A GODS WEAKNESS [l.laufeyson]

TWELVE

     Astrid and Frey were on their way to her final suitor. The first two were just okay for Frey. But for some reason he was determined about this final one. However, something didn't feel right to Astrid. It was quite a distant away from the palace to the point you couldn't see it and deep in the dark ruins. They were escorted by men dressed in dark clothes and hoods covering their faces. They arrived at a black door that looked as it was falling apart. The mysterious men opened it with some sort of sorcery to reveal and even darker corridor. They were escorted in and the door shut behind them. They couldn't see a thing, it was pitch black which scared Astrid. She never liked being in the dark especially with her father. She gripped onto the front of the dress focusing on her breathing. Suddenly the room lit up around her revealing a man in front of the King and her. The man didn't seem much younger than her father, she could tell this wouldn't end well for her.

"Frey... what brings you here?" The mans voice was deep and cold. He knew Astrid's father, but didn't seem thrilled to see him.

"Inez my old friend. How have you been?" Frey held his arms out to the side to welcome his 'old friend'.

"Cut the small talk Frey." He spat at his name. "You better be here to pay your debt after all these years."

"Why yes I am..." Frey stands to the side to reveal Astrid.

"Who is this?" Inez walked closer to Astrid.

"My debt to you." Astrid's eyes widened. Her father was going to use her to pay his debt?

"Father please-"

"Silence you bitch!" As Astrid desperately pleaded with her father to help, Inez slapped her face hard enough to knock her down. She looked up to her father for help but he simply couldn't care less.

"What am I to do with this weak girl?" Inez looked to Frey not convinced.

"Whatever you desire my friend..." Inez used to help Frey with his dirty work. After the King gives his daughter away, he will be free.

Inez looked back to Astrid as he gestured for her to stand back up. She did what he asked but her cheek stung badly and she felt dizzy. He looked her up and down and walked around her to check out her figure.

"Strip."

"Please don't make me-"

"Strip!" Inez screamed at the poor girl as she cried softly. She unlaced the back of her dress and pulled it down to the floor revealing her scarred body which Inez questioned Frey about.

"Oh that? That was just a little something I had to do to keep her in order. Now, she is well trained." Inez then looked back to Astrid with hunger in his eyes. She hated it. The only person who has ever seen her body is Loki... she wished it would stay that way. Inez was like a wild animal looking down onto his prey. Astrid's stomach turned at what her father was saying.

"Well in that case..." Inez reached forward to grab Astrid, but Frey quickly grabbed his arm stopping him.

"Not yet my friend. We must wait. I am currently staying at the palace. If I suddenly return without her Odin will hunt her down and both you and I would be ruined. Give me one more week, and she's all yours." Inez gave Astrid a hard stare and looked back at Frey.

"Fine you have yourself a deal. As next week, all your debts would've been paid." Inez shook Frey's hand, and just like that... Astrid had been sold off.

~

"Odin continues to bring me new friends. How thoughtful." From his cell, Loki watches the prisoners file past. He turns to speak to his visitor.