Blind Success {Book 1 - Blinded Trilogy}

21 - A Princess and A Horse Named Frode

"The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown." H. P. Lovecraft

UNKNOWN LOCATION. That's the first thing that crossed my foggy mind as I gained back the consciousness that I had lost. Whoever had hit me over the head did so with more force than was really necessary. My head throbbed and the bright lights that blinded me whenever I blinked open didn't help at all. Wherever I was, there was a breeze. It was blowing against my skin and my hair was flapping around.

Finally, I had managed to open my eyes without scorching my retina. Blinking to bring the room into focus, I realize that it wasn't really light that was blinding me. The room around me was ice. Sunlight was hitting it and that made it quite bright on the inside. Sitting up, rubbing my head, I slowly stand and look around.

I wasn't chained to anything, which almost made it feel like I had been invited and not kidnapped. I walked around the room, running my hands over the smooth ice walls. That's when I noticed that my skin was the same cerulean blue that it was when Loki took me to that barren realm starting with J. Ridges were along my arms; my uncovered arms. My breath caught in my throat as I looked from my palm to my shoulder. When I got to my shoulder, I noticed that clothes that I was wearing a deep green, sleeveless shirt that didn't cover my scarred midriff. Looking around the room again, I spot a mirror and walk over to it.

What I saw in the reflection was a shock to say the least. The shirt was like a tank top. It didn't cover my stomach and it had a sweetheart neckline that showed off whatever cleavage I had. The skirt was at least a little more modest. The highest point of it was about mid-thigh before it lowered down to my feet. The hem of the dress looked like it was in tatters but also looked like it had the texture of feathers but made of silk or something. My feet were bare, but it didn't seem to bother me.

Lifting my head again I gasp when I see what was sitting on my head. A silver crown sat perched on my head. Lifting my hands, I take the accessory off my head and look at it. Rubies and sapphires adorned the crown. I was confused. I had no idea where I was, why I was here or who had brought me. "Why am I dressed like this?" I ask myself softly, my fingers running over the the smooth, cool metal of the crown.

"All you need to do is ask." I turned around quickly at the masculine voice. Standing at the door was a Frost Giant who lived up to the name. He must have been 7 maybe 8 feet tall, making me feel rather small; dwarf-like. His red eyes looked me over. I looked down at myself. Did I look that bad? When I lifted my head, he had moved a bit closer, startling me and making me drop the crown as I stumbled backwards.

He watched me with what seemed to be apprehension. Guess that goes both ways. I had no idea who he was. "Where am I?" The shakes in my voice were unmistakable.

"You are on Jotunheim." I let out a breath and then blink a few times as tears threaten to fall.

"What-What am I doing here?"

"You belong here."

"No more of that fucking bullshit. I do not belong here! I belong back on Earth with everyone else." A frown covered his face as he looked around the room, a calm expression seeming to spread across his face.

"This would have been your room." His words felt like a punch to the gut. My room? He had turned so that he was looking at me.

"M-My... My room?"

"Yes. You are Svala. My daughter. You are in the palace of Jotunheim." I took a few more steps back, the back of my knees hitting a chair I hadn't seen, making me sit roughly. I started to hyperventilate as I thought about his word. Daughter... Palace...