Chapter 25
I woke the next day to the gentle touch of Loki waking me.
"How do you feel?" he asked softly as I blinked my eyes open.
It took me a second to find my bearings.
"Fine… but tired," I admitted, doing my best to stifle a yawn.
He nodded and rolled over to grab something from the nightstand. When he turned back, I saw it was the bottle with the remaining infusion.
"Drink this. It will help," he said, handing it to me.
I gave him a small, sleepy smile and drank it without question. When I finished, I let myself fall back onto the bed with a soft sigh.
"What time is it?" I asked, glancing toward the window. The sky outside was still dark, which threw me off completely.
"It is still very early," he said as I curled up beside him again. "You may stay in bed a while longer. But I must go find Alana—see if anything can be done about the wards. When I return, I shall wake you, if that is alright?"
I pouted, sinking deeper into the warm blankets, and he chuckled softly.
Still, I knew how important this was. "Yeah, that’s fine. But if you need help with the wards… just let me know."
He pressed a kiss to my forehead and reluctantly got out of bed. "I will. Now get some more sleep, and I shall wake you soon."
And I did. I had no trouble falling asleep again and drifted off almost immediately.
I woke later to the feeling of Loki crawling back into bed beside me. As I turned toward him, I immediately noticed something was off. His face was pale, his body sluggish, and there were dark circles under his eyes.
"What happened?" I asked, frowning as our eyes met.
He let out a long sigh and shook his head.
"The elder is indeed old. The ward he claimed to have placed was not a ward at all—some sort of magical tripwire, really. It did not even cover the entire village, only the side facing the woods."
He sighed again. "But I kept my word. The village is now fully warded. I had to build everything from scratch, which took more power than expected. I also added a few extra layers of protection—one that causes all harmful animals to avoid the village entirely, not just spiders."
I raised an eyebrow. That was way beyond what anyone had asked him to do.
He shrugged. "I figured, since Alana took such good care of you, and her request was selfless, I owed her. And since we are close to the castle, I can afford the lack of seiðr."
I couldn’t help but smile. I could feel how proud he was at his achievement. And honestly, he had every right to be.
He didn’t just do the bare minimum—he went out of his way to help these people. Not because it earned him anything, but simply because he could.
"Thank you for protecting them," I said softly, resting my head against his chest.
"Especially when it drained you this much. You know I would’ve helped if you’d woken me."
He just pulled me closer, his arms wrapping around me.
"Do not worry, Aurora. It was a spell only one person could cast. Even if I had wanted to, you could not have helped. I will be fine tomorrow."
He was downplaying it—obviously. I could tell how exhausted he really was.
And I remembered that feeling. The way it drained everything from you when you pushed your seiðr too far.
Then I remembered what he’d done for me… how he had shared his own seiðr when I was too hungover.
So I nudged him gently.
"Loki... can I give you some of mine? Or if I’m not ready for that, couldn’t you just take some?"
His eyes opened slowly, frowning.
But I kept going. "Back when I was hungover after that night out, you gave me some of yours. You told me it was hard to do and kind of impractical, but our bond made it easier. Remember?"
He clearly did—but I could feel the hesitation building in him.
"I do not know if that is a good idea, Aurora. I dislike the thought of you giving seiðr. You have never done such a transfer before. You might give too much by accident. And with your recent blood loss… it may not be safe."
I opened our bond so he could feel how I was doing.
"See? I feel fine," I told him gently.
"And don’t think I didn’t notice you ignored the other option. You can take it from me if I allow it, can’t you?"
I felt him grin through the bond.
"Aurora, you are too clever for your own good. Yes—I can take seiðr from you if you are willing. But still, I do not think—"
"Loki, please," I cut him off.
"I need to do this for you. This bond goes both ways, remember? You’ve done so much for me. Let me return the favor. We’ll keep the bond open the whole time—if I feel tired, you’ll know and can stop instantly. Please. Let me do this."
I felt him war within but after a moment he finally relaxed.
"Very well," he said. "Focus on our connection. But if I sense you weakening, I shall stop immediately."
I nodded and snuggled closer, his arms wrapping securely around me.
Then I felt it—that familiar, gentle warmth as his seiðr brushed against mine.
It was like our magic was breathing together.
I let go, trusted him, and simply opened myself to the bond.
Within moments, I felt the flow stop. He exhaled slowly and loosened his hold on me.
"I’m fine, you know," I said through the bond.
"If you need more, just take it."
He grinned, and I looked up to meet his eyes.
The change was almost instant. The color was back in his face, and the shadows under his eyes were gone.
And that grin—that sleepy, goofy grin—made me laugh.
"I do not believe I need more," he said.
And then he giggled.
He giggled.
I burst out laughing. "Did you seriously just—"
"Your seiðr is stronger than expected," he said, still smiling.
"I took only a small amount, and you did not even feel it leave."
"I didn’t feel anything but warmth," I said.
