Chapter 28
After my so-called nap, Loki and I made our way to my reception room where we were served a lovely lunch. Once finished, we decided that I’d spent enough time in bed to appear recovered enough so people wouldn’t start suspecting anything. To be honest, I was getting a bit restless too and was eager to explore more of the castle and grounds to take my mind off things. Loki would be my escort, keeping a careful eye on me, continuing the act that I was still not completely fit. It was getting annoying to play weak, but it had to be done.
Loki suggested we go outside and visit Shadow. He reasoned that there would be fewer people around the stables, and seeing my dark prince always lifted my spirits.
We made our way there, and as we arrived, I couldn’t help but smile at the sight before me. The horses roamed freely, enjoying complete freedom in a vast, sheltered area between the castle and the forest. Shadow was surrounded by a group of Elven horses, with Lady among them. The moment he saw me, I heard him whinny, and he rushed over, almost frantically. He threw his large head over my shoulder so I could give him a proper hug. I could feel his joy radiating from him, his good mood evident.
As I released him, I noticed our little reunion had drawn a small crowd, with several people clearly staring. So much for keeping a low profile, I thought wryly.
Suddenly, I was startled by someone behind me.
"So, this is the horse my son has been telling me about," the smooth voice said.
Turning, I saw King Merinor standing behind us, clearly examining Shadow. When his gaze met mine, he offered a small bow.
"Princess Aurora, I hope you are feeling better," he said with a smile.
I curtsied in response. "Yes, Your Highness. Thanks for inquiring after my health. I have spent the morning resting, and with Loki’s excellent care, I feel a lot better. We decided to take a little walk and check on Shadow."
King Merinor’s eyes drifted back to Shadow. "He does look very impressive, but is it true he follows your spoken commands?"
"Not just my spoken commands. When I ride him, it is like I do not even have to say anything. He just knows what I want," I said.
I softly stroked Shadow’s neck, and I could swear he was following our conversation, his eyes locked on us. The king nodded but still appeared skeptical, so I decided to show him.
Without looking at Shadow, I said, "Shadow, would you please get me a pretty flower?"
I felt Shadow move, and I watched the king’s reaction. Shadow smoothly walked over to the field where he had been grazing moments before. He moved toward a large patch of wildflowers growing under the overhanging trees. With great care, he seemed to inspect the flowers, then gently bent his head and pulled a stem of one.
I smiled, feeling the joy radiate from him as he trotted back with a beautiful purple flower in his mouth. When he neared, he gently bowed his head, offering the flower, and I patted him on the neck in gratitude.
"Thank you, my dark prince," I giggled, and I noticed Loki’s eyebrows rise in silent question.
I shook my head and laughed. "I am surprised he knows purple is my favorite color."
Loki’s gaze was fixed on Shadow, mirroring the same amazed look King Merinor had. I turned back to the king and offered him the flower, which he took with a gentle smile.
"As you can see, my King, Shadow understands my words and seems to know more about me than I even knew," I said with a smile on my face.
King Merinor looked at the flower, then back to Shadow. "He truly is from the lost bloodline," he said, shaking his head in awe. "Princess Aurora, would you do me the greatest honor? May we present some of our best mares to Shadow? We would very much like to see his bloodline furthered."
I glanced at Shadow, then turned back to the king. "You may present the mares to him by all means. Just know that he is free to choose what to do with them. I will not force him to further his line if he does not wish to. I hope we can agree on that?"
King Merinor smiled, bowing slightly. "Of course, I would never suggest otherwise. You have my deepest gratitude." With another bow, he walked off toward an elf in the distance.
As he walked away, I noticed how gracious and friendly he appeared. But what the king didn’t know was that I could feel the coldness that washed over him the moment I told him that, in the end, it would be Shadow’s choice, not his or mine. He was quite skilled at hiding his true emotions.
Turning to Shadow, I spoke softly. "My dark prince, you heard me. You do not have to do anything you do not want to. If you are interested in a mare, please feel free to express yourself, but know you have no obligations. Do not feel pressured into anything."
