for whom the bell tolls.

Caroline couldn't even begin to describe just how utterly terrified she was. The fear hung over her like a dark aura, ever since her father telling her that her hand had been promised to Thor. He was the alpha of the neighboring kingdom that had threatened their kingdom with war. There had been nothing that her father could do to stop the war... until he realized that Thor had no omega and he had an unclaimed omega daughter. The option had been pretty clear at that point and as afraid as Caroline was, as much as she had cried and begged, there was no changing her father's decision. It was her life for her entire kingdom.

She had heard horror stories of the way that her betrothed was like. He was an alpha who demanded the utmost respect and would take nothing else. Caroline had always been submissive, it was in her nature. She wanted to please her alpha but she had never met Thor. She had no idea what he was truly like and with nothing but stories to rely on, Caroline had to admit that she had considered running away. Would that be better than to let Thor claim her? If he was as cruel and demanding as she had heard, she was sure her life would not be a pleasant one once she had wed to him.

It had been nearly a week long journey to the other kingdom's capitol. Caroline was meant to arrive three days before their wedding, so that once she arrived, she could spend a bit of time with Thor. She'd just gotten to the castle and was met with a few guards at the bottom of the stairs. Caroline swallowed as she climbed out of her carriage, thanking the man who helped her down the step. Caroline kept her eyes lowered as she was led toward the castle, the men who had accompanied her settling about bringing her belongings inside.

Caroline's heart was racing so fast that she swore it was about to beat out of her chest. She clutched the sides of her skirt in her fingers, chewing on the inside of her lip as she was led into the throne room. She smelled him before she spotted him. He smelled of chocolate, the warmth of a fire. Caroline swallowed as she took calculated steps forward, stopping only a few feet before the steps that led up to his throne. Caroline curtsied, doing her best to appear calm despite her fear - fear that she knew would be plaguing her scent.

Thor had grown lonely, angry, and somewhat impatient over the years. He'd had someone once a long time ago who he'd been betrothed to, a wonderful omega that he'd loved more than life itself. One that he'd loved long before he was even old enough to truly know what love was. She'd been the most beautiful thing had ever laid eyes on, even when they were young and the thought of him ever even taking the thone was nothing more than a dream. They had known for their entire lives they would be together one day. After all, he was a prince, she was a princess from a neighboring kingdom but had been sent to live with Thor and his family at a young age as to get acclimated to their ways of life. After all, one day she would rule at Thor's side so it only made sense that she knew her people as well as he did. And the longer Thor spent with her the deeper in love he fell. Until one day the fates took her from him. The peace treaty with both kingdoms reminded but everyone mourned the loss of the princess, Thor most of all, from his own kingdom anyway.

He had never allowed himself to move on, he saw no point in marrying or finding someone to rule the kingdom with him since he couldn't be with the one he wanted, and eventually, his sadness became anger and loneliness and he had fallen so deep into the mindset he was in that he wasn't sure he could ever get out. And people saw him that way, they saw him as an angry man. And they weren't wrong, Thor knew they were right. He had become an angry man who was demanding and cold. But what more could one expect from him? He had lost the purest and true love of his life and he felt as if he would never find anyone like her.

It was three days before his wedding, one that he had agreed to because he had been offered an unclaimed omega and he knew as much as he didn't want it to be anyone other than his beloved he needed someone at his side, and this way everyone got what they wanted, or needed. His kingdom would get a queen, and her kingdom would save themselves from a war that no one really wanted. He could smell her as she stepped out of her carriage and all he could smell was fear, it was tainting her entire being. It was so overwhelming actually that Thor couldn't even tell what she normally smelled like, but he sure hoped it wasn't this awful death smell. 

"Princess Caroline," Thor said nodding toward her. This was the worst about greetings like this, it was all just a show really. Everyone stood around watching them which only made sure that neither would act like their true selves as no one wanted to cause a scene. The people around them had to make sure neither of them pissed the other one off to a point of someone needed to be removed. They couldn't act out in front of people after all. Once they were alone though and could spend three days together to get to know each other who knew what might happen.

