The Lady of the Valley

TLotV Chapter 30

30.

"You didn't have to do that," Astrid yelled as soon as the van doors slammed around them.

"I know," Derek told her. "I'm investing in my community. This is what you wanted, right? Less heroic acts of sacrifice and more ties to the community?"

"This isn't your community!" Astrid fired back. "I'm charged with protecting this city. I make the sacrifices."

"And I don't respect your mother's authority," Derek snapped. Astrid sputtered. "Neither does the mysterious counsel that her parents clearly work for," he jabbed a thumb in Ari's direction, "and, you know what, she doesn't even respect your mother's commands, because here we all are, trying to keep everyone safe. Including you."

Ari started laughing.

Astrid angrily peeled out into the street. The weather around them echoed her anger, a hard breeze shaking the trees.

"Where does it say you have to be in this alone?" He asked. "Where did your all knowing, goddess mother say Only You were charged with keeping this area safe? Why are only you the chosen one? I'd love if you pointed it out, so that if I ever meet her I can punch her in the face for being cruel and stupid."

Astrid did an angry fish impression. Ari giggle-snorted.

"If I don't get to be a self sabotaging asshole, neither do you," Derek growled.

"Shut up. Just shut up!" Astrid screamed. The car went silent, but almost immediately thunder rolled around them.

Ari reached out to touch Astrid, but Astrid shook her hand away. "Don't try it," Astrid snapped.

"You're just mad because he's right," Ari said, the calm center of the brewing storm.

"I'm angry because I don't want either of you hurt and neither of you will listen to me. I--" she fought for words, "--like you and it makes me sick to think of something bad happening to you. Especially if it is my fault."

Derek snorted "I don't know if you've noticed, but I get hurt a lot, and I don't really care. I heal fast. I'm not a weak, fainting flower that you need to save."

"You tell her," Ari added. "Because lord knows I've been trying to for years."

Thunder cracked again and lightning crawled over the sky. The clouds swallowed the last bit of sunlight on the edge of the horizon. Astrid growled and punched the steering wheel, eliciting a honk of protest.

After a long moment Derek asked, "Are you done throwing a fit yet?"

Astrid said nothing.

"It's not that you don't want us here, Astrid," Ari said softly. "You can't be scared that we'll leave and push us away at the same time. That's not how people work."

"I can't elt you get hurt because of me," Astrid said.

"They're idiots," Derek growled after another rumble of thunder.

"Who is?" Ari asked.

"Whoever left her in the first place. Her mom at the very least. What are a few decades to a goddess? Someone that powerful could damn well afford a vacation from whatever to raise their kid. She should be here, keeping her kid safe so that she gets something like a normal life. At least for a little bit."

Astrid sobbed and pulled over to the shoulder of the road. Around them fat, heavy drops fell from the clouds and smashed into the world. Derek released his seat belt and then he and Ari wrapped their arms around Astrid as much as they could in the space.