Shadow looked at me with his large, dark eyes, and I could feel his love for me.
"Now, my dark prince, go enjoy your time here. Just remember, we are only here for a week, and then we will head back to Asgard. So, if possible, please do not lose your heart to a mare you cannot spend your life with."
Shadow whinnied and trotted back toward the other horses as I took Loki’s arm. We made our way back to the palace, and I could not help but whisper to Loki about the king.
"I got the impression the king wasn’t pleased when I said I would not force Shadow to mate," I said, feeling a small grin form. I didn’t know why, but I sort of liked the fact that I had gone against his expectations. Loki looked at me with a mischievous grin of his own.
"I do not think anyone ever goes against his wishes here. I can imagine him not being too thrilled about you not ordering Shadow," Loki said, but he suddenly switched to our bond. "It is funny, Aurora, how you are not royalty by birth. Yet you handle these situations in a way that would make you an amazing queen."
I could feel the respect behind his words, and I was left speechless. I concentrated on how honored and grateful I felt, and I saw him smile in response.
It was late in the afternoon when we met with Muriel again. He escorted us to a private chamber so we could talk without being overheard. Just to be sure, Loki placed a few spells to ensure our privacy.
Muriel had been talking about the artifact thefts with his father and was still visibly agitated by the conversation.
"You would think a king would keep track of rare and valuable magical items in his kingdom," he said as soon as we all sat down. "There have been several high-ranking nobles from ancient houses robbed of items, and while they all want the perpetrator caught, none can actually tell the magical use of the items stolen. The only items they knew the use of were a few vessels of power."
Loki shook his head. "Maybe they do not know the use of items they have? Often, these items are passed down through families. Their use might have been forgotten, but they keep them for their monetary value."
Muriel looked at me, then continued. "Vessels of power are items designed to hold quantities of seiðr, enabling one person to perform spells that surpass their seiðr limits. These items are rare and almost impossible to create, which is why they are so valuable, but they are hardly ever used nowadays. There have been more thefts of other items, but the victims only knew they were valuable and had no idea what their use was. Like Loki said, the items have been in the family for generations and are considered special, but the owners do not know why. The only stolen item that had a specific use is the skull of specters."
Loki looked up, frowning. "Why would people want that?"
I looked at Muriel, and he explained. "It is a priceless gem in the shape of a skull. It has the magical ability to house and transfer a soul after death. In the olden days, it was used to trap souls after death, ensuring they would never reach Valhalla. It was reserved for the most evil crimes, as it meant that person could never be reborn. It was declared too harsh a punishment ages ago, so its only value now is the price the gem itself holds."
Loki paused, lost in thought. "So, maybe they took it for its monetary value? But what are they trying to accomplish? It is a difficult item to sell."
Muriel sighed. "I really do not know. The worst part is, I do not see any of my cousins going to such lengths to ensure they have enough power to pull off the spell. There are so many more political ways they could pursue before resorting to this. Not to mention there are less drastic methods to scare Aurora away from me if that was their intent. So why mess with these old memories?"
Suddenly, I felt a surge of anger from Loki. "You do not think they will harm her when they realize this spell’s not working?"
I could see him scowl at Muriel, and I couldn’t blame him. The priority now was to find out who was behind this, but neither of us had forgiven Muriel for drawing attention to our relationship in the first place.
“I really do not know,” Muriel sighed, his voice strained. “Please believe me when I say that I never thought anything like this would happen. I would never intentionally put Aurora in harm’s way.”
I could feel his stress, how he was shouldering the responsibility for everything. Yes, it was his fault, but I couldn’t help but sympathize.
“Loki, it’s okay,” I said softly, trying to ease the tension. “We don’t need to make each other miserable over this. It’s done, and for now, we need to focus on how to stop it.” Muriel gave me a grateful smile in return.
My stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence, and I realized it was nearing dinner time. I’d skipped breakfast and was quite hungry. I also realized that the day was nearly over. It seemed like when you’re dreading what might happen at night, the day passes by too quickly.
We had a quiet, uneventful dinner in the dining hall. Afterward, we stayed and chatted with Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three. They were relieved to see I was alright, and for a short time, I managed to forget about the whole ordeal and enjoy being with my friends. It wasn’t until much later that we all made our way back to our rooms. Loki and Muriel escorted me to my door, and the three of us just stood there in silence.
“Would it help if one of us stayed awake?” I asked suddenly. I knew it was a ridiculous idea, but I really dreaded what the night might bring.
Loki smiled a sad smile. “I think you would just delay the inevitable.”
I let out a heavy sigh. “Well, I guess I’ll have to go to bed then. I would wish you pleasant dreams, but to be honest, that just feels weird right now,” I giggled nervously. This whole situation was absurd.
They both gave me reassuring smiles as I entered my room. This morning, Loki had placed a few wards and spells over my room, and I knew he would do the same for his and Muriel’s rooms. I couldn’t help but silently pray that all of his work would be for nothing. That maybe, just maybe, I’d sleep through the night without any dreams at all. I wanted this whole mess behind me.
The servants helped me into my nightgown and made sure I was ready for bed before leaving. Alone in my bedroom, I stared at the bed, and I couldn’t help but chicken out. I hurried to the bathroom and ran a warm bath, knowing I was just delaying the inevitable. But at least it would help ease some of the stress in my muscles. After what must have been the longest bath in history, I decided to suck it up and go to sleep. If another dream came, I would have to get through it. The dreams weren’t necessarily painful; it was just the awkwardness of experiencing, sex with two incredibly handsome men without actually having sex with them. I had to make sure that my brain didn’t make things weird between the three of us in the morning.
As I laid in bed, so tired I could barely keep my eyes open, I drifted off to sleep.
I opened my eyes and felt disoriented. I was in a dark room. My heart fluttered as I briefly believed I was in my own bedroom—that I had slept through the night and there had been no second dream. But as I attempted to rise, I realized my body did not respond. That was when I knew: I was in Yrissa’s body once again.
Suddenly, I—or rather, Yrissa—sat up and wrapped a nightgown around herself. She moved through the darkness of her room, stepping toward the door. Without hesitation, she opened it and wandered through the dimly lit corridors until she reached another door, one she clearly had been searching for. She entered, and I recognized the space—a reception room, similar to my own. The room was steeped in shadows, but the bedroom door stood slightly ajar, a soft glow spilling from within.
As she approached, faint sounds drifted through the opening. Yrissa hesitated before peeking inside.
Muriel was there and in bed —entwined with a stunning woman. The woman, undeniably beautiful, was unmistakably Loki in female form. As a woman, Loki was breathtaking, with full, perky breasts, a narrow waist, and curvaceous thighs. Muriel was clearly doing something between her legs, his ministrations causing Loki’s hands to grip the sheets, her back arching in sheer pleasure. A look of bliss adorned her face.
Yrissa let out a sharp gasp.
Instantly, Loki and Muriel’s eyes locked onto her.
“Well, there she is,” Loki moaned, voice sultry and amused.
Muriel, however, did not acknowledge her. He remained focused, undeterred, his annoyance radiating through the air. He clearly did not appreciate the interruption.
“We got a bit tired of waiting for you,” Loki purred, a mischievous grin curving her lips. She gestured for Yrissa to come closer. “So we decided to start without you.”
Yrissa walked forward, though I could clearly sense her hesitation. I found it amusing—she had seemed perfectly fine being bound, drugged, and taken by two men, yet now, in the presence of a man and a women, uncertainty gripped her. Then again, who was I to judge?
It was evident that she knew exactly what to do with two men, but adding a woman into the mix left her unsure.
