Gentle Heart

Talen is beyond nervous when she made her way to Jane’s quarters by herself. After strictly demanding the prince that she did not need a babysitter, he swayed and let her have her way. Nonetheless he reminded her softly that he will answer if she called.

The immense heat rushing to her cheeks is a testament to her feelings when he gave her a loving look; how can he give her such attention when his mother just passed? Is he burying his feelings and pushing forward with whatever emotions is coursing through him at the moment? This time should be about Jane and her wellbeing.

The human woman is the one possessing the Aether and knowing what it feels like to have something running through your veins. The pink haired goddess quickly dispersed the jitters that she has been having, softly knocking on the wooden panel to raise Jane’s attention.

Quick as a whip, her hair fluttered around her when she spun. Doe eyes growing in surprise before settling into a relaxed position; Talen grew uneasy with how calm Jane is around her. Shouldn’t she be fearful of her? She is the one that gutted her like some fish with Anvindr. Biting her pink bottom lip, she quietly formed a greeting, awkwardly curtseying.

Jane not knowing what to do, clumsily curtsied back. Fiddling with her robes, she beckoned the goddess to join her. “Make yourself at home.”

Without much attention from Talen, Jane still could not believe this goddess had such a flawless walk; how she glided across the room and knowing her as an awkward soul makes her heart warm. She is one of the few that she is truly comfortable with and naturally her hand grazed the scar inches above her navel.

Talen darted to the subtle motion, frowning remembering the time all too clear. It remained in her thoughts whenever she saw the human. “Are you well? I know the Aether could take a toll on the body especially a human one.”

Clearing a safe distance between them, Talen glanced before she gave the questioning look. “May I?”

“You’re the doctor.”

Seeing that the goddess had trouble coming closer, she concluded with a response. “I’m not afraid of you if that’s what you are wondering—Thor told me when I told him why you were avoiding me. I knew you didn’t have bad intentions, you were possessed with a level of power I can kind of understand…it’s hard to control.”

Those grey eyes flickered up when Thor’s name popped into the sentence; he told her. Not knowing what to do with that answer, she pondered to herself. “I see.”

She forced herself to place her hand on Jane’s belly lightly feeling the scar before the relief around the closed wound filled her. “You’ve healed nicely. Any pains?”

“No. You did a great job. It’s an ugly scar…not that I’m ashamed of it. Not even close to it, I mean scars are imperfections and I clearly am not perfect. See, I’m rambling. I’ll just—shut up now.” An awkward smile exchanged between the two.

“I’m glad that you are okay. When the dark elf appeared, did you feel anything from within? Anything peculiar?” Once again, Jane shook her head.

“Did you feel something when you were near Freyja?”

A bitter smile appeared on Talen’s face as she replied, “I was never close to her and if I was, she would have clearly killed me on the spot.” Changing directions with the topic, she held out her hand. “I want to check if anything has changed. I want to closely monitor you to see if there is any progression.”

Jane complied as her palm face up on Talen’s grasp, growing in amazement when the familiar green glow surrounded the goddess’ hand. Also shocked that the Aether let Talen touch her. When she questioned it, Talen only laughed, “I guess I’m no threat. The Aether is surrounding your heart, not quite infusing itself with it. It has already made a home with the other organs except that one which is most crucial. Don’t strain yourself or stress it might propel the Aether to take a speedy action.”

Talen found that it might be time to spill something else; she wanted to be truthful to Jane. The kiss that was never meant to happen. Her heart squeezed when she forced her lips to move on their own and when those words tumbled out of her, confused, jumbled and quick, she looked up to see the reaction.

There was none.

Jane’s face is blank, those brown eyes vacant before they darted around. “J-jane?” She softly called out as the human stood up and looked around as if she saw something. Stepping onto the balcony, Jane looked up at the sky with furrowed brows.

Taking action, placing a hand on Jane’s shoulder, whatever she saw withdrew as confused is written on her face. “Jane? Are you alright?”

Then the same look that Talen knew all too well came onto Jane’s features, trembling as she choked, “I d-don’t know.” Wanting to console her, she froze when metal clashing together reached her ears. The All Father’s soldiers leaked into the room and the one leading them is her father, Aeron.

