Chapter 20
I could feel Loki’s presence outside my room, so I walked over and opened the door. Loki entered, giving Muriel a small nod in acknowledgment. He took a chair next to the sofa, and I sat beside Muriel.
“Do you want to start, or shall I?” I asked Loki through our bond.
“I think it would be better if you tell him,” was all the reply I got.
I turned to Muriel and saw that he had been watching Loki and me closely.
“Muriel, you know about my powers. When Loki agreed to be my teacher, we had to stop often because it was dangerous for me to even practice pronouncing the words out loud. Loki had to place his hands on my temples so he could hear me projecting the words in my head. This, of course, hindered my hand movements, making the teaching process slow and difficult,” I explained.
Muriel nodded as he processed my words. “Yes, I can see how dangerous it might be for someone with your abilities to voice the words aloud while learning.”
“And because of those powers, I needed to learn the basics sooner rather than later. We didn’t want me to accidentally do something with my Seiðr simply because I couldn’t control it yet. You know how I can use it without a spell. So I needed at least a rudimentary understanding as fast as possible,” I added.
Muriel nodded again.
“Loki showed me a spellbook, and within it was an old spell that seemed to solve our problem. We needed a way to communicate without speaking or touching. This way, he could physically correct my hand gestures while I practiced, and he wouldn’t need to touch me to hear me practice the spell.”
Muriel was still thinking it over, his eyes flickering suspiciously toward Loki. “What spell did you use? I know of no spell that allows two people to talk over a distance,” he asked grimly.
I saw Loki close his eyes briefly, inhaling deeply at Muriel’s tone, but he answered nonetheless. “That is because the spell’s primary purpose is not communication. Before I tell you the spell, I want to make it clear that I ensured Aurora read and understood it fully. She knew there was no pressure to use it, and the spell is reversible if it did not yield the results we wanted. It can be broken at any time.”
I could feel Muriel’s anger rising, and I knew I had to intervene.
“Muriel, I’m sorry, but I can feel your anger,” I said sternly. “This isn’t a conversation where you get to judge our reasons for performing a spell. The only reason we’re explaining this is so you understand what exists between Loki and me. I hope it eases any jealousy you might feel. But let me be clear: if you asked me to choose right now between you and my friendship with Loki, I would choose Loki. We are only exploring our feelings for each other, and while I like you and hope it grows into something more, it will never come at the cost of my friendship with Loki. If you find this unreasonable or unbearable, I won’t hold it against you. We can part as friends.”
I saw and felt Muriel trying to control his emotions. After a few moments, his anger faded, replaced by a strange coldness.
I really didn’t want him to be this upset. I walked over, sat on his lap, wrapped my arms around him, and made him look at me. “Please understand that I don’t want to choose between you,” I added softly. “I just want to explain and hopefully make this situation better for all of us.”
His muscles tensed, but after a moment, he relaxed slightly, placing his arms around my waist and pulling me closer. I glanced at Loki to gauge his reaction, but he seemed unbothered.
Feeling that Muriel was calmer, I signaled Loki to continue.
“Muriel, have you ever read about the high priestesses of Seiðr ?” Loki asked.
Muriel nodded. “Yes.”
“Do you remember how they were kept safe?”
Muriel thought for a moment, then recognition dawned in his eyes. “Their guardians? They had one or more guardians protecting them at all times.”
Loki nodded. “Correct. The guardians could sense when the priestesses were in danger and communicate with them over great distances.”
Loki gave a cautious smile. “A few years ago, I found an ancient text in the library’s vault. It described the ritual, the spell, and the vows they made. I believed the vows were symbolic since they seemed separate from the spell. I thought the spell would simply create a basic link for two people to communicate.”
I could feel Murial’s mind race and try to make sense of what Loki was explaining.
“I read the text too, and it seemed straightforward.” I continued. “The vows appeared symbolic, but we included them anyway because magic was new to me back then, and it sounded like fun. The spell worked perfectly. We can communicate without speaking. What we didn’t anticipate was that Loki can sense my emotions when we use the connection. Since I can already sense his at any time, this wasn’t an issue for me. We also discovered that if I’m in trouble or in pain, like when I healed Shadow, he can feel it even without actively using our connection. Since that ordeal, Loki has had this need to protect me, and I feel incredibly safe with him. Like he truly is my guardian.”
I paused for a moment, but I knew it had to be all or nothing at this point.