As she reached the bed, Loki let out another deep moan, and I felt Muriel’s visceral reaction to the sound. Yrissa stood there, uncertain, while Loki’s gaze glimmered with mischief. With a wave of her hand, the cool night air kissed her skin—her clothes had vanished.
“Yrissa, have you ever been with a woman before?” Loki asked.
A blush warmed Yrissa’s face as she shook her head.
Loki’s lips curled into a smile. She reached out a hand, and Yrissa hesitantly took it. Gently, Loki pulled her onto the bed, threading her fingers into Yrissa’s hair before drawing her into a kiss. A strange mix of emotions surged through her. At first, she was shocked, but as the kiss deepened, her hesitation melted away. She relished the softness of Loki’s lips against hers.
This was so different from the previous night. Without the dizzying haze of drugged lust clouding her senses, my mind could easily separate Yrissa’s emotions from my own. I still felt the waves of arousal radiating from Loki and Muriel, but since I was not inhabiting their bodies, I could manage. Maybe tonight, I could keep my distance and remain a mere spectator. I hoped.
Loki pulled Yrissa closer, her hands teasing their way up her naked body. Fingers found her breasts, kneading them, playing with a nipple. The instant Loki pinched it, the lines between Yrissa and me blurred. My body reacted as if the touch was my own. Clearly, this was turning her on.
When Loki and Yrissa finally parted from their kiss, Yrissa glanced at Muriel. He was watching them from between Loki’s legs, his expression unreadable. But then, I felt it—an unexpected surge of jealousy emanating from him. Why did he mind Loki kissing Yrissa so much?
Muriel sat up abruptly, causing Loki to whimper at the loss of his hands and tongue.
“I need to fuck you,” he growled, his voice husky and low. My eyes flickered down, catching sight of his erection, standing hard and ready.
Loki only grinned. “My, my. For someone who claimed not to be remotely interested in me not so long ago, you seem to have changed your mind rather quickly.”
An impatient growl rumbled from Muriel’s lips. “That was before you changed into female form, and you damn well know that,” he snapped.
The funny part was that his frustration seemed directed more at himself than at Loki. Loki, on the other hand, was clearly entertained, his expression brimming with mischief. Whatever had transpired between them before Yrissa had entered the room, it was obvious Loki was enjoying some kind of victory over Muriel.
Loki took Yrissa’s hands and guided her to the center of the bed. He motioned for her to lie back against the pillows before repositioning himself —or was it herself? This was so confusing—between her legs on her hand and knees. Loki pressed her body against Muriel’s groin, rubbing deliberately against him, drawing another guttural growl from Muriel’s throat. Yrissa’s arousal spiked at the sound of it.
Muriel gripped his cock and positioned himself behind Loki. With a single, powerful thrust, he buried himself deeply inside. Loki’s eyes fluttered shut, a moan spilling from her lips. she took a moment to revel in the sensation before opening her eyes, locking them onto Yrissa. The most seductive wink I had ever seen flickered in my vision just before she dipped down between Yrissa’s legs.
Her tongue met Yrissa’s folds with a gentle, teasing lick. A shiver of pleasure coursed through her body. Loki’s tongue was everywhere—licking, caressing, tasting. It was exquisite. I could feel our arousal mounting, the pleasure intensifying. Without the numbing effects of potions or magic clouding my senses, I remained fully aware. Maybe, just maybe, I could keep myself separate. Maybe I could—
Loki’s tongue pressed firmer, her lips wrapping around Yrissa’s sensitive bud, and then she slid her fingers inside.
I lost.
The battle to remain a distant observer ended as I became overwhelmed. I no longer felt a distinction between myself and Yrissa.
Loki moved with precision, her fingers thrusting deeper, her tongue flicking with practiced expertise. I moaned, breath hitching as my eyes fluttered open. My gaze locked onto Loki’s—her big, beautiful eyes fixed on mine, drinking in every reaction. Her tongue never ceased its torturous rhythm, her fingers curling just right.