[ I hope this was okay... I just kind of came up with something ]

{it's great }

Caroline remembered the tales that she had heard, about Thor. About how he did not care for laying with any one omega. He didn't ever lay with anyone, unless he was in a rut and needed some sort of outlet. The poor servants that were brought forward to service Thor during his time, they always left with bruises that littered their bodies. Some were lucky if they were even able to walk the next day. Some were beaten simply because they could be and Thor was angry about something. Who would ever tell their king no? Not a single person, Caroline thought. She couldn't remember a time that she had ever heard her father told no. Her father had always been a kind man but he was king and people listened to their kings.

She was certain that Thor would be the alpha of the nightmares that she had heard of. Caroline was nothing short of terrified as she stood before Thor, her eyes trained on the ground. She didn't want to dare look up at him, afraid of what would happen if she was said to challenge him in front of his court. Caroline shuddered at the thought - would Thor punish her so quickly into their relationship? She didn't know but she was certain that she didn't want to either.

Caroline hoped that if she could prove herself as kind and obedient, that Thor wouldn't be as cruel to her. If she was capable of caring for himself and their home, Thor wouldn't be as hard on her. She would be able to take the brunt of his anger away from the servants, at the very least. Running her tongue over her bottom lip, Caroline felt her heart skip a beat.

"Your grace," Caroline greeted him, her voice barely above a whisper. She tilted his head, displaying the blank gland on the crook of her neck. She hoped that if she showed herself to Thor, that he might be kinder. Every last thing that she'd ever heard, Caroline was willing to try. Alphas liked to be shown submission and for their demands to be met without hesitation. She knew that.

"Your country is beautiful, your grace," Caroline complimented him lightly, hoping that her words would please him. Her back straightened a bit as she spoke, wondering what her betrothed even looked like. Caroline wondered and her eyes flicked upward for just a moment before settling back to the ground between them. "I am... happy to call this my new home," she said, though her scent never changed. If anything, the decaying scent of fear grew stronger, the longer that she stood before Thor.

Thor watched the princess in front of him and he couldn't help but slightly scrunch up his nose the longer he had to smell the decaying scent that came off of her. It was a little upsetting, but it wasn't anything he wasn't used to. He knew most of the people of the kingdom had grown to fear him, he could literally smell it, yet another reason he was angry. He was literally losing touch with everything, his people, himself, his country. Maybe finally having an omega by his side would be helpful, especially one as beautiful as Princess Caroline. Maybe it wouldn't change anything, honestly, Thor didn't know how any of this was going to play out.

"Thank you," he told her with a small nod even though she probably hadn't seen it because she hadn't looked up at him more than a brief second. "My people have put forth a lot of effort to make it so beautiful," he said taking a moment to just look around himself and she wasn't wrong. Even the rooms inside the palace were exquisite, which was very much his mother's doing. But there was also very much his beloved's touch everywhere he looked. She had been very skilled in art of various forms and he was sure that she'd helped his mother decorate. Which of course, had only made trying to get over her even harder than it already was.

"My people and I are very thrilled to have you here," he told her finally before he offered his arm deciding to simply get the uncomfortable greetings out of the way and hopefully make her more comfortable. They were supposed to be getting to know one another, and if he didn't do something to make her scent of fear go away he was going to lose his mind. "Please allow me to show you around," he said motioning for the guards to leave them. He was entirely capable of showing a princess around the kingdom on his own. And he had already given the court his word that he would not do anything drastic, that he would actually do his very best to try and make the Princess feel welcome.

If there was one thing that people should know of Thor it was that he always kept his word, even when he didn't want to. It was an honor thing with him, he couldn't go around telling people that he was going to do something then not because then the people would never trust him. And he knew that his people feared him, but only really during his ruts when he had less control over himself than normal, but they did trust him. Honestly, normally they didn't even bother him unless it was extremely important. Either way though when Thor gave someone his word he kept it, no matter what. And he'd given his word that he would do his very best to make Princess Caroline feel welcomed. He hadn't been able to promise that she would make him happy, or that he would be able to make her happy, but comfortable he could attempt.