“After the incident with Shadow, I had terrible nightmares. Loki couldn’t sleep knowing I was terrified because of our bond he felt all of it. In the end, I asked him to stay with me at night. I felt safe when he held me, and that kept the nightmares away. So we slept together for two nights—and just to be absolutely clear, I mean actual sleep, fully clothed, nothing else. But it would be suspicious for him to be seen coming in and out of my chambers at all hours, so we created a magical pathway through my bookcase. It connects to his chambers and private library. He only uses it if I’m in trouble or if I ask him to.”
I felt a surge of emotions from Muriel. He was trying to shield me from them, so I moved off his lap to give him some space.
“This is the full extent of my bond with Loki. It’s why our relationship might seem like more than friendship. He is my guardian, just as much a part of me as I am of him. That’s why, at times, I might need him to comfort me instead of you. But it’s not one-sided; I also need to comfort him when he needs it.”
Muriel sat in silence, his gaze shifting between Loki and me.
“Loki,” he said coolly. “May I see the spellbook and spell?”
Loki nodded, and with a wave of his hand, the book appeared. He opened it to the right page and handed it to Muriel. Muriel took his time reading, frowning several times as he processed the text.
“You were right when you said the vow seemed symbolic,” Muriel said after a long pause. “But from what you describe, the connection between you is far stronger than this spell suggests.”
His tone held curiosity, not anger.
For a moment, I got the sense that, long ago, he and Loki might have enjoyed discussing things like this together. As I glanced at Loki, his eyes lit up at Muriel’s words, confirming my suspicion. I could almost picture the two of them hunched over ancient tomes, debating spells and theories late into the night. Even now, they seemed to enjoy these discussions, just as they had before when talking about my Seiðr .
“Yes, as soon as we finished the spell, we noticed it did not align with the book’s description,” Loki said, his voice animated. “The rune we used to anchor the spell is infused with the Seiðr of the other person. Aurora has a rune with my Seiðr on her neck, and I have one with hers. I do not know why the link created such an added effect, but my guess is that it has something to do with Aurora’s magic.”
Muriel turned to me. “May I see the rune?”
Loki nodded and moved to sit beside me on the sofa. He placed a hand on the back of my neck, and I felt a soft tingle as he lifted the illusion concealing the mark. I watched as he did the same with his own.
Turning my back to Muriel, I raised a hand, magically braiding my hair and pulling it over my shoulder to give him a clear view. As his fingers brushed the rune, a gentle shiver ran through me, and I could only imagine the green glow pulsing beneath his touch.
Muriel shifted his gaze to Loki. “And yours? It glows with her Seiðr ?”
Loki nodded and turned slightly, allowing Muriel to see. Still behind me, Muriel leaned forward as I reached out to touch Loki’s rune. The moment my fingers made contact, a bright teal light radiated from it.
Muriel studied it carefully before nodding.
For a while, the three of us simply sat there as he and Loki dissected the intricacies of the spell.
I tucked my legs beneath me, making myself more comfortable as they turned to face each other with me in the middle. Their conversation grew more animated, completely engrossing them both. Watching them like this, it was easy to imagine them as best friends again.
But all too soon, I felt a shift. Muriel’s emotions darkened.
“As you can probably sense, I am not thrilled about you being bound to Loki,” he admitted, his gaze locking onto mine. “But I understand why it happened. It is a safer way to train and help you control your magic. Knowing the source of your closeness puts my mind at ease, but…” He hesitated, his voice turning serious. “That does not mean I do not feel threatened by it.”
My heart sank. I wanted to reassure him, but he raised a hand, signaling that he wasn’t done.
“I will do my best not to stand in the way of your bond, but know this—I will not just sit back when something feels wrong. While I might accept Loki’s role as your guardian, do not expect me to remain on the sidelines when you are in danger. If you cannot come to me, too, then I do not see a future for us. Do you understand?”
“I understand perfectly,” I said firmly.
He turned to Loki next. “As long as Aurora and I are together, I expect you to inform me if she is in trouble. I know there will be times when you will have to act first and include me later, but for the most part, I need to be involved. Protecting her is not just your responsibility. It is mine as well.”
“That seems only fair,” Loki agreed.
“I have one condition,” I interjected, and they both turned to me. “I am still my own person. I do not owe either of you a full account of everything I do. If something I do upsets one of you, address it with me, not each other.
"I will not tolerate the two of you at each other’s throats over something I did. For example, if I ask Loki to keep something secret from you, Muriel, and you later find out, I expect you to be upset with me, not him.”
Muriel regarded me for a long moment before nodding. “In that case, I agree not to take my anger out on Loki. But you should know—I will be very angry with you if something like that ever happens.”
