Chapter 21
I was woken by a small tingle in the back of my neck.
"Aurora, are you awake yet?"
I groaned. My head felt twice its size. I swear there was a little dwarf inside with a hammer trying to chisel its way out.
"Ugh, Loki, please," I managed to get out as I focused on our bond. "No, I wasn’t awake, and as you can probably feel, I'm not having a very good morning. Why did you wake me?"
I could actually feel his amusement through our bond.
"Well, you did want to go riding this afternoon, and since it's already 13:00, I thought I would check on you." His voice carried a mock concern, and I could feel he was enjoying teasing me about my hangover. It might have been funny if the pain in my head hadn’t nearly doubled when I tried to open my eyes and was greeted by a very bright room.
"Aurora, can I come over?" Loki asked, and I could feel his enjoyment of my current state lessen as he sensed my pain.
"Yes, just don't expect me to greet you at the door," I mumbled, sinking back into bed.
Within moments, the passageway in the bookcase opened, and Loki walked in. Without a word, he sat next to me and placed his hands over my temples. A cool wave of magic flowed through me, and immediately, the headache nearly vanished. I opened one eye, testing the light, but the pain didn’t return. A bit more cautiously, I moved to sit up. Still no headache. I felt significantly better. As I sat up, I looked at Loki.
"What did you do?" I asked curiously. "It didn’t feel like a healing spell."
Loki shook his head. "When you drink, you deplete the natural balance of your body. Normally, you replenish this with food and water. But because we both have a large amount of Seiðr , I can use mine to restore yours and make you feel better."
"So you just gave me a magic transplant?" I asked, intrigued. It made him laugh.
"Yes, something like that." He grinned. "Normally, this process is difficult. Not all Seiðr is compatible, and a great deal of energy is lost during transfer, leaving the donor much weaker than the recipient benefits. But our bond must make our Seiðr more compatible. Or perhaps it’s because your Seiðr comes from Fenrir—who is, of course, my son."
I considered that. "So you didn’t know it would be this easy, did you?"
Loki just smiled and shook his head. "No. But I'm your guardian, Aurora. While I might find it funny, I won’t let you suffer if I can help it." Suddenly, he turned on my bed and threw my blankets off me with a grin. "Now get up and get dressed! Shadow has been waiting for you." He jumped off the bed excitedly.
I laughed, tossing the rest of the blankets off, and with a wave of my hand, I showered, dressed, and tied my hair into a high ponytail, letting a few strands fall around my face the way I liked.
Loki noticed.
"You’re getting the hang of that," he remarked out loud, pointing at my hair.
"I’ve practiced some. The more intricate styles are still too much for me, but I can tinker with the simpler ones to create something different."
Loki smiled. "That’s the downside of being a pretty female. The effort it takes to maintain beauty can be exhausting. Men can just come and go with the same clothes and hair without ridicule."
I stared at him in disbelief. "And how would you know about the struggles of a woman?" I teased.
A mischievous smile formed on his lips. Before I could react, he moved his hand in an intricate motion, and before my eyes, he changed. He grew thinner, more curved. His face softened, his hair lengthened. His lips became fuller. As I blinked, a beautiful woman who strongly resembled Loki stood before me. I couldn’t help but examine her, nearly walking a full circle around her to study the transformation.
A velvety voice, still tinged with Loki’s essence, came from her lips. "I think I might have mentioned that I’ve been known to take a female form from time to time." She grinned, standing confidently.
I reached for her hand, needing to confirm she was real. Unlike Muriel’s illusions, there was no tingle of magic. I concentrated—only flesh met my touch.
Looking up, I found her gazing down at me. She was still taller. I reached up, brushing my fingers across her face while focusing on our bond. She felt familiar, yet different. It wasn’t just Loki in a female body—there were subtle differences in her emotions, her presence.
"It’s so strange," I murmured. "This isn’t an illusion; I’d feel the magic maintaining it. You’ve actually transformed. But I thought you’d still be exactly the same on the inside."
I was more thinking aloud than speaking to her.
She took my hand and placed it over her heart. "I am still Loki on the inside," she assured me in that smooth, feminine voice. "I still like the same things, have the same memories."
I shook my head and focused on our bond. "No, that’s not what I mean. Here, I’ll show you." I opened our bound again and sent her a sense of how she felt to me now through my empathic ability. "Do you feel that?" I asked, and she nodded.
"That’s how you feel to me now. If you change back, I’ll keep our bond open so you can sense the difference."
She nodded again. Before me, she slowly shifted back into her male form. I watched as her hand changed in mine, our connection still open.
