Chapter 29
I opened my eyes, blinking against the soft morning light that filtered through the curtains. For a moment, I thought I was back in my own room in Asgard, as if the night had passed without incident. But as I shifted, a sense of unease crept over me. The memories of the dream returned and were now still fresh in my mind, vivid and clear—perhaps too clear. It had been different from the one where Yrissa had used herbs to drug herself. This one felt more real. The emotions, the sensations—they were all so intense that, at times, I honestly thought I had been the one in that bed.
The dream had been filled with so many vivid, overwhelming emotions—ones I hadn’t been prepared for. Some of it, I could handle. Some parts, I had no issue with experiencing because they reflected Yrissa’s feelings, but others… some things were much harder to process. The biting, the pain. It was clear to me that while I enjoyed the roughness, I wasn’t fond of pain like that.
I found myself comparing Muriel’s actions in the dream with Loki’s, but I immediately stopped myself. It was a dangerous train of thought. I had to keep things separate. Loki was my best friend. Muriel, someone I cared for and perhaps more. I couldn’t let myself get lost in these feelings. It would only complicate things with both of them, and I didn’t want that.
No, the better option was to leave these comparisons behind and focus on the here and now. The dream, while powerful, was nothing more than that. A dream. A fleeting moment that didn’t need to interfere with reality. But the emotions from it… they would take a while to untangle.
Sex aside, I was still pondering Muriel’s feelings. Why had he been so angry? Could it be jealousy between him and Loki over Yrissa? I knew she meant something to him because I could feel his regret when he told me the story of her disappearance. Yet, in the memories, I didn’t feel any love for her. Perhaps he had only realized his feelings after he lost her? But if that was the case, why did he feel so much anger directed at himself now? I only sensed this rage when he was with female Loki, not when he was focused on Yrissa. And the coldness he radiated when he saw Loki in bed with her… It didn’t make sense.
Being an empath sucked. It made everything so much more complicated. I secretly wished that I only had to deal with Yrissa’s emotions in these dreams and not everyone else’s.
I decided to get out of bed and start my day. I had pondered this long enough. They were just memories after all, and it was better to live in the here and now. With the help of the elder woman, I was dressed in a lilac dress. The dresses here were much softer in color—not quite pastel, but definitely more subdued than the vibrant hues of Asgardian fashion.
As I prepared to leave for breakfast, I was surprised to find no one waiting for me. Usually, Loki or Muriel would be there to escort me. I knew the way, though, and while I enjoyed their company, I could manage on my own. I would see them there.
When I entered the dining hall, I was informed by a servant that the king and several others had excused themselves for the morning. The royal table was nearly empty, with only a few nobles I had yet to meet seated. I scanned the room, and when I spotted Sif waving, I decided to join her.
“Good morning!” I greeted as I took my seat, and she smiled brightly.
“Good morning, Aurora. How are you enjoying your stay here?” she asked, keeping the tone neutral, likely due to the presence of other elves around the table.
“I like it very much. It’s a very beautiful place. It’s just too bad that we don’t have more time to spend together,” I replied with a wistful smile.
Sif nodded in agreement. “Well, I agree, but we’ve both been keeping busy. The Elven fighting style is quite unique, and I’m really enjoying my time training with their soldiers. They are very strong and agile, and it’s nice to keep in shape against a worthy enemy.”
I could feel her excitement as she spoke of her training. She was clearly enjoying the challenge.
“Well, I’m glad to hear it. I do want to ask, when we get back home, would you help me with my training? I would love your input and help with that, if you don’t mind, of course,” I said, genuinely excited at the prospect of working with her.
Sif’s face lit up. “I would be honored to help you train.”
I smiled, feeling fortunate to have such a good friend in her.
“Sif, do you know where Loki and Thor are?” I asked, remembering their absence.
She paused for a moment, clearly thinking back. “I was training with Thor this morning when a servant came and asked him to follow. It was one of the personal assistants to the king, and he looked serious. I think something’s going on, though I don’t know what it is. I would expect Loki and Muriel were invited to the same meeting, seeing as they are not here for breakfast.”
I could tell she was a bit worried. We continued to eat, but my mind couldn’t help but drift to the mystery of what this urgent matter was that required Thor and Loki's involvement.
When the Warriors Three entered the dining hall, I was distracted from my thoughts. Volstagg and Hogun greeted me warmly, but Fandral, true to form, was his usual charming self.
“Why, Aurora, I must say the Elven wardrobe looks very beautiful on you.” Fandral made it quite obvious he was trying to see as much as he could.
“Fandral, I believe we had this conversation the first night I dined with you. Do you truly wish to relive that, or must I resort to other options?” I glared at him. Normally, his flirting was just annoying, but here in Alfheim, I didn’t want him stirring up even more rumors.
The man truly did not know how to take a hint. Keeping my voice friendly and sweet so as not to draw attention, I replied, “Oh, I could ask Sif for help. I recall her detailing what she might do with certain manly parts should you continue this line of inquiry. Or, I could ask my friend who accompanied us to the inn in Asgard to help remind you of your friends-only status. Let me know which you prefer.” I smiled overly
I watched as he paled slightly, swallowing hard. “Thank you for your options, Aurora,” he said, now looking more sincere. “I must confess I like neither of them, but please, do allow me to say that you truly look beautiful in Elven dresses.” This time, there was no innuendo, just a genuine compliment.
“Thank you. In that case, I accept it.” I smiled, catching Sif grinning behind her hand. She clearly enjoyed watching me keep Fandral in check.
We talked some more, but uncertainty about Muriel and Loki left me restless.
“I am going to leave you for now,” I said, rising from the table. “I am dying for a walk. I have been cooped up for days.” With a brief farewell, I made my way to my room to retrieve my cloak.
