Chapter 19
I woke early, the weight of Master Renfield’s verdict day pressing down on me. Sleep had been restless, my nerves stretched thin even before my feet hit the floor.
I glanced at the clock. Hours to go. At this time, Loki would still be asleep.
I needed something to distract myself. Immediately, I thought of Shadow.
I adored that horse, and Loki had urged me to ride as often as possible, especially with the long journey ahead. And right now, there was nothing I needed more than to clear my head.
Galloping through the beautiful lands surrounding the castle was the perfect escape. A part of me wished I could stay outside all day, but I did not dare stray too far without Loki or Muriel as an escort.Still, the moment of freedom was worth it.
When I returned, the weight of the upcoming trial settled back onto my shoulders like a heavy cloak.
At least I did not have to wake Arturo. My training had included how to care for Shadow, so I quickly brushed him down, made sure he was comfortable, then headed back to my room.
The moment I stepped inside, I found Loki waiting for me on the sofa.
His gaze flicked to my riding outfit.
"You went riding?" he asked, sounding surprised.
I sat in the chair beside him, reaching for the glass of water Yara had left for me. She must have noticed my missing riding gear. She really was the best.
"Yeah," I replied, taking a sip. "I didn’t want to neglect Shadow, and since the trial isn’t until later, I figured I had time."
Loki studied me, his expression unreadable.
"And you went alone?"
I met his gaze. "Yes, why? I didn’t leave the castle grounds. Don’t worry."
Something was bothering him. I could feel it.
He shrugged, looking toward the window. "It is nothing."
I frowned and moved to sit beside him. "Loki, what’s wrong?"
He let out a heavy sigh before finally meeting my eyes.
"It is just…" He hesitated, then gave me a small smile that did not quite reach his eyes. "I overheard Sif this morning. She was talking to my brother and the Warriors Three about tonight. They were asking why you wanted to come to the inn, and she told them that you had someone you were interested in.
"She said she wanted to get you two together—and then she left to invite this ‘someone’ to come along."
I blinked, putting the pieces together.
"You told me this night out was your plan to get Sif and Thor together," he continued, voice even. "But from what I overheard, she was not lying about you and this other person. It just made me wonder."
Understanding dawned.
"So when I said I went riding alone this morning," I said slowly, "you thought I was secretly meeting someone?"
He nodded but quickly added, "It would not be a problem if you did. But… with the guardian bond, I feel protective of you. I do not know what unsettles me more—the thought of you going off alone, unprotected, or the idea that you might be meeting someone and felt you could not tell me."
He ran a hand through his hair, sighing.
"I know I have no right to limit you in any way, and I do not want to. But it unsettles me when you are outside the castle and unguarded. If you are seeing someone, I just want to make sure he can protect you if needed."
I reached for his hand, guilt twisting inside me. Loki was not just making excuses—he had been genuinely worried.
"Loki, I get that this is hard for you," I said gently, squeezing his hand. "And I’m sorry. I really was alone this morning. I was stressed and needed to clear my head, so I went riding by myself. It was also very early, and I didn’t want to wake you."
I hesitated, then added, "But what Sif said is true." His gaze sharpened.
"I didn’t know she was going to invite him tonight, but yes, there is someone I’m interested in, and he seems to be interested in me.
"It’s not serious—we just want to see if there could be something more. It’s very new."
I paused, watching his reaction.
"That’s why I was so distracted during dinner last night," I admitted. "He made his intentions clear just before we ate. And after dinner, when I talked to Sif, I told her about it.
"There will be times when I spend time alone with him, but because of our positions at court, we agreed to keep things private for now—at least until we know if this is going to turn into something real. "That means there will be times when I’m off on my own."
I saw Loki’s muscles tense.
"At least tell me he is a good warrior," he said, voice controlled but firm. "That he is capable of protecting you."
