Chapter 25

He felt the slap all the way to his toes. "They should put you back in a cage like the monster you are!" Bri stood before him, her grey eyes sparkling with the same storm he had become so acquainted with. His chest squeezed tightly and his breathing became shallow as he stared at her with equaled rage. He hoped that Hela and Leah were enjoying themselves. It had been three days since he had awoken to find himself back in Asgard. Well, what was meant to be Asgard.

It had not taken long for him to realize that something was not quite right. His idea was cemented when Bri had first mentioned her disgust for his Jotun form. He may have begun to question everything about their relationship but he knew very well that she adored his blue skin. It was her favorite color. The knowledge did not keep him from pain.

Each time she looked at him with revulsion he thought he would die. He continued to play the game though. Waiting for his opportunity. Neither Hela nor Leah had shown themselves but he knew he had to be in Hel. No one apart from the Chitauri could cast such strong illusions, and himself of course. Some part of him was proud of his daughter for her power as well as her ability to rip him to shreds. Every doubt he had about Bri had been probed and stabbed with a hot knife.

He would not last this mental torture much longer. The knowledge that Bri was in Asgard alone, remembering the last look he had given her, was worse than anything that Hela had yet to come up with. "Perhaps they should send you back to the primordial pit you crawled out of Midgardian." He watched as the fake Bri spun and stalked off.

Just as she turned down another path in the garden he noticed it, a small shimmer just above a pond. Finally. A break in the illusion. He strolled to it, doing his best to look enraged and as if he wished to take a dip in the water to calm himself. The scene did not shift as he walked into the cool liquid. Magic surrounded him. With one final glance backwards he threw himself into the portal, sure that he had heard a scream as his head disappeared under the surface.

"I have located him." Heimdall stood on the platform leading to the sparring pit. Bri froze mid-swing then fell to one knee as she missed blocking Lady Sif's. Lady Frigga stood from her place on a far bench, having sparred with Bri earlier. Each of the ladies looked at each other in turn then to Heimdall. "He has appeared in Jotun and makes his way here. I believe he will be here by sundown."

Bri breathed heavily as she nodded, unsure what she would say if she tried to speak. Her hand came up to awkwardly stroke her long ponytail. She hadn't washed it in two days. If he was really going to be there then she wanted to look her best. The markings on her arms caught her attention and her emotions caught in her throat.

"Is he well?" Lady Frigga regained herself before anyone else, stepping forward and smiling brightly.

"He does not seem to have any injuries my Queen."

"Do you have any idea where he might have been?"

"I believe in Hel my Lady."

Frigga sighed. "Then he may be in need of a different form of healing." She glanced at Bri to see how she was taking the news. Her face betrayed no feelings but her tattoos had become a dark blue that glowed against her pale skin and she was tugging on her long curls distractedly. "We shall let him go where he wishes. He will undoubtedly wish to spend the night in his own quarters before rejoining us."

With a nod Heimdall returned to his post, followed by Lady Sif. It was long minutes before anyone else moved. Lady Frigga came to stand just behind Bri with her hand on her shoulders. "Do you wish to change your rooms before he arrives?"

Bri turned to look at her queen with tears in her eyes but a stubborn set to her pouty lips. "Yes. But I will stay." Her voice cracked but she stood resolute. "I think I will spend the time preparing myself…" She nodded respectfully then rushed off to her rooms, gulping back the tears that threatened to spill over.

Three days. It had been three days since she had last seen him but the vision of him was seared into her brain. The way he had stared at the floor rather than see her Jotun-like form. She was leaving frosty footsteps in the hallway as she made her way to her room. All she wanted was a shower and to dress herself, maybe to make her hair presentable. If she was lucky she might have a long sleeve dress that could hide her shame.

She still smelled like winter when she stepped out of the bath though she had used nearly an entire bottle of rose soap. It had to be her nerves. She just needed to relax, maybe take a nap. The idea of screaming seemed decent enough but then the guards might here her and rush in to see her in only a towel.

There was nothing in her closet that would work. All of it was plain. She wanted to look ravishing when she saw him again. Her heart squeezed in her chest at the thought of having him wrap her in his arms again. To press her against him and rest her head on his chest to hear his heart beat. She wanted things to be back to normal again.

She chuckled to herself as she turned to look towards her trunk. Dagmar sometimes put her things there after they had been washed. Instead of her usual clothing though she saw a pile of light blue clothes with a note laid atop. Her heart thudded against its cage and her breathing became short as she stumbled towards it, tears pricking her eyes.

My Pet,

I long to see you in this dress. I believe it will match well with your new coloring. Try not to trip over the skirt.

The material was softer than silk and flowed about as if it were water when she picked it up. It had a long skirt that flowed around her ankles. The straps were thin and led to a plunging back that would show off most of her markings. It left no doubt that he wanted to see them, to inspect them. She dawned the dress with shaky hands, smoothing the fabric before setting herself in front of her mirror. If he wanted to see her tattoos then she would oblige him. A small laugh burst out when she saw two silver hair sticks appear. Apparently he had the same idea.