I nodded. “That is all I ask—hold the right person accountable. I do not want this turning into some complicated love triangle any more than it already has.”
At my words, both Loki and Muriel tensed.
“Agreed,” they said in near unison.
With that settled, the air in the room lightened, but exhaustion suddenly hit me.
“If there is nothing more to discuss, do you both mind if I send you off and take a nap? I have a feeling tonight will be a late one. Loki, you are still coming, right?” I asked. “You said you wanted to test whether I can see through your illusions. Muriel is coming, too—though I have no idea how he thinks he can go unnoticed,” I teased.
Loki’s eyes sparkled mischievously, and to my surprise, Muriel’s did as well. They knew something I didn’t. But seeing the amusement on their faces, I decided not to ruin the moment by asking.
“I think I will stay home,” Loki said, glancing at Muriel. “Muriel will be there to keep you safe and keep you company. I do want us to go riding tomorrow, though—if you do not mind. Though knowing how late my brother tends to stay out with these things, it will probably have to be in the afternoon.” He smirked.
Muriel suddenly asked, “Will you be going to the execution tomorrow?”
The words struck me like a blow. My eyes widened.
I had not thought about the execution.
Would I be expected to watch Master Renfield die?
After everything that had happened today—the overwhelming emotions from his family, the weight of the crowd’s grief—the mere thought of standing among them again made my stomach churn.
Loki was at my side in an instant, wrapping his arms around me.
“Breathe, Aurora,” he murmured against my ear. “You do not have to go. No one will expect you to. Just breathe.”
I shivered, trying to rein in the rising panic. His presence grounded me, keeping me from spiraling further.
When I finally felt steady again, he pulled back slightly. “Go get some rest,” he urged.
I could feel our bond straining against the separation—I wanted him to hold me while I slept—but with Muriel still in the room, we both kept our emotions in check.
This was something we would have to get used to.
Loki hugged me one last time, then turned to Muriel. “Let me know if she needs anything,” he said before taking his leave.
The moment he was gone, Muriel took my hand. I felt a swirl of emotions within him—guilt, frustration, and, buried beneath it all, jealousy.
“I am so sorry, Aurora,” he said quietly. “I did not think about how my words would affect you.”
“You just caught me off guard, that is all.”
I could feel his relief at my response, but the jealousy still lingered.
“If I may ask, why do you feel jealous of Loki right now?” I asked softly, hoping he would not mind my question.
Muriel sighed, his shoulders rising and falling. “Because Loki instantly knew I had upset you. And just like you explained—when he put his arms around you, you calmed almost immediately.
"I understand that is a result of your bond. But it is hard to watch, especially when I wish I could have the same effect on you.”
I nodded in understanding. “I’m glad that my bond with Loki is no longer a secret. That was my main reason for telling you, so you know why I react to Loki as I do. But I do hope that, if we grow closer in the future, we can also have something like that,” I admitted with a small blush.
Before he could reply, I couldn’t help but yawn and gave him an apologetic smile. “I really need to take a nap. I hope I can manage one without thinking about Renfield. I need sleep before tonight, and I don’t need him haunting my dreams,” I confessed.
“Well,” Muriel said with a twinkle in his eyes, “if you need someone to hold you while you sleep, there might be a certain elf who would not mind doing so. Especially since he just learned that he might be out most of the night.”
“Yes, I think that might be a very convenient arrangement for both of us,” I grinned.
In one swift motion, he was on his feet, and before I had any chance to react, he had me in his arms, carrying me toward my bedroom.
“What is it with you and Loki?” I laughed. “You’re both always carrying me when I’m perfectly capable of walking.”
“Well, I cannot say for him, but I personally like it when you are in my arms. Secondly, you are remarkably light for your size,” he added. “It is probably a man thing, but it makes me feel very strong and capable.” He grinned.
I laughed as he gently placed me on the bed. I took off my robe so that I was in my nightgown, and with a flick of his hand, Muriel changed into what must have been a form of Elven sleepwear. We climbed into bed, and he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. We kissed a bit, but it was gentle and sweet—nothing more.
It took me a while to fall asleep, but I enjoyed having Muriel’s arms around me.
Some hours later, I woke to soft kisses on my neck, and I couldn’t help but smile. I had missed lunch, and it was already dinner time. My stomach protested loudly, and we quickly dressed before making our way to the dining hall, where, of course, the entire group was already waiting.
