Chapter 47
The next morning, I opened my eyes just in time to see Loki leaving the bed.
"Where are you going?" I asked, trying to wake up.
He walked around the bed and came to sit on my side.
"I am going to a nearby village," he said. "There, I will get a horse and then ride back. That way, it looks like I just returned from camp and stopped at the village to get a fresh mount. I will be gone about an hour, and then I will not have to sneak around the castle."
I smiled at his words. "You want some company?" I asked. "We could go together, and you could cloak me again when we get back."
Loki smiled. "While that sounds wonderful, I believe you should go about your day as usual. People need to see you around the palace. That way, if the imposter is still here, there will be no suspicion."
I groaned. "I hate it when you make sense." But he could feel through the bond that I was joking. "Okay, go. If you’re going to leave me, do it now!" I said dramatically, throwing my arms over my head.
He laughed, kissed me, and with a shimmer of magic, he was dressed and cloaked in an illusion.
"Be back in about an hour, my love."
And with that, I felt him teleport—probably to the stables, to get a horse and ride to the nearest town.
Still smirking, I called for Yara. When she entered, I immediately felt her concern. She was worried, probably wondering why I’d ordered Frigga and Odin into the room yesterday and barred all the servants.
"Good morning, Yara," I said with a smile. "You and the rest of the staff are cleared to come into the room again. I’m sorry I had to use such secrecy at times, but believe me—it’s not because I don’t trust you. It’s just something that needs to stay within the royal family."
She smiled at my words. "I understand, Aurora. I never thought it was because you did not trust me. But still—I care about you. I tend to worry a bit," she said, blushing.
It was probably a little forward by Asgardian standards, but I couldn’t help but love her for it. I walked over and hugged her.
"Thank you, Yara. You’ve been a great friend."
That earned me a big smile.
She helped me get ready and dressed like she normally did. It was easy, since I’d kept my word to Loki and only wore my leather outfits. Luckily, I had plenty of them, and with Yara’s help, they were always clean and ready to go. Honestly, Yara was a dream. She took care of everything for me.
These last weeks, she’d gone out of her way to offer kindness and comfort and companionship—and not just as a handmaiden. She truly had become a friend trying her best to lift my moods and occupy my time to for the lack of Loki not being here. It still struck me sometimes that she was technically a servant. She seemed so much more than that.
I admired her, really. She spent her life taking care of someone else, and I knew she didn’t have a man in her life—not yet. She’d told me she wanted one someday, and children too, if possible. But she’d reassured me she was still young and had plenty of time before focusing on that. I was just grateful to have her in my life—as both a handmaiden and a friend.
I glanced at the clock, counting the moments until Loki returned. He would still be a while, so I decided to head to the dining hall for breakfast.
As I walked through the corridor, I spotted Lord Evindal heading down the same hallway. I couldn’t help but think about what Loki had said—the suspicion that Evindal might be the imposter. Without hesitation, I cast the detection spell to see magical traces. The colors of the hallway shifted, and I focused on him.
I don’t know why, but I felt a little disappointed when I saw his Seiðr trace. It was purple—not red at all. I guess I just wanted the imposter caught. I wanted all this done.
His magic was bright, though—strong. Not surprising, considering he was an elf. I’d learned that elves were usually more magically inclined than the Æsir.
Still, I took a quick snapshot of his trace, then released the spell and let the hallway return to normal.
As I walked, I found myself mulling over that difference. Elves never stigmatized male magic users—if anything, they revered them. Meanwhile, the Æsir barely tolerated magic in their men. Loki, who was so clearly powerful and dangerous with his Seiðr, was judged for it. Even Thor, whose power centered around a weapon, was seen as strong—but no one called that magic, even when it clearly was.
The injustice of it bothered me. I hoped that, one day, either Loki or Thor would change things when they ruled Asgard.
I was still caught in my thoughts when someone spoke, startling me.
"Good morning, Princess Aurora."
I jumped a little. Lord Evindal looked amused as he stepped closer.
"It seems you are deep in thought this morning. I hope there is nothing troubling you?"
"Lord Evindal," I said, trying to recover. "I’m sorry for reacting like that. Yes, I was in deep thought, but no, I’m not troubled. I was simply thinking about magical acceptance across the Nine Realms."
I’d learned from Loki that the best way to mask anything with a face like mine was to just stick to the truth as much as possible.
He nodded. "But if you do not mind me saying—you seem more lighthearted today. I take it you have received good news?"
I blinked. That was way too personal, considering we weren’t even close to being friends. He was prying again. I cast a quick glance at his Seiðr—still purple.
"While I do feel a bit better, it is not because I’ve received any good news," I said, keeping my tone polite but a bit cooler. "And forgive me if this sounds rude, but I’m not sure how that would concern you."
It came out a little princess-snobby, but his constant pretense of friendship was starting to irritate me.
His brows shot up in surprise, and to my astonishment, he actually laughed.