Just to be sure, I sat up slowly. No dizziness. No weakness.
I felt perfectly fine.
I looked at him again, still grinning like a drunk fox.
"You’re enjoying this way too much."
"I may have absorbed it a bit too quickly," he admitted, rubbing his eyes. "I underestimated how potent your seiðr is. Normally, a transfer like this would lose a great deal power in the process. But I believe I received nearly all of it. My body simply needs time to adjust."
His eyes were already closing again.
"Get some sleep," I said, laughing softly.
"I’ll wake you in an hour."
He nodded and drifted off almost immediately.
I pulled the blanket over him, kissed his forehead, and slipped out of bed.
Time to find food—and maybe a little peace before everything started again.
I found Sif already sitting in the common room when I came downstairs. She was eating breakfast, looking relaxed in her usual cool and collected way.
I joined her at the table, and she looked up.
"How are you this morning?" she asked, mid-bite.
"I’m good. Not even that tired anymore," I said, grinning.
Right then, the innkeeper came over. I ordered a plate for myself, then added, "Could I get a second tray ready in about an hour? To take upstairs?"
He nodded and walked off.
Sif tilted her head. "Loki is still sleeping? I thought I saw him earlier?"
I nodded and gave her the quick version—Alana, the ward, the fact that Loki had overexerted himself to protect the village. How he’d gone above and beyond what was expected of him.
She looked genuinely surprised.
"So Loki helped these people?"
I gave her a pointed look.
"Sif, I thought you of all people would know he’s not the monster everyone makes him out to be," I said with a sigh. "He may not show it outright, but he actually likes helping people. He put up that entire ward by himself. Not because he had to—he wanted to. And he never even told anyone how much it drained him."
She blinked and seemed to consider my words.
"I do not know why, but he does seem… changed," she said slowly.
"Ever since you started spending time with him, he appears… softer, kinder. In a good way."
I laughed softly, shaking my head.
"He hasn’t changed. He’s been like this from the beginning. The only thing that’s different is that with me, he doesn’t feel the need to wear that cold, distant mask. But everyone else? They see the title, the reputation Odin basically forced on him—and they stop looking there."
Sif looked down at her plate and pushed her food around with her fork.
"I understand that," she said quietly. "I had to fight for people to see beyond my family name. To be taken seriously as a warrior. It is strange to realize that Loki faces something similar."
I nodded and let the silence sit between us for a bit.
But I could feel her energy shifting—like she was winding up for something. A question.
And eventually, she looked up at me. "Aurora… please do not take this the wrong way, but… is there something between you and Loki?"
I blinked. That again?
"Other than a very deep friendship? No," I said honestly.
She picked up a piece of fruit, stared at it, then looked back at me.
"Do you want there to be?"
I let out a long sigh. "Muriel asked me the same thing, you know."
She looked surprised, and I kept going.
"I know for a fact Loki doesn’t have romantic feelings for me. But if he did? Yeah, I think I could fall for him. Easily." I met her gaze without flinching.
"But he doesn’t. And I’m not someone who pines after people who aren’t into me. That would just ruin the friendship. And it would taint what I have with Muriel. Loki isn’t some backup plan, he was never an option to begin with. My heart is with Muriel. Loki’s my best friend."
Sif nodded, and I could tell she respected the honesty.
But she still didn’t look fully at ease. "Speaking of… Muriel is not going to be thrilled when he hears what happened in the forest," she said.
I groaned and dropped my head into my hand. "Ugh. I know."
Especially if the spider issue was something his father had ignored. That could blow up real fast.
"Promise me you won’t tell him?"
Sif raised an eyebrow at me.
"I will tell him," I clarified quickly, "but it has to come from me. If he hears it from someone else, he might do something impulsive. He’s already stressed enough about being back here. I don’t want him making it worse."
Sif gave a small nod. "I understand. I shall say nothing—and I shall ask the others to stay quiet as well. Just make sure Loki does the same."
I nodded in thanks and glanced at the clock. "I’m going to wake him and bring him his food. We’ll be ready to go soon, yeah?"
"Yes," she said. "The others are preparing as we speak."
Perfect timing. The innkeeper signaled that the tray was ready. I grabbed it and made my way upstairs.
Loki was still completely out, tangled in the blanket like he’d melted into the bed.
I smiled to myself. "Loki," I said softly. "Wake up."
He groaned, stretched like a cat, then flopped onto his back.
"I brought breakfast," I said, dangling the tray a little.
His eyes popped open immediately, and that familiar grin spread across his face.
"Woman, you know the way to my heart."
"And what exactly is that way?" I teased. "The food or the fact that I’m serving it to you?"
He chuckled. "I shall refrain from answering, lest I say something inappropriate. But I will say… if you ever needed a job, you would make an excellent serving wench."
I kept my face blank, despite the laughter bubbling inside me. I walked over, placed the tray gently on his lap, and leaned forward slightly. Then I gave him my best wide-eyed innocent look as I bowed deeply, voice soft as silk.