After dinner, all agreed that Sif and I would meet the men in the great hall around 21:30. With that settled, Sif and I returned to my room to get dressed. She showed me the dresses she had chosen for us, and I found it hard to suppress a giggle.
Compared to the gowns worn at court, these were much plainer. They were similar in class to what Yara or any other high-ranking handmaiden might wear. But whereas a handmaiden would wear a tunic beneath for modesty, we had none. This meant that both of us had quite a bit of cleavage showing.
She had brought two plain cloaks with large hoods so that we could cover ourselves while walking through the castle halls and not draw attention.
As we made our way toward the main hall, I couldn’t help but giggle. “So you invited Muriel?” I asked with a smile.
Sif smiled back. “Well, I thought you might get lonely if all goes as planned tonight. I decided it was best to ensure someone other than Fandral was there for you.”
My eyes widened, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh my—yes, thank you for that. But I don’t understand how in the world people will fail to notice him. It’s hard enough to make Thor and Volstagg inconspicuous. But Muriel?”
Sif laughed. “You will see,” she said as we entered the main hall.
Thor and the Warriors Three were waiting.
Next to Thor stood a man I had never seen before. He had long blond hair, like Thor, and bright blue eyes. He was not as large as Volstagg, but neither was he as slender as Loki. He was tall and, for an Æsir, quite good-looking.
As he moved, I noticed his grace—unnaturally fluid. And yet, it was not until he spoke in greeting that I recognized Muriel’s voice.
I nearly jumped in shock, making him and the others laugh loudly.
“I am sorry, Aurora. We merely wanted to see how you would react,” the man said.
With a small wave of his hand, the illusion dissipated, revealing the handsome elf I knew. When I reached out and touched his arm, I still felt the tingle of magic beneath my fingertips.
“You’re still wearing an illusion,” I murmured in wonder.
“Yes.” He nodded. “I changed it so that you and our friends can see me as I am, but to everyone else, I appear as you just saw. This way, no one will gossip about an Elven prince visiting a lowly inn.”
It had never occurred to me that Muriel’s Seiðr was at such a high level. That he could create and maintain such intricate illusions for long periods, it was astonishing.
Since I was still studying this under Loki, I knew firsthand how difficult it was to hold these kinds of illusions.
I glanced at the rest of our party again and couldn’t believe the transformation. True, the others were not using illusions, but without their armor, weapons, and fine clothing, they almost looked… normal.
With all of us ready, we made our way into town.
The walk wasn’t long, but I was grateful for the cloak Sif had given me. These dresses lacked any enchantments, and the night air was quite chilly. Luckily, Muriel noticed and immediately tucked me against his side, wrapping an arm around me.
Sif looked ecstatic when she saw Muriel’s arm around me, but I could see the others giving us funny looks. It seemed that Sif hadn’t told them about me and Muriel. But I could sense they soon lost interest as we neared the tavern.
The tavern was packed with people. It was a busy night, filled with the sounds of drinking and loud conversation. I followed the others into the main room, and within moments, Thor had claimed a table in the far corner, bellowing for ale for the whole table.
As they took their seats, Sif and I hung back near the door, speaking in hushed tones.
Thor’s booming voice called us over, and I glanced at Sif, who suddenly looked a bit nervous.
“Alright,” I grinned, “now that we have his attention, we will slowly make our way to the table. As you walk, remove your cloak little by little. Just before reaching the table, drop it over the back of your chair and take a seat next to Thor.
"For now, we simply want him to notice that you are a woman, not just a buddy. So work your beautiful figure and make him see you,” I giggled.
Sif laughed and nodded as we turned toward the men.
I let her go first, watching as she walked toward the table with purpose. As she removed her cloak, I swore I saw Thor’s and the Warriors Three’s eyes nearly pop out of their skulls.
Behind her, I also removed my cloak, and I could feel Muriel’s eyes on me. His gaze roamed up and down my figure, and a slow, appreciative smile formed on his lips, making me blush.
It seemed our little walk had also been noticed by the local men, who were doing an Asgardian version of catcalling.
To my great relief, Muriel immediately pulled me onto his lap, making it clear to them that I was his for the night. I could also feel a hint of jealousy within him, which sent a flutter through my stomach.
Apparently, I had a thing for displays of dominance.
Sif played her part perfectly. Next to Thor, she leaned back against the table, subtly accentuating her figure while pretending to chat with some approaching men.
Thor was struggling—his gaze flickering between her and the others, clearly uncertain of what to do.
As drinks arrived, Fandral raised his glass with a mischievous grin.