There was a part of Caroline that felt for Thor. She had heard tales of him losing his first omega. Caroline didn't really know the details of what had happened but she could imagine how hard that had been on the man. An alpha who lost his omega was always going to mourn. It was expected, for an alpha to mourn after losing his omega. One as powerful as Thor, many had expected he would just move on. He had the pick of the land, there was not a single unclaimed omega that would turn Thor away. This had been known and many of them had been hopeful that Thor would come looking and choose them. It had never happened, no, but many omega had been beyond hopeful.

Caroline's brows pulled together slightly when Thor spoke of being thrilled to have her there. She wasn't so sure that she believed him but she wouldn't dare to question Thor. If he told her something, Caroline would take that as truth simply because doing anything else just seemed like it was her begging to be punished. It wasn't unheard of; that alpahs punished their omegas if they were disobedient. Thor's reputation spoke volumes of what she was supposed to be afraid of.

Hesitating for just a moment, Caroline took Thor's arm. She bit down on her lip, noticing as they were left alone. She swallowed as she raised her chin, willing herself to calm down. Caroline knew that Thor likely picked up on just how afraid she was but she was trying her best to not trip over her own two feet or something else that would make a fool of herself. "Thank you for taking time out of your duties to show me around," Caroline spoke quietly. She glanced around as they walked, unable to ignore the raw strength that Thor was exuding. She hadn't found the courage to actually look at him but the way he held himself as they walked through the halls of the castles.

"I am sorry to.. speak so much," Caroline started, wincing at the words that fell from her lips. She knew of some that liked their omega to be seen and not heard. That were nothing more than a piece of property. She didn't know what Thor would prefer but she hoped that her question wouldn't be too much one way or another. "Do you prefer that I refer to you by 'your grace' or 'alpha'?" Caroline kept her voice lowered, feeling the way her heart skipped a beat as she spoke.

Thor had never given much thought into what he preferred to be called if he were being honest. He supposed it was something he should've thought about but it never really been brought up before. Of course, the people of Asgard called him your grace if they were addressing him simply out of respect, and normally he didn't feel the need to be reminded that he was an alpha unless something got totally out of hand and he actually had to pull the 'I'm not only the king, but the alpha around here so you will obey me card' which thankfully that didn't happen very often. And he had just known Jane for so long, way before he became king, that it would've felt foreign for her to call him either. She had always called him Thor and there was something about hearing the woman he'd loved say something as simple as his name that would spark a fire in his heart. He'd also never liked the thought of trying to control her or command her around. Yes, she was an omega and he always felt the need to protect her, but he was always thankful that she'd had the independent spirit that she'd had.

Everything was different now though, Jane was no longer with them and Thor was all but being forced to move on and get over his mourning. Of course, he knew that he could do as he saw fit with the entire situation upon him. He didn't have to be loving, he didn't have to actually move on if he didn't want to. But he did still have to marry Princess Caroline, and he did have to eventually give her pups because he was the king and he had to have a queen and eventually an heir to take over when he died. But that didn't mean he had to make it enjoyable for her. Thor was well aware that being in the position he was in he could take all of his anger out on her if he wanted and no one would even bat an eye.

What kind of life would that be for either of them though? Thor wanted to be happy, he wanted to move on from Jane and find love again. He wanted to marry and have pups and enjoy the life that he built. He hadn't imagined that he would be doing those things with Princess Caroline, but he was sure there were worse options. And truthfully he didn't even know her so maybe if he took the chance on this then he could learn to love her more than he'd loved Jane. He was simply in a strange situation.

"You're welcome to simply call me Thor if you'd like," he told her looking down to her. "I mean we are to be married in three days and I feel that as the woman who will shortly become my queen we should be able to address each other by our names at least sometimes. Though if that makes you uncomfortable you're welcome to call me your grace unless I ask to be called alpha," he told her

All Thor could hope for right now was that he could keep himself together long enough not to lose his cool on her. he didn't want to, he did want to express all of his anger, and he wanted to get it all out into the world. But wife or not he didn't feel like he should put all of that on Princess Caroline, at least not this soon after meeting her.

Catherine felt her eyes widen as shock rolled over her. She couldn't shake the surprise she felt with Thor telling her what he would prefer to be called. That hadn't been quite what she was expecting. It didn't quite make her uncomfortable to call him Thor but it had been unexpected enough that she didn't really know how to take it. She nodded slowly, her hand tightening slightly around Thor's arm now that she was beginning to grow a bit more comfortable around Thor. She couldn't help but feel a bit more at ease because Thor didn't seem as angry as she had been told. Of course she hardly knew him at all but she let her guard down, hopeful that Thor would be a kind man to her.