"Anything else, my Prince?"
He stared at me, and for just a second, his smile vanished as he swallowed hard.
Gotcha! I couldn’t help but think.
I stood slowly, and he finally grinned again.
"Aurora, you are evil!"
I sat on the edge of the bed and crossed my legs, smug.
"I’m glad you’re enjoying breakfast," I said. "But just so you know—the others want to leave in about twenty minutes."
He nodded, already shoveling food into his mouth like a starved man.
"Thank you again for sharing your seiðr with me," he said between bites.
"It made a far greater difference than I expected. I feel much stronger now. And… I appreciate it. Truly. I often forget how much this bond goes both ways."
I rested my head against his shoulder.
"You don’t have to say anything, Loki. I can feel it. You've always had my back. I’ve got yours too."
He paused, then gently leaned his head against mine.
As we stepped outside, the morning air felt cool against my skin. The others were already preparing the horses, saddling up, adjusting gear, getting ready to leave.
And then I heard it—the unmistakable sound of hooves on stone.
Shadow.
He galloped toward me with a kind of frantic urgency, and I barely had time to brace myself before he pressed his head into my chest. My heart dropped. I’d forgotten to go see him. I’d been so wrapped up in everything that I hadn’t realized how worried he must’ve been.
"I’m so sorry, my Prince," I whispered, wrapping my arms around his neck.
"In all the chaos, I forgot you were worried too. I’m okay now. Thank you for getting me here as fast as you did!"
He snorted softly, nuzzling the side of my face. I held him a moment longer before finally pulling back. He lowered himself and I climbed up onto his back.
A small crowd had gathered nearby—word of royalty tends to travel fast in small villages. And just beyond them, I spotted Alana.
She stood with her hands folded, watching us, her expression caught between pride and gratitude.
I urged Shadow forward and stopped just in front of her.
"Thank you, Alana," I said from horseback. "For everything. I promise I’ll do what I can to convince the King to send help—and hopefully clear your village of the spiders once and for all."
She bowed her head, and I could see the emotion welling in her eyes.
"Thank you, my Princess," she said quietly.
Then she turned to Loki.
"And thank you, my Prince. For the wards. I shall make sure the entire village knows what you have done for us."
Loki gave her a soft, almost humble smile. "It was my pleasure to help, Alana. But it was your request—your selflessness—that inspired me to act. You should not forget the part you played."
Her cheeks flushed pink, and she lowered into a deeper bow.
I hoped the villagers would hear his words—and understand what she’d done for them. That she had stood up, spoken out, and made sure someone listened.
But now it was time to go. We turned our horses toward the village edge. The forest beyond waited—lush and golden beneath the rising sun.
I felt something stir beside me. I glanced at Loki.
He was smiling.
Not the smug, playful grin he sometimes wore—but something gentler.
He was happy.
Not because of the recognition.
Not because of praise.
But because—for once—he’d been seen.
And not as Odin’s son. Not as the Trickster. Not as Thor’s shadow.
Just him.
And that made me happy too.
The last stretch of the ride was blissfully calm. No drama, no spiders, no near-death experiences. After everything that had happened, I honestly needed the quiet.
We rode for a few hours, the forest opening gradually around us. And then, just past a bend in the trees, we saw it.
The palace.
Only… calling it a palace didn’t feel right. It wasn’t like Asgard—no towering gold spires or marble stairs. It didn’t feel built. It felt… grown.
The entire structure rose up from the forest as if the trees themselves had decided to shape a home out of air and light. Pale wood arched high into vaulted ceilings, woven seamlessly into elegant beams and translucent windows that shimmered in the daylight.
Where Asgard screamed power and opulence, this place whispered grace.
The moment I saw it, I knew—I loved it here.
Not just the building, but the way it made me feel. At ease. In awe.
To one side stretched a massive forest, cloaked in deep autumn colors—burnt orange, deep crimson, glowing gold. The way those colors framed the pale, ethereal wood made the entire scene look like something out of a painting.
I could already picture walking there with Muriel. Just the two of us, hand in hand beneath the trees. I couldn’t wait for him to see it again—with me beside him this time.
Then reality hit me. I hadn’t talked to Loki about Muriel yet.
“Loki,” I said, turning slightly in my saddle, “do you think you can hold off on mentioning the spider thing until I’ve had a chance to talk to Muriel about it first?”
He looked at me, thoughtful.
"I shall do my best to avoid the subject," he said calmly. "But if it is brought up directly, I would be forced to speak. Otherwise, it may appear as though we are hiding something."
I nodded. "Fair. Thanks."
Before we could say anything else, we arrived at the palace gates and headed toward the stables.
The Elves didn’t believe in boxed stalls like in Asgard. Instead, the stables were open and airy, with roofs made of woven branches and columns carved directly from the trees. There were no fences. Just wide, natural spaces where the horses could move freely, almost like they were still in the wild—but protected.