“My friends, to a night of festivities and fun,” he declared. “I propose a bet to make things more interesting—the first person to win a kiss from a beautiful woman or man gets free ale for the rest of the evening!”
“Deal,” everyone cheered.
Fandral’s smug expression made it clear—he fully expected to win this bet. We all took a drink from our ale, the men slamming their mugs onto the table with such force that the ale splashed everywhere.
Before I could react, I was suddenly flipped backward into Muriel’s arms. A surprised squeal escaped me—then his lips were on mine, stealing my breath with a kiss so passionate it made my head spin.
Damn, that man could kiss.
When he finally pulled away, laughter and cheers erupted from Sif, Volstagg, Hogun, and Thor. Across the table, Fandral sat frozen, eyes wide, mouth hanging open in utter shock.
Muriel smirked. “Well, Fandral, does this mean Aurora and I shall not be paying for our drinks tonight? Assuming we both qualify—she, a beautiful woman, and I, a beautiful man?”
The others roared with laughter, their amusement growing at the sight of Fandral’s stunned expression. To his credit, he recovered quickly, shaking his head with a grin as he raised his mug to Muriel.
“My hat off to you, Muriel. It seems you have more skill than I gave you credit for. Yes, I shall personally pay for both your drinks.” He stood, stretching as he cracked his knuckles. “But now that you have set the pace, I cannot allow myself to be left behind.”
With that, he disappeared into the crowd, heading toward a corner where a group of attractive women were deep in conversation.
The inn buzzed with lively energy. I chatted with Muriel and my friends, listening as they exchanged stories with the tavern patrons. I loved people-watching, and tonight, I was thoroughly enjoying myself. It was refreshing to be surrounded by genuine laughter and conversation—no pretentious nobles inflating their own importance.
This, to me, was a perfect night.
Muriel sat across from Thor, the two of them deep in conversation as they tossed back ale like it was water. Across the room, I noticed a few men lingering around Sif, clearly interested in her. Every so often, Thor’s gaze flickered in her direction before he returned to his discussion with Muriel.
Still seated in Muriel’s lap, I found myself talking with Volstagg while Hogun had wandered off, seemingly intrigued by a friendly woman he had met.
The more ale people consumed, the bolder they became. The room pulsed with flirtation, hands lingering a little longer, kisses growing deeper. No one was outright scandalous, but the tavern’s atmosphere was undeniably charged.
Eventually, Volstagg excused himself to track down Hogun, while Muriel and Thor—clearly emboldened by their drinks—launched into an impromptu drinking contest. A crowd gathered, cheering them on.
I marveled at their ability to consume so much ale. After just three mugs, I already felt lightheaded. Deciding to pace myself, I perched on the edge of the table, watching the spectacle unfold.
After about eight glasses, Muriel leaned back and exhaled dramatically. “I concede. You win, Thor.”
“Poor Fandral,” I giggled, realizing that he was the one footing the bill for all of Muriel’s drinks. Perhaps that was Muriel’s plan all along. He didn’t dislike Fandral, but he certainly enjoyed toying with him.
Glancing around the room, I spotted Sif in the corner, engaged in conversation with a man who seemed far too pleased with himself. When our eyes met, she shot me a look—one that clearly screamed, Please, rescue me from this fool.
I wanted to help, but then an idea struck me.
Thor was still seated, deep in conversation with the people around him. I turned to him with a small smile. “Thor, I think Sif might need some rescuing. She looks too polite to tell that man to leave her alone.” I gestured toward her.
Thor barely spared a glance. His words were slightly slurred. “Aurora, Sif can handle herself. If she does not like his advances, she can put him in his place within seconds.” His voice darkened slightly.
Thor could be so thickheaded.
I tried again. “Thor, a woman does not always want to resort to violence, even when she is more than capable. Yes, Sif is a warrior, and she is formidable, but perhaps she would appreciate a gentleman stepping in every now and again. Someone to drive off men like him so she does not have to.” I tilted my head. “But if you are not up for it, I can ask Muriel to be a gentleman instead.”
That did it.
Thor turned toward Sif as if truly seeing her for the first time. “Are you suggesting the man is being a rake?” His hands balled into fists.
At that exact moment, the drunken fool in question made his move—pressing himself against Sif and squeezing her backside.
Before even she could react, Thor was already on his feet. In the blink of an eye, he was at Sif’s side, shoving the man so hard that he crashed backward over a table.
“You need to learn how to treat a woman,” Thor growled.
Sif, momentarily startled, turned toward me. I simply winked, flashing her two thumbs up.
