Thor’s eyes found hers, tired and glassy, filled with what she was sure was an apology.“Because you were gifted the power to wield him.They found your energy.When he was with Harvey, his power was muted.”
Dom knelt beside him, her eyes capturing his.“So you didn’t abandon MC?”
Thor’s chuckle, though weak, rang in the interior of the cave.“I would never.I know what my son has told you.I’msurewhat he’s told you, but it was nothing more than I simply wanted a break,” he murmured.
Dom winced.Oh, boy, was Harvey going to feel the sting of his accusations of abandonment for decades to come.But it was unwarranted, not to mention unfair.Thor couldn’t simply chalk this excursion up to an “oops, my bad,” moment.“I forgot to tell you I just needed a break from being Thor.”
No way would she allow Thor to get away with that flimsy excuse and leave Harvey feeling as though he’d done something wrong.
“I knew it!”MC exclaimed.“I knew you wouldn’t abandon your duties, Thor.Yet, I won’t allow you to lay any blame at Harvey’s feet.You forgot to mention you needed a break, God of Thunder.From our point of view, you abandoned me.You’ll accept that responsibility.
Thor coughed weakly, reminding them, now wasn’t the time to rehash his departure.“But you’re well, Mjölnir?”
“Indeed.You’re a mighty warrior, but this one, Dominique?She’s just as mighty.I’m in good hands!”
Thor reached a hand out to her.“When I heard them talking of your existence, when I sensed their fear of your worthiness to wield Mjölnir, I knew the gods had chosen wisely.”
She grabbed onto his fingers, his skin dry and flaky from dehydration, his lips chapped.“I wish we were meeting under better circumstances, but I’ll do my best to keep them from getting MC.”
Harvey’s eyes said it all as he cradled his father in his arms.There was sympathy mixed with, among other emotions, anger.“You’ve been held captive here this whole time, Father?”
“I don’t know how long I’ve been here, Harvey.Not much longer after I left Mjölnir with you, but I had no hope of even Heimdall finding me due to the magic they’ve unearthed.”
That made Dom’s skin crawl, as she gripped MC tighter.“The magic… Is it enough to take MC from me?”she asked, dreading the answer.
Thor rasped a breath.“I don’t know, Dominque, but you must leave me now and find your grandfather.I know they have him.I heard them talking.He’s somewhere higher up in the caves on the jagged cliffs.Go!”he insisted.
Robbie snapped her fingers, a bottle of water appearing out of nowhere.She knelt next to Thor, helping him drink.
Thor’s urgent words made her snap to attention.“Stay here with your father.I have to go find my papa.He’s alone, and he probably has no idea what’s going on.”The idea terrified her, but she forced herself to remain calm.
Harvey handed his father over to Robbie, putting a hand on his sword, encased in the sheath at his side.“You’re not going alone.I’m coming with you.”Then he turned to Thor.“But I’ll be back, Father, and we’ll talk.”
Thor reached out and grabbed Harvey’s hand, giving it a limp squeeze.“Odin be with you, son,” he muttered.
Greer rose, too, brushing off his jeans.“I’m coming with you, too.If you need magic, I’m your guy.”He dropped a quick kiss on Robbie’s lips.“Back soon, m’love.”
With those words, he snapped his fingers, transporting them to the top of the jagged cliffs Thor mentioned.
Dom gasped in response to their landing, her pulse racing, her head whirling.She caught a quick glimpse of the carnage down below—scattered giant parts, the women, their fists balled, their determination a vibe she felt as they knocked down one giant after another.
Bard and his crew waved their swords, hacking and chopping their way through monster after monster.The sand flew upward when they toppled a foe, the air thick with bloodshed.
Dom’s stomach turned, but she was nothing if not for her grandfather and the love he’d given her for her entire life.
For that, she’d fight till she collapsed.They’d have to kill her before she’d let them harm him.
Pressing their bodies against the rocks, none of them spoke as they crept along the outside of the cave, so close to the edge of this cliff they’d landed on.
MC was heavy in her hand, her arm aching from holding him so tight, her eyes stinging from the gritty sand, her legs and feet cramping.
When they hit the edge of the opening of the cave, Dom grabbed Harvey by the arm, MC in her other hand, ready to strike.“Let me go first.”
But Harvey grabbed her hand, using his other to wield his sword.“We go together,” he said, stirring butterflies in her stomach amidst the utter chaos.
They rounded the corner at the same time, prepared to take on whatever was waiting for them.
The interior of the cave, dank and dark, almost chilly, was as bleak as the rest of this godforsaken planet.But there was no one in sight.
