Chapter 14

The early bright morning sun dragged Imogen from her slumber, and the Queen groaned before she opened her eyes. Her body ached. She was still slumped against tree, her lower back sore as she leaned forward. Gods, that was not comfortable.

Instinctively, she glanced beside her, to where she remembered Elga to have fallen asleep beside her – but there was no one there. She'd gone.

Standing up slowly, Imogen cursed her stupidity. She was the Queen – gods knew there was any kind of price over her head. Elga could have done anything while Imogen had slept! She wouldn't have blamed her for it either, after seeing how far Elga had fallen from grace. Women did desperate things when the time called for it.

Imogen dusted off her skirts lightly as she started to trudge back the way she'd come the night before, retracing her steps. In the daylight, the full scale of the damage to the fishing port was obvious. It was harrowing – Thor had been this distraught? Imogen's eyes lingered on the shattered remains of the shacks. They weren't just flooded, they'd been knocked down. The surge of water must have been incredible. Thor's storms must have been incredible. His grief must have been incredible.

Her heart twanged with guilt as she thought of Thor… but sank away again as she remembered where he'd spent the night. Still, she had to go back now.

Her mind phased out as she walked back, and she numbly knew she would have to think of some excuses before she got back. As to where she'd been. What she'd been doing. She'd have to put a brave face on it, hide her heartbreak.

That was the plan at least, as she made her way back through the streets, too early for many people to be bustling about. Traders were setting up stalls, but nobody was shopping yet.

Glancing at the rising sun on the horizon, Imogen knew she should feel guilt, anxiety, dread – all sorts of things for staying up and out the whole night…but she didn't. She felt nothing. Like she was numb. Too miserable and tired to think of excuses and feel scared. She put it out of her mind, pretended it wasn't real.

Only that didn't help her by the time she had dragged herself to her and Thor's chambers and she found herself hovering outside the door, pondering. She had nothing to tell him. What would she do? Make it up, was the best she could think of. She'd just have to improvise when Thor asked her the inevitable questions.

She took a deep breath, hoping she found him inside, and at the same time, hoping she didn't. If he was there, at least he'd come back to her eventually. But she didn't was to face him.

She had to sooner or later though. There was no escaping it; she sighed heavily in defeat and pushed the door open.

She'd half hoped to find Thor inside, maybe getting dressed in his armour, sat on the bed waiting for her. Imogen staggered to an abrupt halt when she found something very different instead: Shelby, cradled in the arms of a podgy woman sat on Thor and Imogen's bed, the infant latched on to her breast. Imogen's jaw dropped in shock.

For a moment, she just stared, time almost frozen. Shelby was content as she drank quietly from the woman's breast, the wet nurse gazing down tranquilly at the feeding infant. Imogen's throat went dry: nobody had ever fed Shelby but herself…until now.

Finally, she remembered to breathe and sucked in a gasping breath, though she was still rooted to the spot in shock. Her ragged gasp was enough to draw attention to herself though – the wet nurse snapped her head up sharply, arms tensing a touch around the infant. Shelby kept feeding. The woman's eyes scoured over Imogen. She knew who she was, no question about it – especially as her face paled.

Utter shock had Imogen paralysed. A wet nurse feeding her child… that had never before happened. Even when Imogen had been somewhat dismissive of Shelby, it had always been her – and only her – that had cared for her. Now this woman was here instead.

Why?

Her throat was parch dry, her head light and spinning. Gods, was Thor throwing her out already? Replacing Shelby's care in the hands of wet nurses instead of her own mother? Had he decided overnight then – that Linda was his choice, preparing to wipe Imogen from the picture already. After one night…

Tears pricked at Imogen's eyes, hot and threatening, but she blinked furiously. No, she growled in her head, not Shelby. He could do anything to her, but she wouldn't let him take her baby.

A fierce desire to protect her child swept through her, firing her veins with rage and love for her daughter. She would fight to the death before she let Thor wrench Shelby away from her. No way. Never. Shelby was her baby, and only she looked after her – and only she would feed her.

Imogen's eyes narrowed hostilely with her quickly growing fury. "What in Odin's name are you doing?!" the words came out low and deadly. Scary.

She frightened herself.

And obviously the wet nurse too – she rose quickly, the infant still in her arms. She quickly pulled Shelby off her breast though, putting some distance between her and the baby.

The same as last night, the urge to step forward and snatch the baby in front of her overwhelmed Imogen's system – but this time she didn't fight it. It was her baby this time. She didn't hesitate for a second: Imogen strode forward and grabbed her baby back out of the woman's arms.