I hesitated. "Loki… I think so, but I can’t say for certain. I’ll tell you his name if you want, but I’m afraid it might complicate things between you two. You were just starting to get along again, and I don’t want to ruin that."
I looked away, already knowing he had figured it out.
I heard the sharp exhale as he leaned back against the sofa.
"No need," he muttered.
A long silence stretched between us before he finally spoke again.
"At least Muriel is a skilled warrior." His voice was steady, but there was something heavy behind it. "I will not have to worry about your safety with him. His skill matches my own. "But yes," he admitted after a pause, "this complicates things between us. Still, I will do my best not to come between you two."
A sinking feeling settled in my stomach.
I opened my connection to him.
"Loki, if this is unbearable for you, please tell me," I said softly. "I know our bond complicates things, and I don’t have specific romantic feelings for Muriel yet. It’s just an attraction we both want to explore. But if this is too much for you, I can still be just friends with him. I won’t jeopardize our friendship over someone I’m not in love with."
His emotions warred—conflicted, uncertain.
But then, he looked at me and activated the link.
"No, Aurora," he said firmly. "I appreciate the offer more than I can say, but I need to learn to deal with this. If it is not Muriel, eventually, it will be someone else. And I need to accept that, even with our bond, you have your own life to live."
Sadness lingered in his words, but so did determination.
I didn’t push further.
Instead, I couldn’t help but wonder—what had really happened between him and Muriel?
And with our bond open, I knew Loki could feel my curiosity. By the look on his face he clearly knew exactly what I was thinking.
"Please, Loki, you do not have to tell me," I added quickly. "Yes, I am curious about what happened between you two, but I do not want to pry. Whenever you or he want to open up to me about it, then I will know. But I do not want to push either of you into a story you do not want to share."
I could see Loki nod, but a deep frown remained on his face.
"Aurora, if he does talk to you about what happened, I think his story will differ greatly from mine. For I am quite sure we both have different views about what happened. Please, promise me that if he does tell you, you will at least hear my side before you judge either of us. You know it is not something either of us is proud of. But I do not want this to come between us. I do think you should know what happened before you become too deeply rooted in a relationship with him. But I am not ready to tell you myself, and Muriel might think I was sabotaging your relationship if I did."
I understood. I was sure Muriel would see it as an attack from Loki’s side if he were to tell me their story at this point. Neither of them was ready to share it.
"Then I will add that to the list of things that need to be cleared if things progress to that level," I told Loki through our bond.
I could see Loki's puzzled look; he clearly did not comprehend what I meant. There was no reason for me to keep any of this from him anymore, as he was clearly trying to be a good friend, even when the subject was something he didn’t particularly like.
"Muriel told me that if we find our feelings growing into something resembling love, he would ask my father’s permission to court me," I explained.
Loki shot up from his seat at my words. "What did you tell him?" I could feel the worry radiating from him.
I shrugged. "I told him that I had a secret, but it was not mine to tell. I told him this secret might prevent him from wanting to court openly. I also told him that I could not tell him what my secret was without betraying people who were dear to me, so I wouldn’t do that."
I saw Loki raise a brow in wonder. "And he just accepted this?"
I gave him a small smile and shook my head. "No. While he did respect the fact that I could not tell him, there were some things he wanted to know. He asked if you knew, and I told him yes, but that it was not you I was protecting. He did not seem very pleased to know that you knew my secret and he did not. Then he asked if your parents knew my secret. I told him yes, and that it was their trust I could not betray. I also added that other than them, you and Thor are the only people who know. This seemed to calm him, and he didn’t ask further."
Loki nodded. "I can see how this would help him. If my parents approve of your secret, he would be safe from any backlash or ramifications in Asgard. But I do think Alfheim will not be as tolerant if they should ever learn the truth. I do not know if Muriel would consider courting you if he knew in advance."
I could not help but agree. "That is why we agreed that if we had the idea of our feelings changing into more, he would petition Odin and Frigga in private to request to know the secret. In the hope that we can still be friends if the secret is to much and he could end things without devastating either of us. But since we don’t know if our feelings will even grow to such a connection, we agreed that we would first see if we were even compatible together."