She was hopeful that they could grow to love each other one day. Catherine wasn't naive to be unaware of Thor's past. She was a bit fuzzy on the details, she didn't know how Jane had died but that had never been made very public. Thor had been traumatized by it and she couldn't say she really blamed him. She could only imagine what it meant to lose your mate. The thought enough was something that made her whole being ache; just thinking of losing Thor. They weren't bonded but she already cared for the man. He would be her husband soon, Catherine saw no need to put off caring for him.

"I... I don't know all that much about you, Thor," Catherine's voice was quiet, worrying at her bottom lip as they walked through the halls of his palace. "But I will be whatever you need me to do," she said, her brows pulling together. Catherine hesitated for a moment before she looked up to him. "I have heard stories and I want you to know that I do not..." she trailed off, seeming to search for her words. Catherine didn't want to make Thor uncomfortable but she felt like it needed to be said. Like it might help to break up some of the tension that had brewed between the pair.

"I do not want to replace your omega. I accept her as a part of you and would never ask you to... forget her. Or anything of the sort," Catherine explained quietly. She turned away, just enough so that she wasn't looking directly at him. It was an uncomfortable comment to make so early into knowing Thor but she was hopeful it would ease Thor's nerves about the whole situation that they were facing.

Thor felt tense at the thought of someone replacing Jane and even at the thought of forgetting about her. Hearing an omega tell him that she had no intentions of replacing her in his heart, or trying to help him forget about her hit him hard though. That was all that people had done since he'd lost her. Of course, he had been given time to grieve her, but not nearly enough. The thing was though that shortly after he lost her he'd become the king and he could no longer grieve her nor did he get time to properly grieve his father because he had to take up the mantel of being the king. No one wanted a king who couldn't control his own emotions. So Thor had put on his very best face, he'd built up walls around himself emotionally so that no one could get close to him again because he couldn't bear the thought of going through the pain again but he'd also hoped it would help him rule the kingdom better.

And Thor felt like he had been ruling the kingdom pretty well if he said so himself. His people didn't seem to have any complaints about how he ran things. Well other than that he could be cruel and unjust when in a mood. However the part they always seemed to forget was why he was in a mood and what was said or done to bring about the mood. And he was suddenly realizing what it was. The women of Asgard all thought that they could fix him, or that he even wanted them to fix him. They all threw themselves at him in an attempt to take her place, become the next queen and have Thor love them the way he had loved Jane. And of course, he was going to lose his temper when women threw themselves at him trying to replace a woman he'd loved and never had the opportunity to bond with. Because Thor had respected Jane too much to mate with her until they were both ready to mate, which was going to be their wedding day.

"You are the first woman to tell me those things," Thor told her wishing that he did not have to talk about Jane to anyone because he wanted to keep her memory to himself, but he knew that he would have to talk about her eventually. "Most women think they can replace her, or that I should move on and forget about her since she is no longer with us. Which is not the case, she is a part of my story and I mean no disrespect to you by this, but there currently has not been a day since her death that I have not wished she was here rather than someone else," he said feeling himself becoming angry just from the thought of someone trying to replace Jane. He didn't want to scare the princess though so he tried to keep himself calm.

"Maybe one day that will change, and I imagine eventually I won't feel the pain of missing her. However that day hasn't come yet,"

Caroline wasn't sure what the feeling that washed over her was, not really, but she knew that she didn't like it. The idea that this was the first time that Thor had ever been told that made her stomach turn. Worrying at her bottom lip, Caroline nodded her head slowly. Her brows pulled together as she listened to Thor continue to speak, her heart breaking as he mentioned wishing Jane was here with him. She couldn't imagine what it felt like to him. To lose his mate, even if they had never officially claimed each other... Caroline paused her movements. She turned toward him, her hand dropping from his arm. Her brows still pulled together as she looked up to him, holding his gaze for the first time. She found herself wanting to reach out and to comfort him but she didn't dare move an inch, not wanting to overstep her boundaries. She didn't know what Thor would or wouldn't appreciate.