She clutched the child to her closely, hand cupping the back of Shelby's head. Shelby howled instantly, parted from her food. Imogen tried to ignore the stab of pain as her baby called for the other woman.

The wet nurse looked ashen and anxious. Rightly so, Imogen thought venomously in her head. "Your Majesty-"

"Get out."

Imogen cut her off with those two quiet, curt words as she stiffly rocked her screaming daughter. She'd feed her more in a moment.

The wet nurse didn't move though, tucking herself back into her dress. She didn't take her eyes off the Queen, looking dangerous – almost to the point of madness as she clung to her infant daughter.

Then something inside Imogen snapped: "Get out!" she screamed it with everything she had, only making Shelby howl harder. Gods, her shout could probably be heard half way across the palace! This time, the wet nurse didn't hesitate – she scurried past Imogen quickly, avoiding her eye.

Until she got to the doorway and a very angry looking thunder god blocked her passage.

The wet nurse backed up a few steps as her master appeared in the doorway, glancing back over her shoulder. She was caught between the angry couple.

Imogen's eyes widened as her eyes landed on her husband, turned sideways towards him. The rage was temporarily washed down with fear at his thunderous expression…but it didn't stay that way: her eyes narrowed afresh as she geared up for a fight. With that look in Thor's eyes, there was definitely going to be a fight.

But she was ready for that. He'd ripped her apart enough and left her so broken she had nothing left to lose. That made her formidable.

Her arms rocked Shelby, trying to soothe the screaming infant clutched to her front. Her feed would have to wait now, but Imogen didn't dare let her go. As if the moment Shelby was out of her sight, Thor might whisk her daughter away forever. She felt safer in her arms; Imogen could protect her there.

She knew she looked awful; dress dirty from staying sleeping against a tree, hair ruffled, face pale…but she felt strong enough to face her husband. And as Shelby's cries slowly muffled against Imogen's breast, she took heart from the clinging infant.

Thor was stone still, just staring at his wife with his fists clenched at his side, eyes blazing like wild fire. She'd never seen him this angry before – at anyone, let alone her!

Imogen remembered when she would antagonise Thor when they'd first met, how his angry eyes and gritted teeth had sent waves of excitement - bordering on fear - through her system. It had just made him all the hotter. Now though, there was no excitement. Only fear. He was terrifying.

Everything inside her was itching to lower her eyes and cower at the god's feet, knowing that pleading for his mercy was probably her best chance of lessening his fury.

But she couldn't do that. Her pride wouldn't let her.

And why should she? Plead for his mercy like she'd done something wrong – he was the one at fault here, not her!

For a moment nobody moved but Imogen, gently rocking the baby in her arms. Shelby cooed softly into the front of her dress, tiny fist curled against Imogen's bosom. Imogen held onto the infant tightly; her baby was the only reason she came back. Not her cheating husband.

Imogen's blazing eyes were linked with Thor's molten crystal ones, both silently exchanging their absolute fury, weighing up the other. Then Thor remembered the wet nurse. "Out." He said stiffly, a single terse syllable.

The wet nurse scurried out past him without question.

Then there was the silence.

Imogen held her breath as Thor stepped further inside the room and closed the door behind him, not taking his eyes off her once. She didn't move.

Her eyes raked over him; he looked as pristine and perfect as ever with his armour, incredible eyes, golden hair, flawless physique … and he'd shared it all with another woman last night, forsaking Imogen, his wife. Gods, how could she forgive him?

Thor's eyes bore into her, as he held his ground, trying to think of words to frame around his brutal, mindless anger flooding his veins. Finally, he found a few; "Where were you?" he forced out between gritted teeth, fists clenched tight at his sides.

Imogen didn't move.

She wanted to ask it – to turn the question on its head and demand Thor to answer it instead. To tell her to her face what he had been doing, instead of sneaking behind her back, like she was too foolish to know what was going on. She deserved the truth at least. She was worth that much, worth his honesty if not his fidelity.

But as soon as she tried, the words stuck in her throat. How could she demand to know if he'd spent the night between a whore's thighs? What if the answer wasn't one she liked? Gods, she knew it wouldn't be. And it would kill her. Her heart balked; she couldn't do it.

Her anger faded quickly as she realised it, eyes falling away from his in shock. There wasn't much that could quell her – but this matter had. Easily.

What had Thor done to her to make her so weak?

Her lips hovered open, once ready to interrogate her husband's confession of disloyalty…now they just betrayed her fluster.

And Thor didn't have the patience to wait for her now; he strode an additional step forward, more furious than Imogen had ever seen him – even more so than when they'd been in the barn.