"I’m sorry, Princess Aurora. I did not mean to overstep," he said with a small bow.
He was hard to read—an enigma, really. I had expected him to be offended. But I’d had enough of this conversation.
"Thank you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to have some breakfast."
I gave him a polite nod and walked into the dining hall, watching as he gave a short bow before I turned away.
I took my seat beside Frigga and began to eat. Then, suddenly—a loud trumpet sounded, and the main doors swung open.
Loki strode in, flanked by several guards.
The entire room turned to watch him.
He looked royal—every inch of him. Head high. Leather armor flowing around him. Of course, I still hated that ridiculous helmet, but I had to admit—it made him look fierce.
I took Frigga’s hand and smiled. I knew I had to look surprised, but that wasn’t hard. I was just thrilled that he was here. That he could walk freely around the palace. That we didn’t have to hide in our rooms anymore.
Loki stopped in front of the royal table and bowed as he addressed Odin.
"Father, I have returned with news from the front and to discuss our next strategic moves. I am pleased to report that we have retaken nearly all of the towns."
Cheers erupted around the room. Odin raised a hand, and the noise settled quickly.
"Thank you, my son, for bringing us this good news. Please, join us for breakfast. Afterward, we shall retreat and speak further on strategy."
Loki bowed again and made his way toward me. He greeted his mother, then turned to me and swept me into a kiss and a hug so grand, I swear the entire dining hall swooned.
I didn’t care.
He was mine. And mine alone.
We sat together for breakfast, and I couldn’t help but smile the entire time as he held my hand beneath the table.
We were all talking pleasantly and lightly through the whole meal. It was amazing to see how easily they could shift the atmosphere in the dining hall by simply acting merry. I knew things weren’t as rosy as Odin and Loki were making them sound—but with them setting the tone, I could feel the mood in the entire room lighten.
It was the second time I’d really seen the effect their presence and actions had on the court. A small, dark voice in my head muttered that it was all just for show—that none of it was real. But I could see why they did it.
As I was thinking, I saw a messenger hand Odin a note. He read it, then looked at Frigga, who gave a small nod. Both of them rose from their seats and looked toward me and Loki.
"My son, my daughter," Frigga said, "I believe it is time for us to retreat and discuss strategy."
Loki and I stood and followed them from the hall.
The moment we entered Odin and Frigga’s private rooms, I felt tension spike in Loki—and as I glanced into the chamber, I saw why.
There was already someone waiting inside.
A woman.
She was beautiful—long black hair, a dark and striking dress that clung to her curves and shimmered with something otherworldly. It wasn’t like any Asgardian design I’d seen. It looked mystical… almost haunting.
As she turned, I got a full view of her face and sucked in a sharp breath. I knew instantly who she was. Not just because of her features—her dark hair, her ice-blue eyes—but because her whole face screamed Loki.
This had to be Hela.
I remembered what Loki had told me—that the left side of her face was skeletal. But now, standing here, I felt the presence of an illusion. She was hiding it.
Odin and Frigga moved forward to greet her. Loki took my hand and stepped up beside them.
"Hela," he said, his tone careful. "This is Princess Aurora of Midgard. She is here in Asgard to learn to harness her Seiðr. We are also courting."
I saw her eyes widen just slightly at that.
Loki turned to me. "Aurora, this is my daughter—Queen Hela of Niflheim."
Hela’s Seiðr flared at the word daughter—sharp and cold. But otherwise, she was like ice.
I smiled at her. "Queen Hela, I’m honored to meet you," I said, and offered her a respectful bow.
She looked at me for a moment, her gaze unreadable—and then turned away without a word.
I felt Loki’s anger rise instantly, but I gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
Loki, don’t get angry, I said through the bond. She’s mad at you, and you know she has her reasons. Don’t screw things up for yourself by getting angry at her for showing it.
A flicker of curiosity swept through her—sudden and cold. I looked up and found her watching us. First Loki, then me—studying each of us in turn. But the moment passed, and her expression froze again.
I felt Loki begin to calm, and I let go of his hand so I could sit next to Frigga. Odin, Loki, and Hela remained standing, the tension between them nearly visible.
Hela was the first to speak.
"I would like to know why I have been summoned," she said, her voice cold, her eyes flicking from Odin to Loki.
I saw Odin’s jaw clench at her tone.
"Queen Hela," he began, his voice strained, "we have requested your presence because of the current rebellion near the Niflheim border."
She turned fully to him.
"Can we please lose the formality?" she said briskly. "You showed none of it when you exiled me to Niflheim as queen, so I do not care to hear it now—especially not when you clearly need something from me."
Her fury was icy, but unmistakable. I glanced at Odin, expecting him to erupt—but somehow, he held himself back. Frigga must have done a great deal of talking to get him to this point.
