Revenge| Book 6| A novel in the Blue Moon series| An Avengers fan fiction series |

30- Paradise on Hold

YAY I WROTE SOMETHING! 

I simply refused to let myself eat until I finished and now that I have, I'm starving and need sustenance. 

Shoutout to Graciey48 for doing a lovely video review for Blue Moon. It made me so happy. Which reminds me, remember that all the lovely end-of-Blue Moon stuff, be it art, a video, or words, I have to have by March 15. Which is a month. If that's not enough time, then I can live with that, but at least definitely by the end of March. And remember, if it's artwork you share via tumblr, please message me the link because my tumblr notifications are awful. And if you want to email me things, then message me. And if you want to say hello, then message me. 

Please VOTE and COMMENT!

Ily,

Sierra

Chapter 30

The next morning, Thea wakes up to a knock on her door. Bolting up, she tries to make her face as presentable as possible in case it's someone she doesn't know. "Yeah?"

The door opens, and Arastahn pokes his head in. He is wearing a green coat laced with black fur. His auburn hair hangs neatly around his chiseled face, and his dark eyes are bright. Thea remembers Loki mentioning that Arastahn prefers men over women, and she wonders what his life as the heir to a lordship in Asgard, where some discriminate and some do not.

"Good morning," says Arastahn with a short nod. "The morning meal is served in the rotunda downstairs, if you would like me to accompany you."

"Yeah, sure," says Thea, swinging off the bed. She stretches, which she instantly regrets when the shooting pain in her side reminds her of the slice Caomh had taken of her. "Is everyone else awake?"

"Yes indeed," says Arastahn. "Although I believe Miss Emmaline is still tending to her child." He shifts his hand from the amethyst hilt of his sword to the pile of clothes on the table across from the bed. "Mother says she thinks these will fit. Your leather and armor is being washed. I will wait for you in the hall."

"Thanks, Arastahn," says Thea. When the door closes behind the young Asgardian, she pulls of the pajamas. Before she pulls on the new clothes, she inspects the wound on her side. The bandages are still fresh, but there is the faint remnants of pink from the last of the dripping blood.

Sighing, Thea pulls on the dress. It is warm, made of soft, velveteen material, and is the color of pearls. Bright white fur trims the bodice, the train, and the neckline. The sleeves are long and ornate, flowing past Thea's waist. She brushes her raven-colored hair and pulls it into a high ponytail. With her hair away from her face, the jagged scar on the left side of her face is more visible, but Thea pays it no mind. She is past worrying about how nasty the scar looks and is more intent on realizing the power behind it.

Pulling on some kitten heels with pearl buckles, Thea grabs her emerald dagger, ties the sheath around her waist, and then opens the heavy oak door.

True to word, Arastahn is waiting for her. As he leads her through the tan halls that look like they had been cut from sea stone, he says, "My parents and I have been waiting for you and your father to arrive. Our troops aren't many in number, as our lands have always been known to be peaceful and well protected by the mountains and the ocean. But we will do what we can to aid you in this fight. Neidra has taken from us many women and men in her quest for power, and she must be stopped."
Thea searches his face for a sign that this fight is personal, or in any way eating him from the inside out. And although she is typically adept at reading people, she sees no inner pain in Arastahn's deep, dark eyes. He is either a tremendous bluffer or is speaking the truth.