Technically, I could have just magicked myself into my leather clothes, but I decided to be ladylike and fetch the matching cloak instead. It seemed every dress had one—always the same color, just a darker tone. I draped it over my shoulders and stepped out, only to nearly collide with Muriel as I rounded the corner.
“Good morning, Princess Aurora. Are you going out?” he asked.
“Yes, Prince Muriel.” Back to formalities, then, I thought. “I have been cooped up for too long. I thought a stroll through the gardens might clear my mind.”
“Would you mind some company? I promise to show you my favorite places—if you let me tag along.” He smiled.
“How could I object?” I laughed.
With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a cloak and offered his arm. I took it, and he led me through the palace and out into the gardens.
We walked in silence for a while, soaking in the beauty of the Elven lands. At the garden’s edge, the forest stretched before us, its autumn leaves glowing red and gold. Tiny creatures darted among the mushrooms, their movements delicate, almost magical.
Muriel leaned in, his voice a hushed whisper. “Will you follow me into the forest? There is a beautiful place I wish to show you. It is very private.”
I smiled, and he guided me deeper into the woods.
The air grew cooler, the canopy above filtering the sunlight into dappled patterns on the forest floor. After a time, Muriel pointed to a barely visible trail, veering off the main path. If he hadn’t shown me, I never would’ve spotted it.
We followed it for a while, until we reached the base of a mountain. A crystal-clear pool sat nestled among the rocks, warm mist curling from its surface. The sight was enchanting, almost otherworldly.
Muriel took my hand, leading me closer. “It is a hot spring,” he explained as I stared at the rising mist. “Not many people know of this place. I used to come here to relax.”
His face softened as he took in the serene beauty surrounding us. Then, he turned to me, closing the space between us. His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me against him. “I have missed you, Aurora,” he murmured against my ear before pressing a soft kiss to my neck.
I shivered, heat curling through me. This was the same body I had felt and seen in my dreams—a little older, perhaps a touch more muscular, but undeniably him.
His hand slipped beneath my cloak, gripping my ass with a firm squeeze. Lust radiated from him, and I knew he wasn’t the only one affected by those dreams.
He lifted his head, his warm lips capturing mine in a deep, hungry kiss. I responded instinctively, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing closer. My body reacted instantly, as though it had been waiting for this moment.
He walked me backward until my back met the cold stone of the mountainside. His erection pressed against me, the friction igniting something primal in my core. His hips rolled, rubbing against me in a way that sent heat spiraling through my veins.
I tipped my head back, gasping for breath. Muriel took the opportunity to trail kisses down my neck, his tongue flicking against my skin. My body ached—for more, for him. I knew how good it would feel to have him buried deep inside me.
But was I ready for that?
My body clearly was, but my mind hesitated. Gently, I placed my hands on his chest and pushed just slightly. To his credit, he loosened his hold immediately.
“Am I going too fast?” he asked, grinning.
“A bit.” I smiled. “These dreams have my body on edge, but I don’t want our first time to just be because I am horny.” I hesitated before admitting, “If we do this… I want it to mean more than that.”
Muriel smiled and softly kissed my lips. “I would like that,” he murmured. Then, a mischievous glint sparked in his eyes. “But what would you say to a swim?” He grinned.
I studied him for a moment, unable to ignore the infectious enthusiasm radiating from him.
“Well, my prince, what do you have in mind?” I asked coyly.
With a wave of his hand, his clothes vanished in an instant, leaving him standing fully naked before me. A shiver ran over his body, and he stepped closer, pressing against me so that my cloak partially draped around him.
“Well, it seems I have lost my clothes,” he said, grinning. “So, I suppose I must go into the warm water. And I am hoping you will join me.”
Before I could respond, he let go of me, dashed to the edge of the pool, and gracefully dove in.
I stood there, my mouth slightly open as I watched his form glide beneath the water. I had been right—he was more muscular now compared to the memories. The added definition made him even more striking, and I found myself grinning.
When he surfaced, he turned to face me, his gaze heated despite the mist partially obscuring his view.
I took a deep breath and stepped toward the water’s edge. A flicker of nervousness passed through me, but as I met his hungry stare, I thought, What the hell.
With a wave of my hand, my own clothes disappeared. Slowly, I slipped into the pool, relieved to find the water every bit as warm as promised. I swam toward Muriel, who lingered at the far end.
Just above the surface, a thin veil of mist clung to the air, but beneath it, the water was crystal clear. My breath hitched as I realized I could see every detail of his body—and that meant he could see me just as clearly.
As I reached him, I found the water deep enough that I couldn’t stand, though it was shallow enough for him. I reached out, wrapping my arms around his neck to pull myself close. The moment our bodies touched, fire erupted across my skin. My breasts pressed against his chest, and I felt the deep, slow rise and fall of his breath.
He looked at me with an intensity I had not expected. “You are very beautiful, Aurora,” he whispered, his voice reverent. He slid his arms around me, pulling me tighter before pressing his lips to mine.
The kiss was slow, deep, filled with the same aching heat that had haunted me in dreams. I felt his erection against me, hard and insistent, but he didn’t push. He simply held me, letting me set the pace, honoring the boundaries I had drawn earlier.
I savored his warmth, the feel of his hands on me, the way my body responded so easily to his touch. I was undeniably aroused.
But then, something shifted.
In my dreams, I had felt the depth of his passion for Yrissa—not quite love, but something close. He had cared for her in a way that went beyond lust. But with me…
With me, there was only desire.
He found me beautiful, yes. Sexy, undoubtedly. But beneath it all, there was nothing deeper. And as I searched my own feelings, I realized the truth: It was the same for me.
I liked him. I liked his body. I definitely liked the sexual attention. But Muriel himself? He was a friend. Nothing more.
Yet here we were, trying to turn this into something it was not.