Shadow immediately perked up beneath me. I could feel his excitement pulse through the bond.
I smiled. He liked it here too.
The stablehands moved like dancers—graceful, quiet, calm. No barking orders, no rushing. They didn’t control the horses… they communed with them. Like equals.
As I dismounted, I spotted Arturo and handed Shadow over to him with a quiet thank-you as I stroked Shadow’s side. I pressed my forehead briefly to his before turning away.
That’s when I looked up—and froze.
A tall figure stood on one of the balconies overlooking the courtyard. For a second, I thought it was Muriel, but something was off. He was broader. Sharper.
It had to be his father. King Merinor.
He was older, yes—but he didn’t wear his age like Odin did. There was no heavy crown weighing him down. He looked… almost ageless. His hair was longer, slightly silver at the temples, and his posture held the kind of quiet authority that didn’t need to shout.
But what stood out most wasn’t his strength or presence. It was the way he looked at us.
At me.
His eyes swept across our group, cool and unreadable, and for a moment I thought maybe I imagined the flicker of contempt.
Then his gaze landed on mine.
And I knew.
He didn’t want us here.
He didn’t want me here.
Without a word, he turned and walked away.
My stomach tightened.
I looked over to see if Loki had noticed when I saw Muriel walking toward us.
His eyes found me immediately, and I saw the smallest smile tug at the corner of his mouth. But his body language didn’t match it.
He moved like a soldier returning to unfamiliar ground—too formal, too stiff. His shoulders were squared, but his jaw was tight. His hands stayed at his sides, controlled. Tense. I could feel it in him.
He wasn’t comfortable here. And I had a sinking feeling… I wouldn’t be either.
"It’s good to see you all," he said very politely. "I hope your trip was a success?"
Instantly, I saw the whole group flinch—and Muriel caught it. I tried to smile at him, but I could feel his emotions flare.
"Thank you for asking about our trip, Prince Muriel," I said, hoping he wouldn’t start spiraling. "It was quite eventful, but luckily all turned out well in the end."
It felt strange, speaking to Muriel so formally—but I could see how many Elven eyes were on us, and I knew it was for the best.
He offered his arm to me.
"May I have the honor of hearing more, as I show you all to your rooms?"
I nodded and laid my hand carefully on top of his.
We walked in silence for a while, turning into corridor after corridor until they became emptier and quieter. When we were finally alone enough, I heard his voice in a near-whisper.
"Aurora… what happened? Did anyone get hurt? Did you get hurt?"
I could feel his tension through his hand, and I gently squeezed it in return.
"I did get hurt, yes. But thanks to the combined heroics of my friends, Shadow, and a healer from a nearby village, I’m okay now. Please don’t worry."
"But what happened?" he pressed, clearly not reassured by my answer.
I looked over my shoulder at Loki, who I knew had been listening. He caught my look, then stepped forward to fall in line beside us.
"It happened in the woods near the village," he said quietly. "They were infested with Svartálfar spiders. Hogun was attacked, and Aurora saved him. Then she was attacked and managed to fight it off. She believed she only had a scratch on her back from a tree, but after we cleared the woods, we realized the wound was not from a branch—it was from a spider fang. The venom was already seeping into her body."
He paused for a moment, his voice quieter now.
"I did not know at the time what kind of spiders they were. I realized too late they were poisonous. I should have checked her the moment we left the forest—but we were focused on putting distance between us and the danger."
Muriel nearly stopped walking, and I felt a sharp wave of anger rise from him. It hit me like heat off a flame—fierce, protective. My empathic sense picked it up instantly, and I knew how hard he was trying to stay calm.
"Muriel, please, not here," I said, a bit louder now. "I’m fine—I swear. You need to hold it together. Loki couldn’t have known what kind of spiders they were. We were running for our lives."
I watched as he took a deep breath and visibly forced himself to calm down.
"I am not angry with Loki," he said quietly, regaining control.
"I am angry you were harmed in a place that should have been safe. But… I shall park this conversation for now."
He looked at Loki. "I will find you later. I have some questions."
Loki gave a simple nod and stepped back again, falling behind us.
We soon reached the guest quarters. Sif and the Warriors Three were shown their rooms first, and then Muriel led Thor, Loki, and me to another wing of the palace. He showed Thor and Loki to their rooms first. Mine was directly across the hall from theirs.
Muriel opened the door to my suite and gestured for me to enter. The reception room was elegant and serene. Back in Asgard, he had explained that in Alfheim, it was considered improper to receive guests in one’s bedroom. Visitors were to be received in a formal area, and one was expected to be dressed appropriately at all times. Anything else could spark gossip.
Inside, several Elven servants stood waiting. With a wave of his hand, Muriel dismissed them.
The second we were alone, he stepped toward me and wrapped his arms around me tightly.