"I won't ask again, Imogen." He said in a deadly voice – he never used that voice on her. It sent ripples of cold fear racing up and down Imogen's spine. Coupled with his wild eyes, it was terrifying! "Now you tell me where you were last night, and if I don't like the answer then so help me…"

Why did he care?

Imogen snapped her mouth shut, narrowing her eyes defensively. Did he just threaten her? His tone did, even if his words didn't.

"I'm surprised you even noticed I was gone." Imogen snapped back in response. "Was Linda's bed not enticing enough for you to stay until sunrise?"

If that was true, then that was more diabolical of the thunder god than Imogen had believed him capable of: warming up with a whore, just to finish what he'd started with his wife instead? Sickening. Just sickening. But who knew what he was capable of lately.

Thor's eyes narrowed dangerously. Imogen didn't fail to notice the way his fists were clenching and unclenching at his sides – usually a tell-tale sign that he was going to hit something. Would it be her? She was the one angering him after all. A single blow of his would cave her head in and kill her. Maybe that would be what he wanted though – marrying Linda and taking Shelby would be much easier to do if Imogen was simply dead.

She didn't move though, daring him. She would never back down. Her chin tipped up proudly; if he was going to strike her, Imogen would face him squarely. Not cowering. Not whimpering. Not begging. She wasn't afraid of him.

Well… not as much as she should be, in any case.

Thor clicked his neck, clearly clinging to the thin shreds of patience he had left under her taunts. "I was at the tavern." He hissed furiously at his wife. "The Warriors Three returned from their ventures victorious last night and I celebrated with them."

The blood drained from Imogen's face in a heartbeat – as well as her proud, stubborn expression. Her face fell, eyes roundening with horror as she listened to what he said.

And believed him.

She cast her mind back to last night; had the maid even mentioned Linda when she'd passed on Thor's message? No… no, she hadn't. She'd just said he wasn't coming back. There was no evidence to point him in Linda's direction other than her own paranoia. And if what he said was true…

Vaguely, in the back of her mind, Imogen remembered something about the Three's mission. On top of that, she remembered the extra ordinary rowdiness of the tavern last night as she'd wondered through the streets. It had been that louder-than-usual noise that had driven her so close to the outskirts of the city in the first place. Things were starting to piece together – but not in her favour.

Her heart started to hammer with panic in her chest as her eyes met Thor's again, now wide and dreading. Thor's hadn't changed though, still mercilessly angry.

"I came home early this morning expecting to find my wife and child sleeping soundly in my chambers." He went on in an ominous tone. "But when I got here, that was not the case. Shelby was screaming into the night like the hounds of Hel were on her heels, and you," he near growled. "You were nowhere to be found."

Imogen's eyes snapped down to the floor, unable to hold Thor's blazing gaze any longer as he advanced another menacing step and she actually started to feel fearful of him.

"When I asked the maids, they said they had not seen you since before sunset."

Imogen gulped.

She was frozen under her husband's gaze as he closed the gap between them and towered over her, so she was staring down at his boots. She didn't dare move.

Her breaths sounded impossibly loud to her ears. Gods, what the hell would he do? It took everything in her to keep from trembling like a leaf before him. She'd seen him fight. She'd seen him yell. She knew she didn't stand a chance. He could do anything to her…and it was her mistake that had brought it down upon herself.

"I said I wouldn't ask again."

Imogen's heart was racing as she shifted her body to face Thor front on so Shelby was between them, eyes still averted - Thor would never hurt Shelby.

She didn't hold out much hope it would work forever though; "I went out." She breathed, thankful at least that her voice didn't shake.

She held her breath.

"You…went out?"

He sounded furious. Imogen nodded simply.

"Where?"

She cursed her voice as the words died in her throat and she had to try again; "The forest." She croaked. "By the coast."

"Where you with anyone?"

Imogen's mind raced. "No." If Thor knew about Elga, he'd be even angrier – if that was even possible! Still, the idea that Imogen had ditched her starving baby girl to go talk with her enemy, who Thor had landed in jail for her sake…yes, even she could appreciate how awful that was.

She'd just been afraid of losing her, planning how to stop Thor from taking her away. Now she might have driven him to do just that. How foolish…

"Did you feed Shelby before you left?"

Imogen's heart skipped a beat – she shook her head, screwing her eyes shut. Shit, that was why she was in so much trouble. If she had fed Shelby before she'd gone, she might have just gotten away with it. Shelby might have been satisfied for a little longer. The fact that she'd been neglected all evening, then all night, completely alone, hungry… no wonder the infant had been screaming.