“Father? What is the meaning of this?” Instantly, Talen blocked Jane’s body with hers despite being almost the same height.

Aeron with gentle eyes like his daughter’s threw a knowing look that she knew too well. “I cannot disobey an order. Jane, come with me.”

“She’s not going with you.” Talen stressed, eyes narrowing at the soldiers that were inching closer to them. “I need to keep an eye on her. I’m her primary healer, she must be monitored.”

Talen’s father took the time to close the distance between them. She knew that her father will never hurt her, he is the one that usually looks the other way when Minerva had her claws in her, but now he is playing his role. One of the right hand men of the King himself.

“Please understand, Talen. She will be taken care of. I promise you.”

“It’s okay, Talen. After all that has happened, I’ll comply.”

“Good.” Watching as Jane stood beside her father as they marched away, Talen grew frustrated as she speedily made her way towards the throne room to say her peace.

Fuming, Talen marched her way to the throne room, her booted heels clicking as she pushed the doors open. Her attention all on the All Father and once she reached with reasonable distance, she spoke, “Pardon me, All Father…may I have a word with you in private?”

“He doesn’t have time for you, whelp. We have other important matters to attend to.” Minerva hissed, bright eyes glowing as she took a step to threaten her daughter. It was then that Talen saw that Rekorius indeed part of the inner circle along with Fandral who gave her disapproving looks.

“If I may so boldly say, His Majesty can speak for himself.” Talen spat; her own voice shocked her as well as her mother as those murderous eyes widened a fraction. The sword beckoned from Minerva’s scabbard wishing to at least put fear into this foolish child. The two glared at one another as Talen pressed again.

Odin sighed, “There is no need for a dispute, Minerva.” As his attention gazed at the young goddess, his lips pressed into a firm line. “I assume you are here for the mortal?”

Before she can speak her truth, Thor’s booming voice interrupted demanding, “Father! Why have you taken Jane? She has done no harm.” His deep cerulean eyes darted to each soldier, lingering on the goddess of war before commanding, “Leave us.” Thor knew that Minerva would give him trouble when it came to orders. She only followed the current king, All Father.

Draped in her black attire, the war paint still on her face designed her as the perfect lethal weapon. She stood still as the others slowly dispersed. Thor and Minerva connected eyes, each daring to voice their words first.

“Minerva, leave us be.”

Thor bitterly smiled, amused that she without a second thought left. The one person she would never defy is his father, funny considering how she clashed heads with her husband all the time. The prince is aware that Talen is there with them, listening to the conversation she is here for the same reason.

“I do not intend to fight with either of you.” Odin spoke first, climbing down the stairs to become level with the two.

“Nor I with you.” Thor turned his head as he shared his intention of pursuing Malekith. Talen furrowed her brows at the name, pulling the pieces together it was the dark elf that killed the queen. Taking steps to create a triangle, her eyes darted back and forth between the two.

“We possess the Aether. Malekith will come to us.”

“Yes and destroy us.” Shivers crawled down her spine as the argument became heated, Thor explained how he is going to take Jane to the Dark World and extract the Aether from her and without hesitation her voice got the best of her.

“It’s too dangerous!” She drew back when she grabbed the attention of the prince and the king. Pursing her lips, she murmured, “I know how dangerous it is to extract an ancient form from a body no less a human one and to have Malekith do such a thing. How do we not know if Malekith will kill Jane in the process?”

Thor squared his shoulders, “He will be too engrossed with what he has wanted all along to pay attention to Jane. The Aether will possess and destroy him before anything happens.”

“We can’t do that! Give me more time! I can figure out a way to do this safely-”

“And what? Make another sacrifice? Our people are still recovering from what you have done.” Talen froze at the prince’s words, her heart exposed and peeled open letting those words manifest into her soul. Watching how her face turned into a look of betrayal, she pushed back.

“I guess this is what you have thought of me all along…” Her lips quivered.

“Talen, I didn’t mean-”

“No, you speak the truth. I guess you wanted me to stay dead after all.”

“That’s enough. The both of you.” Odin stepped in, his eye glancing at Talen with a stern voice. “Dry your tears. We have worse matters to attend to and we need you here, focused.” Nostrils flaring at his patience wore thin, “We will wait until he returns and he will fall with ten thousand Asgardian blades against him.”