"I meant what I said. I will... be what you need me to be. That will change, from day to day. From hour to hour, even. But I will be your queen and if I hadn't accepted that, we would get nowhere," Caroline spoke, her voice light despite the words she said. Her emotions were clear despite how she was trying to restrain herself. She didn't want to start crying, even if she could feel a few tears forming. "If You need me to be a shoulder to cry on, then I am a shoulder. If you need a body to warm your bed, then I'm a body," she paused, drawing in a deep breathe. It was only then that she lowered her gaze to his chest. "If you need to release your anger on someone, then I am someone." Caroline didn't like the idea very much at all. Thor hurting her was the last thing she wanted to suffer through but if that was what Thor needed, she'd do it. That was her duty as his wife. And she would prefer to take his pain onto her shoulders than for a servant to have to suffer because she couldn't perform her duties.

Caroline shifted, her unease becoming more evident as the weight of her words settled between them. She smoothed the material of her dress, still not quite brave enough to look back up at him. Her words were heavy, despite simply wanting to reassure Thor of her presence here. She could tell that he still was in pain from his loses, Caroline just wanted to help him. Whatever that meant.

"May we... should we continue?" Caroline asked. "I... understand if you would prefer some time alone," Caroline spoke softly, a frown forming on her lips.

Thor stopped and turned to the princess when she stopped moving. He was surprised really at her reaction, he supposed he hadn't expected her to be so willing to be what he needed. Truthfully since Thor had never met her before he'd let himself believe that she was like most of the woman he already came into contact with. He assumed that she would be the same, just some omega who wanted to come in and fix him right away, and of course, that she was only really going through with all of this because she had to given that was the arrangement their kingdoms had come to. Thor had believed that she would succumb to all the rumors he knew were out there about him and think of him as an angry man who she could never truly even grow to love. She was proving him wrong currently though.

"Tell me, something Princess," he said pursing his lips together as he thought of the best way to word his question, "what rumors have you heard of me? I find it admirable that you stand here before me knowing what you do of me so willing to be who I need. But I would also like to know what you know of me. Why would you think I need a woman to release my anger upon?" he asked her trying not to allow himself to actually end up angry. Caroline had done nothing to him and did not deserve that, there was no reason for him to be angry with her at the moment, and even if there was a reason for anger Thor had never released all of his anger on anyone.

Yes, there were times when Thor would openly admit even that he had been awful to some of the palace workers, and Thor could be a cruel person when sent over the edge however that was normally with his words. There was one thing that Jane had taught him, which was how to express his anger through ways other than violence. And well Jane had passed and there were times when he simply needed a companion even though it only ever made him feel worse. None of those companionships had ever ended Thor laying his hands on anyone. It was normally him getting upset and yelling, a lot because the woman thought he would want her to stay longer when he didn't. And he was starting to wonder what the subjects of his own kingdom were saying of him.

Maybe he needed to marry more than he thought, then he could start to build something with Princess Caroline and he would have someone he could trust to share things with. Honestly, Thor was realizing that it was time he let himself heal so that he would actually work on building his kingdom back up because clearly there were things happening that he hadn't noticed were happening and he couldn't let things go on any longer.

[ hope this was good! ]

Caroline felt her heart flutter as Thor spoke, his face scrunching. There was something in the way his jaw ticked that sent her heart racing. She worried at her bottom lip, trying to remind herself that Thor had given her no reason to be afraid. He had never hurt her, he had never even thought to raise his voice? Caroline knew that she had met him less than an hour ago but she chose to trust that; trust that Thor would never hurt her. She would be his queen in only a few, short days. There would be love that grew between them, even if it took a long while for that love to blossom.

She swallowed against her nerves, her shoulders squaring as she raised up a bit. Caroline looked up to him, forcing an uneasy smile to her face. She didn't know if she should tell him the truth or if she should lie - or tell him the truth without any detail. Exhaling slowly, Caroline lowered her gaze from him. "I have heard many rumors about you, Thor," she started, wetting her bottom lip with her tongue. "But I am beginning to think that perhaps I was wrong."