Odin exhaled slowly. "As you know, there has been fighting on the Niflheim border. While this is not a threat we cannot manage, there is something unusual. We believe a sorcerer has possessed loyal Asgardian citizens—given them entirely new personalities."
Hela’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Loki stepped in.
"I have seen these people," he said, voice steady. "Interrogated them. What my father says is true. Combined with the strange tactical positioning near Niflheim, and the presence of powerful dark Seiðr, we suspect these people are being possessed by the souls of the dead."
A pulse of anger flared through her.
"So what—you suspect me of being in league with this sorcerer?" she snapped, glaring at each of us in turn.
Loki shook his head. "No, we do not believe that. But we do believe the souls may have come from Niflheim. We do not know for certain. That is why Odin asked you here. Not to accuse you—but to ask: are any souls missing from Niflheim? And if so… how many?"
Her expression tightened, but I could feel her anger shift. She was still furious—but the ice cracked just slightly.
She began to pace. After a moment, she crossed the room and sat down across from Frigga and me.
"I can confirm souls are missing," she said, her voice clipped. "From what I have found, there are at least thousands. But I do not know how it was done. Yes, it is possible for a soul to escape—but I am always there. I catch them. I bring them back."
She shifted, uncomfortable in her seat.
"I have tracked the souls. I tried to bring them back. But some kind of Seiðr is holding them in place. I cannot extract them from the bodies they now inhabit."
Embarrassment rippled through her, and I felt the shock roll across the room in response.
"Do you have any idea how the sorcerer could have transferred the souls?" she asked, directing the question to Loki.
"We suspect he has the Skull of Specters," Loki said.
Hela nodded slowly, but I could feel her searching—mentally flipping through possibilities.
"The Skull stores souls. It can imprison them," Loki went on. "But I do not know how they were transferred. There is no Seiðr known to me that allows for such a thing—aside from your gift."
Hela nodded again.
"That is true. As far as I know, I am the only one who can take souls at will. But even I cannot place a soul into a body that already has one. I can only place them into the dead."
I watched them—Loki and Hela—talking through this like two scholars, or strategists. It struck me how easily they fell into it, even if they did not realize it.
"Does this sorcerer have other specialty items?" Hela asked.
Odin answered this time.
"It appears so. Enchanted vessels to amplify his Seiðr. Two gemstones, taken from an Elven lord—rumored to grant and restore mystical energy, though no one ever understood how they worked. And various other valuable artifacts. He attempted to breach our vaults, but was unsuccessful."
At the mention of the vaults, I felt a surge of interest from Hela—but she did not move or react outwardly.
I focused on the bond. Loki, something about Odin mentioning the vault caught her attention.
But as soon as I said that, I saw Hela’s eyes snap to me.
"What did you do just now?" she demanded, eyes narrowing as they flicked between me and Loki. "This is the second time I have seen her Seiðr flow into you," she said, addressing Loki. "You speak of a powerful sorcerer, and no one seems to notice that not only does she possess a vast amount of Seiðr, she is clearly working it on you."
Odin and Frigga stared at me. Even my own mouth fell slightly open. I glanced at Loki.
"Do you want to explain this?" I asked calmly.
Loki nodded and sat beside me, taking my hand in his before turning back to Hela.
"Aurora and I are not merely courting," he said. "We are bonded by an ancient guardian spell once used by the old priestesses. I am her guardian. When we realized we were in love, the bond evolved. We are now permanently linked—as lovers, and as soulmates.
"What you witnessed was Aurora speaking to me through our bond. I do not know how you were able to perceive it, but that is why her Seiðr connected with mine—just as mine is connected to hers. I suspect that if I were to speak to her through our bond, you would see the same connection, only reversed."
He sighed.
"I will be completely honest with you, and we would appreciate your silence on the matter. You should know she was once fully human. But her blood mingled with Fenrir’s when he was wounded. This put her in a coma for nearly two years. When she awakened, she was half-Æsir and possessed her Seiðr. We do not know how she came to Asgard, nor why the blood mixing changed her instead of killing her."
Hela stared at me. I could feel a sharp surge of jealousy from her, but I stared back without flinching. I had nothing to hide—and I could feel that she was trying to make me uncomfortable.
"And what did you say to him?" she asked coldly.
I held her gaze, refusing to blink.
"I told him what you felt when Odin mentioned the vault. Loki should’ve also told you—I’m an empath. And I can hear Fenrir speak."
I decided to go all in. We needed her cooperation, and any lie might turn her against us.
She blinked a few times.
"So, to summarize… when a pretty human arrives and is tainted with dark Seiðr, she is not exiled back to her own realm but welcomed into the royal family?" she said, voice sharp with anger. "And yet I was exiled to the underworld, my brother to the sea, and my other brother was caged in the woods—merely for appearing in a vague prophecy."
Frigga stepped in then, her voice calm and full of quiet strength.
