That was exhausting.

I collapse onto my bed in my new room, tired but happy. I just explored the entire ladies' home with Liv, and a small part of the city after that. We were forced to return home before I could actually see much, but I did see several places that I plan to visit over the next few days, if I can. One of which was an Asgardian marketplace. The culture of Asgard is so rich and beautiful, but also similar to what I've seen in other places on Midgard. Their manner of speech is more refined than most, at least in the upper ranks. There seems to be a sort of caste system, but from what I saw, no one is unhappy about it. Apparently, one can rise in rank based on behavior and dedication and abilities, rather than being forced to stay within the rank one was born into. I found that refreshingly similar to America.

When Liv and I returned to the home, we were nearly late for supper, which was held in a formal dining room. Apparently, the girls always return to the home for supper and what Lady Dahlia referred to as "quiet time". Liv explained in a whisper that it was a half hour period for reflection and rest before supper, and that we had missed it by staying out too long. After supper, the girls have two hours of study on various subjects, and then they're free until bedtime. Since I am new here, I used the two hours for a fitting—Queen Frigga has arranged for me to be fitted with an entire wardrobe. My protests were met with a deaf ear and a smile.

I shake my head with a smile of my own. She is a good queen, and a better mother. All of the women here speak of her with fond reverence. She's like a mother to us all.

Padding feet and muffled giggles outside my closed door interrupt my thoughts. I frown and sit up. Now there are furious whispers and a few more giggles filtering through the door. Amusement and confusion fill my mind as I silently make my way to the doorway. I pause when I hear a knock, then open it. My eyes widen.

All of the young women I met earlier today, along with two more, are standing outside my door, all wearing nightgowns and bright smiles.

I blink. "Uh...hi." A couple of the girls giggle again, and Liv steps forward, grinning and looking around as though watching for someone.

"May we come in?" she asks. I hesitate, then nod, opening the door widely to accommodate them all. The ladies file in quickly, looking over their shoulders, and once they're all inside, Liv motions for me to shut it. I do so, growing suspicious.

"Y'all aren't supposed to be here, are you?"

Liv gives me a slightly odd look, and I realize it probably took her a moment to figure out what "y'all" means. But she answers readily. "Ah...not exactly. But this is something we do every time a new person joins the home."

I notice now that the girls are making themselves at home-sitting on the bed, floor, windowsill, and chair at my desk. I take this in with amusement. Apparently everyone is used to treating others' rooms as their own. "What do you mean?"

"The secrets ritual." The one named Fluir, who is sitting primly at my desk, speaks up. I frown.

"The what?"

"The secrets ritual!" the shorter girl pipes up. I think her name is Asta? Astrid? I don't remember. "It's-"

"We will all share a secret about ourselves, and trust each other to keep that secret," Eira interrupts, giving me a rather cold stare as though challenging my trustworthiness. I can't blame her for that. I think for a moment as all the girls watch expectantly. Then I shrug.

"Well, alright. As long as I won't get in trouble for this."

"I'll see that you don't." The woman with wings smiles kindly at me. I smile back, trying not to stare at the beautiful appendages on her back.

"Thank you." I step forward and sit on the floor next to Liv, facing the others. "So, how does this work? We all take turns telling secrets?"

One of the girls I've not yet met, a young woman with straight blonde hair that reaches to the middle of her back and blue eyes, shakes her head. "We should all introduce ourselves first."

I nod. "That's probably a good idea." I look around with a smile. "I'm pretty sure you all know this, but my name is Victoria. And...uh, I'm not sure if you know this, but I was raised on Midgard. So if my actions and speech seem...unrefined, that's why." I look down, rather embarrassed.

The girls stare at me, various looks of shock and amazement on each face. Only two of them don't look very surprised. One is Liv, and the other is the second girl I've not yet met. Her unusually short black hair only reaches just past her shoulders, just like mine, and her hazel eyes sparkle in my direction. The girl with straight blonde hair hair looks at her. "Is she the one you were telling us about?" Her voice is full of shock, and I frown. Wait...what?

The black-haired one nods, excitement written on her features. "Yes, she is." She turns back to me. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Vikki."

I stare at her in amazement. "How..." I look at Liv. "Did you tell her my nickname?"

Liv shakes her head, a grin on her face. "She does that to everyone. You'll get used to it."

I turn my dumbfounded stare back to the new girl, whose face has colored slightly. "Oh, I'm sorry," she apologizes. "I forgot to use your full name..."

"How in the Nine Realms did you know my nickname?"

The girl glances around at the others, then back to me. "I can see into the future."

I gape at her, ignoring the grins on the faces of every other person in the room. "W-what?"

Amusement fills her eyes, along with sympathy. "I'm sorry, Victoria. Perhaps we should start over again, and then I can explain myself."

