Chapter 54
Again I woke in a soft and comfortable bed. The difference now was that I could feel a pair of arms around me. Without opening my eyes, I knew they were Loki’s—just from the way he held me. He was on his side, facing me, and I was curled against his chest. My arms were tucked up between us, his wrapped around me, holding tight. Our legs were entwined. His face rested against the top of my head, and mine was nuzzled into the warmth of his chest.
As I gently opened my eyes, I was surprised not to see our room in Asgard. The dark rock around us pulled me back to reality fast. This wasn’t home. This was a cell, even if it didn’t look like one.
I immediately pulled out of his arms and shoved him back.
His eyes flew open, scanning the room for intruders, tense and alert. But when he found none, his gaze snapped back to me, confusion flashing across his face.
“You frightened me half to death,” he said, his mouth tugging into a crooked grin when he saw how startled I looked.
But I was far too angry to find anything funny.
“What the hell did you do?” I snapped, my voice shaking with fury. I could see him wince. He reached for my arms, pulling me back down, but I resisted, struggling in his grip. He was too strong. I was too tired.
“Aurora, I am sorry—but it needed to be done. This way, you are safe. You are safe while you have the bracers, and safe after you give them up. She cannot hurt you.”
His voice was calm, far too calm.
I shoved him again, and this time he let me go. I launched myself out of the bed, fuming. Once more I found myself half-undressed. I didn’t even hesitate—I summoned my leather gear and changed right there, ignoring him as I pulled everything into place.
“You don’t know the whole story,” I said sharply, turning to face him.
He sighed.
“Aurora, it does not matter. I know you have the bracers, and I know you stole them from my father. Yes, it is dangerous if Angrboda gains control of them, but as you are aware, there is a high chance she will not survive the attempt. My love, just give her the bracers. Then we may leave. If she survives—which I doubt—we will find another way to defeat her. And if she dies, then I will get to Yrissa. I know she will tell me where the Skull is. I can free the souls.”
He smiled, like that made everything okay. Like I should be grateful.
My mouth nearly dropped open. I could follow his logic, sure. It wasn’t far off my own original idea. But how could he not see what he had done?
I forced myself to breathe. He still had the bond blocked—I could tell. If he could feel how angry I was right now, he wouldn’t be sitting there so calm and smug.
“When you made that promise to Angrboda,” I said, meeting his gaze, “did you make her swear not to hurt both of us—or just me?”
Surprise flickered across his face. “Just you. Why would she harm me? I am the one aiding her. But she must release us both when she receives the bracers. Is that why you are upset? You fear for my safety?” He grinned as he got out of bed and stepped toward me.
I was shaking with rage. He had no idea.
I turned away from him before I could say something I’d regret. “You don’t understand. Thor and I didn’t tell you the whole truth—because you told us not to. You told us not to share vital information because of the soul inside you.”
I felt his fingers brush my arm, but I yanked it back.
“If you’d just listen to me!” I shouted. “But no—just block Aurora out. Make sure she can’t warn you, can’t reach you, can’t share a single thing. Because clearly, it’s easier for you to make decisions without feeling what I feel.”
He froze. I felt the bond shift. A tingle of magic. And then—his side reopened. The surge of recognition hit instantly. Shock, confusion, and then... guilt.
He grabbed my arm, turning me to face him.
“Aurora, why in the Nine Realms are you this angry? What are you not telling me?”
His voice was sharp, but I could hear it—he was scared. Not of me. Of what I was about to say.
“Then maybe,” I hissed, “you shouldn’t have locked me out.”
I tried to pull free again. His grip tightened.
That was it.
With all the fury inside me, I raised my hand and slapped him across the face.
The sound echoed through the room, and everything went still.
He released me slowly, dazed, eyes locked on mine as the red mark began to bloom across his cheek.
I backed away, tears slipping free. “You have no idea what you’ve done.”
Then I turned and walked out of the room.
I didn’t look back. I was glad he wasn’t following me.
I didn’t know where I was going. I didn’t care. I had to get to Angrboda before Loki stopped me.
The hallways twisted and shifted, unfamiliar, but I moved fast. Then I saw a scruffy mercenary standing in a passage. I didn’t even think.
