Chapter 2


Astrid quickly wrapped her robe around her body following the loud crash. She withdrew from the hot spring and moved to investigate the crash site. Her Chitauri bodyguard seemed none the wiser about the situation. Thankfully, the crash had come from the opposite direction of her so-called protection. Astrid carefully made her exit from the hot spring area. Normally, she wasn't one for something so openly defiant, but she had a feeling the pit of her stomach that someone needed her help and she felt drawn to find them. This wasn't a normal sensation for her, but she followed it anyway.

Rock climbing wasn't her favorite activity, especially in a silk robe and sandals, but she had been trained by Thanos for far more strenuous activities. She had been trained to kill. It wasn't easy for her to kill nor did it come as easy to her as healing, but she was capable. The very thought of what she could do made her wince. She had taken more lives than she ever wanted to. Her people weren't killers. But one must do what they have to do, to survive.

Astrid scraped her knee against a rock as she squeezed through a narrow passageway, but she kept going. A little blood wasn't going to kill her. She had learned that long ago. There were far worse things that could happen. For a moment, she paused and thought of Nebula. Yes, there were far worse things. She then continued to squeeze through the narrow passage.

Once she was out of the narrow passage, Astrid began to call out to anyone who might be in the vicinity. She was certain this was near the likely trajectory...or at least the best she could calculate. "Hello? Hello?" she called. She then stopped and listened, closing her eyes to focus. A low grunting sound seemed to be coming in the distance. So, Astrid continued her search. For another ten minutes, she continued to search for the poor soul, calling out to them. Each time she seemed to be getting a little bit closer and the faint sounds grew a little louder.

The terrain of the Sanctuary was rocky and could be downright dangerous. There were several canyons and crevices that made the place quite dangerous. But Astrid had trekked this area before and she was careful to stop herself before a deep crevice. She called out again and was surprised to find the weak voice directly below her. She looked down to see something barely hanging onto a rock jutting out of the side of the rock wall. The strange creature looked up at her, his icy blue eyes practically piercing her soul. "Help me," he barely croaked out.

Dropping to her knees, Astrid reached down into the crevice. She knew that she didn't have the strength to lift him out, but she might able to give him more strength to get himself out. Healing Thanos earlier hadn't completely drained her of her powers. It was a better option than doing nothing at all.

"Grab my hand," Astrid told him.

He looked at her rather hesitantly, but he didn't have any better options. He reluctantly let go of the rock he was holding onto with one hand and reached for Astrid's hand. Astrid took hold of his hand with both of hers. His hand was frigid, but she closed her eyes to concentrate. He just needed enough to get out. If she gave him too much too fast, she would be completely sapped of her power and that wouldn't be good for either of them.

Astrid muttered the same words as she had earlier to heal Thanos. She could feel the strength leaving her and begin to surge through this strange creature. His grip on her hands tightened and Astrid opened her eyes. Already he looked much better than he had...health-wise, anyway. She softly smiled at him before her temples started to throb. She wanted to reach to massage them, but this creature was still clinging to her for dear life.

So, with all the strength she could muster she pulled. Thankfully, he recognized what she was trying to do. He worked with her to pull himself from the crevice. His face contorted in pain as he pulled his way out and he collapsed on the ground when he finally managed his way out. His breathing was rather ragged and he had numerous scrapes over his body.

He turned his head and looked at Astrid. Despite wearing a robe, she felt naked in front of him...a sensation she had never felt before. She pulled her robe tighter, trying to mask her insecurity. "Where are we?" he asked roughly between gasps of air.

Astrid's brow furrowed. After everything that had just happened and those were his first words to her. Not even a thank you? Astrid cleared her throat. "We call it the Sanctuary."

"We?" He winced in pain before he started coughing up blood. Without thinking, Astrid grabbed one of his hands and performed her healing magic. She could feel herself beginning to grow light-headed. He required far more healing than Thanos daily healing. Despite the help she had given him earlier, he was still close to death. But she continued to focus her energy and mutter the appropriate words.

She could feel him growing stronger as her energy was sapped, her body shaking violently. Just a little longer she thought. He needs to survive. She didn't know why she was so keen to save him, but she was. In the minutes she had known him, she already sensed a kindred spirit. As crazy as it sounded, she sensed a connection between them. A connection, unlike anyone she had ever known before...and she wasn't ready to lose that connection until she understood it more.

Astrid grew weak and her hands lost their grip on his. He had enough strength to sit up. She looked at him glossy-eyed and her world spinning. He was trying to say something to her, but her ears were ringing too loud. She couldn't hear what he was saying. Suddenly, there were three of him sitting before her. The last thing Astrid saw was his brow furrow and one of his hands reach toward her before she faded into unconsciousness.

The next thing Astrid knew, she was in her bed back in her room. She had no idea how she got there. She was also surprised to find Thanos sitting at her bedside. Astrid winced, expecting some sort of retribution for what she had done, but was surprised when Thanos brushed his large hand against her cheek.

"It is good to see you awake, my daughter. You haven't moved in three days. I was beginning to worry," Thanos said.