The thought hit me like a cold wave, and my body stiffened.
Muriel must have felt it too because he immediately pulled back, his eyes searching mine.
“Aurora, what’s wrong?” he said as he looked at me.
I saw a little ledge under the water to the side of the pool. I let him go and swam over. Sitting on the ledge, I motioned for him to join me, and he did.
“Muriel, I think we need to talk. Please hear me out.”
He looked at me but stayed silent.
“In the dreams, I feel your emotions,” I began, and I could see him tense. “I feel them, and I can’t help but notice the difference between how you felt back then with Loki and Yrissa and compare it to now, how you feel when you are with me.”
He looked into the distance, and I could feel a bit of coldness come from him. I knew the coldness was him trying to shield his emotions from me. It pained me to feel it, but I knew this had to be done.
“In the dream, I can feel your passion, your lust, but also love. I don’t know the specifics of your relationship with her, but there was a much deeper connection between you two than just lust.”
He didn’t say anything and continued to look away from me and into the distance.
I decided to continue. “When the two of us are together, all I can feel is lust. I’m not saying that it’s just you, because it’s me too. The difference is that there is no love or warmth underneath. The only time I feel warmth come from you is when we talk and joke, but that’s us being friends, not two people falling in love.” I stopped, unsure of what more to say.
After a moment, Muriel looked back at me. “And now, because of what you felt in a memory from long ago, you think you have all the answers?” he said coldly, and I could feel anger rise in him. “You presume to know how I felt back then and compare yourself with it?”
I couldn’t help but cringe at his words, but he continued.
“Yes, I want you badly,” he said, with more anger in his tone. “I have gone out of my way to give you tokens of my appreciation, and yet you still keep me at a distance. You say it is because you think I do not love you? Who made you the expert of my feelings, Aurora? I have been nothing but attentive and nice to you, and yet you insult me by claiming I only want you for your body. Maybe the reason is not my lack of love. Maybe the reason for all this is because you do not want me!” He was yelling now, and I cringed back even more.
“Let me guess, now that you have experienced Loki in bed—” he spat, “even if only in a dream, you are now deeply in love with him, and it is easier for you to make me the bad guy than to just admit it.”
His anger and jealousy were now fully raging. He actually was quite scary like this, but I could feel my own anger flare because of his accusation.
“You think this is me being dishonest?” I said, appalled. “Trying to blow you off so I can be with Loki? I think you forget I can feel your emotions, Muriel. I know the difference between them, and I can’t help but feel my own too. Yes, we lust after each other, but you trying to win me over with these grand gifts and tokens is not done out of love. Why are you so eager to try to win my love when it’s clear you don’t love me in return? What am I? Some kind of prize to be won? Do you need a bride to take your throne, and I’m the lucky one if I like it or not? Or is this even pettier—you see me as a toy, and even though you don’t especially like me, you’ll do anything to prevent other people from playing with me?”
As the last words left my mouth, there was a huge spike in his emotions. He grabbed my arms and forcefully pulled me against him. His mouth found mine, kissing me roughly. Before I could object, he pulled back and looked at me with angry eyes.
“You are mine, Aurora. MINE. And nobody takes what’s mine.”
I was appalled and thoroughly frightened. I could feel the determination and anger behind his words. He really meant it, and it scared the hell out of me. I tried to pull from his grip, but his fingers dug into my arms, and I could feel my arms bruise just like the time in the training yard when he bruised my hand.
“Muriel, let me go. You are hurting me,” I hissed and struggled against his grip, but he only tightened it. I had to get out of here. I could feel a lust forming through his anger as he pulled me closer. I could feel his hard erection against my body. Instead of being aroused by this, I felt trapped and panicked. I had to get out of here now.
I placed my hands against his chest and pushed him back, but he didn’t stop. He pulled me even tighter against him, my hands now trapped against his chest with no room left to move. Out of instinct, I mumbled the fire incantation, and I could feel my hands sear his chest, causing him to howl in pain.
As he released his grip on me, I dove underwater. Pushing off against the wall, I propelled myself faster through the water. I reached the other side of the pool and quickly climbed out. As soon as I was out, I waved my hand so my clothes were back on my wet body. I looked back only to see Muriel’s naked body underwater, closing in very fast. I could feel a nearly predatory anger coming from him.
In my panic, I tried to run, but the stupid Elven dress was clinging to my wet legs, making me trip over my hem. I fell down, struggling to get up when I noticed a strange sound—a deafening crash as something large burst through the forest. I turned to see what it was, and to my surprise, Shadow dashed through the brush and into the clearing surrounding the pool. I heard splashing and knew Muriel had left the water.
I scrambled to get up and ran to Shadow and launched myself onto his back. My dress made it impossible to sit properly, but I threw my arms around his neck and held on for dear life.
“Aurora, stop!” Muriel yelled as he dashed toward us, but Shadow didn’t give him a chance and galloped away instantly with me on his back.
There was a slight tingle at the back of my neck, and I knew Loki must have felt my fear and pain.
“Aurora, what’s wrong?” His worried voice sounded in my head.
I tried to clear my emotions, but I couldn’t. I knew he would feel it all if I replied. There was no way I would lock him out again, so it couldn’t be helped.
“Loki, help. I can’t talk right now, but I need help. I’m in the woods, safe for now. Shadow came to my rescue. I think he’s taking me back towards the stables. I’m in no state to be seen, please meet me there?”
I could feel his stress and worry as my feelings registered. “I’m close, I will be at the edge of the forest near the fields where the horses are kept. Meet me there.”
Shadow galloped through the woods, and I could see the castle and fields where the horses were kept through the trees. Shadow slowed down and walked towards a bushy part of the tree line, and I saw Loki. Shadow rushed towards him, and as he stopped abruptly, I nearly fell off his back and into Loki’s arms. He steadied me and pulled me off Shadow’s back. He was so very worried, but he didn’t say anything. I shivered profusely, partly from fear but mostly because I was so wet.