Again, Loki nodded. I could feel that while it was not ideal, he did at least understood the arrangement.
"If you reach that point you just described, make sure he tells you what happened between us. Just like your secret, this might deter you from wanting a further relationship with him. But that is all I will say because it also applies to me as well, and I hope it will not harm our friendship when you find out."
I wanted to assure him this would never happen. I could feel his pain over his last words. But I knew there was nothing I could say. He wouldn’t take my word for it.
After a few moments of silence, Loki got up. "The trial will start soon," he said out loud, clearly wanting to change the subject. "I wanted to know if you wished to be present for the verdict or if you wanted to skip it." He motioned with his arms. "That is why I was here."
I thought about it for a moment, but I knew I had to be there. This whole thing was about me and Shadow, so I thought it best to attend.
"I will go with you," I told him. I concentrated hard and, with a few gestures of my hand, magically freshened myself and dressed in one of the fancier gowns I had. I could feel the surge of Seiðr coursing through my body before it settled, and I saw Loki smile.
"It is still something I am very proud of," he admitted with a broad grin. "To see you cast such intricate spells with ease—combined with such elaborate dresses."
I could not help but smile, feeling quite happy to receive his compliment.
"Thanks," I grinned. "But I still need Yara to quickly do my hair. A simple braid I can do, but anything more is still to elaborate. I also need her advice on which pieces of jewelry I should wear."
Loki got up from the sofa. "Would you like me to do your hair?" he asked.
I could not help but gape at him with an open mouth.
He shrugged. "What? I spent a lot of time with my mother as a child, and I rather enjoyed doing her hair. Also, since I am already here, it will save time, and it gives me something to do other than just wait for you to get ready."
I gave him a big smile and nodded. "Just promise me you will make me look nice," I teased, walking to my bedroom with him following.
I sat down at the vanity and opened my jewelry box. I carefully put on the jewelry Loki mentioned, keeping my head as still as possible so as not to hinder him. All that remained was the tiara and necklace, but they needed to wait until he was done with my hair.
He gently brushed and braided my hair, his movements precise yet careful. It was calming to watch him work in the mirror. Within moments, he tamed my hair and wove a few small, intricate braids, looping them around my head and incorporating the placement of the tiara into the style. He released a few locks so it did not appear too tightly pulled back. As a finishing touch, he fastened the necklace around my neck and changed the color to match the dress.
His fingers brushed my skin, sending a ripple of goosebumps down my arms. I looked at his reflection in the mirror, seeing him examine his work with satisfaction before he met my gaze.
"There. What do you think?" he asked, stepping back to admire his work some more.
I smiled. "I think that not only are you a great mattress, but you also have a shining future as a handmaiden if you ever needed such a job."
Loki let out a rich laugh. "I will keep that in mind, Aurora," he grinned.
“Thank you, Loki. My hair looks amazing. Thank you for your help,” I said genuinely, without teasing him.
He gave me a smile and a nod. He looked at the clock, and we both agreed it was time to make our way to the main hall for the trial.
As we entered, I noticed it was very crowded. I saw Frigga and Thor standing at the top of the steps, and we walked over to stand with them. My nerves began to rise when I saw Master Renfield. He was almost dragged in by guards. He did not look well. Not that he had been treated badly, but there was a visible fear radiating from him that made him look pale and sickly. I could not help but cringe as the waves of his emotions hit me. I felt Loki's hand on the small of my back in support. It was Frigga's voice that pulled me away from the awful sight.
“My dear, are you all right?” she softly whispered, looking at me with concern.
“I am fine,” I said, trying to offer her a small smile. “It is just that he is truly afraid, and it is quite overwhelming. While I have no love for the man, it is hard not to sympathize with his fear.”
