Beyond The Stars (UNDER REVISION)

New Friend

(This chapter returns to Dri's life on the Sacred Timeline! Dri does not remember anything from the last chapter. That Dri is a variant.)

It's been 5 weeks since the world lost its two most prominent heroes. I stare down at the publish draft of my novel. "I don't like this cover," I say, holding the book up. "It's... just wrong."

"We'll change it," my publisher nods at me. "We want to add an author photo to this one. Please email me the one you'd like to use."

I nod and put my head down. "If this is all-"

"Miss. Iverdottir," he interrupts. "We were wondering... have you considered doing works of fiction?"

I hold my hand up, stopping him. "I'd rather not. I've got enough to deal with. This is last book. I made it perfectly clear." He nods. I grab my purse and begin heading to the door. "Other than the cover, I believe this is good to go. I'll still do the signings at a few libraries nearby like I did for the last one, but I don't want to go on any press tours or anything. I'm done in the spotlight." With that, I leave. As I make my way to the elevator, I put one of my earbuds in. Instrumental music begins playing and I step inside the elevator. Once in my car, I take my earbud out and swap over to the radio. My phone doesn't connect to my car, unable to play my music. With a heavy sigh, I start pressing buttons. Just then, a CD pops out of my radio. I look at the white disc with black marker on it. 'Songs for Loki'. I push the disc back into the radio and decide to drive home in silence. When I park, I see a man standing on my porch. Stepping out, I speak up. "Can I help you?"

The man turns around. "Ah, there you are," he says. He's wearing a large jacket, holding an envelope and a brown, paper wrapped package.

"Whatever you're trying to sell or propose, I don't want any." I say, locking my car, walking up.

"I promise you, I'm not selling anything. Just delivering this." He flashes the envelope and package. I walk up and take it from him, not looking at it.

"What's this?"

"Some guy paid me to give this to you. Said it was important I put it directly in your hands. That's all I know." With that, he turns and gets on a bike, leaving.

I look down at it. When I see the handwriting on the envelope, my heart starts racing. As fast as I can, I unlock my door and rush inside, slamming it behind me. With shaky hands, I grab my letter opener and cleanly open it up. I unfold the letter and begin reading the delicately written words.

My dearest Eldrid,

As I am writing this, you are asleep in our bed. Thor said something and I began to wonder. He said he could not remember his last words to mother. Ever since then, I cannot stop thinking about what we could possibly be our last words to each other. There is so much to say and we have not the slightest idea how long we have to say it. For too long, I played intricate games and elaborate tricks that I deeply regret. I am weak. It was a desperate grasp for control. Once Thor was about to take the throne, my darkest desires took control of my life. That opened a pathway for something even darker to take control of my mind. All of my actions are my own and I can never atone for what I did to you and the people you care about when I was struggling to take ahold of what I believed I deserved - what I was owed. All along, everything I needed was right before my eyes. All I ever needed, wanted, was you and I was too blinded for too long to realize it. It took me far too long to admit that. I have loved you since you showed me a different way to see the stars on Asgard. I learned so much from you and I canot wait to learn even more. Those long hours in the Royal Library, the silent nights on Midgard with you in the home you were raised, those stolen glances, our laughs intertwining with each other, the shared meals. I have cherished them all. Your beauty, your radiance, the smiles, the scowls, your eyes saying millions of words even when your voice could not. That was all I ever needed and for the longest time, I was too stupid to realize it. Now, as I write this, even with my home, my parents, everything I knew gone, ash and debris floating through the stars, all I can think of is the future we are going to have together. You continuing to fight for what is right, what is fair. Me, following in your footsteps, learning to do better. To be better. We could have the most beautiful marriage ceremony. If that is what you want. We could take in the Asgardian children who lost their parents when they lost their home. I would continue to teach you magic and you would continue to teach me humanity. How live to the fullest. How to enjoy every day and every little thing as if it was my last.