I knew that us being alone in a room—without servants present—was already enough to fuel rumors. But I didn’t care. I had missed him, and I hugged him back.
Even so, I could feel how tense he still was. I tilted my head up and kissed him, hoping it would soothe him a little—and it did. His posture softened.
He guided me toward a two-person loveseat, and we sat down.
"Aurora… please tell me the truth. Are you okay? If not, let me take you to our healers."
I could see him scanning me, almost as if trying to sense where I might be wounded beneath my clothes.
I smiled gently. "I’m really okay now. The wound was on my back—my shoulder, to be exact. The venom was paralyzing me quickly, and it was terrifying. Loki had to use his knife to cut open the wound and make it bleed, to let the venom flow out. It worked. He and Shadow got me to the village, and a healer named Alana took care of the rest. She also gave me something to help with the blood loss. Honestly… I don’t even have a scar. That’s how good she is."
Muriel pulled me into a tight embrace, and I let him. He needed to get it out of his system—and I didn’t mind.
Once I felt him relax, I leaned back slightly. "I think you should leave now," I said with an apologetic smile.
"Not because I want you to, but… if we stay alone any longer, we’re going to start some very juicy rumors."
"I personally selected your staff," he admitted, tone lighter. "They have served my family for years, so I have a bit more leeway to bend the rules. Not that I planned to—only if the situation required it."
He stood and walked toward the door. "But yes. I shall send them back in shortly. Just relax—they will help you prepare."
His hand lingered on the doorframe, and his eyes sparkled with mischief. "When I return, I shall have a little surprise for you."
Before I could even ask what he meant, he grinned and slipped out, leaving me puzzled—and very alone.
I took the opportunity to look around the room. It was lovely: spacious, earthy, peaceful. The color scheme was soft greens and warm browns, as if the forest itself had shaped the space. I couldn't help but admire the Elven sense of design—graceful, natural, seamless.
A knock sounded at the door, and three Elven women entered. Two appeared young; the third, older, with a calm but commanding presence.
They bowed. The younger ones stepped back slightly while the older woman stepped forward.
"Good day, Princess. We shall serve you during your stay," she said, her voice like music. "If you would follow me, I shall show you to the bathroom, where you may wash. Once you are ready, we shall assist you in dressing. Your personal belongings have already been placed in your room. Should you require anything, please do not hesitate to ask."
I smiled and nodded. "Queen Frigga provided me with a new set of dresses—in Elven style, to honor your culture. I would love your input on which to wear. Would you be willing to help me choose an outfit for each day?"
They bowed again, and I could feel that the elder woman appreciated the gesture.
They were not nearly as chatty as Yara. In fact, the older servant was the only one who spoke to me directly. The others moved around me in quiet coordination. One gestured toward the bed and the bathroom beyond, and while one ran the bath, another helped remove my clothing.
It felt odd, having them do nearly everything for me. I silently missed Yara’s casual way of working—she only helped when I actually needed her, like with the complicated dresses.
But Muriel had explained: this was the Elven way. To them, pampering high-ranking guests was a sign of honor, not servitude.
The bathroom was similar in function to the ones back in Asgard, but the design made it feel like I was outside in the forest. One of the women added scented oils to the water, and I sank into the warm bath with a deep, grateful sigh. My muscles instantly started to relax.
When I was done, it was like they sensed it. One of the women appeared, silent and graceful, and helped me dry off. She handed me a robe, and I wrapped myself in it before being escorted through a side door into the bedroom.
There, the others were waiting—and so was the dress.
Laid out across the bed was something so stunning it stole my breath for a moment. A soft, pale green gown with long, flowing sleeves. It looked elegant, refined, and unmistakably Elven.
They first helped me into a light corset—different from the Asgardian ones. Those were made to enhance curves. This one… minimized them. It gave me a more willowy, Elven-like figure. Surprisingly comfortable, it smoothed my silhouette, making my bosom and hips appear slimmer.
I glanced at the women beside me and realized—despite the corset—I was still far curvier. And quite a bit shorter.
They helped me into ankle boots with hidden platforms and slight heels. I was suddenly almost their height.
I expected them to bring the green dress next, but instead, they walked over with what looked like an underdress. It was pearlescent white, shimmering faintly, and entirely made from intricate lace.
It slid on like a second skin—tight-fitting, flaring gently at the hips. Then they helped me into the green overdress. The fabric was light and soft, perfectly tailored. The lace from underneath covered my arms and chest, peeking through to give it an elegant finish.
Every bit of skin the overdress did not cover was veiled in that delicate lace. The green sleeves flared open at the elbows, cascading down almost to the floor. The lace underneath clung smoothly to the rest of my arms.
I turned slightly to catch my reflection.
It was simple. It was graceful. It was perfect.
The dress fit like it had been made on my body, not from a few simple measurements. I hadn’t even tried these on back in Asgard. And yet, somehow… it was flawless.
As I turned away from my reflection, I noticed the elder woman was watching me. I could not help but smile at her.