"I am sorry that you see it as injustice, but there are many differences between you and Aurora. And you know, my dear, that it was never our intent to exile you. We made you queen of Niflheim not only because of your gift but because we truly believed it would offer you a better life. You were not happy here. We never wanted you to feel banished."
I could feel that part of her believed it. And I could feel that Frigga’s words eased something in her—but there was still so much hurt buried deep beneath the surface. This would take more than a few apologies to mend.
Hela shook her head.
"We digress. I do not have the time or inclination to discuss family matters. We need to focus on this sorcerer."
Loki gave a small nod. "Why did the mention of the vault interest you?"
She shifted in her seat, the tension in her body rising.
"I did not want to mention this," she said, then sighed. "But… which part of the vault was attacked?"
Loki studied her, his expression unreadable. "The Vault of Elements."
Her emotions spiked—wariness, guilt, uncertainty.
"When the first soul vanished, I tried to find it," she said. "It belonged to someone important. Dangerous. I have not been able to track her, and I have tried. The other souls—I can still sense them, though I cannot retrieve them. But this one… she was the first. And she is the most dangerous. If the Vault of Elements was targeted, then I believe I know who is behind this. I just do not know whose body she now inhabits."
For the first time, I felt genuine shame from her. And—shockingly—compassion, aimed at Loki.
And then it clicked.
I sucked in a breath, my eyes going wide. Loki turned sharply toward me, sensing the shift. The others followed his gaze.
Hela looked at me. Her eyes softened slightly, and a small, rueful smile touched her lips.
"I see he has told you about her," she said quietly.
I nodded.
Loki tensed beside me, his emotions spiking fast through the bond. I reached for his hand, trying to steady him.
"Loki… I’m sorry. But she’s talking about her mother," I said softly.
His grip on the sofa tightened, warping the wood beneath his fingers. Odin swore loudly. I felt Loki’s rage rise and crest into something wild and dangerous.
The darkness inside him surged to the surface, and he launched himself across the room—away from us.
"Please excuse us for a moment," I said quickly to the others, not waiting for a response. Then I rushed after him.
He stood near the far wall, shaking with fury. I wrapped my arms around him without hesitation.
"Loki, teleport us to our chambers. Now," I said through the bond, firm and focused.
He did not move.
"Loki, if you do not teleport us this instant, I will try it myself—and I might hurt us both." I tightened my grip on him, refusing to let go.
His arms wrapped around me suddenly, and the familiar tingle of Seiðr enveloped us.
When I opened my eyes, we were in our bedroom.
Loki stepped away from me at once. He let out a piercing scream and hurled my vanity across the room with such force it shattered into splinters. Then he slammed his fist into the wall—stone cracked under his hand, and the pain that exploded through him hit me like lightning.
It wasn’t just emotional. I felt it.
My connection to him was wide open—I’d left it that way, trying to calm him through our bond. But instead, I absorbed everything. His rage. His grief. And then, the sharp, searing agony from his broken hand.
It was like my bones cracked. Like the nerves in my arm had been torn apart.
I dropped to the floor with a choked cry, my body curling inward, tears streamed down my face.
And in the next instant, he was there—on his knees beside me, arms around me, holding me like he could put me back together with his hands alone.
"Fuck—I am sorry," he said, and I could hear the tears in his voice.
I had no idea how he was even still standing, let alone not writhing from the pain. His hand had to be broken.
"I did not realize you would feel it that directly," he breathed. "I felt the pain hit twice—once from my own body, and then again through you."
His voice cracked on the last word, full of guilt and disbelief.
"I will go to Lady Eir immediately," he said as he tried to pull away. "This is more than I can heal with basic Seiðr. My mind is too clouded to attempt anything."
I tightened my grip on him.
He tried to resist my touch, still angry at himself for hurting me through the bond. But I ignored that. I focused on him. On us.
I reached for his Seiðr and connected it to mine.
Slowly, his rage began to settle.
Once he was calm enough, I focused inward. Just like I had done with Shadow. I felt the damage in his hand—felt it like it was mine. I blocked out the pain, concentrating all my energy on healing him.
Little by little, I directed my Seiðr into his hand, letting it knit bones and soothe torn muscle. When the damage faded, I carefully withdrew my Seiðr and took a breath to check myself.
No overwhelming drain. No dizziness. Not like with Shadow. I felt okay.
I pulled back enough to see his face. He was staring at his hand.
When our eyes met, I could feel the storm in him settling.
I brought my hands to his face and gently wiped away the tears on his cheeks.
"Now, please do not go hurting yourself like that ever again," I said sternly.
I could see him nod and pull me into a hug. I focused on our bond.
“I understand how you feel—and I understand what this news from Hela does to you. You know I do. But please, Loki… I need you to keep it together. I know it’s unfair to ask, but if you fall apart, I don’t think the rest of us would know what to do. We need you.”
I gave him a few moments to let it sink in.