Loki’s eyes widened as he felt the shift I had sensed earlier.
"See? You feel different like this." I smiled. "I don’t think it’s just because I’m more familiar with this form—there are enough subtle differences that I believe you actually change, even if only slightly, depending on which form you take."
"That is so strange." He released my hand and sat in the chair before the vanity. "I never knew that when I changed my body, it also altered a part of who I was. Even stranger was that you felt different." He looked up at me with a mischievous grin.
I did not know why, but his words made me blush.
"What do you mean?" I asked, trying to play it cool.
"Because we were linked when I transformed, I was able to feel your emotions shift as well. Part of the change was due to your greater familiarity with me in my male form. Normally, I can sense some chemistry between us, but when I was in my female form, it was less chemistry and more friendship." Loki shook his head with a laugh. "It is difficult to put into words. However, I believe I have just confirmed that you are most certainly attracted to men and not to women."
That did nothing to stop the heat in my cheeks.
"Ugh! If you were wondering about that, you could have just asked." I threw my hands in the air. "If I were attracted to women, do you believe I would have tried to set up Sif with your brother?"
Loki's reaction was priceless. He sat there, stunned, mouth slightly open, at a loss for words.
"What?" I laughed. "She is beautiful."
That made him pout, and I hesitated. While I did not wish to feed his delicate masculine ego, I could also sense his vulnerability—he had shown me something deeply personal.
So I stepped behind him and wrapped my arms around him in a hug. "You are a very beautiful woman, Loki." I grinned. "I was only teasing about Sif. I can appreciate a beautiful woman, but it is not the same thing as attraction."
To my amusement, my words actually cheered him up. I giggled to myself, making a mental note about men and their fragile egos but deciding to keep that one to myself.
"Now, come with me, my beauty queen." I tugged on his arm. "I have a stallion to see."
Before I knew what was happening, I was lifted and tossed onto the bed. In an instant, Loki was on top of me, tickling the life out of me.
I shrieked with laughter, tears running down my face.
"You will learn!" he declared between laughs. "I am not a mattress, I am not a handmaiden, and I am most certainly not a beauty queen!"
I was grateful for my leather riding clothes—they dampened the tickling slightly—but not enough to save me.
"I do not understand you!" I gasped between fits of laughter. "You are annoyed when I say another woman is more beautiful than you, and yet also annoyed when I call you a beauty queen!"
Loki doubled his efforts, making me squeal again, but I could not resist pushing further.
"Normally, I would call you a fickle maiden, but I do not believe I would survive." I squealed again as his hands found a new ticklish spot.
At the same time, I focused my mind, recalling Loki’s lessons on illusions. I still wasn’t great at larger spells, but I could handle smaller ones. I envisioned a mouse, concentrated—and before my eyes, a tiny, furry creature materialized, leaping from the bed straight onto Loki’s face.
The surprise made him jolt backward, nearly toppling off the bed, giving me just enough time to scramble to my feet and jump to the other side. Now, the bed separated us. He looked at me in shock, breathless from the tickling, a big grin still plastered on his face.
Still, I wanted to get even. I could never outmatch him in magic, but I had my words.
“Well, it seems the fair maiden is scared of mice.” I grinned, watching his body tense up as he prepared to pounce on me again. Quickly, I added, “But be careful! I have a formidable guardian—you would not want him swooping in to save my life. He is a great warrior, and you will not defeat him as easily as you can defeat me.”
That made him laugh. “Why, flattery will get you everywhere,” he replied, offering a small bow.
I took that as my cue that it was safe to step out from behind the bed.
“But I am afraid we have kept Arturo waiting,” he continued. “So I think we should teleport, if you do not mind.”
Loki grinned as I nearly leaped into his arms.
“What?” I laughed. “I like teleporting. It is just a damn shame I do not dare try it myself.”
With Loki’s arms around me, we plopped into the stables. As we stepped outside, I spotted Arturo standing with Shadow. The moment Shadow saw me, he whinnied and raced toward me. I hugged him tightly, stroking his soft nose.
“Hello, my beautiful prince,” I greeted him, overjoyed to see him again.
Behind me, Loki sighed dramatically. “And him she calls a beautiful prince,” he said in mock despair.
I stuck my tongue out at him, making us both laugh. Nearby, Loki’s horse stood in the courtyard, shifting her weight impatiently. Sensing her desire for attention, I walked over and patted her gently. She seemed pleased, especially when Loki joined in, stroking her neck.