“Aurora, you’re all wet.” Loki waved his hand, and I could feel myself dry instantly. “We need to get inside. Can you walk?” He asked.
“Please, can you just transport us to my room and make sure no one can enter?” I asked in a small voice.
I felt his magic surround me, and as I closed my eyes, I could feel the temperature around me change from cold to warm. We were in my room, but even with the warmth and me now being dry, the shivering wouldn’t stop. He placed me on my bed and took a step back. He moved his hands, and I knew he made sure no one could enter the room. When he looked back at me, I could feel his anger flare up. This immediately made me have flashbacks of Muriel. I jumped from my bed to get away from him in a panic.
Loki grabbed my arms, but it only made things worse, and I tried to fight him. Only when he pulled me against his chest and I could feel the calming effect from our bond wash over me did it register that this was Loki and not Muriel. I was safe. I stopped struggling and began to cry.
“Please, Aurora, what happened?” He begged, and I could hear the tears in his voice.
My body was so cold and still shivering profusely. I placed my hands against Loki’s neck to warm them. I could feel his shock as he felt how cold they were.
“You’re freezing,” he nearly shouted. He lifted me in his arms and walked over to my bathroom. Within a second, the large bath was filled with warm water. He waved his arms, and I could feel my dress disappear. As I looked down, I was wearing what seemed to be one of Loki’s tunics. I thought Loki would place me into the tub, but I just clung to him. I wasn’t ready for him to let me go yet; I needed his safety. He didn’t skip a beat and just climbed into the bath with me still in his arms. He sat down, and I could feel the warm water cover me. It still took some time for me to stop shivering and crying.
When I did manage to calm down enough to pay any attention to my surroundings, I noticed Loki had changed into his sleep tunic and pants. I moved a bit in his arms to get a bit more comfortable in his lap, and I rested my head against his shoulder. I could feel Loki was very anxious, and I knew I had to explain.
“Loki, thank you,” I said in a tiny voice. “I’m sorry I scared you.”
He gently rubbed his hand over my arms in comfort, but I winced as he reached the place Muriel had grabbed.
“Aurora, you’re hurt,” he exclaimed. With another small wave of his hand, his tunic that I had on was now sleeveless, and he gently moved me back from him so he could examine me. I groaned as I saw the angry-looking bruises on my upper arms. They were very clearly handprints.
Loki’s anger flared again, but I had calmed enough not to get scared this time. I felt his hands gently touch the bruises, and within moments, the pain left my arms. I knew he had healed me.
“Loki, I will explain what happened, please don’t do anything rash. I just want to ignore what happened for now and put this behind me.” I looked up at him, and I could see him grind his teeth at my words.
“Aurora, someone hurt you. They will not get away with this. Whoever did this will be severely punished.” He hissed.
“Please, Loki.” I begged. “I swear I hurt the other person too. I don’t need to worry about you too at the moment. This is going to be awkward enough as it is.” I felt like crying again. I didn’t want Loki to go after Muriel. I didn’t want anything remotely related to Muriel at the moment. I was done with him.
It took a while for Loki to calm, but I could feel him do his best to get a grip on his emotions.
“Okay, I promise,” he finally said. “I won’t storm off when I learn what happened, but I won’t promise not to take action after I thoroughly think about it. Please tell me what happened.”
I knew that was probably the best I was going to get from him. I swallowed hard, and I knew this was going to be hard to tell.
“I was restless this morning with you and Thor gone, so I decided to go for a walk. As I left my room to get my cloak, Muriel found me, and he agreed to walk with me.” As soon as I said his name, I could feel Loki tense, his anger came back full force, but he remained silent.
“He took me into the woods and showed me this beautiful hot spring.”
Loki growled. “Let me guess, he took you swimming.”
I nodded and looked up at him.
Loki looked furious, but his look softened as soon as our eyes met. “He used to do that a lot with Elven ladies in the past.” He explained. “He would take them there and then seduce them while they were naked and in the warm water. It’s how he and Yrissa began their relationship.”
I couldn’t help but let out a sigh, but I continued to explain. “As we swam, things started heating up between us, and I realized something. I realized that what we both felt was lust and nothing more. I tried to explain to him that I only realized this now because, until now, I didn’t really know the difference. In the dreams, I feel his lust, but there is a deep connection and even love underneath, but he doesn’t feel any of that with me.”
Loki wrapped his arms protectively around me. “He did not force you, did he?” he asked softly, and I could feel all his muscles tense.
“He got very mad at me.” Another shiver went through me. “He was so mad I dared to compare his feelings for me with what I felt in the dream. Then he got all upset about how I thought he only wanted me for my body. How he had given me enough tokens and gifts to show me that he wanted more. Then he went all crazy jealous, accusing me of breaking up with him because I secretly wanted you and not him, especially since I now had a taste of how you would be in bed.”
I took a moment to get my breath. “I got mad and told him that I wasn’t stupid, that I could feel how he felt. That he couldn’t trick me, and I accused him of wanting to buy my affections. I really struck a nerve when I insinuated that I was a toy for him to play with. Not one he really cared for, but just wanted to have all to himself and not let other people play with. That’s when he really got weird, and I think I struck a nerve. He grabbed me and would not let me go. He pushed me against him, and I tried to struggle, but you saw his handprints on my arm. He was getting so angry I got scared, and when he didn’t release me, I placed my hands on his chest and I kind of burned him. He released me, and I got away from him and used my magic to put my dress back on. Shadow came out of nowhere, and that’s when you contacted me. The rest you know.”
“Aurora, what is wrong?” His worried voice echoed in my mind.