Thor asked if she was all right. She nodded, then motioned toward two empty seats in the corner, ordering two ales.
I grinned. My work here is done. Now she has to handle the rest herself.
Muriel, having witnessed the entire exchange, chuckled as he pulled me back onto his lap.
“So that is why you wished to come into town?” He laughed, nuzzling against my ear. “You were not seeking a man for yourself—you were matchmaking.”
His breath was warm against my skin, his voice thick with amusement.
I giggled. “I have no idea what you mean, my prince,” I murmured, feigning innocence as I wiggled slightly in his lap.
Muriel instantly pulled me closer.
“Aurora,” he murmured, his voice a low growl, “I promised you I would take things slowly. But if you continue teasing me, just know you are making it very difficult to keep my promise.”
The dominance in his tone sent a shiver down my spine. I had not expected that part of him to affect me so strongly, but there was no denying the way my body responded.
We kissed again, this time deeper, hungrier.
When we finally surfaced for air, I glanced around the room—relieved to find that, compared to some of the other couples, our display was rather tame. Still, I needed to cool down.
Excusing myself, I slipped away to the bathroom. Inside, I took a deep breath, glancing at my reflection. My face was flushed, but I could not stop smiling.
Muriel made me feel wanted. Desired. Sexy. Splashing cool water against my neck, I composed myself and started back toward the main room.
As I stepped out into the dimly lit hallway, my curiosity sparked. I was outside of the castle for the first time and I couldn’t help the urge to explore a bit. Having some extra time to cool off before returning to Murial was an added bonus as I feared that all the ale had made me a bit more daring.
I walked through a hallway lined with rooms on either side. Most were filled with people laughing, drinking, or playing games. As I ventured further, I rounded a corner and found myself in a quieter section of the inn. It seemed almost deserted. The hallway was dark, most of the doors closed—except for one at the very end. It was ajar, a warm light spilling from within.
Curiosity got the better of me. I moved toward the door, peering inside. It was a smaller reception room—cozy, like a private lounge meant for highborn nobles. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows across the space. But what caught my eye was what lay before the fire.
A thick rug stretched across the floor. Upon it, a beautiful woman lay on her back, her body bare, her spine arching off the ground in pure pleasure. Between her legs knelt a man, his arms wrapped around her hips, his face buried between her thighs. The sounds of her pleasure filled the room, raw and uninhibited.
My breath caught in my throat as the man lifted his head, his face bathed in the fire’s glow. My eyes widened. Even in silhouette, I recognized him instantly—Fandral. He was utterly naked, utterly absorbed in the woman beneath him.
Heat rushed to my cheeks. I turned quickly, slipping back into the hallway, heart pounding. Rounding the corner, I walked straight into a firm chest. Strong arms wrapped around me, steadying me before I could stumble. I looked up and met Muriel’s amused gaze.
"You really need to watch where you're going," he mused, his smile widening. His eyes flicked to my face, lingering on the blush staining my cheeks. "What did you see back there that has you flushing like a maiden?"
"Nothing we should interrupt," I blurted, my blush deepening. I grabbed his hand, trying to pull him toward the tavern’s main hall. But Muriel had other plans.
With a teasing chuckle, he spun me back into his arms, his lips grazing my neck. "But, Aurora, I think I want to see for myself."
I gasped as he gently urged me toward the open door. "Muriel, no," I whispered. "We shouldn't go there. I shouldn't have gone there. They’re doing something meant to be private."
But he ignored my protest. Instead, he wrapped his arms around me, pressing me to him, lifting my feet from the ground with ease. My struggles were in vain as he carried me forward, stopping just at the threshold of the dimly lit hall.
As we reached the door, he shifted me in front of him, my back flush against his chest, his arms coiling around me. I tried to turn away, but he held me in place, positioning us so we remained cloaked in shadow while having a perfect view inside.
I squeezed my eyes shut, but Muriel’s breath was hot against my ear. "Aurora," he murmured, voice dark with temptation. "Open your eyes."
And gods help me—I did.
In front of me, bathed in the fire’s glow, were Fandral and the woman. She was still lost in pleasure, moaning loudly as he devoured her with his mouth and hands. Behind me, Muriel shifted, his arms tightening around my waist, pulling me flush against him. I gasped as he ground his hips against my backside, a slow, deliberate motion that sent heat rushing through my veins.
