I closed a hand over my bruised arm and shut my eyes tightly. I wouldn't cry. I couldn't. If I cried, he would notice me. And if he noticed me, the tortures would begin again. As if he hadn't already done enough to me.

"We have given him all you demanded." Someone's whiny voice assaulted my ears and I wished I could swat him away like a fly.

"If you have given him everything, why is he requesting an audience with me?" I shuddered at the voice I knew all too well. The one who claimed to love me, but only brought death and destruction into my life. He had started with my family, and now he had begun on me.

A sigh. "Bring him in, then."

He disappeared and I curled into a tighter ball. It was cold here, but if I complained he would hurt me again.

A man wearing green and gold and sporting an antler helmet confidently trekked up the massive staircase. I had heard the negotiations about what to tell him and what not to tell him. The times that my father had insisted this man was nothing more than a spoiled prince.

The staff in his hand glowed brighter each time he pounded it against the ground, and my curiosity overwhelmed my fear. I used my good arm to pull myself closer to the base of the giant, dark throne.

"Thanos," the man spoke, his voice hard. I wondered for a moment if Thanos had done the same things to him as he had done to me.

Thanos swiveled his seat slightly, to see the man at a better angle. "Loki. I've given you everything. Do you still doubt me?"

"I've come to express my gratitude for this... opportunity." He glanced to the spear in his hand.

I tried to reach a hand to scratch an itch on the side of my head, but I moved the wrong arm. A tired gasp escaped my lips.

Thanos smiled down at me, that sadistic smile that I loathed. Loki seemed to notice me for the first time, and he blinked.

I tried to keep any expression of fear from my face, but I knew I looked frightened all the same. I grasped at my bad arm again.

"It isn't often," Thanos continued, diverting his attention from me back to Loki, "that anyone thanks me for my labors."

"I have just one last request before I go."

"And there it is. They always want more. I should have killed you when I had the chance. Get it over with."

Loki looked my way again, and I thought I saw compassion before he hardened his eyes. "I want to take the girl with me."

Thanos chuckled. "No. Absolutely not."

"Then I will not go."

Thanos reached down and used one hand to pull me up into his lap. My hair caught briefly on one of his calloused fingers. He ran the edge of a finger down my cheek. I shuddered.

"She's my new favorite. And we haven't finished her training yet." He rested a hand on my head. I just wanted it all to be over. Kill me now, and save Thanos the trouble. I would beg if it wouldn't start another beating.

Loki tightened his jaw and gripped the spear until his knuckles turned white. "Allow me to teach her how to begin a glorious battle. Allow me to lend to her training."

Thanos stroked me hair thoughtfully. I could hear the growl in the back of his throat, his habit while he was seriously considering something. I closed my eyes and waited for it to be over.

"You must do exactly as he says," Thanos instructed.

My eyes shot open.

"Promise me."

I nodded. Anything to get away from this madman. Anyone was better than Thanos.

Thanos set me down on the ground and gave me a small push toward Loki. I stumbled forward and ran into his chest. I quickly steadied my bad arm and looked to the ground.

"Watch her closely. Train her well. And if you harm her, you answer to me."

I gathered my courage to look up at Loki's face, and found him staring back at me. The first thing I noticed was the half-smile spreading on his face.