Beyond her, Muriel pounded into Loki with relentless force, his grip bruising her hips. His eyes darted between the place where their bodies met and the way Loki was pleasuring me. His possessiveness burned, his hunger undeniable. Red marks bloomed where his hands gripped Loki’s skin, each thrust pulling her against him, each movement in turn driving Loki deeper into me.
The room was filled with the sounds of pleasure—moans, gasps, the slick, rhythmic joining of bodies. Loki trembled between us, drowning in Muriel’s relentless onslaught while her mouth and fingers pushed me higher and higher toward the edge.
I was no longer just a spectator. I was part of this.
Loki was now putting more pressure into her licks. I moaned, and as I opened my eyes, I could not help but feel breathless at the sight before me—Loki’s big, beautiful eyes locked onto mine, her tongue still lapping between my legs while her fingers moved inside me. Her gaze drank in every reaction I made. Behind Loki, Muriel was relentlessly pounding into her, his eyes flickering between the point where he entered Loki and the way she pleasured me. His grip on her hips was forceful, red marks appearing where his fingers pressed into her flesh. He pulled her back against him with each thrust, slamming into her with unyielding intensity. I could feel Muriel’s lust rising even higher, and Loki reveling in the onslaught.
With a shift of her hand, Loki inserted a third finger inside me, drawing a loud moan from my lips as the pressure in my core tightened. My orgasm coiled deep in my belly, waiting to explode. Then, she changed her rhythm, switching from teasing strokes to determined, unrelenting motions. It was like she was on a mission, her mouth never leaving my clit, her fingers driving deeper and faster. It was heavenly. I lost track of time, my mind going blank as a glorious orgasm shattered through me. The room was filled with Yrissa’s voice screaming Loki’s name. Loki continued to move her tongue with agonizing precision, milking my climax for all it was worth. When I finally descended from my high, I became aware of Muriel still fucking Loki, his stamina impressive. He was determined to use her body for all he was worth, yet something about his energy was off. He didn’t touch her with reverence or desire—only possession. Now clearer-headed, I could feel it—Muriel was still angry. He enjoyed himself, but there was a storm of emotion underneath it all. I did not understand. The other night, when he fucked Yrissa, he had been calm and satisfied. He had felt happy, even. But now, he burned with a strange, simmering rage.
Loki suddenly pushed forward, freeing herself from Muriel’s grip. He growled, reaching to force her back into place, but she only grinned and rolled over, pressing her back against Yrissa’s chest as she now lay between her legs, half on top of her. Her head rested between Yrissa’s breasts, her body relaxing into the warmth beneath her. She cast Muriel a smug look, and I could see his hungry gaze roam over her body, desire warring with his frustration.
Loki adjusted herself, ensuring Yrissa was comfortable beneath her weight. Then, with a simple motion, she signaled to Muriel that she was ready. Within seconds, he was inside her again, resuming his relentless pace.
Loki closed her eyes, tilting her head toward Yrissa. "Yrissa, darling, I was hoping you could make this experience a little nicer for me," she purred, her voice dripping with seduction.
I felt her hand close around Yrissa’s wrist, guiding it to her breast. Yrissa responded by teasing and kneading the soft flesh, drawing a soft moan from Loki’s lips as she arched into the touch. Confidence swelled within Yrissa, making her bolder. Her free hand trailed down Loki’s belly, gliding lower until she reached the place where she and Muriel were joined. Muriel’s thrusts remained unforgiving. She slipped her fingers between them, gathering the moisture spilling from their connection. When her fingertips brushed against his cock, he growled, his eyes fluttering closed for a moment. Smirking, she withdrew her slick fingers and began circling Loki’s clit.
Loki’s entire body twitched. I saw the subtle tightening of Muriel’s jaw, and I could not help but smirk internally—Loki must have clenched hard around him.