I tried to clear my emotions, but I could not. I knew he would feel everything if I replied. But there was no way I would lock him out again when I was in trouble, so it couldn’t be helped.
“Loki, help. I can’t talk right now, but I need help. I’m in the woods, safe for now. Shadow came to my rescue. I think he’s taking me back to the stables. I’m in no a state to be seen, please meet me there.”
I felt his stress and worry as my feelings registered. “I’m close. I’ll be at the edge of the forest near the fields where the horses are kept. Meet me there.”
Shadow galloped through the woods, and I could see the castle and fields where the horses were kept through the trees. Shadow slowed as we neared the tree line, and I spotted Loki. Shadow rushed toward him, and as he came to a halt, I almost tumbled off his back into Loki’s arms. He steadied me, pulling me off Shadow’s back. His worry was evident, but he didn’t speak. I couldn’t stop shivering—partly from the lingering fear, but mostly because I was drenched in now very cold water.
“Aurora, you’re soaking wet,” Loki said, waving his hand, and in an instant, I was dry. “We need to get inside. Can you walk?”
“Please, can you just transport us to my room and make sure no one can enter?” My voice was small, barely audible.
Loki’s magic enveloped me, and as I closed my eyes, I felt the temperature shift, from cold to warm. We were in my room. Despite the warmth and the dryness, I couldn’t stop the shivering. He placed me gently on the bed and stepped back, casting a few spells to ensure no one could enter. When he turned back to me, his anger flared up, a familiar intensity that I recognized. It made me flash back to Muriel. Panic surged within me, and I jumped off the bed to escape.
Loki grabbed my arms, but it only made things worse. I struggled, frantic. Then, as his arms pulled me closer, our bond calmed me. I realized it was Loki, not Muriel, and I was safe. I stopped fighting and let the tears flow.
“Please, Aurora, what happened?” He begged, his voice thick with emotion.
I was still shivering, my body cold to the bone. I placed my hands on Loki’s neck, seeking warmth. He seemed to freeze when he felt the chill.
“You are freezing,” he nearly shouted. He lifted me in his arms and walked over to the bathroom. Within seconds, the large bath was filled with warm water. He waved his hand again, and I saw my dress vanish. Looking down, I was now wearing one of Loki’s tunics. I thought he’d place me in the bath, but instead, I clung to him. I wasn’t ready to let go yet; I needed his safety. Without missing a beat, Loki climbed into the bath with me still in his arms. He sat down, and the warm water enveloped us. It took time for my shivering to stop, for my body to settle.
When I finally calmed enough to notice my surroundings, I realized Loki was in the bath fully clothed. He had changed into his sleep tunic and pants . I shifted slightly to get more comfortable in his lap, resting my head against his shoulder. His anxiety was palpable. I knew I needed to explain.
“Loki, thank you,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “I’m sorry I scared you.”
He rubbed my arms gently, but I winced as his hand reached the bruises Muriel had left.
“Aurora, you’re hurt,” he said sharply. His anger flared again. With another wave of his hand, my tunic became sleeveless. He gently pulled me back, examining my arms. I groaned when I saw the angry bruises.
Loki’s fury flared, but this time, I was calm enough not to be frightened. He touched the bruises gently, and within moments, the pain vanished as he healed me.
“Loki, I’ll explain what happened, please don’t do anything rash,” I pleaded. “I just want to forget about it for now. Put it behind me.”
His jaw clenched, and I could feel his teeth grinding. “Aurora, someone hurt you. They will not get away with this. Whoever did this will be severely punished.”
“Please, Loki,” I begged. “I hurt him too. I don’t want you to go after him. I just want this to end. I don’t want anything to do with Muriel anymore.”
There was a sharp intake of breath when Loki heard his name. I could feel his anger surge, his efforts to regain control of his emotions almost palpable.
“Okay, I promise,” he finally said. “I won’t storm off, but I will not promise not to take action once I have thought about it thoroughly. Please, tell me what happened.”
I swallowed hard, knowing how difficult this would be to explain.
“I was restless this morning, with you and Thor gone. I decided to go for a walk. When I left my room to get my cloak, Muriel found me and asked if I wanted to walk with him.”
As I spoke his name, I could feel Loki tense. His anger returned, but he stayed silent.
“He took me into the woods and showed me this beautiful hot spring.”
Loki growled, his voice dripping with anger. “Let me guess, he took you swimming.”
I nodded, meeting his gaze.
Loki’s fury remained, but his face softened when our eyes met. “He used to do that with many Elven ladies. He’d take them to that spring and seduce them while they were naked in the warm water. That’s how he and Yrissa started their relationship.”
I sighed deeply, trying to push the memory aside, as I continued. “As we swam, things heated up between us, and I realized something. I realized that what we both felt was lust, nothing more. I tried to explain to him that I only realized it now. I didn’t understand the difference until now. In the dreams, I feel his lust, but there’s a deep connection and love underneath. But there is nothing like that when he’s with me.”
Loki’s arms wrapped protectively around me. “Did he try to force you?” His voice was soft, but I could feel every muscle in his body tense.
“He got very mad at me,” I whispered. “He was furious when I compared how he felt for me to what I felt in the dream. He was angry about how I thought he only wanted me for my body. He accused me of wanting you instead, especially now that I’d experienced you in bed, even if it was just in the dream.”
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “I got angry and told him that I wasn’t stupid, that I could feel what he felt. I accused him of trying to buy my affection. I hit a nerve when I suggested that I was just a toy for him, not someone he cared for, but a plaything he wanted to keep to himself. That’s when he lost control. He grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. He pushed me against him, and when I struggled, he didn’t let up. You saw his handprints on my arm. He was so angry, I was scared. I had to use my magic to burn him to get him to let me go. After that, I ran. I put my dress back on, and then Shadow appeared and I jumped on his back. You know the rest.”