I nod slowly, and the girl smiles at me. "My name is Noma Raynordottir. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

I smile uncertainly back. "I'm Vikki."

Noma looks to the other girl I haven't met, who in turn smiles at me. "My name is Leyja Erlingdottir. It's a pleasure."

I nod and smile back, and each girl in turn introduces herself again. Once everyone is properly introduced, I turn back to Noma. "So...how do you know me?"

Noma looks at me. "I have...dreams, I suppose you could say, of the future. Some are of minor events, and others are of major events. I've had many dreams of late of a young Asgardian woman who was raised on Midgard coming to live here."

My eyes widen. "But...how do you know it's me?"

Noma smiles. "I saw you specifically."

I blink. "Just how much do you know about me?"

Noma's smile widens, but another girl-Andromeda Corindottir-is the one who responds. "Don't ask that! I made that mistake once. Just remember she knows more about you than you know about yourself."

I blink again, then shake my head. "Call me foolish, but I'll most likely ask again later," I say to Noma, who nods understandingly.

"Most do. But please don't become angry if I can't answer all of your questions. I must protect the future." For a moment, I see sorrow in her eyes. And I instantly understand.

"If you need me not to ask questions, just say the word and I'll never ask again."

This doesn't seem to surprise her, but she smiles gratefully. "Thank you." Our eyes meet, and a mutual understanding passes between us. We share the same burden, though in different forms.

"Well, the longer we're here, the more likely it is we'll get caught," Eira says briskly. "Are we going to share our secrets or not?"

Liv rolls her eyes. "You just want to share yours so you can shock Vikki."

Eira juts her chin in the air. "Tell me you wouldn't."

Liv glares at her. "You always share yours first, anyway. Why don't we switch it up this time?"

I step in, trying to break it up. "Why don't we just go clockwise? I can start, and then we all go in order from my left."

Eira looks disgusted. "I'll be next to last!"

I shrug. "I don't think I'll be any less shocked." I huff a laugh. "Actually, being that I grew up on Midgard, everything you say will most likely come as a surprise."

Eira huffs, but goes silent. I smile gratefully at her, and then begin. "Well, um...you all know that I come from Midgard...do any of you know why I am here, and how I discovered I am Asgardian?"

Most of the girls shrug or shake their heads. Zora frowns, seeming concerned. "You didn't know you were Asgardian while growing up?"

I shake my head. "No, my parents never told me." I glance away, my voice quieter than a moment before. "I was kidnapped before they could."

"Kidnapped?" Fluir sounds horrified. I look up at her and nod.

"Yes. I was kidnapped by Prince Loki on Midgard."

Now all of the girls look shocked, except Noma, of course. Even Eira is horrified. "Why would he do such a thing?"

I frown, looking around at them all. "None of you know what he actually did, do you?"

They shake their heads, but Liv looks a little nervous. "Perhaps we aren't supposed to."

I look at her. "Well...you make a good point. Would it be wrong of me to tell you what he did to me?"

Liv looked to the others for the answer. Noma spoke up. "The point of this ritual is that we earn each others' trust. If you do not want to tell us, then you do not have to. But if you want to, your secret will not leave this room."

I look at her with new understanding. Of course. What an interesting way to accept a new member. "Thank you. I think I would like to share."

Noma nods, and the others look at me expectantly. I take a deep breath, wondering how much I should divulge. "Well, I actually was only caught because of my own stupidity. I was snooping around in a place that I shouldn't have been, and I wound up in the wrong place at the worst possible time-I just happened to step into Loki's underground lair by accident, and his men found me and knocked me out." The young ladies all have a mixture of shock and confusion on their faces. I can't help but smile a little. "If I'm not making any sense, please tell me."

"What is 'knocked out'?" Astra asks. I blush.

"Oh, sorry. It means I was hit on the head, and fell unconscious." Some of the confusion clears from her face, and after a brief moment of silence, I continue. "When I woke up, I was on the ground in front of Loki, and he very nearly used his scepter to control my mind. It was then that I discovered my ability to become invisible, and because of that, Loki decided to train me instead of killing me. So I wound up with more weapons training in one week than I'd ever head in my entire life, as well as learning to control my magic."

Eira doesn't look happy, but I'm not sure why. "What all did he teach you?"

"Well, he taught me a few tricks with my magic. Like this." I flick my wrist, and Loki's dagger appears in my hand. The girls gasp, eyes wide. Noma and Eira look the most shocked.

"That belongs to him! I recognize it!" Eira says, sounding angry. I look up at her, startled.

"Yes, it's Loki's. How did you know?"

"Because we were betrothed!"

Author's Note: I hope you're enjoying this! I still have a lot of surprises up my sleeve, so watch out. I'm obviously not afraid of cliffhangers, but there's a lot more in store. This, in comparison, is minor. Hehe.

I love you all 3,000!

Signing off, AuthorsDream.