In retrospect she couldn't understand what had possessed her to leave in the first place. She'd forgotten Shelby. Because she'd assumed Thor had fled to Linda's bedchambers. How could she… she'd left her baby alone and starving to go out on a midnight stroll and sleep soundly against a tree with a woman she loathed, and vice versa. Shelby hadn't crossed her mind. Not in that way anyway.

She'd been so selfish; what kind of a mother was she? If that was what she did to her child, perhaps it was a blessing she hadn't been able to have another…

Out of the corner of her eye, Imogen spotted Thor rake his hand through his hair, a frustrated sigh leaving him.

"Do you know how reluctant I was to call for a wet nurse?" the god breathed quietly. "We'd agreed how to raise Shelby long ago, but then you do this…do you see? – I had no choice."

Imogen believed it – but she didn't want to accept it. Her head snapped up, eyes narrowed afresh. "I would have come back-"

"But how was I to know that?!" Thor suddenly roared, silencing her in an instant. "You were gone! You had been for the whole night. I was told Shelby hadn't fed in your absence since sundown and I had no idea when – or even if – you were coming back, Imogen, so you left me no other option but to take over where you had neglected and feed our child."

Thor strode around from Imogen to the side of the bed, hand sweeping over the dresser top as he went and clearing its surface with a clang. It made Imogen jump.

"And I would do the same again." He growled, turning back to her, though Imogen didn't dare turn to see him herself. "I would not have my daughter suffer for your arrogance."

Nor would I, Imogen agreed silently in her head.

"If it comes down to it Imogen, I would choose her over you every day." Thor went on. "You are an adult. What you do is your responsibility and you must live with the consequences. But Shelby? She's a child. She needs us just to survive and you are her mother…"

Imogen screwed her eyes shut. She knew. Why did Thor have to dig the knife in? She knew she'd done unthinkable wrong and she didn't know what to do to make up for it.

Thor's hand ran through his hair again. Another laboured sigh; "Is this grief?"

That caught Imogen's attention. Her eyes snapped open and she spun around, trying to ignore the stabbing in her heart. "What?" she gasped. "How could you ask me that-"

"Because I need to know if this is permanent." Thor cut through her sternly. "I need to know if this is going to happen again, for Shelby's sake."

"It won't." flew out of Imogen's mouth thoughtlessly.

"How can I trust you?"

"I'm your wife!"

Imogen knew his response from his hard eyes long before it left his lips. "That's not enough for me anymore." He breathed. As soon as he said it, his eyes softened as if sensing how harsh his words were. He took a gentle step closer. "Imogen…" he sighed, striding calmly up to his wife. When he was right in front of her, he cupped her shoulder tenderly, staring down into her defensive violent eyes imploringly. "If this is about what happened…"

He didn't know how to phrase it – but he didn't need to. Imogen's eyes narrowed; "You think I am mad with grief?"

Thor shrugged softly. "It is better than being mad in general."

"How dare you." Imogen hissed. "He was my son-"

"He was my son too!" Thor finally snapped with a shout. Almost instantly he caught himself; his head dropped forward into his hand, fingers rubbing his temples as he went on softer: "You're not the only one who lost a child that day." He breathed, feeling his chest tight with every word. "You're not the only who suffered." His eyes flickered up, burning with the pain searing through his heart. "And you sure as hell aren't the only one who is still bearing that grief today."

Imogen's heart hardened to her husband's soulful eyes and words – she didn't care. He was turning this on their boy… that wasn't fair, bringing him into this. He had nothing to do with any of this.

This was Thor's fault. Him flirting with other women. Him nearly sleeping with Linda. Him driving her to despair…

Thor wasn't giving in though; "I mourn for our boy too." His eyes gleamed heartbreakingly. "Do you think there aren't days where I wish I could just go to the forest too? Just leave the palace and the duty behind and let my pain consume me, to suffer like I feel I deserve to…" Imogen's heart twanged as his words stung painfully familiar and she sucked in a ragged breath. "But I can't," he stressed gently. "Because I have the kingdom, and I have Shelby and I have you." Then his orbs hardened a fraction, mouth thinning as his voice stiffened: "Now, I beg you to extend the same courtesy to me."

Imogen bit subtly into the inside of her cheek, channelling the pain to fight her welling tears. Her arms tightened around Shelby protectively.

But Thor's last sentence pushed her too far and her eyes chilled hostilely, humourless, distant smile curving her lips. "You sick bastard." She breathed sweetly. Too sweetly.

It was enough to break through Thor's empathy – his eyes narrowed, chilling to ice. He'd tried to be patient, to be understanding… but Imogen just wasn't interested. The longer they talked, the longer he looked into her eyes, the more he realised – she was only interested in picking a fight.