Shadow, eager to stretch his legs, sank down on his front legs, allowing me to reach the stirrups easily. As I climbed onto his back, I noticed a delicate saddle beneath me—far more comfortable and much less bulky than others I had used before. It had to be an Elven-style saddle. I would have to thank Muriel later. Not only was it beautifully crafted, but Shadow also seemed to like it.
Grabbing Shadow’s mane, I glanced over at Loki, who was mounting his own horse. That’s when I realized I had never asked for her name. She was breathtaking—nearly as dark as Shadow himself.
“Loki, what is her name? I never thought to ask before.”
He smiled. “She has a long and royal name, but I never use it. I call her Lady. I think it suits her.” He affectionately stroked her neck, the bond between them unmistakable.
I loved seeing that kind of trust and friendship. They had clearly been through a lot together.
We made our way out of the castle grounds at a slow pace, but the moment we reached the open fields, I urged Shadow into a full sprint. He could have easily outrun Lady, but I felt him holding back, allowing her to keep pace so they could run side by side.
I smiled at the gesture—it was endearing.
“Why are you smiling?” Loki asked, glancing at me.
“I think my prince is a bit enamored with your Lady.” I laughed.
Loki’s lips curled into a smirk. “In that case, your prince has excellent taste.”
As if on cue, Shadow let out a sharp snort.
We rode for hours, and to my surprise, I barely felt any saddle soreness. In the past, long rides had left me aching, but between all the practice and this incredible saddle, I was completely comfortable.
“It seems you are ready just in time,” Loki said with a knowing smile as we slowed our pace, letting the horses make their way back toward the city.
I raised a brow. “For what?”
“Father told me this morning that the date for our trip to Alfheim has been finalized. We leave in three days, which gives us about four days to travel there on horseback. The rest of the party will go via the Bifrost.
“When we arrive, we will meet with King Merinor for formal introductions. Afterward, we will retire and prepare for dinner. Thor and I will likely be in meetings for the following days, but Muriel will be there to look after you.
“Interestingly, King Merinor has invited us to extend our stay to join their celebrations. The Elven Moon Festival takes place around this time.”
I tilted my head. “The Moon Festival?”
Loki nodded. “They worship the moon with this festival, as you might have guessed. The entire palace will be beautifully decorated. One of the main events is a masquerade ball, where everyone wears masks, and for that night alone, it is tradition to dance with strangers.
“They say the night embodies the moon courting the sun. The men dress in silver, and the women in gold. According to legend, the sun and moon are deeply in love, but they can only glimpse each other in the moments between night and day—never fully together, always longing. But once every hundred thousand years, during an eclipse, they reunite for just a few minutes.
“They say that in those rare moments, the sun and moon make love—and from their union, new stars and planets are born.”
I smiled. “It is hard for me to wrap my head around the elves. From the way you describe them, they seem incredibly romantic. But that does not align with what I have heard about them. People often describe them as cold—beautiful, graceful, but distant.”
Loki gazed into the distance before responding. “After living among them, I have come to understand that they only seem that way. They are actually a very passionate people—perhaps even more so than my own. But they keep their passion locked inside, only revealing it in private. Once you become close to an elf, you realize they are not cold at all.” He glanced sideways at me. “But I suppose you have already discovered that with Muriel.”
I blushed, shifting my gaze to Shadow’s mane. “While I understand, I do think Muriel is different. I have not met other elves, but Sif once told me that his time in Asgard has changed him—that he is more relaxed and open compared to others of his kind.”
Loki nodded. “Muriel was already different, even back in Alfheim. That is why we got along so well. He was more open, and at times, others considered him overly emotional. Life in Asgard suits him. I fear his time in Alfheim will be challenging for him.”
We rode in silence for a while, the noise of the bustling city around us making conversation difficult.
When we reached the stables, Arturo approached to take Shadow from me, but I shook my head.
“Arturo, I would like to take care of him myself. Could you stay and watch to make sure I am doing everything correctly? The trip is in a few days, and I need to be certain I can care for Shadow on my own. If I make any mistakes, please tell me.”
Arturo smiled and nodded.
Carefully, I removed the saddle from Shadow’s back, going through every step with precision. After about twenty minutes, I stood back, satisfied with my work.
Arturo’s approving smile told me I had done well.
“So, normally, if Shadow is cold, I’d cover him with a blanket,” I said, making sure I remembered correctly. “But since he feels fine and he’s going back into the stable for the night, I won’t do that. Did I forget anything?”
I glanced at Arturo, seeking reassurance.
He gave me a nod of approval. “You did well.”
Relief washed over me, and I couldn’t help but feel proud.
With dinner approaching, I quickly freshened up. Loki did the same, and together, we made our way toward the dining hall.