“Princess, what would you like us to do with your hair and makeup? We are familiar with a few Asgardian styles, but if you prefer, we can create an Elven style for you. Just be mindful that they tend to be simpler than what you are used to in Asgard.”
I shook my head and smiled again. “I would be delighted if you would give me an Elven style. I want to complement the dress as best as possible.”
Her smile widened as she nodded, motioning for me to sit. They applied cream to my hair and began brushing it. Little by little, my curls were tamed. They did not straighten my hair entirely, but by the end, it was soft and shiny. My curls became more wavy, flowing down my back. Without the volume of the curls, my hair grew nearly 20 cm longer, cascading past my waist. They left my hair loose, only tying back a small section so it would not fall into my face. Without the usual fullness, and with the added length, I thought I looked even more Elvish.
As I studied my reflection, I saw them picking up my jewelry box.
“Would you like us to put these on you?” the elder woman asked, gesturing to the jewels.
I felt they might be too much with the delicate Elven dress. But, then again, I did not know the customs here. Maybe, like in Asgard, it was better for me to wear them to show my status?
I must have shown some hesitation because she added, “My Princess, they are lovely, but the Elven nobles tend to favor simpler designs. However, as a princess, you are free to wear jewelry to signify your standing. Just know that, here, jewelry is not as much a symbol of status as it is in Asgard.”
I nodded, making the decision not to wear it. I did not want to take away from the dress’s beauty. I gave her a smile and shook my head to signal that I did not want any jewelry. I was pleased when I felt a subtle wave of respect emanating from the elder woman. The only thing left was to apply my makeup. A bit of mascara and light green eyeshadow that complemented both my dress and accentuated my eyes—and I was done.
I loved the simplicity of not wearing jewelry. The set Loki had given me was beyond amazing, and I was nothing if not grateful. But personally, I preferred to wear only one or two pieces at a time. Sometimes, during formal occasions in Asgard, I could not help but feel like an ostentatious peacock, adorned with nearly everything all at once. It was just a bit much.
I was led to the sitting room, and there was a soft knock at the door. The younger woman left the room as the elder one opened it. Muriel entered, and my heart fluttered when I saw the look on his face as he saw me. He made another gesture to the elder woman, who moved to the back of the room, taking a seat on a small chair in the corner.
“Princess Aurora, you look absolutely breathtaking. The Elven style suits you,” Muriel smiled, and I could not help but blush a little, keeping my back turned to the elder woman to avoid giving myself away.
“Thank you, Prince Muriel,” I said, motioning toward the chairs as an invitation for him to sit.
As we sat, I noticed a small box in his hands. My eyebrows raised, and he grinned.
“Because of your kindness towards me at the Asgardian court, I wanted to repay you,” he said. “Having collaborated with Queen Frigga on your dresses, I knew something was still missing.”
He handed me the box, and I opened it. Inside was a delicate necklace made of intertwining silver-colored leaves, with a small clear gem in the shape of a dew drop hanging in the center. As I lifted it, I was surprised to see it was made from one solid piece of metal. It was not a chain, as I had expected, and there was no clasp to unhook it like a usual necklace. I looked at Muriel, and he seemed to understand my unspoken question.
“It is meant to be worn in your hair,” he said, smiling. “The small drop-shaped gem is supposed to rest on your forehead.”
He gestured, and the elder woman immediately rose and moved toward me. I handed her the beautifully crafted piece, and she positioned it behind me, carefully placing it on my head. The gem rested just below my hairline on my forehead, with the leaves gently hooking into my hair to keep it in place.
I stood to look in the mirror, and I could not believe it—it was exactly the finishing touch I needed. I turned and smiled at Muriel.
“Thank you so much, Prince Muriel. It is absolutely beautiful. Though, I must say, it feels a bit much for simply being kind to you,” I said, a grin spreading across my face that I could not repress if I wanted to.
Muriel shook his head. “There is no price equal to kindness. I want to help you adjust to the Elven court to repay your kindness,” he said with a smile. “Now, if you would permit me, I would like to escort you to the throne room to meet the King.”
He formally held out his arm, and I placed my hand over his. As we walked, I asked about Thor and the others. He told me they had been in a meeting with his father, so we would meet them there.
When we entered the throne room, it was full of people. It was not as large as Odin’s throne room, but it was still vast. Two chairs were placed on the dais—the larger of the two in the center, which I assumed was the King’s seat. The other chair must have been for the Queen. I appreciated that, in the Elven court, the Queen could sit beside the King.
Muriel guided me through the room, and I could feel the eyes of the Elven nobles on me, but I did my best to remain calm and serene. Muriel led me to a more private spot beside the throne. He turned, releasing my hand, and stood next to me as we observed the room and the people in it.
“You look absolutely breathtaking,” he whispered softly. “I think you might risk making a lot of women jealous tonight.”