Loki was trying very hard to stay calm and not freak out. He had a truly scary and murderous look on his face.
“Loki, please stop trying to think of ways to kill Muriel,” I said softly, my voice shaking. “I swear to you, I burned him pretty badly. If he tries anything after this, I promise I will not hold you back. Please, I am still shaking. I do not think I can handle it right now if I have to worry about you doing something reckless.”
Loki grinned, humorless. “The only thing stopping me from going over to him and killing him right on the spot is you, at the moment. I will do as you ask because I do not want to stress you more. But if he so much as lifts another finger toward you, I swear I will hurt him. Badly.”
He added menacingly, “I do have another question, though. Aurora, why do you think Muriel loved Yrissa?”
I thought it a strange question. “Because I felt it? In the first memory, there was just lust and passion, but the one from last night… it was different. I felt him get jealous, protective, and the realization when it dawned on him that he was in love. He pushed it back quite hard and left the room after that. Why?”
He shook his head. “I do not know. It is weird. I know we can trust your feelings, but I never realized he loved her. Sure, he tends to get protective over things he considers his, but as far as I remember, he never showed that kind of respect or depth of feeling for Yrissa. It is strange… but still, it is even weirder for him to get that angry with you over her.”
I looked at my hands, which were starting to prune. “I think we should get out before I turn into a raisin,” I said, showing him my hands. I tried to wiggle out of his grip, but he would not let me.
He lifted me, stepped out of the bath, and carefully placed me on the ground. I waved my hand and dried myself, then braided my hair. Next, I changed Loki’s tunic back to a nightgown and overcoat. Loki also dried and changed his clothing. As we walked back to my room, I jumped into my bed, desperately wanting to think about something else and not dwell on anything that happened earlier. To be honest, I really just wanted to go home, ignore the world, and sleep for a week.
I suddenly remembered Loki’s and Thor’s absence this morning at breakfast.
“Loki, what happened this morning? Why were you absent from breakfast?” I asked, rolling to my side so I could look at him. He took a seat on my bed.
“King Merinor called Thor, Muriel, and me into a meeting. It seems there was another theft in a town not far from here. This time, the Lord of the house tried to stop the thieves. He ended up paying with his life. Not only was he murdered, but his wife and unborn child lost their lives. The items stolen were two gemstones. There’s a myth around them—people say they could restore or take away mystical energy. Although no one knows how to use them, some lords even speculate that they’re just gems with no real power,” he explained, letting out a small sigh.
“But why were you and Thor summoned for this? Isn’t this an Elven matter?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
Loki nodded. “Yes, but the strange thing is that the deaths of the family were unusual. They did not find any physical injuries, and they fear it might have been dark magic that killed them. Muriel suggested that Thor and I investigate the deaths. To be honest, I think he wanted me away from the castle for a while. I do not want to go, but Thor loves any adventure, so he agreed for both of us. King Merinor also agreed, but only under the condition that we return before the Moon festival.”
I felt panic surge through me at the thought of Loki leaving. Not now—not after everything with Muriel, and certainly not with the dreams still lingering. I could feel my fear rise, and Loki must have sensed it.
“Aurora, with everything that happened this morning, I would not dream of leaving you. I will gladly defy King Merinor or Thor if I have to.” His tone softened, then he flashed me a mischievous grin. “I bet it would be easy to get Thor on board with the idea of you coming along. Mother did want you to see more of Alfheim. I am sure he would love your company. King Merinor expressly forbade Sif and the Warriors Three from joining because he is a snob and does not want it to seem like the investigation is being handled by commoners. I am pretty sure he cannot object to a princess tagging along.”
I smiled, the idea of escaping the castle and leaving Muriel behind appealing. “What about the dreams?” I asked, my voice quieter. “Will they follow me? I hate the thought of having one with Thor nearby.” I shivered at the thought.
Loki grew serious. “I do not think you have to worry about that,” he said softly. “From what I remember, these are the memories from the last few days before my big fight with Muriel. After that, we did not meet with Yrissa for a few days.” He tensed, then continued, “Muriel and I did have another night together, but I do not think you will have that dream. The last evening is where things got complicated and we fought. I have done some research on these kinds of spells. They most definitely dipped into darker magic than I am comfortable with. What I found is that they cannot change a timeline. They cannot pick and choose the memories—it is one set of memories, and they have to play out from start to finish. But the time in between cannot be hastened. So, to be honest, I think you will be safe from the dreams for the next few days.”
A huge wave of relief washed over me, and I felt tears threatening to spill from my eyes. “Thank God. I can’t handle a dream with Muriel in it right now.” I pulled my legs up, burying my face in my hands.
Loki closed the distance between us, pulling me against him as his arms wrapped around me.
“I will not let him hurt you again, Aurora. I swear this to you. I agreed not to confront him about what happened today, but from now on, I will protect you from him. I understand we cannot avoid him altogether while in Alfheim, but I will not allow him to harm you ever again. I do hope you can see now that he is not the man for you?”
I felt the care behind his words, and I knew he was trying his hardest to choose them carefully. He wanted to protect me, and I felt that with everything in me. Still, I could tell he was concerned for me, worried that I might still have feelings for Muriel.
“Do not worry, I understand.” I said with a muffled voice as my face was still buried against his chest. “My friendship with Muriel is over. While I will not ignore him or make a spectacle in public, I won’t have anything to do with him on a personal level. Please do not tell your mother, though, for I fear what she might do and the political ramifications. Just know I want as little as possible to do with him. I won’t give him any chance to get angry and hurt me again.”
Loki gave me a small kiss on the top of my head. “You are too kind, Aurora. While I agree that mother would probably rain down the whole of Helheim on him, I do think he deserves it. If you so wish, I will not tell her.” He pulled me back, and with a hand under my chin, he lifted my face so I would look at him. “But if he ever hurts you again, Aurora, I will not only tell mother—I will personally make sure he never can do it again.”