It felt wrong—watching them like this, hidden in the shadows, invading their privacy. But at the same time, Muriel’s touch, his breath on my skin, the intoxicating mix of arousal and stolen voyeurism—it was overwhelming. My breath hitched as Fandral’s hands roamed possessively over the woman’s body, his mouth hungrily claiming every inch of her. The sight sent a delicious shiver down my spine, my body betraying me as I leaned back into Muriel’s embrace.
One of his arms remained locked around my waist, keeping me in place, while his free hand trailed upward, slow and deliberate. My stomach fluttered, anticipation coiling deep inside me as his lips found the sensitive spot on my neck. I closed my eyes, melting against him as his fingers slid higher, finally cupping my breast through the bodice of my dress.
"Aurora, you have no idea how enticing your breasts look from this angle," he groaned against my ear, his gaze fixed downward.
The heat pooling between my thighs became unbearable. I lifted an arm, hooking it behind his neck, arching slightly to give him an even better view. I heard him suck in a sharp breath before his grip on my breast tightened, his thumb brushing over the fabric in slow, tantalizing circles. He pressed harder against me, his arousal unmistakable as he ground himself against my back, his breathing deep and heavy.
A cry from inside the room pulled my gaze back. The woman convulsed on Fandral’s mouth and fingers, lost in ecstasy. As soon as her cries faded, he shifted, repositioning himself between her legs. My breath caught as my eyes landed on his impressive arousal, silhouetted against the firelight. Muriel noticed, of course. He chuckled, low and wicked in my ear.
"Mmm, enjoying the sight of his arousal, are you?" he purred, both hands now kneading and stroking my breasts over my dress. His hips never ceased their tormenting grind against my backside.
I could have stepped away, could have freed myself now that his arm no longer pinned me in place. But I didn’t want to. Instead, I pressed my ass back into his erection, grinding against him, desperate for more. A deep, shuddering groan rumbled from his chest, and I whimpered at the sheer need radiating from him.
That sound seemed to snap something inside him. In one swift motion, he spun me around, pressing me against the wall before claiming my lips in a bruising kiss. His body pinned me, his arousal now grinding against the heat between my legs, the friction sending sparks of pleasure up my spine. The pressure, the heat, the sheer hunger in the way he moved against me—it was almost too much.
I gasped for air, breaking the kiss, but Muriel’s mouth simply found my neck. He explored eagerly, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses along my throat. It didn’t take him long to find that one spot that sent a shockwave of pleasure through me. I moaned, my fingers tangling in his hair, holding him there as he sucked and teased the sensitive flesh.
His hand moved between us, gathering the fabric of my dress, lifting the heavy layers until they were bunched at my waist. The cool air against my thighs sent a shiver through me. With one arm wrapped around my ass, he held me at the perfect height, my legs wrapping instinctively around his waist.
The shift in position and fewer layers of fabric only made the friction between us more intense. He ground against me with slow, deliberate rolls of his hips, each one sending another wave of molten heat straight to my core. The tiny bits of fabric still between us did nothing to hide the feeling of his cock against my core.
He groaned into my neck, the sound dark and desperate, and gods, I had never wanted anything more in my life.
My gaze flickered back into the room. The woman was now on her hands and knees, and Fandral knelt behind her, gripping her hips as he thrust into her with a punishing rhythm. The raw, carnal sight sent a fresh wave of arousal crashing over me. Fandral’s hand wrapped around the woman’s waist, pulling her upright so her back was flush against his chest. His other hand claimed her breast, kneading and teasing as he pounded into her. Her head lolled back onto his shoulder, her cries of pleasure filling the room.
Muriel’s rhythm matched Fandral’s. His hips moved in time with the steady thrusts, grinding into me with the same relentless need. He turned his head, watching the scene with hooded eyes, his breathing ragged.
Then he growled—a deep, primal sound that sent a fresh rush of heat straight to my core. His lips found my earlobe, his teeth grazing the sensitive flesh. "Aurora, I wish I could take you properly," he murmured, his voice thick with hunger. "Feel myself buried deep inside you." Another slow, deliberate thrust against me made me gasp. "Right here, against this wall." His breath was hot against my skin, his grip possessive. "But I will not have our first time in a lowly tavern. You deserve better."
I could hear him moan again as he was still pounding his erection against me. The sensation between my legs had been building steadily now, and I knew it wouldn’t be long before it sent me over the edge.
I was softly moaning into his ear each time he deliciously rubbed over my core. I noticed his movements becoming less controlled, more erratic. He pulled back to look at me, lust clearly displayed over his whole face. But something about his look made me self-conscious, so I pulled him into a passionate kiss. I wrapped my other leg around his waist, hoping he would make sure that we would not fall.
