within me as she spoke.
“Maybe we should make him notice you,” I suggested with a grin.
Sif raised an eyebrow. “I will not change who I am just for him, Aurora,” she countered. “I will never play the damsel in distress or act like some empty-headed wench who needs a man to rescue her. That is the type of woman he usually prefers, I see no way to gain his attention without lowering myself to that level.”
“I would never ask you to be anything less than the strong, beautiful woman you are,” I reassured her. “But you are a beautiful woman,” I added with a playful smirk. “And I suspect he has simply forgotten that fact. Your armor is stunning, but it is not exactly designed to highlight your femininity. Tell me, is there a place where the men usually go for… how do I put it… company? I do not see Thor as celibate, but at official gatherings, he has responsibilities as a prince. Unlike Fandral, he cannot just sneak behind a pillar. There must be somewhere he goes when he wants female attention?” I mused aloud. “But correct me if I am wrong.”
Sif chuckled at my remark about Fandral before nodding. “Yes. Thor has his pick of noblewomen in the palace, but he is not foolish enough to openly favor one over another. He knows that if he shows repeated interest in any of them, their family will try to trap him into marriage. So, he and the Warriors Three often sneak into the village disguised as commoners. They drink, feast, and find willing partners at the inns. Since the women there are often lesser nobles or commoners, he does not have to worry about political entanglements. Only the highest-ranking nobles reside within the palace.”
I nodded as a plan began to form in my mind. “Would it be unusual for a female friend to join them on such a night out? Let us say, would it seem odd if we were to go with them? If women here have the same freedoms as men when it comes to casual relations, then it shouldn’t be strange for us to accompany them, right?”
Sif gave me a curious look, as though she had not yet grasped where I was going with this, but she nodded. “No, it would not be unusual. In fact, they would likely enjoy the company. But why would Thor care if I were there? I have joined him on nights out before, yet he has still bedded nearly every woman in the room—except for me.”
I grinned. "And tell me, when you are out with Thor on such nights, do you too dress as a commoner?"
She shook her head. "I am not a prince, so I do not need a disguise. I just wear my normal armor, although I would don a cape for stealth as we leave the castle. But once in the village, I would remove it."
I grinned. This was exactly what I had thought. Since I met her here at the palace, she had always worn several different versions of her beautiful armor. She looked fierce and pretty. But it was still armor, designed for battle and not for getting men to notice her figure.
"Well, maybe we could join the men when they go to the village. And if they do, maybe we could also disguise ourselves. This disguise could be in the form of, say, a very pretty but slightly revealing dress. We would be looking to find ourselves a man for the night, so in no way would it be weird for us to wear something that would entice a man, right?" I grinned. "I am very sure Thor isn’t blind, and if he saw you in a provocative dress instead of your armor, he would most definitely see a woman and not one of the guys. Then this woman, after some rounds of alcohol, might complain about the lack of real strong men to satisfy her needs—thus not only challenging his eyes but also challenging his ego."
Now I saw a glint of mischief rise in Sif’s eyes. "Thor does have a big ego," she said with a grin. "And he is the sort of man who rises to a challenge."
I nodded and smiled. "I cannot promise you he will fall in love. But at least he would notice you are not one of the men. The rest would be up to you."
Sif laughed out loud and shook her head. "Aurora, you are deceptively cunning. No wonder Loki likes you so much. He should be worried you might steal his title. Goddess of Mischief might actually suit you."
I laughed so hard I snorted. "I don’t think it is wise to antagonize Loki. I would hate to see what he would do when angry."
"That is very wise," Sif said with a grin. "I experienced firsthand that things can get out of control when he gets mad."
I raised an eyebrow, and Sif started the story of how Loki had once, as a result of a big argument between them, magically removed all her hair as punishment. She admitted that back then she was quite vain and very particular about her long golden hair. But something went wrong with the spell, and neither he nor Frigga could regrow her hair. As punishment, Frigga ordered Loki to seek help from dwarves, which he did. He managed to get them to agree to help her and restore her hair. But Loki would not be Loki if he did not play a prank on the dwarves as well. A dwarf will never go back on something once given their word, but they are mischievous as well. They restored her hair as promised, but a few days after they left, her hair turned the deep brown, nearly black, the color it was now. Frigga tried to get the dwarves to change it back to blonde, but to no avail.