Yrissa’s touch grew more purposeful, one hand playing with Loki’s breast while the other tormented her clit, making her squirm between them. Her breath hitched, her face a vision of pleasure—eyes closed, lips parted, body responding helplessly. She was stunning. Yrissa increased the pressure, her fingers moving with precise, calculated strokes. Loki’s moans deepened, her head falling to the side as Yrissa leaned in, pressing hot kisses along her neck before grazing her teeth over the delicate shell of her ear. Loki’s breathing turned erratic, her body trembling. Yrissa did not let up—she doubled the pressure, her touch merciless.
A few seconds later, Loki arched her back, her lips parting in a desperate, hungry gasp. Then, suddenly, she turned her head, capturing Yrissa’s mouth in a fierce, intoxicating kiss. Muriel grunted, his body going rigid as he and Loki shattered together. The moment he finished, he pulled out, collapsing beside them on the bed. Yrissa’s hands continued their slow worship of Loki’s body, drawing out the last tremors of her pleasure.
"Thank you, Yrissa. That was absolutely wonderful," Loki purred, her voice thick with satisfaction.
Silence stretched between them, only the sound of their breathing filling the space—until Muriel shattered the calm.
"Loki, you have made your point. Can you please turn back?" His voice still carried the weight of his earlier frustration.
Loki chuckled. "Sure, as long as you learned your lesson. Perhaps next time, you will think twice before you dare me. As you just witnessed, things might get out of hand."
Muriel growled something in Elven, the sharp, guttural sound unmistakably profane. A ripple of magic swept over them, and I felt the shift—Loki’s weight against Yrissa grew heavier, soft curves hardening into lean muscle. Yrissa blinked, and before her now lay Loki, undeniably male.
I could not help but stare. He was not as broad as Thor, but his body was striking—lean yet powerful, his chest sculpted with defined muscle. As my gaze roamed lower, I took in the strong lines of his arms and legs, the smooth expanse of his torso. And between his legs—
I swallowed hard. Even half-erect, he was impressive.
Like Muriel, his body was almost entirely hairless, his skin smooth, his form perfection. The sight of the two of them—naked, slightly disheveled, desire still simmering beneath their skin—sent a fresh wave of heat coursing through me.
Loki smirked, clearly noticing my reaction. "Yrissa, I want to thank you for your lovely ministrations to my body," he murmured, turning fully toward her.
There was something nearly predatory in his gaze as he reached for her waist, pulling her down onto the bed, no longer propped on the pillows. She was flat on her back when Loki descended, his lips and tongue teasing her breasts, his hands gliding over her heated skin. Pleasure surged through me at the sight, at the sound of her breathy gasps, the way she arched into him. Next to us, Muriel watched with heavy-lidded hunger, his desire reigniting before my very eyes.
To my shock, I saw him harden again. My stomach clenched. How in the hell would I ever keep up with him if we ever ended up in bed together? The thought sent both panic and excitement racing through me.
The sensations were overwhelming—Yrissa’s and my emotions tangled once more, our pleasure feeding into each other’s until we felt like one. Loki pulled back, reaching for a pillow and sliding it beneath my hips, lifting me slightly off the bed. His fingers slid inside me with ease, his grin turning wicked.
"Hmm, seems like you enjoy me more like this," he murmured, withdrawing his fingers only to slowly lick them clean, his piercing gaze locked onto mine.
And then, with a smooth thrust, he filled me completely.
He placed his hands on my hips and pushed his cock into me until he was fully sheathed. His eyes closed as he savored the moment. Then he pulled out nearly all the way, only to fill me up again. He gently positioned his thumb on my clit and slowly began stroking it as his hips set a fast pace.
“I am going to fuck you tonight, Yrissa, but I am going to take my time. Each time you are about to reach your peak, I am going to stop and then start all over again,” he said, his voice thick with lust.
My head was spinning as I already felt an orgasm beginning to build. I knew he was speaking to Yrissa, and I knew it was her body, but hearing him say those words in his delicious, husky, and dirty tone did crazy things to my insides.