“You!” I snapped.
He startled, turning sharply as I stepped out of the shadows.
“Take me to your Queen. Now.”
He looked at me like he was considering crushing me under his boot. I didn’t flinch.
“Now,” I repeated, my voice sharp as a whip. “Or I’ll make sure she hears exactly how useless you are.”
That got him moving.
He led me through the twisting corridors until we reached a door. He knocked. A sharp voice from within answered, “Enter.”
He opened the door and motioned for me to go inside.
I marched into her chamber with fury in every step. Angrboda turned, clearly surprised to see me.
Before she could speak, I cut her off. “In return for the location of the bracers, I want you to swear—on your life—that you will not harm Loki in any way. Not physically, not magically, not through anyone acting under your command. I want your word.”
Her eyes narrowed with interest, but also caution. “I already promised Loki I would not harm you, and that I would release you both afterward. Why should I make a separate vow?” she asked smoothly.
“Because I have not yet promised to give you the bracers,” I replied. “And you could harm him before I do. Your promise to him only protects me. This one will protect him—from the moment the agreement is made.”
A flicker of admiration crossed her face. Then she nodded slowly. “Very well. But if I agree, you will swear to not only tell me where the bracers are—but also to give them to me. Willingly. Into my hands.”
“I will,” I said without hesitation. “But I also want your vow to include that this applies to Loki, the man I love—not just any version or double of him.”
She tilted her head, then smirked. “Fine. One more clause,” she added. “I want you to swear that you will not harm me—magically or physically—before or after giving me the bracers. Loki already made that promise. Now I want yours.”
“I agree,” I said. “But I want one last addition from you as well—this protection must also apply to Yrissa and any other entity sharing your body.”
Angrboda chuckled darkly. “You drive a hard bargain, little half Æsir.” She grinned
She waved her hand, and two sheets of parchment appeared on a black stone desk, along with a length of silver chain.
“Write your vow,” she said. “I will write mine. When we have reviewed and approved them, we shall bind them.”
I nodded and picked up the quill.
Aurora’s Oath
In return for Angrboda’s vow, I swear to reveal the location of the bracers of elements and to give them to her by placing them into her hands. I further swear not to use any of my Seiðr or physical force to harm Angrboda, Yrissa, or any other soul, presence, or entity currently residing in or sharing this body—before or after I surrender the bracers.
Angrboda’s Oath
I, Angrboda, swear to cause no harm—physical, magical, or psychological—to Loki, the man Aurora loves, in return for her vow. After the oath is fulfilled, I shall release both Loki and Aurora and allow them to go freely and unobstructed wherever they wish, without interference or pursuit. I further swear that no harm shall come to either of them by my hand, by Yrissa, or by any subject, servant, ally, or entity acting on my behalf—directly or indirectly.
We exchanged parchment, read, and nodded.
“I assume you know how this works?” she asked.
I didn’t answer. I just nodded once.
She held out the silver chain. Hooks extended at either end.
Without waiting for permission, the chain leapt between us—driving its barbs deep into each of our chests.
The pain made me gasp.
We both reached for our parchments.
“Stop!” shouted a voice from the door. Loki burst in, wide-eyed and breathless.
“Aurora, what are you doing?!”
He stared at the silver chain in horror—already embedded in both our chests.
But I didn’t look at him. I didn’t speak. I just stared at Angrboda. She stared back, calm and collected.
Then she smiled—slow and cruel. And began to read.
“I, Angrboda, swear to cause no harm—physical, magical, or psychological—to Loki, the man Aurora loves, in return for her vow. After the oath is fulfilled, I shall release both Loki and Aurora and allow them to go freely and unobstructed wherever they wish, without interference or pursuit. I further swear that no harm shall come to either of them by my hand, by Yrissa, or by any subject, servant, ally, or entity acting on my behalf—directly or indirectly.”
She held my gaze as she finished, unblinking.
I swallowed. My turn.
“In return for Angrboda’s vow, I swear to reveal the location of the bracers of elements and to give them to her by placing them into her hands. I further swear not to use any of my Seiðr or physical force to harm Angrboda, Yrissa, or any other soul, presence, or entity currently residing in or sharing this body—before or after I surrender the bracers.”