Three days? Her body must have needed to repair itself. She must have overdone it. Her body only did that when she overexerted herself. Thanos brushed her cheek once again. His gentleness was unexpected, nor was it wanted. It was repulsive, but she knew how to keep her facade up. So, Astrid softly smiled up at him.

Thanos then reached one of his hands toward her. Astrid accepted it. He extended his other hand toward her. Hesitantly, she accepted. Her brow furrowed. If what he said was true, she had just awakened after three days of her body healing itself. He couldn't possibly be asking her to do what she thought he was asking. She wasn't sure her body could handle it. She was still rather weak.

"Go on, daughter," he said gruffly.

There was a lump in her throat and tears stung at her eyes. This was all she was to him. He used the term daughter, but he only kept her close for his benefit. Deep down, she already knew as much and had for quite some time. But it was a bitter pill to swallow. Astrid cleared her throat and closed her eyes.

The words tasted sour in her mouth. Healing was supposed to be a gift, not a curse. But that was what it had become for Astrid. Her head started to hurt and her ears began to ring. Thankfully, it didn't get any worse because Thanos let go. "That's enough for now," he whispered.

It wasn't that he actually cared that he was draining her. It was the fact that if he took too much too soon, he knew she wouldn't be of use to him any longer and he needed her to keep him sharp and invincible. Astrid was key to his plan. Thanos looked at Astrid. She looked rather pale and tired, despite the fact she had slept for three days. "You must be hungry," Thanos said.

Astrid nodded her head.

"Come with me, child," Thanos said as he held her hand out to her. He knew she was weak and would need help to get to the food he had collected for her. He also wanted to keep a closer eye on her to make sure that she didn't fall into unconsciousness again so soon after healing him. If she could make it through some breakfast, he knew she would be fine.

Astrid held onto Thanos' hand as he led her across the rocky terrain to his throne and her small table beside it. He pulled the chair out for her and she gingerly sat down on it. Her body was tired and sore, but she was surprised to see a large spread of food on the table. There was bread, cheese, and fruit with a goblet of milk to drink. It felt almost like a feast spread before her.

Thanos moved to his throne and watched Astrid eat. She went for a piece of cheese first, savoring the flavor. Astrid couldn't remember the last time Thanos had brought her cheese. He knew she liked it. She then took a bite of bread.

"I wanted to thank you for the gift you brought me," Thanos mused aloud after several minutes.

Astrid stopped eating and her brow furrowed in confusion. Clearly, she hadn't a clue what he was referring to.

Thanos chuckled. "The Asgardian, child."

"Is that what he is?" Astrid asked, trying to mask the curiosity in her voice. She took another bite of fruit before she looked up at Thanos. He was looking off in the distance nodding his head. In her time with Thanos, she had never come across and Asgardian before.

"He somehow managed to stagger back with you in his arms. Did you know?"

Astrid shook her head. She also blushed. She wasn't sure why she blushed. It wasn't like it really mattered. He was probably just repaying the life debt he owed. A life for a life. She had saved him. That was probably it.

"What happened to him?" Astrid asked rather hoarsely. She didn't want to appear too eager to find out about him, but she needed to know. Past history told her that Thanos likely killed him, but she hoped otherwise.

"For saving you, I spared him."

Astrid breathed a sigh of relief. At least her sacrifice hadn't been in vain.

Thanos then continued. "And upon further contemplation, I think he will do quite nicely for what I have planned next."

It was clear that Thanos had a plan for this Asgardian, just like he had a plan for Astrid. Astrid's stomach dropped. Had she saved him only to enslave him into a life obedient to Thanos? Guilt. She felt guilty. Normally, she tried not to allow herself to feel that guilt. But she couldn't help it now.

Thanos looked at her. "I need you to help me gain his trust."

Astrid looked up at Thanos and blinked slowly. He leaned against his elbow and looked at Astrid pointedly.

"I need to make him subservient. You know what needs to be done?"

She tore her gaze away from him and nodded her head. He was going to torture the Asgardian and Astrid would heal him. Then Thanos...or his other children would torture him some more, and Astrid would once again heal him. She knew how this worked. She had done it before. She hated doing it and she didn't want to do it to the person who had saved her. For his own sake, Astrid hoped he would break quickly. It would be easier that way.

"Where is he?" Astrid asked, wiping her mouth with a napkin and pushing away from the table.

"In your workshop."

Astrid stood up and cleared her throat. "Might I be excused to start with him?"

Thanos nodded his head. "But come here first."

Astrid's heart began to beat faster. Was he already aware of her fascination with the Asgardian? She stopped in front of Thanos, trying to remain calm.

"I truly am glad you are awake, my daughter." Thanos smiled, something he rarely did. He then touched his cheek and motioned Astrid closer. Astrid pressed a kiss against his cheek before she slowly made her way to her workshop. Despite being severely weakened, this was something she needed to do on her own.


Author's Note: Here is another chapter! Yay! Haha. Thank you to everyone who has joined Astrid's journey thus far. It truly means the world to me. :)

A big shout out to my reviewers!

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