I was shocked! I would never have thought Loki to be this bad or vindictive. "How did you ever forgive him?"
Sif shrugged. "For decades, I did not. But in the end, it was the push I needed to get over my vanity and concentrate on becoming a warrior. I could not stay mad at him in the end because, looking back, he did me a great favor. But while I am not afraid of Loki in battle, it is that side of him that makes me say I would not want him as my enemy."
At that moment, Yara entered the room. At first, I thought it might be dinner time, but then I saw the look on her face and knew something was wrong.
"Princess aurora, there has been an uproar at the trial. I do not know the details, but there is gossip all over the servants’ quarters. I fear something might have gone amiss," she said with a curtsy.
Sif was out of her chair in a moment. "Shall I go see what happened?" she asked.
I didn’t know what to do for a second. "Loki promised me he would inform me of what happened at the trial." I looked at Yara. "Is the trial over?"
She shook her head. "It is not over, but they have stopped for the day. I saw the hall clear as I went past."
"Knowing Loki, he will be here shortly," I told them. "He might not be in the most pleasant of moods, but you are both free to stay and hear what he has to say."
Sif shook her head. "I think it would be better if you two talk privately. If you do not mind, I will leave and find the Warriors Three or Thor and find out what happened."
I nodded, and she got up. Yara and I followed her to the door. Before we reached it, she turned.
"Aurora, thank you for this afternoon," she said and hugged me. "It is good to have a female friend to talk to. I have been lacking one for quite some time."
"Thank you, Sif. I feel the same." As we exchanged a smile, I opened the door.
Immediately, we heard Thor’s booming voice in the distance. His voice sounded angry and was getting louder by the second. As I looked into the hallway, I saw Thor and Loki walking toward us. I could hear anger in both their voices but could not make out what they were saying. As they came closer, Loki noticed me and Sif standing in the doorway, and he stopped talking. He gave Thor a nod and walked toward my door. Sif gave me a small squeeze on my arm and walked over to Thor. As Loki walked past me into the room, I felt a wave of anger radiating from him as he passed.
Yara seemed to sense his mood too, and with a quick nod, she left me alone with him. I closed the door and walked back to the sofa, where I took my seat. For minutes, Loki just paced up and down in my room, fury radiating from him.
"Loki, what is wrong? I don’t know what happened, but please calm down a bit."
He just looked at me for a second but then continued pacing. And I let him for a while, until I couldn’t take the tension anymore. He was just so angry, and it wasn’t getting any less from him pacing in front of me. So I did the only thing I figured would help. I walked over to him and put my arms around his waist, pulling him in for a hug. It stopped his pacing, but I had hoped it would also calm him down. His arms closed around me, but still, I could feel his anger. Now that I was touching him, it was even more overwhelming.
"Loki, please, is there anything I can do to help you calm?" I asked as a shiver went down my spine from feeling his emotions. It was so unusual to see and feel him this mad.
He let out a deep sigh and moved us over to the sofa. He sat down, pulled me onto his lap, and wrapped his arms around me. "Just give me a minute," was all he said as he buried his head in the crook of my neck.
So that was what I did. I placed my arms around his neck, using one hand to gently stroke his hair as I waited. It took some time, but in the end, I could feel his anger lessen. While it didn’t completely vanish, I could feel some of the tension leave his body.
I knew he felt better when he loosened his arms around me and relaxed against the back of the sofa. I let myself slide from his lap and back onto the sofa, my back against the armrest so I could look at him. I wanted to pull my legs under me, but he gently moved them so they lay comfortably across his lap. I looked at him, waiting to see if he was ready to tell me what had happened. He placed his hands on my legs and began his story.
“Things appeared to go as planned today,” he began. “Your testimony was read, followed by Muriel and the stable boy giving theirs. Then, Master Renfield was called to the stand. We expected him to give a similar version of events, but with the difference that he would claim he did not try to harm you.”