As the final words left my lips, the chain shimmered.
Then vanished—taking the pain with it, but not the weight in my stomach.
Loki dropped to his knees beside me, his voice raw with disbelief.
“Aurora…”
But I couldn’t even look at him.
Not yet.
“What did you just do?” he whispered.
Angrboda’s voice was smug. “Now, give them to me.”
I pulled off my coat, rolled up both sleeves, and stepped forward.
“Hold out your hands,” I said.
Her smile widened. But as I placed my wrists—bracers and all—into her hands, I saw her eyes go wide.
“These… these are already on you,” she hissed.
“Yes,” I said calmly. “And you are holding them in your hands. That was the deal.”
“You tricked me!” she snarled.
“No,” I replied. “I fulfilled the exact letter of our agreement. You’re touching them. I gave them into your hands. That is as far as this oath goes.”
And from the look on her face—I knew she understood that I had won.
I half expected my heart to crush the moment I finished the vow—because I knew I had not truly fulfilled it. But nothing happened.
Angrboda stared at me, stunned. Then she turned her fury on Loki.
“You must have put her up to this,” she hissed, trembling with rage.
Loki only grinned, that maddening, brilliant grin I had not seen in so long.
He lifted his hands with a lazy shrug. “To be honest, I am just as surprised as you are. But clearly, she still lives… which means she has fulfilled her oath. And it would appear I have fulfilled mine.”
Angrboda’s jaw tightened. She looked like she wanted to lunge across the room and claw his eyes out—but I saw the moment she remembered her own vow. She could not touch him. Not anymore. That fury had nowhere to go, and it was driving her mad.
Loki seemed to realize the same thing, and for a second, guilt flickered through him. But he buried it quickly.
“Well then,” he said coolly, taking my arm and handing me my coat. “We have done our part. We are leaving.”
I slid the coat back on, already heading for the door beside him when—
“You cannot leave,” Angrboda snarled. “I have not received the bracers.”
The words hit me like a blade. Pain seared through my chest, sudden and sharp, and my legs buckled beneath me.
I heard Loki curse and caught a glimpse of him lunging to catch me. From the corner of my eye, I saw Angrboda smiling again.
“You see?” she said sweetly. “The magic agrees.”
“She fulfilled her vow!” Loki shouted, cradling me against him. “She put the bracers into your hands!”
“She swore to give them to me,” Angrboda snapped. “They are on her body. They are bound to her soul. They are not mine. She cannot leave this room with them. Not without breaking her word.”
Loki went pale.
He looked down at me, then slowly turned back to Angrboda. “So she is trapped.”
Angrboda’s grin widened. “And so are you. You swore not to leave her. You cannot fulfill your vow until the bracers are mine. And until that moment, you are bound here too.”
I felt the weight of it—of both our oaths pulling tight like a noose. The magic had not killed either of us. But we were not free. Not her. Not me. Not Loki.
The vows had locked us in a kind of magical stalemate. Not fulfilled. Not broken. Just… frozen. A limbo we could not escape without tearing the whole thing apart. The oath would not crush our hearts, but it held us just as tightly.
“I cannot harm you,” Angrboda said softly. “But I do not have to help you, either. And your beloved cannot walk out of this cave without you—so he stays too.”
The horror of it settled like frost in my bones.
She studied us for a moment longer, then waved a hand with a scoff.
“Get out of my sight. Both of you. Go sulk in some shadowed corner of this mountain and figure out what to do with your pathetic little trap. You may move freely within the caves, but step outside without my permission, and I will consider it a violation of your oath. And the magic will not be so kind next time.”
Loki pulled me closer. His arms were warm, grounding, but I could feel the tremor in his hands.
We were trapped. Bound by our own promises. And Angrboda knew it.
We walked in silence the whole way. I could feel him thinking—his thoughts heavy and focused—but mine were too tangled to even begin sorting through. Honestly, I was amazed he managed to find our room at all. My head was a mess, and everything around me felt like a blur.