“I’m not asking you to repress your emotions—or to stop feeling them. That would only make it worse. But I need you to share them with me. Let me help. You know how you feel when I get hurt—how your guardian instincts won’t let you stand by. Well, it’s the same for me now. I need to help you. Let me calm you. Please, Loki.”
My own emotions were beginning to spiral. I was fighting the tears threatening to rise again. But through our bond, I could feel the darkness in him slowly begin to ease, his control returning, bit by bit.
As his grip on me relaxed, he looked into my eyes.
"Aurora… I am so sorry," he began, but I pressed a finger gently to his lips before he could say more.
"My love, don’t," I whispered. "I can feel everything you're feeling. I know you didn’t mean to hurt me. You don’t need to ask for forgiveness. I’m here. You lost control, and I helped you. That’s what we do. That’s what you do for me—and what I’ll always do for you."
I leaned in and kissed him.
He pressed his forehead to mine, and through the bond I could feel the storm inside him begin to truly settle—gratitude, love, and a quiet, growing strength.
We stayed like that for several minutes, until both of us had calmed. When we finally stood, he helped me to my feet, and I led him to the bathroom. I took a cloth, soaked it in cool water, and gently wiped away any trace of tears from his face. Then I did the same to me. The redness in my eyes remained, stubborn as ever—a lingering human trait I couldn’t quite hide. But that didn’t matter. Loki needed to look composed, not me.
As I looked at him, I could feel the shift in him—his resolve returning, steady and strong.
I leaned against his chest.
"Are you ready to go back?" I asked softly.
He kissed the top of my head.
"Yes. Thanks to you, I am."
He wrapped his arms around me, and a moment later, the familiar tingle of Seiðr washed over us as he teleported us back.
When we arrived, I immediately saw Frigga’s worried gaze sweep over us—but I offered her a smile, and I felt both her and Odin relax.
Hela, however, remained tense. I could feel the weight of her worry, the flicker of care beneath her icy exterior. She clearly cared for Loki, but couldn’t bring herself to ask how he was.
I gave Loki a small nudge toward Frigga, then turned and made my way over to Hela, who had pulled back to She’d pulled back to the edge of the room—icy and alone.
She watched me warily as I approached, but I ignored the look and gently touched her arm, motioning her toward a more private corner. I felt her surprise at the contact—but she didn’t pull away.
Once we were a little farther from the others and out of earshot, I turned to face her.
"He’s better now," I said gently.
She glanced toward Loki, then back to me.
"I can sense it. What did you do?" she asked, voice quiet but curious.
I shook my head.
"It’s the bond between us. When one of us is upset, the other can calm them. It helps that I can feel everything he feels—he can’t hide anything from me anymore. But the same goes for me. He can feel my emotions now too."
Her brow arched slightly.
"It changed when our bond evolved—from guardian to lovers," I explained. "Before, he could only feel me when my emotions were heightened. Or if we used the bond intentionally. But once the rune changed, it became constant. He feels everything now. Except when he’s far away—like when he was near Niflheim. Then I only got flashes. The rest of the time, it felt like a part of me was missing."
She looked back toward Loki again, then at me.
"It seems your bond truly runs deep," she said. "To be honest, I did not believe the explanation at first. But seeing how you were able to calm him just now…" She trailed off, shaking her head. "Let us just say—I know my father well. Even estranged, my senses know him. And I have never seen anyone calm him the way you just did."
There was a quiet longing in her voice when she said father, and it stirred something in me. I understood what it was to feel separated from the people you loved. But while I’d gained a new family here… she’d been sent away to rule alone.
I hesitated a moment, but then followed my instinct. I reached for both her hands and met her eyes.
"I know I don’t fully understand your struggles. I only know the parts your father shared with me. But I can feel his emotions when he talks about you. And I know he truly loves you—and your brothers."
She flinched slightly but didn’t pull her hands away. I took that as a sign to keep going.
"Frigga’s told me a little. And Thor… he confided in me once. He said he regrets how he acted when you were still at court. That now, with time and perspective, he sees it differently. He knows you’re part of this family—part of Loki—and he wishes he’d realized it sooner."
Loki wants to see you. He wants to be part of your life. He loves you. And I can feel the sadness in him when he thinks about how much time he’s lost with you and Jörmungandr. Even with Fenrir—he feels he doesn’t see him enough either.
But Odin is the one who keeps him from you. He forbids it. He’s the reason you and Loki have been kept apart all these years—and it’s killing him, even if he doesn’t say it out loud."
I paused, feeling a wave of frustration surge inside me.
"He’s actually a really good liar," I said gently. "You know that better than anyone. He can hide just about anything if he wants to—especially pain. But not from me. I feel it every time he thinks of you. Every time he wonders what might’ve been different. It’s not pride or indifference keeping him away, Hela. It’s grief. And Odin’s orders."
Her expression didn’t change much, but I saw the flicker behind her eyes.
"He didn’t let you go because he wanted to. And he didn’t stop thinking about you just because you were gone."