Just as we neared the entrance, a woman suddenly stepped in front of me.
I hesitated. She looked familiar, but I couldn’t immediately place her. Loki, however, stiffened at my side. That alone put me on alert.
The woman’s posture was tense, her fingers twisting anxiously in the fabric of her dress. It was clear she had been waiting for me.
“Princess, may I have a word?” she asked, her gaze darting nervously between Loki and me.
I nodded and gestured toward the side of the hall, moving us away from the main corridor. As we stopped, I offered her a gentle smile, hoping to ease her nerves.
She bowed deeply. “I am sorry for taking up your time.” Her voice wavered, thick with emotion. “But I had to speak with you—to thank you.”
Without warning, she dropped to her knees and grasped my hand, her body shaking as sobs wracked her frame.
The moment I saw the tears streaking down her face, it hit me.
I knew who she was. Master Renfield’s wife.
A wave of guilt crashed over me, stealing my breath.
How could I have forgotten? The joyful afternoon I had spent with Shadow had made me momentarily push aside the grim reality of this morning—Renfield’s execution.
“Princess, please,” she wept, her fingers clutching mine desperately. “I do not know how to repay you for the kindness you have shown me and my family. I am forever in your debt. Tell me what I must do.”
Her grief was suffocating, raw and unfiltered. But beneath it, I sensed something else—fear.
She was terrified of me.
A cold shiver ran down my spine.
Loki’s voice brushed against my mind, calm and steady.
“Aurora, it is common for nobles who grant mercy to demand something in return—servitude, wealth, or loyalty. I believe she is trying to determine what price you will exact from her and her children.”
I turned to him in horror.
She thought I would still punish her. That I had merely delayed their suffering.
I didn’t care that we were standing in the middle of a hallway, nor that people were starting to stare.
I dropped to my knees before her. Her breath hitched, startled by my action.
I squeezed her trembling hands, my own eyes burning with unshed tears.
“Look at me,” I urged softly. “Please, tell me your name.”
She hesitated before whispering, “It is Rona, my Princess.”
The moment our gazes met, she quickly averted hers, lowering her head.
Gently, I lifted her chin with my fingertips.
“Mistress Rona,” I said, my voice warm yet firm, mindful that her title had not been stripped from her. “I am truly sorry for what has happened to your family. I know you have just lost your husband—the father of your children—and you have my deepest condolences.”
I paused, steadying my breath.
“I never wanted this. I never wished for him to lose his life. I never wanted any of it to happen.”
Her lower lip trembled.
“We never wanted this either,” she murmured, her voice cracking. “But I cannot change the outcome of my husband’s actions.”
I could feel the sorrow that clung to every word she spoke.
“I do not hold you or your children responsible for his choices,” I said, willing her to believe me. “That is why I refused to let you or your children suffer for them.”
For a brief moment, a fragile spark of hope flickered in her.
But then, as quickly as it came, she extinguished it.
“You are too kind, Princess,” she said, her hands tightening around mine. “But I must insist—tell me how I can repay my family’s debt.”
She was bracing herself for the worst. For whatever cruel fate I might hand down. I swallowed hard, heart aching at the desperation in her eyes.
“Mistress Rona,” I said gently, “you can repay your debt to me by raising your children well.”
Her breath caught.
“Teach them to learn from their father’s mistakes. Help them grow into honorable people. Do your best to build a happy life for them—and for yourself.” I squeezed her hands reassuringly. “That is all I ask.”
Disbelief flashed across her face, as if she thought this was some kind of cruel joke.
I held her gaze, unwavering.
“I give you my word,” I continued. “That is all I want. I have no ulterior motives, no hidden expectations. I saved your family because I wanted to—not because I sought something in return.”
Still, she hesitated. She didn’t trust me. was waiting for the trap.
I turned to Loki, my heart pounding.
“Prince Loki,” I said, my voice clear and steady. “Will you bear witness to my words so that I can never go back on them?”
Rona’s gaze flickered between us, her wariness still lingering.
“The only thing I ask of her,” I continued, “is that she raise her children with honor, help them learn from their father’s mistakes, and do her best to give them—and herself—a good and happy life.”
Loki was a high-ranking member of Odin’s court. His word carried weight beyond measure.
His expression softened as he nodded.
Without hesitation, he took Rona’s hands and pulled her gently to her feet.
I rose as well, watching as she stared at him, stunned.
“Mistress Rona,” Loki said solemnly, “I swear to you—I will bear witness to Princess Aurora’s words. If ever needed, I will testify that the only repayment she asks is that you raise your children with honor and, if possible, build a happy life for them and yourself. You have my word.”
