A God's Daughter : Book 2

Chapter 6

TW: MENTIONS OF SELF-HARM. THEMES OF DEPRESSION.

Valkyrie's P.O.V.:

I never really understood myself and my own family, and I've been alive for years.

I never could see where I fit in anymore. I could never see why my mother left me. I could never see why my family was so different.

Ever.

So seeing the Asgardians fit in so well with each other baffled me. They've been alive just as long as I have, maybe a couple years more, yet they knew where they fit in this world perfectly.

How? I asked myself, watching them.

How did they look at each other with such adoration and care? I saw how they laughed and joked with each other so easily, like they had mere moments after seeing each other.

I watched as they spoke solemnly with one another, low whispers from one to another.

I watched as they sang and danced with one another like they were living their finest life, like they had hope for the future.

I watched as they carried one another when one got tired.

I watched their secret smiles and the way their eyes shined when looking at one another.

I watched them all love each other.

Why?

All my father does is neglect me. Or hurt me in some way or another. How were these three so easily able to laugh and joke and talk and smile and-

"Hey, are you okay?" Asked the blonde Asgardian. Aaric. He had a concerned look on his face, one eyebrow raised, a half smile on his face.

I was broken from my thoughts with a jerk. How dare he insinuate that I wasn't okay! I'm always okay! I'm fine. All the time.

Fine...

Right?

"Of course I am. Why do you ask?" I said, trying to put as much strength behind my voice as I could.

The girl with black hair gave me a look.

She reminded me of a snake. Always ready to strike, always ready to hurt. She may have looked like she was gentle and relaxed but she just...

How could she be? She was fully prepared to kill me earlier. I could see it in her eyes.

I need to watch myself around her.

"You just... You looked so sad!" Exclaimed Aaric. I reeled backwards.

I quickly tugged my sleeves down. Maybe he saw them-?

His eyes flicked to my arm, concern dawning on his face.

He started to open his mouth, but was immediately silenced by a look from Yeira.

"Don't try to hide them."

My eyes shot to Ranlanair. He...he knows..?

He was staring at the ground, dim lighting from a lamp illuminating his face, leaving his eyes in shadow.

He peered up at me, eyes empty and wide. Hollow.

"Pain is a natural part of living. Even though I may be seen as a god of some sorts, merely because I live longer than a Midgardian, I still feel pain. A lot more of it than you may ever. I live longer, which means I'm exposed to more than you are. Never be ashamed of your pain." He said. I started to tear up.

"How am I not supposed to be ashamed? They're ugly and disgusting and horrible and-"

"They're beautiful. They show every single heartbreak and painful moment you felt the need to remember. They show who you are. They show your life, and all your experiences. Every scar," he laid a hand on mine, "is a piece of you that you gave away and rebuilt with love."

"Pain is pain, scars are scars. In Asgard, we would revere in your scars. We would praise you for the pain you've gone through and survived." Said Yeira, staring at the wall.

"We all have pain, and we all survive. And that makes you very beautiful. Please understand that." Said Aaric, joining in.

"You don't understand-" I started.

"You have no idea what we do and do not understand." Yeira glowered.

I bowed my head. She was right, I truly had no idea.

"Yeira is right. You can't tell us that we do and do not understand. We cannot pretend to know exactly what you are going through, but you cannot pretend we know nothing of pain simply because we are of another world." Said Ranlanair.

"But that does not mean your pain is invalid." Added Aaric.

"Drink some water and go to sleep. I suppose tomorrow we must start the search for Aaric's mother." She looked to both Aaric and Ranlanair with a glare in her eyes. "That includes you two as well."

They sighed and started to walk to where they had previously been dictated to sleep.

"Thank you" I said quietly. Yeira stared at me for a few moments.

Absolute silence.

Then she whirled away without another word.

I could tell I had made myself appear an enemy to her.

---

Yeira's POV:

You were sick of people. Sick of hearing them talk, sick of their faces, sick of them in general.

Most of them, at least.

But the girl was something you felt you only barely tolerated.

Her red hair was a thing of beauty, as were her eyes, yet she was simply wretched.

Horrid. Constantly complaining, always being self-centered, always yelling and throwing around threats like a child throwing toys.

You found it amusing how many times she threatened you. Her? A simple mortal. Threating you. A god. A princess and heir to two realms.

Pathetic. Yet amusing.

Your thought drifted to Ranlanair as you lay still, lulling you to sleep.

Oh, how you loved him so.

You would do simply anything for him.

Anything.