Frigga nodded and gently squeezed my arm. “You are a kind person, Aurora. Where some would rejoice in witnessing the fear of one who wronged them, you instead empathize. But I am afraid Master Renfield has a very good reason to be fearful. He has caused a great deal of trouble for himself.” She looked over toward the man. “I fear he might have been better off had he pleaded guilty in the first place.” She sighed. “It seems the nobles he sought to impress have all abandoned him after the magical verification. They now view his actions against you and the royal family as an offense against themselves.”
At that moment, Odin entered, and the entire room fell silent.
“People of Asgard,” Odin announced, his voice carrying through the great hall. “My council and I have come to an agreement regarding the charges laid before this man.” He pointed toward Master Renfield, who seemed to shrink even further at those words. “They will now be read aloud.” Odin then took his seat.
A council member stepped forward, unrolling a parchment scroll.
“The charges against Master Renfield are as follows,” he said in a loud, clear voice:
The threatening of violence toward royalty under the protection of the House of Odin.
The deliberate mistreatment of property belonging to royalty under the protection of the House of Odin.
Disobeying a direct order from royalty under the protection of the House of Odin.
Lying under oath to the Allfather, King Odin Borson.
Deliberately attempting to discredit and harm the reputation of a prince of the House of Odin.
Deliberately attempting to discredit and harm the reputation of royalty under the protection of the House of Odin.
He paused momentarily to let the charges sink in before continuing.
“As these six charges are the most severe, the lesser charges will not be named, per the request of the Allfather.” He spoke solemnly before stepping back to his place.
The court remained utterly silent. I saw Loki shake his head minutely. I opened our bond.
“What does this mean?” I asked without looking at him.
Another council member took the floor, presenting the evidence supporting the charges. However, I could feel a strange mix of emotions emanating from Loki. He seemed to know what Master Renfield’s fate would be. There was a sense of justice within him, but also a degree of pity.
His words confirmed my suspicions. “Hearing the severity of the charges, I know what is coming. Any one of these offenses is grave enough to warrant spending the rest of his life in the dungeons. With so many combined, it will almost certainly cost him his life.”
My eyes widened as I turned to Loki. I had known he would be punished, but I had assumed he would be imprisoned for a long time. Perhaps years, given the long lifespans of the Æsir. I had not considered that he might be sentenced to death. I think Loki felt my shock, for his hand once again rested on the small of my back.
“That is what Mother meant,” he continued. “Had he confessed in the beginning, he would have spent many years in the dungeons but would have lived. Instead, he gambled, believing it would be his word against yours. He assumed your heritage would make his account more believable.”
Odin’s voice pulled me back to the trial.
“Master Renfield was given the opportunity to present his testimony under magical verification,” Odin declared. “He refused this offer. Therefore, I have no choice but to find him guilty of all charges. For I have seen the truth with my own eyes. As punishment for his crimes, I sentence him to death. His family shall be stripped of their titles and wealth. They will live with the ruin of their reputation, with no chance of restoring their honor. Just as he intended to bestow such ruin upon others with his deceit.”
A murmur rippled through the crowd. My gaze landed on a woman standing to the side with two young children. From the way they looked at Master Renfield, it was clear they were his family. He had been blessed with two children, and now their lives were about to be destroyed. The severity of Odin’s decree struck them like a physical blow. The woman, already in tears, desperately tried to soothe her children as they, too, broke down in grief.
My heart clenched at the sight of their suffering.
“Loki, please, is there nothing that can be done to change the last part of the sentence?” I pleaded through our bond. “I understand that Renfield brought this upon himself, but his family had no part in it. I cannot stand by and watch them be ruined. It is bad enough they are losing their father and husband.”
I could feel Loki’s conflicted emotions. He sympathized but was unsure if anything could be done.
“I do not know, Aurora. This case has become a spectacle, and the nobles are outraged. I fear Father is making an example of him to ensure such treachery does not occur again.”