Caroline drew in a deep breathe, smoothing down the material of her dress. She didn't want to continue telling Thor about the rumors that she had heard but she was suddenly feeling as if she didn't really have a choice. If she didn't tell him, she was hiding something from him. She was starting their relationship off on a lie and that wasn't the right thing to do. Caroline wanted to reach out and brush her hand on his arm or to touch his shirt, anything that may calm the growing anger on his features. She was convinced it was because she was being too quiet, wasn't answering him fast enough.

"That you can... be cruel," Caroline started, refusing to look up from the spot she was settled on, on his shirt. "That you take servants to your chambers and they leave, with the aid of other servants. They bare marks... for days, weeks after," Caroline explained, a blush creeping onto her features. Her stomach twisted into an uncomfortable knot. "That you do not care one way or another what those around you care for, only that your needs are met. But I can't say that I... blame you. After what you have just told me. I think it would make most mad - alpha or omega."

Thor wrung his fingers as he watched Princess Caroline in front of him start to squirm a little as she spoke to him. He had to admit it was frustrating to hear such things about himself, but he knew it wasn't her fault that people thought these things of him; it was because they were true. Thor knew quite well that he had left many women with bruises even marks all over their bodies after a night with him, not because he beat them exactly, but because he was simply a rougher person in general and often he had a very hard time controlling himself. At least he did when he felt like his sexual needs weren't being met. It didn't make it any easier to hear, however.

"Well, at least the rumors that have made their way around the worlds are not wrong per se," Thor scoffed. "I have no intentions of lying to you. Soon enough you will be my wife and there's no need for us to start off in a lie," he said plainly before he took a step towards her. "The things you have heard about me are true, maybe not to the extent that you may think but true nonetheless I suppose. I have rather high expectations for sexual encounters, and hopefully that need can indeed be met with you," he told her hoping at least once they were married that he would finally have someone who he could release his frustrations upon through sex because he'd found that was one of the easier ways for him to feel less frustrated.

Thinking of it though Thor had never given much thought into if the women he slept with felt any pleasure or not, though he didn't fuck them to make them feel better so he hadn't ever really cared either. Normally if he wasn't able to get everything out one way then he would head into one of the many training chambers and have someone come in and train with him. Simply being active physically always seemed to make him feel a little better. So he supposed that he did have a tendency to take his anger out on women just maybe not in the ways he'd thought.

Caroline was lucky that she had grown up in a kingdom where a beta ruled. The few that were like that, were typically kinder to omegas. Only because betas had often suffered at alphas hands as well, they knew what it was like to crumble under an alpha's commands or have to bare the brunt of an alpha's temper tantrum. But she knew that when she travelled to Thor's home, that her world would be changing. Even if all of his rumors weren't true, Caroline knew things would still change. Thor was an alpha kind, he would demand more from her than she'd ever given to someone else.

Her heart skipped a beat as Thor stepped closer to her. Every single one of her instincts told her to turn and run, Thor was a threat to her but instead, she forced herself to remain in her spot. She didn't want to risk upsetting Thor, not with the confirmation that the rumors weren't 'wrong'. She didn't really know what he meant by that but she was sure that she would find out with time.

Caroline gave a tiny nod of her head, wringing her fingers in front of her. She hung her head, staring at her hands as the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Her cheeks tinged a deep red, panic settling in the pit of her stomach. "I have never lain with another," Caroline admitted in a small voice. She was shy, speaking about something she had never done in the past. She didn't know how Thor would react to knowing that she was pure. A lot of alphas preferred their omega to only know their touch but she had never even met Thor before; she had no way to predict how he would react.

"I want to please you, to make you happy - whatever that means," Caroline said, her voice even quieter than it had been during her previous admission. She didn't know if Thor would believe her or think she was saying it because it was what was expected of her. She almost felt like she was resigning herself to being miserable just because she didn't think she'd ever be able to help Thor heal enough to not wish she was Jane.

Thor couldn't hide that he was glad she had never lain with another if he'd tried. He truly wouldn't have cared if she had because if she had then she would at least have some experience, but knowing that she had never lain with anyone was almost better for him. While she wasn't the women he had expected he would marry one day she hadn't ever lain with anyone else and that meant he could mold her into the omega he wanted as far as the bedroom went. "Don't worry," he said walking a little closer to her so he could cup her cheek in his hand. "In due time you will know what I expect from you," he told her as he ran his thumb over the apple of her cheek for a short moment before he pulled his hand away.