I nodded, not wanting to interrupt.
“When he took the stand, he was a sight. While most of his injuries have been healed, he was still covered in bruises. He pretended to limp, and one arm was in a sling, clearly trying to gain sympathy. Then he claimed that he was not to blame for anything.
“He told the court that you had asked him to separate Shadow from the other horses and place him in the far stable. He said you were concerned that an untamed horse would disturb the others. So naturally, he followed your request. According to him, he left you and Shadow alone, but he had a bad feeling and decided to check back. That was when he claimed to have found you savagely beating Shadow with a whip.”
I could feel Loki’s anger rise again as he continued.
“He said he could not stand by and watch an innocent animal suffer, not even at the hands of a princess. He claimed you threatened him, saying you would see him locked away in the darkest dungeon if he ever spoke a word about what he had seen. Then, he speculated that the punishment of the horse was because you had tried to ride Shadow, only to be refused or possibly thrown. He painted himself as a diligent and honorable man, reluctant to sell Shadow but ultimately complying out of respect for royalty.”
Loki couldn’t help but sigh deeply as he shook his head.
“He also claimed that when he tried to intervene, Shadow panicked and bit him in the shoulder. He claimed you laughed and lashed out, striking both him and the horse until Shadow, in a panic, broke through the stable walls and fled. He insisted that you had driven the wounded horse to flee and likely intended to let him die, only for your plan to be interrupted when Muriel and the stable hand arrived. From there, he alleged, you quickly shifted tactics, feigning distress and convincing the prince to help you search for the missing horse.”
I stared at Loki in utter disbelief, my mind struggling to process what I had just heard.
“Aurora, the worst part is that there are no actual witnesses to what happened in the stable. The stable boy only saw Master Renfield take the horse. Muriel only saw you run out in a panic. The other stable hands only heard you shouting for help before you took off with Muriel.”
“But Shadow was there!” I said, my voice trembling. “Surely, when they see how he reacts to Master Renfield compared to how he reacts with me, they will know the truth?”
Loki shook his head. “That was my argument, but Master Renfield countered by claiming you could have used magic to enchant the horse. Odin has rescheduled the hearing for tomorrow morning, but now the nobles are demanding that you testify in person. It will be your word against his, and he skillfully manipulated the court today. As I left, I could hear the nobles whispering, sympathizing with him. They actually believe his lies—that he is merely a humble servant who acted nobly to protect an innocent animal.
“I am certain that tomorrow, he will push things even further. He will likely bring up the fact that you are only half-Æsir, gaining favor among the nobles who look down on Midgardians.”
I shook my head, my skin turning cold. “Loki, what is the worst that could happen if they believe him over me?”
“If they side with him, my father will be forced to make amends. Not only will Renfield go free, but he will be generously compensated. More importantly, Odin will have no choice but to punish you. Since he has publicly declared your father a great friend, he cannot imprison or physically harm you—but exile would be a certainty. You would be banished from Asgard and sent back to Midgard in disgrace.”
My eyes widened in fear, and I felt myself start to tremble. “Odin would not send me back to Midgard,” I whispered. “He knows I have no one there. Loki, he wouldn’t… right?”
Loki quickly wrapped his arms around me, pulling me back onto his lap. “Aurora, I will not let them send anywhere. Even if I have to leave Asgard and find a safe place for both of us, I will. I will not let him send you somewhere I cannot be to protect you.”
A lump formed in my throat, and I tried to speak, but the words would not come. Instead, I reached for him through our bond.
Loki, I am honored you would even say that, but you know I cannot let you do that right?. I will fight this with everything I have, but if exile is inevitable, I will not destroy your life, too. If it comes to that, we must sever our connection.
I felt his anger flare through the bond.
Loki, please, do not fight me on this. I don’t want any of this to come to pass, but I cannot allow you to give up your life just to save mine. I will accept your help, you know that, but I won’t let you throw everything away for me. Please, tell me you understand?
I could feel the battle raging inside him. But he also felt the determination behind my words. He knew I would never let him suffer for my sake. After a moment, I sensed his resolve settle, even if he did not agree.