Loki turned to Frigga, whispering a few words. She looked at me with a sad expression before whispering back to him. Loki then faced me again.
“My mother asks if you are certain. You will have a chance to speak before the sentence is finalized. However, she fears the nobles may see you as weak. They now recognize your influence and respect you for it. Remember, sometimes fear is more effective than kindness.”
I shook my head and whispered. “Loki, I understand, but I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t try. They had no part in this, and they must already live with the consequences of their father’s actions. They shouldn’t bear his punishment.”
Loki nodded and relayed my words to Frigga. When the council member called for anyone who wished to speak on Master Renfield’s behalf, Frigga took my hand, and we stepped forward. A loud murmur erupted among the nobles.
Odin banged his staff, restoring silence.
“My king,” Frigga began, “Princess Aurora does not speak in defense of Master Renfield. We accept your judgment. However, she has a request.”
I stepped forward, bowing deeply.
"My King, I have heard the verdict and accept the judgment of Master Renfield, for it is wise and just. But my heart goes out to his family. They had no part in what happened that day, and I can say with certainty that they played no role in his terrible deception. While I understand the need to ensure such actions are not tolerated, I cannot bear to see his family suffer. I do not wish them harm because of the misguided actions of their father."
With these words, I straightened my posture and waited for Odin's response. He looked at me quite some time, then turned his gaze to Frigga. But we both held his stare.
"Are there any others who wish to speak in defense of Master Renfield?" Odin’s voice boomed through the great hall. A hush fell over the crowd, and I heard the sharp intake of breath from those gathered. But no one spoke. No one moved.
"Then, at the behest of Princess Aurora, I will commute his sentence," Odin declared, his voice heavy with finality. "For she is the one most wronged by Master Renfield’s actions. His execution shall stand, but I declare his family safe from all repercussions. The shame of their father’s deeds will be their burden, for it can never be washed away."
His words sent a ripple through the room. Renfield’s family collapsed to the floor in a deep bow, their relief palpable even amidst their sorrow. Frigga and I curtsied before returning to our places on the steps.
I glanced at Master Renfield, catching the strange mix of emotions flickering across his face. I quickly looked away. The weight of the room’s emotions was already overwhelming; I could not afford to focus on his as well.
A council member stepped forward, formally ending the session with the announcement that the execution would take place the following day. Odin turned and departed, and at once, the crowd burst into murmurs. I could feel their judgmental glances, their unspoken words pricking my skin like needles.
I turned to Loki. "Loki, can I leave? I don’t want to be here with all these people watching and judging me."
He nodded, and I quickly bid Frigga and Thor farewell before slipping into a side corridor, away from prying eyes.
Loki appeared beside me in an instant. "Aurora, are you well?" he asked, concern etched in his features.
I sighed, feeling utterly drained. "No, I’m not. I never intended for this trial to end in his death. Yes, I wanted him to be punished, but not like this. And to think—I rejoiced when I demanded magical verification, believing I had won." My throat tightened as unshed tears burned behind my eyes.
Loki said nothing, but his understanding was palpable. I leaned into his chest, seeking comfort in his presence. "Can you please just teleport me to my room? I don’t want to walk past all those judgmental stares."
Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around me, and in a swirl of magic, we vanished from the corridor.
The moment we arrived in my chambers, I hurried to my bedroom, ripping the heavy jewelry from my body. Nearly throwing the pieces back into their boxes, I reached for the tiara in my hair, only for it to snag painfully on my curls. Frustration surged through me as I tugged at it, only making it worse.
Loki was there in an instant, wrapping his arms around me from behind. He gently took hold of my wrists and folded my arms across my chest.
"Aurora, cease this," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. "I understand that you are distressed, and I know you never wished for this outcome. However, it is not right to harm yourself. Master Renfield brought this upon himself. His deception caused this, not you."
I took a slow, shaky breath. Deep down, I knew he was right.
"It just feels like I caused his death," I admitted, turning in his arms. "Even though it was his own actions that led to this, everything still centers around me."