He wanted to just take her to his, soon to be their, chambers and show her the ropes now. The last few days had been rather stressful and if he could have her now then maybe it would take some of the stress off his shoulders, but he decided against it. They weren't married yet and he knew he should wait until they were married before he let the full force of what he wanted from her come out. He didn't want her so scared of him that she'd run for her life back to her kingdom before he had a chance to marry her. Even though it would bring about a war that he was sure she didn't want, Thor was well aware that until they were officially married Caroline could if she wished back out. It wouldn't be a smart choice, but it was a possibility nonetheless.

"Here's what would make me happy currently," he told her taking a step back so he could look her over fully before he licked his lips, while she wasn't his Jane, Princess Caroline was very easy on the eyes and he liked that. "I would like to take you back to my chambers and then show you how good an alpha can make you feel. How good I can make you feel. I would like to even see how good you can make me feel, then, of course, help you master your craft. Because once we're married it will be important that you're capable of making me feel as good as I can make you," he said clicking his tongue.

"However we're not to be married for a few more days and I wouldn't want to consummate us until everything is official," he told her sighing. "So rather I'm going to return to my chambers for the time being and you're free currently to do whatever, though if you'd like to finish exploring I would ask Idunna to show you around. She's my favorite if you know what I'm saying. So she will be a valuable asset to you,"

Caroline could feel the fear settling in the pit of her stomach as Thor spoke about what would make him happy. She lowered her gaze, tugging her bottom lip between her teeth as she listened to him. She didn't like the idea of going back to his chambers and laying with him so quickly but if that would make him happy, Caroline was prepared to do it. It would make him happy and it would ease his anger - ease his temper from both herself and his people. She wondered if it would simply be best to follow him to his chambers even as he said he would prefer to wait until their marriage was official.

She gave a small nod of her head, her lips parting as she let out a small breathe of relief. The thought of not having to dive right into her marital duties was a relief but then he was speaking about someone else and the way Thor spoke sent a spark of jealousy that she wasn't prepared to feel, through her. Her back straightened as she looked up to him, her eyes narrowing. Caroline knew that she might be stepping over a line that could get her in trouble but her omega was practically begging to be let out, to claim Thor. To mark him so others would know that he had an omega that belonged to him.

"No," Caroline started, letting out a huff. She shifted her weight from one side to the other, obviously uncomfortable under Thor's steady gaze. She swallowed, her eyebrows pulling together as she chanced looking up to him.

"You are mine. As I am yours," Caroline spoke, her voice becoming softer. She breathed, realizing that she was toeing over a line that she likely shouldn't have. Not so early on in their relationship, not so out in the open when anyone could hear her demand things of Thor. "That is the... only thing think I will ask of you. I will obey you in any way that I can but," she paused, wetting her bottom lip with the tip of her tongue. "I just.. I do not want to.. share you," Caroline finished. Her shoulders sagged under the relief of her admission, her cheeks tinging a bright red. She'd showed just how jealous she felt at the mention of Thor being with another but it was her job to please him. It was hers and it should remain only with her.

"Please."

@ Kol.

Thor kept a steady gaze on Caroline as she spoke and clearly let her jealousy show, and he let her finish speaking before he responded. "No worries Princess," he started taking a step towards her. "Once we are married you will not have to share me with anyone. You will be my omega and I will be your alpha. Believe me, when I say that anyone who does not currently know that we are to be married will know that we are married afterward," he told her as he looked down at her and cupped her cheek. "I simply thought that you could ask her for advice, but feel free not to. Either way, once we are married you will have ample time to figure out how I enjoy being pleased," he told her before he dropped his hand.

"Idunna will be more than happy to show you around, however. She knows the palace better than any of the other servants, and she's actually very competent and can correctly answer any questions you have. Whereas there are a few of the other servants I wouldn't trust to even to make my bed in the mornings. But thankfully they aren't my servants and I don't have to deal with them that often," he told her.