I could feel the truth of that settle in her—deep, quiet. But it wasn’t enough to undo everything. Not yet.
And honestly? I got it.
Even after everything Odin had done for me—even with the kindness he’d shown—I still thought he was a major asshole underneath it all. Always playing the long game. Always making decisions that hurt, then justifying them like they were for the greater good.
So it wasn’t a shock that my thoughts were written all over my face.
Hela got a sense of it, too—I could feel the flicker of amusement that rose in her, sharp and dry, like she’d caught just enough to guess where my mind had gone.
"Let me guess—my face just gave away what I was feeling," I said, grinning. "Loki keeps telling me I’m like an open book when I get mad. I really need to work on that."
To my surprise, Hela shifted her hands, holding mine instead of the other way around.
"I do not think you should," she said softly. "It is rare to find someone who is so completely honest. It would be a shame to cover that up. Thank you for your words. And for the way you care for my father. While it does not change everything… it does me good to hear it."
There was something still lingering behind her expression. A question she wanted to ask, but hadn’t.
I smiled. "You can ask me anything," I said. "And if it’s something I don’t want to answer, I’ll just say so. I won’t be mad."
That earned me another smile—and when she smiled, truly smiled, she was breathtaking.
"It is something I was wondering," she said. "Did my father tell you about my powers?"
I tilted my head slightly, trying to gauge the reason behind the question—but I felt nothing hostile.
"Yes, he did. He told me you were born human, but that your left side looks skeletal. I could feel the illusion when I entered the room, so I assumed you used it to make others more comfortable. He also told me that with your left hand, you can take someone’s soul if you wish."
Her eyes widened, then dropped to our hands—still clasped. When she looked up again, her emotions surged.
"And you still touched me," she said quietly. "Not just now. When you motioned me over earlier… you took my left arm. Not the right."
It clicked.
"I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable," I said. "But I don’t fear your powers. Powers aren’t the problem—it’s the people who wield them. And I’ve felt nothing from you that made me think I should fear you. So why would I fear touching your arm?"
She shook her head slowly, a soft smile forming.
"I can see why my father loves you, Princess Aurora."
I smiled. "Thank you. But… could I ask you a favor?"
Her brows lifted slightly.
"Please, just call me Aurora."
This clearly shocked her again—she jumped slightly and released my hands. I added quickly, “You don’t have to grant me the favor if you don’t want to. But I like you, and I hope you’ll call me Aurora.”
We heard a sound, and both turned to see Loki walking toward us. I sensed a flicker of concern from him—he must have seen Hela flinch.
I looked at him as he came to stand nearby. “Is everything all right?” he asked, glancing between the two of us.
Hela blinked a few times, then turned to face him. She’d had her back to the rest of the family this whole time, so I was fairly sure no one had witnessed our exchange.
“Yes. Aurora and I are all right,” she said coolly—then after a brief pause, she looked at me and gave a little devious smile, the kind her father wore when he was up to mischief. “You may call me Hela.”
The statement was simple, but it carried weight. I felt something warm settle in my chest.
Loki’s eyes widened, clearly not expecting that answer. And from her.
I fought the grin threatening to spread across my face and turned toward him. “Yes, Hela and I are fine,” I added, deliberately using her name now that I knew I could. My tone stayed neutral, but I knew he could feel me teasing him through the bond anyway.
But Loki, to his credit, was a good sport. He smiled, warm and sincere. “It makes me happy to see you two getting along,” he said, without his usual mask—no pretense, no guarded tone.
Hela noticed. I could feel her brace herself as if she wasn’t used to this kind of honesty.
I looped my arms through both of theirs. “I’m really happy too. Hopefully one day we can get Odin to relax and let us visit each other now and then.”
Hela nodded slowly. “I would like that. But I do not think Odin will allow it,” she said, and I felt a chill rise from her as her gaze flicked toward him.
I turned to her. “I don’t know how much weight my promise holds, but I’ll try. I’ll do what I can to make him change his mind.”
A faint smile touched her lips, and for a moment, she looked softer.
Then I felt it—Odin’s growing impatience, heavy and pointed.
“But I think we should get back,” I said with an apologetic glance toward the others. “He’s getting twitchy.”
We returned to our seats. Frigga smiled as we sat back down. “Thank you for that, dear,” she said softly. I didn’t know if she meant calming Loki or speaking to Hela, but I just smiled back.
Odin turned to Hela. “So, you believe our sorcerer is Angrboda?”
Hela nodded. “She was the first to escape. And only with powerful Seiðr could she shield herself from me. But I still do not know how she freed the others—how she transferred the souls into unwilling hosts. In her case, I believe the host had to be willing. There are forms of dark Seiðr that allow someone to summon a soul and offer their body freely.”
She paused, her voice tightening just slightly. “If I could find her… I believe I could take her soul. Unless she has used something unknown to anchor herself to the host. Something that keeps me from pulling her free.”