I looked at him, trying not to blush at his words. “Muriel, please,” I whispered back. “As if I can compete with them in elegance and grace. I am sure they think I am a short, plump dwarf compared to them.”
Muriel nearly laughed out loud but managed to hold it in. “You are most definitely not a dwarf,” he whispered. “You know I already find you beautiful, but I think you are breathtaking dressed like this. I do not jest when I say that they are jealous of you. Have you seen how the Elven men look at you? To be honest, I am glad we are in Alfheim because here, I do not have to fend them off from you, as I surely would have had to do in Asgard. The only one I should watch out for is Fandral. I think he might faint when he sees you like this.”
Just then, the doors to the throne room opened, and I saw people clearing a path in the middle. The man from the balcony appeared, walking gracefully toward the throne. Only a few steps behind him, Loki and Thor followed, looking every bit the royalty they were. When they reached the dais, the man stepped up the stairs and turned.
“My people,” he said. “With pride, I present to you our Asgardian friends, Prince Thor and Prince Loki Odinson. They are here to discuss further friendship between our two peoples. I implore you to make their stay as comfortable as possible, as we are glad they are here.”
The King took his seat, and there was applause. Loki and Thor bowed, stepping to the side. Muriel took my hand, and I looked at him nervously, but he motioned for me to follow him. We walked toward the middle of the room, my hand resting on his as we approached the dais where his father sat. When we reached it, Muriel bowed deeply, and I followed his cue, curtsying deeply next to him.
“Father, I would like to introduce you to Princess Aurora Wiliamsdóttir from Midgard. She is currently residing in Asgard to learn the ways of Seiðr, and with Queen Frigga’s blessing, she traveled with the princes. She wanted to see Alfheim’s beauty with her own eyes,” Muriel said as we straightened once more.
The King looked at me, scanning my dress and appearance. I thought I could sense that he was pleased? So far, Muriel’s advice had been spot on.
“Princess Aurora, I, King Merinor of Alfheim, am pleased to meet you. I hope you will find Alfheim to be all that you have envisioned, and perhaps even more,” he said in a warm tone.
“Thank you, my King,” I replied. “It is already beyond my expectations. I have never laid eyes on such a beautiful land. I cannot wait to see more of its wonders.”
The king looked pleased with my words, and with another bow and curtsy, Muriel moved me over to where Thor and Loki were standing. As the crowd started mingling again, I felt more at ease, no longer the center of attention.
Thor was looking at me with a big grin on his face. “Aurora, you look positively beautiful,” he said in his normal loud voice. “When Muriel introduced you, I had to look twice before I recognized you. I thought you were an Elven maiden at first.”
I grinned at his words. “Thank you, Thor.”
There was a strange feeling coming from Loki that I couldn’t place. I shifted my attention to him, but as usual, his face didn’t betray a thing. Still, I could feel there was something bothering him.
“Thor is right, Aurora,” Loki added, sounding as though there was nothing wrong. “You do look very pretty. It seems that the Elven style suits you quite well.”
I couldn’t help but notice him looking at the jewelry in my hair and then at Muriel, who clearly saw Loki’s look and shrugged.
“I could not let her meet my father without looking like a true princess,” Muriel said to Loki’s unspoken question. “I had it made for her because I knew her own jewelry would clash with the Elven dresses. This complements her look by far.”
Loki nodded, but I could feel he was not impressed by Muriel’s logic. Before I got a chance to join their conversation, a servant came over and delivered a message to Muriel. His father wanted a word, and Muriel gave me an apologetic smile and left. Thor took this opportunity to take his leave and go in search of Sif, leaving just Loki and me. Loki and I moved over to a less crowded part of the room.
As soon as I was sure there was no one who could overhear us, I turned toward him. “Loki, why did you look at Muriel when you saw this?” I motioned toward the jewelry on my head. I didn’t mention what I felt from him.
Loki shook his head and took a step closer, letting out a small sigh. “It is called a circlet,” he said, gently touching the circlet for a moment. I felt a tiny flash of Seiðr as he touched it. “Not only is it made of white gold, but it also has the same leaf pattern as he engraved on your daggers.”
I looked at him, not understanding why this mattered.
He sighed again. “It is not just a design but a symbol connected to Muriel. In Alfheim, it is also the emblem of the Elvish royal family. It is rare for someone outside their family to wear this pattern. It is only granted if a person is considered to have done a great deed or great act of kindness in behalf of the throne or...” he didn’t finish.
“Or?” I asked, feeling a bit uncomfortable now.
“Or as an overture from a royal member,” he continued, his voice low. “A symbol of their devotion and intention of adding them to their family in the future.”
I blinked at his words. “Do you mean that everyone here now thinks…?” My voice trailed off into a whisper as I looked through the room and saw people glancing at me.
“They know there has been no formal announcement that Muriel is courting someone,” Loki said, also whispering now. “But you can be assured that they are all wondering what connection you have to the royal family to be awarded such an honor.”