His hand stiffened on her shoulder. "That's enough." He said sternly, meeting Imogen's gaze levelly.

Her shoulder's had relaxed with her sweet-as-sugar smile – including her arms. Thor's orbs flickered down for just a moment before his hand swiftly swept around Shelby's middle and slipped her out of Imogen's grasp.

He stepped back quickly to put distance between him and his wife, cradling Shelby firmly to his chest. The way Imogen's face fell lingered in his mind as he strode around the room, putting the bed between them.

When he turned back to her, she looked furious. His heart sank – she had every right to be. But he had no choice, he told himself.

His hand cupped the back of Shelby's head gently as he faced his wife. "I can't just let this pass, Imogen." Thor breathed darkly. "You are not well."

Imogen's teeth gritted. "I'm fine-"

"You abandoned our baby for your midnight wander!" Thor fired back, clutching Shelby tighter as the infant burst into screams at his shout. He breathed out slowly, closing his eyes, trying to calm himself. When he opened them again, he glared at Imogen. "That's why you have to go."

He watched the way his wife's face paled in a heartbeat, but he couldn't let his heart balk. He was doing the right thing. He had to keep telling himself. This was what was best for Shelby, and Imogen.. and himself.

He needed some distance from his wife after this. He didn't recognise her anymore. "You are not well, whatever you say." He said before she could snap at him. "I don't know if this is grief or if it's the pressure of Queen – I don't know… but whatever it is, I think you need some time away from it."

He just wanted her to be well. That was all. Time away from everything might do her good, time to focus, to grieve- whatever she needed to do. But most importantly, away from the public eye.

It was for Imogen's good. "You're going to go to your parents house for a week." He said firmly. "No arguments. A week and you can come back, but I need you to take some time to sort yourself out. Please."

The more he spoke, the more he felt his heart cracking, his eyes softening. He didn't want to do this. He wanted to hold his wife tight enough to drive everything that was plaguing her out of her mind, not send her away. But he couldn't help her. He'd tried and he hadn't been enough. He didn't know what to do…but he had to protect Shelby. Even from her own mother.

Imogen just shook her head in denial. "You can't do that." She murmured. "You can't send me away. I am the Queen!"

"You're making a spectacle of yourself and where is that going to land us, hm?" Thor replied quietly. He couldn't get angry now. He had to hold on to his temper. "Now, you either go right this moment or I will call the guards to escort you to the back gate where your parents can take you. Don't make me do that."

He didn't want to force her, but he would if he had to. She needed out, she needed to get away. Her mother could care for her at home, give her the normality to settle her maybe. It was Thor's best hope.

"Please, Imogen, just go." He pleaded, blinking his eyes clear. He didn't want to call the guards on his own wife, but that depended on if she gave him a choice…"Seven days is all I ask, then you can return and we can put this behind us. Please."

Imogen couldn't believe she was hearing this. Thor was ordering her away from the palace, from him, from Shelby…first step in getting her out of the way? Wait until she was out the door and then bolt the locks behind her. And he wanted to keep her child…

"Let me take Shelby." She bargained. She would go if she could take Shelby. Then Thor would be forced to take her back at some point.

Thor's eyes gleamed apologetically. "You know I can't do that." Thor said regretfully. "I can't trust you."

What could she do? Thor was willing to throw her out if she didn't comply…so whether she walked out or not, she was leaving the palace today. Thor wouldn't let her stay.

Imogen was stubborn but she wasn't stupid. The odds were against her. She couldn't win this one. She gritted her jaw tightly – she knew when she was beaten. She was leaving this palace today without Shelby, willing or not. The least she could do was leave with her dignity intact.

And if Thor kept his word, it was only a week. Seven days of keeping her head down and she could be back, child in her arms, safe. The thought that Thor might not keep his word flickered in her mind, but she couldn't help it. As much as she hated to admit it, she had no choice. Thor had backed her into a corner. There was only one way out.

The more she complied the more likely she'd get back. Everything inside her hated the idea, but she had no other option. Thor would only take her back if he thought she was well. She could only prove that by going away.

She had to leave. She had to make herself the perfect, untroubled, doting wife in seven days or she might just drive Thor into Linda's arms for good.

But she wouldn't pretend to be happy about it.

Her eyes didn't let up their venomous glare as she took a few long, slow strides alongside the bed. "Fine." She breathed.

He wanted her to go? Fine, she'd go. She'd go to her parents for seven days. But if Thor thought she'd forget this, then Thor was wrong. She wouldn't forget.. and she wasn't sure she'd forgive. But she'd do what she'd have to.

Imogen turned towards the door without another word and strode out. But I'm coming back, she added in her head.