Loki gently untangled the tiara from my hair and set it on the dresser. The elaborate gown I wore felt suffocating, and with a flick of my hand, I changed into a nightgown and overcoat, hoping for some semblance of comfort.
A knock at the door interrupted the silence.
"I shall answer it," Loki said, striding out of the room.
I slumped onto the chair before my vanity, burying my forehead in my arms. Muffled voices drifted from the reception room, followed by the sharp sound of a door closing with more force than usual. My bedroom door creaked open, and I assumed Loki had returned.
"Who was it?" I mumbled without looking up.
"It was me," a familiar voice answered. "I was looking for you—to see how you were doing."
I lifted my head and saw Muriel standing in the doorway, watching me intently. A warmth spread through me at the thought that he had come to check on me. Without hesitation, I crossed the room and wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head against his chest. He held me close, his embrace steady and strong.
"How do you feel?" he asked softly, his voice vibrating against the top of my hair.
"Horrible," I admitted, blinking against the fresh wave of tears threatening to fall.
Without a word, he lifted me into his arms and carried me back into the reception room, settling onto the sofa with me in his lap. His arms holding me tightly as his warmth seeped into my weary bones.
"You should feel good about this," he murmured. "You saved a man’s family. More than that, you saved an enemy’s family—which is an act of true nobility."
I shook my head. "There’s nothing noble about not wanting people to suffer," I said bitterly.
Muriel chuckled, the sound rich and warm. "You would be surprised how wrong you are, Aurora. But I will not argue with you now—you do not have the heart to hear it. Just know that I was very proud of you today."
I looked up at him, searching his face, and I knew he meant it. He lifted a hand to wipe a stray tear from my cheek.
"Not many would have the inclination, courage, or conviction to ask for clemency like you did," he continued. "I am truly proud."
His words settled deep in my chest, and when he leaned in, I closed the distance between us. His kiss was gentle, comforting, a warmth spreading through me that I had not realized I needed. I slid my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, and he deepened the kiss just slightly, careful and controlled.
He shifted, tilting me back onto the sofa. His kisses remained slow and sweet, but I could feel the restraint in him, and it made me giggle.
"You know," he murmured between kisses, "it is considered rather rude to laugh at a man while he is kissing you."
I only laughed harder—until he moved to the sensitive spot on my neck, sending a shiver down my spine. My fingers curled into his hair as he explored the area, making my head spin.
There were many thoughts flitting through my mind, ideas I was not ready to entertain. Not yet. I was using his kisses to escape my guilt, and that was not fair—to him or to me. Gently, I pulled his face back to mine, kissing him softly, slowly. He seemed to understand, returning to tender kisses without deepening them.
Muriel shifted onto his side, lying next to me on the grand sofa. His arms stayed wrapped around me, and I let myself relax into his warmth.
"I didn’t mean to laugh at you," I said after a comfortable silence. "I was just surprised that you could make me feel good—if only for a moment. I never knew I was that easy." I grinned.
Muriel laughed, his chest vibrating beneath me.
"You are many things, but easy is not one of them, thank the Norns. If I wanted someone boring and predictable, I could have my pick of any woman at this court. Even those who do not particularly favor the Elven physique would not object to sharing a bed with, or even marrying, a prince."
His words made me feel gloomy once more, and we lay there in silence, staring at the ceiling. After a moment, I sensed Muriel’s gaze shifting back to me, his mind clearly occupied with something.
"I noticed you told Loki about us," he said softly, his fingers tracing gentle patterns along my arm.
I nodded. "He was worried about me. He overheard Sif talking about inviting someone I was interested in to join us at the tavern tonight. He grew concerned that he would not be there to protect me and wanted to know if this man I had my eyes on was capable of keeping me safe. I told him I didn’t know about you capability to keep me safe, but didn’t want to cause trouble between the two of you, especially when you were just beginning to get along again. Of course, he immediately deduced it was you."
