When they pulled up to the castle in all its glowing glory, Dom took a deep breath, gulping in the clean air as she prepared to greet a new batch of people, waiting for her on the wide steps.
Harvey squeezed her hand, shooting her a smile.“They’re going to love you.I promise.”
Love-schmove.
As Dom stepped out of the carriage, she heard whispers from the crowd.“She’s so tiny!”and “She isn’t much bigger than Mjölnir.How can she possibly be fated to keep us all from Ragnarök?”And finally, “How could Thor let this happen to us all?”
First, she wasn’t at all tiny except for maybe in height—or in comparison to these Asgardian women, who were all Amazon tall.She was at least ten pounds overweight, if she listened to her physician, who said she should give up carbs.
Give up French fries and her sourdough starter?Not even if the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse tried to take it from her themselves.
Second, if she was big enough to catch MC, she was big enough to find a way to stop the end of the world.
And third, Thor wasn’t here, was he?He was probably off letting his man parts do the talking while she was left holding the bag.So their devotion to Thor and Thor himself could all bite her.
Nina came up behind her, driving a finger between her shoulder blades.“Fuck these bitches.You hear me?Stand up straight and walk tall—or as tall as someone short as fuck like you can.You were chosen by the gods these people damn well worship, and don’t you forget it,” she whispered fiercely.
You know, that was something she’d wondered about, but still hadn’t asked.Who were these invisible gods, anyway?Why hadn’t they said anything since MC’s declaration that he belonged to her?
Annoyed that she was letting mindless gossip affect her, Dom immediately squared her shoulders and tightened her grip on MC as she began to climb the steps to this enormous castle, while people all around her bowed along the way.
So awkward.
When she reached the top step and got a peek inside the castle’s entryway, with its tall pillars, lush potted plants and muted colors, she almost fainted.But Marty and Wanda were right behind her, flanking her on either side until they stood before a man with sharp eyes and a long beard.
With hands clasped together under the arms of his long robes, he bowed before her, ratcheting up her discomfort.“Dominique,” he declared in a booming voice full of gravel that echoed around the gigantic space.“Welcome to Asgard!”
Dom gulped, holding out a hand to the old man, giving him her best confident smile.“Pleasure to meet you.”
When he took her hand, a strange vibration shimmied along her arm.Dom didn’t know what to call it—an awakening, perhaps?If she wasn’t acutely aware of her surroundings before this moment, she was now.She felt every fiber of Asgard and its people to the depths of her soul.
Harvey was the first to step up and pull the man into a hug.“Alf, good to see you again!”
Alf clapped him on the back with a gnarled hand and a wide grin full of missing teeth.“And you as well, Harvey.It’s been some time now, hasn’t it?”
Harvey winked a luscious eye.“But it feels like we never parted, eh, old friend?”
Alf snickered then cleared his throat, motioning to Dom as he turned his back and began to walk into the open area of the castle.“Come now, Dominique.We have much to accomplish before Heimdall arrives.”
Her eyes flew to Harvey in panic while people began to scatter in every direction, but he simply smiled with clear confidence.“You’re in good hands with Alf.He runs everything here at the castle from stem to stern.He’ll take good care of you.I promise.”
“And we’ll all be with you.Fear not, baby warrior.We have your back,” Wanda chirped with a smile, pulling her toward Alf, who wended his way down a maze of arched halls, the textured walls painted in a soft, white-washed beige in the style she’d seen done in so many villas in Greece.
As she left the security of Harvey’s side, her heart began a rapid thump in her chest.As they passed water fountains with floating lily pads and statues of men she didn’t recognize, as they skirted the glossy floors and whisked through the tropical plants while a warm breeze blew, she forced herself to breathe.
But the panic rising in her throat at the thought this greeting was all because they thought she could save the world?
That pressure was enough to choke a horse.
ChapterEleven
Upon entering her “quarters” they were greeted by more tall, beautiful blonde women, their hair plaited with silk ribbons as they rushed up to her and bowed, further making her squirm.
She felt like she’d been shot out of a cannon to a time when women were subservient, and it left her uneasy.She didn’t want maids and servants.
Dom held up a hand in protest.“I don’t want to offend your customs, but if you haven’t already been told, I’m Dominique, and you really don’t have to bow.Maybe we could just fist bump?”she asked softly.
The women tittered amongst themselves, clearly unsure how to respond, until one brave woman, another blonde with flawless skin, stepped forward and held her fist out.