Loki was quiet for a moment, then looked at her.
“Would you be willing to do it? If we find her—would you help send her soul back to Niflheim?”
Hela met his gaze. The tension between them was sharp enough to taste—years of distance, silence, and unspoken pain stretched between them like a taut thread. But then, slowly, she nodded.
“Yes. I would help.”
It wasn’t warm. It wasn’t emotional. But it was a beginning.
I felt something in the room shift. Small, but real. A first bridge, however fragile, beginning to form between them.
As they continued discussing the situation, I sank back a little, thinking. Between the three of them, they knew nearly everything there was to know about Seiðr and soul magic. But the idea that someone might have discovered a way to move souls—something even Hela didn’t know—kept gnawing at me.
They’d explained the Skull of Specters could summon and trap souls. The Elven gemstones could store and transfer mystical energy.
And suddenly, something clicked.
“Loki,” I said, interrupting gently, “is it possible someone used the skull to trap a soul from Niflheim, then used Lord Treyu’s stones to transfer it? I mean… a soul is mystical energy.”
Loki glanced at Hela. “I do not think so. Even if they knew how to activate the gemstones, they would still need an enormous amount of Seiðr to power them—and to use them on every soul, every host? That would take more than even Angrboda possesses.”
Hela nodded in agreement.
I frowned. “But wouldn’t it take just as much power to use the skull to take the souls in the first place?”
Hela shook her head. “No. The Skull of Specters is a power source in itself. It was created to hold the souls even if the user died. Its function is not dependent on an external wielder. It’s self-sustaining.”
“And creating it required more Seiðr than Angrboda has access to,” Loki added.
I could feel him watching me now, thoughtful. “You are working through something. What are you thinking, love?”
I hesitated. “Well… if using the stones alone would require too much energy, but the skull powers itself—then could someone combine them? If the gemstones were fused with the skull somehow, maybe the skull could power them too. Then the stones wouldn’t need outside power to transfer the souls. The skull would do that.”
Both Loki and Hela stared at me, blinking like I’d just sprouted a second head.
I immediately panicked. “I was just thinking out loud. I’m sorry if it’s a dumb idea…”
Loki took my hand and gave it a light squeeze, grounding me. “No. Not dumb. I would never have thought of that. If it were possible… it would explain a lot. And it would also explain why you still cannot retrieve the souls,” he said, turning to Hela. “They would still be bound to the skull. What do you think?”
Hela looked thoughtful. “It makes sense. But even if that is true, she would still need her own power to control them. And that would leave her vulnerable. She would need something else—some kind of protection.”
I nodded slowly, the next puzzle piece falling into place. “Which is why she tried to break into the vault. She needs something powerful enough to defend herself. If the souls sense weakness, they’ll turn on her.”
Realization passed through the room like a ripple.
“Of course,” Loki said. “She could not try again because the first attempt drained her too far. But she must have had a backup plan—something to keep them in line.”
Odin stood and began pacing. “Loki, I want you back in Niflheim first thing tomorrow. Thor will hold the towns. Your priority is to find Angrboda. Once we locate her, we will move the army and destroy the skull and the gemstones.”
He turned to Hela. “If we destroy the skull’s power source—render it useless—could you retrieve all souls?”
She gave a sharp nod. “Yes. And I will make sure they regret ever leaving.”
The chill that rolled off her told me she meant every word.
“There is one problem,” she added. “I cannot sense her. She is cloaked. How will Loki know when he has found her?”
“He has seen her magical trace,” Odin said. “He can use it to compare against any suspect.”
Hela stood to her full height. “Then I will accompany him in his quest. As soon as he senses the Seiðr, I will be the only one who can verify if it is her soul inside. Since she was summoned by a person and not the skull, I can take her soul then and there. That way, her dark Seiðr will no longer be a threat.”
I saw Odin’s jaw tighten, his anger rising fast. He didn’t want her anywhere near Loki. I knew exactly what he was about to say—something sharp and bitter that would undo everything Loki had just gained with Hela. My own anger surged, and I stood up abruptly, drawing everyone’s attention.
I locked eyes with Odin. “Would you really refuse her help out of spite?” My voice was low, but firm. “With villages at risk, your army in danger, and both of your sons involved—you would reject her aid just because she offered it?”
His gaze narrowed, furious, and under normal circumstances I might’ve flinched. But not now. I was done pretending he didn’t piss me off.
“I know you don’t want them spending time together,” I continued. “But this isn’t about that, is it? This is about your pride. I can feel your anger, Odin. And I don’t care how intimidating you try to be—I’m not afraid of you.”
My words hung in the air, the silence sharp around them. Slowly, I sat down again, still holding his gaze. This time, he was the one who looked away. He turned toward the fire, radiating silent fury.
I tried to steady my breathing. I could feel Loki’s awe and pride through the bond, Hela’s quiet amusement, and Frigga’s steady calm. I needed to keep it together now—to cool down before I let my anger push me into saying more than I should.