“Then we must ensure that scenario never comes to pass,” he said firmly.
I knew there was no use discussing severing our connection further. That bridge would be crossed only if we reached it.
“What do we do now?” I asked. “You are your father’s advisor—his lie detector. Can you not simply state that Renfield is lying?”
Loki shook his head. “He was more cunning than I anticipated. He suggested that you manipulated me into getting you the horse. That planted seeds of doubt in the nobles’ minds. If I testify, he will claim you used magic to deceive me into lying for you. Our friendship has already sparked rumors at court. And, Aurora…” He hesitated before continuing, looking down. “I am sorry, but there are whispers that we are lovers. Many believe that is the only reason we are close.”
My mouth fell open, but no words came out.
“I am truly sorry about your reputation,” Loki said softly. “The nobles are ruthless. I had hoped you would not find out.” I could feel him blaming himself.
“Loki, stop that,” I said more sharply than intended. His head snapped up to look at me. “I do not care what the nobles say. Let them believe what they want. Correct me if I am wrong, but Sif explained that having a bed partner is not something to be ashamed of, right? Or was she wrong?”
Loki shook his head. “Normally, having a bed partner is no scandal,” he explained. “People can have several, and it would not faze the nobles of our court. But since I am a prince and you a princess, me bedding you without a formal courtship would be scandalous. It would imply that I, or my family, did not consider you worthy of one. Because you are a half-blood, they are basically saying you would only be good enough to be used for pleasure—not for any serious relationship.”
I frowned. I had never liked the court’s inner workings, and now I was beginning to despise them. Didn’t anyone have better things to do than slander me behind my back? I felt Loki tighten his hold on me.
“I’m sorry,” he said through our bond, and I could feel the guilt behind his words.
I shook my head. “Don’t ever be sorry for being my friend or for us being close. We have done nothing wrong, nothing to even remotely be ashamed of. Yes, this isn’t the nicest thing to hear, but it’s not your doing. If this is the price I have to pay for having a best friend, then I’m willing to pay it.”
Through our bond, I felt the warmth of his friendship spread through me. I instantly knew he had been afraid of losing me over this. We sat there in silence, our emotions gradually settling.
Then, suddenly, something occurred to me. “Loki, in normal proceedings, there must have been times when people were accused of lying. Before you were born with your gift, if there wasn’t any hard evidence, how would they normally prove guilt or innocence?”
Loki thought for a moment. “In the old days, people would seek out the frost witches for help. They have the gift of sight—not only of the future but also of one’s past. But only the desperate sought them out, as their price was always steep. Relations with Jotunheim have been bad for centuries, so this has not been done for a long time.”
“And other than that?” I asked.
He shrugged. “It would depend on the ruler at the time. Odin is quite fair in his rulings. He tries to get to the bottom of the truth, and usually, there is some evidence that points in the right direction. But rulers before him judged as they saw fit. It wasn’t until my own gifts were revealed that Odin decided he could use me in these types of proceedings.”
We sat there, both deep in thought, when an idea struck me. “Loki, do you remember when I woke up?”
He nodded, looking at me curiously. “Yes. Why?”
“You scanned my memories. You and Frigga wanted to make sure I wasn’t lying. You placed your hands on my head and looked inside.”
I felt his realization.
“Aurora, that spell is dangerous and complicated,” he said gravely. “Only a handful of people can perform it safely. If done wrong, it could fry your mind. And even if someone were willing to do it, it is still a taboo to use that kind of magic on another person. I would do it in a heartbeat if I thought it would help, but my word is already in question. If I performed the spell, it would do no good.” He sighed.
Frustration built in my chest at the sheer stupidity of this entire situation.
Loki's eyes darkened in thought. After a moment, he looked at me hesitantly. “Mother could do it. But it is well known that she is fond of you. If Master Renfield questioned her word, it could damage her standing at court. Then again, she is the queen. Even if he questioned her, Father would have no choice but to believe his wife. I am certain she would be willing to do it for you.”
As his words registered, I realized I couldn’t put Frigga in such a position. Not if there was another option.
“Loki,” I asked slowly, “could your father do it?”