I could feel Loki tense as he gently touched my arm. “Muriel did not tell you any of this when he gave you the circlet, did he?”
I shook my head. “No he didn’t. But why?” I asked, trying my best to stay calm. “It was his idea not to draw any public suspicion toward us about our relationship. Why would he give me this and draw this kind of attention toward us? I don’t understand.”
Loki looked across the room, and I could see Muriel and King Merinor talking as they both glanced toward me occasionally.
Loki shrugged. “If I had to guess, I think he is trying to stake a claim. Warning others away. If I had known that he would do something like this, I would have told you about the pattern when he gave you the knives. I knew the knives would not be seen by anyone in this court. Also, he did not seem to mind that I placed snakes on the knives I gave you. So, I imagined it was a show of his friendship to you. But what he has done with the circlet, and the fact that he did it for his father and the court to see, is quite a statement.”
I nodded and looked down at the floor. My mind was reeling, and I had no idea what to think. Suddenly, Loki gently brushed my hand to get my attention.
“Aurora, I am not trying to pry or interfere into your relationship with Muriel,” he said, clearly selecting his words very carefully. “But I need you to know that Muriel is very possessive. I do not want to cause trouble between you. I think he might feel threatened. While in Asgard you occasionally made it clear that you have no real interest in Asgardian men.”
I raised my eyebrows, but Loki quickly continued.
“It is something you and Sif have discussed over drinks after dinner. I know you and Sif are discreet when discussing these things. You know me, I observe, and I could not help but notice that not only did Muriel overhear, but he seemed pleased by it.”
Loki had to stop his explanation as some nobles moved closer toward us, and he switched to our bond.
“Like I said before, I do not want to cause trouble between you, but I think he fears the competition here in Alfheim. I have secretly suspected that it was part of his decision to volunteer to join you on this trip.”
I felt my eyes grow wide, and I could feel myself getting angry at Loki’s words.
“So, he think’s that the only reason I am with him is because he is the only elf in Asgard?” I replied through our bond.
I could see Loki wince a bit as he clearly felt my anger. “That is my guess, but as I said, I do not want to cause trouble. I could be wrong,” he added quickly.
“That stupid ass,” I yelled in my head. I hoped Loki could feel that my anger was not toward him but toward Muriel. “Who the hell does he think he is, and what the hell does he know about my interest? Yes, I think he is handsome, but not because he is an elf. It is the Asgardian standard of handsome that I do not like—the big, blond, muscular type like Thor. That is not my thing. But that does not mean there are no handsome Asgardian men too! I would have to be blind not to find most Asgardian men handsome. They are practically gods!” I stopped myself from ranting further as I could feel Loki was actually amused by my outburst. “Loki, stop it!” I warned. “This is nothing to joke about.”
I could see him raise his hands in surrender. “I am sorry, Aurora,” he said, doing his best not to grin. “You know I can feel what you feel. I cannot help but feel sorry for Muriel if my suspicions about his motivations turn out to be right. I think he does not know what kind of anger his actions have unleashed within you. I actually feel sorry for him right now.”
While he said this, I could feel him too. He did feel sorry for Muriel, but he was also clearly enjoying the situation. He liked the idea of me unleashing my anger on a non-the-wiser Muriel. Loki’s amusement at the situation took over, and I could not help but grin. He had managed to break my anger and calm me down.
I now started to realize Muriel might have been buying my affection. Deep down, I knew his presents were a bit over the top—the knives, the journal, and now the circlet. I had really wanted to believe it was just his generosity and kindness. I tried my best to shake that feeling and not look for anything behind them other than him wanting to please me. I never stopped to think about what his gifts might actually signal. No wonder Fandral laughed when he found Loki’s snake on my fighting knife. I could clearly see Loki adding the snake to the knives as a way to test Muriel, knowing full well that Muriel couldn’t comment on the symbolism without Loki pointing it out to me. I really hoped Muriel had some other explanation for all of this. If this turned out to be one big Elven pissing contest, I didn’t know what I would do. I don’t mind a bit of passion or even a tiny bit of jealousy and possessiveness in a man, but there’s a difference between passion and claiming someone without their consent. Like a Neanderthal clunking a woman over the head and dragging her back to his cave.
I looked over at Muriel and his father, who were still talking heatedly. I couldn’t help but think it was his own fault he was in that position. The looks his father and Muriel occasionally threw in my direction were enough to confirm they were talking about me and him.
I was startled by a melodic ring in the air, and I looked at Loki, who grinned. “It is dinner time,” he said, explaining the sound.
Muriel and the King led the way toward the side of the room where the dining hall must be. From the people behind them, I saw that it was different compared to Asgard. It looked like they all entered the dining hall in order of rank, with the higher-ranking people going first. I was glad Loki was there to help because I had no idea where I fitted in. Luckily, I saw Loki signaling Thor and offering me his hand so he could escort me into the dining hall before we would hold up the line.