"I am going to retire to my chambers for the night now because it has been a very long day. If you have anything else you would like to discuss with me and maybe a little more privately this time around you're welcome to join me. Or even if you would like to see where you will be staying once we're married you're welcome as well," he said shrugging before he turned around and started to head down the hall towards his chambers. Honestly, Thor didn't care if he had company or not for the remainder of the night, but he did want to return to his chambers, draw himself a bath, and try to find a way to relax. The days leading up to today and then of course even today had been nothing but stress for him and now that Princess Caroline was here it meant they were just days out from their wedding. Days away from a wedding meant that he was going to be under a lot more pressure because of course, everything had to be perfect. And he was just ready to move forward and start this new chapter, which hopefully would not be nearly as bad as he'd allowed himself to think.

Caroline swallowed around the lump that formed in her throat as Thor took a step toward her. She expected him to lash out at her. Her shoulders pulled together as she turned slightly, trying to anticipate Thor's reaction. His reassurance had been just about the last thing she had been expecting but immediately, her shoulders relaxed as relief rolled over her. She gave a tiny nod of her head, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She looked up to him, nodding slowly. Caroline leaned into his touch, humming quietly. "I shall ask her," she agreed quietly. Caroline didn't know how she would handle such a conversation with an omega that Thor had lain with before but if it would better allow her to please Thor, then Caroline would do it.

Hesitating as she watched Thor turn and start toward his chambers, Caroline glanced around. She was nervous, thinking of joining him but she was practically desperate to care for him. To prove to him that she could be a good omega, regardless of what that meant. That she wouldn't pressure him into things that he wasn't ready for, that she would simply wait for Thor to be ready for anything for their relationship to develop. "Wait," Caroline called after a moment, taking a few, hurried steps forward so that she could stand at his side.

"I would.. like to come with you," Caroline said in a quiet voice. She chewed on her bottom lip, following after him. Her head lowered slightly, smoothing down the material of her dress as they neared Thor's chambers. She hesitated by the door, glancing up to Thor as she shifted her weight from one side to the other. She was nervous, that was no secret. She was sure that Thor could pick up on her nerves through her scent and her action.

Caroline took a slight step toward the tub in the far corner of the room. She turned toward Thor, raising an eyebrow. "Would you like me to draw you a bath?" She asked softly, tilting her head to the side. "I can help you to wash," she said quietly, hoping that she would have the opportunity to show Thor that she could be a good omega, regardless of what he needed from her.

Thor hadn't expected her to decide to follow him to his chambers, or offer to draw him a bath, and even though he could smell the nervousness washing over her he decided to go with it. This was new territory for them both, Thor was going to have to get used to having an omega to care for him. He was also going to have to get used to the concept of not fucking just anyone when he needed to get out his frustrations. While he still could he supposed if he wanted to, in the end, he knew that would make life much harder than it needed to be for him. At the same time, Princess Caroline he knew had to adjust to a new kingdom, becoming the wife of a king she barely knew and figuring out how that worked. That information didn't make it any less weird though, really it just made the Thor realize how much his life was changing so quickly.

"A bath is fine," he told her nodding his head and walking around his chambers to collect the few things he typically had in the bath with him to wash off with. He honestly wasn't used to having someone else in the room with him and he couldn't remember the last time he had someone help him with bath time. Typically Thor ended up kicking servants out of his chambers and doing it all himself because bathing seemed to be one of the only times he could be alone. And when Thor was alone that was when he felt like he could properly deal with his thoughts and emotions from whatever he was dealing with. When there were other people around, even people he had known his entire life, Thor had a tendency to shut down and not talk to them about how he was actually doing. He'd always make something up that sounded good, but his people didn't understand. At least not anyone that he knew of which made it hard to talk to them about things.

Thor felt that since it had been a while since Jane's passing everyone else felt that he should be better, healed even. Thor should be nearly back to his old self again and everything would be fine. What they didn't understand however was that wasn't how it worked. Thor constantly had an ache in his chest and no way to get it to go away. He had no one to really talk to about how he was still feeling, how he was dealing, or if he was getting better or not because that wasn't the important thing. It was more important that he be king and rule over his people than properly grieve the loss of his beloved, or his mother, or his father, all who seemed to have passed so close together Thor was unsure in the order which it had happened because all those memories seemed to blur together.