Loki looked stunned, concern clear in his eyes. “Yes, but Aurora, he would be free to see anything. While I can promise you my mother would respect your privacy, I cannot say the same for my father. He might look at anything he wishes, and if you resist, it will hurt. Any sign of discomfort would be seen as you trying to hide something.”
I took a moment to process this. “If he performed the spell, would people question his word the same way they might question Frigga’s?”
Loki shook his head. “No. They would accept his word without argument. His word is law.”
“Do you think he would do it for me?”
Loki exhaled heavily. “I truly don’t know. People know Father has a great deal of magic, but to actively use it on another person in front of an audience would still be shocking to the nobles. I have no idea if he would agree.”
“I don’t see another option. Do you?” I already knew the answer; I could feel it through our bond. “Do you think I can speak to him tonight?”
Loki hesitated, then gave a resigned nod. “There is only one way to find out.” His tone was strained. “Call Yara and get dressed quickly. Tell her it’s for an informal meeting with my father. He is in his chambers now, and I will go ask him. If he agrees, be ready when I return. He is not the most patient of men and does not like to be kept waiting.”
He turned toward the door like a man heading to the gallows as I called for Yara. She arrived within minutes, and after I explained the situation, she quickly chose a dress and helped me into it in record time. Now formally dressed, I walked back into my main chamber just as Loki reentered.
Loki exhaled sharply. "He awaits you in his chambers. I tried to request my mother’s presence as well, but he refused. Nor will he allow me to accompany you. If you wish to do this, you must go alone. But please, Aurora, I beg you to reconsider. My mother would gladly help."
I shook my head. "I’m sorry, Loki, but I can’t. I won’t do anything that could undermine her standing at court. Please, just walk with me to your father’s chambers?"
With a heavy sigh, he nodded, and we left my room, heading toward the large doors at the end of the hall. My nerves twisted in my stomach, but I knew this was the only way. As we reached Odin’s chambers, the doors swung open without us even knocking. I glanced at Loki, squeezed his hand in reassurance, and then stepped forward alone.
Inside, the room was exactly as I remembered. I was led through another set of doors, where Odin sat in a grand chair before a roaring fire. His gaze settled on me expectantly. I curtsied and held my position, waiting for him to speak first.
"Aurora, my son tells me you wish to speak with me." He gestured toward the empty chair in front of him. I took a seat. "I can only assume this concerns the trial."
I nodded. "Yes, Loki informed me of what transpired today and what Master Renfield has said about me."
Odin’s expression remained unreadable. "And now you are here to persuade me to take your word over his?"
I took a deep breath. "No, not exactly. I know my words are true, and Loki can confirm them. I also know you respect your son’s abilities, so you must already suspect the truth. But he explained that his word has been questioned in court. I understand that this puts you in a difficult position. Even though you know I am truthful—though I have omitted the part about magically healing Shadow—you cannot use Loki’s testimony if his loyalty is in doubt. If you push this truth based on his word alone, it could damage his credibility in future cases."
Odin remained silent, considering my words.
"When I first awoke," I continued, "Frigga asked Loki to scan my memories. He confirmed my memory loss was real. While I know he cannot be the one to verify my story now, others possess enough magic to do so."
Odin’s brows drew together in a frown. "Now I understand why Loki wanted his mother present. You want her to look at your memories tomorrow and declare you are telling the truth." His voice was sharp, nearly a bark.
I shook my head. "No, I don’t want Frigga to do it."
Odin’s eyebrows rose slightly in surprise.
"Loki told me that if she did, it could harm her position at court. I won’t put her in a situation that could hurt her." I hesitated, then gathered my courage. "Instead, I wanted to ask you. Loki explained that you have the ability and that doing so would not have any negative consequences for you. He also told me that it is taboo to perform magic on another person in Asgard. Still, this is the only way I can prove I’m telling the truth without causing further trouble for those around me."
Odin’s gaze held mine as he turned his face toward the fire, deep in thought. The silence stretched between us.
"You understand that if I enter your mind, I will see whatever I choose?" he said finally. "Not just the incident with Master Renfield, but anything I wish to look at. If you resist, it will cause you pain."