“And how many will have to fall on his?”

“As many as I need it!” He roared, Talen wiped her tears as the king made an unsettling noise. The pink haired goddess reached out to help him, yet took a step back when he silently told her to stay back. “We will fight until the last Asgardian breath.” He paused. “Til the last drop of Asgardian blood.”

His words resonated with her, those blood thirsty thoughts used to be in her mind. Wanting, yearning to destroy everything in her path and the more destruction she created the more satisfying it became. Talen did not recognize the king before her; the one she knew was kind and understanding, stern with needed. She has seen him in battle, fighting alongside them when Vermundr was still alive.

Now she stood awestruck as Odin made his exit. Letting out a shaky breath, a few tears rolled down her pale cheeks. Turning counter clock wise, she ignored Thor’s gaze as she attempted to make a speedy exit. Disregarding her name coming out of the lips of the one she loves, the one she wanted to dislike. It would make this so much easier on her.

Talen squeaked when her arm was twisted forcing her body to spin and her back pressed against the wall. Cheeks flushed as her eyes were forced upon the dark cape Thor is wearing, knowing that guards were within earshot of them.

“My p-prince, I rather not discuss anything with company around.”

“I do not care.” His baritone voice rumbled, his large hand cupping her cheek. “I hate that I made you cry. What I have said to you…it was uncalled for and out of frustration towards my father. It has nothing to do with you.”

Berating herself for leaning against his hand, caressing the warmth it gave her. “You don’t need to apologize when it’s true.” Thor tried to interject. “I destroyed Asgard…I killed people. I betrayed everyone and most importantly I betrayed and hurt the most precious person in the world to me.” A single tear dropped as her eyes met with his.

“Asgard was already on its knees when Malekith attacked and Jane was taken prisoner and treated like bait…you say you want to free her and you stand here with me. You should be with her, at this moment.”

“You are just as important. I want to make sure that you are alright.” Muffling a bitter laugh, huh, make sure she’s alright? In other words, Thor sees her as fragile little thing that cannot handle the truth that has been spat in her face for so many months.

“I betrayed her…she treats me like a friend and I betrayed her…” The prince wanting to recoil to her statement, he stopped when she said, “I told her—about the kiss. The kiss that should have never happened, the kiss that made me feel things that I shouldn’t have. You know my feelings are real for you and you played them, oh you played them so beautifully that I am disgusted with myself for letting a small glimmer of hope to shine between us. There is no hope. All I want to do is save Jane and once that is done, I’m returning to Midgard.”

Finally stating what she is set out to do, Thor’s hand balled into a fist, his face grew hard. “Do not say that I have deceived you. I have never deceived you. What I have said before is true.” The hand cradling her cheek gripped her curly pink locks, tilting her head to meet his gaze. The other hand grabbing her vacant hand and settling it against his chest. “Cannot you not feel it? How my love burns for you?”

No, she trembled. He cannot say those words to her. Not when Jane is locked up in a cell in Asgard, not even if he has broken ties off with the human. Talen could never be with Thor.

Despite having his heart race underneath her palm, she answered, “No. I do not feel it or care for it.”

Thor’s golden locks curtained around the goddess leaving them as the two souls in the room, casting aside the guards possibly hearing every word that is being said. Foreheads touched, his sweet breath upon her lips, her eyes fluttered for a moment in a dreamy state. Her natural instincts are fighting back the voice of reason.

Grey meets blue, “Do not lie to me when your words are meant for me, but your eyes say the truth. Lady Talen, when this is all over I promise to make you mine.” Her breath hitched as his lips ghost over her own pressing fiercely. Bolts of lightning sparked every nerve in her body, a muffle moan echoed the hallway.

Kissing him always felt like eternity, caving into his scent, his body and how well received he is reacting to her responses. Eagerly molding her body against his, he smirked when a small whimper left her lips when his teeth took hold of her bottom lip before letting it go.

“Come, we have business to attend to.”

Talen in her own little world, snapped out of it when the smile on the prince’s lips made her heart melt. Oh, she is so screwed!