Frigga reached over and gently squeezed my hand. “My dear,” she said with that familiar, soothing grace, “would you take Loki and Hela to the other room? I would like a word with my husband.”
I nodded and rose. Loki and Hela followed me into the smaller chamber adjacent to the main room. As soon as the door closed behind us, Loki pulled me into a hug.
“Calm down, love,” he murmured, stroking my hair. His touch grounded me instantly.
“I’m sorry,” I muttered against his chest. “I didn’t mean to make it worse. But he was about to lash out at her just for offering help.”
Loki pulled back slightly and smiled. “So instead of letting him yell at her… you decided it was better to yell at him?”
That made me laugh softly. “At the time, it felt like the most logical option.”
A sudden burst of laughter came from Hela, and both of us turned to look at her. She looked radiant—brighter than I’d seen her all night.
“You two are quite the pair,” she said through her laughter. “I thought it strange, my father falling in love with a quiet little mouse. But clearly, I was wrong. You’re the fire, and he’s the calm.”
I chuckled. “I told you it goes both ways. He calms me as much as I calm him.”
Loki nodded. “Aurora is usually the more composed of the two of us… unless someone hurts someone she loves.”
“Or animals,” I added with a grin.
That surprised Hela. As we took our seats, Loki told her the story of how Shadow had been hurt.
“So not only did you heal him without a spell, but when Odin sentenced his family, you also saved them?” she asked, incredulous. “Odin must have loved that.”
I shrugged. “I didn’t do it for Odin. I did it because I had to.”
Hela smiled faintly. “Have you used your Seiðr like that again since then?”
I glanced at Loki apologetically. “I may have nearly killed your father with it. But I also healed him.”
Hela laughed louder. It didn’t surprise me—her humor clearly leaned dark.
“What Aurora means,” Loki said, squeezing my hand, “is that she not only broke through my freeze spells, but also flung me across a field before I could make a mistake. Unfortunately, my head collided with a very sharp rock—but she healed me immediately.”
Hela looked at me with interest. “Did you pass out again, like you did with Shadow?”
I shook my head. “No. But I did freak out and run straight back to Asgard to tell his mother I almost killed her son.”
Hela laughed again, clearly enjoying the chaos. But then she turned more serious. “It shows your ability to handle large amounts of Seiðr is growing.”
Loki nodded. “It is. She can even fully replenish my Seiðr, and all she feels afterward is a little fatigue.” He explained how I’d helped him teleport between Asgard and Niflheim.
Hela blinked at me in surprise. I shifted, feeling self-conscious.
“Can we change the subject?” I said. “I’m starting to feel like a freak again.”
Her empathy hit hard and fast. “I understand. I am sorry.”
I smiled gently. “It’s okay. We all know how that feels. All three of us.”
The lightness dimmed at that truth. But before it could sink too deep, the far door opened and Frigga stepped in.
“Come,” she said gently. “You should return.”
When we entered the room, Odin was seated calmly by the fire. He rose as we approached. No anger, no scowl—just quiet formality.
“Hela, thank you for your offer to aid my son,” he said. “I see now that it is wise, and I accept. Your help may be the only way to return Angrboda’s soul to Niflheim. Will this interfere with the governance of your realm?”
She shook her head. “No. I can shift between the realm of the dead and Asgard as I wish. As long as there is no mass loss of life, I can manage.”
Odin nodded. “Then I hope you will accompany Loki tomorrow. And I ask that you remain as our guest until you depart.”
The words clearly cost him. Hela hesitated—just for a moment—but then dipped her head.
“Yes. Thank you for your hospitality.”
Frigga stepped forward and gently took Hela’s arm. “I have arranged a room for you in the royal wing, near the rest of our family. It is next to your father’s.”
With that, Frigga and Hela turned and left the room together. Odin followed a moment later, his scowl deepening with every step.
I let out a slow breath, my shoulders finally starting to drop. I glanced at Loki.
"How close do you think I came to being exiled back to Midgard just now?" I asked, half teasing, half serious. "Or worse—struck down where I stood for yelling at him like that."
Loki stepped closer, slipping an arm around my waist.
"You were bold," he said. "And very lucky."
"Not comforting," I muttered.
He smiled, pressing a kiss to my temple. "But you were also right. Also—Frigga and I would never have let him lay a hand on you. Or send you away. No matter how furious he was. You are hers as much as you are mine."
That made something warm stir in my chest, and I leaned into him.
I looked up at him, meeting his gaze. “Still,” I murmured, “that was a bit reckless.”
He raised a brow, eyes gleaming. “You did not see me stop you, did you?”
A grin pulled at my mouth, feeling his mischief stir.
He answered it with one of his own.
“Never underestimate my mother’s power of persuasion,” he added, tone light now. “Especially when she decides something is going to happen.”
I chuckled softly. “Noted.”