As soon as we stepped inside, I crossed the room and stood by the fireplace. The flames danced softly, casting a gentle light across the stone walls—but I didn’t feel their warmth. Only the cold weight pressing against my ribs. The baby. The bracers. The secrets I still hadn’t told him. I could sense Loki behind me, his presence quiet and steady, but the words just wouldn’t come. Not yet. I still had time before I’d start to show. There had to be a way to fix this before then. There had to be.
I stared into the fire without really seeing it until I felt his arms wrap around me from behind, pulling me back into his chest. The familiar press of his body against mine. The scent of him. Safe. A subtle tingle of Seiðr passed between us—Loki quietly casting a privacy ward over the room.
“Aurora,” he whispered against my ear, his voice low and full of regret. “I am sorry. I made a mess of everything. I understand now—why you tried to stop me. Why you took that oath.”
His voice broke something in me.
I turned and buried my face against his chest, the last of my restraint slipping away. I sobbed, and he caught me without hesitation, lifting me into his lap as he sat down somewhere nearby—his arms wrapped around me like he might lose me if he let go.
“Please, do not cry,” he whispered, sounding stricken. “We will find a way through this. But thanks to you, she cannot harm us. Yes, we cannot leave yet… but she cannot separate us either.”
He thought I was crying about our current situation. I didn’t have the heart to tell him otherwise. So I let him hold me, let the tears run their course until I could finally breathe again. And when I did—when I could finally look at him—I noticed the bruises still scattered across his face.
“You’re still hurt,” I said softly, reaching up to touch one.
He gave me a small smile. “In my rush to return, I did not take the time to heal.”
I summoned my Seiðr, but he caught my hand gently.
“My love, we are both exhausted. Let us do this together.”
I nodded, and we let our Seiðr merge. I let him guide the flow, and within moments the bruises faded from his skin. I felt the relief roll off him like a soft exhale, even as the effort left us both slumped and drained.
I pulled two of Lady Eir’s potions from my void storage and handed him one. We drank in silence.
He raised an eyebrow at me.
I shrugged. “The vault wasn’t the only thing I looted.”
That made him laugh—really laugh—and I let myself smile at the sound.
“How’s Thor?” I asked after a moment.
His face dropped slightly. “He is alive. I reached the camp in time for them to stabilize him. The best war healers were already working on him when I left. He is strong—you know that. I believe he will survive.”
He meant it. But I could still feel the flicker of fear he hadn’t let go of.
We sat quietly for a moment, letting everything settle. Then he reached for my hand and gently pushed my sleeve back, his fingers brushing over the filigree pattern that shimmered faintly in my skin where the bracers once sat.
“How did this happen?” he asked, his eyes searching mine.
“I had to take them,” I said quietly. “Your mother stopped Thor from doing it. She knew what was coming. She told me she’d seen a vision of me wearing them—but she had to wait until I took them on my own. Something about interference… that if she acted too soon, the bracers might still kill me.”
I didn’t go into detail. It still hurt too much.
But I saw the understanding in his eyes. Acceptance. He didn’t question me. He just kept tracing the faint silvery filigree etched into my skin where the bracers had fused to me.
“Have you used your new abilities much?” he asked gently.
I shook my head. “Not really. Just a little, on the way to the camp. And when I freed you.”
He smiled. “Then I look forward to discovering them with you.”
I wanted to smile back. I wanted to feel hope. But it felt so far away.
“Anything else that’s different?” he asked softly.
He was worried—I could feel it, even without my empathy working the way it used to. And I knew I had to give him something.
“I’m… not the same,” I admitted. “There’s been a lot of change, and I haven’t figured out how to process it all yet. I just… need time.”
He leaned in and kissed the tip of my nose. “I will not push. But I am here. Always.”
I gave him a small smile. “Thanks. There is one difference, though. My empathy… it’s changed.”
I told him how everything felt dull now. Muted. I could barely sense anyone anymore—just faint echoes at best. Except for him. He still felt as vivid and present as ever. That connection hadn’t changed.
His expression lit with curiosity, eyes bright with wonder. I could already see his mind spinning, cataloging possibilities, mentally rifling through theories and old texts.
I didn’t want to think anymore.
So I kissed him.