I nodded. "Yes. Loki explained this."
"And you are still willing?" he asked, sounding almost disbelieving.
"Yes. I want justice—not for myself, but for Shadow."
A flicker of confusion crossed his face.
"Shadow is my horse," I clarified. "He is the one who was truly hurt, not me. Master Renfield nearly killed him. Please, Odin, if you do this, watch the entire memory—see how I found him near the beach, how badly he was wounded. Then you will understand why I seek justice. If you do not wish to help me, at least speak with Prince Muriel. He was there. He can describe how dire Shadow’s condition was. If I hadn’t intervened, he would have died on that beach."
I had to blink away the angry tears threatening to spill. Odin studied me for a quite a moment.
"Aurora, I will do as you ask," he said at last. "Tomorrow in court, when it is your turn to speak, invoke the right of verification by magic. I will view the incident and then, by right, offer Master Renfield the same opportunity. I will compare his version with yours and pass my verdict."
A weight lifted from my chest. "Thank you, Odin. This means a great deal to me."
His reply was colder than I would have liked. "Do not thank me. The only reason I do this is to protect my family. My son’s loyalty has been questioned, and I know Frigga would step in to defend you if I refused."
He hesitated, then spoke again, his tone slightly softer. "But I will admit I am grateful you came to me first. I would not have allowed it if you had gone directly to Frigga. Because of the consideration you have shown for my family, I grant you this favor. You have my word—I will respect your privacy and view only the memories necessary for the trial."
I opened my mouth to thank him, but with a flick of his hand, he dismissed me. Swallowing my words, I rose and turned toward the door.
Still, I couldn’t leave without saying one final thing. "I know you are only doing this to protect your family. I understand that. And as I have said before, I would never deliberately bring them harm. But I still must thank you. Thank you, Odin, for helping me. But most of all, thank you for helping me keep my promise to keep everyone safe."
For the first time, a small smile touched his lips. He gave me a nod.
I curtsied and left the room.
In the hallway, I spotted Loki pacing furiously. The moment he saw me, he was at my side. I gripped his arm for support as the weight of the day crashed down on me.
"Aurora, how did it go?" he asked anxiously as he helped me toward my chambers.
I managed a small smile. "It went well, Loki. Your father agreed to look at my memories. He respected me for asking him instead of putting you or Frigga in a difficult position. He also gave his word that he would only view what is necessary."
Relief washed over Loki’s face and with a much lighter heart we made our way back to my room. To my surprise and gratitude, a small dinner for two had been set at the table in my room. We sat down, too drained to speak much. I didn’t have much of an appetite but I did manage to eat something. Even in silence I found Loki’s presence comforting.
After Yara had cleared the table, I sighed, exhaustion pressing down on me.
"Loki, I’m very tired," I admitted. "I think I should go to bed early. I could use the extra rest—tomorrow is going to be anything but easy."
Loki studied me with concern. "Do you think your nightmares will return tonight?"
I grimaced. I hadn’t considered that. "I don’t know. But if they do, I can’t afford to let them weaken me. I need to be strong."
His grip on my hand tightened slightly. "Then go to sleep. Call Yara and let her help you. I’ll return to my chambers—I still have a few things to take care of. But if you want, I can use the passageway to come back later. I’ll make sure you rest without nightmares for one more night."
I looked at him, gratitude swelling in my chest. "Thank you, Loki. For everything—for keeping me safe, for being my friend and my advisor. I truly don’t know what I would do without you."
His touch was warm as he stroked my back reassuringly. "I only do for you what you do for me, Aurora. We have a bond. I’ll protect you, and you’ll protect me."
With a gentle kiss pressed to my hair, he stepped away and left the room.
Yara helped me change into my nightclothes, her presence quiet and efficient. Within half an hour, I was beneath the covers, but sleep didn’t come easily. I tossed and turned, restless, my thoughts running in circles.
Then I felt it—the mattress shifting ever so slightly. A moment later, Loki’s presence wrapped around me, warm and steady. Within seconds, I was in his arms, and this time, sleep claimed me without resistance.