Muriel nodded. "How did he react?"
I gently tucked a stray lock of his hair behind his ear. "He was not thrilled, but he admitted he wouldn’t have to worry about my safety. His exact words were that your skills matched his own and that he was certain you would protect me."
Muriel raised an eyebrow. "It seems Loki does not lie to you either." He appeared deep in thought. "The Loki I knew would never have admitted something like that. He always claimed to be the superior warrior, but we both know it is only his higher Seiðr levels that give him the advantage in the end. While I am an Elf and therefore faster, his Seiðr far outweighs mine. Ultimately, he would win in a fight between us—not that I will ever admit that to him," he added with a small grin. "But he is right. I will never let anyone harm you, especially when I am near. What else did he say?"
I shifted so I lay on my side, making it easier to see his face. "He mentioned that if things between us grew more serious, and if you are contemplating knowing my full secret and petitioning Odin. That I should ask you about what caused the rift between the two of you. He warned me that it might be something I would need to know before openly courting you. He only asked that, after hearing your side, I give him a chance to tell his."
Muriel frowned. "What happened is not something either of us is proud of, nor something we would do again. We learned our lesson, but the truth is, the person who was punished was the one most innocent."
I sensed his discomfort, and he pulled away slightly, sitting up. I reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Muriel, when you are ready, or when I need to understand something vital about our relationship, then I expect the whole story. For now, I can accept that, like me, you have things you would rather keep secret."
His tense muscles relaxed, and he pulled me closer. "Thank you, Aurora," he murmured before pressing a kiss to my lips.
After a moment, he sighed. "I think I might have been a bit harsh with Loki just now." A flash of guilt crossed his features.
I arched an eyebrow. "What did you do?"
"When I came to check on you, I found Loki here. I admit, I got jealous. Especially since your bedroom door was open, and I knew he had been inside." He rested his forehead against mine. "I know and believe that nothing romantic exists between you two, but I cannot help feeling envious of your friendship. I might have told him that, as the man in your life now, it was my place to console you—not his—and asked him to leave."
I gave him a pointed look. "Muriel, I understand your feelings. But you need to understand that my friendship with Loki is incredibly strong. There will be times when I need his comfort as well. I realize it may be difficult and unorthodox, but I need Loki in my life. Yes, he is allowed in my bedroom, and no, that does not mean anything more than friendship. You must decide if that is something you can accept because it is not something I am willing to change—especially at this early stage."
I could feel his emotions shift, a flicker of doubt lingering. I pulled away from his embrace and stood. "Give me a moment," I said.
When he nodded, I walked to the bedroom, closing my eyes as I focused on my bond with Loki.
"Loki, I am sorry Muriel was a jerk to you. I am trying to get him to accept your place in my life, but I think the best way is to tell him about the bond. What do you think? I will not do it if you believe it is unwise."
I felt his emotions swirl as he considered my words. But in the end, he agreed.
"Yes, I think that would be the best way to explain why we need each other without causing further issues between you two," he replied. "Do you want me to come over? I am in my room, so I can be there immediately."
"Yes, please come. I will let Muriel know you are on your way."
I walked back to find Muriel still sitting on the sofa, waiting for me. Taking a seat beside him, I met his gaze. "I asked Loki to come over," I said, watching the surprise flash across his face. "There is a way to explain why Loki and I are so close, but I need him here to answer any questions you might have."
I could see the question forming on his lips—how had I contacted Loki? I raised a hand to stop him.
"I swear you will understand in a moment. But before we tell you, I need your word that you will keep this private. No one can know beyond the three of us. Can you promise me that?"
His expression hardened slightly, but he nodded. "If you need me to swear, then I will, Aurora," he said steadily. Though I could feel his frustration at yet another secret involving Loki, he continued, "I swear I will not reveal what you and Loki tell me—so long as it does not get me into trouble."
I gave a small nod. "I swear that you will not get into trouble for this."