I could feel the depth behind his words, and I swallowed hard.
“I hope that you will never have any reason to do that,” was all I could say as I hugged him.
Loki gently released me and moved off the bed. “I think I better go and find Thor. We were making preparations for our journey when I left him this morning. I am going to manipulate him so he suggest you come with us and inform the King. We will be gone for about two days, and I will let Arturo know he needs to prepare Shadow. If you need anything, put it in your void storage. We will not be sleeping in the open air, so bedding is not required. I do think it is best you wear your leather outfit and keep your weapons close.”
Suddenly, I remembered my weapons. “Loki, can I ask you favor, it’s about my weapons?”
He looked puzzled but nodded nonetheless.
“Is it possible for you to change them? To remove the leaf emblem from them? I do not want any link to Muriel on them.” I glanced up at him, seeing his eyes soften at my words.
“That I can do.” He said gently, and I summoned the weapons, laying them out before him on the bed. I stared at the large knives and smaller ones, once fond of the leaf pattern, but now they only made my anger flare.
“Do you have any idea what you want them to look like?” Loki asked as he picked up one of the larger knives.
I remembered the little snakes from the past but was cautious. “Are the rules the same in Asgard as in Alfheim?” I asked, watching him frown.
“Say I wanted you to remove the leaves and give them a snake pattern—would all of Asgard assume that you claimed me, and I was yours?” I truly didn’t want to repeat the same mistake. I knew the snake was one of Loki’s signatures.
Loki paused, thinking it over. “It is not as explicit as in Alfheim, but it does signal familiarity or deep friendship. If people saw them, I do not think they would think much of it. However, those who believe the rumors about us might see it as an affirmation. As long as you do not go overboard, pairing it with my colors or symbols in your clothing, it should not send any inappropriate signals. Not that it will ever happen by accident. Without formal courting, there is no way the dressmakers would design your attire to complement mine. They simply are not allowed to do so.”
I smiled at the sincerity of his words, appreciating the elaborate way he reassured me. “Then, if you do not mind, would you please give them a snake design that has no resemblance to the leaves?” I asked, and Loki smiled.
He moved his hands over the daggers, and the air around us pulsed with magic. Before me, the daggers changed. The throwing knives with their kris blades now formed the body of serpents, the handles becoming the heads of snakes adorned with green stones for their eyes. The larger fighting knives now featured intricate, graceful snakes on their blades and hilts, their eyes also highlighted with tiny green stones.
“Thank you.” All I could say after inspecting them thoroughly. “I also want to return Muriel’s gifts—the book on fighting, and especially the circlet. But I don’t want to face him. Any idea how to do so?”
Loki’s expression turned serious. “Just tell your maids to wrap them up and return them to Muriel’s room. Just know, he will not like it one bit. Returning gifts is a huge insult in Alfheim, but it will send him the right message as far as I am concerned. Also, he cannot come near you for the next two days, so he will have to vent his anger elsewhere.”
With that, Loki stood, and I knew he had business to attend to. I gave him one last hug, and with a wave of his hand, he dispelled the room. He told me to get ready, as in about an hour, he would come for me. With a final nod, he teleported away.
I really didn’t want to spend any more time thinking about Muriel. I quickly changed into my leather outfit and assembled the things I might need for the journey. I put them in my void storage, then gathered Muriel’s gifts. I took a quick peek into the reception room to find it empty. I quickly made it look like I had just returned, slamming the door to my bedroom a bit too loudly.
The older woman entered immediately, her eyes scanning for anything amiss. She frowned when she saw my leather outfit and braid. I told her something had come up, and I would need to leave for a few days. Since time was of the essence, I changed myself magically before returning to my room. Whether or not she believed me, she didn’t say anything.
I showed her the items Muriel had given me and asked if she could wrap them up. Without question, she bundled them neatly and looked at me, waiting for further instructions. I instructed her to return them to Muriel’s room. Her shock was clear, it wasn’t her fault, but her shock irritated me. I just wanted to be rid of the items, not have to explain myself.
I gave her what I called my “bitchy princess look,” and without further words, she took the package and left. I quickly did a final check of my items in void storage, ensuring everything was in place. I noticed the leather outfits I had worn during the trip to Alfheim had been cleaned and stored in my closet, so I quickly added them to my storage as well. I fastened the fighting knives to my belt and placed a few small throwing knives in a special compartment in my overcoat. The rest I could summon if necessary.
Only thirty minutes later, I heard a knock on my door. My stomach dropped, fearing it was Muriel, but when I opened it, I saw Loki grinning like an idiot.
“Guess your plan worked?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Oh yes.” Loki’s grin widened. “Within seconds, I had Thor convinced it was his idea to let you join us on the trip. He was still annoyed that King Merinor would not allow the rest of our company to come. So when Muriel started objecting to his father about the dangers and asking him not to let you go, Thor stood his ground. King Merinor could not object without angering Thor, so we will leave as soon as you are ready. Thor is already at the stables, making sure we have everything for the horses.”
I couldn’t leave this place fast enough. I instantly jumped up, and Loki grinned. We walked down to the stables, where I saw Thor waiting on his horse. Lady and Shadow were ready beside him. As I walked toward them, I saw Muriel stalking toward us. Loki frowned, stepping between us.
Muriel’s anger was palpable, and I felt it rise as he saw Loki blocking his path. A deep, bitter hate radiated off him, but that only solidified my decision to stay away from him. Still, I didn’t want an open conflict between them.
“Loki, I will see what he has to say. Do not worry, you and Thor are nearby, and I’m going to be very careful,” I sent him silently through our bond.
Loki nodded, stepping aside but staying very close. Both of us were tense as Muriel closed the distance and stopped in front of me.