Immediately, both his hands cupped my ass again, gripping me tightly and pulling me hard against his hips as they furiously plowed into me. Within seconds, I was out of breath, panting as I released him from the kiss. I was nearly there, and I could feel Muriel was very close too. He removed one hand from my ass and entwined his fingers into my long hair. He painlessly grabbed a handful and pulled my head back so he could assault my neck again.
He kissed and scraped his teeth down my throat, and I couldn’t help but topple over the edge. My whole body was on fire as my orgasm hit. I tried my best to suppress any sounds I was making, but I couldn’t help but throw my arms around Muriel's neck and bury my face in his long hair. My legs spasmed around his waist, making me buck against his erection. I could hear Muriel saying something that sounded like Elvish, but my mind was too far gone to care.
I could feel him tense against me, his hands back on my ass, pushing me against him. He let out a long groan, and I could feel him climax too. He placed his head in the crook of my neck while I wove my fingers into his hair, holding him as we both rode out the rest of our orgasm together.
As we slowly caught our breath, we heard Fandral grunt loudly. Just as he came, the woman started moaning loudly. Coming down from my lust-filled mind, I could not help but think that this time she sounded a bit over the top.
Muriel seemed to think the same, as I heard him whisper, "Thank the Norns you do not sound like that, or I might think you were only pretending to enjoy what we just did."
I looked at him and giggled. He gently lowered me to the ground but did not let go of me right away. My legs were unsteady, so I held onto him. I watched Muriel make a well-known hand movement, and I saw him looking refreshed once more. I smiled and instantly did the same. I knew my hair would be a lost cause, as I could not do any elaborate hairstyles yet, so I decided to magically put it in a long braid. Muriel gave me a wink as he pulled me close and kissed me gently.
"Now, Aurora, I think it would be best for us to rejoin the others before Fandral finds us here. While I cannot imagine he would mind us watching, I really do not want him to know that you saw him like that. I believe his mind already has enough to occupy itself with. He does not need the added image of you watching him during sex," Muriel said, and I could feel his jealous side pop up a bit.
Not that I minded, to be honest. I did not mind a little jealousy in a partner. I nodded, and we linked our arms together as we walked back to the main room.
As we reached our table, Hogun and Volstagg were grinning like idiots. We took our seats, and I looked around to find the reason for their grins. It was then that I saw a couple kissing passionately on the other side of the room. I could not help but feel the same grin spread over my face as I noticed the couple were Thor and Sif. I could not help but laugh and elbow Muriel, discreetly pointing him toward the two.
"Well, it seems that your mission was successful," Hogun said, giving me a big grin.
"Was it that obvious why Sif and I joined tonight?" I asked, laughing loudly as he and Volstagg both nodded.
"Yes. When Sif made the whole show of walking over toward Thor while dressed like that, we knew," Volstagg grinned. "She never changes her clothes when she comes with us on such nights. Most of the men find her beautiful in her warrior armor. I do not know if Thor knew what hit him when he saw her in that outfit. The big oaf had no idea she could look so feminine."
I grinned. "Well, I just hope they have a chance. Sure, he sees her now, but I hope they can connect over more things than just sex. I really hope they might have a future together."
Volstagg waved a serving girl down and ordered another round of ale. As the big tankards were once more in our hands, he proposed a toast.
"To the future! May it bring love and friendship to the ones who are worthy!" he bellowed, and I smiled as not only our table but the whole room joined in on his toast.
The rest of the evening was filled with laughter, cheer, and a lot more ale. Not too long after Fandral reappeared, the Warriors Three started regaling us and the whole inn with their stories. Muriel and I mostly listened as we cuddled together, feeling very comfortable and relaxed.
Halfway through the night, Thor and Sif seemed to vanish for a bit, only to reappear an hour later with very smug looks on their faces.
It was very late, and I was on the verge of being outright drunk when we made our way back to the castle. Muriel tried to get me to let him spend the night in my room, but with our incident in the hallway and my current state of intoxication, I thought it best to resist. With an adorable look of disappointment on his face, he kissed me goodnight and made his way to his own room.
I left a little note for Yara, telling her I wanted to sleep in, and manually changed into my nightgown. I had tried to use my magic, but the gown just ended up on the floor, and I was left naked, giggling next to it. I finally managed to get myself into the gown after a few tries. I quickly drank a glass of water and climbed into bed.
It had truly been an amazing evening, and I fell asleep with a big smile plastered on my face.