Then, to my surprise, he gave her a small bow.
I felt the weight lift from her shoulders, the crushing fear that had suffocated her finally loosening its grip.
Her eyes shimmered with tears, but this time, they were different. Not just sorrow. But relief.
Slowly, a tiny, hesitant smile formed on her lips.
Though grief for her husband remained, I could feel it—peace settling within her.
She reached for my hand once more, pressing it against her chest, as if holding on to the words I had spoken. And for the first time since this conversation began, I knew she believed me.
I could feel the weight of fear and sorrow lifting from Rona’s shoulders as a tiny, hesitant smile formed on her lips. Though the grief of losing her husband remained, my words had brought her a measure of peace.
She grasped my hand again and pressed it to her chest.
“I thank you for your kindness, Princess,” she said, her voice steadier than before. “I will do my utmost to honor your request—to raise my children with dignity and happiness.”
She bowed deeply—once, twice, and then a third time, each movement lighter than the last, as if shedding some of her burdens.
“Then I am satisfied, Mistress Rona. Thank you.”
I gave her a small nod, signaling that she could leave if she wished. She hesitated only a moment before taking her leave, vanishing down the corridor.
As soon as she was gone, Loki’s hand slipped gently around my arm, his touch grounding me. Of course, he knew how much this had shaken me. I had tried my hardest to keep my composure, but inside, I was unraveling.
The guilt over Renfield’s fate was bad enough. But the anger over that poor woman’s fears—oh, the anger was worse.
What kind of person would spare someone’s life only to keep them indebted forever? That wasn’t mercy. That was just another kind of prison.
I longed to collapse into Loki’s arms, to let the tension drain from my body, but here, in the open, his arm would have to do.
Together, we walked toward the dining hall, both of us keen to avoid further spectacle.
“Loki, she was so afraid,” I whispered through our bond, unable to keep the tremor from my voice. “Her heart was breaking for her husband, and she thought I had some nefarious reason for saving her. Why was it so hard for her to believe I did it just because it was the right thing to do?”
Loki squeezed my hand.
“Because you are almost too kind,” He said in my mind. “Most nobles would have demanded servitude, lifelong loyalty—something. Nothing is ever truly free in Asgard. Every action is calculated, every favor repaid in kind.”
I frowned and focused on our link.
“But that’s not true,” I argued. “What about you? Your mother and father? They made me a princess for no reason. Frigga, Thor, and even you—you’ve all been kind to me from the beginning. You could have left me to fend for myself. You could have sent me back to Earth. Hell, you could have left me in the woods with Fenrir and let me die.”
Loki’s expression darkened.
“Aurora…” His voice was quiet, but there was a sharp edge beneath it. “I do not wish to frighten you, but I know my parents. They are not cruel, but they do nothing without reason.” His grip on my hand tightened slightly. “It has haunted me from the beginning—I know they are keeping something from us about your situation. I have asked them, again and again, and each time they deny it. But I am the God of Lies. I know deception when I see it.”
He let out a slow breath, his frustration evident.
“They had ulterior motives for making you a princess. I just do not know what they are yet. Believe me, I am still deeply worried about it.”
I could feel his fear, coiling beneath his words like an unspoken threat. And the worst part? I knew he wasn’t just speculating. Loki didn’t voice his suspicions unless he was certain.
A shiver ran down my spine, but I forced myself to push the thought away.
No.
For now, I would take this world—and the people in it—at face value.
Frigga and Odin had given me a home, a new life. If they had ulterior motives, I would face them when the time came. Otherwise, I would drive myself mad with paranoia.
Dinner was quiet. I ate mechanically, lost in thought, still reeling from everything Loki had said—and from my encounter with Mistress Rona.
Even after the meal ended, and our group lingered to talk, I found it difficult to shake my mood. When Muriel joined us, I barely registered his presence, my mind still circling back to the poor woman and the grief she had carried.
Loki must have explained the situation, because no one pushed me to speak. They seemed to understand that I needed time.
It was late when I finally decided to leave, exhaustion weighing me down.
Muriel rose as well, and without a word, he walked me back to my chambers.
Once inside, he stayed.
We curled up together on the sofa, his warmth pressing against me, his steady presence soothing my frayed nerves. I had no energy for anything more than this, and thankfully, he didn’t seem to mind.
As I rested against him, I felt a deep, comforting warmth radiate from his body. It wrapped around me like a soft cocoon, easing the tension in my muscles, lulling me into drowsiness.
Slowly, I drifted to sleep in his arms.