“Aurora, I was hoping I could talk to you in private for a moment,” he said, glaring at Loki and motioning toward a more secluded part of the grounds.
From the corner of my eye, I could sense Thor picking up on the tension between the two princes.
“My Prince, I am sorry,” I said, not moving. I saw Muriel’s eyes widen as I addressed him by his title. “It seems I do not have any time to spare. We are leaving this very moment.”
I turned to walk away, but Muriel grabbed my arm—gently, but still determent to stop me. Instantly, Loki was ready to strike, but I placed my hand on his chest to stop him and turned back to Muriel.
“Aurora, please,” he said, his voice full of emotion.
I was painfully aware that he was forgoing every Elven protocol.
“Please, Aurora, do not go. I need to apologize and set things right between us. Please, do not go, I am so very sorry. You have every right to be angry, but please stay and talk to me.”
I wiggled my arm, and he immediately let go of it. I could feel the sincerity in his words, and I knew he was truly sorry.
“My Prince, I am sorry, but no. I will go with Thor and Loki and will be gone for a few days. I have arranged for my servant to place a parcel in your room. In that parcel, you will find the items you have given me.”
I could see Muriel visibly flinch at my words, but I needed to do this.
“I have enjoyed our friendship, but it has taken a direction I do not wish to follow. I will take a step back from it and hope you will do the same.” I looked at him, and I could see the emotions behind his eyes. I thought he would get angry or upset, but instead, he just looked defeated.
“So, you choose him over me?” he said softly, motioning toward Loki.
“I choose a true friend who has not done a single thing to harm me over someone who has repeatedly done so any day. That is what you don’t seem to understand. This has nothing to do with Loki. This is the second time you have physically hurt me. The first time, it might have been an accident, but once there is a second time, it becomes a pattern. I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I respect myself too much to ever put myself in the position again to possibly face a third time.” I hated that I could see my words hurt deeply, but it was the truth.
“Can we please talk again when you get back?” he asked, clearly very upset.
I shook my head. “I don’t think that would be wise. You will only try to get me to trust you again, and I don’t know if I ever can. I know for sure, though, that I don’t want to. So no, when I get back, I do not want us to talk. If in Asgard I ever feel the need to clear the air between us so we can live comfortably in the same place, I will let you know, but it will be on my terms and not yours. The only courtesy I will offer you is not telling Frigga what happened because I don’t want to cause a political mess between Asgard and Alfheim. But if you continue to push and harass me, you will leave me no other option but to tell her, and I will see you removed from Asgard. Now please, Muriel, I am leaving, and I don’t want to cause a further scene. It is a miracle this whole conversation seemed to go unnoticed so far. So please, just go.” I pleaded.
I could feel him war with himself, but in the end, he just nodded. “Be safe, Aurora,” was all he said as he turned and left.
I wanted nothing more than to jump into Loki’s arms and have him calm me. I was actually shaking, but I tried to keep it together. Thor was watching, and I could feel that it had been clear to him that Muriel had hurt me. I could feel his anger toward him matching that of Loki.
I turned and made my way to Shadow. I gave him a big hug, which he returned with a small whinny, and then bowed down so I could mount him. As soon as Loki was on Lady’s back, we made our way out of the castle gardens, and the more distance I got between me and Muriel, the better I felt.
We rode in silence for some time before Thor addressed what he had just witnessed. “Aurora, are you all right?” he gently asked.
“No, Thor, I’m not. As you might have concluded from the little scene back at the castle, I have ended my relationship with Muriel. Although he seems to mistakenly be under the impression that it is still salvageable.”
I could see him mull over my words, and I could feel he was deeply worried. “Aurora, I do not need to pry, but did something happen?”
I gave him a sad smile. He was so worried that I couldn’t help but tell the truth. “Yes, something did happen. If I tell you, will you please keep my confidence? I do not even want your mother to know.”
“I swear on my honor, I will tell no one,” he said with a solemn look on his face.
“This morning, Muriel and I got into a fight. While that might not sound strange, Muriel got a bit too angry and ended up physically hurting me. I had to use my magic and hurt him to get away. I am deeply scared of what might have happened if I hadn’t gotten away when I did. While I know both Muriel and myself are to blame for the fight, I cannot be with a man who might hurt me every time he loses his temper. So yeah, that is why I ended things with Muriel.” I looked at him to see his reaction.
It was quite visible on his face. He was disgusted by the idea of Muriel hurting me, and I could feel him getting very angry.
“Thor, please,” I said, placing my hand on his arm to get his attention. “Please swear to me that you will not do anything rash toward Muriel. As I said, I hurt him just as much, and possibly even more in order to get away from him. Loki healed me, and I am not even injured anymore, but I am quite rattled and need to put this behind me. I cannot do that if my friends hold a grudge.”
To my relief, Thor nodded. “I will do as you ask, Aurora, but only because you ask. I think it is a good thing for Muriel to stay clear from us for a while.” He looked at Loki, who was riding on my other side. “For if I know my brother, I am impressed he managed to keep his calm in the courtyard. I can imagine you made him swear the same, but he might actually be the one to break his word if Muriel looks at you wrongly in the future.”
Loki laughed at this, but we all knew it to be true.
“For once, Thor,” Loki grinned. “You actually are impressively correct in your thinking. I will have his head if he tries anything with her ever again, but I did promise Aurora, and I will do my best to honor that promise.”
A small shiver ran over my back as I could feel the darkness behind his words.
“Brother, if ever this action of yours against Muriel is required, tell me at once. For I see Aurora as my sister, and I will not have you defend our family’s honor alone.”
I felt the warmth behind his words, and I knew he meant them. It made me smile. “Thank you, big brother,” I said with a grin and was rewarded with one of his heartwarming smiles.