A hand slid over my belly, and as I looked over, I saw Muriel lean in, cupping a breast in his hand before sucking a nipple into his mouth. I gasped when he roughly bit down, a sharp jolt of ecstasy ripping through me. Yrissa clearly loved the pain, though it left me a bit shaken and unsure. But with Loki between my legs, thrusting inside me and stroking my clit, there was little that could put me off.
I was so close when I heard Loki chuckle. He released my clit and halted his thrusts, leaving his cock buried deep inside me. Instead, he rolled his hips, pressing himself against my cervix with slow, deliberate movements. It was wonderful, but not as wonderful as the orgasm I had nearly reached. I felt it slip away, fading into nothingness. And just as it nearly disappeared, he started his pace again, his fingers attacking my clit with relentless precision. I moaned loudly, torn between frustration and pleasure.
He repeated this torturous game five times, leaving me trembling and desperate. Each time he stopped, Elven curse words spilled from Yrissa’s lips, making Loki laugh.
“Muriel, I think her mouth needs to be kept busy so she cannot say those words. Would you not agree?” Loki asked, amusement dancing in his tone.
Muriel’s eyes flickered from Loki back to mine, his grin widening. As Loki resumed his pounding, Muriel moved up the bed, carefully placing his knees on either side of my head. He arched forward, gripping the headboard for support, his cock standing proudly before me. The lack of control in this position sent a shiver through me, a mix of anticipation and apprehension. But then Loki pinched my clit, making me gasp, and in that moment of distraction, Muriel slid himself into my mouth.
His moan was deep, full of pleasure, but I could tell he remained in control, ensuring he did not push too deep. A wave of relief settled over me—if I needed him to stop, I could not have stopped him like this. Slowly, he began to move, his rhythm steady as Loki resumed his ruthless assault on my clit. The sensations were overwhelming, pleasure crashing over me in waves.
Muriel’s breathing grew heavier, his thrusts becoming slightly erratic. I was getting lightheaded from the lack of air, but it only pushed my impending orgasm closer to the edge. Tears pricked at my eyes, fearing Loki would stop once more. But as Muriel came, spilling his warm seed into my mouth, Loki delivered one final stroke to my clit, sending me spiraling over the edge.
I clenched around him, my walls tightening in the throes of ecstasy. Loki groaned loudly, his grip on my thighs tightening as he slammed into me, chasing his own release. Within three deep thrusts, his body tensed, and with a final, shuddering growl, he spilled into me, his movements slowing, riding out the last waves of pleasure.
I had not even realized Muriel had pulled out and moved to lie beside me. Loki was still inside, his beautiful face blissfully relaxed, his hair disheveled and irresistibly sexy. When the last tremors of his orgasm faded, he gently pulled out of me, removing the pillow from beneath my hips before settling beside me. He mirrored Muriel’s position, pressing soft kisses to my neck and cheek.
“Thank you, Yrissa. That was wonderful,” he murmured warmly against my hair.
With a flick of his wrist, a blanket appeared, covering the three of us. Yrissa looked at him, and I could feel her fondness for him. His eyes grew heavy, and within moments, Loki had drifted off to sleep.
She turned to Muriel, and I saw him watching the both of them with a curious expression. For a fleeting second, I felt it—deep, burning love radiating from him. But as soon as the realization struck, I saw his face harden, his emotions buried beneath a layer of ice. The coldness finally made sense. He was doing everything in his power to suppress what he felt.
I did not understand why he fought against the love he so clearly held. I expected him to join us in bed, to stay—but instead, he got up, dressed, and without a word to Yrissa, he left.
The coldness I felt from him would have made me shiver if I could. Yrissa’s disappointment mirrored my own. She was fond of Loki, but I suspected she had a crush on Muriel. As if sensing her distress, Loki stirred behind her, an arm slipping around her waist to pull her close. She melted into him, but the knot in her stomach remained.
She pulled the blanket more securely around them, sinking against Loki’s warmth. And though Muriel’s absence lingered in her thoughts, exhaustion finally claimed her. With one last sigh, she closed her eyes and drifted into sleep.