When Darkness Falls - LOKI - Book One (Editing)

17. Deadlands ✓

     Despite every bit of unease in her body, Athelia found herself at the Bifrost. She had no intention of joining her future husband on his last-minute trip, but she couldn't ignore the sincerity behind the hand-written request she had found on her bedside when she woke that morning. 

    She twisted at her binds as she waited for Thor to appear, ignoring Heimdal's gaze. The burning in her scarred flesh had become much more uncomfortable, and she couldn't help but dwell on Loki's touch - the way the frost had spread from his fingers through her body all but left her lungs begging for air. 

     And no matter how hard she tried, it wouldn't go away. 

     Her fingers numbed with every thought of him, and she forced back the smile that threatened her when she thought about the state she had left him in. She had gotten somewhere. They hadn't spoken more than twice since he had tried to kill her, but for some reason, he had let her see him in his most vulnerable form, and that had given her the hope she had so desperately needed to continue with Frigga's plan.

     Thor's heavy footsteps finally echoed throughout the dome. She pulled her gaze away from the sea and back to Thor, who stood there in his armored glory - a surprised look on his face.

     "You came?"

     "I did," she said to him. "Though, if I'm being honest, I was beginning to think you changed your mind." 

     "My apologies," he gave her a small smile. "I would have been here sooner, but Lady Siff would not allow me to pull Freya from her training without showing her a proper duel." He laughed and glanced over his shoulder at her neophyte standing still on the bridge. 

     "Freya?" Athelia questioned, instantly feeling even more unease. 

     Athelia hadn't seen her young neophyte in days, and though she was confident the young girl was no longer angry with her, she couldn't help feel a distance between them. Thor stepped to the side, and Athelia glanced down the bridge and watched as Freya peered down over the edge at the calm seas below them. It was strange to see the girl out of her armor, but the loose black silk that swept around her didn't hinder the fierce beauty she held. Athelia had only wished that instead of the loose curls that hung over Freya's shoulders, her hair had been pulled back into the tight braids she had worn proudly since the day they met. 

     "What is she doing here?"

     Thor looked back at her. "I told her you wanted her to come."

     "Why would you do that?"

     "She misses you."

      Athelia didn't know how to react to his words, so she nodded, knowing that rejecting his sentiment in front of Freya would only push her further away. Athelia straightened as Freya finally joined them in the center of the dome. Athelia watched as her young neophyte gave Fandal a warm smile, and to her surprise, he returned the gesture, his eyes grazing Athelia's stoned expression before turning to Thor - the smile quickly falling. 

     "Heimdall." Thor waved his hand towards the sword, and though the golden guardian did not look pleased, he twisted the blade.

     Thor held out his hand, and Athelia, still hesitant, took hold of his warm fingers and reached out to Freya, who hesitantly looked down. 

     "Are we ready?" Thor looked between them and pulled them in as they nodded. Freya had no choice but to grab hold of Athelia's hand, and Thor was quick to wrap his arms tight, holding his hammer against Athelia's back as they stepped forward into the beam of colorful light. 

      It happened in a flash. Athelia's eyes were closed tight, ignoring the rushing colors around her as she tried to push away the sinking feeling in her chest. She had only ridden the Bifrost twice, and each time, she nearly hacked all over the place when they landed, just like she wanted to do now.

     Freya was still laughing as Athelia stumbled away. Her eyes were still closed as she keeled over, clutching her stomach as she inhaled deeply. Thor laughed as she muttered to herself, but she waved her hands at the two cackling hyenas next to her, who found the fierce warrior's weakness far too amusing.

      Athelia's eyes shot open just as Freya's laughing stopped abruptly. Neither of the girls understood where Thor had taken them until they tasted the sharpness of the air on their tongue. Their lungs burned as they sucked in the long-forgotten air, and Atheli'as lip trembled as she watched Freya break down right in front of them, tears of uncontrollable joy falling down her face.

     "You brought us home?" She asked, her hands covering her mouth as she waited for him to confirm.

     The dark black sands stretched for as far as the eye could see. There were no mountains or landmarks to confirm her suspicions, but the air alone had told her exactly what she wanted to know.

     "I thought you would be happy to be here," Thor whispered as he walked up slowly next to her. "I hope I didn't upset you."

     Athelia's lips pursed, and she shook her head. 

      She couldn't find the words in her to reply, but she slowly looked up at him and, without hesitation, stood up on her toes and pressed her lips to his cheek. "You didn't upset me," she told him and took hold of his hand - squeezing it gently. 

     Athelia pulled away from Thor and let him take in her home. It was nothing as he had imagined it to be, but then again, they were as far from civilization as possible. They were hundreds of miles away from the sea and hundreds of miles away from her home, but yet, she still smiled. 

     "Thank you, Thor," she told him. "It truly means the world to me." 

     "There's no need to thank me. I know you how badly you wanted to to see your people, but this was all I could get Heimdall to agree to."

     "And your father?"

     "He's taking care of business on Ria, but he will be back shortly. So we don't have a lot of time."

     Thor watched as her beautiful smile fell, and she walked a few steps ahead. The light grey dress whipped about in the never-ending wind, and he couldn't help but notice that though her hair was flying about, the sand she stood upon did not move.

    "We call this place the deadlands. My father used to bring me out here when I was young."

     "Deadlands?" Thor questioned. "Sounds - a bit dangerous?"

     "Many wars were won right where we are standing. The ground is quick here. If you stand still for too long, it will swallow you up." Thor looked at her quizzically, but she nodded towards his feet, and he looked down. The soles of his boots were being sucked under, and he jumped forward, his eyes quickly searching for Freya, who was nearly a field away. "She's okay. Surviving the Deadlands is one of the very first tasks a neophyte must complete."

     "She doesn't seem as happy as I thought she'd be." Thor strolled next to Athelia, who had set after the young neophyte. "You don't either."

      Athelia shook her head. "I must admit that it hurts being so close to them but not being able to see."

       "I'm sorry," he muttered, scratching the back of his neck. "I should have thought this through. It was -

     "Don't apologize," she said quickly with a smile. " It's perfect. I will never be able to repay your kindness."

     "Well, you can start by not running off on me." He laughed as he nodded towards Freya, who disappeared at full speed over and thanks.

     Athelia laughed. "I have a feeling she's going to Geirsa."

     "Where's that?"

     "I'll show you." She held her hand out to him with a smile, and he eyed her delicate fingers with a sense of hesitation only for a moment before he wrapped his large hand around hers and let her show him how a Dorian travels.

12/13/21 - Grammarly Check. Edits & Updates.