The Ties That Bind Us

10

Isabella's pov
I walk into the dining area, flinging the doors open without a care. Everyone's head turns to me and I take a second to gaze into each of their eyes individually. Odin doesn't look fazed, which doesn't surprise me at all. Frigga looks confused, hesitant; which seems on brand for her.

Loki looks like he couldn't care less while Thor holds tightly to the table. But Hela... her face is the one I wanted to see most. She looks scared, as if she knows what's coming. "So I assume you all knew" I voice angrily, "knew what, honey?" Frigga questions coyly. "Oh cut the shit" I scoff, "don't speak to her like that" Thor commands.

"Relax, thunder boy. I just wanna know if I was the only one who wasn't privy to the details of my life" I seethe. I glance at Hela who has her head down, pushing food around in her plate. "Based on the way you look like you've tucked your tail between your legs, I've got my answer" I comment and she glances up at me.

"Odin" I voice, turning directly to him. It's the first time I've ever really looked at him. Always trying to avoid his face because it makes me uncomfortable. "Isabella" he states challengingly, "I presume you knew first" I say. "It wasn't imperative that you knew" he verbally shrugs, "it wasn't imperative? It's MY LIFE" I yell.

"You sound like a human teenager, gosh" Loki scoffs. "YOU shut up" I demand and he raises his eyebrows in shock. "Well look at the Hel you're raising. You have to know this is the very reason I didn't disclose it to you" Odin sneers. "You know, I've never liked you. So it doesn't even bother me that you're so nonchalant about this" I start.

"But you? I can't believe you would this to me" I turn to Hela. She looks up and opens her mouth to defend herself but I stop her. "I trusted you. I- I really thought I knew you" I mutter, my confidence wavering as the anger slightly subsides. "She's the Goddess of DEATH for crying out loud. Did you expect her not to kill?" Loki chuckles darkly.

We both glare at him before she speaks up. "We can talk about this. I understand your frustration, ok? I feel bad and I know that doesn't bring them back, I j-" I scoff before I start laughing maniacally. They all stare at me with confusion and slight fear on their faces. I calm down and take a deep breath my face dropping to a neutral gaze.

"No, I don't think you do understand. But how could you? All you were taught was war, destruction, chaos... death" I list. I can see that my words pierce her which stops me for a moment. "I'm leaving. Don't try to stop me" I announce, turning around and walking out. I walk quickly towards the exit, heading for the bifrost.

"ISABELLA! Please wait" I hear Hela call out behind me but I don't stop. I feel my shoulder being pulled back, her other hand moving to hold me in place. "Just... can we talk about it? I'm sorry I-" "I don't want to hear about how you're sorry. You knew this WHOLE time, and didn't tell me" I remind her.

My lip trembles as I relive all the memories we shared. Then it fades into the new memories, all the destruction. "I gave myself to you, wholly. You let me love you with everything I had left. Knowing that you were the reason I'd lost it all to begin with" I state. "I know... I know" she sighs letting me go.

"Where are you going to go?" she asks softly, "that's none of your concern" I counter. "Please... I just want to know you'll be safe" she begs, "anywhere but here" I answer. She nods, her hands tapping at her sides. "I'm going to miss you... no matter what I did in the past; I want you to know that I really, truly love you" she voices.

I stare at her for a moment, a hum sounding through my throat. I turn around and walk away, my heart aching. Visions of all the times she's let me walk away from her. This time feels nothing like the others, though. I never want to see her again, but deep down, I crave for her.

She's the only person that could make this feel better and yet she's the reason I'm feeling this in the first place. I order Skurge to open it and he looks me up and down. He looks past me and nods, gripping the sword. I look back to see Hela standing there, keeping her distance, her posture straight and rigid like a pole.

"Where to?" he asks, "Midgard" I answer.